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 Drake London (ATL vs. WAS) vs. Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
The Washington defense and secondary have been a mess to start the season. They are coming off a week where DJ Moore absolutely blew up, and now London will get his chance. Forbes was absolutely cooked on the outside and has allowed 0.65 fantasy points per coverage snap to start the year. The big difference this week is it will be Desmond Ridder throwing the ball rather than Justin Fields, and that does drop the ceiling for London. However, look for Ridder to push the ball to both London on the outside and Kyle Pitts, as the Washington secondary has been a glaring weakness in recent weeks.
WR K.J. Osborn (MIN vs. CHI) vs. Kyler Gordon
Gordon is expected to make his season debut at slot corner this week and will be tasked with covering Osborn. Minnesota will be without Justin Jefferson until at least week 11, and Osborn will get his chance to step up and cement his place in this offense for the future. Gordon struggled last season and was routinely picked on. He suffered a broken hand in the season opener and sat out the minimum 4 games. He will not be limited with his legs, but the injured hand will make it tough to make plays on the ball. Look for Osborn to win this matchup and have a big target share in the Minnesota offense this week.
WR DeAndre Hopkins (TEN vs. BAL) vs. Marlon Humphrey
Humphrey made his season debut last week against the Steelers, and it did not go well. He had 4 total tackles and gave up the game-winning long touchdown to George Pickens. His stats to start the season are abysmal, with 0.78 fantasy points per coverage snap, and he will have a tough test against Hopkins this week. Tennessee finally started feeding Hopkins the ball last week, with the receiver eclipsing 100 yards for the first time this season. This will be one of the biggest matchups to watch on the field this week as Baltimore finds itself struggling early this season. Look for Hopkins to have another big game this week.
WR DJ Moore (CHI vs. MIN) vs. Byron Murphy Jr.
With the numbers he has put up over the last two weeks, Moore was already a must-start. However, this week, he is walking into one of his best matchups of the season against a Vikings secondary that ranks near the bottom of the league in almost every defensive category. Murphy allowed 0.58 fantasy points per coverage snap on the outside, and Harrison Smith has been overplaying the ball all season. Moore made a killing on Commanders' players trying to jump the ball and missing entirely, allowing him to run for long touchdowns. Look for Moore and Justin Fields to connect early and often again this week.
WR Davante Adams (LV vs. NE) vs. J.C. Jackson
We did not get the epic revenge game against the Packers last week, but Adams did have a tough matchup against Jaire Alexander. This week, Adams is walking into a much more favorable matchup against Jackson, who has allowed 0.48 fantasy points per coverage snap on the outside. Adams is clearly unhappy in Vegas right now and does not agree with the direction of the team. The best thing they can do is get him the ball and show him that they want to win. Jakobi Meyers has been vacuuming targets on the other side, but look for Adams to get back on track this week against the Patriots.
WR Chris Godwin (TB vs. DET) vs. Brian Branch
Tampa Bay is coming off a bye week, and there is still uncertainty about whether Mike Evans is going to play. Godwin is the best bet in this offense to fill any void left by Evans and is still a top option with Evans in the lineup. Godwin has one of the better matchups in the slot against Branch, who is allowing 0.36 fantasy points per coverage snap and is allowing completions nearly 24% of the time. Look for Godwin to have another good week, as this team could be playing from behind against a high-flying Detroit offense.
TE Kyle Pitts (ATL vs. WAS)
We have been avoiding Pitts at a high rate so far this season, but that can all change with a great matchup against Washington. Cole Kmet netted 2 touchdowns against this defense last week, and DJ Moore absolutely torched them on the outside. Pitts has all the ability of a receiver on the outside and should be paired with Drake London this week in a great matchup. If Desmond Ridder can get him the ball, this may be one of his best fantasy performances of the season.
TE Logan Thomas (WAS vs. ATL)
Sam Howell has to get the ball to someone, and Thomas looks to be that person right now. Thomas is coming off a 20-point performance last week and has double-digit points in two of his three games this season. Atlanta is currently averaging 12 points per game to opposing tight ends as well. Chase the points this week with Thomas and grab a low-end TE1 that was likely on waivers this week.
Unfavorable Matchups
WR Courtland Sutton (DEN vs. KC) vs. L'Jarius Sneed
There are a lot of things going wrong in Denver right now on both sides of the ball. Sutton has a very tough matchup against Sneed on the outside and could be given the shadow coverage treatment this week. Sneed has been elite in coverage so far this season despite teams throwing at a high clip against the Chiefs as a whole. Sutton also did not see a target until the second half of last week against the Jets in what was another tough matchup for the receiver. The Broncos could be playing from behind early and garbage time points may save the day, but Sutton has a tough matchup and should be avoided if possible.
WR Keenan Allen (LAC vs. DAL) vs. Jourdan Lewis
The Chargers return from their Bye week with a tough matchup against Dallas. Allen has been on fire and was being targeted at a high rate, with Austin Ekeler and Mike Williams hurt. He should still see a high rate of targets this week but is walking into a tough matchup against Lewis. The outstanding slot corner has only been targeted 13% of the time and is allowing just 0.09 fantasy points per coverage snap. Allen will see his share of targets but can be downgraded some due to the tough matchup.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs. ATL) vs. A.J. Terrell
The Washington offense has been very difficult to predict this season. Sam Howell is being sacked at an alarming rate, and it seems to be a different receiver each week that makes a difference. Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson have been vacuuming red zone targets, and Logan Thomas has quickly become Howell's favorite target. McLaurin also draws the tough shadow coverage from Terrell on the outside. The young corner looks healthy and is holding opponents to just 0.28 fantasy points per coverage snap, even when matching up against the top receiving option for the opposition. Downgrade McLaurin with the tough coverage this week.
WR Brandon Aiyuk (SF vs. CLE) vs. Martin Emerson Jr
It is nearly impossible to fully contain this offense as a whole, but Aiyuk draws the tough matchup this week. Emerson has held opponents to just 0.11 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted at a team-low 14%. San Francisco loves to move their weapons all over the field, but the Cleveland defense has played very well to start the season. It is hard to predict where the Browns will try and focus the defense, but Aiyuk can be slightly downgraded this week.
WR Nico Collins (HOU vs. NO) vs. Marshon Lattimore
With Tank Dell still dealing with concussion side effects, it would be easy to want to upgrade Collins this week. However, he is likely to draw coverage from Lattimore this week and a stingy New Orleans secondary. Lattimore is unlikely to shadow Collins this week but should see him at a very high rate regardless due to where they line up. Lattimore is holding opposing receivers to 0.19 fantasy points per coverage snap. Robert Woods has the best matchup in the slot this week, but Houston could be avoided in what could be a low-scoring game this week.
WR Chris Olave (NO vs. HOU) vs. Tavierre Thomas
Houston has played extremely well against opposing receivers so far this season. They have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points overall and are coming off a season where they allowed just 6 touchdowns and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to receivers in 2022. They play a high rate of zone coverage, which should lead to more targets for Alvin Kamara out of the backfield and Michael Thomas. Olave continues to not find the end zone as well and can be downgraded in this tougher-than-usual matchup. Big games are coming for the young receiver, just not this week.
TE Dalton Schultz (HOU vs. NO)
It is tough to put Schultz here after he has been on fire the past 2 weeks with a combined 32+ fantasy points. However, he draws the toughest matchup of the season against a Saints' defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points overall to opposing tight ends. They have had a single week with a tight end, scoring just over 10 points, and have held everyone else to single-digit. If you have to start Schultz this week, temper your expectations.
TE Davis Njoku (CLE vs. SF)
There are a lot of things working against Njoku this week. He has a tough matchup against the 49ers, who have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends. He is also not being utilized in this offense. He has 4 or fewer targets in every game this season and has 7 or fewer points in 3 out of 4 games. He may get a small boost if Deshaun Watson does not play again this week, as he seemingly refuses to throw to tight ends, but you should still look elsewhere if possible.