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.) and 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 Cooper Kupp (LAR vs. WAS) vs. Benjamin St-Juste
Kupp proved everyone wrong with a big game against a stout Baltimore secondary last week. He will get a much easier test against Washington this week, who is dealing with poor performance and injuries. This unit as a whole has allowed the 2nd-most fantasy points to opposing receivers and 20 touchdowns. Kendall Fuller has been the lone bright spot on the outside, and he will lock up with Puka Nacua. Look for Kupp to take advantage of the 0.42 fantasy points per coverage snap that St-Juste is allowing in the slot. Matthew Stafford looks healthy and is playing well at the right time. Upgrade Kupp and the rest of the Rams' receivers against Washington this week.
WR Chris Olave (NO vs. NYG) vs. Cor'Dale Flott
The absence of Michael Thomas has opened things up for Olave. The young receiver is a top option for whoever is under center and seems to make the big catch when needed. Olave should see Flott for a majority of his offensive snaps in the slot and should be able to take advantage of the 0.33 fantasy points per coverage snap he is currently allowing. The Giants have allowed the 3rd-most points to opposing receivers so far this season, which should line Olave up for another big game.
WR Tyler Boyd (CIN vs. MIN) vs. Byron Murphy Jr.
Boyd will be a name to watch heading into Sunday. He has two limited practices logged so far, so there is some doubt about whether he will play. If he does, Boyd is in a great position against a Vikings secondary that allows a lot of catches and yards. The defense as a whole has played extremely well compared to last year, but they still allow a fair amount of fantasy points to opposing receivers. Murphy allows 0.42 fantasy points per coverage snap in the slot and will be locked up with Boyd for almost the entire game if he plays. Jake Browning did enough in his start last week to not drop the value of the Cincinnati receivers.
WR Nico Collins (HOU vs. TEN) vs. Kristian Fulton
There is a lot to unpack with Houston right now. Collins exploded the same week Tank Dell got hurt just to be shut down against the Jets last week. There is also the injury to C.J. Stroud to consider. However, Collins is in a great spot against a secondary that has struggled to the tune of 6th most fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Fulton has been picked on nearly 20% of the time and allows 0.40 fantasy points per coverage snap. Collins has a chance to put up another big game like he did against Denver. Do not let the return of Dalton Schultz worry you too much. Collins is in a great spot against Tennessee this week.
WR Mike Evans (TB vs. GB) vs. Jaire Alexander
This is a matchup of 2 players trending in opposite directions. Evans just cemented his 10th straight 1,000-yard season, while Alexander has dealt with injuries and giving up big plays. The standout corner has been giving up fantasy points in bunches and currently allows 0.48 fantasy points per coverage snap. Chris Godwin has been almost nonexistent in recent weeks, and Baker Mayfield has been staring down Evans. Look for the big receiver to be targeted early and often this week in what becomes an important game in the playoff race for both teams.
WR Amari Cooper (CLE vs. CHI) vs. Tyrique Stevenson
Cooper has thrived with Joe Flacco under center over the past two games. Cleveland has not been afraid to air the ball out and is dealing with both running backs questionable heading into the weekend. The Bears' defense has played better in recent weeks, but Stevenson still struggles on the outside. He currently allows 0.44 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 24% of the time. Cooper may have a hard time the 20-30% of the time he will face Jaylon Johnson, but he spreads around the field enough that he will still be highly targeted. Look for Cooper and the Browns to continue their playoff push this week against Chicago.
TE Sam LaPorta (DET vs. DEN)
LaPorta has not been great in recent weeks. He has been held to single-digit points in three of his last five games, including just 4.7 points last week. The Detroit offense as a whole has struggled to gel in recent weeks. That could all change against a Denver defense that has allowed the 2nd-most points to opposing tight ends. Their secondary has turned it around against receivers, but Detroit has a chance to exploit the worst run defense in the league and the second-worst defense against tight ends. Look for LaPorta to get back on track this week and finish in the top 5 of all tight ends.
TE David Njoku (CLE vs. CHI)
Njoku has finally become a big part of this offense with Joe Flacco under center. He had a tough matchup last week and still put up 27 fantasy points. Njoku has double-digit fantasy points in seven of his last eight games and is walking into a good matchup against the Bears. Chicago has allowed the third-highest catch rate (78.3%) to tight ends and has allowed double-digit fantasy points eight times. Njoku is a must-start this week and should easily finish in the top 10 of all tight ends.
Unfavorable Matchups
WR Michael Pittman Jr (IND vs. Pit) vs. Joey Porter Jr Jr.
Porter has emerged as a top corner for this Pittsburgh defense and continues to shadow the top option for the opposing team. Pittman has played well and been highly targeted over the past several weeks but will find it harder to get open this week. Porter is currently allowing 0.26 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 18% of the time. This will be the top matchup to watch on the field and will go a long way in determining the game. Pittman can be downgraded to WR2/FLEX consideration with the tougher matchup this week.
WR Jaylen Waddle (MIA vs. NYJ) vs. D.J. Reed
The Jets defense has been elite against receivers this season. They have allowed the fewest receptions, yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points to the position. Their previous matchup would indicate Waddle as a top option this week (8 catches for 114 yards), but the Miami offense did not look in sync last week and could easily struggle again against this defense. New York has limited almost every receiver group they have played this season, and that makes Waddle a risky play. Tyreek Hill should be started with confidence against anyone in the league, but we should also monitor his ankle injury. Miami is in desperate need of a win to keep pace in the playoff seeding, but they are running into one of the toughest defenses in the league. Beware of Waddle this week in what could be a tougher-than-usual matchup.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET vs. DEN) vs. Ja'Quan McMillian
Denver has turned their season around entirely and is only one game behind Kansas City for the division. Their success is in large part due to the defense stepping up. Led by Patrick Surtain II on the outside and McMillian in the slot, this defense has allowed the 6th fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers. Other than Nico Collins 2 weeks ago, no receiver has surpassed 11.5 points since week 4. McMillian is allowing 0.26 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted just 16% of the time. Detroit should try to attack the run defense, leaving a lot to be desired from their receivers. The No Fly Zone may be back in Denver. Downgrade Detroit receivers this week.
WR DJ Moore (CHI vs. CLE) vs. Martin Emerson Jr
The Cleveland secondary is right on pace with the Jets in terms of yards, receptions, touchdowns, and fantasy points allowed to receivers. This group is led by Emerson on the outside and should frustrate Justin Fields and company all game. Emerson is currently allowing 0.18 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 17% of the time. Chicago is coming off a big win against Detroit but will face a much tougher defensive test this week. Moore is still the top receiving option, but expectations should be downgraded this week in a tough matchup against Cleveland.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (SEA vs. PHI) vs. Bradley Roby
Roby continues to be the lone bright spot in the Philadelphia secondary. The Eagles have given up the most fantasy points overall to opposing receivers, but almost all of that damage has come on the outside. Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf should be upgraded this week against James Bradberry and Darius Slay, but Smith-Njigba should be downgraded in the slot against Roby. The slot corner is currently allowing 0.18 fantasy points per coverage snap and being targeted just 13% of the time. Look for Seattle to attack the outside early and often with Smith-Njigba being forgotten about.
WR Garrett Wilson (NYJ vs. MIA) vs. Jalen Ramsey
The Jets offense has been an enigma all season. Zach Wilson returned with nothing to lose last week and threw for over 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. That trend may not continue against Miami, with Ramsey closely following Wilson. Miami is in an almost must-win situation after dropping their game to Tennessee last week, and this defense will be flying around trying to make things happen. Ramsey has held opposing receivers to 0.19 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted just 14% of the time. This is not a great matchup for Wilson, and he can be downgraded to FLEX territory.
TE Hunter Henry (NE vs. KC)
Henry went off for 2 touchdowns on his birthday last week and surprised everyone. We should not expect similar results this week in a tough matchup against Kansas City. The Chiefs have not allowed a tight end to score more than 11.7 points this season and have only seen three reach double-digit points. Bailey Zappe has injected a little life into this offense but it likely will not be enough against a Kansas City team that wants to make a statement and get back in the win column.
TE Cole Kmet (CHI vs. CLE)
It is tough to bench Kmet with how thin the tight end position is, but he is walking into one of the toughest matchups for tight ends in the league. The Browns did allow Evan Engram to score 32 fantasy points last week, but that is the exception and not the rule. This same defense held George Kittle, Trey McBride, and Pat Freiermuth under 6 fantasy points each this season. Avoid Kmet if possible this week in one of the toughest matchups of the year for the tight end.