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; therefore, the values could shift depending on where you are playing. The primary purpose of this article is to highlight some players who could be significantly helped or hurt by their situations each week.
Favorable Matchups
WR Khalil Shakir (BUF vs MIA) vs Minkah Fitzpatrick
Shakir has emerged as one of the top receiving weapons in this offense for Josh Allen. He is averaging 10.5 yards per catch and just over four catches per game. This week, he has a great matchup against Fitzpatrick on the outside. The Miami corner has struggled to the tune of 0.54 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 22.3% of the time. The outside has been a big weakness for Miami and is something we should see Buffalo exploit this weekend.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET was WAS) vs Mike Sainristil
The Washington secondary has been one of the worst in football this season, and Sainistil has been at the heart of the problem. He is going to have his hands full trying to cover St. Brown on the outside this week, and a Detroit offense looking to bounce back from a loss to the Vikings. The struggling corner is currently allowing 0.36 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 18.1% of the time. Look for Detroit to get back on track this week and put up big offensive numbers against Washington.
WR Deebo Samuel Sr. (WAS vs DET) vs Arthur Maulet
On the other side of the field, Samuel also has a great matchup against Maulet. Detroit struggled against the Vikings' receivers last week, and Samuel is the lone healthy target for Marcus Mariota. This should be a high-volume situation with Washington having to throw the ball to try to stay in the game. Deebo has struggled with drops at times this season, but he has a great opportunity to bounce back and put up big numbers this week against Detroit.
WR Jalen Nailor (MIN vs BAL) vs Marlon Humphrey
Humphrey is one of those really good defensive players who still gives up a lot of fantasy points. He is a slot corner that anyone would want on their team, but he is also allowing 0.46 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 19.3% of the time. Nailor lines up in the slot more than any of the other Viking receivers and should see a lot of Humphrey this week. He has fallen down the target tree with the return of Jordan Addison, but he has a chance to make a splash this week. Nailor has been effective on third down and is a quiet sleeper this week with a plus matchup.
TE Oronde Gadsden (LAC vs PIT)
Gadsden has been the most effective weapon for the Chargers right now. He is averaging just under 18 fantasy points per game over the past month and has a safe floor of about 12 points in that span. He will be facing a Steelers defense that is allowing the third most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, including the sixth most yards and the second most touchdowns. Gadsden is a must-start this week.
TE Dalton Kincaid (BUF vs MIA)
Kincaid has come back from injury and played extremely well for Buffalo. He is the first Buffalo tight end with multiple 100-yard games in a season and has a safe floor. His ceiling is also elevated with a plus matchup against a Miami defense allowing the fifth most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Josh Allen is committed to throwing to Kincaid right now, and we should ride that wave while it lasts.