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 has transformed into one of the NFL’s most heavily utilized receivers over the last two weeks, commanding an absurd 33 targets — the most among all wide receivers over that span. His 25 receptions and 303 yards over those matchups give him an elite 3.58 yards per route run, while his 29.2% target share and 32.3% target-per-route-run rate both rank top-five leaguewide. Wilson’s average depth of target (aDOT) has risen over the last two games as well, showing that he’s not just compiling volume on short throws — he’s being used at every level of the field. His chemistry with Jacoby Brissett is undeniable, as Brissett has attempted 106 passes in the last two weeks, giving Wilson one of the most secure workloads in fantasy football. Even if Marvin Harrison Jr. returns, Wilson’s recent 55.3 fantasy points over the last two weeks speak for themselves.
This week’s matchup against the Buccaneers makes Wilson a top-tier start. Tampa Bay has allowed 39.93 fantasy points per game to opposing receivers over the last four weeks, the second-most in the league during that span. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams combined for 159 yards and two touchdowns last week, and Tampa continues to bleed yards on intermediate and deep routes — areas Wilson has thrived in recently. If Harrison returns, Wilson still projects as a locked-in WR2 with WR1 upside; if Harrison sits, Wilson becomes an auto-start with top-eight potential. Greg Dortch remains a viable flex if Harrison misses again, given his 17.7 fantasy PPG over the last two weeks. Wilson is one of the hottest players in fantasy football and belongs in every lineup.
Troy Franklin DEN
Troy Franklin has quietly become Denver’s most efficient receiver over the past month, scoring at least 12.4 fantasy points in four of his last five games while averaging 2.12 yards per route run during that stretch. His red-zone dominance is astonishing: Franklin’s 14 red-zone targets rank 10th in the NFL, and he leads all Broncos players by a wide margin. Inside the 10-yard line, he’s converted four of seven targets — all touchdowns — showing elite scoring efficiency. While Courtland Sutton has been in a slump with under 10.7 PPR points in four straight and fewer than 30 receiving yards in two of those, Franklin has taken advantage with a 21% target share since Week 7. Denver ranks sixth in opponent pass attempts per game, and their neutral-game-script pass rate has quietly climbed each week with Bo Nix settling in. Franklin’s route participation has climbed into the mid-80s, making his role secure.
This is a smash start spot against Washington, the NFL’s worst pass defense by net yards allowed per attempt and third-worst in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. The Commanders have allowed 12 receivers to score at least 12 PPR points, and multiple teams have produced two fantasy-viable WRs against them — a great sign for both Sutton and Franklin. Washington has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to perimeter receivers over the last month, and Franklin runs more than 80% of his routes outside. Given his elite red-zone role, rising target momentum, and Washington’s inability to defend boundary receivers, Franklin carries legitimate top-20 upside this week. Start him confidently.
Khalil Shakir BUF
Khalil Shakir has become Buffalo’s most stable receiver, posting eight or more targets in three of his last four games and hitting at least 11.3 PPR points in four of his last five. His role as the primary slot receiver is secure with a slot-route rate over 70%, and he’s earned 2.10 yards per route run from the slot over the last month — top-10 among qualified receivers. Shakir thrives after the catch, ranking top-five in YAC per reception among all slot receivers since Week 8. His 10 targets, eight receptions, and 110 yards last week against Houston marked his most complete performance of the season, showcasing that Buffalo trusts him as a volume option. The addition of Brandin Cooks shouldn’t impact his usage, as Shakir still leads the team in slot snaps, targets per route run, and short-area conversion rate.
This is a perfect matchup for Shakir, as Pittsburgh allows the most yards, receptions, and fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. The Steelers are also top-five in yards allowed to slot receivers both on the season and since Week 8. Pittsburgh has given up the most YAC to slot receivers during that stretch, and Shakir ranks among the leaders in generating yards after the catch. Six receivers have scored at least 15.3 PPR points against Pittsburgh in the last four weeks, with five touchdowns surrendered. Given his recent volume, efficiency, and matchup alignment, Shakir is a strong WR2 start with real top-15 upside. He is the only trusted Bills receiver heading into Week 13 and should be in all lineups.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Deebo Samuel WAS
Deebo Samuel’s 2025 season continues to be defined by volatility, as he has failed to reach 50 receiving yards in four of his last five games and averages fewer than six fantasy points in games without a touchdown. His target share drops dramatically when Terry McLaurin plays, falling from 24% in games without McLaurin to just 15% in games with him. Samuel also has one of the lowest air-yard totals among starting receivers, posting an aDOT under 6.0 yards, which limits his yardage ceiling. The Commanders’ offense has struggled to sustain drives, and Deebo has seen fewer than six targets in three of his last four full games.
This matchup is a bottom-tier spot for Samuel, as Denver allows the second-fewest fantasy points to wideouts and has surrendered just two receiving touchdowns to the position all season. The Broncos are top-five in yards allowed per target and have been a nightmare matchup for opposing offenses this year. When McLaurin plays, Samuel has totaled just 9.1 combined PPR points in their last two games together. This game projects as one of the lowest-scoring of the week, and Washington’s offensive line is severely mismatched against Denver’s top-tier pass rush. Samuel is a sit across all standard formats, and even in three-WR leagues, he offers limited upside.
Michael Pittman Jr IND
Michael Pittman Jr. has been consistent this year, scoring at least 13.7 PPR points in four of his last five games, but this is one of the worst possible matchups for him. Houston allows the fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and owns the league’s No. 1 defensive rankings in both passer rating allowed and completion percentage allowed to wideouts. They’ve given up just six total receiving touchdowns to receivers all season, and only five WRs have reached 12+ PPR points against them. Pittman himself has struggled historically in this spot, posting fewer than 35 yards in both matchups last season and averaging just 9.4 or fewer fantasy points in his last three games vs. Houston. His aDOT has dipped in recent weeks as the Colts have leaned more on short passing and the run game, limiting his ceiling further.
The Texans are particularly strong on perimeter coverage, allowing the fewest deep-passing yards to outside receivers, which directly caps Pittman’s ability to generate explosive plays. If Indianapolis follows the expected run-heavy script with Jonathan Taylor, Pittman projects for lower volume than usual. Alec Pierce is also a sit, as he has topped 50 yards against Houston just once in six career attempts. For Pittman, his floor keeps him in consideration in deep formats, but he’s a recommended sit in standard 2-WR lineups. The matchup is simply too restrictive to expect a ceiling game.
Ricky Pearsall SF
Ricky Pearsall draws one of the most difficult defensive matchups of the entire season, as the Cleveland Browns have allowed just 23.8 fantasy points per game to wide receivers since Week 5 — the toughest in the league over that span. Over their last four games, Cleveland has tightened even further, surrendering only 20.7 fantasy points per game to the position and giving up just 28 receptions total during that stretch. Pearsall’s involvement last week was minimal, recording only four targets (fourth-most on the team) and finishing with six yards. His route participation has dipped as the 49ers consolidate targets around Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings. Pearsall ranks outside the top five on the team in red-zone usage and has posted under 1.3 yards per route run in three straight games.
Cleveland’s defense presents nearly no path for a breakout, allowing the fewest receptions and the fewest yards to receivers since Week 8. Their sticky perimeter coverage forces quarterbacks to funnel targets to tight ends and running backs — areas where San Francisco already features Kittle and McCaffrey heavily. Pearsall’s low target share and role as the team’s third or fourth option make him extremely volatile in a matchup with virtually no margin for error. The Browns have allowed only two receiving touchdowns across their last seven games, further capping Pearsall’s scoring probability. He’s an easy sit and belongs on benches across all formats this week.
