Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Wide Receivers to Start
Rome Odunze CHI
After a frustrating Week 9 where Rome Odunze posted a goose egg on just three targets, fantasy managers might be hesitant to go back to him. However, the context behind his slump tells a fuller story. Odunze has seen inconsistent volume lately, but he remains a central figure in Chicago’s passing attack, ranking top 20 in fantasy points per game among wide receivers. He owns a 21.7% target share and leads the team in deep targets while maintaining strong underlying efficiency with 1.86 yards per route run. He’s second on the Bears in red zone targets and continues to command a meaningful first-read share from Caleb Williams. The metrics show that when Williams has time, Odunze is his most trusted downfield threat.
This week, Odunze draws a New York Giants defense that has been shredded by perimeter receivers. The Giants have allowed the seventh-most fantasy PPG to wideouts, including the fourth-most receiving yards to those lined up outside, where Odunze runs roughly 60% of his routes. They also rank third-worst in yards allowed on deep passes, exactly the kind of plays Odunze thrives on. This matchup sets up as a prime rebound opportunity after last week’s dud, making Odunze a recommended start in all fantasy formats for Week 10.
Khalil Shakir BUF
Khalil Shakir has become one of the most consistent contributors in Buffalo’s offense, quietly providing steady PPR production. Over his last four games, he’s seen seven or more targets in three of them and has topped 11 fantasy points in six of eight overall. He’s also maintained impressive efficiency metrics with 2.06 yards per route run and nearly 50 receiving yards per game, ranking inside the top-40 in fantasy points per game at his position. Shakir’s reliability in the short and intermediate passing game has made him a favorite safety valve for Josh Allen, and his red zone role (a team-leading eight targets) only strengthens his floor. His chemistry with Allen continues to build, especially when facing zone-heavy defenses.
This week’s matchup against Miami might seem tricky at first glance, but the Dolphins’ coverage tendencies play into Shakir’s strengths. The Dolphins have also allowed the tenth-most PPR points per target and the seventh-highest passer rating to slot receivers since Week 5. With Shakir operating primarily from the slot, he’s well-positioned to exploit that weakness. He posted 14.5 points with a touchdown in the previous meeting between these teams, and another strong showing is in play. Fantasy managers should confidently start Shakir as a reliable WR3 or flex option in Week 10.
Wan’Dale Robinson NYG
Wan’Dale Robinson has quietly emerged as a go-to weapon in New York’s short passing game. Since Jaxson Dart took over at quarterback, Robinson has logged three top-36 fantasy finishes and a 24.9% target share. His involvement is consistent, with at least seven targets in four of his last five outings and double-digit looks in two of the last three. Over that stretch, he’s averaged 52.8 receiving yards per game and has been heavily featured as the first read on over a quarter of Dart’s attempts. Robinson’s combination of quickness and reliability in tight spaces makes him an easy outlet, especially when facing zone coverage. His usage and slot alignment have become cornerstones of the Giants’ offensive rhythm.
Now, Robinson gets an appealing matchup against a Chicago defense that has been highly vulnerable to slot production. Since Week 5, the Bears have surrendered the third-most PPR points per target to slot receivers and the second-most touchdowns to all wideouts. Robinson runs 60% of his routes from the slot, positioning him perfectly to capitalize on Chicago’s coverage issues. He’s seen 11 or more targets in two of his last three and scored at least 13 fantasy points in three of his last four, showing a stable combination of volume and efficiency. With the Bears ranking near the bottom of the league in touchdowns allowed to inside receivers, Robinson profiles as a strong start and potential WR2 in Week 10.
Wide Receivers to Sit
DK Metcalf PIT
DK Metcalf’s season has been defined by flashes of dominance followed by frustrating inconsistency. He’s been held under 60 yards in three of his last four games, including a season-low two catches for six yards against Indianapolis in Week 9. His role remains significant in Pittsburgh’s passing structure; he holds a 19.6% target share and leads the team in both red zone and deep targets, but the results have failed to follow. His 2.06 yards per route run shows he’s still efficient when given opportunities, but the volume has been erratic, with just 5.9 targets per game.
The Chargers have made life miserable for opposing wideouts, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to the position and just one touchdown to outside receivers all season. That’s troubling, considering Metcalf runs 85% of his routes out wide and depends heavily on red zone scoring to buoy his fantasy value. He’s been held to single digits in two of his last three games and hasn’t surpassed 12 points without finding the end zone. With Los Angeles ranking top-10 in fewest yards allowed to perimeter receivers, this is a matchup where the floor and ceiling both look capped. Fantasy managers should consider sitting Metcalf this week unless desperate for a WR3 option.
Jordan Addison MIN
Jordan Addison’s production has cooled significantly after a hot start, as he’s been limited to four targets and fewer than 50 yards in each of his last two outings. The change under center hasn’t helped. Since J.J. McCarthy took over, the Vikings’ passing volume has dropped noticeably, with the rookie quarterback yet to surpass 25 attempts in any start. Addison remains a big-play threat, leading the team in deep targets last week with three, but his overall target share has dipped to 16%. His efficiency has also fallen off against single-high coverage, where his yards per route run has dropped to just 1.49. Without consistent volume or rhythm with McCarthy, Addison’s weekly floor has become unstable.
Although the Ravens have allowed the eighth-most receiving yards to perimeter receivers since Week 5, their recent defensive form suggests caution. Baltimore has not allowed a receiver to score a touchdown in three straight games and continues to rank near the top of the league in limiting big plays. Addison’s role as a perimeter receiver (where Baltimore is strongest), combined with his declining target share, makes this a matchup to avoid. He’s been a non-factor in three of his last four and hasn’t found the end zone since Week 6. Until McCarthy proves he can sustain a pass-heavy game plan, Addison should remain on fantasy benches for Week 10.
Chris Olave NO
Chris Olave continues to operate as the primary target in New Orleans, though his fantasy results have fluctuated with quarterback play. He’s averaged over 62 receiving yards per game and holds a commanding 26.3% target share with a 30.3% first-read rate, showing that the passing game still funnels through him. His downfield involvement remains strong, with 15 deep targets and eight red zone looks, but the inconsistency of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has capped his upside with his low average depth of target. With Rashid Shaheed traded to Seattle, Olave could see even heavier defensive attention moving forward. The underlying usage is elite, but the connection with Shough has yet to fully click, as evidenced by his four-target outing last week.
This week, Olave’s matchup against Carolina is a concerning one for fantasy managers. The Panthers have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy PPG to wide receivers and have held opponents under 200 passing yards in three of their last four contests. Olave has been limited to 60 yards or fewer in four of his last five and failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in two straight games. Without Shaheed drawing coverage away, he’s likely to face bracket coverage on most snaps. With the Saints’ offense scoring just 10 points in Shough’s debut and Carolina’s defense playing disciplined perimeter coverage, Olave profiles as a sit candidate for Week 10.
