DFS Roundtable: Wide Receiver Matchups

JAMES BRIMACOMBE

Strong Matchups

Saints – I can’t decide if I should go with the passing or the running attack in this game so I am coming up with the conclusion to just avoid it and look to another game. Michael Thomas is once again in a strong matchup in this one and will likely be a very chalky option.
Washington – it is hard to get on board with a game that has a 37.5 total and features New York and Washington players. I don’t want any wide receivers from either team in this game.
Ravens – I think you can safely roster Lamar Jackson as a stand-alone play from the Ravens this week but if you have to pick a player to pair him with it feels like Marquise Brown is your only option at the wide receiver position.
Panthers – The Panthers need this game against the Falcons this week and it could be a high scoring battle where both DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel see plenty of targets. Moore has only a single touchdown on the season but is coming off 40 targets over the last four games, which is hard to ignore.
Bengals – The Bengals are almost right up there with the Dolphins as one of the truly bad teams on offense. Tyler Boyd is seeing targets but hasn’t been cashing in on them and I don’t see that changing much against the Raiders this week.

Weak Matchups

JASON WOOD

I'm not targeting these strong matchup situations particularly, although Michael Thomas is always a top play for the Saints. His salary keeps him from being the top play, but he's a key part of a multi-lineup build this week. The Washington and Cincinnati situations are too unnerving given the quarterbacks under center. Hollywood Brown is an enticing option particularly stacking with Lamar Jackson, who is my (and most people's) top option at quarterback. Finally, the Panthers aren't prolific, but D.J. Moore is a key play this week given the matchup.

The Cardinals receivers are hard to pin down. Christian Kirk hadn't scored a touchdown all season and broke through for three scores against the Buccaneers. He'll be over-owned this week, as a result. I'm fine with Alshon Jeffery against the Patriots, because his salary slots in well with plenty of builds. The Chiefs receivers are never worth fading with Mahomes healthy. And Stefon Diggs is matchup-proof if Adam Thielen misses another game. The Lions receivers not only have a tough matchup, but they may also have Jeff Driskel throwing passes. They're an easy fade.

PHIL ALEXANDER

Strong Matchups

• Saints - I want plenty of Brees-Michael Thomas stacks (with Alvin Kamara in them too). Jared Cook, who saw a season-high 10 targets last week, is a better play than any non-Thomas Saints wide receiver.
• Washington - Terry McLaurin is worth some light exposure in GPPs. Dwayne Haskins will likely prevent him from reaching his ceiling, but after watching the speedy Darius Slayton get behind the Jets secondary for multiple long gains in Week 10, it's certainly possible McLaurin can do the same.
• Ravens - Marquise Brown is only Ravens' wide receiver ever worth rostering. He's an especially strong play this week against Houston's shaky defensive backs. Stacking Brown with Lamar Jackson should provide leverage on the more common Jackson-Mark Andrews stacks.
• Panthers - D.J. Moore is the best point-per-dollar wide receiver value on DraftKings this week. Curtis Samuel projects pretty well too, which means Kyle Allen is also in play.
• Bengals - Not sure any of these guys has a ceiling with Ryan Finley throwing them the ball, even against Oakland's 29th-ranked pass defense (DVOA). Maybe sprinkle in some Tyler Boyd and hope he finally catches his first touchdown of the season.

• Cardinals - The 49ers will be more prepared for Kenyan Drake than they were when he gashed them for 162 total yards in his Week 9 Arizona debut. The Cardinals should have a difficult time running the ball in San Francisco, which means they'll have to pass to stay in the game. This is a sneaky game to stack with some interesting cheap pieces, including the emerging Andy Isabella, who has receptions of 55+ yards in each of his last two games.
• Eagles - Just about any route you go with the Eagles offense will be contrarian in tournaments, which means they're worth exploring. Nelson Agholor will likely be ~1% owned in GPPs, which doesn't seem correct given his low salary, every-down slot role, Alshon Jeffery's struggles, and DeSean Jackson's continued absence.
• Vikings - Stefon Diggs will face shadow coverage from Chris Harris, which is less than ideal. They've been playing more two-tight-end sets in Adam Thielen's absence, which means Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith stand to benefit more from Diggs' difficult matchup than any Minnesota wide receiver.
• Lions - Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones are still priced as if Matthew Stafford is starting, which appears doubtful. They're not worthless with Jeff Driskel at quarterback, but they're respective ceilings have been lowered.

DAN HINDERY