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 Julio Jones (ATL vs HOU):
Last week should have been a favorable matchup for Jones against a struggling Malcolm Butler, but it ended up being a disappointment. This week Jones has a great chance to bounce back against Lonnie Johnson on the outside. The rookie has not been good about covering the right side and that should give ample opportunity for Matt Ryan to target Jones down the field for big gains. Look for a bounce back week from Jones and the Falcons offense.
WR Mike Evans (TB vs NO):
This matchup has a lot of history to it and does not even take into account how well Chris Godwin has played on the other side. Marshon Lattimore has been the primary man in coverage against Evans and allowed 8 catches for 188 yards and a touchdown in both of their meetings last season. Evans amassed 11 catches for 233 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets against the Saints as a whole last year as well. The offense is clicking in Tampa Bay right now and Evans has a great track record against the Saints defense.
WR Adam Thielen (MIN vs NYG):
The stats are not there for Thielen yet this year, but it is not because the receiver is not getting open. Despite the back and forth in the media this past week, Thielen and Kirk Cousins have shown chemistry in the past and the ability to put up a lot of points. They are facing a Giants defense that has allowed the 4th most points to opposing receivers this season and the 2nd most to receivers lining up on the outside. Thielen has been the man on the outside for the Vikings 72% of the time and could be in for a big day if Cousins can get him the ball.
WR Alshon Jeffery (PHI vs NYJ):
It is a small sample size with the Jets coming off their Bye week already, but they have allowed the 3rd most points to opposing receivers on a per game basis and have not fared well against top receivers on the outside. Every number 1 receiver that has faced the Jets has reached 19 points in standard PPR scoring formats and Jeffery has been one of the most targeted receivers in the red zone with Carson Wentz at quarterback.
WR Julian Edelman (NEP vs WAS):
After the Patriots offense laid an egg last week, look for a big bounce back this week against an awful Redskins secondary. Washington has given up the 5th most points to slot receivers this year and Edelman has lined up in the slot 70% of the time so far this year. Josh Norman is banged up with a knee injury and this defense does not have the depth to keep up with the Patriots.
TE Tyler Eifert (CIN vs ARI):
Despite being totally touchdown dependent and on a team that has struggled on offense, Eifert has too good of a matchup to pass up this week. The Cardinals have allowed 6 touchdowns to opposing tight ends and have not been able to stop anyone. Look for plenty of volume for Eifert this week in what could be the best tight end matchup in the league this week.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Emmanuel Sanders (DEN vs LAC):
It is tough to not trust Sanders, but he has not had a good track record against the Chargers. In his last 4 games he has not surpassed 4 catches or 68 yards and has not found the end zone. Casey Hayward should be the primary man in coverage, and it could make for a long day for Sanders.
WR Jarvis Landry (CLE vs SFO):
The Cleveland offense has been an enigma so far this year and there is no telling who is going to have a big week. Landry had the best day for the receiving group last week but draws a tough matchup this week against KWaun Williams and the 49ers defense. Teams have been rolling the coverage from Odell Beckham to Landry and visa versa each week and it looks like Landry is going to draw the short straw this week.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs NEP):
The Patriots have been one of the best defenses in the league so far this year and McLaurin is coming into the game with a banged-up hamstring. The Redskins have also not named a starting quarterback this week as Colt McCoy and Dwayne Haskins have split first team reps in practice. Stephon Gilmore has been a shut down corner and the defense has not allowed a touchdown to a receiver split out wide yet this year.
WR Corey Davis (TEN vs BUF):
Just when it looks like the season is turning around for Davis, he is going to run into a very tough Bills defense. TreDavious White and the Bill defense are allowing just 144 total yards per game to opposing receivers and are coming off a game where they shit down the Patriots high scoring offense. Davis is also seeing more competition from A.J Brown on his own team for targets. It might be a long day for Davis against the Bills this week.
TE Delanie Walker (TEN vs BUF):
Enough cannot be said about how well the Bills defense has played so far this season. Not only have they shut down opposing receivers, they have also locked down the tight ends. Tight end has been a very thin position so far this year, and Walker is not a good start this week. The Bills held Evan Engram to his lowest yardage total this season with just 48 back in week 2. Avoid Walker unless absolutely necessary this week.
WR D.J. Chark (JAX vs CAR):
With their quarterback a big banged-up and the ground game emerging last week, the game script will be the first thing to limit the damage Chark can do. He also has to content with James Bradberry and Donte Jackson playing very well in the Carolina secondary right now. Chark has been a great story so far this year but he is going to have a tough time this week against the Panthers.