The wide receiver position offers a lot of value and depth as we go towards the home stretch of the fantasy playoffs. The obvious move is to start your studs but the WR3 and flex positions are more up in the air and dependent on the matchup rather than the name. There are three wide receivers in that range that are bound for big performances in Week 15.
Everyone knows how stellar the Arizona Cardinals offense is. The usual suspects in the fantasy passing game are quarterback Carson Palmer and receiver Larry Fitzgerald. John Brown has been highly underrated all season and provides tremendous value in the closing weeks of the regular season. The only question about Brown’s fantasy production has been health concerns as he’s missed a couple of games with injury. Brown has delivered double-digit standard fantasy points in seven of his last eight games. If he’s on the field, Brown is one of the best WR3 plays in all of fantasy. This week will see his upside increase even more with a delightful matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia has given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season and Arizona should have an easy day of work on Sunday.
The Detroit Lions will face the New Orleans Saints’ league-worst pass defense and Calvin Johnson is the popular target in fantasy this week. While Megatron will have a huge day, the matchup should provide enough stats to boast two receivers to big games. Detroit’s second wide receiver Golden Tate has been on the rise over the last month. Tate has at least seven receptions in the last four games each and has scored three total touchdowns in the last three games. The Lions passing game has been much improved lately and the Saints horrid defense will only add to the momentum.
Kansas City Chiefs star Jeremy Maclin is the third wide receiver you can bank on for a big game this week. No team is giving up more fantasy points to the wide receiver position than the Baltimore Ravens and Maclin is the only credible receiver for Kansas City. Baltimore struggles against the pass but defends the run well. Andy Reid will have to change his game plan to exploit the weakness and it should give Maclin plenty of targets as Alex Smith’s top weapon. Maclin, Tate and Brown are three unsexy names that will take you to the fantasy finals as great WR3 options in Week 15.