Football analysis has reached a new era in which player-participation data has allowed us to analyze, predict and project wide receiver/cornerback matchups.
Though this data becomes exceptionally useful during the regular season, a thorough examination of each team's depth chart can allow us to determine strength of schedule for each wide receiver even before the season begins. Strength of schedule is one of many variables that allow us to generate rankings, projections and draft-day decisions, and WR/CB matchup data allows us to take that analysis to the next level.
For the purpose of this exercise, I've ranked each team's cornerback unit by focusing primarily on each team's top three corners (offenses had three wide receivers on the field for 76 percent of pass plays last season), while also considering the health, talent and pedigree of each team's additional depth at the position. I also examined team's "shadowing" strategies to determine how tough each will be in a variety of areas, including clear No. 1, No. 2, left, right and slot wide receivers.
Once I had each cornerback unit ranked and analyzed, I took a look at each offense's 2017 schedule and determined which wide receivers will face the easiest cornerback slates this season.
It's important not to overreact to any one variable when it comes to player evaluation, but this analysis should help you make better decisions (or at least break some ties) on draft day.
For reference, the wide receiver units ranked No. 1 through No. 5 in last year's edition of this piece finished eighth, sixth, third, 10th, and 12th, respectively, in fantasy points.
Check back throughout the season for the weekly WR/CB matchup chart and analysis. Note that since many of your leagues won't include Week 17 in the fantasy schedule, only Weeks 1-16 are included in this analysis.
Best WR matchups
Biggest upgrade: Kelvin Benjamin
After a down year in 2016, the Panthers' passing game is primed for a rebound this season. Carolina's fantasy schedule is light, and the team's wide receivers will benefit from a really easy schedule across the board. This includes the league's easiest cornerback matchups for No. 1, No. 2 and slot receivers. The biggest benefactor here is Benjamin. Carolina's 6-foot-5 top wideout finished 17th at the position in fantasy points as a rookie in 2014, missed all of 2015 with a torn ACL and barely slipped into the top 30 last season. Twelve of 15 games on his 2017 slate will be against cornerback units ranked 19th or lower (25.1 average unit grade). The exceptions are Atlanta, New England and Minnesota. There are very few viable shadow corners on his slate, with Darius Slay, Xavier Rhodes, Desmond Trufant and Stephon Gilmore standing out as the most logical.
Devin Funchess is an intriguing third-year breakout target and will also benefit from a light slate opposite Benjamin. Rookies Curtis Samuel and Christian McCaffrey figure to soak up a generous chunk of the Panthers' slot targets and should be upgraded accordingly.
Biggest upgrade: Julio Jones
The wideouts for the defending NFC champion Falcons will face a light cornerback slate for the second consecutive season. Last season we saw Jones and Taylor Gabriel dominate inferior corners, and we might expect Mohamed Sanu to join in the fun in 2017. Jones will face the league's second-easiest schedule for a No. 1 wideout. Shadow coverage against Richard Sherman, Slay, Rhodes and Gilmore is likely, but Atlanta will face a cornerback unit ranked 21st or worse during 10 of its other 11 games. Jones is poised to make a run for most fantasy points at wideout this season.
Sanu, meanwhile, will face the league's second-lightest schedule for slot receivers. Gabriel bounces around the formation but lined up wide to the right on 48 percent of his routes last season. The Falcons' right WR will face the league's third-easiest slate this season.
Biggest upgrade: Larry Fitzgerald
The Cardinals sit second in the NFL in four-plus-wide receiver sets (20 percent) when passing during the Bruce Arians era, so a light cornerback schedule has added benefit for his offense. Arizona's No. 1 receiver technically faces a schedule that is tougher than average, but Fitzgerald moves around so often and works as the team's primary slot receiver, which means he'll dodge shadow coverage often. J.J. Nelson lined up wide to Carson Palmer's left a team-high 41 percent of the time last year, and Arizona faces the third-easiest slate for a LWR. John Brown, Jaron Brown and rookie Chad Williams also stand to benefit, which adds to their sleeper appeal.
Biggest upgrade: Brandon Marshall
Last season, the Giants ranked No. 1 on this list, and both Odell Beckham Jr. (fourth) and Sterling Shepard (36th) had strong fantasy campaigns. Marshall is now in the mix, which gives the Giants one of the best wide receiver trios in the league. The group will also benefit from a light schedule that includes the league's easiest slate for left wide receivers and a tie for easiest slate for No. 2 receivers. Beckham lined up wide to the left on 48 percent of his routes, and Marshall -- then with the Jets -- 44 percent last year. Beckham will need to deal with potential shadow coverage from the likes of Slay, Sherman, Josh Norman and Patrick Peterson, as well as face the terrific Chargers and Broncos duos. That's no walk in the park, but the average unit ranking of the other nine teams on the Giants' slate is 24.6. Shepard, meanwhile, will face the league's 10th-easiest schedule for a slot receiver.
Biggest upgrade: Tyler Lockett and Paul Richardson
The Seahawks are perhaps the most interesting team in the top five as their landscape is a bit unique. The team's No. 1 and slot receiver will both face a slate that is slightly harder than average. As it happens, Doug Baldwin is both of those. That opens the door for the likes of Lockett, Richardson and Jermaine Kearse to benefit. Seattle's No. 2 receiver will face the league's easiest slate, the left receiver will handle the sixth-easiest schedule, and the primary right wideout will see the third-easiest opposition. The issue here is nailing down who will be on the field. Lockett is coming off a broken fibula and tibia, Kearse struggled badly last year, and Richardson barely saw the field due to injuries before breaking out during the 2016 playoffs. The best move here is to consider taking a late-round stab at Richardson and Lockett. This year's third-round pick, Amara Darboh, is worth monitoring.
Easiest slates for No. 1 WRs: Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins
Although the Patriots' top wideout is positioned to benefit here, the team moves its players around so often that it's hard to pinpoint exactly who to upgrade. Brandin Cooks is most likely the benefactor. Dolphins No. 1 wideout Jarvis Landry primarily works the slot, and Miami also faces the league's seventh-easiest slot schedule. That's in addition to a tougher-than-average slate against outside and No. 2 receivers. Landry should be upgraded, whereas Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker will be in a tougher spot.
Easiest slates for No. 2 WRs: Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin join the previously mentioned players from these teams as enticing fantasy options.
Easiest slates for slot WRs: Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos
Stefon Diggs lined up in the slot 63 percent of the time last season. Rookie Carlos Henderson is expected to handle primary slot duties for Denver this year. Both should be upgraded.
Easiest slates for primary left WRs: New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Washington Redskins
Washington has a new offensive coordinator and a pair of new perimeter wide receivers, so it's hard to pinpoint one primary benefactor here. The team does, however, face a tough slot schedule (bad news for Jamison Crowder) and a much easier slate against the perimeter. Josh Doctson and Terrelle Pryor Sr. will generally line up outside.
Easiest slates for primary right WRs: Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons
Kevin White lined up wide to the right on 53 percent of his 131 routes last year. Assuming that's his primary role again this year, this helps boost his breakout appeal. Interestingly, the Bucs, Lions and Ravens face a pretty tough cornerback slate everywhere except right wide receiver. DeSean Jackson (42 percent) and Mike Evans (34 percent) both spent some time wide to the right last season. Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin and Breshad Perriman each figure to see time lined up all over the formation, so there's not much to be gained here. Kenny Britt and Corey Coleman will work both sides of the perimeter in Cleveland. Golden Tate and Marvin Jones both lined up at RWR 41 percent of the time last year.