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 Michael Thomas (NO vs PHI) vs Darius Slay
We gave Slay the benefit of the doubt in his last 2 matchups against DK Metcalf and Davante Adams. Unfortunately for Slay, both players combined for 20 catches, nearly 300 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Slay has had success against Thomas in the past, but this year is different. He is being asked to cover 1 on 1 with no safety help over the top and it has not gone well. Thomas may have Taysom Hill throwing him the ball, but he could still be in for a big game. Slay also left last week with an injury and if he were to miss any time this week it would be an even better matchup for Thomas against Philadelphia’s backup corners. It should be all systems go for Thomas this week with results looking a lot like last season.
WR Jerry Jeudy (DEN vs CAR) vs Donte Jackson
It has been an ugly few weeks for Jeudy and the Broncos receivers. They have not had consistent quarterback play and even had to play a game without an actual quarterback. This has left a lot of people sour on Jeudy, but he has a great matchup against Carolina this week. They are allowing the 7th most points to perimeter receivers this season and the most over the past 8 weeks. Rasul Douglas should see a lot of Tim Patrick on the other side and Judy should be left on Jackson. Drew Lock has more throws of 20 yards down the field than anyone else in the league and we can expect a few big plays to Jeudy on the outside this week. Look for a big rebound from the first-round rookie this week.
WR A.J. Brown/Corey Davis (TEN vs JAX) vs Luq Barcoo, Tre Herndon
The Jacksonville secondary has been a mess this season. They are currently allowing the 6th most fantasy points to receivers this season and the 3rd most over the past month. They have allowed 4 receivers over their past 3 games to eclipse 20 fantasy points and that could easily continue this week. When these teams met back in week 3, Davis had 3 catches for 36 yards and a touchdown and Brown was sidelined with an injury. The Titans are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Browns and need a get right game against a lesser opponent. Look for the combo of Brown and Davis to get involved early and often this week against an injury plagued Jaguars secondary.
WR Allen Robinson (CHI vs HOU) vs Vernon Hargreaves
Robinson owners can rejoice as he has another great matchup this week and has the quarterback under center that actually likes to throw him the ball. Robinson dodges a bullet with Bradley Roby suspended and will see a lot of Hargreaves this week. Hargreaves allowed the most fantasy points of any corner last season and has allowed the 3rd most to this point. Darnell Mooney is an intriguing sleeper option this week as he will see Philip Gaines on the other side, and he has had similar struggles covering receivers. Look for the Bears offense to get right this week against Houston.
WR Mike Evans/Chris Godwin (TB vs MIN) vs Cameron Dantzler, Jeff Gladney
We could also add Antonio Brown to this list this week as the Vikings corners have not been good at all. They have been plagued by injury, turned to rookie and undrafted corners, and have overall just struggled to cover anyone. The entire receiving group for Tampa gets a bump this week. Tom Brady is coming off a Bye and needs to keep wining to lock in a playoff spot. The Vikings secondary rank in the bottom 5 of almost every category and will face the best group of receivers they have all season. The Vikings have a lot to play for this week, but until they figure out something at corner, we will continue to start opposing receivers against them.
WR Tyler Lockett (SEA vs NYJ) vs Arthur Maulet
DK Metcalf also has a great matchup against Bryce Hall, but Lockett on the inside should be able to run free all game. Over the past 8 weeks, the Jets have allowed the 5th most fantasy points to receivers and are coming off a game where they just allowed 200 yards receiving to Darren Waller. Lockett should operate in a lot of the same space that Waller found success in last week. Metcalf is going to get his targets on the outside and David Moore is a great sleeper option for a touchdown but look for Lockett to have the most targets this week against a struggling New York secondary.
TE Hunter Henry (LAC vs ATL)
It was an ugly week for the entire Chargers offense last week against the Patriots so do not overreact to Henry’s line. This week he has a great matchup against a Falcons defense that has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to tight ends and 9 total touchdowns. Justin Herbert was bound to have a game where he looked like a true rookie and it came against a tough New England defense. Look for a rebound week for Henry and the Chargers as a whole.
TE Eric Ebron (PIT vs BUF)
This may be one of the best games on this weekend and will very likely be a shootout against 2 high powered offenses. Ebron has seen the ball thrown his way a lot over the past 3 weeks with 29 total targets. The Buffalo defense has also been very generous to tight ends and have allowed 7 total touchdowns and nearly 16 points per game to tight ends. Look for the Ebron love to continue this week.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Amari Cooper (DAL vs CIN) vs William Jackson III
Jackson has been one of the top coverage corners in the league this season. Couple that with the struggles of the Dallas offense since Dak Prescott went down and it could be a long day for Cooper. He was able to salvage his night on Tuesday against Baltimore with a late touchdown, but he has yet to click with Andy Dalton under center. The Bengals rank near the bottom in points allowed to outside receivers, yet they have given up the 10th fewest points on the left side (the side Jackson is on 76% of the time). He has had success traveling with Terry McLaurin, DeVante Parker, and Darius Slayton so far this season. Michael Gallup is an interesting play opposite of Cooper as he should see a lot of the struggling LeShaun Sims. Avoid Cooper if you can this week.
WR DeAndre Hopkins (ARZ vs NYG) vs James Bradberry
Bradberry must be worn down as he has been asked to follow the top receiver of the opposition 9 times this season. He has had success against DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, A.J. Green, Mike Evans, Amari Cooper, and Allen Robinson. His success is a big reason why the Giants have allowed the 4th fewest fantasy points to receivers over the past month and the 6th fewest to those lined up on the outside. Kyler Murray has not looked like the MVP he did earlier this season and Hopkins has not seen his normal 10+ targets in recent weeks. There is no way you bench Hopkins in redraft, but you may want to look for other options in daily fantasy contests this week.
WR Justin Jefferson (MIN vs TB) vs Carlton Davis
It is hard to bet against someone who has been as hot as Jefferson, but he is going to draw some of his toughest coverage of the season this week against Tampa Bay. Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis have been elite cover corners at times this season and will have their hands full with Jefferson and Adam Thielen. The rookie may have over 1,000 yards receiving but he will have a tough go against a top 10 cover defense. If Minnesota is unable to establish the run game early this week then it will be an even tougher matchup on the outside for Jefferson.
WR Robert Woods (LAR vs NE) vs Stephon Gilmore
The Patriots defense finally flashed what they were capable of last week in a rout of the Chargers. Gilmore locked up with Keenan Allen and shut him down again. This week he will have another tough test against Woods on the outside. If he does not follow Woods, he could also see some Josh Reynolds on the other side. The Rams have also found a new love for running the ball and having a more balanced offensive attack. Look for Cooper Kupp to absorb the extra targets this week with Woods having the tougher assignment on the outside. The Patriots defense has been tough to predict this season, but they are starting to play their best football down the stretch and that does not bode well for woods.
WR Travis Fulgham (PHI vs NO) vs Marshon Lattimore
Most of you may have already moved on from Fulgham after he was held without a catch last week, but in case you have not, now is the time. Fulgham, and all of the Philadelphia receivers, have a tough matchup this week against a smothering Saints defense. If it is not Lattimore on Fulgham it may still not matter as Jalen Hurts is expected under center this week. Move on from Fulgham and beware of the Philadelphia offense this week.
WR Terry McLaurin (WFT vs SF) vs Richard Sherman
He may not be the Pro Bowl corner he used to, but Sherman still has enough gas in the tank to shut down some of the NFL’s top receivers. Sherman has a good showing against Stefon Diggs last week. Diggs’ day was saved due to sheer volume, but Sherman never let him get behind him and was quick to tackle on every short route. McLaurin has better speed than Diggs and will most likely also require safety help over the top. Alex Smith has struggled to push the ball down the field and the Washington Football Team may be without their leading rusher. McLaurin is an easy fade this week in a tough matchup against the 49ers defense.
TE Austin Hooper (CLE vs BAL)
The Hooper signing for Cleveland has not aged very well. The talented tight end has not lived up to his contract and has disappeared almost entirely. Hooper has averaged 5.5. fantasy points over the past month and just 2 targets in 3 of his last 4 games. When these teams met earlier in the season, he walked away with just 3.5 points. If you have not already abandoned ship on Hooper, now is definitely the time to do it.
TE Jared Cook (NO vs PHI)
Cook did manage to find the end zone last week, but he has not been reliable at all with Taysom Hill under center. He has 2 different game with 0 points in the past month and has become an afterthought in this offense. Cook has averaged just 3.3 points since week 9 and the Saints have run the ball at an almost 60% rate since hill became the starter. The tight end position has been very thin this year, but Cook should still be avoided again this week.
