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 Garrett Wilson (NYJ vs MIN) vs Akayleb Evans
The Vikings’ secondary continues to struggle against opposing receivers. They are currently allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to the position and will be facing a Jets team that looked good with Mike White under center. Wilson exploded last week with a new quarterback and gets an even better matchup this week against Evans. The young corner is allowing 0.59 fantasy points per coverage snap and has been routinely picked on. Wilson will see tougher coverage from Patrick Peterson when he lines up on the left side but should have no problem against Chandon Sullivan in the slot. Wilson plays all over the field and should not have any trouble scoring against the Vikings’ defense.
WR Courtland Sutton (DEN vs BAL) vs Brandon Stephens
The Broncos offense has not been scoring touchdowns this season, but Sutton is still moving the ball down the field and has been the favorite target of Russell Wilson. This week he gets a great matchup against a Ravens’ secondary that is currently allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. They are especially weak on the perimeter, where they are allowing 0.37 fantasy points per coverage snap to each side. Sutton is heavily targeted and in a good spot to do some damage against this Baltimore secondary.
WR Keenan Allen (LAC vs LV) vs Tyler Hall
The Chargers' offense started to get going last week with their thrilling 2-point conversion to win the game against the Cardinals. Allen is finally starting to look healthy and is making big catches all over the field. Mike Williams is expected back this week and could cut into the overall targets for Allen, but he has the better matchup overall. The Raiders are currently allowing the most fantasy points to opposing slot receivers, where Allen lines up 63% of the time. Look for solid production from Allen this week, as he has the best matchup of any Charger.
WR A.J. Brown (PHI vs TEN) vs Kristian Fulton
The Eagles showed their run-first mentality last week and found a lot of success. However, we may see a complete 180 this week as the Titans are currently allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers and the second-most to the slot position. Brown is the clear favorite when it comes to targets in this offense, and the loss of Dallas Goedert at tight end has pushed more to receivers overall. Look for another big week from Brown and this Eagles’ offense.
WR Christian Kirk (JAX vs DET) vs Will Harris
The corner situation for Detroit is a mess right now. Jeff Okudah was out last week with a concussion and could miss more time. The rest of the secondary has not been any better, and Harris is currently allowing 0.38 fantasy points per coverage snap. Jacksonville has started to blossom on offense and is riding high after their upset over the Ravens. The Lions’ secondary is allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing receivers and Trevor Lawrence is playing his best football as a pro. Kirk is the main guy in this offense, but the rest of the receivers can be upgraded as well.
WR Drake London (ATL vs PIT) vs Ahkello Witherspoon
London’s season has been up and down as a rookie. He has looked like a feature receiver at times and totally disappeared at others. He has seen an increase in targets with Kyle Pitts shut down for the season and should likely see 20+% this week against Pittsburgh. London should line up against Witherspoon just over 50% of the time this week and should be able to win that battle. Witherspoon is currently allowing 0.55 fantasy points per coverage snap and is one of the weakest parts of the Pittsburgh secondary. Look for Atlanta to try and throw the ball more than usual this week to take advantage of this matchup.
TE Pat Freiermuth (PIT vs ATL)
Last week was a big letdown for Freiermuth. He was held way below his season average in targets, catches, and overall points. However, he has a great matchup this week against Atlanta. The Falcons have only allowed two touchdowns to opposing tight ends but are still allowing nearly 13 fantasy points per week to the position. Look for Pittsburgh to attack the middle of the field with Freiermuth and try to build on a win from last week.
TE Evan Engram (JAX vs DET)
It may be hard to trust Engram after he has scored just 7.6 fantasy points over the past three games, but he is walking into a great matchup against the Lions. Their defense has allowed 7 touchdowns, the 4th most fantasy points, and a 75% catch rate to the tight end position. Engram has shown he can score in the right position and there should be none better than the Lions this week.
Unfavorable Matchup
WR Mike Evans (TB vs NO) vs Marshon Lattimore
Lattimore has missed seven consecutive games due to an abdominal injury but is expected to return this week. There is a chance he is limited in his first game back, but his historical success against Evans speaks for itself. When the pair met back in Week 2, they got into a fight and were promptly ejected. Both players play a physical brand of football and have seen a lot of each other over the years. Watch the injury report heading into the weekend, but if Lattimore is ruled healthy and ready to go, we can lower expectations for Evans.
WR CeeDee Lamb (DAL vs IND) vs Stephon Gilmore
The Colts continue to impress in the secondary and are allowing the fewest fantasy points overall to receivers. The entire Dallas squad should be downgraded this week as they all line up all over the place and will face a combination of Gilmore, Kenny Moore, and Isaiah Rodgers. Lamb will likely see Gilmore on all of his perimeter routes but should be able to escape 58% of the time when he lines up in the slot. Gilmore has not traveled to the slot position at all this season. The overall matchup is tough, and Dallas may lean on their run game to compensate.
WR Adam Thielen (MIN vs NYJ) vs D.J. Reed
Thielen has had an up-and-down season for the Vikings so far. Justin Jefferson has taken over the star role and commands the largest target share. Thielen continues to shine on third down and on the goal line, but he is going to find it tough this week against the Jets. New York is allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and is being led by Ahmad Gardner and Reed on the outside. Thielen moves all over the formation, but it does not look any better on the other side. Jefferson is going to command the most attention, but expect a down week for Thielen. Avoid him unless necessary this week.
WR Michael Pittman (IND vs DAL) vs Trevon Diggs
Dallas had moved away from using Diggs in shadow coverage for the first half of the season, but that has changed in recent weeks. Diggs was instrumental in shutting down Justin Jefferson and Allen Lazard recently and could likely follow Pittman this week as the clear No. 1 receiver for the Colts. Diggs has a history of giving up big plays but has seen that number decrease this season as Dallas has given him more help over the top. Downgrade Pittman in what will be one of his toughest matchups of the season.
WR Robert Woods (TEN vs PHI) vs James Bradberry
Tennessee has struggled to throw the ball, and Philadelphia has been solid at defending opposing receivers. The emergence of Treylon Burks has cut into the production for Woods, and Tennessee is a run-first offense. Bradberry is not the same cover corner he was with the Giants, but he is still allowing just 0.19 fantasy points per coverage snap this season. Burks and Woods switch sides often, and it does not look any better with Darius Slay on the other side. Both receivers should be downgraded this week.
WR Devin Duvernay (BAL vs DEN) vs Patrick Surtain
This is not a shadow situation, as Duvernay is not the biggest receiving threat for the Ravens, but he should see a lot of Surtain due to where he lines up historically. The Broncos may look lost on offense, but the defense continues to be one of the best in the league. Surtain has had sustained success against almost everyone he lines up against. With a late-week injury to Lamar Jackson in practice, the entire Ravens offense should be downgraded right now. Avoid any pass catcher not named Mark Andrews in this offense right now.
TE Tyler Higbee (LAR vs SEA)
The matchup looks great on paper as the Seahawks have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. However, the quarterback issues for the Rams take away almost all of that upside. Higbee put up a goose egg last week as was left to block on more than half of his snaps. The Rams cashed in last season for the Super Bowl and have not been able to pick up the pieces this season. Higbee cannot be trusted until this offense can become more consistent.
TE Cole Kmet (CHI vs GB)
Kmet has a meteoric rise with Justin Fields but has seen those numbers plunge as Fields has been banged up, and teams have started to scheme to take him away. Darnell Mooney was added to the IR, and even more defensive resources can be put on Kmet. He will still be a weapon in the red zone but will likely be a touchdown-dependent option going forward. The Packers have also allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Look for any tight end outside of this matchup this week.