Welcome to week three of our analysis on standout exempt wire wide receivers. I’ve highlighted a few games from the roster receiver below. Check it out.
Here’s a recap of the wide receiver performances from the second week. Think of this as a way to scoop up talent before heading into the third week. We consider exempt additions to be players who are rostered in about 60% of Yahoo Leagues.
Troy Franklin, WR, Broncos (3%)
Upcoming matchups – @lac, cin, @phi
In their first half against the Colts, Bo Nix and the Broncos managed to score three times through the air, which was great. The momentum dipped in the second half, but Troy Franklin still made a noticeable impact in fantasy terms. Last season, he was seen as a promising rookie but didn’t have enough chances to shine. However, he’s clearly stepping up; his snap count hit 60% last week, and he had an impressive 6 catches on 6 targets for 44 yards.
This week, he recorded the best game of his career, catching 8 out of 9 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown, plus a rushing attempt that brought his total yards to 100. Interestingly, the workload among receivers seems to shift—Courtland Sutton, usually a WR1, caught just one pass for six yards on four targets. Sutton will likely see more opportunities moving forward, but it’s evident that Franklin has solidified his place among the veterans and should be utilized as much as possible.
Wan’dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants (22%)
Next 3 Matchups – KC, LAC, @NO
So, wait, isn’t Wan’dale supposed to be a PPR dynamo now? Historically, he may not fit that mold perfectly, but he had a decent game this week. He really benefitted from a struggling Cowboys pass defense as Russell Wilson threw for a whopping 450 yards, even outshining Robinson. Still, in PPR leagues, Robinson maintains a solid baseline, making him a useful asset even if he doesn’t get explosive numbers. Maybe this year will be different with Wilson and Dart.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Packers (1%)
Upcoming matchups – @cle, @dal, bye
The Packers started the season strong, though they lost their most productive receiver, Jaden Reed, for several months. Wicks is now stepping into the slot position. While expectations for his snap count might be unclear, he did impressively grab all six of his targets after Reed’s injury. It’s tough to predict his involvement, but he’s in a prime spot to capitalize on opportunities with a good team.
Eric Ayomanor, WR, Titans (8%)
Next 3 matchups – ind, @hou, @ari
Ayomanor is currently the second wide receiver for the Titans and has accumulated 13 targets across Calvin Ridley’s 14 games. This week, he managed to score a touchdown with a 4-for-6 reception for 56 yards. The rookie’s growth is expected to continue, especially alongside Rookie Come Ward, which could yield dividends as the season unfolds. Definitely worth considering for a bench spot.
Hunter Renfrow, WR, Panthers (1%)
Next 3 Matchups – ATL, @NE, MIA
Renfrow had quite the game, catching 7 out of 7 targets for two touchdowns and 49 yards. With Bryce Young throwing the ball 55 times in comeback mode, we probably shouldn’t expect such high usage every week. However, given the Panthers’ defensive struggles, Young might be throwing a lot, which bodes well for Renfrow as Young’s primary slot receiver.
