FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 03: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) makes a catch and fights for additional yardage during the regular season game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots on October 03, 2021 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)
| 1. | Cooper Kupp | LAR at MIN |
| 2. | Devante Adams | GB vs. CLE |
| 3. | Justin Jefferson | MIN vs. LAR |
| 4. | Deebo Samuel | SF at TEN |
| 5. | CeeDee Lamb | DAL vs. WAS |
| 6. | Antonio Brown | TB at CAR |
| 7. | Ja'Marr Chase | CIN vs. BAL |
| 8. | Stefon Diggs | BUF at NE |
| 9. | Diontae Johnson | PIT at KC |
| 10. | Keenan Allen | LAC at HOU |
| 11. | Mike Williams | LAC at HOU |
| 12. | Amari Cooper | DAL vs. WAS |
| 13. | Tyler Lockett | SEA vs. CHI |
| 14. | Hunter Renfrow | LV vs. DEN |
| 15. | Jaylen Waddle | MIA at NO |
| 16. | Marquise Brown | BAL at CIN |
| 17. | Tee Higgins | CIN vs. BAL |
| 18. | DK Metcalf | SEA vs. CHI |
| 19. | Brandin Cooks | HOU vs. LAC |
| 20. | Van Jefferson | LAR at MIN |
| 21. | Odell Beckham, Jr. | LAR at MIN |
| 22. | Michael Pittman | IND at ARI |
| 23. | Christian Kirk | ARI vs. IND |
| 24. | Adam Thielen | MIN vs. LAR |
| 25. | Gabriel Davis | BUF at NE |
| 26. | DJ Moore | CAR vs. TB |
| 27. | Russell Gage | ATL vs. DET |
| 28. | A.J. Green | ARI vs. IND |
| 29. | Devonta Smith | PHI vs. NYG |
| 30. | Terry McLaurin | WAS at DAL |
| 31. | Darnell Mooney | CHI at SEA |
| 32. | Chase Claypool | PIT at KC |
| 33. | Devante Parker | MIA at NO |
| 34. | Tyler Boyd | CIN vs. BAL |
Cooper Kupp is in the midst of one of the greatest all time WR fantasy seasons, scoring 89 PPR points more than second place (Tyreek Hill). I repent of ever having anyone else at the top.
Of course, when Devante Adams is on the field in a great matchup, like he has this week, it sometimes makes sense to have him #1. Adams has a matchup like that this week, as the Packers are at home against a vulnerable Cleveland defense that ranks 23rd against the pass.
It is possible that Tom Brady could be without both Chris Godwin (ACL tear) and Mike Evans this week, meaning that recently re-instated Antonio Brown could see the WR1 workload against Carolina on the road.
You have to love targeting a Washington pass defense that ranks 27th against the pass versus 7th against the run. Both CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper look good in this matchup.
Baltimore has a pass-funnel defense as week, ranking 28th against the pass versus 5th against the run, leaving the Bengals more likely to pass and Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd all good options this week.
Gabriel Davis stepped up last week for the Buffalo Bills but now a tougher test awaits against the tough New England Patriots defense.
Sneaky shootout potential in Minnesota this week with a desperate Vikings team at 7-7 hosts the dynamic passing attack of the Rams. The aforementioned Kupp should be joined by Justin Jefferson as top plays this week, but also the secondary pass catching options like Van Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Odell Beckham, Jr should also be good options.
Should Justin Fields be allowed to challenge a soft, 29th ranked pass defense of the Seattle Seahawks, his WR1 option is Darnell Mooney. Mooney has quietly moved up into the top 20 in targets for the season, despite the struggles of the Bears offense this season.
Given the injuries and struggles of the Arizona Cardinals’ WR DeAndre Hopkins this season, Christian Kirk has stepped up to be a WR1 like play week to week. With the Indianapolis Colts being stingier against the run than the pass, the Cardinals faster pace of play, and the efficiency of Kyler Murray, it looks to be another good week to start Kirk.
Jason Walker