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 Matchups
WR Rondale Moore (ARZ vs. NYG) vs. Adoree Jackson
The Giants are coming off an embarrassing loss, and the Cardinals are not built for success early this season. However, Jackson is struggling with the adjustment to slot corner and is allowing 0.58 fantasy points per coverage snap. This came in a game where there were only 14 WR targets and 120 yards allowed, with Dallas scoring on defense and putting the game away early. Marquise Brown could also be considered this week, with two rookie corners playing on the outside. It would be a much bigger jump for this WR group if Joshua Dobbs was not the quarterback, but look for Moore to put up a solid line this week in what is a very favorable matchup.
WR Amari Cooper (CLE vs. PIT) vs. Patrick Peterson
With the Vikings, Peterson was a big reason behind the team giving up the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. He is looking to pick right back up where he left off with 0.75 fantasy points per coverage snap so far this season. Peterson was torched by Brandon Aiyuk in Week 1, and Cooper should have a field day in this rivalry game. Deshaun Watson has come to favor Cooper, and he is the best weapon on the team, not named Nick Chubb. The elite defensive pressure may limit the deep shots to Cooper, but we should expect plenty of targets early and often in this one.
WR Nico Collins (HOU vs. IND) vs. Darrell Baker Jr Jr.
The major storyline in this game is the young quarterbacks starting. However, the edge has to go to Collins with his matchup with Baker on the outside. It has not been a great start to the season for Baker as he is currently allowing 0.83 fantasy points per coverage snap. He was outmatched last week and will have to turn around and contend with the speedster Collins this week. C.J. Stroud is still going to be the quarterback and drops the expectations some, but Collins could be a sneaky cheap option this week to score big points.
WR Jahan Dotson (WAS vs. DEN) vs. Damarri Mathis
The main attraction in this game will be Patrick Surtain II on Terry McLaurin. The other side of the field will feature Dotson on Mathis, with the edge going to Dotson. Mathis was blown away by Jakobi Meyers last week and is currently giving up a league-high 1.33 fantasy points per coverage snap. Surtain is projected to travel with McLaurin and will leave Mathis primarily on Dotson. If Sam Howell can protect the ball, he should be looking for Dotson early and often this week.
WR Jaylen Waddle (MIA vs. NE) vs. Christian Gonzalez
The big story in Miami right now is Tyreek Hill and his quest for 2,000 yards. He is going to get his targets and yards this week, but Waddle has the better matchup. Gonzalez is allowing 0.66 fantasy points per coverage snap so far and was a big reason Philadelphia jumped out to a lead last week. Waddle got lost in the big day Hill had in the opener, but he is going to be a big part of this offense all season. Look for a bounce-back game this week.
WR Mike Williams (LAC vs. TEN) vs. Kristian Fulton
The Chargers showed the offense is primed and ready to go this season. Williams did not have a great opening weekend, but that should all change this week with the matchup with Fulton. The Chargers may be even more pass-dependent this week, with Austin Ekeler nursing an ankle injury. Fulton allowed 0.78 fantasy points per coverage snap in Week 1 and will have a tough matchup against a core of receivers that line up all over the field. Look for Williams to get free this week and do some damage in the red zone against a soft Tennessee defense.
TE David Njoku (CLE vs. PIT)
This week will be a great test of Deshaun Watson’s tight end usage vs. a tight end having a great matchup with a history of scoring well against an opponent. Njoku has a touchdown in each of the last three games against Pittsburgh and at least 12.8 points scored. He is a low-end TE1 this week and should be considered in most formats due to the cheap price tag.
TE Sam LaPorta (DET vs. SEA)
Seattle has been a safe haven for tight ends over the past year. They allowed the second-most points and 8 total touchdowns to the position last season and have started slow again this year. LaPorta had a good debut against Kansas City, catching all 5 of his targets. Look for Jared Goff to get his tight end going early and continue the hot start for Detroit.
Unfavorable Matchups
WR Justin Jefferson (MIN vs. PHI) vs. Darius Slay
Jefferson started the season with a bang but will draw one of the toughest matchups of the season against Slay. When these 2 met last year, Slay dominated the meeting by holding Jefferson to a single catch for 7 yards. Things are a little different with James Bradberry expected to be out and more of the offense running through Jefferson than even last year. Jefferson is not a player to bench in any league, but he is a tougher start in DFS when you consider his price versus the history against Slay. Temper expectations in this tough matchup on Thursday Night.
WR Drake London (ATL vs. GB) vs. Jaire Alexander
Alexander looks to be fully healed and back to being a top cover corner in the NFL. He had a great showing against DJ Moore last week and will take on an Atlanta offense that has struggled with the pass. London was almost nonexistent last week and could easily be swallowed up by this Green Bay secondary. With Desmond Ridder under center, this team is going to rely on the run. Avoid all Atlanta pass catchers for the time being.
WR Kadarius Toney (KC vs. JAX) vs. Darious Williams
It feels wrong to bet against this Kansas City offense, but with the combination of Toney’s showing in Week 1, and the tough matchup against Williams, this is a situation to avoid. Not even Patrick Mahomes II can make his receivers catch the ball or look good against tough coverage. Jacksonville is playing good football right now and could put the clamps on this offense with Travis Kelce banged up and nothing but question marks at receiver. We are going to see how much Mahomes trusts Toney this week, but the results will likely be mixed with the tough matchup on the outside. Avoid KC receivers until someone separates themselves from the pack.
WR Courtland Sutton (DEN vs. WAS) vs. Emmanuel Forbes
The positive results for Forbes could have more to do with the bad offense in Arizona rather than elite play from Forbes, but he will get another chance this week against Denver. Sutton was the only viable weapon last week, and the return of Jerry Jeudy could cut into that. Forbes allowed just 0.08 fantasy points per coverage snap a week ago and will be put to the test against Russell Wilson and Sutton. Forbes’ numbers are unsustainable across the season, but he has a good chance to keep things going this week.
WR Chase Claypool (CHI vs. TB) vs. Jamel Dean
Things are not looking great for Claypool in Chicago. He was seen taking multiple plays off or going half-speed in their blowout loss to the Packers, and this week, he draws the tough matchup against Dean. DJ Moore will be contending with Carlton Davis on the other side, and the Bears will need Claypool to do something on his own. Dean is allowing just 0.19 fantasy points per coverage snap so far this season despite having 36 routes run against him. The Chicago offense did not look good in Week 1 and should be avoided until they can get things together.
WR Garrett Wilson (NYJ vs. DAL) vs. Trevon Diggs
The loss of Aaron Rodgers is the biggest story and will have the most effect on Wilson for the rest of the season. However, he now has to deal with Diggs on the outside with Zach Wilson under center. The Cowboys held the Giants to 14 routes with 5 catches for 41 total yards in Week 1 and will look to feast against a team with a backup quarterback. Wilson still has the skill set to find catches and points in this offense, but he should be downgraded significantly this week.
TE Tyler Higbee (LAR vs. SF)
Higbee was very highly rated last week in a prime matchup against the Seahawks. He failed to surpass double-digit fantasy points and let a lot of people down. This week he has a tough matchup against a great 49ers defense that has allowed just 5 touchdowns to the position in the past 18 games. Higbee has scored fewer than 9 fantasy points in 10 out of 14 career games against the 49ers.
TE Kyle Pitts (ATL vs. GB)
The woes continue for Pitts, and he should continue to be on your bench this week. He may have led the team in receiving last week, but that was just 2 catches for 44 yards. Pitts has not lived up to his draft hype and continues to let down in Atlanta. The offensive scheme is run-heavy, and the Packers allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends last season.