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 Amari Cooper (DAL vs PHI):
Cooper continues to find himself on both sides of our list from week to week. He was a huge disappointment last week, but that had more to do with blown coverages from the Rams defense and other players being wide open. Cooper has a great matchup this week against a Philadelphia team that has not been able to cover anyone. Ronald Darby is going to give up at least 1 big play if not multiple and Cooper is a good bet to find the end zone. Look for a bounce back in a big way from Cooper this week.
WR A.J. Brown (TEN vs NO):
The only receiver hotter than Brown right now is Michael Thomas. Brown is averaging 22.5 fantasy points a game over his past 4 and has 112 or more yards and a touchdown in 3 of those last 4. The Saints shut down the Colts receivers last week, but that had more to do with Jacoby Brissett than anything the defense did. The Saints are allowing the third most fantasy points to opposing receivers and Brown is one of the hottest out there right now. Look for his streak to continue.
WR Tyler Boyd (CIN vs MIA):
This has been a reoccurring theme all year long. Start any team’s top receiver against Miami, even if that team is the Bengals. The only thing that could cut into Boyd’s production this week is the recent success of Joe Mixon. Boyd has been solid outside of last week against the Patriots and has had at least 13 fantasy points in 3 of his last 4 games. Miami has given up the most passing touchdowns this season and Boyd has little competition in that offense for targets.
WR Breshad Perriman (TB vs HOU):
If only we had put him here last week. Perriman is coming off an insane 100+ yard and 3 touchdown performance last week. He will likely be a universal add this week and highly owned in daily fantasy sports. The Buccaneers are likely to be without both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin this week. If Jameis Winston continues to sling the ball all over the field, Perriman is in line for another big week.
WR Will Fuller (HOU vs TB):
On the flip side of the Perriman game is Fuller against the Tampa Bay secondary. No team has given up more fantasy points to opposing receivers than Tampa and they have allowed a receiver to eclipse 100 yards in back to back games. Fuller will always have DeAndre Hopkins to content with for targets, but he should be good for a few big plays this week against one of the worst secondaries in the league.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs NYG):
Something seems to have clicked between McLaurin and Dwayne Haskins. The Ohio State duo has connected on a touchdown in each of their last 2 games and the Giants recently released Janoris Jenkins. DeVante Parker and the Dolphins took full advantage of the weak Giant’s secondary and McLaurin is a good bet to do the same thing this week. Start him with confidence in your fantasy championship matchup.
TE Jacob Hollister (SEA vs ARI):
Again, it is time to pick on the Cardinals defense and their ability to cover tight ends. No defense has given up more points to opposing tight ends than the Cardinals and the Seahawks still have a lot to play for down the stretch. Hollister has not scored since week 10 but he is a good bet to find the end zone this week and have a solid 5-6 catches for Seattle.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Kenny Golladay (DET vs DEN):
There is no denying that Golladay is a special talent, but he has a lot of things working against him this week. With David Blough under center this offense has struggled. They officially put Matthew Stafford on the IR this week and it will be the Blough show the rest of the way. Golladay will also have to contend with Chris Harris this week and the rest of the Denver secondary. I would not want to trust Blough’s ability to throw the ball with my fantasy championship this week.
WR John Brown (BUF vs NE):
Just like starting any top receiver against Miami, we want to bench a top receiver against the Patriots. Stephon Gilmore has been elite this season and that defense has shut down nearly everyone they have played. Brown has lost targets to Cole Beasley in recent weeks and is just not a good play against a dominant New England defense that is still playing for a first round Bye and the division.
WR Robby Anderson (NYJ vs PIT):
Anderson has been trying to end his season on a tear, but he runs into the buzz saw Pittsburgh defense this week. Anderson may be averaging 18+ points per game over his past 4, but that comes on the heels of not surpassing 9 points in the 5 games before that. Expect the early season Anderson this week against a Pittsburgh defense that has not allowed a passing touchdown to his position since week 11 and has given up the 10th fewest points overall.
WR Cooper Kupp (LAR vs SF):
What has happened to Kupp down the stretch? He has scored a few touchdowns recently to salvage some of his games, but he has not been the same explosive receiver and target vacuum he has been in the past. A big part of that is Robert Woods taking those targets, but he has also had some tough matchups. This week he takes on a San Francisco defense that has allowed the 5th fewest points to opposing wide receivers. Jared Goff has been nothing but inconsistent and it is hard to trust the Rams offense right now.
WR Christian Kirk (ARI vs SEA):
It has been a very up and down season for Kirk, and he draws a tough game here against Seattle. Expect him to be shadowed by Shaquill Griffin for the majority of the game. Quandre Diggs left with an injury last week and that could leave the Seahawks vulnerable to a big play deep down the field, but that is not something you want to bet on in the final weeks of the season. Move off of Kirk if possible against the Seahawks this week.
WR Marquise Brown (BAL vs CLE):
It has been a storybook season for the Ravens so far this year. They are currently on a 10-game win streak and sit atop the AFC standings. They can close things out with a win against the Browns this week, but they also may consider resting players. Brown has battled injuries all season and has not seen a great amount of volume. Expect the Ravens to go run heavy against the Browns this week and try to preserve some of their players for a playoff run. Also expect to see Lamar Jackson depart early if they build a comfortable lead.
TE Jason Witten (DAL vs PHI):
It has been a great comeback for Witten and the Cowboys this season, but with all that aside he has been nothing but touchdown dependent this season. He is contending with the likes of Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and even Dallas’ running backs for targets in this offense. Dak Prescott is going to attack the outside of a very weak Philadelphia secondary and then pound the ball up the middle with Ezekiel Elliott. Put your sentiment aside and move off of Witten this week.
