This week there are quite a few top wide receivers on bye such as Brandon Marshall, Torrey Smith, and Andre Johnson.  I understand that it is difficult to not start certain bench players if you have these receivers on your squad.  By all means, start these receivers if you have no other choice but if you have the depth on your fantasy team, stay away from these players for the week:

Josh Gordon, Browns

Gordon has been outstanding since his return to play in week two.  He is averaging 12 points per game if you take away the first two games he missed due to suspension.  Last week against the Packers, Gordon only had two catches on six targets for 21 yards.  The packers keyed on Gordon all day long which limited him on his receptions.  Teams will continue to put tight coverage on him since there aren’t really any other playmakers on the Browns offense.  Also realize that the Browns are facing the last remaining undefeated team this week in Kansas City.  That defense has proven themselves worthy and should not be messed with.  Gordon needs to sit this week.

Projections: Four receptions, 49 yards, zero touchdowns

Julian Edelman, Patriots

Now that the great and powerful Rob Gronkowski has returned to the Patriots offense, that diminishes the roles of pretty much every receiver especially in the red zone.  Edelman will still get his looks since the injury prone Danny Amendola is once again back on the sideline.  Edelman is still worth something in PPR leagues because he averages over five catches per game.  In standard leagues he is not worth much of anything because he is not thrown to near the end zone.  Especially since he dropped a lot of Tom Brady’s touchdown passes over the course of the season.

Projections: Six receptions, 41 yards, zero touchdowns

Justin Blackmon, Jaguars

Blackmon, like Gordon, has been on a tear since his return from suspension with over 300 receiving yards and a touchdown in just three games.  Even though the horrific Jaguars team has yet to win a game, Blackmon has been steady and solid for them.  This week though, the 49ers come to town with the tenth ranked fantasy pass defense in the league.  Only four receiving touchdowns have been given up all year by the 49ers defense and that will most likely not change after this week in Jacksonville.  Blackmon will have plenty of targets as he usually does but I do not expect anything big from him for this week.

Projections: Five receptions, 52 yards, zero touchdowns

Steve Johnson, Bills

Johnson had a decent return from injury this past week against the Dolphins.  His back seemed to be alright and he made it through without re-aggravating the injury.  This week the Bills travel to the Superdome in New Orleans.  The Saints pass defense has been solid with only five touchdowns given up this year and only one when playing at home.  This means it will be very difficult for Johnson to make his way to the end zone.  We all know how loud those fans are in New Orleans and that will cause trouble for the Bills offense.  Johnson needs to take a seat this week.

Projections: Five receptions, 60 yards, zero touchdowns

Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers

After having an exceptional week against the Jets in week six, Sanders couldn’t get anything going this past week against the Ravens with only one catch for seven yards.  Every week since the start of the season, Sanders receptions have declined.  If that trend continues then he will not have any catches this week vs. the Raiders and that doesn’t seem likely but it is a possibility.  Sanders only has a single touchdown all year on 24 receptions.  It is hard to start any player in this struggling Steelers offense the way they are performing.  The Raiders have an average defense and are coming off of a much needed bye.  Place Sanders on the bench.

Projections: Three receptions, 20 yards, zero touchdowns