Fantasy Football Week 12: Jarvis Landry, JuJu Smith-Schuster and other must starts

Here’s the Week 12 edition of top 5 wide receivers to start in fantasy football.

Remember to set those lineups early, because we have a full slate of NFL football on Thanksgiving. Let’s hope this week’s list can fair better than last weeks.

Only one wide receiver named on last week’s list finished as a top 10 scorer in ESPN PPR standard scoring leagues. Tyreek Hill led all receivers with his 43.5 fantasy points during that wild Monday Night Football game.

Julio Jones finished one spot outside of the top 10 with 23.8, Michael Thomas had 19.2, Odell Beckham Jr. gathered 18.5 and DeAndre Hopkins compiled 14.6. Not good, not good at all.

At least it is a short week with three Thursday games. So, let’s dive into this week’s edition.

5. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers

Yes, of course, the Pittsburgh Steelers Ant… JuJu Smith-Schuster has made the list. He’s starting to take a lot of catches from Antonio Brown.

Smith-Schuster benefited from Jalen Ramsey shadowing Brown for most of the time during the Steelers Week 11 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was able to gather 18.4 points with his eight grabs for 104 yards.

The second-year receiver has had five games of 100+ receiving yards. The only knock on him has been the lack of touchdown catches, which would boost his scores to the elite level.

This week the Steelers travel to the always tough environment in Denver. However, the Broncos have allowed 11 receiving scores. JuJu may be able to have a breakout game with a couple TD scores.

Next: 4. Jarvis Landry

4. Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns

It has been tough sledding for Jarvis Landry with the Cleveland Browns. While he hasn’t been awful, he hasn’t been the dynamic, go-to receiver that he was in Miami.

Interestingly, Landry’s production hasn’t really increased with Baker Mayfield under center either. Over the last three games, he hasn’t had more than 50 receiving yards in a game.

This week has breakout written all over it against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals secondary has allowed opposing receivers to haul in 11 scores.

Landry’s ability in the slot will make it even harder for the Bengals to defend him. Don’t give up hope on Landry just yet.

Next: 3. Odell Beckham Jr.

3. Odell Beckham Jr, New York Giants

Odell Beckham Jr. had almost identical performances in Week 10 and 11, and he has played a big role in the New York Giants back-to-back wins. He has three touchdowns in those two games as well.

Although, OBJ hasn’t had more than four catches, or 74 yards, in that time. He has been more quality over quantity.

Regardless, Beckham has had four game stretch of 18+ points, and three of those four have been 20+. He will pad those stats against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12.

The Eagles are swooning, and they have a depleted defensive secondary that has already surrendered 12 receiving scores. Beckham is looking at a big game.

Next: 2. Julio Jones

2. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

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Owners can relax now, because Julio Jones has broken out of that touchdown slump he had endured for over a season and a half. He made it three straight games with a score when he hauled one in during the Atlanta Falcons loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Jones has been throwing up huge numbers. He has had 100+ receiving yards five games in a row. Furthermore, he has only had three games where he hasn’t had such a game.

The former Alabama star went for six catches for 118 yards and one score in Week 11. This week, he eyes up the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints defense has been much better. But, as we have seen before, Jones is a matchup nightmare.

Next: 1. Michael Thomas

1. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Last week’s edition endorsed Michael Thomas as the league’s best wide receiver. Well, that endorsement still stands.

In a game where Thomas wasn’t the go-to guy, he still went for 19.2 points. He caught four balls for 92 yards and a TD.

Not only does Thomas need to be viewed as the top WR in the NFL, he should be considered the best fantasy receiver too. He has three 30+ point games, which means he is dominating.

The Saints and Thomas play the Falcons this week. The Falcons secondary has surrender 13 receiving touchdowns, and that may be much higher when Thomas is done.