Fantasy Football Buy Low Wide Receivers: WR Breakout Candidates for Week 2

Buy-Low Players in Summary

• Matthew Golden, Packers
• D.K. Metcalf, Steelers
• Colston Loveland, Bears

Whether you're deciding who to start in season-long, who to roster in NFL DFS, or which NFL prop bets to consider on FanDuel Sportsbook, there are still plenty of ways to buy low on players poised to bounce back from disappointing outings.

While looking ahead at the games across the NFL, which wide receivers should we buy low on ahead of this week?

All fantasy football projections via our numbers at FanDuel Research, and NFL odds references are to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Wide Receivers to Buy Low in Fantasy Football

Matthew Golden, Packers

With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks out of town, there was an opening for a Green Bay Packers wideout to break out this season. I thought Jayden Reed may do just that, but while I’m not going to bail on Reed after one game, it seems like Matthew Golden has the leg up on Reed.

In Week 1, Golden led all Packers WRs in snap rate (82%). It was mostly he and Christian Watson in two-receiver sets, with Reed’s snap rate coming in at just 57%.

While it was Watson who popped for a huge game in Week 1 (147 yards, 2 TDs), Golden paced Green Bay in targets with 12, hauling in six of those for 95 yards.

I am bullish on this Packers O, and Golden might be headed for a Year-2 breakout — something his stock may not fully reflect right now.

DK Metcalf, Steelers

D.K. Metcalf totaled just 40 yards in Week 1 in what was a pretty ugly fantasy clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons. His role was great, though.

Metcalf played 96% of the snaps and handled 10 targets. Yes, please.

Although it’s fair to be worried about his upside in this offense, Metcalf looks like the clear-cut WR1 for Pittsburgh and should be in for a WR2/3 type season.

Colston Loveland, Bears

I am bending the rules to include Colston Loveland. He’s not a WR, but he’s a pass-catcher you might be able to get a good deal on right now.

Loveland bageled in Week 1 despite the Chicago Bears scoring 59 points. He saw only two targets.

There’s a chance his fantasy manager is panicking.

But Loveland actually led all tight ends — in the entire NFL — in route rate at 90%. We know he’s good; we saw that last year. There’s really no explanation for his Week 1 dud outside of it being a fluke game.

Loveland still has the ceiling, situation and ability to finish as the overall TE1 in 2026.

Fantasy Football Buy-Low Wide Receivers FAQ

What does buy low mean in fantasy football?

Buying low means trading for a player whose current perceived value is lower than what you expect his value to be going forward. A slow start, tough matchup, injury, or lack of touchdowns can sometimes create a buying opportunity.

What should you look for in a buy-low wide receiver?

Target volume, route participation, air yards, red-zone usage, and snap rate are all important. A receiver can be underperforming in fantasy while still seeing the type of usage that suggests better production is coming.

When is the best time to trade for a buy-low wide receiver?

The best opportunities often come after one or two disappointing games, especially if the player's role has remained strong. Fantasy managers can sometimes overreact to short-term results even when the underlying usage is encouraging.

Should you buy low on an injured wide receiver?

It can make sense if the injury is considered short-term and the player's price has dropped significantly. Before making a trade, consider the expected return timeline and whether you have enough depth to wait for him to get healthy.

Which bets stand out to you this week? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's latest NFL odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.