Receivers with Great or Bad Matchups Week 3

Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA Today Sports

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 Jaylen Waddle (MIA vs. DEN) vs. Damarri Mathis

The big story in this matchup will be the health of Waddle, and whether or not he clears the concussion protocol in time. However, if he is ready to go, there should be fireworks on the Miami side of this matchup. With Patrick Surtain II stuck on Tyreek Hill, Waddle should see the ball early and often against Mathis. Mathis is currently giving up 0.86 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being picked on more than anyone on this defense. Hill lines up all over the field and will be able to get away from Surtain, but the biggest upgrade of the week goes to Waddle against Mathis on the outside.

WR Zay Flowers (BAL vs. IND) vs. Darrell Baker Jr

It is a small sample size to start the season, but Indianapolis has been bad against the pass. They are currently allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers, and Lamar Jackson seems to have found a weapon in Flowers to pair with Mark Andrews. Baker has been a glaring issue in the secondary and is currently allowing 0.85 fantasy points per coverage snap on the outside. Teams are attacking the perimeter of this defense and finding holes all over the place. Look for Flowers to add to his impressive start to his rookie season.

WR Mike Williams (LAC vs. MIN) vs. Akayleb Evans

Minnesota finds themselves in a better spot defensively than last season, but they continue to struggle against the pass as a whole. Evans has been a big issue on the outside and should see a big chunk of time against Williams. The Vikings have been playing zone defense on nearly 80% of their snaps this season and are not finding success. The same can be said about the Chargers defense on the other side, and this could be one of the highest-scoring games of the week. Upgrade the Chargers' receivers across the board in this one.

WR Jordan Addison (MIN vs. LAC) vs. J.C. Jackson

Addison has done nothing but impress to start his rookie season. He has a long touchdown in each of his first two games of the year and is walking into a great matchup against a secondary that is currently allowing the most fantasy points to opposing receivers. The run game is non-existent for the Vikings right now, and the entire offense is going through the trio of Addison, Justin Jefferson, and T.J. Hockenson. Look for this to be a very high-scoring game and for Addison to have a great chance of adding to his touchdown total on the year.

WR George Pickens (PIT vs. LV) vs. Jakorian Bennett

Pickens found a groove on Monday Night Football against the Browns and has a great opportunity to keep that going this week against the Raiders. Bennett has not played well on the outside and is currently allowing 0.65 fantasy points per coverage snap. Kenny Pickett does not have many options in this offense right now, with Najee Harris more or less completely disappearing. Look for Pickens to get involved early and often as the Steelers try and steal a win on the road.

WR DeVonta Smith (PHI vs. TB) vs. Carlton Davis III

The offense in Philadelphia is anything but predictable right now. With Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown getting into a yelling match on the sideline last week, Smith has been quietly having a great season. He has the best matchup of any receiver this week against Davis. Tampa Bay has been playing a bend-but-don't-break style defense in between the 20s, and that has allowed for a lot of fantasy points given up. Davis is currently allowing 0.73 fantasy points per coverage snap. Smith has the better matchup this week and should see the ball come his way More than Brown, who is matched up with Jamel Dean on the other side.

TE Dallas Goedert (PHI vs. TB)

The overall results do not look to be there yet, but there have been some encouraging signs for Goedert in recent weeks. He led the team last week with seven targets while hauling in six catches. This only amounted to 22 yards, but the volume is going to lead to points over the course of the season. Tampa Bay ranks in the middle of the pack against the tight end position and will have their hands full trying to stop this offense. Trust in Goedert to get the job done this week.

TE Sam LaPorta (DET vs. ATL)

The Lions have a lot of weapons to spread the ball to right now, and LaPorta continues to be a big part of that. He has finished at the TE8 in each of the first two weeks and is currently the TE4 overall. He has been consistent to start the year and is walking into a great matchup against an Atlanta defense that allowed a score to Hayden Hurst and is averaging 15 points per game. Roll with LaPorta and look for the results to continue.