Week 13 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Wide Receivers to Stash on Your Bench

When it comes to wide receivers in fantasy football, you have to tread carefully.

Let's face it. There are some guys who are locks to put up points every week, but you're rolling the dice with the rest of them. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you get nothing. Subsequently, you may lose.

Losing is not an option at this juncture. For some, the fantasy playoffs are already here. For others, they are fast approaching. Taking chances is something none of us can do.

If you're not up for taking any chances with your wide receivers, keep reading for some suggestions on who you should bench this week.

Note: we shall proceed in alphabetical order.

Anquan Boldin, Baltimore Ravens

Yup, we're starting this countdown off with a heavy hitter.

Well, sort of. Anquan Boldin has a big name, but he's been hit or miss this season. That's what happens when your quarterback is Joe Flacco.

But that's not the reason I'm suggesting you bench Boldin. He and the Ravens are facing the Cleveland Browns, who have allowed fewer fantasy points to wide receivers than any team in the league. That's not an accident, as the Browns have the NFL's best pass defense.

Because the Browns can be beaten on the ground, I think the Ravens are going to use Ray Rice more than usual. Boldin might get a catch here and there, but his ceiling for this game is going to be pretty low. If you have other options, don't be afraid to use them.

Harry Douglas, Atlanta Falcons

Harry Douglas has been quite the find in recent weeks, as he's piled up nice point totals. These have coincided with Julio Jones' injury issues.

It's looking like Jones may have to miss this Sunday's game against the Houston Texans (see Pro Football Talk), but I wouldn't expect much out of Douglas either way. He's been targeted just nine times in the last two weeks, and the Texans have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL.

Besides, we're talking about a guy who has had one good game this season. Douglas is not the kind of gift that will keep on giving.

Jabar Gaffney, Washington Redskins

Jabar Gaffney has had a decent season this year, and he's been a very solid play in the last two weeks, pulling in 12 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown.

However, the word from CSNWashington.com's Ryan O'Halloran is that Gaffney has a foot injury all of a sudden. It's unknown how bad it is, but you obviously have to be concerned about it.

You also have to be concerned about how Gaffney will fare against Darrelle Revis and the New York Jets. Revis got beat by Stevie Johnson in Week 12, but that's a trend that's not likely to continue.

It guess it's worth noting that Gaffney is not as good as Stevie Johnson.

Greg Little, Cleveland Browns

In Week 12, Greg Little finally recorded his first touchdown reception. He's a good-looking rookie, so there will no doubt be plenty of those in his future.

But probably not his immediate future. The Browns are going up against the Ravens and their hellish defense, and my concern is how Colt McCoy is going to hold up. He's hoping that he doesn't suffer the same fate as Alex Smith on Thanksgiving.

The other thing to keep in mind is that it took 13 targets for Little to haul in five receptions in Week 12. He and McCoy don't have an established rapport just yet, and that's going to hurt both of them against the Ravens.

David Nelson, Buffalo Bills

David Nelson hasn't been piling up many yards recently, but he's quietly scored touchdowns in three of his last four games.

Nelson will continue to play second fiddle to Stevie Johnson, though, and I think that might be an issue against the Tennessee Titans. They've done a fine job of clamping down on wide receivers this year, and have been particularly good at keeping receivers out of the end zone.

Also, I just wouldn't trust Ryan Fitzpatrick to have two straight solid games without Fred Jackson helping him out. I think the odds of that happening are low.