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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, Baltimore Ravens Zay Flowers, Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze are rostered in the vast majority of leagues. That doesn't mean they should all be starting lineup locks every week.
There are many considerations to make, and some are more obvious starts than others. Even the ones that are considered elite can have dud games, and if you have similar players you're considering putting in a WR1, WR2, or WR3/FLEX spot, making the right decision can go a long way.
So which of these players should be started, and which should be benched? Let's find out and dive into it.
Should I Start Deebo Samuel for Fantasy Football?
Samuel burned many fantasy managers in Week 11. Despite being considered an elite fantasy football talent and burning Seattle for three catches, 102 yards, and a touchdown through the air in Week 6, Samuel dropped an absolute dud of a performance last Sunday with just 6.1 PPR fantasy points.
Is Deebo Samuel washed?
Deebo has lacked the normal explosiveness and physicality that's made him a 1-of-1 weapon in years past.
His yards per carry is 2.9, which is a career low by far.
His YAC numbers and tackle breaking numbers are down.
He's struggling to separate, has… pic.twitter.com/LGX4xt1GCL
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) November 20, 2024
Samuel has long had separation issues, but he just doesn't look like the player he once was. It could be due to injuries, the pneumonia he may still be recovering from, or simply aging. It's anomalistic how much worse he looks than he did earlier in the season, though, so chalking it up to injuries or illness is reasonable.
It's hard to start him after such a dud, but most fantasy rosters should still put him in the WR3/FLEX spot due to his upside. The return of tight end George Kittle should help divert defensive attention away from the YAC god, so he's a fine player to have in starting lineups.
Should I Start DK Metcalf for Fantasy Football?
Metcalf is talented enough to have good games against any defense, so he shouldn't be benched. In his return to play in Week 11, he caught seven of his nine targets for 70 yards, scoring 14 PPR fantasy points. He's the focal point of Seattle's offense and a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
D.K. Metcalf smoking 🚬 two defender.
This is what I'd expect to see on tape from a market leading big man. And a WR like this changes defensive ➗ calculus.
Whispers of trades, but no talk. pic.twitter.com/tmehvC01ik
— ZeeBee (@BellinoZee) November 21, 2024
The Seahawks' problems on offense aren't on the shoulders of Metcalf. General manager John Schneider needs to be fired for his refusal to put together a competent offensive line. That would give quarterback Geno Smith more time to hit Metcalf on deep shots. Regardless, it would be best to start him.
Should I Start Zay Flowers for Fantasy Football?
Flowers saved what would have been a poor fantasy outing in Week 11 with a touchdown catch. The opposing Pittsburgh Steelers defense did a great job shutting down a normally prolific Ravens offense. Flowers is a boom-or-bust WR in fantasy football, but the boom games make him worth starting.
Patrick Queen perfectly carrying Zay Flowers up the seam. Inject it into my veins.
Queen has been awesome for the Steelers. pic.twitter.com/TzEjYkGHio
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) November 19, 2024
His production largely depends on the game script, how the defense decides to play against him, the coverage assignments he draws, how many pass plays Baltimore calls, and how many designed looks are drawn up and executed properly for him. It's not possible to know what will happen in advance regarding these things, but No. 4 is the eighth-ranked WR in PPR in fantasy this season. Start him.
Should I Start Terry McLaurin for Fantasy Football?
Week 11's outing for McLaurin was truly awful for fantasy football. He caught just one of his two targets for 10 yards all game. But his quarterback was dealing with a rib injury, clearly wincing when throwing and missing throws he usually makes, the whole offense was sluggish due to this, and TMac was no match for Quintanamo Bay.
Quintanamo Bay is a scary place for WRs#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/CJKgDL9oMU
— Sidelines - Eagles 🦅🏈 (@SSN_Eagles) November 17, 2024
This result can probably be thrown out for the sixth-year pro wide receiver, though Daniels getting healthy will help. The Commanders will face the Dallas Cowboys, who have a pass defense riddled with injuries, and Scary Terry should have a bounce-back game against his next opponent. He's a good start.
Should I Start Rome Odunze for Fantasy Football?
Odunze appears to be making a serious play for the Chicago Bears' de-facto WR1 role. He led the team in targets in Week 11 with 10 looks in the passing game, hauling in six of those for 65 yards. He's a solid WR3/FLEX play in PPR leagues, and should be started as such.
At least the Bears have legitimate players in Caleb Williams & Rome Odunze.
The loss sucks, but the future is absolutely bright with those two. 🌟
pic.twitter.com/hKjP9sq9GP— Bearsszn (@bearssznn) November 17, 2024
His ceiling is capped by the inconsistent and sometimes terrible play of his rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams, but the offensive coordinator change seems to be helping, at least initially. He's a decent player worth starting in PPR.
Popular Week 12 Searches - Start/Sit Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 12 searches and comparisons from our Who To Start tool for Deebo Samuel Sr., DK Metcalf, Zay Flowers, Terry McLaurin, Rome Odunze compared to others. You can also use the free Who Should I Start tool to run your own start/sit comparisons, up to four players at once:
Zay Flowers or Jauan Jennings
Quentin Johnston or Rome Odunze
Deebo Samuelsr or Jauan Jennings
Elijah Moore or Rome Odunze
Zay Flowers or Tee Higgins
Zay Flowers or Jameson Williams
Jauan Jennings or Deebo Samuelsr
Rome Odunze or Wandale Robinson
Jerry Jeudy or Rome Odunze
Ladd McConkey or Deebo Samuelsr
Mike Evans or Terry Mclaurin
Zay Flowers or Marvin Harrisonjr
Chuba Hubbard or Zay Flowers
Dk Metcalf or Jaxon Smithnjigba
Jauan Jennings or Dk Metcalf
Rome Odunze or Jaylen Waddle
Wandale Robinson or Rome Odunze
Zay Flowers or Calvin Ridley
Cedric Tillman or Rome Odunze
CeeDee Lamb or Dk Metcalf
Christian Watson or Rome Odunze
Dk Metcalf or Jk Dobbins
Josh Downs or Deebo Samuelsr
Rome Odunze or DJ Moore
Terry Mclaurin or Courtland Sutton
Terry Mclaurin or Ladd Mcconkey
Zay Flowers or Courtland Sutton
Zay Flowers or Jaxon Smithnjigba
Zay Flowers or Quentin Johnston
Adam Thielen or Rome Odunze
Deebo Samuelsr or Malik Nabers
Dk Metcalf or Jayden Reed
Dk Metcalf or Mike Evans
Dk Metcalf or Terry Mclaurin
Jayden Reed or Deebo Samuelsr
Jerry Jeudy or Zay Flowers
Michael Pittmanjr or Rome Odunze
Rome Odunze or Alec Pierce
Rome Odunze or Cedric Tillman
Rome Odunze or Will Dissly
Rome Odunze or Xavier Worthy
Terry Mclaurin or Kareem Hunt
Zay Flowers or Cedric Tillman
Zay Flowers or Jayden Reed
Bucky Irving or Zay Flowers
Chuba Hubbard or Deebo Samuelsr
Courtland Sutton or Deebo Samuelsr
Deebo Samuelsr or Jameson Williams
Deebo Samuelsr or Josh Downs
Deebo Samuelsr or Ladd Mcconkey
Dj Moore or Rome Odunze
Dj Moore or Rome Odunze
Garrett Wilson or Deebo Samuelsr
George Pickens or Zay Flowers
Jauan Jennings or Terry Mclaurin
Jaylen Waddle or Rome Odunze
Jk Dobbins or Terry Mclaurin
Malik Nabers or Zay Flowers
Mike Evans or Zay Flowers
Rome Odunze or Christian Watson
Romeo Doubs or Rome Odunze
Terry Mclaurin or DeVonta Smith
Terry Mclaurin or Dk Metcalf
Terry Mclaurin or Jauan Jennings
Terry Mclaurin or Zay Flowers
Tony Pollard or Deebo Samuelsr
Tyreek Hill or Dk Metcalf
Tyrone Tracyjr or Terry Mclaurin
Zay Flowers or Bucky Irving
Zay Flowers or Dk Metcalf
Aaron Jones or Terry Mclaurin
Brian Robinsonjr or Dk Metcalf
Calvin Ridley or Terry Mclaurin
Calvin Ridley or Zay Flowers
Ceedee Lamb or Deebo Samuelsr
Ceedee Lamb or Terry Mclaurin
Chuba Hubbard or Terry Mclaurin
Courtland Sutton or Zay Flowers
Deebo Samuelsr or Calvin Ridley
Deebo Samuelsr or Quentin Johnston
DeMario Douglas or Rome Odunze
Dk Metcalf or Calvin Ridley
Dk Metcalf or Courtland Sutton
Dk Metcalf or Tyreek Hill
George Pickens or Dk Metcalf
Jaxon Smithnjigba or Zay Flowers
Jayden Reed or Terry Mclaurin
Josh Downs or Dk Metcalf
Malik Nabers or Terry Mclaurin
Mike Evans or Dk Metcalf
Puka Nacua or Deebo Samuelsr
Rashod Bateman or Rome Odunze
Rico Dowdle or Rome Odunze
Rome Odunze or Elijah Moore
Rome Odunze or Keenan Allen
Rome Odunze or Tyler Lockett
Terry Mclaurin or George Pickens
Terry Mclaurin or James Conner
Terry Mclaurin or Nico Collins
Terry Mclaurin or Rashid Shaheed
Terry Mclaurin or Rhamondre Stevenson
Zay Flowers or Jk Dobbins
Zay Flowers or Ladd Mcconkey
Zay Flowers or Nico Collins
Zay Flowers or Terry Mclaurin
Aj Brown or Zay Flowers
Brian Robinsonjr or Dk Metcalf
Brock Bowers or Rome Odunze
Bucky Irving or Terry Mclaurin
Cam Akers or Terry Mclaurin
Christian Watson or Rome Odunze
Chuba Hubbard or Deebo Samuelsr
Chuba Hubbard or Dk Metcalf
Cooper Kupp or Dk Metcalf
Dallas Goedert or Rome Odunze
DeAndre Hopkins or Zay Flowers
Deebo Samuelsr or Brian Robinsonjr
Deebo Samuelsr or Cooper Kupp
Deebo Samuelsr or Courtland Sutton
Deebo Samuelsr or Deandre Hopkins
Deebo Samuelsr or Devonta Smith
Deebo Samuelsr or Jalen Coker
Deebo Samuelsr or Jauan Jennings
Deebo Samuelsr or Josh Downs
Deebo Samuelsr or Quentin Johnston
Deebo Samuelsr or Xavier Worthy
Dj Moore or Terry Mclaurin
Dk Metcalf or Calvin Ridley
Dk Metcalf or Chuba Hubbard
Dk Metcalf or Dandre Swift
Dk Metcalf or Jameson Williams
Dk Metcalf or Jaxon Smithnjigba
Dk Metcalf or Jonathan Taylor
Dk Metcalf or Kareem Hunt
Dk Metcalf or Ladd Mcconkey
Dk Metcalf or Marvin Harrisonjr
Dk Metcalf or Xavier Worthy
Elijah Moore or Terry Mclaurin
George Pickens or Deebo Samuelsr
George Pickens or Terry Mclaurin
Jameson Williams or Rome Odunze
Jameson Williams or Terry Mclaurin
Jauan Jennings or Deebo Samuelsr
Jauan Jennings or Dk Metcalf
Jauan Jennings or Terry Mclaurin
Jauan Jennings or Zay Flowers
Jaxon Smithnjigba or Terry Mclaurin
Jaxon Smithnjigba or Zay Flowers
Jayden Reed or Deebo Samuelsr
Jerry Jeudy or Rome Odunze
Jonathan Taylor or Dk Metcalf
Jonathan Taylor or Terry Mclaurin
Josh Downs or Zay Flowers
Kareem Hunt or Deebo Samuelsr
Kareem Hunt or Zay Flowers
Ladd Mcconkey or Zay Flowers
Malik Nabers or Dk Metcalf
Malik Nabers or Terry Mclaurin
Mike Evans or Deebo Samuelsr
Najee Harris or Terry Mclaurin
Nick Westbrookikhine or Zay Flowers
Nico Collins or Dk Metcalf
Puka Nacua or Terry Mclaurin
Quentin Johnston or Deebo Samuelsr
Rachaad White or Terry Mclaurin
Rachaad White or Zay Flowers
Rashod Bateman or Rome Odunze
Rhamondre Stevenson or Deebo Samuelsr
Rhamondre Stevenson or Zay Flowers
Rome Odunze or Christian Watson
Rome Odunze or Demario Douglas
Rome Odunze or Jerry Jeudy
Rome Odunze or Jonnu Smith
Rome Odunze or Jordan Addison
Rome Odunze or Keenan Allen
Rome Odunze or Luke Schoonmaker
Rome Odunze or Michael Pittmanjr
Rome Odunze or Romeo Doubs
Rome Odunze or Wandale Robinson
Rome Odunze or Xavier Worthy
Tank Dell or Rome Odunze
Tee Higgins or Dk Metcalf
Terry Mclaurin or Ceedee Lamb
Terry Mclaurin or Chuba Hubbard
Terry Mclaurin or Jameson Williams
Terry Mclaurin or Jaxon Smithnjigba
Terry Mclaurin or Jayden Reed
Terry Mclaurin or Jk Dobbins
Terry Mclaurin or Josh Downs
Terry Mclaurin or Malik Nabers
Terry Mclaurin or Marvin Harrisonjr
Terry Mclaurin or Mike Evans
Terry Mclaurin or Puka Nacua
Terry Mclaurin or Zay Flowers
Tyreek Hill or Deebo Samuelsr
Wandale Robinson or Zay Flowers
Xavier Legette or Rome Odunze
Zach Ertz or Rome Odunze
Zay Flowers or Deebo Samuelsr
Zay Flowers or George Pickens
Zay Flowers or Jauan Jennings
Zay Flowers or Javonte Williams
Zay Flowers or Ladd Mcconkey
Zay Flowers or Malik Nabers
Zay Flowers or Najee Harris
Aaron Jones or Dk Metcalf
Amari Cooper or Terry Mclaurin
Amonra Stbrown or Dk Metcalf
Austin Ekeler or Deebo Samuelsr
Austin Ekeler or Terry Mclaurin
Austin Ekeler or Zay Flowers
Brandon McManus or Deebo Samuelsr
Brian Robinsonjr or Terry Mclaurin
Brian Thomasjr or Zay Flowers
Calvin Ridley or Deebo Samuelsr
Calvin Ridley or Rome Odunze
Cedric Tillman or Deebo Samuelsr
Cedric Tillman or Rome Odunze
Cedric Tillman or Zay Flowers
Ceedee Lamb or Deebo Samuelsr
Ceedee Lamb or Zay Flowers
Christian Kirk or Rome Odunze
Christian Watson or Rome Odunze
Chuba Hubbard or Deebo Samuelsr
Chuba Hubbard or Rome Odunze
Cooper Kupp or Zay Flowers
Courtland Sutton or Dk Metcalf
Courtland Sutton or Terry Mclaurin
Courtland Sutton or Zay Flowers
Dandre Swift or Dk Metcalf
Dandre Swift or Zay Flowers
Darius Slayton or Rome Odunze
Darnell Mooney or Dk Metcalf
Davante Adams or Deebo Samuelsr
Davante Adams or Dk Metcalf
David Montgomery or Deebo Samuelsr
David Montgomery or Terry Mclaurin
David Montgomery or Zay Flowers
David Njoku or Rome Odunze
Deandre Hopkins or Deebo Samuelsr
Deandre Hopkins or Rome Odunze
Deandre Hopkins or Terry Mclaurin
Deebo Samuelsr or Aaron Jones
Deebo Samuelsr or Austin Ekeler
Deebo Samuelsr or Brian Robinsonjr
Deebo Samuelsr or Bucky Irving
Deebo Samuelsr or Calvin Ridley
Deebo Samuelsr or Cedric Tillman
Deebo Samuelsr or Ceedee Lamb
Deebo Samuelsr or Chuba Hubbard
Deebo Samuelsr or Courtland Sutton
Deebo Samuelsr or Dandre Swift
Deebo Samuelsr or Deandre Hopkins
Deebo Samuelsr or Dk Metcalf
Deebo Samuelsr or Jakobi Meyers
Deebo Samuelsr or Jameson Williams
Deebo Samuelsr or Jauan Jennings
Deebo Samuelsr or Jaxon Smithnjigba
Deebo Samuelsr or Jayden Reed
Deebo Samuelsr or Jonathan Taylor
Deebo Samuelsr or Josh Downs
Deebo Samuelsr or Kareem Hunt
Deebo Samuelsr or Kenneth Walkeriii
Deebo Samuelsr or Lamar Jackson
Deebo Samuelsr or Marvin Harrisonjr
Deebo Samuelsr or Mike Evans
Deebo Samuelsr or Nick Chubb
Deebo Samuelsr or Rashod Bateman
Deebo Samuelsr or Rhamondre Stevenson
Deebo Samuelsr or Tank Dell
Deebo Samuelsr or Terry Mclaurin
Deebo Samuelsr or Tony Pollard
Deebo Samuelsr or Tyreek Hill
Deebo Samuelsr or Tyrone Tracyjr
Deebo Samuelsr or Wandale Robinson
Deebo Samuelsr or Zay Flowers
Demarcus Robinson or Rome Odunze
Demario Douglas or Rome Odunze
Devonta Smith or Deebo Samuelsr
Devonta Smith or Zay Flowers
Dj Moore or Rome Odunze
Dj Moore or Zay Flowers
Dk Metcalf or Bucky Irving
Dk Metcalf or Cooper Kupp
Dk Metcalf or Deandre Hopkins
Dk Metcalf or Devonta Smith
Dk Metcalf or George Pickens
Dk Metcalf or Jauan Jennings
Dk Metcalf or Jaxon Smithnjigba
Dk Metcalf or Jonathan Taylor
Dk Metcalf or Josh Downs
Dk Metcalf or Justin Jefferson
Dk Metcalf or Kyren Williams
Dk Metcalf or Ladd Mcconkey
Dk Metcalf or Marvin Harrisonjr
Dk Metcalf or Najee Harris
Dk Metcalf or Rachaad White
Dk Metcalf or Tee Higgins
Dk Metcalf or Tony Pollard
Dk Metcalf or Tyrone Tracyjr
George Kittle or Zay Flowers
George Pickens or Deebo Samuelsr
George Pickens or Dk Metcalf
Greg Dortch or Terry Mclaurin
Gus Edwards or Rome Odunze
Jakobi Meyers or Dk Metcalf
James Conner or Terry Mclaurin
Jameson Williams or Deebo Samuelsr
Jameson Williams or Dk Metcalf
Jauan Jennings or Deebo Samuelsr
Jauan Jennings or Dk Metcalf
Jauan Jennings or Terry Mclaurin
Jauan Jennings or Zay Flowers
Javonte Williams or Rome Odunze
Jaxon Smithnjigba or Deebo Samuelsr
Jaxon Smithnjigba or Dk Metcalf
Jayden Reed or Rome Odunze
Jayden Reed or Terry Mclaurin
Jaylen Waddle or Deebo Samuelsr
Jerry Jeudy or Rome Odunze
Jerry Jeudy or Terry Mclaurin
Jonathan Taylor or Rome Odunze
Jonathan Taylor or Zay Flowers
Jonnu Smith or Dk Metcalf
Jonnu Smith or Rome Odunze
Jordan Addison or Rome Odunze
Josh Downs or Dk Metcalf
Josh Downs or Terry Mclaurin
Josh Downs or Zay Flowers
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