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
Michael Wilson ARI
Michael Wilson enters Week 12 coming off a breakout performance that shocked nearly the entire fantasy football community. With Marvin Harrison Jr. sidelined, Wilson stepped into a dominant role and immediately delivered career-best production, capturing a massive 31.6% target share and an even larger 60.9% air-yard share. His 185-yard eruption showcased his ability to win downfield, earn first-read opportunities, and operate as a true perimeter focal point. Wilson’s efficiency metrics, highlighted by 3.94 yards per route run and four deep targets, reflected not just volume but meaningful involvement. While it’s unreasonable to expect a repeat of his WR1 overall performance, the underlying usage spike is a critical sign of trust in his direction.
This week, Wilson projects as a strong start in fantasy given another opportunity to function as Arizona’s primary receiver. Jacoby Brissett has attempted 44 or more passes in three of five starts, and Marvin Harrison Jr. previously averaged 11 targets per game, opening the door for steady volume. Jacksonville has struggled badly against perimeter receivers, ranking inside the top 10 in PPR points per target allowed since Week 7. Their secondary has repeatedly surrendered explosive plays, making Wilson’s downfield profile especially relevant. Even with regression expected from last week’s monster outing, his role and matchup give him top-15 upside, making him a confident start across lineups.
Jameson Williams DET
Jameson Williams enters Week 12 riding one of the hottest stretches of his young career, fueled by Dan Campbell’s recent takeover of play-calling duties. His route tree has noticeably expanded, resulting in 10 catches for 207 yards and two touchdowns on 14 targets across the last two games. Williams has transformed from a pure field-stretcher into a versatile perimeter threat, earning at least six targets in three straight contests after failing to do so in five of his first seven games. His efficiency has surged as well, posting 2.73 yards per route run with a 30.9% air-yard share and 91 receiving yards per game since Week 9. The absence of Sam LaPorta has also allowed Williams to inherit more middle-field opportunities and red-zone work, further stabilizing his floor.
This week’s matchup places Williams firmly in start territory for fantasy football lineups as he faces a Giants defense bleeding production to receivers. New York ranks top five in fantasy points allowed to the position and has already given up 14 receivers with 14+ PPR points this season. Their weakness aligns perfectly with Williams’ skillset, as the Giants have allowed the third-most yards to perimeter receivers and are vulnerable to deep passing, allowing the third-most yards on targets of 20+ air yards. With Williams running 77% of his routes outside and commanding an increasingly reliable target share, everything points toward another strong outing. He has been a top-20 WR in four of his last five games, and Week 12 presents another prime opportunity to keep that streak alive as a must-start option.
Chris Olave NO
Chris Olave continues to perform at a high level despite fluctuating quarterback play, ranking as the WR12 in fantasy points per game while maintaining elite underlying usage. His deep-target volume sits top-five in the league, and he has remained a major factor inside the red zone. Tyler Shough’s two starts have produced one down week and one strong WR6 finish, yet Olave’s route efficiency and first-read involvement have remained stable. Over that span, he has earned a 20.8% target share, a dominant 40.1% air-yard share, and an impressive 3.50 yards per route run. His performance against single-high coverage, where Atlanta ranks first in usage, has been exceptional, posting a 23.3% target share and 4.04 YPRR since Week 9.
Given both the matchup and usage, Olave projects as an excellent start for fantasy football this week. The Falcons have allowed the second-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers since Week 7, and their secondary has repeatedly surrendered explosive plays. Olave has consistently produced against Atlanta, scoring at least 14.6 PPR points in three straight meetings before this season. His recent consistency, highlighted by 12+ points in five of his last six games, further boosts his reliability heading into Week 12. With Shough leaning on him as the primary weapon and Atlanta’s coverage profile aligning with his strengths, Olave is a confident start across all formats.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Jordan Addison MIN
Jordan Addison enters Week 12 in a difficult stretch as his connection with quarterback J.J. McCarthy remains inconsistent. Even with a red-zone touchdown in Week 11, he managed only 10 PPR points on two catches for 20 yards despite seeing seven targets. Across McCarthy’s three starts, Addison has totaled just seven receptions for 103 yards and one score on 22 targets, reflecting significant inefficiency. His yards per route run have dipped to 1.04 over that span, and his deep-target opportunities have failed to translate into meaningful production. While his target share remains respectable, the overall passing environment has limited his reliability.
This week sets up poorly for Addison, making him a sit in fantasy despite a seemingly neutral matchup. Green Bay’s pass defense has recently become more vulnerable on the perimeter, but McCarthy’s 50% completion rate last week raises major concerns about the offense’s ability to support consistent receiver output. Addison’s deep targets, typically a strength, run into a secondary that has allowed limited explosive plays since Week 7. His volatility is too high for most fantasy formats, making him viable only as a boom-bust flex in three-receiver leagues. Managers seeking stability should sit Addison in Week 12.
Michael Pittman Jr IND
Michael Pittman Jr. enters Week 12 with strong season-long production, ranking as the WR11 in fantasy points per game while maintaining a 21% target share. Before the Colts’ bye week, he had a season low of 2 catches for 19 yards against the Falcons after three straight 20-point performances. While the production has been elite, regression is due as he is the expected WR17 in expected PPG while having the 56th highest air yards share and 79th average depth of target among receivers. It does not bode well this week against the Chiefs, who have been very successful this season at limiting the top opposing receiver.
Pittman lands in sit consideration for fantasy football lineups. Kansas City has allowed the fourth-fewest yards and touchdowns to wide receivers and ranks top seven in limiting fantasy points to the position. Their elite numbers against deep throws and perimeter receivers pose a major problem for both Pittman and Alec Pierce, who run most of their routes outside. The Chiefs have also allowed zero touchdowns on deep passes this season, minimizing Pittman’s upside. While he is the preferable option over Pierce, Pittman has a tough matchup to overcome in Kansas City.
Darnell Mooney ATL
Darnell Mooney has recently stepped into a larger role for Atlanta with Drake London sidelined. Over the last two weeks, he has seen a 25.9% target share and a 37% air-yard share. His first-read involvement has spiked to nearly 29%, yet the production has not followed, as he’s averaged just 25.5 receiving yards during that stretch. Efficiency concerns are evident, with only 0.91 yards per route run, indicating difficulty converting volume into meaningful fantasy output. Even with multiple seven-target games, the lack of touchdowns and big-play involvement has kept Mooney’s floor extremely low. His chemistry with Kirk Cousins resulted in a WR16 season last year, but in tough matchup’s I am not confident in trusting him.
This week’s matchup keeps Mooney firmly in sit range for fantasy as he faces a Saints secondary that has historically slowed perimeter receivers. New Orleans has allowed only middling production to outside wideouts since Week 7, and their physical coverage style limits smaller receivers like Mooney. While the volume could remain steady with London out, the efficiency issues combined with a challenging matchup make him too unreliable to trust. Three receivers have hit double-digit PPR points in the past two games vs. New Orleans, but Mooney’s profile doesn’t match the type of players who succeeded. Until he sees a better matchup or produces in his new role, treat him as a sit.
