Fantasy Football Buy Low Wide Receivers: WR Breakout Candidates for Week 3

Buy-Low WRs in Summary

• D.K. Metcalf, Steelers
• Drake London, Falcons
• George Pickens, Cowboys

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

D.K. Metcalf, Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ offense has been bad, and while it probably won’t improve too much, D.K. Metcalf should start producing better numbers than what he has so far.

Despite totaling only eight catches for 67 yards through two games, Metcalf’s role has been pretty great, with D.K. seeing 19 total targets and playing 96% and 97% of the snaps.

It doesn’t hurt things that Michael Pittman Jr. is dinged up and could be out again this week.

With a Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on the horizon, this is a good time to make a move for Metcalf.

Drake London, Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. is slated to take over for the Atlanta Falcons. Penix can’t be as bad as what the Falcons were getting under center, and similar to Metcalf, Drake London‘s production should start to tick up.

London played 98% of the snaps in Week 1 before dropping to a 62% snap rate last week as the Falcons sat some key pieces in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss.

London has mustered only six catches for 80 yards across the first two weeks. This is a WR who averaged 74.8 and 76.6 receiving yards per game the past two years.

Penix isn’t a world beater, but he’s better than Cooper Rush. London should continue to operate as the clear number-one option in Atlanta’s passing game, and better days are ahead.

George Pickens, Cowboys

George Pickens tends to be more of a boom-or-bust type of fantasy asset. After two slow games, Pickens should be in line for some boom weeks here soon.

Sitting on nine grabs for 68 yards over two games, Pickens’ role has been pretty solid as he’s logged target counts of six and eight. He’s actually led the Dallas Cowboys‘ wideouts in snap rate in each of the first two games (84% and 76%).

With elite talent and a good role in one of the NFL’s best offenses, Pickens is going to break out sooner rather than later.

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.

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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.