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 to call out some players who could be significantly helped or hurt by their situations each week.
Favorable Matchups
WR Tyreek Hill (MIA vs DET) vs Jeff Okudah
The great start to the season has all but vanished for Okudah. Locking up Justin Jefferson a few weeks ago feels like a distant memory now as the team is limping to the 12 most fantasy points against wide receivers. That point total may not feel alarming, but they have also faced the second-fewest pass attempts as teams have throttled them on the ground. Hill lines up all over the place, and Okudah is unlikely to shadow this week. He will likely see equal parts Okudah and Amani Oruwariye. Hill is one of the top-rated receivers this year, while Oruwariye is one of the worst-rated corners. The advantage this week goes to Hill and the entire Dolphins’ offense.
WR Davante Adams (LV vs NO) vs Paulson Adebo
The Raiders offense has been the Josh Jacobs show lately, but Adams has one of the best matchups of the week. Adebo currently allows 0.93 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 30% of the time. The return of Hunter Renfrow has given Adams some breathing room on the other side, and Darren Waller is expected back this week. Adams has the matchup and supporting cast to put up big numbers this week.
WR Chris Godwin (TB vs BAL) vs Damarion Williams
The Tampa Bay offense has not been clicking so far this season, but the return of Godwin to the lineup has helped some in the past few weeks. He is already one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets, and he is walking into a matchup against a revolving door at slot corner in Baltimore. The Ravens are currently allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing slot receivers, and Williams is making just his second start. Look for Brady and Godwin to try and capitalize as they look to right the ship this week against Baltimore.
WR A.J. Brown (PHI vs PIT) vs Levi Wallace
The Steelers' secondary has allowed the most yards and the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers so far this season, and those numbers are only going to increase this week against Brown and company. Wallace is allowing 0.53 fantasy points per coverage snap on the left side and is being targeted a team high 28% of the time. Jalen Hurts loves to run the ball but should have an easier time through the air this week. Both Brown and Devonta Smith can be upgraded in the matchup with the Steelers this week.
WR CeeDee Lamb (DAL vs CHI) vs Kyler Gordon
The return of Dak Prescott was uneventful against the Lions last week. However, this week Lamb is walking into the best matchup on the team against Gordon. Gordon currently allows 0.49 fantasy points per coverage snap from the slot position. Jaylon Johnson continues to play well on the outside despite letting up a few big plays in recent weeks. Ezekiel Elliot is banged up this week, and the Cowboys will need to throw the ball more. Look for Prescott and Lamb to connect early and often in what is an advantageous matchup for Lamb.
TE Irv Smith (MIN vs ARZ)
Smith has been unreliable most of the season but is walking into one of his best matchups of the season. The Cardinals are currently allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends and have allowed six touchdowns to the position. Smith is best used in the red zone and as a quick outlet for Kirk Cousins on third down. Smith has produced when the matchup is right, and this will be the best one of the season for him.
TE Tyler Higbee (LAR vs SF)
It pays to have a short memory in fantasy football. Higbee had just 1.7 fantasy points the week before the Bye and is taking on a 49ers defense that has allowed double-digit fantasy points just three times to tight ends. However, one of those three games was against Higbee earlier this year, where he had 17.3 points. The Rams offense has struggled at times but should be healthy coming off their Bye week. Look for Higbee to bounce back in a big way in what is a very thin tight end position.
Unfavorable Matchups
WR Amari Cooper (CLE vs CIN) vs Chidobe Awuzie
This will be a matchup of strength on strength as Cooper plays extremely well at home and has been a focal point of this offense, especially with David Njoku injured, and Awuzie has pushed the Bengals secondary to the fifth-best squad against opposing receivers. Awuize is favored slightly, as he is the biggest reason why the Bengals are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to perimeter receivers. He has shadowed early this season but has not followed a particular receiver in the past few weeks. Cooper is the clear-cut number 1 in Cleveland and could see that special treatment from Awuzie this week. He is still going to see plenty of targets in this offense, but Cooper can be downgraded in this tough matchup with Awuzie.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs IND) vs Stephon Gilmore
The Colts are currently allowing the fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and the fourth-fewest to perimeter receivers. McLaurin lines up outside just over 79% of the time and should see a lot of Gilmore. Gilmore has shadowed sporadically this season and could follow McLaurin this week. Both teams are starting backup quarterbacks this week, and the offensive numbers could be ugly. Downgrade McLaurin in what should be one of his toughest matchups of the year.
WR Tyler Boyd (CIN vs CLE) vs Greg Newsome
Boyd made this side of the list last week and exploded for his best game of the season. However, this week he is walking into a matchup against a Cleveland defense that is currently allowing the fewest fantasy points to opposing slot receivers. Newsome has been outstanding in the slot and should limit Boyd this week as well. Joe Burrow and this offense is starting to click, but with all of the other weapons at his disposal, it would be easy to avoid the tougher matchup against Newsome. Boyd is still worth flex consideration this week and will not approach the numbers from a week ago.
WR DeVante Parker (NE vs NYJ) vs Ahmad Gardner
Mac Jones is expected to start for the Patriots this week and will be taking on a stout Jets secondary. Over the past month, the Jets are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and the second-fewest to the perimeter. Gardner has played extremely well and is a huge reason for the team's recent success. The Patriots are struggling to find an identity on offense right now, and all receivers should be downgraded until they can figure out their quarterback situation.
WR Marvin Jones (JAX vs DEN) vs Patrick Surtain
The Jaguars' offense has been sporadic at best so far this season, and things are not going to get any easier against the Broncos in London. Surtain has done a great job limiting any receiver across from him on the perimeter and should see a lot of Jones this week. Normally this would be a bump for Christian Kirk in the slot, but KWaun Williams has been playing extremely well. For all of the issues on offense for the Broncos, the defense continues to keep them in games. Downgraded the entire Jaguars receiving group in a tough matchup against the Denver secondary.
WR DeAndre Hopkins (ARZ vs MIN) vs Patrick Peterson
This will be one of the most fun matchups to watch this week as it is former teammates lining up against one another. Peterson has been the lone bright spot for the Vikings' secondary and is currently allowing just 0.19 fantasy points per coverage snap. Hopkins came back to be the focal point of this offense last week, and that trend should continue for the rest of the season. The targets are going to be there, but we should temper expectations for Hopkins this week.
TE Kyle Pitts (ATL vs CAR)
Pitts has been a major disappointment so far this year and is walking into another tough matchup against Carolina. Atlanta has turned into a run-heavy offense that throws the ball just 46% of the time, and Pitts has seen five or more targets in less than half of the games he has played this year. Carolina has been stout against tight ends allowing double-digit points in a single contest. Avoid Pitts again this week as the offense continues to go in a different direction.
TE Evan Engram (JAX vs DEN)
Engram has been a popular streaming option this season as the tight end position has been very thin. However, he is walking into a tough matchup against the Broncos defense. They have allowed just two tight ends to eclipse double-digit points, with the high being 13.3 so far this year. This defense has been tough on almost all positions. Look for other options this week, as Engram’s luck may have run out.