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This article attempts to highlight 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.) as well as 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 taken into account 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 MATCHUP:
WR Amari Cooper (DAL vs. MIA):
The Miami Dolphins have been unable to cover anyone this season and just lost their top cover corner in Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steelers via trade. Xavien Howard coverage Cooper last season when he played in Oakland and held him to 2 catches for 17 yards while in coverage, but this is a much different team and head coach Brian Flores has not shown his hand on what the game plan will be against Cooper. Cooper has 10 catches for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns so far this season and expect for him to add to those numbers this week against a very weak Miami secondary.
WR Adam Thielen/ Stefon Diggs (MIN vs. OAK):
It is easy to write off the Vikings duo because of the struggles Kirk Cousins has had to open the season. That should change this week when the Vikings take on the Raiders who currently boast the worst pass defense in the league. The Raiders secondary has given up a 68% completion rate, 342 yards per game to opposing teams, and allowed 6 touchdowns through the air. The Raiders secondary allowed Courtland Sutton and Emmanuel Sanders to combine for 12 catches, 206 yards, and a touchdown in week 1 and then were completely picked apart by Patrick Mahomes II in week 2. Look for the top 2 Viking receivers to have big games this week.
WR Nelson Agholor (PHI vs. DET):
Agholor may have issues with drops so far this season, but he is the only truly healthy receiver the Eagles have this week. He will also take on a Detroit secondary that completely fell apart in the second half of their tie in week 1 against Kyler Murray and the Cardinals. The Lions have been unable to stop any player lined up in the slot. They allowed 113 yards and a touchdown to Larry Fitzgerald in week 1, and another 98 yards to Keenan Allen in week 2 working primarily out of the slot. Darius Slay does not look like the top corner he once was and that should make for a big day for Agholor.
WR Chris Godwin (TB vs. NYG):
The tides are changing in Tampa Bay right now and Godwin seems to be taking the lead over Mike Evans early this season. Jameis Winston has shown a strong connection with Godwin and the pair have hooked up for a touchdown in each game so far this season. The Giants secondary is allowing a staggering 10.6 yards per completion, have allowed 5 touchdowns through the air with no interceptions, and are allowing 321 yards per game. Godwin continues to work out of the slot and with teams paying more attention to Evans on the outside, it will lead to a very productive day for Godwin.
WR Kenny Golladay (DET vs. PHI):
Everyone saw the breakdown by the Philadelphia secondary late in the 4th quarter against Atlanta. Julio Jones took a short screen pass 54 yards for a game-winning touchdown. Golladay has shown to have the same big-play ability and if Matthew Stafford can get him the ball it should be a very productive game. The Eagles are allowing the second-most yards per game through the air with 340 and have allowed 6 touchdowns via the pass. The Eagles corners have allowed 11 plays of 20+ yards through the air and will take on a Detroit team that has no rushing attack whatsoever.
WR Davante Adams (GB vs. DEN):
Denver does not have the same great defense they have in the past. Through 2 games they have not registered a single sack and that should allow plenty of time for Adams to run creative routes all over the field. Adams last played Denver in 2015 and was held largely in check with a single catch for 5 yards, but the teams are totally different in 2019. Chris Harris will be the primary man in coverage, and he has been targeted 8 times and given up 6 completions for 71 yards. Harris has not allowed a touchdown thrown against him yet this season, but that could change very easily this week.
UNFAVORABLE MATCHUP:
WR Cooper Kupp (LAR vs. CLE):
If there is one thing going right for the Browns so far this season, it is pass defense. They currently rank 5th in yards allowed with just 192 yards per game and have allowed only 3 touchdowns through the air. The line has shown an ability to get after the quarterback with 8 sacks so far this season and should disrupt the timing between Jared Goff and Kupp. Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams will split duties against Kupp this week and have faired well against the top receivers from opposing teams.
WR Jamison Crowder (NYJ vs. NE):
There are several things going wrong in New York so far this season, but Crowder is one of the few bright spots on the offense. Unfortunately, he will run into the buzz saw Patriots defense this week that has not allowed a single touchdown through the air and are only giving up 208 passing yards per game despite holding big leads. New England isn’t even giving up garbage time yards and touchdowns this season and that does not bode well for Crowder and Luke Falk this week.
WR Odell Beckham Jr (CLE vs. LAR):
Many may be surprised to see Beckham make this side of the list, but the Rams defense has been very solid against opposing receivers so far this season. They kept Michael Thomas in check last week and have yet to allow a touchdown through the air this season. The Rams are allowing just 201 passing yards per game and Baker Mayfield has had a very shaky start to the season. Marcus Peters and Aquib Talib have yet to allow a 100-yard receiver this week and Eric Weddle will be there to provide help over the top. It may be a long game for all of Cleveland next week.
WR Courtland Sutton (DEN vs. GB):
Green Bay has finally found their defense and held opposing offenses to 215 passing yards per game, a single touchdown through the air, and 3 interceptions. Outside of a single big play to Stefon Diggs last week, they completely shut down the Vikings passing attack. Jaire Alexander is proving to be worth the first-round pick from 2018 and Darnell Savage has stepped in and made plays all over the field. Sutton has eclipsed Emmanuel Sanders so far this season but is going to struggle this week against Green Bay.
WR Demarcus Robinson (KC vs. BAL):
Can lightning strike twice? It does not look that way with Robinson set to take on Baltimore this week. After breaking out last week against a very poor Raiders secondary, Robinson has a much tougher test this week against Baltimore. The Ravens have allowed a single touchdown through the air and just 251 passing yards per game. Robinson also has Travis Kelce and Mecole Hardman to fight over targets with. This game could turn into a shootout, but the Ravens will do a much better job keeping Robinson in check than the Raiders did.
WR Corey Davis (TEN vs. JAX):
It has not been the start to the season that Davis was expecting. The Titans offense looked like it was going to go completely through him, and he has rewarded them with just 3 catches for 28 yards through 2 games. He is set to take on a Jacksonville defense that held Demarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman in check week 1 and boasts pro bowl corner, Jalen Ramsey. It is going to be a very long day for the Titans offense and Davis against the Jaguars.
