Nerds! The Dynasty Nerds writers are here to provide you with weekly start/sit advice all season long. We will be making our recommendations based on weekly consensus PPR rankings. Here are the wide receiver starts and sits from senior writer Tristan Cook.
One thing to keep in mind when making start/sit decisions; it will ALWAYS depend on who your other options are. Don’t take the players below out of (or put them into) your lineups unless the alternates are worth it.
NOTE: Rankings are sourced from FantasyPros expert consensus rankings (ECR) and our terminology is for a 12-team PPR league.
Our writers answer all start/sit questions on Discord before the games exclusively for the #NerdHerd. The advanced metrics used in this article are courtesy of Fantasy Points Data Suite, use code NERDS for 25% off your own data suite subscription or All-in bundle.
WIDE RECEIVER WEEK 2 RESULTS
| Player | FPts | Tgts | Recs | Yds | TDs | Call | Rank | Result | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stefon Diggs | 7.7 | 6 | 4 | 37 | 0 | Start | 24 | 44 | -20 |
| Chris Godwin | 24.7 | 12 | 4 | 38 | 0 | Start | 20 | 6 | +14 |
| Brandin Cooks | 3.6 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 0 | Start | 44 | 78 | -34 |
| Courtland Sutton | 3.6 | 4 | 1 | 26 | 0 | Start | 40 | 78 | -38 |
| Justin Jefferson | 1.4 | 7 | 4 | 133 | 1 | Sit | 6 | 9 | -3 |
| Brian Thomas Jr. | 11.6 | 4 | 2 | 94 | 0 | Sit | 34 | 29 | +5 |
| Jayden Reed | 6.6 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 0 | Sit | 36 | 54 | -18 |
WIDE RECEIVER STARTS
Michael Pittman | Indianapolis Colts | WR 27
Week 2 Stats | WR 62 | FPts: 5.1 | Tgts: 7 | Rec: 3 | Yds: 21 | TDs: 0 | Confidence: 80%
If you’re like me, you are more than a little concerned with what you saw from the Indianapolis Colts offense through two weeks. Anthony Richardson hasn’t even completed half of his pass attempts and has barely eclipsed the 200-yard mark in either game. So, you may be asking, Why in the world would you recommend Michael Pittman as a start? The answer is pretty simple.
First, his 15 targets are top-20 in the NFL through two weeks. The main thing we chase in fantasy is opportunity, and Michael Pittman has that in spades. If you are concerned by 7 receptions for 52 yards and no scores through two weeks, I get it. It’s been rough watching this team so far in 2024. But, if a receiver is going to get 7-8 targets on a weekly basis (especially one of Pittman’s caliber), he should be in your lineup.
The other reason is the Chicago Bears matchup shouldn’t be concerning. They looked much more pedestrian last week, giving up 260 yards to C.J. Stroud. Don’t overthink this one, play Michael Pittman.
Greg Dortch | Arizona Cardinals | WR 54
Week 2 Stats | WR 87 | FPts: 3.1 | Tgts: 2 | Rec: 2 | Yds: 11 | TDs: 0 | Confidence: 60%
We aren’t quite to the horrors of bye weeks just yet, but these next two starts feel reminiscent of a 6-team bye week. You may have gotten lucky and avoided the injury bug, but if you’re like me, and your depth is being tested already, consider Greg Dortch as a startable option this week against the Lions.
His numbers last week (2 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards) aren’t exactly earth shattering, but I’m not concerned. The Cardinals had this game wrapped up by halftime and Kyler Murray only threw the ball nine times in the second half. In the opening week, in a game that was much more competitive (similar to what I think will happen this week), Greg Dortch led the Cardinals wide receivers with eight targets. Detroit has a below-average pass defense and will be focused on slowing down Marvin Harrison Jr. You could do a lot worse than Greg Dortch this week.
Tutu Atwell | Los Angeles Rams | WR 78
Week 2 Stats | WR 43 | FPts: 7.8 | Tgts: 4 | Rec: 3 | Yds: 48 | TDs: 0 | Confidence: 60%
What are we in search of when looking for viable fantasy options? Say it with me, OPPORTUNITY! There may not be a bigger opportunity all season for a wide receiver to step up than Tutu Atwell this week (and for at least the next few weeks) for the LA Rams. After injuries to Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Rams are in need of someone to catch passes from Matthew Stafford. Enter Tutu Atwell.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not rushing to start Tutu Atwell over any receiver on my team, but I expect him to finish considerably higher than the WR78 ranking he has this week. Why not Tyler Johnson or Demarcus Robinson? I think they both are also interesting options, but we haven’t seen consistent quality production from them. Before the Rams turned into the Puka Nacua show last year, Atwell looked good. He started the season with 35 targets in the first 4 weeks. You might have better options, but if you’re in a desperate situation, I feel good about Atwell as a wide receiver start this week.
WIDE RECEIVER SITS
Tyreek Hill | Miami Dolphins | WR 12
Week 2 Stats | WR 53 | FPts: 6.6 | Tgts: 6 | Rec: 3 | Yds: 24 | TDs: 0 | Confidence: 90%
Speaking of desperate situations…the Miami Dolphins are turning to Kansas State Wildcats’ legend, Skylar Thompson to run their offense this week. After the scary injury to Tua Tagovailoa, this offense is going to be dramatically different. Like last week, I advocated for avoiding Jayden Reed due to Malik Willis throwing passes for the Packers; this week is more of the same.
However, I think context is important. I’m not recommending that you pull Tyreek Hill out of your lineup and sub in Tutu Atwell. I am recommending looking at your other receiver options if you have Tyreek Hill as a normal starter. Miami plays Seattle this week, who is the second-best pass defense so far in 2024. If you’re expecting Tyreek Hill to finish anywhere near his WR12 ranking, I think you’ll be sorely disappointed.
Jaylen Waddle | Miami Dolphins | WR 27
Week 2 Stats | WR 39 | FPts: 8.5 | Tgts: 4 | Rec: 4 | Yds: 41 | TDs: 0 | Confidence: 70%
See above. Waddle has a better chance at finishing in the top 36 receivers than Hill does finishing in the top 12, but I’m looking elsewhere if I have either player.
Christian Kirk | Jacksonville Jaguars | WR 34
Week 2 Stats | WR 110 | FPts: 0.9 | Tgts: 3 | Rec: 1 | Yds: -1 | TDs: 1 | Confidence: 90%
Unlike the other two wide receiver sits, Christian Kirk needs to be sat solely because of his performance. He has 2 catches on the season for a total of 29 yards. That’s it. That’s terrible. I’m not sure if it’s been intentional, but Trevor Lawrence simply isn’t looking to Kirk like we’ve seen in the past. Trevor Lawrence also isn’t looking as good as we’ve seen in the past. Through 2 games, he’s under 400 yards passing, only has 1 touchdown, and is completing only 51% of his passes. This is not a situation you want to rely on with your fantasy teams in Week 3—or going forward.
That’s it for Week 3, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (x) (@THEtristancook) if you have any specific questions about who I would start.
