RADIO
Navigating the WR position this season has been like finding Waldo with the lights out. All season, WRs have been trailing the RB position for fantasy.
With passing numbers down across the league and injuries plaguing some of the big names (A.J. Brown, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Rashee Rice, etc.), suddenly, the safest position for fantasy has become more dangerous than a six-pack on a Sunday.
My name is Ellis Johnson, and I am thrilled to say that through the first three weeks of the season, I was the No. 1 WR Ranker in the FantasyPros Expert Accuracy competition. I’m hoping to ride this hot streak and provide some smash start WR options for you each week. From star players in excellent situations to players outside of the top 40 in intriguing matchups, I’m going to cover it all. So, without further ado, my Smash Starts for Week 5.
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Garrett Wilson (WR, NYJ)
Time for a little reality check. Would you believe me if I told you Garrett Wilson is the WR43 on the season behind players like Jalen Nailor, Andrei Iosivas, Tre Tucker, Quentin Johnston, and Wan'Dale Robinson? You’d probably think we’re living in the Upside Down from Stranger Things if that were true. Well, turns out that’s the world we are in.
Even with Aaron Rodgers looking like his old self, Wilson has not been able to come through for fantasy. Some of this can be attributed to tough matchups; however, Wilson is supposed to be one of the few players who are “matchup-proof.”
Although Wilson has the talent to be matchup-proof, it’s clear Patrick Surtain II and Christian Gonzalez managed to get the best of him. This week, he heads to London to take on the Minnesota Vikings. Even though Brian Flores is the early candidate for defensive coordinator of the year, the Vikings have not been great against the WR position.
Last week, Jordan Love managed to torch this secondary in the second half as the Packers came up short of a furious comeback. In perfect NFL script format, Aaron Rodgers gets to take on his old rivals this week.
If there is a QB that can dissect Flores’ coverage at the snap, it’ll be Aaron Rodgers. I think Wilson might finally have the breakout game with a good quarterback, whom we have been waiting for since he was drafted. I have him as a top-eight play this week.
Garrett Wilson vs Patrick Surtain ||pic.twitter.com/GyLwxWUU1X
— Football Is Life (@FootbaIl_Tweets) September 30, 2024
Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks (WR, GB)
It’s wild to think that Garrett Wilson is WR43, while Reed is currently the WR4 on the season, despite two games with Malik Willis. I’ll be honest: I was not super high on Reed this offseason. This was largely due to the offense being crowded rather than his ability, but it seems his ability has made him the clear top option on this team.
This week he faces a Rams team that is bleeding points to all of their opponents. So far the Rams are allowing the sixth most fantasy points and second most touchdowns to the WR position. This makes the Rams a perfect fantasy matchup as Matthew Stafford will always keep them in games and their defense will always allow points. As a result, we should see another massive Packers performance this week.
As for Wicks, despite having two touchdowns last week, he has been relatively disappointing based on his usage. Despite having the same number of targets as Reed (22), he has only caught eight of them for 108 yards and has a ridiculous touchdown reception percentage of 38%.
Meanwhile, Reed has 17 receptions for 336 yards and two scores. Thankfully, this usage should be relatively secure, with Christian Watson now missing time due to an injury. As a result, that volume should offset Wicks’ problem with drops.
Despite Wicks’ struggles and unsustainable TD volume, he is primed for another big game this week. I’d start Wicks as a WR3/flex play this week, and I would try to capitalize and move off of him if he has another big game. As for Reed, he is a must-start WR1 this week.
Jayden Reed has played 2 games with his starting QB:
7 REC 141 YDs 1 TD
4 REC 170 YDs 2 TD
It’s not crazy to say he’s a top 10 WR in the league 👀 pic.twitter.com/bpNkTXKDIH
— Freeze (@freezesports1) October 1, 2024
Tee Higgins (WR, CIN)
Higgins has been no stranger to the headlines in 2024. As a Bengals fan, I can tell you that I was gutted when the Bengals did not extend him in the offseason. It’s infuriating to see the Eagles sign both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith this offseason, yet the Bengals couldn't get a deal done with either of their top wide receivers. Now that that’s off my chest, let me tell you why Higgins is a smash start this week.
I’m going a little off my usual analysis with this one, as Baltimore is anything but a smash matchup for WRs. However, Higgins has been very good against the Ravens in the past. Over his five full regular season games against the Ravens, he is averaging 11 targets, 6.4 receptions, 82.8 yards, and 0.8 touchdowns per game. Going back to his rookie season, those are some pretty great numbers.
Even though this is a massive divisional matchup for both teams, it would be an incredible win for the Bengals. After what we just saw the Ravens do to the now 3-1 Bills last week, a win for the Bengals would be a huge statement and also tie their record with the Ravens. Having said that, I’m picking the Ravens in this game, which means the Bengals will likely be in a negative game script.
Joe Burrow will need to be ready to go for this one, and with all the attention on Ja'Marr Chase, I think Higgins will need to have a huge game if the Bengals are to have a shot. I’ll even go as far as calling Higgins to get a touchdown in this, opening the pie shop for the first time this season. As a result, I’d play Higgins as a top-15 option at the position this week.
Tee Higgins adding to his best non-catches of the year highlight reel pic.twitter.com/ag4CFWT11S
— Jakob Sanderson (@JakobSanderson) September 30, 2024
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