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:
Tyler Boyd WR (CIN vs BAL):
One of the few things that is going right in Cincinnati is Boyd. He is coming off a 10 catch, 123 yard, and 1 touchdown game and is taking on a Baltimore secondary that is allowing 131.4 yards per game to opposing slot receivers. A.J. Green is not back from injury and John Ross is on the IR. The entire offense is going to go through Boyd, and he is in line to have a big day against Baltimore.
Austin Hooper TE (ATL vs ARI):
Cincinnati was unable to take advantage of the tight end hole in the Cardinals defense last week, but Hooper is a much better option this week. The Cardinals have allowed the 3rd most catches, the most yards, and the most touchdowns to opposing tight ends so far this year and Hooper has taken advantage of an Atlanta offense that is throwing the ball often. Hooper may be the most popular tight end play this week and rightfully so.
D.J. Moore WR (CAR vs TB):
As we start to come back around in the schedule, we are going to see guys playing the same team and have a good idea of what they are capable of. Moore had 9 catches for 89 yards against Tampa Bay in their first meeting and is coming off a game against Jacksonville where he had a 52-yard reception. Christian McCaffery is dealing with a sore back and the Panthers may have to throw the ball more this week than any other this season. Moore has a matchup against a team he burned a few weeks ago and could see even more work this week depending on the health of McCaffery.
Terry McLaurin WR (WAS vs MIA):
There is a lot going wrong in Washington right now, but they have their best shot at a win this week against the struggling Dolphins. McLaurin will be getting Case Keenum back at quarterback and is going against a secondary that has allowed 4 touchdowns to receivers split out wide. Look for McLaurin to have a very productive week and for the Redskins to get their first win of the season.
Adam Thielen WR (MIN vs PHI):
Everything seemed to get back on track in Minnesota last week when Kirk Cousins was able to throw the ball down the field to Thielen. Dalvin Cook rushed for 100 yards and Thielen had 100 yards receiving. This all came against a very poor New York Giants secondary. This week the Vikings get to take on a Philadelphia secondary that is banged up and giving up big play after big play. Their defense looked great against the lowly Jets last week but that will all change this week against Minnesota. The Eagles defense ranks 29th in passing yards allowed per game and 23rd in passing touchdowns allowed. Look for the Vikings to have success throwing the ball down the field again this week.
Julian Edelman WR (NE vs NYG):
The Patriots have had their way with just about every defense so far this season, and this week they get to take on a Giants team that is struggling. The Giants secondary allowed 7 catches, 130 yards, and 2 touchdowns to Adam Thielen last week and could have an even tougher time against Edelman this week. Both players like to line up in the slot and the Giants have not been able to stop anyone out of that position. Look for a similar stat line to what Thielen had last week for Edelman this week against the Giants.
Unfavorable Matchup:
Alshon Jeffery WR (PHI vs MIN):
Things seemed to be finally turning around in Philadelphia and their offense is starting to get their receivers back. There are a few things working against Jeffery this week. He will most likely see Xavier Rhodes in coverage and DeSean Jackson returns to action and will likely take away some of his targets. Minnesota is also allowing the 3rd fewest yards per catch to opposing wide receivers this season.
Corey Davis WR (TEN vs DEN):
It has been a tough season for Davis so far and those struggles look to continue this week against the Broncos. Davis will likely have to contend with Chris Harris in coverage and he has been a shut down corner against outside receivers all season. Davis is also dealing with the emergence of A.J. Brown and an offense that is going to try and attack Denver on the ground.
Emmanuel Sanders WR (Den vs Ten):
There is not much to like in the Denver against Tennessee matchup. Sanders has been largely disappointing in an offense that is scoring just 18 points a game so far this season. Sanders has also seen a lot of his targets go to Courtland Sutton. The Titans have not allowed an opposing receiver to finish inside of the top 20 in a given week and will prove to be a tough matchup for Sanders this week.
Robby Anderson WR (NYJ vs DAL):
There is a lot of noise being made about Sam Darnold returning for the Jets and how far that will push Anderson back up in the rankings. Byron Jones has been solid at corner for Dallas and should draw the bulk of the coverage on Anderson. Xavier Woods has also limited the damage done over the top against Dallas. After watching the Packers run for 4 touchdowns against Dallas last week, look for the Jets to pound the ball on the ground and severely limit the production for Anderson.
Brandin Cooks WR (LAR vs SFO):
There are several things working against Cooks this week. He got blown up last week and did not return to the game against Seattle and he has been limited in practice so far this week. He also has to contend with losing targets to Cooper Kupp as well as having Richard Sherman in coverage this week. There is a chance Todd Gurley does not play this week and that should open things up for other players in the Rams offense, but Cooks would have the toughest matchup this week and we will most likely see the offense go through Kupp again.
Jimmy Graham TE (GB vs DET):
Many saw Graham as a great option last week and were left disappointed with a 3 catch for 41 yards performance. It makes sense that Graham should be ranked a bit higher with the injuries in Green Bay, but he just has not clicked with Aaron Rogers. Graham is taking on a Detroit teams that is allowing just 4 catches per game to opposing tight ends and that includes matchups against Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz. Look for Graham to continue to underperform this week.
