Receivers with good and bad matchups: Week 9

Each week, this article highlights some of the best and worst matchups for wide receivers and tight ends. Using player data from various sources (NFL.com, Pro Football Focus, ESPN, etc.) and assessments of recent trends, I look for situations to exploit or avoid when determining your weekly lineups. Since this article is intended to help across all sites (both DFS and seasonal), variations in prize and scoring systems are not taken into account, so values ​​may obviously shift depending on where you play. The main purpose of this article is simply to list some players who could be significantly helped or hurt by their situation each week.

Favorable matchups

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET vs. GB) vs Javon Bullard

St. Brown is always a must-start in any format at this point, but he is coming off a great game against Bullard this week. Green Bay has struggled with outside receivers Jair Alexanderwith Bullard currently allowing more than half a fantasy point per coverage snap and being targeted 27% of the time. St. Brown is the most trusted weapon in the air for Detroit and should see another big game this week.

WR DeAndre Hopkins (KC vs. TB) vs Tyreek Funderburk

Hopkins still had a full week of practice with Kansas City and should be more familiar with the playbook and this offense. He runs into a great spot against Funderburk on the outside, who is currently allowing 0.50 fantasy points per coverage snap while being targeted 15% of the time. He may not be targeted as often as others in the secondary, but that means he allows big plays all over the field. Look for Hopkins to assimilate into this offense and put up big numbers this week with a great game against Tampa Bay.

WR Malik Nabers (NYG vs. WAS) vs…. Benjamin Sint-Juste

Nabers had an uneventful return from a concussion in a tough game against Pittsburgh. However, he should be in a great spot this week against St-Juste. St-Juste is routinely asked to cover the top receiver and hasn’t done well from a fantasy standpoint. He is currently allowing 0.46 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 23% of the time. Nabers could easily resume his double-digit target share this week and make this offense relevant again all on his own.

WR Terry McLaurin (WAS vs. NYG) vs…. Deonte Banks

Banks had success against McLaurin earlier this season, but that was before the breakout Jayden Daniels. Since that week, Banks has allowed 0.42 fantasy points per coverage snap and is being targeted 21% of the time. Teams aren’t afraid to go after the shadow corner, and McLaurin has proven to be Daniels’ favorite option this season. This is another great spot for the former Buckeye receiver and should be taken advantage of across the board.

WR Calvin Ridley (TEN vs. NE) vs Christian González

Like Banks above, teams haven’t been afraid to throw to Gonzalez. The young corner returned from injury this season and has been asked to shadow top receivers to the tune of 0.35 fantasy points per coverage snap and is targeted 21% of the time. Ridley is the main beneficiary of the DeAndre Hopkins trade and saw 13 targets last week. Expect his role in this offense to continue to grow as he is the best pass-catching option they have.

WR Ladd McConkey (LAC vs. CLE) vs Greg Newsome II

Newsome is one of the better slot corners in the league defensively, but he has allowed fantasy points in bunches this year. He currently allows 0.45 fantasy points per coverage snap and is targeted 22% of the time. The offense hasn’t done the defense any favors early this season, and a lot of those numbers are based on pure volume. McConkey has emerged as the top pass-catching option Justin Herbert and should continue its production this week. McConkey is easily a WR2/FLEX option this week.

AT Cade Otton (TB vs. KC)

Otton has exploded onto the scene over the past two weeks with a total of 47 fantasy points and is quickly becoming the top option for Baker Mayfield with both Mike Evans And Chris Godwin injured. Otton has seen 20 targets over the past two weeks and Kansas City’s defense has allowed the most fantasy points to opponents this season. Oton still has a shot at a top 5 spot at the tight end position this week.

AT David Njoku (CLE vs. LAC)

Njoku is a must-start in any format this week as his stock has risen James Winston bottom center. Njoku has racked up 40 fantasy points and 21 targets over the past two weeks. He is easily one of the top targets for Winston and was an integral part of the Ravens’ upset last week. The Chargers haven’t allowed a touchdown to an opposing tight end this season, but Travis Kelce had as many as 15 points against them in week 4. Look for Njoku to continue his hot streak this week.

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