Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 12 Wide Receivers

He still sits as the top option in the league for this week, just as he sits atop the overall scoring in both total points and fantasy points per game among wide receivers. He’s the gold standard right now at WR, and you don’t need me to tell you to leave him in your lineup. This week, he should get his points early in the game as Seattle handles their business against a Tennessee team that just isn’t very good in any phase of the game right now.

2) Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Giants

Last week was a stinker. Plain and simple, it was one of the worst games that Jared Goff and Amon-Ra have had together in the last four years. Whether it was the weather or the Eagles defense, the Lions QB and his top pass catcher just couldn’t get on the same page all game long. I expect a huge bounce-back game this week as Detroit returns home to take on a Giants defense that doesn’t stop the run and doesn’t have anybody who will be able to cover either ASB or Jameson Williams. Lock the Sun God in for 8+ catches, 80+ yards, and a score.

3) CeeDee Lamb vs. Eagles

Lamb and George Pickens were both absent when the Cowboys offense took the field last Monday night against the Raiders. It still hasn’t been specifically explained, but the “punishment” only lasted the one drive, and both players returned for the second drive and played the rest of the game. It was Pickens who led the team in catches, yards, and scoring, so this week I expect it to be Lamb’s turn. Dallas will have to throw it all game long because they aren’t going to be playing with a large lead, if they can even get a lead at all. The last time these teams faced each other, Lamb had 7 grabs for 110 yards, and I expect something similar this week.

4) Puka Nacua vs. Buccaneers

Puka dropped off a little bit a few weeks ago when he left the game against Baltimore with an injury and then missed the following game. Since his return, he has still been scoring double-digit points every week, but he hasn’t looked as fast, and he has limped off the field a few times. He hasn’t missed any further time, and he looks like he’s going to gut through any discomfort he’s dealing with, so I have no issues counting on him as my WR1. The formula to beat the Buccaneers has been to do it through the air, and I expect both Puka and Davante to have nice games this weekend. Puka has been getting the majority of the targets, while Adams has been getting a touchdown every week. This week, I think they both score, and both flirt with 10 targets.

5) Nico Collins vs. Bills

Since Davis Mills has taken over under center for the injured C.J. Stroud, he has been leaning heavily on the Texans‘ top wide receiver. Over the last two games, Collins has been targeted 25 times and has converted those into 16 grabs for 228 yards and a score. Buffalo is a tough matchup for opposing wide receivers, but I think Houston will have no choice but to throw it often as the game gets away from them. Collins is better than whoever Buffalo is going to try and cover him with, so play him with confidence.

6) A.J. Brown vs. Cowboys

Last week, the squeaky wheel got some grease as Jalen Hurts was looking for his big wide receiver right from the first drive. On the day, he ended up with a healthy 11 targets, which resulted in 7 grabs and a disappointing 49 yards. This week, the biggest matchup advantage Philadelphia has is with Brown lining up on the outside against DaRon Bland or any Cowboy corner, for that matter. I expect the Eagles to attack the corners with quick routes early while establishing Saquon Barkley and the running game to set up for deep passes later in the game. Brown has a big game coming; leave him in your lineup.

7) Justin Jefferson vs. Packers

Talk about guys who are due for a big game! Jefferson has been stuck in second gear ever since J.J. McCarthy took over for Carson Wentz three weeks ago. The touchdown against the Lions was nice, but over these last three games, that has been the sole bright spot in a stat line that leaves his fantasy managers wanting. Five catches for 50 yards is fine if you’re playing Tyler Lockett in your flex, but to get that every week out of your first-round pick is downright maddening. Especially when it’s clearly been the result of the quarterback not being able to get him the ball. At this point, we are keeping Jefferson on this list because of his name and because we know that if McCarthy can just manage to be Jake Browning, then Jefferson can return to being an elite fantasy wide receiver. We’re going to give him one more week. The Packers don’t have anybody who can cover him, as long as McCarthy can stay upright long enough to throw him the ball.

8) Tee Higgins vs. Patriots

With Ja’Marr Chase sitting this one out with a one-game suspension for his part in Expectorate Gate, Higgins will get a chance to be the top target in the Bengals pass offense. That could be a blessing as we’ve seen Ja’Marr get as many as 23 targets in a single game from Joe Flacco, or it could be a curse as the Patriots will likely be shadowing Tee with Christian Gonzalez. With or without Gonzalez shadowing him, Higgins will have a great game if he gets anywhere near the target share that we’ve seen Chase getting this season. If Andre Iosivas can make a few plays early to keep New England honest, then Higgins should have a monster game.

9) Jameson Williams vs. Giants

I typically hate having two players from the same team in the top 10 because it’s just rare that teammates can both score enough in the same game to both make the top 10 list. Sure, it happens fairly often, but predicting when it does happen isn’t an exact science. If I told you that two teammates from last week would both finish the week in the top 11, how many tandems would you name before you got to Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch? Jamo has actually been outscoring Amon-Ra over the past few weeks since the team’s O.C., John Morton, issued a public apology for Williams’ lack of involvement in the offense. He has scored a touchdown in three straight games and has gotten a steady diet of about 7 targets in each game. He’s going to score again this week in a game I think the Lions will be looking to run up the score in, as they bounce back from last week’s loss in Philly.

10) D.K. Metcalf vs. Bears

Metcalf is another player I’m putting here for the final time. He hasn’t had a great year, but he hasn’t been bad either. The issue has been the passing game volume of Pittsburgh , and Aaron Rodgers’ refusal to make a tough pass. Rodgers basically will just take what the defense gives him, and that usually results in a 4-yard pass to one of his 7 tight ends. Metcalf hasn’t had 10 targets in a single game this season and only has one game with over 100 yards receiving. He’s on this list over some other high-volume options like Emeka Egbuka, Chris Olave, Rashee Rice, George Pickens, and Davante Adams, strictly because this matchup is too good to ignore. All of the previously named options are having much better seasons than Metcalf, and nobody could blame you if you played them over Metcalf, but in most leagues, we’re starting all of these guys. Don’t bench Metcalf just yet; he has a big game coming, and a switch to Mason Rudolph just might be what gets us there.

For more great fantasy football analysis, check out DrRoto.com!