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. Since this article is intended to help across all sites (both DFS and season-long), variations in pricing and scoring systems are not considered. Therefore, the values could obviously shift depending on where you are playing. The main intent of this article is to highlight players who could be significantly helped or hurt by their situations each week.
Unfavorable Matchups
WR Tetairoa McMillan (CAR vs NYJ) vs Sauce Gardner
This will be one of the most interesting matchups to watch this weekend, with the emergence of McMillan and Gardner's previous dominance. The Jets' corner bounced back with a great showing against Courtland Sutton last week in London and is currently allowing 0.30 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 13% of the time. His numbers are inflated after allowing two long touchdowns, but quarterbacks still tend to shy away from him in the passing game. McMillan is the top receiving option in the Carolina offense, but he will have his work cut out for him this week.
WR Jauan Jennings (SF vs ATL) vs Billy Bowman Jr.
Atlanta has surprised on defense so far this year, and Bowman has played extremely well in the slot. He is currently allowing 0.19 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 11% of the time. The San Francisco offense has struggled due to injuries early this year, and the receiving core has not had a go-to guy. Jennings is one of those players who has dealt with injury and does not look fully healthy right now. With Ricky Pearsall expected back this week, there will be even more competition for targets. Avoid Jennings right now until the offensive target share gets itself sorted out.
WR A.J. Brown (PHI vs MIN) vs Isaiah Rodgers
This was once one of the premier matchups of the season with the defending Super Bowl Champions and a playoff team ready to take the next step forward. Fast forward through the first few weeks of the season, and we have the former champs coming off two losses and struggling on offense against a team with a backup quarterback who has struggled to move the ball. Brown will see a lot of Rodgers on the outside, who is currently allowing 0.16 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 16% of the time. Quarterbacks are targeting Rodgers heavily, but are not finding success against him. Brown is unhappy with his role in the offense and is likely to face challenges again this week against Minnesota.
WR DK Metcalf (PIT vs CIN) vs DJ Turner
Metcalf has emerged as the top option in the Steelers' offense with little competition for targets. However, this week, he gets the toughest matchup against the Bengals with Turner on the outside. The perimeter corner is currently allowing 0.18 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 14.8% of the time. Metcalf will still be highly targeted, but he is going to find it hard to run against Turner when in coverage. Metcalf is not an outright bench due to the matchup, but we should temper overall expectations.
TE T.J. Hockenson (MIN vs PHI)
It has been a rough start to the season for Hockenson, and things have only gotten worse since Jordan Addison returned. He is averaging 3.8 catches per game and less than 40 yards. This week, he has a tough matchup against a Philadelphia defense that is allowing the third fewest yards to opposing tight ends this season. Hockenson is not being utilized in the Vikings offense right now and should be avoided unless things turn around.
TE Hunter Henry (NE vs TEN)
The targets have dried up for Henry as Drake Maye has found success down the field. He has averaged just three targets per game over the past three weeks and has become touchdown-dependent. The diminished role plus a matchup against a Titans defense that ranks in the bottom 10 for fantasy points against tight ends is enough to keep Henry on the bench this week.