This article highlights 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 Marquise Brown (ARZ vs LV) vs Amik Robertson
The Raiders did a great job limiting Mike Williams on the outside against the Chargers last week, but they lost their top corner in Anthony Averett to injury. This is going to put Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin on the outside against A.J. Green and Brown. This should be a much better matchup for both than the Chiefs last week and should give Kyler Murray a chance to attack down the field. Rondale Moore draws the tough coverage from Nate Hobbs in the slot which means we should see a lot more targets go to the perimeter this week. Brown has the edge over Green in this offense right now and should be able to display his speed and attack the defense over the top.
WR Michael Pittman (IND vs JAX) vs Shaquill Griffin
It was a slow start for Matt Ryan and the Colts last week, but Pittman ended up with a dominant 9 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta. Pittman absolutely worked A.J. Terrell on the outside and he gets an even better matchup this week against Griffin. The constant threat of Jonathan Taylor running up the middle has opened up things for the receivers on the outside and should spell another very productive week for Pittman. Griffin has allowed .6 fantasy points per coverage snap so far this season.
WR Brandon Aiyuk (SF vs SEA) vs Tariq Woolen
While the score may have looked very close in Seattle’s win against the Broncos last week, the secondary did not play well, and the team benefitted from two Denver fumbles on the goal line. Woolen specifically struggled on the outside in limited snaps, and the team was burned by Jerry Jeudy for a long touchdown. Aiyuk had a down week against the Bears in large part due to a struggling Trey Lance and monsoon-type rain. The weather should not be a problem this week and we should see much more than the 2 catches for 40 yards. Look for both Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel to play better on the outside against a struggling Seattle secondary.
WR Jakobi Meyers (NE vs PIT) vs Arthur Maulet
Not a lot went right for the Patriots in their Week 1 loss to the Dolphins. Mac Jones looked more like a rookie quarterback than he did a season ago and the defense let up several big plays. However, Meyers has a chance to right the ship this week in a prime matchup against Maulet in the slot. Maulet allowed the touchdown to Tyler Boyd last week and was routinely picked on last season. This should be a much better showing for the Patriots' offense as a whole. With T.J. Watt expected to miss time, Jones should have a better pocket and time to push the ball down the field.
WR Braxton Berrios (NYJ vs CLE) vs Greg Newsome
The Jets did not have the greatest showing again the Ravens in Week 1, but they will have a great chance to redeem themselves in Week 2. Newsome and the Browns looked great against the Panthers until the second half and a big play from Robby Anderson. Berrios is in the same position this week and has a chance to exploit the softer coverage from Newsome. It may still be early in the season, but Newsome is allowing .6 fantasy points per coverage snap so far. Berrios is not the biggest name, but he is in line for a productive week with a great matchup.
WR DeVonta Smith (PHI vs MIN) vs Cameron Dantzler
Smith was a non-factor in Week 1 and the Vikings has a surprisingly good secondary performance against the Packers. However, those 2 trends are unlikely to continue. Patrick Peterson is likely to tangle with A.J. Brown as much as possible, but the Vikings do not typically shadow. Look for Smith to line up against Dantzler and or Peterson on the opposite side. The Eagles went run-heavy in Week 1 but should see more success on the outside against a weaker secondary in the Vikings. Look for Smith to have a productive day at a much smaller price tag than Brown.
TE Zach Ertz (ARZ vs LV)
Ertz ended up as a top-10 tight end last week with most of his points coming during garbage time at the end of the game. He has been a favorite target of Kyler Murray since the trade last season. The Raiders have given up the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends in the past eight games and also surrendered a touchdown to Gerald Everett last week. Fire up Ertz without worry this week in a great matchup.
TE Dalton Schultz (DAL vs CIN)
The injury to Dak Prescott has downgraded a lot of the offense, but Schultz is walking into a good spot against a Bengals defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends over the past 8 games. Look for Schultz to act as a security blanket for Cooper Rush and be highly targeted in the flat. Someone in this offense is going to have to step up and absorb the targets. Schultz is the most likely source this week against the Bengals.
Unfavorable Matchup
WR Mike Evans (TB vs NO) vs Marshon Lattimore
Evans is not a player you would consider benching, especially with Chris Godwin expected to be out. However, Lattimore has had his number over the past few years in shadow situations. Lattimore is typically tasked with following Evans across the field and has held him to games with one reception three times and zero receptions once. Evans will still be a threat in the red zone and has had a few good games, but we should temper expectations in this matchup.
WR Michael Thomas (NO vs TB) vs Carlton Davis
Much like the Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore matchup above, these two have a lot of history. Davis has followed Thomas in four of the last five times they have played when both players were healthy and held Thomas to 8 catches for 68 yards on 15 targets. Thomas had two scores in Week 1 and is not a player you think about benching either, but the history suggests we should temper our expectations for Thomas as Davis has historically won this matchup.
WR Brandin Cooks (HOU vs DEN) vs Patrick Surtain
There is a new coaching staff in Denver and that has pushed Surtain into a shadow-type roll. After playing his side most of his rookie year, Surtain was asked to trail DK Metcalf in Week 1. Metcalf may have caught all seven of his targets, but he was held to just 36 yards. Cooks still has Davis Mills throwing and a run game that is transition. He is going to see a high volume of targets, but there may not be the same production we have been seeing. Move Cooks down your board this week in a tough matchup against Surtain.
WR Christian Kirk (JAX vs IND) vs Kenny Moore
Kirk was given a very large contract in the offseason and began the year by trying to prove he was worth it. He finished with 6 catches for 117 yards against a soft Washington secondary. He is going to have a little more trouble finding space to run against Moore this week. Moore did not have the best showing in Week 1 while allowing fantasy points per coverage snap. However, this is much higher than his career rate and should right itself as the season goes on. Jacksonville will look to get more of their offense involved this week, and Kirk can be slightly downgraded because of it.
WR Adam Thielen (MIN vs PHI) vs James Bradberry
The Minnesota offense put its foot on the gas and did not let up against Green Bay in Week 1. Justin Jefferson was by far the main focus while Thielen was targeted just four times and came away with 3 catches for 36 yards. This week is going to be tougher for both Thielen and Jefferson, with Darius Slay and Bradberry on opposite sides. Minnesota did a great job moving Jefferson all over the field to create matchup issues, while Thielen primarily played on the right side. Thielen is always dangerous in the red zone, but he can be downgraded in a tough matchup against a solid Philadelphia secondary this week.
WR Rashod Bateman (BAL vs MIA) vs Xavien Howard
Howard was tasked with following DeVante Parker in Week 1 and held him to just a single catch for 9 yards on 30 routes run against him. Bateman lined up on the outside 91% of the time last week, so even if Howard is not following him across the field, he will line up against him often enough to make a huge difference. Howard has been one of the best cover corners in the NFL over the past few seasons and will be tasked with taking away Bateman this week. Mark Andrews should be upgraded as he will attack the middle of the defense, but Bateman can be benched this week in what should be one of his toughest matchups of the year.
TE Irv Smith (MIN vs PHI)
Smith came back and played his first game in over a year. All of the reports said he was 100% healthy and would be a big part of the offense. Fast forward to after the Green Bay game, and he saw just two targets and no catches. Johnny Mundt played more snaps and a bigger role in the offensive production in Week 1 than Smith . A lot has been invested in Smith and he still has the potential to be the Vikings' tight end of the future, but he should be avoided until his role in the offense develops more this year.
TE Mike Gesicki (MIA vs BAL)
Much like last season, Gesicki laid an egg in Week 1. He had a single catch for 1 yard and lost work to better blocking tight ends in this offense. He played just 42% of offensive snaps and is being pushed out of the lineup with new versatile offensive weapons. He is a big and athletic tight end that has shown he can make plays, but the offensive scheme is changing in Miami at his expense right now. If there is no change in his snap count this week, Gesicki is more of a drop candidate than just being benched.