This article attempts to highlight some of the best and worst matchups for wide receivers and tight ends each week. Using player tracking data from various sources (NFL.com, Pro Football Focus, ESPN, etc.) as well as reviews of recent trends, I look for situations to exploit or avoid when setting your weekly lineups. Given that this article is intended to help across all sites (both DFS and season-long), variations in pricing and scoring systems are not taken into account so obviously, the values could shift depending on where you are playing. The main intent of this article is simply to call out some players who could be significantly helped or hurt by their situations each week.
Favorable Matchup:
WR Emmanuel Sanders (SF vs SEA):
It has been like Sanders was born again since leaving the Broncos for the 49ers a few weeks ago. His overall numbers have not been that great, but since coming over to San Francisco he has caught 11 of 14 targets for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sanders also has a solid matchup against a Seattle team that struggled heavily against Mike Evans and the Buccaneers last week. Sanders has become the top receiving option in this offense and should be started with confidence this week.
WR Mike Williams (LAC vs OAK):
It has been a strange season for the Chargers as a whole and that includes Williams. After scoring 10 touchdowns last season, he has yet to find the end zone this year. There is a good chance that all changes this week against the Raiders. Oakland has allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing receivers so far this season and have allowed a receiver to surpass 100 yards in the past 3 games. The Raiders traded away Gareon Conley and do not have enough options to cover both Keenan Allen and Williams.
WR Golden Tate (NYG vs NYJ):
We all saw the outstanding catch on Sunday Night football and Tate continues to settle in nicely for the Giants offense. He has produced 14 or more fantasy points in 3 out of his last 4 games and double-digit points in every game he has played so far this season. The Jets have allowed over 100 receiving yards per game and 5 touchdowns to receivers who line up in the slot this season and that is Tate’s primary position. Look for solid production again this week in the battle of the big apple.
WR Michael Gallup (DAL vs MIN):
We have been wrong about Gallup a few times this year and he has underperformed when he had great matchups. This week he takes on a Minnesota team that is usually great in pass coverage but has struggled in recent weeks. Xavier Rhodes has not been the shut down corner he once was, and the Vikings have allowed 10 touchdowns and the second most fantasy points to receivers lined up on the outside. Amari Cooper and Gallup both have a good chance to find the end zone against the Vikings on Sunday Night Football.
WR Christian Kirk (ARI vs TB):
He has been a bit of a disappointment in recent weeks, but Kirk finally seems to be healthy and ready to produce again this week. He is taking on a Tampa Bay defense that has struggled to cover slot receivers and has allowed 8 touchdowns so far this season to the position. Kirk has run just over 71% of his routes out of the slot and is a solid WR2 play this week. Carlton Davis should draw the coverage on Kirk, and he has struggled mightily so far this season.
WR Ted Ginn Jr (NO vs ATL):
There are a lot of things going right for the Saints right now. Drew Brees is back, the entire team is fresh off their Bye week, Ginn has scored in his past 2 games, and the Atlanta defense has given up several big plays so far this season. Ginn has a great matchup at home against a very weak defense and should be in line for at least 1 big play. Start Ginn with confidence as a WR2 option in this great matchup.
WR Gerald Everett (LAR vs PIT):
This is one of the toughest Bye weeks of the season and it makes it even more difficult with how thin the tight end position already is. The Steelers have allowed 5 touchdowns and almost 14 points per game to the tight end position so far this year. The Rams will be without Brandin Cooks as well and the Steelers will focus on trying to stop Cooper Kupp. Everett is in line for a good stat line this week and could force himself into TE1 territory.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Tyler Boyd (CIN vs BAL):
There are a lot of things working against Boyd this week against the Ravens. Marlon Humphrey will be the primary corner in coverage and helped the Ravens defense hold Boyd to just 10 yards in their first meeting. A.J Green is expected to be back this week and the Bengals benched Andy Dalton in favor of Ryan Finley. All of this adds up to a very poor week for Boyd against Baltimore.
WR Robert Woods (LAR vs PIT):
There are some very good matchups in this game and then there are some very poor ones. Woods is one of the few that draws the poor side of the equation. Cooper Kupp has been the go-to receiver in the offense and Gerald Everett has picked up the slack left by Brandin Cooks. Woods has disappeared in the offense and has less than 14 points in each of his last 4 games. Minkah Fitzpatrick has been solid since coming over from the Dolphins and Woods looks like he is in line for another very quiet week.
WR Juju Smith-Schuster (PIT vs LAR):
The Rams made a move before the trade deadline for Jalen Ramsey and he was brought in to cover people like Smith-Schuster. He has not performed at all in the past 4 weeks outside of a game against the Dolphins and it has quickly turned into a season to forget for Smith-Schuster. Based on the matchup, he is a low level WR3 to a flex type play. Mason Rudolph has not been able to get him the ball this season and it looks like it is going to be another very tough week.
WR Marvin Jones (DET vs CHI):
The one thing the Bears seem to be able to do this season is cover opposing wide receivers. The defense has not allowed a receiver to score since week 3 when Terry McLaurin scored, and they have limited the production of players like Adam Thielen, Keenan Allen, and Alshon Jeffery. There are some soft spots that Michael Thomas and Stefon Diggs exploited for over 100 yards, but neither were able to find the end zone. Jones has a single touchdown in 4 career trips to Chicago and was only good for 3 catches and 55 yards at Chicago last season. Jones has cooled off considerably and has a tough game this week.
WR Odell Beckham (CLE vs BUF):
It has been a tough season for Beckham so far this year. He has not eclipsed 10 fantasy points in a non PPR format yet this season and has only found the end zone a single time. He played well against Chris Harris last week in Denver but will be stuck up against TreDavious White and the Buffalo defense this week. The Bills have shut down several high-powered offenses this season and the Browns have struggled to put it all together. Look for another disappointing week from both Jarvis Landry and Beckham.
WR Curtis Samuel (CAR vs GB):
Samuel has put it all together in the past few weeks, but he is about to run into the buzz saw that is the Packers defense. They allow 4 catches and the 4th fewest fantasy points to opposing slot receivers and they are coming off a loss with something to prove. Darnell Savage is back and playing well and the Panthers are going to try and push the issue with Christian McCaffrey. Look for a quiet week from Samuel against Green Bay.
TE Jimmy Graham (GB vs CAR):
Things have never quite fallen into place for Graham in Green Bay. There are 6 teams on a Bye this week and he is still not a great option. The Panthers defense has allowed just 2 touchdowns to opposing tight ends and the 7th fewest fantasy points. Graham has been plagued by drops and lapses in concentration throughout his Packer tenure. If you have other options, keep Graham on your bench.
