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 considered, 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 Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET vs GB) vs Javon Bullard
St. Brown is always a must-start in any format right now, but he is walking into a great matchup this week against Bullard in the slot. Green Bay has struggled against receivers outside of Jaire Alexander, with Bullard currently allowing over half a fantasy point per coverage snap and being targeted 27% of the time. St. Brown is the most trusted weapon through the air for Detroit, and should see another big game this week.
WR DeAndre Hopkins (KC vs TB) vs Tyrek Funderburk
Hopkins had another full week of practice with Kansas City and should be more familiar with the playbook and this offense. He is walking into a great spot against Funderburk on the outside, who is currently allowing 0.50 fantasy points per coverage snap while being targeted 15% of the time. He may not be targeted as much as others in the secondary, but that means he is allowing big plays all over the field. Look for Hopkins to assimilate into this offense and put up big numbers this week with a great matchup against Tampa Bay.
WR Malik Nabers (NYG vs WAS) vs Benjamin St-Juste
Nabers had a quiet return from concussion in a tough matchup against Pittsburgh. However, he should be all systems go in a great spot against St-Juste on the outside this week. St-Juste is routinely asked to cover the top receiver and has not fared well from a fantasy standpoint. He currently allows 0.46 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 23% of the time. Nabers could easily resume his double-digit target share this week and power this offense back to relevance all on his own.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs NYG) vs Deonte Banks
Banks had success against McLaurin earlier this season, but that was before the breakout with Jayden Daniels. Since that week, Banks has allowed 0.42 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 21% of the time. Teams are not afraid of going after the shadow corner, and McLaurin has emerged as Daniels' favorite option this season. This is another great spot for the former Buckeye receiver and should be taken advantage of across the board.
WR Calvin Ridley (TEN vs NE) vs Christian Gonzalez
Just like Banks above, teams have not been afraid to throw at Gonzalez. The young corner came back from injury this season and has been asked to shadow top receivers to the tune of 0.35 fantasy points per coverage snap and being targeted 21% of the time. Ridley is the main beneficiary of the DeAndre Hopkins trade and saw 13 targets last week. Look for his role to continue to grow in this offense, as he is the best pass-catching option they have.
WR Ladd McConkey (LAC vs CLE) vs Greg Newsome II
Newsome is one of the better slot corners in the league from a defensive standpoint, but he has allowed fantasy points in bunches this year. He currently allows 0.45 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 22% of the time. The offense did not do the defense any favors early this season, and a lot of those numbers are based on sheer volume. McConkey has emerged as the top pass-catching option for Justin Herbert and should see his production continue this week. McConkey is easily a WR2/FLEX option this week.
TE Cade Otton (TB vs KC)
Otton has exploded onto the scene with a combined 47 fantasy points over the past 2 weeks and is quickly becoming the top option for Baker Mayfield with both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin injured. Otton has seen 20 targets over the past 2 weeks and the Kansas City defense has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Otton has a chance at another top 5 finish at the tight end position this week.
TE David Njoku (CLE vs LAC)
Njoku is a must-start in any format this week, as his stock has risen with Jameis Winston under center. Njoku has 40 fantasy points and 21 targets over the past 2 weeks. He is easily one of the top targets for Winston and was integral in the upset of the Ravens last week. The Chargers have not allowed a touchdown to an opposing tight end this season, but Travis Kelce did have 15 points against them in week 4. Look for Njoku to continue his hot streak this week.
Unfavorable Matchups
WR Zay Flowers (BAL vs DEN) vs Patrick Surtain II
Surtain continues to be one of the best cover corners in the league, and the Baltimore offense has a lot of mouths to feed both on the ground and through the air. Surtain has dealt with some injuries in recent weeks but is expected to be a full participant this week. The standout corner currently allows 0.19 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 12% of the time. Flowers should be downgraded in what is likely to be his toughest matchup of the year.
WR Tank Dell (HOU vs NYJ) vs Sauce Gardner
Dell should see his stock rise with another injury to this receiving group and an increased target share. However, he is walking into one of the toughest receiver matchups in the league against the Jets. New York is currently allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers despite suffering injuries to several of their starters throughout the year. Garnder is currently allowing 0.29 fantasy points per coverage snap and being targeted 18% of the time. Dell put up a goose egg a few weeks ago despite Nico Collins being out, so while we may not see a 0 again this week, we should downgrade him significantly in this tough matchup.
WR Parker Washington (JAX vs PHI) vs Cooper DeJean
Washington has been a very popular add this week, especially with the injury to Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas Jr. While he should see a big increase in targets going forward, he is walking into a tough matchup against Philadelphia. The Eagles did not start the season well against receivers but have allowed 100 or fewer yards and just 2 touchdowns over the past four weeks. Ja'Marr Chase is the first receiver to top double-digit points against this secondary since week 4. Washington is unproven, has a tough matchup, and should not be trusted this week. He may be worth a stash on your bench but avoid chasing points this week against a tough Eagles' secondary.
WR Tyreek Hill (MIA vs BUF) vs Rasul Douglas
Hill got his quarterback last week and should have many big games ahead of him this season. However, this week, he is running into a tough matchup against Buffalo and Douglas. The big corner has held opposing receivers to 0.17 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted just 10% of the time. Buffalo has rounded into form on defense early this season and is proving a tough matchup for opposing receivers. Hill is not a bench candidate, but we should temper overall expectations for the speedy receiver.
WR Marvin Harrison Jr.. (ARZ vs CHI) vs Jaylon Johnson
Harrison Jr. has been hot and cold all season in this Arizona offense. He is coming off a big game last week but is primed for a letdown in a tough matchup this week against the Bears. Johnson is currently allowing just 0.16 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 10% of the time. Trey McBride also had a breakout game last week and could eat into the production of Harrison further. Temper expectations this week in what should prove to be a tough matchup for the whole Cardinals' offense.
WR A.J. Brown (PHI vs JAX) vs Tyson Campbell
Brown has come back and played extremely well since suffering an early-season injury. However, he is walking into a tough matchup against Campbell this week. The veteran corner allows 0.05 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 10% of the time. Campbell plays the right side roughly 93% of the time, and Brown lines up all over the field. This week is not a major downgrade for Brown, but we can temper our overall expectations.
TE Hunter Henry (NE vs TEN)
Henry has scored at least 9.5 fantasy points in each of his last three games and averaged 13.3 points. However, he is walking into one of the toughest matchups for opposing tight ends against the Titans. Tennessee has not allowed a single tight end to eclipse 8 points this season, and he may be without quarterback Drake Maye, who suffered a concussion. It may be tough, but avoid Henry this week if possible.
TE Tucker Kraft (GB vs DET)
Just like Henry above, Kraft has performed extremely well over the past several weeks. However, he also has a tough matchup this week against a Lions' defense that has allowed a single tight end to surpass 8 points this season. Jordan Love also suffered an injury last week and is not guaranteed to play this week. Temper expectations for Kraft in what is a tough matchup that he may not have his starting quarterback in.
