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 Calvin Ridley (ATL vs TB):
It has been a very up and down season for Ridley so far this year, but he finally broke out last week with a big game against Carolina. He caught all 8 of his targets for 143 yards and a touchdown and suddenly the Falcons are playing like they should have all season. He is also walking into one of the best matchups of the week against Tampa Bay who has allowed 12 touchdowns and the third most points to receivers lined up out wide. Ridley will always have Julio Jones to contend with in the Atlanta offense, but that also gives him a lot of 1 on 1 opportunities. Look for Ridley to put up elite numbers again this week.
WR Allen Robinson (CHI vs NYG):
The benching of Mitchell Trubisky may be the best thing that has happened to Robinson so far this season. He had a tough matchup last week against Jalen Ramsey but should find things much easier against a very soft Giants secondary. New York has allowed nearly 132 yards per game and 9 touchdowns to receivers lined up out wide. Chase Daniel should find things much easier this week and give the Bears their best chance at a win in several weeks.
WR Jarvis Landry (CLE vs MIA):
We all saw what John Brown did to the Miami secondary last week. Nik Needham made his fair share of tackles, but the Buffalo receivers had a field day. Look for Landry to do much of the same this week. He is taking on his former team that has allowed a league leading 14.9 yards per catch to slot receivers. Baker Mayfield should have his choice of open receivers to throw to this week and Landry looks to be one of the most reliable options. The Dolphins have also allowed a touchdown to slot receivers ion 8 straight contests and there is a good chance that Landry makes it 9 this week.
WR D.K. Metcalf (SEA vs PHI):
The Eagles did a better job last week against the Patriots than they have all season covering receivers. However, this is the same defense that was torched by Stefon Diggs and several other receivers all season long. Russell Wilson has been elite this season and Metcalf has been a monster in the red zone. The Eagles are still allowing the 4th most fantasy points to opposing receivers and even saw Julian Edelman throw a touchdown against them last week. The Russell Wilson to Tyler Lockett connection will be on full display this week, but there should be plenty left over to make Metcalf a very attractive option.
WR DeVante Parker (MIA vs CLE):
In recent weeks it has not mattered what the matchup is for Parker, he has produced. He just caught 7 of 10 targets for 135 yards against a very tough Buffalo secondary last week and will be taking on a Browns defense that will be without Morgan Burnett and Myles Garrett. Ryan Fitzpatrick should have a lot more time to throw with Garrett not on the field and that will allow Parker to run longer routes down the field. The Browns secondary has allowed 7 receivers to reach double digit fantasy points in PPR formats in their last 5 games and Parker has the best chance of any Dolphin to make it 8.
WR Robby Anderson (NYJ vs OAK):
All of the love in the Jets offense has gone to Jamison Crowder in recent weeks and everyone seems to have forgotten what Anderson did to the Cowboys. The Raiders secondary has allowed 57 catches for 905 yards and 4 touchdowns since trading Gareon Conley and things do not look like they are going to get any better this week. Crowder will get several looks out of the slot but look for Anderson to take the top off the defense at least once this week and he has a great chance at either a touchdown or more than 100 yards this week.
TE Jacob Hollister (SEA vs PHI):
There is something about being a tight end in Seattle this season that has produced results. Will Dissly was on his way to a TE1 season until he got injured and now Hollister has stepped in and done the same thing. In his past 2 games he has scored 3 touchdowns and totaled 39.9 fantasy points. The Eagles have struggled to cover opposing receivers and Seattle has a wealth of options at that position. Hollister looks like a must start at tight end this week.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Amari Cooper (DAL vs NE):
It can be tough to want to avoid the top receiver for a quarterback that is having an MVP type season and is leading the league in passing yards, but this is the toughest matchup of the season for Dallas. Dak Prescot has been great this season but Cooper has been inconsistent. He struggled against Darius Slay last week and will face a tougher corner this week in Stephon Gilmore. Cooper will most likely still be a starter for most people. Golden Tate has scored the long receiving touchdown this season against the Patriots defense and it could be a very long day for Cooper and company.
WR John Brown (BUF vs DEN):
After watching Brown torch the Dolphins last week and the very solid year he has been having, it would be tough to avoid him this week. However, he is taking on Chris Harris of the Broncos and he has made things very difficult for many receivers this season. Harris locked down Stefon Diggs in the first half last week before things got blown open with 2 big catches, but outside of that Harris has been one of the best corners in the league this season. Brown will not come anywhere close to his stat line from last week and there is even a good chance he misses the double-digit fantasy points mark this week as well.
WR Tyler Boyd (CIN vs PIT):
The change at quarterback has been especially brutal for Boyd this season. Ryan Finley almost refuses to look his way and Boyd even called that out after last weeks game. He had just 2 points against a porous Raiders secondary last week and the last time he played Pittsburgh he had 3 catches for 33 yards. Minkah Fitzpatrick has been huge for the Steelers and the Cincinnati offense has been trending in the wrong direction. The Bengals have also run the ball more in recent weeks and we still do not know what is going on with A.J Green. Avoid Boyd this week if you can.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs DET):
The Lions secondary has been atrocious this season outside of Darius Slay. He held Amari Cooper in check last week and he is a much better receiver than McLaurin. The change at quarterback has also not gone well as Dwayne Haskins is averaging just 8.6 points per game to McLaurin compared to the 15.6 from Case Keenum. What looks like a favorable matchup on paper could prove to be a disaster this week for McLaurin.
WR Marquise Brown (BAL vs LAR):
The Rams traded for Jalen Ramsey for a reason and he will get to prove it this week against Baltimore. Brown has been quiet since he broke out earlier in the season despite the MVP caliber numbers from Lamar Jackson. Brown is also still nursing an ankle injury that kept him from exploiting a great matchup against the Texans last week. He was a great story to start the season, but it may be time to temper expectations for the rest of the season.
WR Darius Slayton (NYG vs CHI):
The Giants receivers have surprised a lot of people this season. Golden Tate has looked good since returning from injury and Slayton has stepped up since Evan Engram went down with injury. It is a shame they are going to run into a very tough Bears defense this week. Kyle Fuller should draw the coverage of Slayton and Eddie Jackson will provide help over the top. The touchdowns for Slayton should dry up this week making him a less than desirable start against the Bears.
TE Jimmy Graham (GB vs SF):
What could have been? Any time you pair a top end player with an elite quarterback it should be a recipe for success. However, Graham has not clicked with Aaron Rodgers. The Packers are coming off their Bye week but are running into a very stingy 49ers defense. San Francisco has only allowed 2 touchdowns and the second fewest fantasy points to opposing tight end this season. There are several up and coming tight ends that would be much better options this week and it may be time to ditch Graham all together.