The wide receiver position has been arguably the most surprising position through four weeks in fantasy football. There have been a ton of incredible performances by undrafted receivers this year, while some of the superstars have had their struggles.
All that craziness at the wide receiver position has made it difficult for fantasy managers to get the right lineup. Let’s look at some bad matchups for wide receivers in Week 5, including the best fantasy receiver having a tough opponent.
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Fantasy Matchups Week 5: Be Weary of These WRs
Justin Jefferson vs. Kansas City Chiefs
I know, this looks like absolute blasphemy. No receiver is playing better in the NFL than Justin Jefferson. However, this could be one of Jefferson’s two toughest matchups all year.
Now, are the Kansas City Chiefs going to completely take Jefferson out of the game? No, there isn’t a player or a team who is talented enough to do that. However, the Chiefs have been very good against the pass this year and have the guys in the secondary who can make Jefferson work for his numbers.
Entering this game, the Chiefs are giving up only 190.5 yards per game, which is eighth in the NFL. The Chiefs have given up only four passing touchdowns this year, and this is the best defensive unit that Patrick Mahomes has played with in Kansas City.
Once again, are the Chiefs going to take out Jefferson completely? No. But if you have been winning close matchups with Jefferson’s incredible start, you may have to be on top of your other player decisions.
Nico Collins vs. Atlanta Falcons
One of the biggest wide receiver surprises thus far has been the play of Nico Collins. Through four games, Collins has 22 catches for 428 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He has had two games this year with nine catches and at least 146 yards.
Last week against the Steelers, he had nine catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He has quickly become C.J. Stroud’s favorite target early in the season, but he is in for a much tougher game against the Falcons.
Atlanta’s defense has been outstanding against the pass this year, as the Falcons currently rank fifth in passing yards allowed (176.3 yards). Safety Jessie Bates III has come over from Cincinnati and given the Falcons a huge lift, as he has three interceptions in four games.
George Pickens vs. Baltimore Ravens
George Pickens has been up and down this year, and he is going into a matchup that could lead to a tough day.
The Ravens have done a terrific job of stopping opponents from passing the ball, as the defense ranks third (168.3 yards) against the pass. The most receiving yards that Baltimore has given up to an opponent this year is Tee Higgins, who had eight catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
He is the lone receiver to have a big game against the Ravens, and nothing Pickens or the Steelers have done recently would suggest he is a good play in this game.
On the season, Pickens has 16 catches for 263 yards and one touchdown. However, more than a quarter of those yards came on a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns. In the last two weeks, he has had seven catches for 100 yards. What is troubling is that he has 30 targets, showing that he and Kenny Pickett aren’t on the same page.
There is all kinds of talk about who should be the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, and this could be another tough week for the Steelers.
Tutu Atwell vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Tutu Atwell has been excellent for the Rams thus far in the season, as he ranks 18th in the league with 270 yards on 22 catches. He has been one part of the most surprising receiving duo in the league, as his teammate Puka Nacua has 39 catches for 501 yards and one touchdown.
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Cooper Kupp is back practicing for the Rams, and while his role for Sunday is still a question mark, the Eagles will be ready to go. Now, the Eagles haven’t been that great against the pass, as they rank 27th in the league (260.8 yards allowed).
Part of the reason why the Eagles have given up a lot of passing yards, though, is because they have gotten big leads on teams, leading to abandonment of the run. Atwell will be matched up with James Bradberry a lot, and that is not an easy matchup.