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 Courtland Sutton (DEN vs MIN):
Sutton has found himself on both sides of this list so far this year, but this week is one of his best matchups. The Vikings defense has allowed 12 touchdowns and the 2nd most points to receivers who line up out wide. Sutton has run 82% of his routes out wide and is in line for a big day. The Vikings could not contain Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, or Randall Cobb last week and could again struggle with Sutton if they do not change what they are doing. Even with Brandon Allen at quarterback, Sutton should produce this week.
WR D.J. Moore (CAR vs ATL):
The word has gotten out and people are no longer sleeping on Moore. The offense in Carolina may go through Christian McCaffrey but Moore has quietly put together a string of good games. He is coming off back to back 100-yard games and will take on an Atlanta secondary that has been porous all season. Desmond Trufant should draw the coverage and will not see a lot of help over the top with the Falcons trying to stop McCaffrey.
WR John Brown (BUF vs MIA):
Things may be looking up in Miami, but Brown still has a great matchup against that defense. Brown torched the Dolphins for 19.3 points back in week 7 and not much has changed since then. Nik Needham has played very well in the last 2 weeks, but the matchup still favors Brown who has put up double-digit fantasy points every week except for 1 this season. Look for Brown to sustain his average this week and reach 10+ points against the Dolphins.
WR Tyler Boyd (CIN vs OAK):
Boyd found himself on the wrong side of this list last week after a tough matchup against the Ravens, but he still managed to salvage 6 catches for 62 yards. He has been a consistent producer in PPR leagues, and the only troubling stat is that he has not found the end zone. Ryan Finley will have had another week to figure out the offense and Boyd will take on a Raiders team that is allowing the 3rd most points to opposing receivers and traded away one of their best corners in Gareon Conley to see what they had in their rookies. If Finley can get him the ball, Boyd may finally find the end zone and have a good game this week.
WR Hunter Renfrow (OAK vs CIN):
As we dive deeper into the season, we must find guys to make our lineups different. Renfrow is almost universally available and has had a nice string of games in recent weeks. In his last 3 games he has 14 catches on 16 targets for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has shown chemistry with Derek Carr and has a great matchup against a Bengals secondary that was blown apart by Baltimore last week. Renfrow looks like a WR3/Flex play this week with the potential to finish higher if he can find the end zone.
WR Randall Cobb (DAL vs DET):
It can be hard to go with the 3rd guy on a roster, especially when the offense revolves around Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Ezekiel Elliott. Cobb put up his best game of the season against the Vikings last week and showed he still has the ability to get the job done. The Lions are reeling on defense after trading away Quandre Diggs. In week 7 the Lions secondary allowed 4 touchdowns to the Vikings as well as 7 catches for 143 yards to Stefon Diggs. Dallas saw what their receivers could do last week and ultimately lost the game when they refused to get away from the run. Look for Cobb to play a bigger role as the Cowboys make a playoff push.
TE Jared Cook (NO vs TB):
The Saints are coming off a very disappointing offensive performance against Atlanta. One positive was that Cook played almost 70% of offensive snaps and caught 6 of 10 targets. The Buccaneers have allowed 6 touchdowns and an average of just over 77 yards per game to opposing tight ends. Tampa Bay has a solid rush defense and the Saints will air the ball out early and often to try and make up for last week.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Stefon Diggs (MIN vs DEN):
It has been a very up and down season for Diggs to this point. He exploded for a few weeks after voicing his displeasure and his since been quiet with just 4 catches for 53 yards in his past 2 games. He will be shadowed by Chris Harris who has held some of the game’s top receivers in check this season. So far, Harris has helped shut down the following receivers: Allen Robinson (four catches for 41 yards on seven targets), Davante Adams (four catches for 56 yards on four targets), D.J. Chark (four catches for 44 yards on eight targets), Keenan Allen (four catches for 18 yards on six targets) and Hilton (two catches for 54 yards on six targets). Kirk Cousins has spread the ball around with Adam Thielen out and Diggs is in for another long game this week.
WR Alshon Jeffery (PHI vs NE):
The Eagles and Jeffery have had an extra week to prepare, but so have the Patriots and their defense. After a huge let down against the Ravens, the Patriots will look to get back to their dominating ways at the expense of the Eagles offense. Jeffery will not be able to escape on either side of the field as he lines up against Stephon Gilmore or Jason McCourty. His only saving grace may be some targets in the red zone but otherwise it is going to be a very long day for Jeffery against New England.
WR Christian Kirk (ARI vs SFO):
It is hard to put Kirk on the bench after his monster game last week with 6 catches for 138 yards and 3 touchdowns, but it will be a totally different story against the 49ers. Kirk was held to 2 catches for 8 yards by this very same defense back in week 9. San Francisco is also coming off their first loss of the season and will be looking to get back on track. Look for Kirk to be much closer to his week 9 result than what he did last week to Tampa Bay.
WR Allen Robinson (CHI vs LAR):
The Rams offense may be in total disarray, but the defense continues to keep them in it. Jalen Ramsey has come in and bolstered that secondary and the Bears offense has been horrible this season. That is not a recipe for success as far as Robinson is concerned. The Rams defense has been stingy to top receivers so far this season and there is no reason to expect that to change. Robinson will continue to struggle as long as Mitchell Trubisky is under center.
WR Zach Pascal (IND vs JAX):
It has been a nice story for Pascal as he fills in for the injured T.Y. Hilton but that all came to a screeching halt last week against the Dolphins. The Jaguars have continued their elite defensive play in the secondary without Jalen Ramsey and have only allowed a single touchdown to a receiver in their past 5 games. Pascal gets a slight boost with the return of Jacoby Brissett, but it will not be enough to overcome the tough matchup. Pascal will struggle again this week and his only saving grace could be volume of catches in a PPR league.
TE Noah Fant (DEN vs MIN):
We all like to chase the points but Fant is a prime candidate to fall flat this week. After a monster 20.5-point game against the Browns, Fant will be taking on a Viking defense that has not allowed a single touchdown to opposing tight ends this season. The most damage an opposing tight end has done was Travis Kelce with 7 catches for 62 yards but even he was unable to find the end zone. Fant is still very raw and not a go to option in the Denver offense yet. Do not chase the points this week and look to other tight ends as streaming options if needed.
