This article attempts to highlight 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.) as well as 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 Matchup:
WR Adam Thielen (MIN vs SEA):
It has been a very rough year for the Seattle secondary to this point. They have not been able to stop anyone and that should continue again this week on Sunday Night Football against the Vikings. Thielen is by and far the best receiver in this matchup, but bonus points if you ran the waiver on Justin Jefferson before last week and can start him as well. Thielen is coming off an 8 catch, 114-yard, and a touchdown performance against Houston last week and has an even more favorable matchup this week. Thielen is a must start in all formats this week and a bonus if you have Jefferson as well. There will be fireworks on Sunday Night in what could be the highest scoring game of the week.
WR Robby Anderson (CAR vs ATL):
He has burned us all in the past, but he is riding an impressive streak of games so far this season and seems to have finally put it all together. The Atlanta secondary has not been able to stop anyone in recent weeks and Carolina has thrown the ball all over the field. He has 17 fantasy points in 3 of 4 games so far this season and ranks 9th with his average of 93.4 receiving yards per game. Start Anderson with confidence again this week in a prime matchup against a bad Atlanta secondary.
WR Tyler Lockett (SEA vs MIN):
Last week was a big letdown with just 2 catches for 39 yards but let us not forget the 100+ yards and 3 touchdowns against the Cowboys the week before. Minnesota has not been able to stop receivers at all this season and currently rank in the bottom 5 of most defensive receiving categories. Russell Wilson is playing like an MVP and spreading the ball all over the field. Lockett had an unfortunate drop at the beginning of the game last week and caused Wilson to move off of him until the second half. Look for Lockett to get early and often this week.
WR Will Fuller (HOU vs JAX):
It is finally time to see what this team is truly made of after the Texans fired head coach Bill O’Brien. Fuller had a good game against a poor Minnesota secondary and will be taking on a Jacksonville group of corners who are hurting right now. D.J. Hayden is on the IR with a hamstring issue and C.J. Henderson has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. Look for Fuller to add to his impressive streak of games and live up to the WR1 billing the Texans thought he was when they traded DeAndre Hopkins away.
WR CeeDee Lamb (DAL vs NYG):
The Cowboys may have been embarrassed by the Browns last week, but Lamb is becoming everything they wanted when they drafted him. He finished the game with 5 catches for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns last week and this team will be looking to make a statement against the Giants this week. Amari Cooper will be his must start self and Michael Gallup is always primed for a big week, but Lamb has become a favorite for Dak Prescott who will be looking for another 400-yard performance this week. Lamb is locked in as a WR2 with potential for an even bigger week.
WR Deebo Samuel (SF vs MIA):
It did not take long before Samuel found himself back on this list. He got a chance to shake the rust off last week and could benefit from Jimmy Garoppolo coming back this week if ruled healthy. Samuel will always have to share targets with George Kittle, but he should return to his role as the big receiver outside. Miami has allowed 10 different receivers to score 12 or more fantasy points against them so far this year and Samuel should add to that total this week. They also are not afraid to use him in the running game and he is due for a big rushing touchdown sometime this year. It is safe to start putting Samuel back into your lineups this week.
TE Hunter Henry (LAC vs NO):
Currently sitting at TE16 this season, Henry has not quite lived up to the price. However, he has a good matchup this week against the Saints who have allowed a top 8 tight end score against them every week this year. Justin Herbert is settling in as the starter and should rely on Henry more going forward. With Austin Ekeler down they are going to have to throw the ball and Henry is a great outlet to do so. He has at least 10 fantasy points in 3 of 4 games so far this year and should add another this week.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Terry McLaurin (WFT vs LAR):
There is a lot of things working against McLaurin this week. The team benched Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen will be getting his first start and he will most likely be lining up against Jalen Ramsey on the other side this week. McLaurin is going to see his share of targets this week, but we should temper expectations based on the circumstance. You may have to role with him in your yearlong leagues but move off him in Daily for a receiver with better prospects this week.
WR A.J. Green (CIN vs BAL):
It was a great story coming into the year with Green, but it has since fizzled out. He is being outplayed by Tyler Boyd and now Tee Higgins. He has 33 targets on the season, but only 14 receptions to show for it and a total of 24 PPR fantasy points. Baltimore’s defense has been great against the pass so far this year and while the Bengals may be playing from behind and throwing the ball a lot, it would be hard to trust Green with his production on the field so fa this year.
WR Hunter Renfrow (LV vs KC):
Renfrow week looks like it will be short lived with Henry Ruggs expected to be back. He is coming off 2 very solid performances as the lead receiver but will go back to looking more like the guy from the first 2 games of the year. The Raiders will also be taking on a Kansas City defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers and Derek Carr struggles at Arrowhead for his career. Renfrow stepped up when they needed him but will most likely start to fade to black as the offense runs through Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller.
WR T.Y. Hilton (IND vs CLE):
The Colts continue to impress on defense and are doing just enough on offense to get wins. Unfortunately, Hilton has not played a very big role in that. Hilton has 9 points or fewer in every game so far this season, has not had more than 5 targets in a single game, and the offense has been going through rookie Jonathan Taylor and the team’s tight ends so far. The Browns are a great matchup as they have allowed the 3rd most points to opposing receivers, but Hilton is looking more like a Flex play or should be on your bench this week.
WR Robert Woods (LAR vs WFT):
The constant struggle between starting Woods or Cooper Kupp continues this season. Woods has 40 yards or fewer in 2 of his last 3 games and has fewer targets than Kupp over that same stretch. The Washington Football team has also been solid against opposing receivers allowing just 1 to crack the top 30. After failing to impress against the abysmal Giants last week, I am taking a break from Woods as the offense seems to be going through Kupp at the moment.
WR Jerry Jeudy (DEN vs NE):
A lot of the issues here could be from terrible quarterback play, but Jeudy has not stepped up since Courtland Sutton went down with injury. Jeudy has fewer than 65 yards in every game so far this season and has a tough matchup against the Patriots defense this week. He could see a slight boost if Drew Lock returns to action, but the emergence of Tim Patrick will cut into his target shares. This rookie could still do big things in his career, it just may take some time to get there. Avoid the Denver offense if you can this week.
TE Evan Engram (NYG vs DAL):
The matchup may scream it is finally time for Engram to break out, but we have all felt that way with him at some point this season and it has not paid off. Dallas has struggled against receivers on the outside and given up a lot of yards, but the Giants offense is simply not good since Saquon Barkley went down. This could very well be the week he finally breaks out or finds the end zone, but it is not worth the risk. There are several tight ends with safer floors this week. Stash Engram on the bench until this offense figures out what it is doing.
