By utilizing our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defense schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking these WR/CB matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start decisions and fantasy advice each week. Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can also help you make the best waiver wire pickups.
Below are the receivers with the best and worst Week 1 matchups, as well as the corresponding fantasy impact.
To view the primary defenders whom the top three wide receivers for each team will see this weekend, be sure to check out
Unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjust to a per-game basis to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.
Advantageous matchups
Titans' A.J. Brown and Julio Jones vs. Cardinals' Byron Murphy, Robert Alford and Marco Wilson
There are quite a few teams set to enter Week 1 with scary cornerback situations and Arizona is certainly on that list following the departure of Patrick Peterson, the surprising retirement of Malcolm Butler and a season-ending injury to Darqueze Dennard. The fallback plan will include Murphy, a 2019 second-round pick who was solid while playing both inside and out across 755 snaps last season. After Murphy, though, there's trouble. Alford, 32, missed all of 2019 and 2020 due to injury, while rookies Wilson and Tay Gowan and 2020 UDFA Luq Barcoo (struggled on 143 snaps as a rookie) are the other options at the No. 2 and 3 spots. Brown and Jones will see some combination of this group throughout Sunday's game and should obviously be upgraded significantly. Consider No. 3 Josh Reynolds a deep sleeper and DFS tournament punt.
Panthers' Robby Anderson, DJ Moore and Terrace Marshall Jr. vs. Jets' Bryce Hall, Javelin Guidry and TBA rookie CB
The Jets have had issues at cornerback for a few years now, so it should be no surprise to see them here. The issues were expounded during final cuts when 2020 No. 1 corner Bless Austin failed to make the roster. That leaves the team with 2020 fifth-round pick Hall and 2020 UDFA Guidry as its top two options, with four Day 3/undrafted rookies Brandin Echols, Michael Carter II, Jason Pinnock and Isaiah Dunn competing for the No. 3 gig. Perhaps New York found itself a diamond in the rough, but considering its unclear who will be on the field against Carolina, it's likely that corner will remain a major problem area. Meanwhile, the Panthers were one of three teams with three top-25 fantasy receivers last season. Perimeter receivers Anderson and Moore should be locked into lineups and the rookie Marshall makes for a Week 1 sleeper.
Rams' Robert Woods, Van Jefferson, DeSean Jackson and Cooper Kupp vs. Bears' Jaylon Johnson, Artie Burns and Duke Shelley
Chicago is another team that failed to address a shaky cornerback situation during the offseason. Desmond Trufant didn't pan out as a free-agent signing, leaving the team with Johnson as it's clear top corner. Johnson played an every down role as a rookie and struggled a bit, but perhaps will make a Year 2 leap. Burns is projected for the other perimeter gig. The 26-year-old lost his starting job in Pittsburgh a few years ago and only played a handful of snaps in 2019 before missing all of 2020 with a torn ACL. Shelley is expected to man the slot after underwhelming in the role during the final five weeks of 2020. Rams' slot man Kupp will benefit from that matchup, with Woods, Jefferson and Jackson working the perimeter against Johnson, Burns and perhaps recent Day 3 picks Kindle Vildor and Xavier Crawford. Upgrade the Rams' pass offense.
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel vs. Lions' Jeff Okudah, Amani Oruwariye and AJ Parker
If you're asking yourself, "Who is AJ Parker?", you're not alone. The former Kansas State player is one of two UDFA rookie corners to make the Lions 53-man roster and he's the favorite for Week 1 slot duties. On the perimeter, it will be 2020 first-round pick Okudah and Oruwariye. Both played significant roles last season, but struggled badly, with the Lions allowing the most fantasy points to perimeter receivers and the third most to the position overall. Aiyuk (77% perimeter) and Samuel (72%) primarily align outside, but we will see Parker a bit inside as well, and he can obviously be upgraded.
Other notable upgrades:
Buccaneers' Chris Godwin vs. Cowboys' Jourdan Lewis (slot)
Falcons' Russell Gage vs. Eagles' Avonte Maddox (slot)
Vikings' Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen vs. Bengals' Trae Waynes and Chidobe Awuzie
Tough matchups
Bears' Allen Robinson vs. Rams' Jalen Ramsey (shadow)
These teams have met each of the past two seasons. In Week 11 in 2019, Ramsey shadowed Robinson on 30 of his 49 routes. Robinson was held to a 4-15-0 receiving line on six targets in the game, including one 2-yard catch on three targets against Ramsey. In Week 7 last season, Ramsey did not shadow. Robinson was targeted four times in the game and posted a 4-70-0 receiving line (2-56-0 on 10 routes against Ramsey). Because Ramsey shadowed more in the second half last season, I suspect he will in Week 1 against Robinson. Even if he doesn't, Robinson will see plenty of Ramsey and Darious Williams, who also played very well last season. The Rams allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2020. Robinson is a name to avoid in DFS cash games.
Broncos' Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy vs. Giants' James Bradberry and Adoree' Jackson
During the 2020 offseason, the Giants added one of the best cornerbacks on the market in Bradberry. During the 2021 offseason, the Giants added one of the best cornerbacks on the market in Jackson. The two standouts will man the perimeter for a good Giants' defense and that's troubling news for Sutton (80% perimeter in 2019) and Jeudy (68% perimeter in 2020). Bradberry and Jackson have both shadowed in the past, so it's possible New York utilizes them that way. But both are very good, so it won't matter much who is on who. Sutton and Jeudy should be downgraded a bit, but considering their super cheap pricing, both remain viable DFS options. Consider slot man KJ Hamler a Week 1 sleeper against Darnay Holmes.
Raiders' Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow vs. Ravens' Marlon Humphrey, Tavon Young and Jimmy Smith
Baltimore has maintained its status as one of the league's toughest pass defenses and that was on display in 2020 when it allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Two of the team's top three corners are back -- Marcus Peters was lost for the season in practice Thursday -- as is slot corner Young, who has missed most of the past two seasons due to injury. Humphrey aligned in the slot 57% of the time last season, but may get more perimeter work this year with Young back. Ruggs (65% perimeter last season) and Edwards (80%) will see a lot of Smith and Humphrey on the outside, whereas Renfrow will work inside against Young and Humphrey. Las Vegas' wide receivers aren't close to 'set it and forget it' status, so they are best left on benches in Week 1.
Giants' Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton vs. Broncos' Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, Ronald Darby and Patrick Surtain II
Golladay (Lions) and Fuller (Bears) have a history from their time in the NFC North together. The two standouts faced off six times from 2017 to 2019, with Golladay being held to an 8-137-2 receiving line on 17 targets (73 routes) against Fuller. Fuller didn't shadow in any of those games and likely won't in Week 1, but life won't be any easier against a stacked depth chart that also includes Darby, first-round pick Surtain and slot man Callahan.
Bengals' Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd vs. Vikings' Patrick Peterson, Bashaud Breeland and Mackenzie Alexander
The Vikings' defense allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers (fourth most to perimeter) last season, but that was an almost completely different group of players. That's especially the case at cornerback, which could feature three new starters. Peterson, Breeland and second-year player Cameron Dantzler are expected to handle perimeter duties, which is where Higgins and Chase (who could be limited in his NFL debut) will align on most of their routes. Alexander upgrades a slot corner situation that was already pretty good (no team allowed fewer points to the slot last season) and will see a lot of ex-teammate Boyd inside. We don't need to fade Cincinnati's wide receivers completely, but be aware that Minnesota's defense is likely to be much better this season.
Other notable downgrades:
Patriots' Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne vs. Dolphins' Xavien Howard, Byron Jones and Justin Coleman
Chargers' Keenan Allen vs. WFT's Kendall Fuller (slot)
Seahawks' Tyler Lockett vs. Colts' Kenny Moore (slot)
Other Potential Shadow Matchups
Packers' Davante Adams vs. Saints' Marshon Lattimore (shadow)
Lattimore is coming off a bit of a down year, but when he's playing his best, he's one of the top corners in the game. He also shadows most opposing No. 1 wide receivers, which makes it likely that he'll travel with Adams in Week 1. These two last faced off back in 2017 and Lattimore did, in fact, shadow Adams in that game. Lattimore won the battle, holding Adams to an 8-yard catch on three targets, while covering him on 18 plays. Lattimore tends to show up in a big way against the toughest competition, so this may be a stiffer test than usual for Adams. Of course, he's so productive and so heavily targeted that we really don't need to move the needle, especially with Lattimore coming off a shaky 2020.