Week 1 Wide Receiver Value Rankings
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Here are theScore's wide receiver value rankings for Week 1 of the NFL season (Thursday's opener between Carolina and Denver is not included):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Crabtree (OAK) | at NO | 9 |
| Sammy Watkins (BUF) | at BAL | 8 |
| Brandon Marshall (NYJ) | vs. CIN | 8 |
Crabtree comes significantly cheaper than teammate Amari Cooper, and both get an ideal Week 1 matchup: a trip to New Orleans to face the Saints' porous defense. New Orleans allowed an NFL-high 45 TD passes last season, and Crabtree led the Raiders with nine TD receptions.
Far and away the Bills' top receiving threat, Watkins closed 2015 by seeing 43 targets over the final four games. Buffalo's numerous defensive absences could result in a back-and-forth shootout with the pass-heavy Ravens.
Marshall saw no fewer than seven targets in any game last season, and was an amazingly consistent performer. Priced below the top names, he could again have a typically big week with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick back in the fold.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Tajae Sharpe (TEN) | vs. MIN | 7 |
| Rishard Matthews (TEN) | vs. MIN | 7 |
| Jarvis Landry (MIA) | at SEA | 7 |
| Amari Cooper (OAK) | at NO | 7 |
| Julian Edelman (NE) | at ARI | 7 |
| Sammie Coates (PIT) | at WAS | 7 |
| Marvin Jones (DET) | at IND | 7 |
| Randall Cobb (GB) | at JAX | 7 |
| Terrelle Pryor (CLE) | at PHI | 7 |
| Alshon Jeffery (CHI) | at HOU | 7 |
| Golden Tate (DET) | at IND | 7 |
| Kamar Aiken (BAL) | vs. BUF | 7 |
| DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) | vs. CHI | 7 |
| Allen Robinson (JAX) | vs. GB | 7 |
| Keenan Allen (SD) | at KC | 7 |
| Brandin Cooks (NO) | vs. OAK | 7 |
| Travis Benjamin (SD) | at KC | 7 |
| Mike Evans (TB) | at ATL | 7 |
| T.Y. Hilton (IND) | vs. DET | 7 |
Landry sees a steady diet of short passes, which should make him a viable PPR option despite a difficult matchup in Seattle. He's priced at a level where it won't be a disappointment if he fails to cross the goal line.
Sharpe and Matthews are priced near the minimum, and are expected to start in Tennessee. It won't take much for them to return value, even if the Titans take a run-heavy approach.
Coates is the most affordable of the Steelers' secondary receivers, though it's a crowded bunch, with Wheaton, Eli Rogers and deep threat Darrius Heyward-Bey also in the mix. It's hard to say exactly how the snaps will be divided until the actual games start.
Pryor will start during Josh Gordon's season-opening suspension. He gets a great matchup with the Eagles, and has a minimum price on some sites.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Antonio Brown (PIT) | at WAS | 6 |
| Julio Jones (ATL) | vs. TB | 6 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG) | at DAL | 6 |
| Jordy Nelson (GB) | at JAX | 6 |
| Willie Snead (NO) | vs. OAK | 6 |
| Pierre Garcon (WAS) | vs. PIT | 6 |
| Jordan Matthews (PHI) | vs. CLE | 6 |
| Jeremy Maclin (KC) | vs. SD | 6 |
| Allen Hurns (JAX) | vs. GB | 6 |
| Markus Wheaton (PIT) | at WAS | 6 |
| DeSean Jackson (WAS) | vs. PIT | 6 |
| Eric Decker (NYJ) | vs. CIN | 6 |
| Doug Baldwin (SEA) | vs. MIA | 6 |
| Chris Hogan (NE) | at ARI | 6 |
| Stefon Diggs (MIN) | at TEN | 6 |
| Donte Moncrief (IND) | vs. DET | 6 |
| Sterling Shepard (NYG) | at DAL | 6 |
| Corey Coleman (CLE) | at PHI | 6 |
| Michael Floyd (ARI) | vs. NE | 6 |
| Vincent Jackson (TB) | at ATL | 6 |
| Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) | vs. NE | 6 |
| John Brown (ARI) | vs. NE | 6 |
| Tyler Boyd (CIN) | at NYJ | 5 |
| Torrey Smith (SF) | vs. LA | 5 |
| Tavon Austin (LA) | at SF | 5 |
| Tyler Lockett (SEA) | vs. MIN | 5 |
| Mike Wallace (BAL) | vs. BUF | 5 |
Brown, Jones and Beckham Jr. are the cream of the receiving crop; their sky-high prices limit their value, though each can safely be relied on to produce.
Nelson is expected to play despite missing all of the preseason as he recovers from a knee injury that sidelined him for the entirety of 2015-16. At a similar price, teammate Cobb may be a safer bet, especially in PPR formats.
Matthews should still see his share of targets even with rookie Carson Wentz under center, but his upside is capped in a struggling offense.
With all of Floyd, Brown and Fitzgerald healthy and in the lineup at the same time, it's hard to pick a standout option. Brown is the cheapest, but is big-play dependent.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| A.J. Green (CIN) | at NYJ | 4 |
| Kenny Britt (LA) | at SF | 4 |
| Dez Bryant (DAL) | vs. NYG | 3 |
| Brandon LaFell (CIN) | at NYJ | 3 |
| Laquon Treadwell (MIN) | at TEN | 2 |
| DeVante Parker (MIA) | at SEA | 2 |
It's not the most favorable opening game for Green, who may be hindered by a knee injury, and who will likely be covered by Darrelle Revis. At Green's price, perhaps it's best to look for a safer bet.
Bryant has explosive ability, but it will be difficult to live up to a premium price with rookie QB Dak Prescott at the helm in place of the injured Tony Romo.
Treadwell is a big name, but may not be a starter to open the season. It's hard to imagine him making an impact right away for the run-heavy Vikings.
A hamstring injury is likely to sideline Parker.