Tell me about your WR strategy

[Chopper]

In my first year of FFB last year, the WR easily gave me the most headaches when setting weekly rosters. I did develop one strategy that worked awesome: Never start any number one receiver against Champ Bailey.
Aside from that, I seemed to ALWAYS start the wrong guy(s). I tried poring over pass defense stats, watching D-backs injury reports, studying splits for home/away, indoor/outdoor, month-by-month, day/night, etc. Watching for QB hang-nails....

What's your strategy?
I seem to remember a post last year from someone, maybe Deft or altproject (I can't find it now), who said that they decide on their two top horses (or 3, depending on the setup) and ride them week-in and week-out. I'm not sure I've got the confidence to do that. All it would take is for my bench guy to have two nice starts, ala McCareins last November, and I'm benching Chambers or somebody else who goes off.
What stats do you key on? Or what other factors do you use to decide who to start at WR?

[GMoney]

well and there you have it...

the art that is fantasy football. I dont really have a strategy. if I have a top WR, play him.. always play him. If I have some who are on the same level, it depends who they are playing, what sort of form they are in, and who my gut tells me will do better.

other than that trust yourself and have confidence that talented players will do better than untalented ones (no matter who they are playing.

[FF Newbie]

Last year I learned the hard way to start your best receivers unless another receiver who is not far behind has a very favorable matchup. I learned that starting a marginal receiver because he has a good matchup is a much more viable strategy than benching a top WR because the matchup appears to be poor. I also learned to start the first 3 WR you draft early in the season. You can't play matchups early in the season because defenses change so much from year-to-year, you never really know what you're going to get until about 4-5 games in.

[Dreadpaul]

WR are very hit and miss. Tier 2 WRs only get 8-9 TDs in a season. Thats one every other game. Feast or famine.

Playing the matchup game can be very tricky as well. Just because your WR is playing a def that's poor at defending the pass doesn't mean your guy is going to catch one of the 3 td passes thrown in the game. The other WR could get one, the RB snag another and the TE get a third.

The best you can do is play the best guys you got week in and week out and let the points come when they come.

[KingGhidra]

In my first year of FFB last year, the WR easily gave me the most headaches when setting weekly rosters. I did develop one strategy that worked awesome: Never start any number one receiver against Champ Bailey.

Unless his name is Amani Toomer.

... Always start Plaxico Burress against the Ravens or Titans...

After that...


I generally follow a "go with your stud" strategy. I'd rather lose with my stud in, than with him on the bench with a hunch some lesser guy is gonna blow up. If things are close between two guys, then I look at history/matchup/recent trends.

[Nfl Fan]

Always play your studs.
Rarely play the matchup.

For example:

I almost benched Hasselbeck last year when they went to Baltimore. Imagine the grief I'd have taken on our league's message board when my top QB, a Seahawk, threw a crapload of yards and 5 TD's!!!!!

Year before, Alexander was having a tough start, and I almost didn't start him in that explosion vs the Vikings.

I did bench Gonzo once because of a Bubba Franks matchup two years ago. You guessed it... Gonzo catches 3 in paydirt.

Playing that game is like saying, "hit me," with 15 staring you in the face......
You may win it once in awhile, but over the long haul, you will lose.

[deftdelivery]

Playing that game is like saying, "hit me," with 15 staring you in the face......
You may win it once in awhile, but over the long haul, you will lose.

I like that analogy. Chopper, I think your weakness was relying too much on the trivial details. Don't worry about the matchups, weather conditions, secondary issues. Instead, focus on your WR's and your WR's alone. Determine which are the best to play week in and week out. If a guy is better, play him. NO MATTER WHAT.

[awwchrist]

There's only 2 spots I consider benching studs for situational matchups.

I'll bench my starting defense for another if the opposing offense is horrifically inept or gives up a boatload of sacks.

I'll bench my 2RB for a bench player should my starting 2RB face Baltimore and my bench RB is facing a rather weak run D.

Other than that...if it ain't broke...

[ferris182]

There's only 2 spots I consider benching studs for situational matchups.

I'll bench my starting defense for another if the opposing offense is horrifically inept or gives up a boatload of sacks.

I'll bench my 2RB for a bench player should my starting 2RB face Baltimore and my bench RB is facing a rather weak run D.

Other than that...if it ain't broke...

Good hit.

[CKY_ROX]

I gotta stick wiht my WRs through the whole season, unless there is some amazing breakout year for a bench WR. then i oulwd change my #3 WR and leave it. Id rather be cicking myself beceasue i got burned by a bench player, than a 2 or 3 WR that i benched in place of a dude for his machup ( which was mediaocre)