Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can help you make the best lineup decisions. By utilizing our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defensive 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 advice and waiver wire suggestions each week.
Down below are the receivers with the best and worst matchups this week, 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 our weekly WR vs. CB Cheatsheet.
Note that references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjust to a per-game basis in order to avoid distortion due to bye weeks, unless otherwise indicated.
Advantageous matchups
Rams' Cooper Kupp vs. Cardinals' Jace Whittaker (Slot)
This is an interesting one, as we saw top Arizona corner Byron Murphy shadow last week -- the first time Arizona has shadowed since Patrick Peterson in Week 11 of 2020 and the first time Murphy has shadowed since his rookie season in 2019. Murphy followed Davante Adams last week, traveling with him on 29 of his 39 routes, including 22-of-23 on the perimeter and 3-of-16 in the slot. The latter is notable as, while Murphy has experience in the slot, he has settled in as an outside corner, and that is evidenced by him not following Adams inside. The plan worked, as Adams was held to a 2-12-1 receiving line on seven targets (all against Murphy). Perhaps Arizona will return to playing sides, but considering the Rams have a clear top perimeter receiver (Allen Robinson II), it's very possible Murphy travels with him this week. Consider downgrading Robinson slightly. Meanwhile, we're upgrading Rams slot man Kupp (Raiders slot Hunter Renfrow had 10 targets last week) against Whittaker. We're also considering Van Jefferson (if he returns) or Ben Skowronek (if Jefferson is out) a deep sleeper against Marco Wilson.
Vikings' Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and Adam Thielen vs. Lions' Amani Oruwariye, Mike Hughes and Jeff Okudah
We've picked on Detroit often in this column in recent years, but there simply hasn't been much sign of improvement. The Lions have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to receivers this season (sixth most over expected) and the sixth most to the slot. Okudah, a first-round pick in 2020, has been serviceable out of the gates, but Oruwariye was picked on in Week 1 before missing last week because of a back injury (Will Harris filled in). Both Jefferson (54% perimeter) and Thielen (61%) are in a good spot and can be upgraded. K.J. Osborn draws ex-Viking Hughes in the slot and gets a slight boost.
Falcons' Drake London, Olamide Zaccheaus and Bryan Edwards vs. Seahawks' Tariq Woolen, Justin Coleman and Mike Jackson
London's career is off to a great start, and he's positioned for another big game with Seattle on the docket. The Seahawks haven't faced a ton of pass volume just yet, but Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk all reached 11 fantasy points against them. London is the only Atlanta receiver you should consider in most formats, and he aligns outside 86% of the time. That will mean a lot of run against fifth-round rookie Woolen and 2019 fifth-rounder Jackson.
Raiders' Mack Hollins, Hunter Renfrow and Davante Adams vs. Titans' Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary and Caleb Farley
The Titans' defense had a rough go against the Bills on Monday evening and have now allowed the most fantasy points to perimeter receivers through two weeks of play. The Titans have also allowed the fifth-most fantasy points overall to receivers (second most over expected). Tennessee's cornerback deployment will depend on the health of Fulton, who missed Week 2 because of a hamstring injury, but only second-round rookie McCreary has played particularly well thus far. The likes of Farley, slot man Ugo Amadi, UDFA rookie Tre Avery, Lonnie Johnson Jr. and Chris Jackson have all been involved, as well. Adams has aligned all over the field and can be upgraded. Renfrow (90% slot) is in a decent spot, though note that McCreary manned the slot in Week 2, so perhaps it won't be a walk in the park. Hollins is coming off a strong Week 2 showing and is a deep sleeper.
Tough matchups
Commanders' Terry McLaurin vs. Eagles' Darius Slay (Shadow)
Commanders' Curtis Samuel vs. Eagles' Avonte Maddox (Slot)
Commanders' Jahan Dotson vs. Eagles' James Bradberry
Slay has shadowed McLaurin in all four games since joining the Eagles in 2020. Bradberry shadowed him during his final three games against Washington while with the Giants. McLaurin's lines in those games against Slay and the Eagles were 5-61-0 on seven targets (Week 1, 2020), 7-40-1 on eight targets (Week 17, 2020), 2-51-0 on four targets (Week 15, 2021), 7-61-0 on seven targets (Week 17, 2021). In the three games against Bradberry and the Giants, he posted lines of 7-115-1 on eight targets (Week 9, 2020), 11-104-1 on 14 targets (Week 2, 2021) and 4-93-0 on six targets (Week 18, 2021).
McLaurin has been held in check by Slay for the most part, but has obviously had Bradberry's number. On Monday night, we saw Slay effectively shadow Justin Jefferson on his perimeter routes, and we should expect the same treatment of McLaurin (81% perimeter) this week. Expectations for McLaurin can be lowered a bit. Meanwhile, impressive rookie Dotson (71% perimeter) will see a ton of Bradberry on the other side of the field and will also have his hands full. Samuel (67% slot) will primarily work against Maddox and, while it's not an easy matchup, Philadelphia's strong perimeter play has led to it allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the slot so far this season.
Bills' Stefon Diggs vs. Dolphins' Xavien Howard (Shadow)
I'm filing this one under "tough matchups" simply because we know how good Howard is, but bear with me here. Howard shadowed in Weeks 1 (DeVante Parker) and 2 (Rashod Bateman), and he has also shadowed Diggs in each of the past three meetings between these teams. Diggs' receiving lines in those three games were as follows: 7-76-0 on eight targets (Week 17, 2020), 4-60-1 on eight targets (Week 2, 2021) and 5-40-1 on six targets (Week 8, 2021). Howard is a great corner and perhaps limited Diggs' ceiling a bit (max 16.0 points), but he obviously hasn't been able to shut him down completely. Also, after holding Parker to one catch in the opener, Howard was torched by Bateman for a 75-yard TD in Week 2 and the second-year receiver ended up with a 4-108-1 receiving line on 21 routes in the game. Diggs will see a lot of Howard this week (expect roughly 75% of his routes) and that will be a tougher challenge than usual, but besides perhaps avoiding him in DFS cash games, he should be started as usual. If back from injury, Gabriel Davis should be upgraded significantly against Keion Crossen (Byron Jones remains on injured reserve).
Packers' Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard vs. Buccaneers' Jamel Dean, Antoine Winfield Jr. and Carlton Davis
The Bucs' perimeter corner situation is the same as in years past (Davis and Dean), but they made a big change in the slot this season, demoting Sean Murphy-Bunting to the bench in favor of Winfield. The plan has worked; Tampa Bay has allowed the fewest fantasy points over expected to wide receivers this season. Green Bay is essentially using a wide receiver by committee approach, but Lazard (73% perimeter) and Watkins (84%) have gained some separation as the top perimeter options. They'll see plenty of Davis and Dean this week and can be downgraded. Cobb (89% slot) is the top option inside and in a tough spot against Winfield.
Steelers' Diontae Johnson vs. Browns' Denzel Ward (Shadow)
These teams last met in Week 17 of last season, and Ward shadowed Johnson on 25 of his 35 coverage snaps in the game. The plan worked, with Johnson limited to an 8-31-1 receiving line on a massive 15 targets in the game. Johnson has been targeted on 10 of his 30 career routes with Ward in coverage and has a 4-24-1 receiving line on those plays. This one isn't a lock, as Ward hasn't shadowed yet this season, and it's also worth noting that the Browns have struggled against perimeter receivers thus far (fourth-most fantasy points allowed). Johnson aligns out wide 96% of the time. He has some added risk this week, but not enough to bench him on Thursday night.
Other notable downgrades:
Cardinals' Marquise Brown vs. Rams' Jalen Ramsey: Ramsey's usage suggests he won't shadow full time, but he might lean toward Brown at times during this game. As a result, we should consider Brown riskier than usual.
Panthers' DJ Moore vs. Saints' Marshon Lattimore: Lattimore has never shadowed Moore, so he likely won't this week. However, Lattimore generally aligns at right corner, which is where Moore has been on 59% of his routes this season. Moore should be downgraded slightly.
Texans' Nico Collins vs. Bears' Jaylon Johnson: The Bears simply don't allow much production to Johnson's side of the field (right corner), which is where Collins has aligned 57% of the time this season. Chris Moore is a deep sleeper in the slot against struggling rookie Kyler Gordon.
49ers' Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk vs. Broncos' Patrick Surtain II, K'Waun Williams and Ronald Darby: Denver has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers thus far, but (A) they've faced Davis Mills and Geno Smith and (B) top corner Surtain is day to day because of a shoulder injury. This will be a tougher matchup than usual if Surtain suits up.
Buccaneers' Breshad Perriman, Russell Gage and Julio Jones vs. Packers' Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas and Eric Stokes: With Mike Evans (suspension) and perhaps Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Jones (knee) sidelined this week, the Bucs are already shorthanded at receiver. That is far from ideal against a terrific Packers secondary that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to receivers so far this season.
Jaguars' Christian Kirk vs. Chargers' Bryce Callahan (slot): The red-hot Kirk can't be benched, but he has a tougher matchup against one of the game's better slot corners this week.
Saints' Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave vs. Panthers' Donte Jackson, Myles Hartsfield and Jaycee Horn: Carolina has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points overall and to perimeter receivers this season.