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 Kenny Golladay (DET vs NYG):
We all saw what Marvin Jones did last week against the Vikings secondary and Matthew Stafford is going to be throwing the ball all over the place again this week after the injury to Kerryon Johnson. The Lions have a great matchup against a Giants secondary that is allowing just over 140 yards per game to receivers lined up on the outside. Jones may have had his moment last week but Golladay is the guy to bet on in the Lions offense this week. Look for a big rebound from Golladay this week.
WR Courtland Sutton (DEN vs IND):
It has not been a banner year for the Denver offense, but Sutton has continued to produce week in and week out. The Broncos recently traded away Emmanuel Sanders and that should give Sutton an immediate bump in targets going forward. Sutton should be lined up opposite corner Pierre Desir and he has been picked on all season. Look for Sutton to be one of the lone bright spots for the Broncos offense again this week.
WR John Brown (BUF vs PHI):
We must sound like a broken record with Brown almost every week, but all he has done is produce against almost everyone this season. Brown has produced double-digit fantasy points in all but one game so far this season and has a great matchup against a Philadelphia secondary that struggles to cover receivers on the outside. The Eagles have been torched by Amari Cooper, Adam Thielen, and Stefon Diggs in recent weeks and Brown lines up in a similar position this week. Look for the double-digit fantasy points to continue again this week.
WR Tyler Lockett (SEA vs ATL):
Everyone seems to be picking on the Atlanta Falcons so far this season and that is because they have arguably the worst pass defense in the league. Atlanta ranks in the bottom 4 of almost every defensive passing stat and will be taking on Russell Wilson in what is turning out to be a career year. The entire Seattle receiving group receives a bump this week, but Lockett is the most likely to have the biggest game. Look for Lockett to have 10+ targets, 100 yards, and a touchdown this week.
WR Stefon Diggs (MIN vs WAS):
This seems like a no brainer to run with Diggs this week. He has averaged 120 yards, 6 receptions, and a touchdown over the last 3 games and could see even more work with Adam Thielen being ruled out with a hamstring injury. Diggs will likely see Josh Norman in coverage, and he has been susceptible to the big play all season. Kirk Cousins also has extra incentive this week against his former team as he tries to extend 3 straight weeks of 300 yards passing. Look for fireworks tonight from Cousins and Diggs.
TE Hunter Henry (LAC vs CHI):
The ears defense has started to show its holes this season and the tight end position has been one of them. Since returning from injury, Henry has done nothing but perform to the tune of 197 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Chargers do not know what they want to do at the running back position and teams have rolled their coverage to Keenan Allen on the outside. Look for Henry to run free across the middle of the field and put up another elite week of production.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Larry Fitzgerald (ARI vs NO):
It is easy to see the high-flying Cardinals offense and want to start their receivers. The Saints have also suffered several injuries at corner but there is still Marshon Lattimore. Expect Lattimore to lock up with Fitzgerald this week and remember this is the same corner that held Mike Evans without a catch earlier this season. The Cardinals ran the ball with Chase Edmonds last week and Christian Kirk got in a limited practice this week. These are all factors that will potentially reduce the number of targets for Fitzgerald.
WR Alshon Jeffery (PHI vs BUF):
Taking on TreDavious White and the Buffalo secondary is no easy task. Jeffery is going to have to try and do just that this week and he has not been getting any help from the other side. Nelson Agholor has been putting forth no effort and the Philadelphia offense has not been clicking at all this season. Look for another tough week for Jeffery in one of the more difficult matchups of the week.
WR Odell Beckham Jr(CLE vs NE):
The Patriots defense has shut down just about every opposing offensive player this season and this week looks like it will be no exception. The Browns are coming out of their Bye week and should have had plenty of time to work out a game plan, but the Patriots defense and their zero-blitz have made several quarterbacks look very bad this season. Combine that with the struggles of Baker Mayfield in his second season and it adds up to a very tough week for Beckham.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs MIN):
This is the second week in a row that McLaurin lands on this side of the fence and he has another tough matchup against Xavier Rhodes and the Vikings secondary. We saw they can be vulnerable in the slot where Marvin Jones struck lightening last week, but they shut down Kenny Golladay on the outside. This is where McLaurin lines up the majority of the time and it will be tough sledding again this week. There is a chance for some garbage time points if the Vikings start fast again tonight but McLaurin is going to have his work cut out for him.
WR Tyler Boyd (CIN vs LAR):
The wheels seem to have fallen off entirely in Cincinnati. Boyd has been shut down in each of the last 2 weeks as he combined for 8 catches and 65 yards. He will be taking on a Rams defense that got a boost since trading for Jalen Ramsey and will have a tough time no matter where he lines up on the field. The Bengals rushing attack has done nothing to keep the opposing defense honest and the offensive line has given Andy Dalton no time to throw the ball. It is going to be another tough week for Boyd and the Cincinnati offense.
TE Greg Olsen (CAR vs SFO):
Olsen played well to start the season but has scored 2.5 points or fewer in 2 out of his last 3 games. The Panthers seem content running Christian McCaffrey into the ground and is throwing the ball only when they have to. They are taking on a San Francisco defense that has not been friendly to opposing tight ends and are allowing an average of 6.4 points to opposing tight ends and have allowed just a single touchdown to the position this year. Move off of Olsen this week if you are able to.
