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 Cooper Kupp (LAR vs ATL):
If last week was any indication against the Cardinals, the Falcons are not able to cover anyone on defense. Jared Goff and the Rams offense struggled last week against a stout 49ers defense but expect a full bounce back this week against Atlanta. The Falcons are especially vulnerable on the outside and that will also boost Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods but expect the offense to continue to go through Kupp. With the running game in question again this week, expect big things from the receivers for the Rams.
WR D.J. Chark (JAX vs CIN):
All he does is continue to score and put up yards. Chark has been one of the biggest surprises all season and that streak should continue this week against a Bengals defense that has been soft against opposing receivers. The Bengals could be without both of their starting corners this week after Dre Kirkpatrick went down with injury. A mix of Tony McRae and B.W. Webb will be trying to cover the receivers against Jacksonville.
WR Kenny Golladay (DET vs MIN):
Normally we think to avoid receivers against Minnesota as they have to contend with Xavier Rhodes on the outside and a relentless pass rush. However, Minnesota has allowed 5 touchdowns and the 6th most fantasy points to receivers lined up outside and that is where Detroit has Golladay nearly 83% of the time. It may be a tough matchup for the offense as a whole, but Golladay should have a surprisingly good day.
WR Michael Gallup (DAL vs PHI):
There are a lot of things working in Gallup’s favor this week. Amari Cooper is still on the sideline and not practicing this week after being injured against the Jets, and he is taking on a Philadelphia defense that has been torched by receivers all season. The Eagles allowed Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen to combine for 13 catches, 224 yards, and 4 touchdowns last week. Someone has to step up for the Dallas offense and turn the season around and Gallup has everything working in his favor to do that this week.
WR John Brown (BUF vs MIA):
Normally it is the defense that is all the talk in Buffalo, but Brown has quietly put together a nice start to the season. He has averaged double-digit fantasy points in all but 1 game so far this year and is taking on a Miami secondary that has not been able to stop anyone. Xavien Howard should draw the coverage this week and has been hampered by a knee injury and limited in practice. Look for Brown and the entire Bills offense to put up some of their best numbers of the season.
TE Mark Andrews (BAL vs SEA):
Normally we chase whatever tight end is playing against Arizona but with the shaky status of Evan Engram we move on to Andrews. Seattle is allowing nearly 6 catches per game to opposing tight ends and the 5th most fantasy points. Andrews is currently 6th in targets and averages 24 routes run per game. The linebackers for Seattle will be more worried about spying on Lamar Jackson than they will be covering Andrews and he is in line for a big day.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Robby Anderson/Jamison Crowder (NYJ vs NE):
After watching the Jets explode with Sam Darnold back against the Cowboys it is easy to want to chase fantasy points. However, we need to pump the brakes against the New England defense this week. This defense is playing lights out and is the best all around defense we have seen in quite some time. We also must not forget that this is the same Jets offensive line that gave up 8 sacks in a single game earlier this season. Both Anderson and Crowder get a bump for the rest of the season with Darnold back, but that matchup this week is too tough to trust either.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs SF):
It is tough to argue with the results so far this season, but this is a matchup to be wary of. McLaurin is taking on a 49ers defense that has allowed just 5.6 catches and the 8th fewest fantasy points per game to receivers lined up outside. McLaurin will also see a lot of Richard Sherman this week and could be in for a very long day. The only saving grace could be some garbage time points for McLaurin but that is not a safe bet right now.
WR Allen Robinson (CHI vs NO):
There are 4 teams on a Bye this week and a lot of top receivers missing so it may be hard to bench Robinson this week but that would be the right call. The Saints defense has stepped up since Drew Brees went down and Marshon Lattimore has shut everyone down. The Saints defense has held their last 3 opponents’ top receivers to a combined 91 yards and even held Mike Evans without a catch. It is not looking like it will be a good day for Robinson this week.
WR DeVante Parker (MIA vs BUF):
Some may be considering Parker to try and fill the void left by 4 teams having a Bye week. This is not your best option as he is taking on a Buffalo defense that has been ruthless against opposing receivers this season. Buffalo has proven to be a tough matchup for anyone this season, let alone a struggling Miami team that is not even sure who they want at quarterback. Look for other options outside of Parker.
WR Allen Lazard (GB vs OAK):
It is easy to see the results for Lazard from last week and want to jump on that train against the Raiders. There ae a few things working against him this week in the return of Davante Adams and Gareon Conley looking healthy. The Raiders defense is susceptible to the run game after losing almost all of their inside linebackers and the Packers are going to go run heavy this week. Lazard had him moment last week and will not see the same sort of results again.
TE Eric Ebron (IND vs HOU):
We just cannot seem to let go of what Ebron did last season and all of the touchdowns he scored. Ebron ranks 20th among tight ends in targets, 31st in routes run, and is not seeing anywhere close to the number of red zone snaps that he did a year ago. He is entirely touchdown dependent against the Texans this week and is a player we all may want to consider moving off of entirely.
