Shadow Report: Key WR/CB matchups for Week 16

By utilizing our play-by-play data, we're now able to identify where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking matchups between the two positions, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings and fantasy advice each week.

Below are the receivers with the best and worst Week 16 matchups, as well as the corresponding fantasy impact.

To view the primary defenders the top three wide receivers for each team will see this weekend, be sure to check out my weekly WR vs. CB Cheat Sheet.

Advantageous matchups

Packers' Davante Adams vs. Vikings' Xavier Rhodes (shadow)

Rhodes has only shadowed three times this season, and one of those was in Week 2 against Adams. Rhodes also shadowed Adams during three of four meetings during the 2017-18 seasons. Rhodes went down with an injury on Sunday, but if he's able to go this weekend, we should expect him to travel with Adams in a critical NFC North showdown. Of course, that shouldn't deter you from firing up a player who has had a ton of success in this matchup. Adams posted a 7-106-0 receiving line on nine targets in Week 2, 8-64-1 and 5-69-1 lines on 20 total targets last season, and a 5-54-1 line on nine targets in the 2017 meeting. Rhodes has struggled, and the Minnesota defense has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers over the past eight weeks, including the second-most to perimeter receivers this season and over the past eight weeks. If Rhodes is out, Adams should still be upgraded against the likes of Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes and Holton Hill.

Seahawks' DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett vs. Cardinals' Patrick Peterson, Byron Murphy and Chris Jones

Arizona is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers over the past eight weeks and past month, as well as the third most to the perimeter over the past eight weeks and 12th-most over the past month. Arizona has also allowed the most fantasy points to the slot this season. This obviously sets up well for Lockett (71% slot) and Metcalf (12%), who also could see an extra target or two with Josh Gordon done for the season. Peterson has shadowed in four games since his return from suspension and is a strong candidate to travel with Lockett on his perimeter routes and Metcalf when Lockett is in the slot. That won't move the needle much, however, as Peterson has struggled in coverage throughout the season. Though both receivers disappointed when these teams met in Arizona in Week 4 (Lockett 4-51-0, Metcalf 1-6-0), both should be upgraded significantly in this good matchup.

Cowboys' Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup vs. Eagles' Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills

After getting beat up by Dwayne Haskins on Sunday, Philadelphia has now allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including the most to perimeter receivers for the season and over the past month. Incredibly, the Eagles have allowed the most points to both the left and right side. That obviously bodes very well for Cooper (85%) perimeter) and Gallup (86%). Cooper wasn't fully healthy in the Week 7 meeting between these teams, but he still posted a 5-106-0 receiving line on five targets. Gallup was held to 3-34-0 on four targets, though Dallas only had to attempt 27 passes in a blowout win. Upgrade Cooper to a solid WR1 and consider Gallup a WR3 option. The Eagles have allowed the fewest fantasy points to the slot, so Randall Cobb should be downgraded this week.

Bengals' Tyler Boyd vs. Dolphins' Jomal Wiltz

Miami has allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including the most over the past month. The Dolphins have also allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to the slot over the past month, which is notable this week with Boyd (63%) on the slate. Boyd is coming off a predictable down game against Stephon Gilmore, but is a good bet to get back on track against Miami slot CB Wiltz. Wiltz has been heavily targeted (21% of his coverage snaps) and is allowing a hefty 0.54 fantasy points per coverage snap. Outside receivers John Ross and Alex Erickson (or perhaps A.J. Green if he finally returns) also get a gigantic boost, though all will be risky with their playing time in question. Miami has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the perimeter over the past month.

Other notable upgrades:

• Redskins' Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon and Steven Sims Jr. vs. Giants' DeAndre Baker, Sam Beal and Corey Ballentine

• Texans' DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller V and Kenny Stills vs. Buccaneers' Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting

• Panthers' DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel vs. Colts' Pierre Desir and Rock Ya-Sin

Tough matchups

Lions' Kenny Golladay vs. Broncos' Chris Harris Jr. (shadow)

He's found the end zone three times, but otherwise it's been a bit of a rough go for Golladay since Matthew Stafford first sat out back in Week 10. In six games since that point, Golladay has fallen short of 11 fantasy points in three games and has failed to reach 62 receiving yards in five outings. Life may not get much better this week with Harris on the slate. Denver's top corner has already shadowed Allen Robinson, Davante Adams, Keenan Allen (twice), Tyreek Hill, T.Y. Hilton, Odell Beckham Jr., Stefon Diggs, John Brown and DeAndre Hopkins on the perimeter this season. Despite the tough assignments, Harris has been targeted on only 15% of his coverage snaps. Golladay only escapes to the slot 15% of the time, so these two will face off on nearly every play this week. Downgrade Golladay and the entire Lions passing game.

Bills' John Brown vs. Patriots' Stephon Gilmore (shadow)

When these teams met back in Week 4, Gilmore shadowed Brown on 47 of his 48 pass routes. That included all 43 of his perimeter routes and four of five in the slot. Brown still ended up with 11 targets and a solid 5-69-0 receiving line in the game, but there's no doubt that another showdown with Gilmore puts Josh Allen's top target in serious jeopardy of a poor fantasy performance. Gilmore has been outstanding, and the Patriots have allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, including the second-fewest to the perimeter and fourth-fewest to the slot. Brown should be downgraded to a risky flex. Cole Beasley (7-75-0 in the first meeting) should also be downgraded against Jonathan Jones.

49ers' Emmanuel Sanders vs. Rams' Jalen Ramsey (shadow)

Since joining the Rams prior to Week 7, Ramsey has shadowed Julio Jones (6-93-0 receiving line in the game), JuJu Smith-Schuster (3-44-0), Allen Robinson (4-15-0), DK Metcalf (6-78-0) and, most recently, Amari Cooper (1-19-0). Sanders was acquired to function as the 49ers' No. 1 receiver, so there's a good chance Ramsey will shadow him. Sanders primarily aligns on the perimeter, which means these two will face off often, regardless of whether or not Ramsey shadows. The Rams have allowed the fewest fantasy points to perimeter receivers over the past month, so Sanders should be downgraded. Deebo Samuel could end up in a good spot on the other side of the field if Troy Hill (thumb) is unable to play. Note that neither of these players was on their current roster when these teams met in Week 6.

Bears' Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller vs. Chiefs' Charvarius Ward and Tyrann Mathieu

Believe it or not, the Chiefs have been one of the most dominant defenses against wide receivers. They've allowed the fewest receptions and the second-fewest fantasy points to the position, including the fewest to perimeter receivers. Kansas City struggled against the slot earlier this season but has improved since giving Mathieu run over Kendall Fuller inside. Robinson (55% perimeter) will see plenty of both Ward and Mathieu, while Miller (81% slot) will primarily work against Mathieu and Fuller. Both will need to be downgraded, with Robinson more of a WR2 and Miller a risky flex.

Titans' A.J. Brown vs. Saints' Marshon Lattimore (shadow)

Brown has yet to be shadowed in a full-time capacity in his young career, but that could change this week if the Saints decide to prioritize fantasy's No. 2 wide receiver over the past month. If they do, Lattimore will be on Brown on nearly all of his routes, as Brown aligns on the perimeter 89% of the time. Of course, Brown aligns at left perimeter receiver 52% of the time, which is Lattimore's home when not shadowing, so these two will see plenty of each other regardless of New Orleans' game plan. Brown should obviously be downgraded, though his recent surge in target volume and production keeps him in the WR3 mix.

Broncos' Courtland Sutton vs. Lions' Darius Slay (shadow)

Despite dealing with a turnstile at quarterback, Sutton has managed to produce the 17th-most fantasy points among wide receivers during his breakout second season. This week, Sutton can expect to see Slay in coverage. Detroit's top corner has shadowed Damiere Byrd, Keenan Allen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Stefon Diggs (twice), Zay Jones, Allen Robinson (twice), Amari Cooper and Terry McLaurin this season. Slay hasn't been quite as dominant as in past years, but he's still a good corner who is targeted at a below-average rate. Detroit has been fleeced to the tune of the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season and the ninth-most to the perimeter. That said, we don't need to downgrade Sutton more than slightly in this matchup.

Other notable downgrades:

• Browns' Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry vs. Ravens' Jimmy Smith, Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey

• Dolphins' Albert Wilson vs. Bengals' Darqueze Dennard Patriots' Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu and N'Keal Harry vs. Bills' Tre'Davious White, Levi Wallace and Taron Johnson

• Jets' Robby Anderson, Demaryius Thomas and Jamison Crowder vs. Steelers' Joe Haden, Steven Nelson and Mike Hilton