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
DeVonta Smith PHI
DeVonta Smith has quietly emerged as the most consistent pass catcher for the Eagles this season, operating as the WR13 in fantasy points per game. His chemistry with Jalen Hurts has been on full display, commanding a 26.1% target share and an impressive 37.9% air-yard share. Smith’s ability to win both on intermediate and deep routes has made him a consistent chain-mover, averaging 73 yards per game while maintaining elite efficiency at 2.38 yards per route run. He’s been particularly effective in key situations, leading the Eagles in deep targets (13) and ranking near the top in first-read share at 32.5%. The Lions’ defense has shown weaknesses in single-high coverage, where Smith thrives, and Detroit has struggled to contain receivers working out of the slot in recent weeks.
This matchup positions Smith as a strong start for Week 11. Since Week 6, Detroit has allowed the sixth-most receiving yards per game, and they still have a number of injuries in their secondary that they are battling. He’s now scored at least 14.4 PPR points in three straight games, showing a combination of reliability and upside that’s tough to bench. With A.J. Brown drawing most of the defensive attention and even hinting at his own struggles publicly, Smith could continue to operate as the top option in this offense. Given the matchup, usage, and recent form, Smith profiles as a high-end WR2 who could easily finish inside the top 12 fantasy receivers this week.
Quentin Johnston LAC
Quentin Johnston’s recent usage spike has been encouraging for fantasy managers searching for midseason receiver help. Over the last two games, Johnston has earned a 21% target share and 22.9% air-yard share, which is a notable boost from his midseason slump. He’s averaging 47.5 receiving yards per game in that span and has been heavily featured as a first-read option on 27.3% of his routes. Johnston’s 10 targets in Week 10 show that his role is expanding, especially if the Chargers are forced to pass in a competitive game script. The matchup this week against the Jaguars could play right into his hands, as they are one of the best run defenses in football, but have struggled against the pass as of late.
This week, Johnston is a volatile fantasy start who carries both breakout and bust potential. Jacksonville has allowed the fourth-most PPR points per target and the ninth-most receiving yards per game to outside receivers, signaling opportunity if Johnston can exploit coverage breakdowns. However, his production could dip if the Jaguars lean on their two-high safety shell, where Johnston has been far less efficient with only 1.14 yards per route run. Still, the matchup’s upside can’t be ignored. The Jaguars have allowed seven touchdowns to receivers in their last four games, giving Johnston real big-play potential. Consider him a high-risk, high-reward WR3 who could pay off in lineups needing upside this week.
Christian Watson GB
Christian Watson’s return has added much-needed explosiveness to the Packers’ offense, especially as injuries have thinned out the receiving corps. Since Week 8, Watson has operated as the team’s deep threat, with 50% of his 12 targets coming on downfield throws and a massive 25.8-yard average depth of target. He’s recorded a 10.9% target share but a dominant 38.2% air-yard share, reflecting his field-stretching impact even when target volume is limited. The Giants’ secondary plays man coverage at one of the league’s highest rates and struggles to contain vertical routes, both areas where Watson excels. With several of Green Bay’s other pass-catchers banged up, Watson’s opportunity for a spike week is growing.
This matchup makes Watson a strong fantasy football start in Week 11. The Giants have allowed the seventh-most PPR points per target and fifth-most deep passing yards per game since Week 6, setting the stage for Watson’s skill set to shine. Given his deep-threat role and the Packers’ need for explosive plays, Watson carries legitimate boom potential. Watson has the talent to turn the passing game around this week. Fantasy managers looking for a high-upside flex option should plug him into lineups with confidence, as he has a real shot at a long touchdown in this matchup.
Wide Receivers to Sit
DK Metcalf PIT
DK Metcalf remains one of the league’s most physically dominant wide receivers, but his production has been inconsistent this season. He’s averaging 55.8 receiving yards per game with a 19.9% target share and a 38.6% air-yard share, but that volume hasn’t translated into steady fantasy output. Metcalf has just one top-20 weekly finish in his last five games and has failed to reach double-digit PPR points in three of those contests. His usage remains high in the red zone, where he leads the team with nine targets, but opposing defenses have focused on limiting his vertical impact. Against disciplined secondaries, his physicality hasn’t always been enough to overcome tight coverage, and this week’s opponent poses similar challenges.
Given the expected shadow coverage from D.J. Turner and the recent lack of explosive plays, Metcalf should be considered a fantasy football sit for Week 11. Turner held him to just 45 yards on four targets in their last matchup, and Cincinnati’s defense continues to be one of the stingiest in limiting big plays downfield. Turner is one of the most underrated corners in football with his 3rd-ranked coverage grade. Although Metcalf always carries touchdown upside due to his red zone role, his recent inefficiency and matchup concerns make him difficult to trust as anything more than a risky WR3. Unless the Steelers find creative ways to move him around, he could struggle to produce fantasy-relevant numbers once again.
Wan’Dale Robinson NYG
Wan’Dale Robinson continues to be one of the Giants’ most reliable weapons underneath, offering consistent target volume even as the offense remains up-and-down. He’s averaging 60.2 receiving yards per game with a strong 23.5% target share and a 28.3% first-read rate. Robinson has been targeted heavily in short and intermediate areas, leading the team in deep looks (11) and ranking second in red zone targets (6). His ability to separate quickly makes him a quarterback-friendly option, but his low average depth of target limits his explosive potential. Against teams that limit yards after the catch, Robinson’s impact tends to flatten out, and Green Bay fits that mold defensively.
This week, Robinson profiles as a sit due to the matchup and quarterback play concerns. The Packers have allowed the second-fewest yards to slot receivers and have been one of the league’s best at preventing yards after the catch, both areas that define Robinson’s game. With Jameis Winston expected to start, the Giants’ short-passing efficiency could dip, further lowering Robinson’s ceiling. He hasn’t seen a single red-zone target in his last five games, making it tough to project a touchdown opportunity. While his volume keeps him in PPR consideration, Robinson is best left on benches in Week 11 as the matchup severely limits his upside.
Xavier Worthy KC
Xavier Worthy has shown flashes of his explosiveness, but his fantasy football production has cooled considerably in recent weeks. Since Rashee Rice returned, Worthy hasn’t finished higher than WR38, averaging just 37 receiving yards per game. His 17.5% target share and 1.21 yards per route run over that stretch indicate declining efficiency as Kansas City redistributes targets among its receivers. Worthy still owns a respectable 24.3% first-read share, showing that the coaching staff designs opportunities for him, but he’s struggled to convert those into big plays. Against coverages that limit vertical separation, Worthy’s role becomes less impactful, and Denver’s defense has been particularly strong in those situations.
This week, Worthy should be considered a sit in all but the deepest formats. Denver’s defense ranks first in fewest fantasy points allowed to wide receivers and has allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter receivers since Week 6. Even with Patrick Surtain II missing the game, the Broncos’ scheme has consistently neutralized players in Worthy’s role. With Rashee Rice commanding more of the offense and Worthy’s production stagnating, fantasy managers should avoid the risk and keep him on the bench for Week 11
