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 Matchup
WR Drake London, Darnell Mooney (ATL vs TB) vs Tyrek Funderburk, Zyon McCollum
This feels like a slam dunk matchup after these teams met in week 5, when we saw Kirk Cousins throw for 500+ yards as London and Mooney combined for 260 yards and 3 scores. We should not expect that same level of performance, but Tampa Bay is also coming off another game where the secondary was lit up by the Baltimore Ravens. Tampa Bay runs a zone-heavy defense and has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Top corner Jamel Dean is on the IR, and the offense is not likely to do the defense any favors with several key players hurt. Upgrade the Atlanta offense this week.
WR Romeo Doubs (GB vs JAX) vs Tyson Campbell
Jacksonville continues to struggle all over the field. The defense currently allows the 4th most fantasy points to opposing receivers, including the most to the perimeter. They have allowed 10 touchdowns through the air and rank in the bottom 5 in yards and receptions. Campbell is one of the biggest culprits, currently allowing 0.30 fantasy points per coverage snap, and is being targeted 14% of the time. Jordan Love is willing to force the ball into tight coverage and take chances deep down the field. Upgrade the entire Green Bay passing game this week.
WR DJ Moore (CHI vs WAS) vs Benjamin St-Juste
Washington is coming off a big win against Carolina, where St-Juste played well against Diontae Johnson. However, the overall numbers for the young corner are not very good, and the Chicago offense is rounding into form. St-Juste currently allows 0.47 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 23% of the time. No one in the offense allows less than 0.30 fantasy points per coverage snap, and the entire Chicago offense has a chance to score this week. Give Moore the biggest upgrade with the most advantageous matchup.
WR Courtland Sutton (DEN vs CAR) vs Jaycee Horn
It is hard to trust Sutton after he put up a goose egg last week, but the matchup against Horn is one of the best in the NFL this week. The young corner has struggled mightily on the outside and is currently allowing 0.38 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 18% of the time. Carolina is limping into this week after being dismantled by Washington last week, and the Broncos are looking to hit their offensive stride. Bo Nix is still developing in this offense and has a great chance to build better chemistry with Sutton in a game setting this week.
WR Christian Kirk (JAX vs GB) vs Javon Bullard
Kirk has been an afterthought in this offense since the emergence of Brian Thomas Jr. That could change this week with a great matchup against the struggling slot corners in Green Bay. Bullard is currently allowing 0.42 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 25% of the time. Jacksonville has all the pieces on offense to be elite but has struggled to put it together early this season. Look for Kirk to have a breakout game against a Green Bay secondary that has struggled outside of Jaire Alexander.
WR George Pickens (PIT vs NYG) vs Deonte Banks
Pickens was one of the happiest wide receivers last week when he finally got Russell Wilson back under center. His routes were crisp and the ball was on time with the new quarterback. This week he will have to fend off the shadow coverage of Banks. That has not been an issue for most receivers this season with Banks allowing 0.44 fantasy points per coverage snap and being targeted 21% of the time. The whole Pittsburgh offense looked better last week and they get a great matchup against the Giants this week.
TE David Njoku (CLE vs BAL)
Njoku finally got things going with the Browns last week after suffering an injury early in the season. He was the TE1 overall for scoring last week despite losing his starting quarterback. The trade of Amari Cooper has opened up even more targets for Njoku. The Ravens just let Cade Otton score double-digit points against them on Monday Night and Njoku has the potential for another top 5 finish with Jameis Winston under center.
TE Evan Engram (JAX vs GB)
Engram has come back from his hamstring injury and slotted right back into this offense. He has 15 targets in his last 2 games and scored a combined 26.7 fantasy points. Green Bay has struggled against tight ends and is allowing 13 points per game on average to the position. This game has the makings of a shoot out with each team putting the ball in the air at a high rate. Trust Engram to go back to his target heavy ways and land squarely in the top 10 for tight end scoring this week.
Unfavorable Matchups
WR Diontae Johnson (CAR vs DEN) vs Patrick Surtain II
Surtain has been dealing with a concussion for the past two weeks, but the Broncos' secondary has still not allowed any receiver to surpass 18 fantasy points this season. The young corner is expected back this week and will lock down Johnson on the outside. Surtain currently allows just 0.15 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 15% of the time. This is a major bust spot for Johnson this week and a Carolina offense that reverted back to its early season form last week.
WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARZ vs MIA) vs Jalen Ramsey
Harrison has shown elite potential at times this season but has also struggled in tough matchups. This week, he faces a Miami secondary that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and could potentially be shadowed by Ramsey. Arizona's offense has struggled to click so far this year, and things will not get easier this week. Ramsey is currently allowing 0.25 fantasy points per coverage snap and being targeted 17% of the time. Look for alternative options other than Harrison this week.
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs CHI) vs Jaylon Johnson
McLaurin has seen a resurgence in recent weeks with Jayden Daniels under center. Unfortunately, Daniels sustained a rib injury last week and is considered week to week coming into their matchup with Chicago. The Bears defense has also played well early this season with the secondary being led by Johnson. He currently allows just 0.16 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 10% of the time. He has been the best corner for the Bears by far and will limit the production for McLaurin when they are matched up.
WR Jordan Addison (MIN vs LAR) vs Darious Williams
The Rams' season has been full of injuries and what-if questions. The one thing that has remained constant has been Williams on the left side of the defensive formation. He is currently allowing 0.11 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted just 11% of the time. Sam Darnold has not done a great job getting Addison involved outside of his first week back from injury this season. Downgrade the young receiver this week with a tough matchup against the Rams secondary.
WR Quentin Johnston (LAC vs NO) vs Marshon Lattimore
The Saints are trending in the wrong direction in recent weeks and the defense has struggled. However, Lattimore has remained one of the lone bright spots for this defense. He is currently allowing 0.13 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted just 10% of the time. An injury to Paulson Adebo on the other side will hurt his overall numbers, but Lattimore has been an elite corner in the league for a long time. The Chargers have also struggled to get anything going through the air and have relied mostly on running the ball. Downgrade this pass-catching unit in a tough matchup against New Orleans this week.
WR Tank Dell (HOUS vs IND) vs Samuel Womack III
Dell is coming off a game with 0 points, and Womack is coming off a great performance against a bad Miami offense. Both trends are unlikely to hold this week, but the advantage can be given to Womack and a tough Colts' secondary. Womack currently allows 0.12 fantasy points per coverage snap and is targeted 15% of the time. He is the strong point for this secondary, and we can expect that to continue. Dell has boom potential each week, especially with Nico Collins injured. However, after last week's showing and the tough matchup this week, it is an easy call to avoid Dell right now.
TE Hunter Henry (NE vs NYJ)
It is hard to ignore the points Henry has scored over the past two weeks. With 30.2 points scored, he was one of the biggest adds off the waiver wire this week. However, he is running into the buzz saw defense of the Jets that held him to 2.9 points in week 3 and has only allowed a single tight end to eclipse 7 points against them this season. The long-term benefit with Drake Maye starting is there for Henry, but the matchup this week makes him one to avoid.
TE Sam LaPorta (DET vs TEN)
It is almost baffling the decline in production for LaPorta this season. He was a highly drafted tight end at a very thin position. He has scored double-digit points in a single game this season and has a tough matchup against the Titans. Tennessee has not allowed a single tight end to beat them for more than 8 points this season. Jameson Williams has been suspended for two games, which should lead to more targets for LaPorta, but temper your expectations this week in one of the toughest tight end matchups in the league.
