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 Tyler Boyd (CIN vs NYJ):
It has been a very tough season for Boyd and most of the Cincinnati offense. There are several things working in his favor this week, including the return of Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback. Boyd and Dalton have a much better connection than Boyd and Ryan Finley. He also has a great matchup against the Jets this week who have allowed 10 touchdowns over their past 5 games to receivers. A.J Green missed practice again this week and is looking unlikely to suit up. Look for Boyd to build on his momentum from his 100-yard game and touchdown against the Steelers last week.'
WR D.J. Chark (JAX vs TB):
Tampa Bay has been one of the friendliest teams this season to opposing wide receivers. Their run defense has been stellar, but they cannot seem to cover anyone on the outside. Enter Jacksonville with a healthy Nick Foles and something to prove. The Buccaneers have allowed the third most fantasy points and 12 touchdowns to receivers lined up out wide and that is where Chark is running 27.5 routes per game. Tampa Bay has also allowed 9 top-10 fantasy receivers since week 3. Look for another productive week from Chark.
WR Sterling Shepard (NYG vs GB):
It has been a season to forget for the Giants. They are starting a rookie quarterback in Daniel Jones, have had injuries to Evan Engram and Golden Tate in recent weeks, and teams have done a great job against Saquon Barkley. Enter Shepard against a reeling Green Bay defense that has not looked good since week 3 and someone needs to fill the void of targets left in this offense. Darius Slayton has looked good in recent weeks, but Shepard is seeing the volume with at least 9 targets in 4 straight games. There is not much to be excited about in this offense right now, but Shepard could be in line for a big game as the only real threat left in the offense.
WR Christian Kirk (ARI vs LAR):
The Rams were just embarrassed on national television against the Ravens and Jalen Ramsey did not look good in coverage. Marquise Brown should have had 3 touchdowns if he had not dropped a late pass from Robert Griffin III III and that is the exact role that Kirk should play this week for the Cardinals. He exploded in week 10 but has not found the end zone since. Even without a touchdown he has had 19 targets in his past 2 games and is a WR3/Flex play this week
WR A.J. Brown (TEN vs IND):
Since Ryan Tannehill has taken over, the Titans look like an entirely different team. Brown has 3 straight games with at least 12 points in PPR formats and 2 touchdowns over that span. He is easily the top receiving option for the Titans and should continue to see the majority of targets in that offense. The Colts could not Stop Will Fuller or DeAndre Hopkins last week on Thursday night and Brown has the same big play ability as Fuller. Look for Tannehill to continue to work his magic this week and Brown should be the biggest beneficiary.
WR Adam Thielen (MIN vs SEA):
This is the reminder call on everyone who has forgotten about Thielen after he sat several weeks with a hamstring injury. He has practiced this week and is in line to return against Seattle on Monday Night. Before the injury, Thielen was on a role with 4 touchdowns over a span of 9 quarters and was starting to regain his footing in the Viking offense with Kirk Cousins. Seattle has allowed a receiver to have 100 or more yards in 4 of their past 6 games and a healthy and well rested Thielen would have the best chance to extend that streak.
TE Tyler Higbee (LAR vs ARI):
This would normally be a Gerald Everett game, but he is currently dealing with a bum knee and could be limited this weekend. Enter Higbee against the league’s worst defense against the tight end position. The Cardinals are allowing the most catches, yards, and touchdowns to the position and will be taking on a Rams team that was embarrassed last week against Baltimore. There are several players in the offense who should step up this week, but whoever suits up at tight end has the best chance.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Emmanuel Sanders (SF vs BAL):
After getting off to such a hot start since the trade, Sanders has cooled considerably. Sanders has scored just over 13 total points in his last 3 games combined and will take on a Baltimore defense that has looked dominant in recent weeks. They have not allowed a top 15 receiver since week 9 and that includes holding DeAndre Hopkins to just 80 yards. Marcus Peters has looked great since coming over via trade and San Francisco is going to struggle to move the ball as a whole this week in Baltimore.
WR Mike Williams (LAC vs DEN):
We haver picked on receivers who would be facing Chris Harris in recent weeks, but that is not the reason why Williams finds himself on this list. The struggles of Philip Rivers have kept Williams from scoring double-digit points in 4 out of his last 5 games. The Broncos defense has still faired well against receivers lined up out wide and it makes a recipe for disaster for Williams this week. Look for other options this week and leave Williams on the bench.
WR Randall Cobb (DAL vs BUF):
Despite the tough matchups in recent weeks, Cobb has played very well and posted some great stat lines. He has had a pair of 100-yard games with touchdowns and played a big role in this new pass first offense in Dallas. This week the string of tough matchups becomes too much when he takes on a Buffalo defense that has allowed the fewest points to opposing slot receivers and no touchdowns. There are ways to attack this Buffalo defense, but through the slot is not one of them. Leave Cobb on the bench this week.
WR Will Fuller (HOU vs NE):
Just when things were starting to look up and that Fuller may finally make good on his talent, he runs into the buzz saw defense that is the New England Patriots. Fuller looked great against the Colts until he seemed to re-injure his hamstring. He is taking on a defense that has allowed just a single touchdown through the air and a corner in Stephon Gilmore that has locked down Houston every time he has played them. This is not even a good matchup for teammate DeAndre Hopkins. Avoid fuller until he has a better matchup down the stretch.
WR T.Y. Hilton (IND vs TEN):
Hilton has been dealing with an injured calf for the better part of the season now and it still looked to bother him last week against Houston. He was on a pitch count and only played 25 of 67 offensive snaps last week and had 2 key drops that could have potentially changed the outcome of that game. Hilton could very well be limited again this week and the Colts are pushing the Vikings for the team who runs the ball the most in the NFL. Until he proves that he is fully healthy and not limited with a calf injury, Hilton should be on the bench.
WR Kenny Golladay (DET vs CHI):
As if it were not already difficult enough without Matthew Stafford, Golladay will now be without Jeff Driskel and will be trying to catch passes from David Blough. Golladay has not had a great string of games since Stafford went down. His lone touchdown did come against the Bears, but the Chicago defense is currently allowing the third fewest touchdowns to opposing receivers behind only New England and Buffalo. This is an already tough matchup and you add in an unknown quarterback and it will spell doom for both Golladay and Marvin Jones.
TE Mike Gesicki (MIA vs PHI):
After finally finding the end zone last week and the odd season for tight ends as a whole, many people may want to try and chase the points with Gesicki. Avoid him this week as he has a very tough matchup against Philadelphia. The Eagles have allowed just 3.9 catches per game to opposing tight ends and the 6th fewest fantasy points. Gesicki belongs on the bench along with just about every other Miami player this season.