Week 11 Rankings (2018): Top 50 Wide Receivers

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

We are just weeks away from the fantasy playoffs, and that just magnifies each decision you make that much more.  If that wasn’t enough, things are that much trickier when you have to try and maneuver around six teams sitting on the sidelines due to bye weeks.  Who are the wide receivers we can trust?  Who should we be avoiding?  Let’s break it all down:

1. Michael Thomas – New Orleans Saints – vs. Philadelphia
2. Odell Beckham – New York Giants – vs. Tampa Bay
3. DeAndre Hopkins – Houston Texans – at Washington
4. Adam Thielen – Minnesota Vikings – at Chicago
5. Davante Adams – Green Bay Packers – at Seattle
6. Antonio Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Jacksonville
7. Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Dallas
8. Tyreek Hill – Kansas City Chiefs – at Los Angeles Rams
9. Keenan Allen – Los Angeles Chargers – vs. Denver
10. Brandin Cooks – Los Angeles Rams – vs. Kansas City
11. Mike Evans – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at New York Giants
12. Alshon Jeffery – Philadelphia Eagles – at New Orleans
13. Robert Woods – Los Angeles Rams – vs. Kansas City
14. Emmanuel Sanders – Denver Broncos – at Los Angeles Chargers
15. Amari Cooper – Dallas Cowboys – at Atlanta
16. Kenny Golladay – Detroit Lions – vs. Carolina
17. JuJu Smith-Schuster – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Jacksonville
18. T.Y. Hilton – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Tennessee
19. Stefon Diggs – Minnesota Vikings – at Chicago
20. Corey Davis – Tennessee Titans – at Indianapolis
21. Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Oakland
22. John Brown – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cincinnati
23. Tyler Boyd – Cincinnati Bengals – at Baltimore
24. Marvin Jones – Detroit Lions – vs. Carolina
25. Sterling Shepard – New York Giants – vs. Tampa Bay
26. Marquez Valdes-Scantling – Green Bay Packers – at Seattle
27. Golden Tate – Philadelphia Eagles – at New Orleans
28. Tyler Lockett – Seattle Seahawks – vs. Green Bay
29. Allen Robinson – Chicago Bears – vs. Minnesota
30. Devin Funchess – Carolina Panthers – at Detroit
31. Sammy Watkins – Kansas City Chiefs – at Los Angeles Rams
32. Demaryius Thomas – Houston Texans – at Washington
33. Josh Reynolds – Los Angeles Rams – vs. Kansas City
34. Courtland Sutton – Denver Broncos – at Los Angeles Chargers
35. DeSean Jackson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at New York Giants
36. Michael Crabtree – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cincinnati
37. Maurice Harris – Washington Redskins – vs. Houston
38. Brandon LaFell – Oakland Raiders – at Arizona
39. Calvin Ridley – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Dallas
40. Doug Baldwin – Seattle Seahawks – vs. Green Bay
41. Christian Kirk – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Oakland
42. John Ross – Cincinnati Bengals – at Baltimore
43. Dede Westbrook – Jacksonville Jaguars – vs. Pittsburgh
44. Anthony Miller – Chicago Bears – vs. Minnesota
45. Tre’Quan Smith – New Orleans Saints – vs. Philadelphia
46. Tyrell Williams – Los Angeles Chargers – vs. Denver
47. DJ Moore – Carolina Panthers – at Detroit
48. Chris Godwin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at New York Giants
49. Donte Moncrief – Jacksonville Jaguars – vs. Pittsburgh
50. Keke Coutee – Houston Texans – at Washington

Thoughts:

• Adam Thielen owners will have to monitor the news this week, as he was limited in practice due to both calf and back injuries.  At this point there’s little reason to think his availability is in jeopardy, and with touchdowns in six straight games unless there’s a new report as the week progresses he’s a clear top option.
• It’s obvious that Julio Jones has been thriving of late, with four straight games with 100+ yards (and back-to-back games with a TD).  He does have a difficult matchup against a Dallas defense that hasn’t allowed a touchdown over the past four weeks.  Obviously no one is about to shy away, just know that there’s a little bit of risk.
• The Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs should have a shootout this week, and with Cooper Kupp lost for the season there will be more opportunities for Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods.  Sure Josh Reynolds will step up and play a role, but you would expect the bulk of the chances to go towards their top two receivers (thus boosting their value a little bit).
• Alshon Jeffery has struggled over the past two games, totaling 8 receptions and 83 yards.  The key, though, is that despite the addition of Golden Tate he was still targeted 8 times in Week 10.  With that type of workload and a matchup against the porous Saints’ passing defense, especially in an expected shootout at home, Jeffery should be considered a must start in all formats.
• Amari Cooper has quickly emerged as a solid play, with 11 catches for 133 yards and 1 TD over his first two games with Dallas.  He’s been targeted early and often (18 targets) and draws a favorable matchup against an Atlanta defense that’s allowed the ninth most points/game to opposing wide receivers over the past four weeks.
• While Marvin Jones is on the rankings, there’s a chance he misses Sunday’s game as he sat out Wednesday’s practice due to a knee injury he suffered on Sunday.  Even if he does dress there’s going to be the risk of a setback costing him at least some time, so factor that in before locking him into your lineup.
• If you are looking for a deep league sleeper this week, turn your attention to Brandon LaFell.  His role has been building in recent weeks and both Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant are banged up.  Throw in a favorable matchup and he could prove to be worth the gamble.

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Make sure to check out all of our Week 11 rankings: