Receivers with Great or Bad Matchups Week 15

Photo: USA Today Sports

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.