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 Keenan Allen (LAC vs MIA):
The Dolphins secondary has been picked on all season long. They traded their top cover man in Minkah Fitzpatrick and have matched up poorly against opposing team’s top wide receiver. Amari Cooper had 6 catches for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns last week against Miami and Allen is coming off a monster 13-catch for 183 yards and 2 touchdown game of his own. Look for Allen to be running free all over the field this weekend.
WR Odell Beckham Jr (CLE vs BAL):
The Ravens' defensive woes had been hidden by their stellar offense in the first two weeks, but they were exposed by Kansas City last week. Marlon Humphrey is questionable this week and Jimmy Smith has already been ruled out at corner. Beckham has averaged 6+ catches per game so far this season, and despite the struggles of Baker Mayfield, there is no reason to think that changes this week.
WR Tyler Boyd (CIN vs PIT):
The struggles in Pittsburgh are expected to continue this week when they take on the division rival Bengals. Both teams have been unable to run the ball consistently and have been airing it out. Each secondary was taken advantage of by the 49ers in recent weeks and that means Andy Dalton will be looking for Boyd often this week. Joe Haden should be the one to shadow Boyd this week and he is prone to giving up the big play. Look for Boyd to find the end zone for the first time this season.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (PIT vs CIN):
There are great matchups for receivers on each team this week in the Steelers vs Bengals game. The Bengals are allowing nearly 28 points per game and the defense ranks near the bottom in almost every category. Even with Mason Rudolph playing for the Steelers it should be a great matchup for Smith-Schuster. Dre Kirkpatrick should lineup across from Smith-Schuster this week and he has struggled against the top receivers from other teams this season.
WR Tyler Lockett (SEA vs ARI):
It took a while to get going last week for Lockett, but the Seahawks offense is finally putting up points. Lockett is coming off back to back weeks with 10+ receptions and has two plays of over 40 yards already this season. Arizona has struggled on defense so far this season, especially in the first half. Byron Murphy and Tramaine Brock will share duties against Lockett and neither has shown an ability to lock down opposing receivers.
TE Evan Engram (NYG vs WAS):
Sometimes it just takes getting a new quarterback to make all the difference. Engram showed instant rapport with Daniel Jones last week and even rumbled for a 75-yard touchdown against Tampa Bay. This week he will square off against a Washington secondary that was torched by Taylor Gabriel last week and allowed 4 catches to Trey Burton. Engram is one of the top tight end options this week and has a great matchup against a poor defense to go with it.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Stefon Diggs (MIN vs CHI):
There are several things working against Diggs this week against the Bears. Kirk Cousins continues to struggle at quarterback, the Vikings have gone run-heavy to start the season, and the Bears defense has been harassing opposing quarterbacks and throwing off route timing all season. Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara will split duties between Diggs and Adam Thielen this week and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will be providing help over the top. There are too many things working against Diggs this week in his matchup against the Bears.
WR Josh Gordon (BUF vs NE):
Even though it is only week 4, no one would have thought this Bills vs Patriots game would be two undefeated teams against one another. Gordon has gotten another chance with the Patriots and it has been a mixed bag of results. Julian Edelman is expected to play this week and the group of safeties for the Bills have been outstanding all season. Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde should keep Gordon from taking the top off the defense and the results will be very limited this week.
WR Calvin Ridley (ATL vs TEN):
It was a very rough week for Ridley against the Colts and things were made worse by comments in the media. Ridley admitted that he struggled against the zone defense and found it hard to run routes that were not directly against a corner. The coaching staff echoed the same sentiment when they stated that his lack of involvement last week was not by design. All of this adds up to Ridley exposing his own weakness and that is something Tennessee will be able to exploit this weekend. Sometimes it is better to not say anything at all to the media, and Ridley may learn that very quickly this weekend.
WR Mike Evans (TB vs LAR):
After breaking out last week with over 100 yards and 3 touchdowns, Evans is going to plummet back down to earth this week against the Rams. The Rams defensive line is going to put constant pressure on Jameis Winston and not allow the extra time needed for Evans to run routes deep down the field. They also have the pro bowl tandem of Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters playing on the outside and that should limit the damage Evans can do.
TE Jared Cook (NO vs DAL):
The season has not gone to plan for the Saints so far and that is not all because of the injury to Drew Brees. Cook has not played like the big offseason acquisition he was supposed to be and that will continue this week. Most people see the 11-catch, 116 yards, and a touchdown that Evan Engram had against Dallas in week 1, but Cook has struggled to the point that he has less than half of those numbers for the entire season. Cook will fall well outside of the top 10 for tight ends this week and should not be trusted until he can prove otherwise.
WR Allen Robinson (CHI vs MIN):
Chicago had an offensive outburst on Monday night against the Redskins but expect that to come to a halt this week against the Vikings. Robinson had over 100 yards in week 1 but has failed to approach that number since then. He also has not found the end zone this season and will have to contend with Xavier Rhodes in coverage. All of these things add up to a long day for Robinson this week against Minnesota.
