Need help building your fantasy football team? Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups in any given week in fantasy football leagues. I won’t be going into the elite players like CeeDee Lamb or Tyreek Hill because you already know you have to have them in the starting lineup! Instead, I’ll be looking at other wide receivers who could exceed or fall short of expectations depending on their weekly opponent… like Chris Godwin in Week 1!
To make your final lineup decision, be sure to check out my fantasy player rankings, updated daily! Also, be sure to subscribe to Fantasy Dirt with Lindsay Rhodes and me as we analyze all things fantasy football five days a week!
And when you’re done with the wide receivers, be sure to check out my Start ’em, Sit ’em recommendations for the other positions: QBs | RBs | TEs | K & D/STs
1. Tyreek Hill vs. Bills (Thu.)
2. CeeDee Lamb vs Saints
3. Cooper Kupp at the Cardinals
4. Justin Jefferson vs. 49ers
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Buccaneers
6. AJ Brown vs Falcons (Monday)
7. Ja’Marr Chase at the Chiefs
8. Rashee Rice vs. Bengals
9. Mike Evans at Lions
10. Garrett Wilson at Titans
The complete Week 2 wide receiver rankings can be found here.
Start of the week
Deebo Samuel on Vikings (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Deebo Samuel started the season on a high note, scoring 18.7 points in a win over the Jets. He also played eight times in the game and could continue to do so if Christian McCaffrey is out for a second week. Still, I’d put him on the starting bench against the Minnesota Vikings. Since the start of last season, their defense has allowed 17 touchdowns and the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
Start it
Drake London at Eagles (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Drake London had a miserable performance last week, catching just two passes on three attempts in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thankfully, Philadelphia’s game is much more favorable this week. Their defense has allowed the most fantasy points to the visitors’ wideouts since last season, and perimeter receivers have beaten them by the second-most points during that time. So I’d continue to put my faith in London.
Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Marvin Harrison Jr. has had a poor start to his NFL career, catching just one pass. The good news is he’s played every snap and an upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Rams could be his breakout moment. Their defense, which allowed Jameson Williams to have a great game last week, has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers since the start of last year.
Malik Nabers on Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Malik Nabers had decent stats in his first NFL outing, posting 11.6 points on 5 catches and 66 yards. I think he’ll be even better this week as the rookie faces a spectacular matchup with the Washington Commanders. No defense in the NFL has allowed more fantasy points to perimeter receivers since the start of last season, and only the Eagles have allowed more fantasy points to the position overall.
Chris Godwin on Lions (1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Chris Godwin was listed as a starter in this section last week, rewarding the loyal fans with 22.3 points. I’d keep him in fantasy lineups this week as well, as he faces a Detroit Lions defense that has allowed the third-most points to wide receivers and slot players since 2023. In a game with a 50.5 point total, fantasy managers can expect to see a lot of points scored… both “real” and in fantasy leagues.
WRs with good matchups
Sit of the week
George Pickens at the Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): George Pickens had a good start to the season, scoring 13.5 fantasy points in a win over the Atlanta Falcons. I would temper my expectations this week, though, as he faces a tough task in Denver. The Broncos and CB Patrick Surtain are tough on perimeter receivers at home, allowing five touchdowns and the eighth-fewest fantasy points in their last nine games at the Mile High, making Pickens a risky flex.
sit down
Calvin Ridley vs. Jets (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Calvin Ridley had a miserable performance last week, scoring just eight points in a loss to the Chicago Bears. He’s also scored in single digits in five of his last seven games. If that’s not enough reason to keep him on the bench, then consider the brutal matchup against the New York Jets’ impressive pass defense. Since the start of last season, the Men in Green have allowed just three touchdowns and the fewest points to home team receivers.
Christian Watson vs. Colts (1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Watson scored a touchdown last week, but he only gained 13 yards and caught just three passes. And while the game against the Colts this weekend isn’t bad on paper, Watson’s quarterback leaves a lot to be desired. Malik Willis, who is set to start with Jordan Love out, is one of the most inaccurate passers in the league. That’s hurting Watson and all of the Packers’ receivers this week.
Diontae Johnson vs. Chargers (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Diontae Johnson was listed as a sit ’em in this area last week, scoring a measly 3.9 points. He also played in a rotation with Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo, both of whom played in over 30 snaps. I’d be wary of the veteran this week, even against a lackluster Los Angeles Chargers pass defense, based on his Week 1 snap count, Bryce Young’s struggles, and a low Vegas point total of just 39 points.
Courtland Sutton vs. Steelers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Courtland Sutton had plenty of faceoff attempts in his first game of the 2024 season, but turned his 12 attempts into just four catches and 7.8 points. It’s also troubling that Bo Nix’s pass EPA was minus-23, the worst in the NFL last week, and Sutton’s catchable pass rate was also last among wideouts who had at least eight faceoff attempts. The Steelers also have a strong pass defense, so Sutton benched.
WRs with bad matchups
Now that you’re ready for this position, make sure you know the best starting and sitting picks for the other positions as well:
