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 Christian Watson (GB vs BAL) vs Marlon Humphrey
Both teams will be fighting for playoff implications this week and have recently injured quarterbacks. This will be one of the more interesting games to watch this week. The matchup between Watson and Humprey will go a long way in determining the outcome. Humphrey is currently allowing 0.36 fantasy points per route run against him, while being targeted 19% of the time. Opposing offenses have heavily targeted him in the middle of the field. Look for Watson to have a solid week in a plus matchup against Humphrey and the Baltimore defense.
WR Tre Tucker (LV vs NYG) vs Paulson Adebo
This game should determine the number 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, and just about anything might happen. Tucker should see an uptick in targets with Brock Bowers shut down for the rest of the season, and he has a very favorable matchup against Adebo. The Giants' corner is currently allowing 0.33 fantasy points per route run against him while being targeted 20.1% of the time. Tucker is a cheap option that could see heavy usage for the rest of the season in this offense.
WR Jaylen Waddle (MIA vs TB) vs Benjamin Morrison
Miami is limping to the end of the season, while Tampa Bay is fighting to win a division with a .500 record. This game could hinge on the matchup between Waddle and Morrison. Waddle has a huge advantage with Morrison, allowing 0.40 fantasy points per route run against him and being targeted 20.5% of the time. The biggest thing slowing Waddle is the level of play from his quarterback. If Quinn Ewers can get him the ball this week, Waddle is in for a great finish to the season.
WR Chris Olave (NO vs TEN) vs Kemon Hall
New Orleans turned a corner with their offense last week, and Olave played a major role in that. We always knew he could lead the offense if he could stay healthy and find a quarterback to throw him the ball. He will be facing a Tennessee corner who has struggled this season to the tune of 0.35 fantasy points per route run against him, while being targeted 17.5% of the time. Both teams are playing for next season, but Olave has a great matchup and the ability to finish strong.
TE Kyle Pitts Sr. (ATL vs LAR)
Pitts has been on a tear over the past four weeks with a combined 94.5 fantasy points, including 45+ points in week 15. This week, he faces a Rams' defense that allowed 15 points to A.J. Barrner last week and has allowed double-digit points to five opposing tight ends over the past eight weeks. Pitts is finally showing the ability everyone chased for the first few years of his career, with Kirk Cousins throwing him the ball.
TE Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE vs PIT)
Fannin has taken over the tight end role in Cleveland and has averaged 11.3 fantasy points per game over the past month. He has a great matchup against a Pittsburgh defense that has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends over the past month. Cleveland will have to throw the ball somewhere this week, and it will likely go to Fannin if they have any hope of staying in the game.