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 Matchups
WR Darnell Mooney (ATL vs MIA) vs Minkah Fitzpatrick
It has been a down year thus far for the Falcons' receiver, but he has a great matchup this week against a struggling Miami secondary. Mooney is coming off his best game of the season last week with 3 catches for 68 yards. He appears healthy and will face a struggling Fitzpatrick. The Miami corner is currently allowing 0.50 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 21.9% of the time. Mooney lines up in the slot 50% of the time and should see a lot of Fitzpatrick in coverage.
WR Courtland Sutton (DEN vs DAL) vs Kaiir Elam
The Broncos are coming off a miraculous comeback against the Giants last week, where Sutton was largely not utilized until the fourth quarter. The star receiver has two duds this season with a single catch, but is averaging 6 catches and 80+ yards in every other game. This week, he will get a plus matchup against Elam on the outside. The Cowboys' corner is currently allowing 0.41 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 17.4% of the time.
WR Rashee Rice (KC vs WAS) vs Mike Sainristil
Rice returned with a bang last week and is walking into a solid matchup against Washington this week. The Kansas City offense was firing on all cylinders last week, and Rice secured two touchdowns. This week, he will face a young corner who is currently allowing 0.37 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 17.2% of the time. Rice should be one of the top starts the rest of the season, and this week is not any different. Kansas City appears to have turned the corner, and its speedy receiver is only going to help.
WR Ladd McConkey (LAC vs MIN) vs Joshua Metellus
The Vikings have been one of the best secondaries in the NFL this season, but they showed some weakness against the Eagles last week. Look for the Chargers to exploit those same holes deep across the middle and for McConkey to have a big game. Metellus is currently allowing 0.36 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 20.5% of the time. The Vikings were abysmal on third down last week, and McConkey has the route-running ability to take advantage. Look for a bounce-back game for the second-year receiver.
TE Tucker Kraft (GB vs PIT)
Kraft has long been a boom-or-bust type of tight end that relied heavily on touchdowns. That has not been the case over his past three games, where he has scored 2 touchdowns and 39.7 fantasy points. This week, he is facing a Steelers' defense that has allowed four tight ends to beat them for double-digit points, including each of the past two weeks. Look for Kraft to put up solid numbers this week.
TE Dalton Kincaid (BUF vs CAR)
Buffalo has a lot to figure out after their surprising loss to the Patriots at home. A large chunk of that offensive piece could come through Kincaid returning from his oblique injury. He will get a matchup against a Carolina defense that has allowed 10 or more points to five tight ends so far this season, including three who have scored more than 12. This is a great matchup for an offense looking for a spark.