We’ve all been there–you’ve got your lineup for Sunday set just the way you want it, but you’re running short on salary and need a bargain wide receiver to round out your roster. Wide receiver is typically the deepest position in fantasy football since each team uses at least three receivers, but that doesn’t mean every bargain option will deliver good returns.
Since wide receivers are so volatile week to week, getting just the right bargain wide receiver can make or break your DFS lineup. Here are five bargains that I think could go off in Week 4.
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Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders ($3,600)
Tucker went off last week for 22.6 fantasy points against the Panthers, catching 7-of-9 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown.
The speedy second-year receiver is set to be a key part of the Raiders attack this week against the Browns after Davante Adams (hamstring) was ruled out. Tucker had a pair of touchdowns and 331 receiving yards in his rookie year but showed a strong connection with QB Gardner Minshew ($5,200) last week.
While Jakobi Meyers ($5,500) and Brock Bowers ($5,600) will likely get plenty of targets over the middle, Tucker should be the primary deep threat. He has a very high upside as a result even though he does come with significant risk since he isn’t an established producer.
Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers ($3,300)
With Andy Dalton ($5,300) at quarterback for the Panthers, the offense is suddnely viable for fantasy usage. While Diontae Johnson ($5,600) established himself as Dalton’s go-to option, Johnson was limited in practice on Friday with groin injury and is listed as questionable.
If Johnson is out on Sunday, Mingo and rookie Xavier Legette ($4,800) would have to step up as the team’s primary receivers. Even if Johnson plays, the young duo should get plenty of work. Mingo finished with three catches for 18 yards on four targets last week but could be in for a much larger workload this week against the Bengals.
Ray-Ray McCloud, Atlanta Falcons ($3,700)
McCloud has moved into an almost every down role for the Falcons. He played only 54% of snaps in Week 1 but 100% and 95% in Week 2 and Week 3. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has found ways to get McCloud involved in multiple ways, even getting him the ball for a 20-yard rushing play in Week 3 against the Chiefs.
Even though his targets have dipped from seven to five to three in the three weeks this season, he’s still involved enough to have upside as a contrarian play against the Saints. Kirk Cousins ($5,800) is still finding his rhythm and has only averaged 19 completions and 209 passing yards per game. However, as he finds his stride, getting the ball to McCloud in space should continue to be a priority.
The Saints’ secondary has given up at least 12 catches every week this season and allowed an average of 160.67 receiving yards per game to opposing receivers. If McCloud gets a big enough piece of that matchup this week, he could post a big number against New Orleans.
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals, ($4,200)
The Cardinals will have star rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. ($7,500) this week against the Commanders but they’ll be without TE Trey McBride (concussion). Wilson could help fill the void McBride leaves and also get more work if Harrison is slowed by the quad injury that limited him in practice.
Wilson was targeted only two times each in Week 1 and Week 2, totaling 36 yards and a touchdown. He had his most involved game to this point in the season in Week 3, catching 8-of-9 targets for a season-high 64 yards.
The Commanders have been the most generous team in the NFL to opposing WR this season, giving up a massive total of nine wide receiver touchdowns in three weeks along with an average of 194 receiving yards per week to the position. While Harrison is the most likely receiver to build around, taking a flier on Wilson to put up a big game makes sense too.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Denver Broncos ($3,100)
If you really have to go cheap at the position but still want to get some potential sizzle, check out Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who has stepped up as the second WR in the Broncos’ passing attack.
Humphrey has caught 10-of-13 targets in the last two weeks for a total of 87 yards. He quickly built a strong chemistry with Bo Nix ($5,100) and has established himself as the top option out of the slot for the Broncos. With Courtland Sutton ($5,300) dealing with Sauce Gardner on the outside, Humphrey could get even more targets against the Jets this week.
He’s a bargain punt play, but he does leave you plenty of salary to squish in all the starts you want in other spots.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
