Wide Receiver Matchups to Target in Week 1: Jaylen Waddle, Terry McLaurin, Tank Dell, Khalil Shakir

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season is finally here, and with it, a fresh start to your fantasy leagues and DFS bankroll. One of the best ways to gain an edge in weekly DFS and prop betting is by paying particular attention to a wide receiver’s primary cornerback matchup. These matchups can be difficult to factor into sportsbook pricing and thus are useful in identifying receivers who will overperform in a given week. 

Each week we will use matchup data from PFF to determine wide receivers to target based on who they will be primarily lining up against that week. These are players more likely to return a three-times multiplier on their DraftKings salary, a benchmark for consistently winning DFS cash games. 

Below are five of the top WR vs. CB matchups for Week 1's DFS main slate. Use these to set season-long lineups, make player-prop picks, and gain an edge in DFS.

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

$6,300 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel; vs. Tyson Campbell

Waddle is another receiver who disappointed in 2023, finishing the season as WR33 in 14 games (WR24 in points per game). Waddle’s underlying target share (24%) and efficiency metrics last season make him a top candidate for a bounceback season in Miami’s explosive offense.

The 25-year-old opens the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who gave up the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing WRs in 2023. He has a primary matchup opposite CB Tyson Campbell that offers an excellent 95.8 matchup grade per PFF. 

Waddle is 15th in DK salary cost among main slate receivers, offering a clear path to three times the value on his Week 1 salary cost.

Jaylen Waddle:

▶️1 of 5 players in NFL history with 70 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of first 3 seasons

The WR24 in ESPN leagues. pic.twitter.com/HmWKUP188a

— Moody (@EricNMoody) September 1, 2024

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

$5,600 on DraftKings, $6,200 on FanDuel; vs. Zyon McCollum

Terry McLaurin was a reliable deep threat for Washington last season, ranking 13th among receivers in air yards despite finishing the season WR32. He looks to turn a corner and reach his ceiling this year with rookie QB Jayden Daniels who impressed in limited snaps this preseason.

McLaurin and the Commanders have a lucrative matchup against the Buccaneers to open the 2024 campaign. Tampa Bay gave up the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers last year.

The 28-year-old is projected to line up primarily opposite CB Zyon McCollum. PFF gives McLaurin a 91.1 advantage grade in this matchup. As the 25th and 26th-priced WR in DraftKings and FanDuel this week, respectively, he has a clear path to returning value.

The Jayden Daniels to Terry McLaurin connection is going to be a lot of fun 🔥

(🎥 @Commanders) pic.twitter.com/ouzgKmcRii

— PFF (@PFF) August 1, 2024

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— Scott (@scottd923) September 25, 2023

Tank Dell, Houston Texans

$5,500 on DraftKings, $6,400 on FanDuel; vs. Jaylon Jones

Tank Dell turned heads last season, finishing WR18 in points per game in an injury-shortened rookie campaign. He enters 2024 healthy again ready to contribute to a revamped Texans offense that added WR Stefon Diggs and RB Joe Mixon. 

Dell’s Week 1 salary is priced conservatively considering the increased competition for targets, but the second-year receiver has shown the ability to produce regardless of volume. Dell ranked 12th among receivers in average depth of target and finished last season with seven TDs despite only playing in 11 games. 

Dell opens the season with a matchup with the Colts. PFF projects a 90.1 matchup advantage grade for Dell over CB Jaylon Jones. Take advantage of the Week 1 discount before Dell returns to his explosive ways.

Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills

$5,100 on DraftKings, $5,400 on FanDuel; vs. Garrett Williams

Shakir rose to fantasy relevance in the closing weeks of the 2023 season after an injury to starting WR Gabe Davis, catching 16 of 17 targets for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns over his last three games. Despite limited action, Shakir led the NFL in catch rate (88%) and generated the highest passer rating when targeted (141.5).

Shakir has risen up the depth chart this offseason after the departures of Davis and fellow WR Stefon Diggs, opening the opportunity for the third-year receiver to pick up right where he left off last season.

The Bills open the season against the Cardinals, the number-one easiest matchup for receivers according to PFF. Shakir is projected to line up primarily against rookie CB Garrett Williams in Week 1.

With less competition for targets against an unproven Arizona secondary, Shakir is an excellent flex option in Week 1 DFS and season-long lineups.

Khalil Shakir is a YAC machine. Exactly what Joe Brady loves. pic.twitter.com/aZuh1TULyy

— Alfredo Brown (@AlfredoABrown) August 10, 2024

Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

$7,800 on DraftKings, $9,100 on FanDuel; vs. Jonathan Jones

Chase underperformed last season, finishing as the WR11 in PPR scoring. With QB Joe Burrow back healthy to start 2024 for the Bengals, the third-year receiver looks to return to form in a season-opening matchup with the Patriots.

His recent absence from practice while he pushes for a contract extension is likely to deter some bettors but don’t let that include you. With Burrow under center, Chase has averaged 9.6 targets, 87.1 receiving yards, and 0.7 touchdowns compared to 6.1 targets, 58.4 yards, and 0.1 touchdowns without.

He and Burrow will look to rekindle that spark by taking advantage of a primary matchup with CB Jonathan Jones. With a sub-$8,000 salary on DraftKings, this is a great buy-low spot for a star receiver who is set to shine this season.

Thanks for reading, and good luck with your DFS contests!

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