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
Tee Higgins CIN
Over the past two games, Tee Higgins has quietly reestablished himself as a major piece of the Bengals’ passing attack with Joe Flacco under center. His 17.4% target share, 79 receiving yards per game, and 2.00 yards per route run signal renewed live in fantasy football. Perhaps most importantly, Higgins has seen an increase in first-read targets and red zone opportunities, three inside the 20 and two deep looks since Week 6. With Ja’Marr Chase likely to draw coverage from Sauce Gardner, if he plays, defenses may be forced to roll more attention his way, opening one-on-one chances for Higgins on the perimeter. The Jets have allowed the ninth-highest passer rating to perimeter receivers and the 11th-most PPR points per target, creating an underrated opportunity for Cincinnati’s WR2.
Higgins’ chemistry with Flacco has resulted in back-to-back strong performances, 11 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets against the Packers and Steelers. That production, coupled with Gardner’s uncertain Week 8 status, sets Higgins up as a strong fantasy football start option against a beat up Jets secondary. Even if Gardner plays, Flacco’s aggressiveness and preference for targeting the boundary should keep Higgins heavily involved. He’s trending upward with clear WR2 value and could easily outperform expectations once again. Fantasy managers should trust the connection and keep Higgins locked in their Week 8 starting lineups.
Wan’Dale Robinson NYG
Wan’Dale Robinson’s role has exploded since Jaxson Dart took over as the Giants’ quarterback. Over the past four games, Robinson owns a 26% target share and has become Dart’s first read on 25% of dropbacks, which has been a significant increase over his career average. Robinson has averaged nearly 90 yards per game and 18 fantasy points per outing during that stretch, highlighted by 20.4 points in a prior matchup with Philadelphia. His surge in production as of late has him sitting at 13.1 points per game, good enough for the 26th-ranked receiver in PPR formats.
Despite the Eagles being a difficult matchup most of the time, they have struggled at times this season and notably struggled against Robinson in Week 2. The Eagles have surrendered at least one receiver scoring 13.9 or more PPR points in every game this season, and Robinson profiles as the best bet to extend that trend. Given his volume, efficiency, and matchup context, Robinson is a strong fantasy start across all league formats and a must-play in PPR settings.
Romeo Doubs GB
Romeo Doubs continues to deliver steady production for Green Bay, ranking as the WR27 in fantasy points per game while logging four top-36 finishes. He leads the team in red zone looks (seven) and commands over 20% of the target share with a healthy 37% air-yard share. He’s recorded at least eight targets in three straight games, averaging 17.8 fantasy PPG over that stretch. In a group with no true alpha receiver, Doubs has been the most impressive and consistent option for the Packers at receiver this season.
This week’s game sets up Doubs as a confident start. Doubs’ ability to win vertically and operate effectively against single-high coverage makes him an ideal fit in this matchup against the Steelers. The Steelers have allowed the second-most fantasy points and most receiving yards to perimeter wideouts, a direct overlap with Doubs’ role this season, with 82% of his routes being out wide. Green Bay’s offense funnels scoring chances through him in the air, and this matchup makes him one of the safer starts at wide receiver for Week 8.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Jaylen Waddle MIA
Jaylen Waddle’s efficiency and volume metrics have taken steps in the right direction after Tyreek Hill’s injury, but the context surrounding him in Week 8 raises concerns. Since Week 5, he’s averaged over 73 yards per game with a 21% target share, yet production has been inconsistent. Miami’s offense has been hit-or-miss lately, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa struggling under pressure and tossing six interceptions in his last two outings. The Falcons’ defense presents a difficult challenge, allowing the second-fewest yards per game to perimeter receivers.
Fantasy football managers may be tempted to start Waddle out of name value, but this is a week to temper expectations, or even sit him if depth allows. Atlanta’s secondary has locked down elite receivers this season, holding some household names under 10 PPR points. Waddle’s one-catch, 15-yard performance in Week 7 was his lowest of the season, and with Miami’s passing game being volatile, the matchup doesn’t offer much hope for a bounce-back. He’s a risky play against a defense that eliminates explosive plays and limits red zone efficiency. In a week where there are multiple byes and it may be hard to sit him, Waddle’s floor remains dangerously low.
DJ Moore CHI
DJ Moore’s recent struggles have been alarming for fantasy football managers, as his role has shrunk significantly in the Bears’ passing offense. He’s been held under 50 yards in five straight games and has only one touchdown on the year. Despite Baltimore allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, Moore’s volume simply hasn’t justified starting confidence. His target share sits around 17%, with minimal red zone or deep-shot involvement, with only three deep and two end-zone targets on the season. Chicago’s offensive inconsistencies and Rome Odunze’s growing role further cap Moore’s potential output.
Even with a favorable matchup on paper, he has still failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in five of seven games, and his lone decent outing (12.8 points) required a late touchdown. Without consistent target volume or big-play opportunities, his ceiling has completely evaporated. Unless we see a massive role change, Moore is trending toward droppable territory in most leagues. Fantasy managers should pivot to more reliable options, as Moore profiles as a low-end WR3 at best against Baltimore despite it being a favorable matchup on paper.
Jauan Jennings SF
Jauan Jennings has been one of the league’s most volatile receivers from a fantasy standpoint, with production swinging wildly due to injuries and inconsistent usage. In Week 6, he posted just a 7.7% target share, only to see his 1st read share in Week 7 jump to 47% as the 49ers adjusted their offensive game plan. He also is not seeing targets down the field, as he ranks 65th in average depth of target, while only seeing 2 deep targets the entire season. Add in lingering injuries, including broken ribs and ankle sprains, and it’s clear Jennings is not operating at full strength. His yards-per-target and efficiency numbers are well below last year’s marks, raising red flags about his explosiveness.
Jennings’ Week 8 outlook makes him a firm sit in lineups. Though he managed seven targets last week, the Texans’ secondary poses a difficult matchup, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to receivers. He’s been held to single-digit fantasy totals in every game but one, and health limitations make it unlikely that changes soon. Until Jennings demonstrates consistent target volume and improved efficiency, he’s better left on benches or waivers. In a week where reliable options are scarce, the risk far outweighs the potential reward.
