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 Drake London (ATL vs CAR) vs Jaycee Horn
It is hard to ignore the explosion of points for London and Darnell Mooney last week against Tampa Bay, and this week, they are in an even better spot against a struggling Carolina secondary. Both London and Mooney should be started in all formats as they face off against the secondary allowing the 2nd most fantasy points to outside receivers and the 3rd most touchdowns (8). Horn has struggled with containing big plays and is currently allowing 0.44 fantasy points per coverage snap while being targeted just 18% of the time. The entire Atlanta offense is in a great spot again this week and should have more than enough targets to go around.
WR Malik Nabers (NYG vs CIN) vs Cam Taylor-Britt
The Bengals have struggled at corner so far this season with a combination of injuries and poor play. Taylor-Britt has already been benched once and is pressed back into action due to injuries on defense. Nabers is expected back after clearing concussion protocol and the Giants are riding high after a win against Seattle last week. Taylor-Briss is currently allowing 0.48 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 21% of the time. Darius Slayton should also be upgraded on the other side against D.J. Turner and can be viewed as a sleeper this week with a high upside. Nabers should be all systems go as he looks to continue the hot start to his rookie season.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs BAL) vs Brandon Stephens
The Washington offense is playing extremely well right now and the Baltimore secondary is struggling. Ride the hot hand with Jayden Daniels as the Ravens' defense has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing receivers and was dismantled by the Bengals last week. Stephens and rookie Nate Wiggins have struggled on the outside and are currently allowing 0.26 and 0.31 fantasy points per coverage snap respectively. Marlon Humphrey continues to play well at the slot corner spot and is keeping this defense afloat at the moment. McLaurin is the only receiver to consider this week and also has the best matchup on the team.
WR Jameson Williams (DET vs DAL) vs Caelen Carson
Dallas has struggled this season on offense and defense, but no one has struggled more than Carson. The young corner is currently allowing 0.67 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 23% of the time. Opposing teams are not afraid to target Carson, and they have found resounding success. He is apt to give up the big play and is being picked on opposite Trevon Diggs. Amon Ra St-Brown will get his targets, but Williams has the best matchup of any Lion this week.
WR Zay Flowers (BAL vs WAS) vs Benjamin St-Juste
Baltimore has been a fantasy nightmare for pass catchers so far this season. They have run the ball so well and Lamar Jackson has spread the ball around to everyone. However, the matchup against the Commanders and St-Juste is too good to pass up for Flowers. St-Juste is currently allowing 0.51 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 24% of the time. Flowers is the most targeted player for the Ravens and has a great matchup to add to his numbers this week.
WR DJ Moore (CHI vs Jax) vs Montaric Brown
The Jaguars have struggled against receivers so far this season. They have already surrendered 15-plus fantasy points to 7 different receivers to start the season and are coming off a disappointing game against the Colts. Brown is currently allowing 0.44 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 25% of the time. Moore is coming off a big game with Caleb Williams and is in line to lead all Bears in receiving categories again this week.
TE Tucker Craft (GB vs ARZ)
Craft is coming off another big week and has scored a combined 40+ fantasy points over the past 2 weeks. He has turned into a viable option each week at the tight-end position and continues to find targets in a crowded Green Bay receiving room. The Cardinals have been tough against tight ends but did allow 20+ points to George Kittle last week. Chase the points and start Craft while he is hot.
TE Trey McBride (ARZ vs GB)
Similar to Craft above, McBride is walking into what has been a tougher matchup for tight ends. However, the Packers just allowed double-digit points to Colby Parkinson last week and the overall scoring line is set at 50 for this game. McBride will be another week removed from his concussion and is one of the best young tight ends in the game. Start McBride with confidence this week against Green Bay.
Unfavorable Matchups
WR Mike Evans (TB vs NO) vs Marshon Lattimore
Lattimore vs Evans is always like a prize-heavyweight fight. These players have lined up against each other twice a year for several years, and both have found success at different times. However, if we consider the overall numbers, it is Lattimore who won this battle when he was healthy. The former Buckeye corner is currently allowing just 0.16 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted a team-low 11% of the time. Lattimore has shadowed Evans in the past and found success. Downgrade Evans slightly as he is facing a very familiar opponent who has had his number in the past.
WR Garrett Wilson (NYJ vs BUF) vs Christian Benford
Buffalo has done a great job playing zone against opposing receivers this season. They have not allowed a single receiver to eclipse 16 points, even after having a letdown against Houston last week. Benford is currently allowing just 0.15 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted just 17% of the time. Wilson moved around the formation a lot and should see Rasul Douglas a fair amount of time. This matchup does not get any easier on the other side. Downgrade the Jets' pass catchers this week.
WR Quentin Johnston (LAC vs DEN) vs Patrick Surtain II
The Chargers offense has not looked great to start the season. Justin Herbert has been hobbled with an ankle injury, and Johnston has only shown spurts of productivity. Mix the poor offensive play with a matchup against one of the best cover corners in the game, and it will be a long night for the Chargers. Surtain is currently allowing 0.15 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted just 12% of the time. Do not trust anyone in the Chargers' offense this week.
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX vs CHI) vs Jaylon Johnson
Thomas has taken over the WR1 spot for the Jaguars in just five weeks of his rookie season. He has become the most dependable option and is consistently getting open. Unfortunately, he will run into Johnson and the Bears' secondary this week. The corner for the Bears is allowing just 0.12 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 10% of the time. Jacksonville has lost all offensive identity so far, and their best weapon has one of the toughest matchups of the season this week.
WR Keon Coleman (CHI vs NYJ) vs Sauce Gardner
Buffalo has not had a receiver step up in this offense yet, and their record has reflected that. Coleman made an explosive big play last week and looked like he might be rounding into a top option for Josh Allen. Unfortunately, he runs into the Jets' secondary this week. Gardner and D.J. Reed have played extremely well on the outside and are allowing under 0.20 fantasy points per coverage snap. The Jets are a tough draw for any offense, but the Bills are also not playing well right now. Avoid anyone on this team not named Josh Allen right now.
WR Chris Olave (NO vs TB) vs Jamel Dean
New Orleans is going to have a tough offensive day this week after losing their starting quarterback to injury. Spencer Rattler has been named the starter against Tampa Bay and all pass catchers should be downgraded. Tampa Bay has not been one of the tougher matchups against the pass, but Dean should have no problem against the untested Rattler. Tampa Bay's numbers are skewed after a massive performance from Kirk Cousins last week. Expect a better showing and downgrade Olave with a rookie quarterback under center.
TE Mark Andrews (BAL vs WAS)
Andrews is coming off one of his best games of the season, but it does not show much of an improving trend. He has yet to score double-digit points and has been held to 0 points twice this season. Andrews is losing snaps to Isiah Likely and most recently to Charlie Kolar. Baltimore is spreading the offense around and has not needed Andrews in the same capacity as in recent years. Washington has allowed a single tight end to reach double-digit points so far this year and is playing improved defense across the board. Andrews either belongs on your bench or is a cut candidate in many season-long formats right now.
TE Dalton Kincaid (BUF vs NYJ)
It is hard to bench a player like Kincaid at such a thin position, but the production has simply not been there this year. Kincaid has been held to single-digit points in 4 out of 5 games this season and has not filled the target vacuum left by Stefon Diggs. There is still plenty of time for Kincaid to rebound this season, but he is playing against an elite Jets defense that has allowed the 3rd fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Look elsewhere at the tight-end position this week.
