When it comes to the DFS wide receiver landscape, it's crowded at the top.
No fewer than a half-dozen wideouts are candidates for the top option heading into the opening week of the NFL's regular season - but DFS players know it's all about which receiver provides the most value relative to his salary. Here are our rankings for Week 1:
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top 5
Cobb should be in every lineup you create this week. He's as sure a bet for a big game as any receiver on the slate, yet comes in cheaper than the other four guys on this list on most daily fantasy sites. Dez and Demaryius are primed for big starts to the season, while Jeffery will benefit from Jay Cutler having to throw every down. Jones ranks a step behind the others by virtue of carrying the highest price tag of the week on most DFS sites.
Next 5
Beckham is bound to be a high-volume player each week, but DFS players should wait and see how his role changes with the return of Victor Cruz. Johnson's floor is high, but a road game on the West Coast could prove to be a daunting start to the season. Matthews is the No. 1 target for an Eagles team expected to slug it out with the Falcons, and makes for a sensational cash-game option on the majority of DFS sites.
Best of the Rest
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) | vs. KC | Low |
| 12 | Emmanuel Sanders (DEN) | vs. BAL | Low |
| 13 | Brandin Cooks (NO) | @ ARI | Low |
| 14 | T.Y. Hilton (IND) | @ BUF | Low |
| 15 | Keenan Allen (SD) | vs. DET | Low |
| 16 | DeSean Jackson (WAS) | vs. MIA | Medium |
| 17 | Torrey Smith (SF) | vs. MIN | Medium |
| 18 | Sammy Watkins (BUF) | vs. IND | Medium |
| 19 | Jeremy Maclin (KC) | @ HOU | Medium |
| 20 | Brandon Marshall (NYJ) | vs. CLE | Medium |
| 21 | Amari Cooper (OAK) | vs. CIN | Medium |
| 22 | Eric Decker (NYJ) | vs. CLE | Medium |
| 23 | Jarvis Landry (MIA) | @ WAS | Medium |
| 24 | Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) | vs. NO | Medium |
| 25 | Andre Johnson (IND) | @ BUF | Medium |
| 26 | Steve Smith (BAL) | @ DEN | Medium |
| 27 | Roddy White (ATL) | vs. PHI | Medium |
| 28 | Vincent Jackson (TB) | vs. TEN | Medium |
| 29 | Davante Adams (GB) | @ CHI | Medium |
| 30 | Golden Tate (DET) | @ SD | Medium |
Torrey Smith is one of the more polarizing wideouts in DFS this week, featured as a top-16 option on a handful of major sites and outside the top-30 on others. He's worth a flier if you find him cheap. Speaking of solid low-priced options, Adams may be the best of this bunch; quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a big fan, and with Jordy Nelson out for the season, Adams may find himself in Cobb's old role. He's worth a shot in tournament play.
Nothing to See Here
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Marques Colston (NO) | @ ARI | High |
| 32 | Mike Wallace (MIN) | @ SF | High |
| 33 | Michael Floyd (ARI) | vs. NO | High |
| 34 | Allen Robinson (JAC) | vs. CAR | High |
| 35 | Kendall Wright (TEN) | @ TB | High |
| 36 | Anquan Boldin (SF) | vs. MIN | High |
| 37 | Pierre Garcon (WAS) | vs. MIA | High |
| 38 | Nelson Agholor (PHI) | @ ATL | High |
| 39 | John Brown (ARI) | vs. NO | High |
| 40 | Victor Cruz (NYG) | @ DAL | High (OUT) |
| 41 | Michael Crabtree (OAK) | vs. CIN | High |
| 42 | Kenny Stills (MIA) | @ WAS | High |
| 43 | Doug Baldwin (SEA) | @ STL | High |
| 44 | Brian Quick (STL) | vs. SEA | High |
| 45 | Breshad Perriman (BAL) | @ DEN | High (OUT) |
| 46 | Charles Johnson (MIN) | @ SF | High |
| 47 | Percy Harvin (BUF) | vs. IND | High |
| 48 | Malcom Floyd (SD) | vs. DET | High |
| 49 | Terrance Williams (DAL) | vs. NYG | High |
| 50 | Dwayne Bowe (CLE) | @ NYJ | High |
Deep sleepers abound here, led by Agholor - Philly's No. 2 receiving option following a solid exhibition campaign - and Williams could be a strong contrarian play in what is expected to be a high-scoring showdown with the Giants.
