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. Because 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 may vary 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.
Unfavorable Matchups
WR Jaylen Waddle (MIA vs PIT) vs Joey Porter Jr.
Waddle has been the lone healthy option for Miami and benefited from the increased targets. However, he is walking into a difficult shadow matchup this week against Porter. Without any other major receiving threat, Pittsburgh will be able to use extra resources against Waddle and make his life difficult this week. Porter is currently allowing 0.14 fantasy points per route run against him and is being targeted 13% of the time. Things will be tough for Waddle this week, and we should temper our overall expectations.
WR Christian Watson (GB vs DEN) vs Patrick Surtain II
Watson returned to the Green Bay lineup with a bang last week, but that is likely to be halted with a tough matchup against Surtain. The Broncos' corner is one of the best in the business and is currently allowing 0.18 fantasy points per route run against him while being targeted 13.6% of the time. This is a tough matchup for anyone, and Denver is playing really good defense this season. Watson will assume a bigger role in this offense down the stretch, but we should temper expectations this week with a tough matchup against Denver.
WR Rashee Rice (KC vs LAC) vs Tarheeb Still
Things are simply not going right in Kansas City right now, and the offense is a complete mess. A loss this week would all but knock them out of playoff contention, and Rice has a tough matchup on top of that. Still is currently allowing 0.20 fantasy points per route run against him while being targeted 12.1% of the time. Rice did not play in Kansas City's earlier season loss to the Chargers, but with the tough matchup this week, he may not make much of a difference. Avoid Kansas City this week unless you are betting on a major bounce-back for this offense.
WR Zay Flowers (BAL vs CIN) vs DJ Turner
We matched this exact matchup play a few weeks ago, and Flowers managed only 2 catches for 6 yards. Almost nothing has changed over the past 3 weeks, and we should downgrade Flowers again this week. Turner is currently allowing 0.19 fantasy points per route run against him while being targeted 12% of the time. Baltimore will be playing for its playoff life this week, but may have to look elsewhere as Flowers will be locked up with Turner on the outside.
TE Hunter Henry (NE vs BUF)
Henry has started to bounce back in this offense over recent weeks, but this is a matchup you want to avoid. The Bills are currently allowing the second-fewest yards and have only allowed two touchdowns to opposing tight ends this season. Henry scored just 6.6 points against the Bills in week 6, and he is simply a player to avoid this week.
TE Mike Gesicki (CIN vs BAL)
It is easy to chase the points if you are streaming tight ends this season, but do not fall for the Gesicki trap. He has scored more than eight fantasy points a single time this season and has a tough matchup against Baltimore. The Ravens have allowed the second-fewest yards to opposing tight ends since week 10 and will be tough again this week. Even with Joe Burrow back, it is not worth risking your season with Gesicki in the lineup.
