Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em (2018): Wide Receiver Edition: Week 10: Josh Gordon, Calvin Ridley, Corey Davis & More

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

Trying to decide who you should start or sit this week? Let’s take a look at a few potential decisions owners have and try to sort through them:

Josh Gordon – New England Patriots
at Tennessee

Gordon has slowly seen his role expand in New England, and he’s now posted 100+ yards in two of his past three games:

• Week 7 – 4 receptions for 100 yards
• Week 8 – 4 receptions for 42 yards
• Week 9 – 5 receptions for 130 yards and 1 TD

What was in common for Week 7 and Week 9?  Rob Gronkowski was sidelined, so his status for Week 10 is going to play a big role in Gordon’s outlook.  If Gronkowski is out Gordon is going to be an obvious WR2 against a Titans’ defense that’s allowed the ninth most points to opposing wide receivers on a weekly basis.  If Gronkowski plays?  Consider Gordon more of a WR3, but with enough upside to consider.

Verdict – Start ‘Em (especially if Gronkowski is sidelined again)

Amari Cooper – Dallas Cowboys
at Philadelphia

It was a nice Dallas debut for Cooper, turning 8 targets into 5 receptions, 58 yards and 1 TD.  The Cowboys’ offense hasn’t been all that impressive, but neither has Philadelphia’s defense against opposing wide receivers (fifth most points per week, including the fourth most receptions).  There’s no question that Cooper is the team’s obvious top receiver and with this matchup the upside will be there for him to produce once again.

Verdict – Start ‘Em (solid WR2)

Calvin Ridley – Atlanta Falcons
at Cleveland

After going on a TD binge earlier in the season, Ridley had three straight scoreless weeks (12 receptions for 128 yards over that stretch) before returning the end zone in Week 9.  The problem is that he has just one game with more than 75 yards this season and the Falcons could easily go to Julio Jones (1 TD), Mohamed Sanu (3 TD) or Austin Hooper (2 TD) instead of Ridley.  You also can’t ignore Tevin Coleman, who has caught 4 TD passes himself.  As a TD dependent option and with a slew of alternatives, is Ridley someone you want to trust in shallower formats?

Verdict – Sit ‘Em (he’s a TD dependent WR3)

DeSean Jackson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
vs. Washington

There’s been a lot of talk surrounding Jackson, who reportedly had requested a trade ahead of the deadline.  There was also a lot of hope with the return of Ryan Fitzpatrick as quarterback, though the results still weren’t there in Week 9 (2 receptions for 32 yards on 4 targets).  He showed a tremendous rapport with Fitzpatrick in September, though he still racked up just 17 catches (he turned them into 424 yards and 3 TD).  Clearly he was boom or bust, and he was booming quite a bit early.  With Washington having allowed just 25 receptions of 20+ yards (tied for ninth fewest) and the potential for Tampa Bay to feed the ball to Mike Evans after he struggled in Week 9 (as well as back-to-back big games for Adam Humphries), the risk of a bust day is a bit too large.

Verdict – Sit ‘Em (only viable as a WR3)

DeVante Parker – Miami Dolphins
at Green Bay

After a huge game there was a lot of hype surrounding Parker heading into Week 9, only to watch him disappear against the Jets (1 reception for 8 yards).  Granted the Dolphins could be forced to go with a much more pass happy approach to keep up with the Packers, who have allowed the fourth most points per week to opposing wide receivers.  Is there any guarantee it’s Parker, though?  Danny Amendola will remain the de facto top option…  Kenyan Drake may be considered the #2 pass catching option…  Kenny Stills remains in the mix…  There are simply too many questions.

Verdict – Sit ‘Em (can be considered as a high risk WR3 if desperate)

Corey Davis – Tennessee Titans
vs. New England

The Titans are going to be forced to go with a heavier pass attack to try and keep up with the Patriots, and that should lead to results for Davis.  He’s had 17 targets over the past two weeks and should see a similar workload once again.  He’s hardly a guarantee to produce, especially in an offense that hasn’t set the world on fire this season, considering his 36 receptions and 1 TD on the year.  There’s enough potential in the matchup and recent opportunities to consider him a solid WR3 however.

Verdict – Start ‘Em (viable WR3)

Sources – ESPN, NFL.com

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Make sure to check out all of our Week 10 rankings: