By utilizing our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defensive schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on every 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 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 cheat sheet.
Note that, unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjusts to a per-game basis in order to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.
Advantageous matchups
Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore and A.J. Green vs. Saints' Bradley Roby, Chris Harris Jr. and Paulson Adebo
Hopkins will make his season debut this week, which is good timing with Marquise Brown sidelined with a foot injury. Normally, Hopkins would be a strong bet for shadow coverage from Saints CB Marshon Lattimore, but he's out with an abdomen injury. Instead, Hopkins, Green and newcomer Robbie Anderson will work the perimeter against Roby and Adebo, leaving Moore to man the slot against Harris. New Orleans has struggled badly against receivers, allowing the seventh-most fantasy points (second most over expected), including the second most to the perimeter and most to right boundary receivers (Green's primary side). Adebo has already allowed a 24-353-6 receiving line on 30 targets, and no defender has allowed more fantasy points (95). Hopkins can be upgraded and, while risky, Green and Anderson are sleepers. Harris has been solid so far, and the Saints have allowed the eighth-fewest points to the slot, so Moore (69% slot) should be boosted only slightly.