Receivers with Good and Bad Matchups: Week 2

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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 Matchups

WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs NYG) vs Deonte Banks

McLaurin put up a dud in week 1 but can expect a bounce back in week 2 against a poor New York secondary. Banks was tasked with covering Justin Jefferson last week and allowed 2 catches for 47 yards and a touchdown while in coverage. This was a low-volume week for Jefferson as the Vikings had the game well in hand early. McLaurin lines up on the outside 81% of the time and the Giants allowed the most fantasy points to perimeter receivers last season. Look for McLaurin to put up a much better stat line with Jayden Daniels this week and finish as a fringe WR1.

WR DJ Moore (CHI vs HOU) vs Derek Stingley Jr.

This is one of the more interesting matchups of the week. The Bears offense did not look great with Caleb Williams, but Stingley Jr. looked worse in the secondary. Stingley Jr. had 16 coverage snaps, was targeted 50% of the time, and allowed 7.78 fantasy points per coverage snap. He was burned by Alec Pierce for a long touchdown and did not play much better on any of the other coverage snaps. Keenan Allen is also dealing with an injury which would provide a larger target share for Moore. Look for a bounce-back game for this offense as a whole and for Moore to get more involved.

WR Malik Nabers (NYG vs WAS) vs Benjamin St-Juste

The Giants' offense did not look great in week 1 against the Vikings, but Nabers did show some promise as a rookie receiver, even with Daniel Jones at quarterback. St-Juste is expected to travel with Nabers and is coming off a game where he had 30 coverage snaps, was targeted 20% of the time and allowed 0.73 fantasy points per snap. The Giants have to throw the ball to someone and Nabers is their best weapon right now. This offense is not going to be good, but the volume and good matchup makes Nabers a viable option this week.

WR Amari Cooper (CLE vs JAX) vs Montaric Brown

The Browns did not look good in week 1 with Deshaun Watson struggling immensely. However, there could be a quick bounce-back for Cooper on the outside against Brown. The young corner was targeted on 43% of his coverage snaps and allowed 0.86 fantasy points per snap. The sample size is not large through 1 game and his opponent was Tyreek Hill and the Dolphins. Brown looked lost and will likely be targeted heavily on this defense until he proves capable of stopping someone. Look for Cooper to see the volume vacated by the David Njoku injury and to finish with a much better stat line this week.

WR Cooper Kupp (LAR vs ARZ) vs Garrett Williams

Arizona looked to fix its offense in the offseason and did not address one of the worst corner groups in the league. They allowed the 8^th most fantasy points to receivers in week 1 and that was against a depleted Buffalo core. What is even more concerning for this defense is the major hole at slot corner and Cooper Kupp being fully healthy. With Puka Nacua down with an injury, Kupp may finish as the top-scoring receiver this week. He is going to be priced accordingly in DFS, but the matchup and scoring potential may justify it.

WR Quentin Johnston (LAC vs CAR) vs Jaycee Horn

The Chargers will be a tough offense to predict this year with a lot of turnover and a new coach. However, Justin Herbert is the same quarterback and the ball has to go to someone. Johnston has a great matchup on the outside against Horn who allowed 0.72 fantasy points per coverage snap and was targeted 11% of the time. When he was targeted, he gave up big plays. Johnston has the speed to stretch the field and make big plays on the outside. He should be considered a sleeper/FLEX type of play this week with a high upside and low floor.

TE Dalton Kincaid (BUF vs MIA)

It may be hard to trust Kincaid after a down week against Arizona. In a matchup he should have excelled in, he had just 1 catch for 11 yards. However, if we look further at the numbers we can see he played 88% of snaps and ran the second-most routes behind only Keon Coleman. The usage is there and the points will come. In week 18 last season, Kincaid had 7 catches for 84 yards against Miami. Look for a bounce-back week for the young tight ends in what is a very favorable spot.

TE Kyle Pitts (ATL vs PHI)

It has been said every year since he was brought into the league that Pitts was going to break out. With tight end scoring down across the league, Pitts finished as TE4 last week with just 3 targets. Pitts was able to find the end zone and looked more effective than all but Bijan Robinson. The hope is that Kirk Cousins will shake off the rust from his injury last season and we see the prospects of both Pitts and Drake London improve. Pitts has a much better matchup than he did against the Steelers in week 1 and has a chance to continue establishing himself in this offense.