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 JAX):
Usually we try and avoid a 2nd receiver on a team that is starting a rookie quarterback, but Boyd has been the go-to guy in Cincinnati so far this season. Tee Higgins benefited with the touchdowns last week, but Boyd has been Joe Burrows’ number one target. Boyd gets a solid matchup against a Jacksonville team that is reeling and could add to his already impressive WR16 numbers. Coming off back to back 20-point games in PPR formats, Boyd is a solid play this week.
WR DeVante Parker (MIA vs SEA):
With injuries aplenty in the Seattle secondary, they are currently giving up the most receiving yards per game and most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Parker is not having the follow up season we were all expecting but that could all change with a big game this week. Seattle is going to be starting several guys from the waiver wire and practice squad this week. Look for Ryan Fitzpatrick to air it out and for Parker to come down with at least a long one.
WR Allen Lazard (GB vs ATL):
Update 10/3: Ruled out after undergoing core muscle surgery
Even if Davante Adams is back and at full strength this week, Lazard is a great play. Aaron Jones has not been the centerpiece of this Green Bay offense and Aaron Rodgers has been airing it out all over the place. Lazard is playing well and came down with a 6 catch, 146-yard, and 8 target performance on Sunday. Atlanta has struggled to stop anyone in the second half of games this year and it could be an aerial display for the Packers.
WR Hunter Renfrow (LV vs BUF):
The Buffalo defense has not been as scary as years past so far this season. They were just carved up by the Rams last week and may be more worried about Darren Waller than anyone else. Last week he pulled in 6 of 9 targets for 84 yards and a touchdown against New England. With Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards banged up, look for Renfrow to emerge as the leading receiver in this offense. Attacked Buffalo through the air seems to be the best course of action for opposing offenses.
WR Will Fuller (HOU vs MIN):
A Mike Zimmer defense usually has very strong corners and a line that can get after the quarterback. They are not doing any of that well right now and are ripe for the picking. Fuller bounced back after the egg he laid against Baltimore and should have another strong showing this week. Deshaun Watson should have time this week, even with that poor offensive line, to find Fuller down the field on a few deep throws. Look for the Will Fuller special this week and a breakout game against the Vikings.
WR Kenny Golladay (DET vs NO):
The theme this year seems to be once great defenses that are underperforming to start the season. Marshon Lattimore has no locked down anyone yet this season and Matthew Stafford has had time to throw the ball all over the place. The Lions pulled one out at the end against the Cardinals last week and Golladay was able to find the end zone in his first game back from injury. He will have another week of practice and is primed to get back to his WR1 ways. Golladay is locked in as a must-start this week.
TE Darren Waller (LV vs BUF):
It may seem like Waller is up and down this season, but his target share is the most important thing to look at. He is receiving 30% of the offensive target share to this point and that is a lot for a tight end. He had a rough day against New England last week but will be taking on a Buffalo defense that has allowed the 6th most yards to opposing tight ends this season. With the wide receiver core banged up outside of Hunter Renfrow it could be another big week for Waller.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR T.Y. Hilton (IND vs CHI):
It has been a very disappointing start for Hilton so far this season. He has not topped 55 receiving yards yet this season and has combined for just 22 PPR fantasy points through 3 games. He is also taking on a Bears defense that has not allowed a touchdown to an opposing receiver yet this season. There are better days ahead for him, but until we see some positive steps in that direction, I am putting him on the bench.
WR Darius Slayton (NYG vs LAR):
This offense has been terrible all season long. They lost Saquon Barkley early and Daniel Jones seems to have regressed. Slayton had a great week 1 but has not performed since. He will also be matched up against Jalen Ramsey for most of the game. If you need to start a Giant, look at Golden Tate as a low-end Flex option, but otherwise avoid this entire offense right now.
WR Terry McLaurin (WFT vs BAL):
There are a lot of things working against him this week. First, his quarterback is still Dwayne Haskins and they have not figured out how to use him effectively. Second, he is taking on a Baltimore defense that is mad after being embarrassed by the Chiefs last week. He will be contending with Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters this week. Look for options that are not McLaurin in your lineups.
WR Sammy Watkins (KC vs NE):
Watkins does not have the best track record against the Patriots in his career. He has faced them 7 times, including the playoffs, and has just a single touchdown and no games with more than 60 receiving yards. The Patriots still have one of the top cornerback pairs in the league and Watkins does not have a great track record. The KC offense is still great, but I would stay away from Watkins this week.
WR Keelan Cole (JAX vs CIN):
He was poised for a breakup game with D.J. Chark out with an injury against Miami last week, but the entire offense struggled, and Gardner Minshew was especially off. He even left with an injury during garbage time at the end of the game. Chark got in a limited practice on Wednesday and is trending towards playing this weekend. Cole had his chance last week and did not perform. Look for other cheap WR options this week in your Daily Fantasy lineups.
WR Michael Gallup (DAL vs CLE):
It would be easy to see the stat line from last week and want to start Gallup, but it came against a Seattle secondary that is allowing the most yards and fantasy points to opposing receivers. CeeDee Lamb has emerged, Amari Cooper is always going to get his targets, and the Cowboys are going to pound the ball with Ezekiel Elliott against a poor Cleveland run defense this week. Gallup is going to have the occasional big game like last week, but the cards are stacked against him this week. Look for the Cowboys to run the ball 30 times this week and for there to be limited opportunity for Gallup.
TE Greg Olsen (SEA vs MIA):
With the way Russell Wilson is playing it is easy to want as many shares of this offense as possible, but Olsen is not the same player he was with Carolina. There are the occasional plays where he flashes open across the middle of the field, but Seattle has been attacking the outside and letting Wilson air it out down the field. The backfield hit a rash of injuries and Wilson is going to be looking to his receivers this week. Olsen belongs on the bench this week with a lot of other tight end options available.