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 Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon NE vs. MIA
After what the Ravens did to the Miami secondary in week 1, it should be no surprise that the Patriots core of receivers are in line for a big day. It was only week 1 and it looked as if Miami had already given up. With the uncertain status of Antonio Brown, the offense through the air should continue to go through Edelman and Gordon for New England.
WR Julio Jones ATL vs. PHI
It was a rough week 1 for Jones as he drew a matchup with Xavier Rhodes and the Vikings. This week he takes on a Philadelphia secondary that gave up several big plays to Washington rookie Washington receivers. Ronald Darby has historically held Jones in check, but the Eagles have holes all over their defense that Matt Ryan and Jones should be able to exploit this week.
WR Sammy Watkins KC vs. OAK
It is going to be a long day for Oakland when they take on the Chiefs this week. Despite being without Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs have a healthy Watkins ready to step up and build on his break out week 1. The Raiders are also without safety Johnathan Abram and corner Gareon Conley is questionable with a neck injury. Don’t expect Watkins to surpass his 9 catch 198 yard and 3 touchdown day from week 1 but look for another big game this week.
WR Tyler Lockett SEA vs. PIT
The days of the dominating Pittsburgh defense seem to be over and this week Lockett and company should be able to take advantage. D.K Metcalf had a great debut in week 1 and should take some pressure off Lockett the rest of the season. Joe Haden is not the elite corner he once was and is prone to giving up the big play. Pittsburgh also tends to play him primarily on the left side and a simple shift could put Lockett up against Steven Nelson instead. Nelson was the most targeted corner in all of football last year and has no business covering another team’s #1 wide receiver.
WR DeAndre Hopkins HOU vs. JAX
If week 1 was any indication of how things are going to go for the Jacksonville secondary, then Hopkins is an easy play and could be the top scoring receiver this week. Jacksonville allowed big play after big play to Sammy Watkins and Jalen Ramsey does not look like the Pro Bowl corner he once was. The Jacksonville defense will be on the field a lot this week as they turn to a rookie quarterback and that could mean 10+ catches for Hopkins in week 2.
WR Keenan Allen SD vs. DET
There are several factors at play for Allen this week. First is the loss of Hunter Henry for the Chargers and that gives Allen a bump in targets, and second is a porous Detroit secondary that allowed Kyler Murray and Larry Fitzgerald to turn it on in the second half last week and battle back for a tie. The defense struggled to shut down Murray in the second half and will have a much tougher time with Philip Rivers and Allen this week. Austin Ekeler may cut into the workload for Allen some, but he is still the primary target down field.
WR Adam Thielen Min vs. GB
While the Green Bay defense looked much better in week 1, Thielen has a history of taking advantage of the Packers. In 2 games last season, Thielen had 20 catches, 256 yards, and 2 touchdowns. The Vikings defense was able to shut down the Falcons offense in week 1 and that allowed the offense to focus on the run game. Kirk Cousins only had to throw the ball 10 times in week 1 and do not expect that to be the case again this week. Thielen made the only big play for the receiving core in week 1 and should lead all receivers for the Vikings in week 2 against Green Bay.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Davante Adams GB vs. MIN
Coming off a week where he only managed to catch 4 of his 8 targets for 36 yards, Adams draws another tough test against the Vikings and Xavier Rhodes. Last week, Rhodes held Julio Jones in check until a late garbage time touchdown gave him a more respectable line. Adamas and Rhodes face each other twice a year a know one another very well. It is going to be a tough day for Adams this week against Minnesota.
WR Courtland Sutton DEN vs. CHI
After posting a surprising 7 catch and 120-yard night against the Raiders in week 1, Sutton draws a tough matchup against Chicago in week 2. Sutton seemed to be the only Denver receiver to click with new quarterback Joe Flacco, but they will be facing a team that held Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams in check week 1. Prince Amukamara in coverage with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix helping over the top is going to make life very difficult for Sutton.
WR Tyler Boyd CIN vs. SF
The success Andy Dalton and the Bengals had against Seattle in week 1 was surprising, but most of that came from John Ross rather than Boyd. This week he will lineup across from Richard Sherman and that will make life difficult once again. San Francisco kept a normally high-powered Tampa Bay offense in check and look for that to happen again this week against Cincinnati.
TE Eric Ebron IND vs. TEN
A lot of things went wrong for Ebron in week 1 and those struggles will continue in week 2 against a stout Titans defense. David Njoku scored a garbage touchdown for the Browns in week 1 but was held in check otherwise with under 40 yards total. The Titans safeties cover tight ends very well and are not afraid to creep up and make a play. Look for the Colts to attack the outside with T.Y Hilton and make for a rather quiet day for Ebron again this week.
WR Larry Fitzgerald ARI vs. BAL
It looked like Fitzgerald turned back the clock in the 4th quarter of week 1 for the Cardinals as he amassed 8 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals faced a Detroit secondary that went soft in the second half when they had a big lead and were unable to turn it back on when it mattered. This week, Fitzgerald will have a much tougher test against a Baltimore defense that is allowing just under a 47% completion rate and just 5.6 yards per pass attempt. If Kyler Murray struggles again, it is going to be a long day for Fitzgerald and the Cardinals receiving core.
WR Marquise Brown BAL vs. ARI
Everyone loves a breakout story. We see big numbers posted during week 1 and hope that player will be able to repeat it for the rest of the season. Unfortunately for Brown, the numbers do not point to that being the case. His 4 receptions for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns came on just 14 offensive snaps. Surely the Ravens will trust him more and increase his playing time, but to what extent is yet to be determined. The Cardinals defense may not be great, but the lack of snaps for Brown points to a major regression in week 2.