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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 Christian Kirk, ARZ vs DAL (Trevon Diggs/Daryl Worley)

The Dallas secondary has not been able to stop anyone on the outside at all this season. They are allowing the 3^rd most fantasy points to opposing receivers and have allowed 9 touchdown passes to receivers lined up on the outside. Diggs has allowed the 5^th most fantasy points to opposing receivers and has routinely been beaten by outside receivers. DeAndre Hopkins is still the main guy in Arizona, but Kirk has enough of a favorable matchup to warrant Flex consideration this week.

WR Preston Williams, MIA vs NYJ (Pierre Desir)

Just like above with Hopkins, DeVante Parke is a clear must start in this matchup. However, Preston Williams is in a great position as well. Desir has allowed the 6^th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and will have to cover the combo of Parker and Williams. Blessuan Austin has not been any better on the other side and has missed the past 2 games due to injury. The Miami offense should be rolling this week against the Jets.

WR D.J. Moore, CAR vs CHI (Kyle Fuller)

The Bears defense has been great against slot receivers all season, but the one place you can attack them is on the outside. Fuller will draw the coverage of Moore and Robby Anderson on the outside and has struggled at time. Tampa Bay took several deep shots to Mike Evans on the perimeter last week that were only incomplete because of defensive pass interference calls. Look for Carolina to try and get the ball to the outside and attack the weakest spot of this Bears’ defense.

WR Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, MIN vs ATL (Kendall Sheffield, A.J. Terrell)

It is another good week to be Thielen or Jefferson. After taking on a beat-up Seattle secondary last week, they get an Atlanta one that is allowing the 8^th most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Sheffield and Terrell are rookies and are being picked on by opposing offenses right now to the tune of 313 passing yards allowed per game. Isaiah Oliver was giving up the most fantasy points to opposing receivers before being demoted and moving inside. Look for the Vikings receiving core to have a solid week against the Falcons.

WR Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, ATL vs MIN (Mike Hughes, Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler)

The Falcons receivers will be facing a similar situation as the Vikings mentioned above. Gladney and Dantzler are rookies who have been asked to step in and lock up with the opposition’s top receivers. When put on an island in the second half last week against Seattle, they were torched by DK Metcalf on the outside. They have allowed 10 receiving touchdowns so far this season and Atlanta will add to that total this week.

TE T.J. Hockenson, DET vs JAX

This should be a very fun game to watch with a lot of points scored. Half of the linebacker group is questionable coming into this week and the middle of the field could be wide open for Hockenson. The Jaguars are currently allowing the 7^th most points to opposing tight ends. Hockenson could be a top 5 tight end this week in this great matchup.

TE Evan Engram, NYG vs WFT

It has been hard to trust Engram this year with how bad the Giants offense has been. That could all change this week as he takes on a Washington club that is allowing the 4^th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. The strength of this club is getting after the quarterback and that should allow for easy check downs and quick hits across the middle of the field. Look for engram to have one of his most productive games of the season this week.

Unfavorable Matchup:

WR Terry McLaurin, WFT vs NYG (James Bradberry)

McLaurin still has offensive hurdles to overcome before even thinking about coverage. Without a reliable starting quarterback, it is going to be a tough season. Enter week 6, McLaurin will be shadowed by Bradberry who has already locked up Allen Robinson and Amari Cooper this year to a combined 4 catches for 39 yards. New York has allowed the 7^th fewest fantasy points to perimeter receivers and McLaurin has lined up there 72% of the time. McLaurin is going to get his targets, but he has a tough week ahead of him.

WR Mike Evans, TB vs GB (Jaire Alexander)

There are times that the Tampa offense has looked good and others where they have looked out of sorts. Evans has been the go-to guy with Chris Godwin out, but he has a very tough matchup this week against Alexander. Green Bay has been solid against perimeter receivers allowing the 8^th fewest fantasy points to the position. Evans has lined up on the outside nearly 70% of the time and should see a lot of Alexander this week. Godwin got in a limited practice Wednesday and is on track to return to the field this weekend and would eat into some of Evans’ targets.

WR Davante Adams, GB vs TB (Jamel Dean, Carlton Davis)

It is a matchup of strength against strength for perimeter receivers and corners in this game. It does not matter which side Adams goes to, both Davis and Dean have been solid this season. The duo has successfully limited Allen Robinson, Keenan Allen, and Michael Thomas so far this year without allowing a touchdown to the trio. Adams is also coming back from a hamstring injury that kept him out for multiple weeks. Adams is still the top receiving option for the Packers, he just has a tough matchup this week on the outside.

WR A.J. Brown, TEN vs HOU (Bradley Roby)

The Titans got a big boost from Brown coming back to the lineup last week and it is easy to see his combined 12 catch, 238-yard, and 2 touchdowns against the Texans last season and get excited. However, this year he will be shadowed by Robey who has done a good job against perimeter receivers. Corey Davis could be in for a much bigger day than Brown as he lines up against Vernon Hargreaves who has allowed the 8^th most fantasy points to opposing receivers after finishing with the most points allowed last season. Look for Tennessee to attack the other side of Brown and Roby this week.

WR Amari Cooper, DAL vs ARZ (Patrick Peterson)

The Cardinals have been much better than expected against opposing receivers so far this season. They are allowing the 6^th fewest points overall and 3^rd fewest to perimeter receivers. Cooper has lined up on the outside over 80% of the time and will be shadowed by Peterson this week. He struggled last week with James Bradberry following him across the field and will be working with Andy Dalton under center this week. Look for the Cowboys to go run heavy this week and for CeeDee Lamb to have more success than Cooper.

TE Dalton Schultz, DAL vs ARZ

It does not seem like too long ago that the Cardinals were a must start for any tight end. They have since fixed their linebacking core and overall have not allowed a tight end to top 55 yards this season Schultz also has Andy Dalton under center this week, and while it was a small sample size, he was not targeted at all by Dalton last week. Dallas has so many other weapons right now that Schultz seems to have been forgotten about. Look for another dud this week against the Cardinals.