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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 Allen Robinson (CHI vs PHI):
We continue to target the Philadelphia secondary just like everyone else in the league has. They have been unable to stop anyone on the outside and Robinson has been a steady producer despite the struggles of the Bears offense. The Eagles secondary have allowed 10 touchdowns through 8 weeks to receivers lined up on the outside and Robinson lines up out there more than any other Chicago receiver. Look for a great stat line from Robinson this week.
WR D.J. Chark (JAX vs HOU):
For all the things going right for Houston, covering receivers on the outside is not one of them. Chark has been almost a must start this season and should see a very productive week in London. The Texans have allowed 9 touchdowns to outside receivers so far this year and the second most fantasy points to the position. Look for Gardner Minshew and Chark to take full advantage and take shots down the field in this one.
WR Michael Gallup (DAL vs NYG):
Gallup has let many of us down at times when he should have a big game this year, but the matchup against Janoris Jenkins is too good to pass up. Jenkins is allowing over 15 yards per catch and the Giants defense as a whole are allowing the 6th most fantasy points to receivers this year. We should see a steady dose of Ezekiel Elliott and that will set up the play-action pass to the outside for Gallup. Look for him to finally make good on his potential and the great matchup he has this week.
WR Robby Anderson (NYJ vs MIA):
Sam Darnold may have been seeing ghosts and had 2 very bad weeks, but the chemistry with Anderson has been there. The duo is not afraid to stretch the field and try to pick up big chunks of yards. The Dolphins secondary has been abysmal and just allowed Juju Smith-Schuster and Mason Rudolph to get back on track with 100 yards and a touchdown last week. The Jets have not played well since beating Dallas in Darnold’s return, but this will be the best week to see an offensive breakthrough for New York.
WR DK Metcalf (SEA vs TB):
Seattle is going to have a very rough schedule in the next few weeks, but Metcalf and company will take on a Tampa Bay defense that has been very soft this year. Metcalf has been a monster in the red zone and came away with 2 touchdowns last week against Atlanta. Tampa Bay has allowed 7 touchdowns and the 5th most yards to outside receivers so far this year and Metcalf is in line for a big day this week.
TE Jonnu Smith (TEN vs CAR):
Ride the train that is Smith while Delanie Walker is out. Ryan Tannehill likes to hit his safety valve and check it down. Tennessee is going to be taking on a very aggressive defense this week that was embarrassed by San Francisco a week ago. Tannehill will need to get the ball out quickly and will rely on his tight end a lot this week. George Kittle had a very productive week against the Panthers and even had touchdowns called back due to penalty. The Panthers are vulnerable to the tight end and it could be another productive week for Smith.
Unfavorable Matchup:
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs BUF):
It is back to back rough weeks for McLaurin after facing the Vikings last week and getting Buffalo this week. TreDavious White has been great in coverage and we have no idea who is going to be in at quarterback. The chemistry has not been there with fellow rookie Dwayne Haskins and Case Keenum may not clear concussion protocol. Look for Buffalo to make it a long game for everyone on the Redskins offense, especially McLaurin.
WR Larry Fitzgerald (ARI vs SFO):
A lot of the things Fitzgerald is doing right now is not showing up on the stat sheet. He has just 5 fantasy points the past 2 weeks and draws one of the toughest matchups of the season against San Francisco. Nick Bosa has gotten after the quarterback and disrupted the timing and Richard Sherman lurks in the secondary. The 49ers defense is for real and Fitzgerald is going to have a hard time finding room to operate this week.
WR Jarvis Landry (CLE vs DEN):
We might as well put up a circus tent around the Cleveland offense with the way things have been going. Landry managed to put a dent in New England to some degree last week, but he is not getting consistent quarterback play and sharing targets with Odell Beckham has been difficult. Chris Harris has been a lock down corner for the Broncos and should draw some of the coverage on Landry this week. The Browns may have a much easier schedule in the second half, but Landry has a tough matchup this week.
WR Marquise Brown (BAL vs NE):
It has been fun watching what Lamar Jackson and Brown have been able to do so far this season, but this is going to be a tough week. New England has shut down everyone so far this year and Brown has been dealing with injury. Stephon Gilmore will have plenty of help over the top from Patrick Chung and the Patriots defense should continue to dominate.
WR Courtland Sutton (DEN vs CLE):
Sutton has become the man in Denver after the Broncos traded Emmanuel Sanders, but the dividend from that will not pay off right away. Joe Flacco is not playing this week and after the public rift with the coaching staff and play calling it may be a while before we see him again. The Browns also have Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams covering the outside. All of this adds up to a down game for Sutton who has emerged as one of the better young receivers in the game.
TE Mark Andrews (BAL vs NE):
As discussed earlier, the Ravens take on the Patriots this week and that is an extremely difficult matchup for any offensive player so far this season. The tight end position has been a wasteland all year outside of the top few guys and has been very touchdown dependent. Don’t expect that to be any different this week for Andrews and Lamar Jackson. Andrews has been banged up all season long and has a very difficult matchup this week. If you have someone else to fill in, this is the week to do it.
