RADIO
If you've already read this week's Warning Signals piece pertaining to running backs, you'd know that we're honing in on players who should be given legitimate consideration once the fantasy playoffs are upon us. That same theme is going to hold here for the wide receiver position. Luckily for us fantasy analysts, receivers have more than settled into to their true values by now but there are still some players out there who are making heads turn.
Taking that idea one step further, there also aren't really that many top tier studs who are on any sort of lengthy downfall right now. Aside from a few random injuries to the likes of Alshon Jeffery and Emmanuel Sanders, receivers are fairly healthy compared to their running back counterpart. That too makes things a lot easier when it comes to looking ahead to potential playoff matchups.
Before we dive into this week's list, I just want to reiterate what I've already mentioned in the running back edition. At this point in the season, you know your team way better than I do. I know that sounds like such a simple concept but it's important to keep that in mind once you see some of the names that flared up here.
Weeks 12, 13, and beyond aren't the time to over analyze what's gotten you this far, so don't start tinkering to the point where you're risking elimination. If you've managed to put yourself in playoff contention in spite of whatever struggling players you see here or elsewhere, just focus on the strengths of your team and good luck clinching a spot in the post-season.
Wide Receivers Sending Out Warning Signals
Amari Cooper – WR, OAK
There was a decent stretch of the season where it was looking like Amari Cooper was guaranteed to finish the year in the top 10 at the wide receiver position. Now, after two straight disappointing performances in which he's only recorded six total receptions for zero touchdowns, Cooper is starting to struggle at the worst possible time. Granted, Cooper did have a decent enough outing against the Vikings two weeks ago but combine that with his glaring lack of touchdowns and being held to just one catch for four yards versus the Lions in week 10 create a much greater cause for concern.
A large part of what went wrong in that matchup with Detroit was related to the Oakland offense as a whole. The Lions have managed to play solid defense lately and were able to shut down quarterback Derek Carr, severely limiting all of his weapons. Still, Cooper has shown that he's talented enough to essentially be matchup proof so he should have had a much better outing against a middle-of-the-road passing defense.
Listen, there's no way you're benching Amari Cooper this close to the playoff push but it's not like his schedule is going to get considerably easier either. On paper the upcoming tilts with Tennessee and Kansas City might seem enticing but both defenses are a lot better than you think. In fact, the only truly tasty matchup Cooper has left comes in week 16 against a porous San Diego unit. Thankfully that'll be championship week for most leagues so as long as you can weather the storm with Cooper for the next few outings you should be ok once the trophy is on the line.
Michael Crabtree – WR, OAK
Normally I would group two wide receivers who play for the same team together but the Raiders are kind of a unique scenario right now. Michael Crabtree was a very underrated sleeper heading into the season so any fantasy owner out there who has benefited from his productivity this year has basically benefited from an unexpected bonus. That's not to say that players who fall under the category of "icing on the cake" aren't every bit as useful as those with high expectations after fantasy drafts but that doesn't make them immune to harsh criticisms either.
From a pure raw total standpoint Crabtree's numbers are technically better than Cooper's over the last two weeks. Crabtree has 10 total fantasy points over the last two games compared to just seven for Amari Cooper. Either way, Cooper is still the primary receiver on Oakland so Crabtree has a lot more ground to make up to warrant starting. Given how this offense has struggled as a whole over the last two outings, I'm actually ready to bench Crabtree if my team has enough depth to afford it. There's a pretty good chance you lucked into owning him in the first place so it's worth poking around your bench to see if you have better options for your flex.
Like I said, the Raiders have a tough schedule remaining so don't force the issue with Crabtree. If you're in a deeper league or are have had to deal with injury woes and disappointing studs, he just might get the job done regardless. All I'm saying is that for a player who's already clear secondary receiver on his team his recent struggles no longer make him a must start, especially in a win-or-go-home situation.
Jeremy Maclin – WR, KC
Now would be a good time for me to admit that I had some trouble in identifying a third wide receiver that warrants Warning Signal discussion this week but ultimately I settled on a player who has had himself a roller coaster year since week one. Jeremy Maclin is coming off of back-to-back games in which he recorded just three receptions a piece for a grand total of three fantasy points. In fact, he's only had two total games this season in which he's exceeded double digits in standard scoring. That's not exactly the type of player you'll want to rely on this late in the season.
I also fully understand the idea that Maclin should have probably been added to this list sooner. The reason he's worth talking about now as we head into week twelve is the simple notion that he's not the target machine many hoped he could be back in August and September. In Maclin's defense, however, the Chiefs do at least have a favorable schedule in the next few weeks.
Matchups against the Bills, Raiders, Chargers, Ravens, and Browns are all enticing options down the stretch. I think this is a case of simply evaluating what you have before making a final decision. If I were deciding between Maclin and the aforementioned Michael Crabtree, I'd lean strongly toward Maclin given the easier schedule. Basically, don't force the issue with him right now. Be smart and evaluate all of your potential options.
Updates From Last Week
Dez Bryant – WR, DAL
Dez Bryant had a decent fantasy outing with the return of Tony Romo so you can expect that to continue the rest of the way. This week's matchup isn't spectacular against a tough Carolina defense but you can't bench Dez now that he has his franchise quarterback back under center. A lot of people actually think this might be a trap game for the Panthers and I tend to agree. This has the makings for a classic upset that could see Dez and Romo return to form sooner than initially thought.
Willie Snead – WR, NO
The New Orleans Saints were on a bye in week 11 so we'll have to wait and see how they do on the road against the Texans this week. Personally, I'm not really expecting Willie Snead to return to his mid-season form, especially with the way Brandin Cooks has managed to turn things around. Snead should be viewed as a boom-or-bust WR3/flex play.
John Brown – WR, ARI
Considering how potent the Arizona offense is I don't think you can really bench John Brown unless you have a much better option waiting in the wings. Even when he's been banged up, Brown has managed to at least take the field in some capacity outside of one game. Hist recent stat line of three receptions for 43 yards and a score doesn't exactly jump off of the page but with Carson Palmer having a tremendous year for the Cardinals you just have to keep trotting Brown out there and hoping for the best. Throw in Michael Floyd's most recent injury woes and Brown's targets should be steady enough not to disappoint you.
