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 DJ Moore (CHI vs ARZ) vs Starling Thomas V
The Cardinals have not played well against wide receivers so far this season. They have allowed the fourth-most points to perimeter receivers and the seventh-most points overall. They have been a revolving door of rookie corners since Marco Wilson was benched, and things continue to trend in the wrong direction. Thomas took on a starting role in week 12 and has been picked on to the tune of 0.46 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 21% of the time. Moore is the best receiving option on the team and will benefit greatly from one of the best matchups this week for receivers.
WR Jonathan Mingo (CAR vs GB) vs Eric Stokes
Carolina has been a mess on offense so far this season, which is unlikely to change this week. However, Mingo has seen a huge increase in targets over the past six weeks. The rookie receiver has been targeted 36 times in that span and is catching roughly 60% of those targets. Stokes has not played well for Green Bay in the secondary. He is currently allowing 0.58 fantasy points per coverage snap, even though he is only being targeted 15% of the time. Stokes is giving up big plays at a high rate this season, and Mingo will have a chance to become a bigger part of this offense.
WR Calvin Ridley (JAX vs TB) vs Carlton Davis III
Despite leading their division right now, Tampa Bay has not played well against receivers this season. Davis has been routinely picked on and is currently allowing 0.51 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 22% of the time. Ridley has been hit or miss this season but has the big play ability to score on almost any play. The top-tier matchup against Davis on the outside has Ridley primed for a big game and the Jaguars to get back on track as they push for the playoffs.
WR Garrett Wilson (NYJ vs WAS) vs Kendall Fuller
This is a matchup of a movable object meeting a stoppable force, as the Jets' offense is one of the worst in the league, and the Commanders' defense is also one of the worst in the league. However, Wilson is an elite receiver who can do a lot of damage if the ball is just thrown his way. The Commanders have surrendered the most points to perimeter receivers, have allowed 22 touchdowns, and the 2nd most fantasy points overall. Fuller currently allows 0.31 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 15% of the time. He is the best option in Washington's secondary, but the advantage still goes to Wilson on the outside.
WR Mike Evans (TB vs JAX) vs Tyson Campbell
Evans continues to be a big part of this offense as they push for a division crown and playoff race. The re-emergence of Chris Godwin only helps Evans on the other side, as teams cannot always slide a safety over the top for help. Jacksonville falls in the middle of the pack overall against receivers, but Campell has not played well at all. He currently allows 0.45 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 15% of the time. Tampa Bay has spread the ball around more in recent weeks, but Evans remains a constant at the middle of this offensive attack.
WR DK Metcalf (SEA vs TEN) vs Tre Avery
Philadelphia did a good job getting in Metcalf's head last week and limited the big receiver despite the win. However, Metcalf is walking into a great spot against a Tennessee secondary that ranks in the bottom 8 against receivers. Avery is currently allowing 0.47 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 23% of the time. Metcalf could also get a boost with Geno Smith on track to return this week. The Seattle receivers should be upgraded across the board, with Metcalf leading the way.
TE Evan Engram (JAX vs TB)
It has been a mixed bag for Engram lately in a tough stretch of games. However, things are wide open starting this week with a great matchup against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have allowed the 3rd most yards and the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Engram should continue to have enough volume to keep a safe floor and is in a spot to blow up this week with the great matchup. If you survived the down week last week, start Engram with confidence.
TE David Njoku (CLE vs HOU)
Joe Flacco has brought Njoku back to life in this Cleveland offense. He has topped 90 receiving yards, 26+ fantasy points, and scored 3 touchdowns in the past two weeks. He also had double-digit points in every game except one since week 7. Houston has allowed the fourth-most receiving yards to tight ends this season, and Njoku is a must-start right now.
Unfavorable Matchups
WR Tee Higgins (CIN vs PIT) vs Joey Porter Jr.
Normally it would be Ja'Marr Chase in this spot, but he is currently doubtful with a shoulder injury sustained last week. Higgins exploded against the Vikings last week but will find it much more difficult against Pittsburgh's top corner. Porter has been called on to shadow when there is a clear #1 perimeter receiver, and he has held opponents to 0.28 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 19% of the time. There are a lot of late-season playoff implications surrounding this game, and Higgins should be downgraded slightly with the tough matchup against Porter.
WR Marquise Brown (ARZ vs CHI) vs Jaylon Johnson
Brown has suffered through injury and the return of Kyler Murray in the second half of the season. On top of that, he has a tough matchup against Johnson on the outside his week. The standout corner is limiting opposing receivers to 0.17 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted just 13% of the time. This offense is currently running through James Conner and Trey McBride. Leave Brown on the bench this week after being held to under 30 receiving yards in three of his last four games.
WR Puka Nacua (LAR vs NO) vs Isaac Yiadom
The Rams have been on a tear lately and playing some of their best football of the season. However, they are walking into one of the toughest matchups for receivers in the league. New Orleans has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and has been downright dominant against the perimeter. Marshon Lattimore could return from the IR this week, but Yiadom has played extremely well and has more than earned playing time going forward. Cooper Kupp sees less of a downgrade in the slot, but both Nacua and Demarcus Robinson should be downgraded on the perimeter against this stout defense.
WR Nico Collins (HOU vs CLE) vs Martin Emerson Jr
Houston is in a tough spot this week. They are facing an elite Cleveland defense and could be without C.J. Stroud again this week. Collins saw a huge boost with Tank Dell's season-ending injury, but he has also lost his quarterback and had some of the toughest matchups of the year since. Emerson is currently allowing 0.19 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted just 17% of the time. It will be hard to trust Collins in this tough matchup under normal circumstances, but he should be benched outright if Stroud does not play again.
WR Alec Pierce (IND vs ATL) vs Clark Phillips III
There is a lot to monitor heading into this matchup, the biggest being the health of Michael Pittman Jr Pierce is expected to have a bigger role if Pittman remains in the concussion protocol, but that would also run him into A.J. Terrell instead of Phillips. Either matchup is not a good one for the young receiver. Phillips is currently allowing 0.12 fantasy points per coverage snap, and Terrell is allowing just 0.21 fantasy points per coverage snap. There is also the chance Jonathan Taylor will return this week and command a big share of the offense. Downgrade Pierce and the entire receiving unit for Indianapolis this week.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs NYJ) vs Sauce Gardner
Sam Howell and McLaurin have not clicked in recent weeks, and things will only get tougher against the Jets' secondary. New York has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season and kept this team in the playoff race longer than anyone would have thought after losing Aaron Rodgers. Gardner is currently allowing 0.19 fantasy points per coverage snap and is one of the best cover corners in the league. Downgrade the entire Washington offense in this tough matchup.
TE Logan Thomas (WAS vs NYJ)
Much like everyone else in the Washington offense, Thomas should be on your bench this week. Thomas was once a streaming option earlier in the season, but he has failed to reach 4 fantasy points in the past three games and has not topped double-digit points since week 6. The Jets are a tough defense for anyone, and no single player for Washington should be confidently started this week. Leave Thomas on waivers and look elsewhere if possible this week.
TE Kyle Pitts (ATL vs IND)
Pitts had his outlier big game in week 14 and then fell back down to earth last week with just 7.6 fantasy points. The Atlanta offense is a mess, and Arthur Smith has no idea how to utilize his weapons. Week 14 was the only time Pitts has eclipsed double-digit fantasy points since week 7, and he is walking into a tough matchup against the Colts. Indianapolis has allowed the seventh-fewest yards to opposing tight ends and is playing very good defense right now. Pitts was once a first-round pick but is now considered nothing more than a streaming option when the tight end position is at its thinnest.