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, 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.
Projected shadow matchups
Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb vs. Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. (Perimeter Shadow)
Porter didn't shadow last week, but he did against Drake London in Week 1, Courtland Sutton in Week 2 and Quentin Johnston in Week 3. He covered the three on a combined 58 of 84 routes, including 57 of 66 on the perimeter. London posted a 2-15-0 line on four targets, Sutton managed 1-26-0 on five targets and Johnston put up 2-44-1 on a pair of targets.
Porter hasn't been targeted much and, even after a rough day against Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, the Steelers have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Lamb aligns in the slot 55% of the time, so he'll work against rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. quite a bit in this one. However, he can expect to see Porter when aligned out wide.
Takeaway:
Dolphins' Tyreek Hill vs. Patriots' Christian Gonzalez (Shadow)
Gonzalez has shadowed Ja'Marr Chase, Metcalf, Wilson and Brandon Aiyuk, combining to cover the trio on 93 of 131 routes, including 74 of 87 on the perimeter and 19 of 43 in the slot. The receiving lines of the four were as follows:
Chase (6-6-62-0)
Metcalf (14-10-129-1)
Wilson (9-5-33-1)
Aiyuk (5-2-48-0)
Offenses clearly haven't been afraid to test Gonzalez, and the Patriots have, in turn, allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, sitting 11th in points allowed to the perimeter and second in points surrendered to the slot.
Gonzalez shadowed Hill on 16 of his final 18 routes (14 of 14 on the perimeter, two of four in the slot) when these teams met in Week 2 last season. Hill posted a 5-40-1 receiving line on nine targets in the game.
Takeaway: Hill moves around the formation a ton and, considering the WR production we've seen against New England this season, this matchup isn't a major concern.
Seahawks' DK Metcalf vs. Giants' Deonte Banks (Shadow)
Banks has shadowed Justin Jefferson, Terry McLaurin, Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb this season. He aligned against the receivers on 91 of 122 routes, including 84 of 88 on the perimeter. The receiving lines of the four were as follows:
Jefferson (6-4-59-1)
McLaurin (8-6-22-0)
Cooper (12-7-86-2)
Lamb (8-7-98-1)
Banks has struggled while being heavily targeted (24% of his coverage snaps) and the Giants have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers. Metcalf aligns on the outside 86% of the time and can expect to see Banks on all of those plays.
Takeaway: Metcalf is in a terrific spot and can be upgraded.
Buccaneers' Mike Evans vs. Falcons' A.J. Terrell (Shadow)
Terrell shadowed Pickens in Week 1 and DeVonta Smith in Week 2, covering the duo on 31 of their 50 routes, including 31 of 33 on the perimeter. Pickens posted a solid 6-85-0 receiving line on seven targets, whereas Smith went for 6-69-0 on nine targets. Terrell didn't shadow against the Chiefs or Saints during Weeks 3 and 4, but his history against Tampa Bay suggests he'll travel here in Week 5.
Terrell shadowed Evans in Week 5 back in 2022 (Evans posted an 8-4-81-0 receiving line in the game), as well as in Week 7 (8-6-82-1) and Week 14 (1-1-5-0) of 2023. It's fair to see each player earned one win, loss and draw in the three meetings, with Terrell's victory coming in the most recent meeting. Atlanta has done well against receivers so far, having allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to the perimeter, which is where Evans aligns 67% of the time.
Takeaway: Evans will dodge Terrell when he's in the slot and, considering how well Pickens and Smith performed, there's no need to downgrade him more than slightly.
Browns' Amari Cooper vs. Commanders' Benjamin St-Juste (Shadow)
This one isn't a lock, as St-Juste shadowed Evans in Week 1 and Marvin Harrison Jr. in Week 4 but didn't travel against the Giants or Bengals. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was active for both games St-Juste shadowed, which is added ammunition that he will travel with Cleveland's top receiver here in Week 5.
Either way, it's a good spot for Cooper & Co. Evans (5-5-61-2) and Harrison (6-5-45-1) were both productive, and Washington has allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season (most over expected, as well), including the seventh-most points to the perimeter and most to the slot. Washington has allowed a league-high 10 TDs to wide receivers, and Evans, Chase, Malik Nabers and Chris Godwin have all put 22-plus fantasy points on the board against them.
Takeaway: Upgrade Cooper and the entire Cleveland wide receiver room.
Tough matchups
Texans' Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell vs. Bills' Christian Benford, Taron Johnson and Rasul Douglas
The zone-heavy Bills have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers, as well as the second fewest to the perimeter and seventh fewest to the slot. Buffalo has allowed the fewest yards, 5.2 yards per target (lowest) and one TD to the position.
Collins (82% perimeter) and Dell (77%) will run most of their routes against Benford and Douglas, whereas Diggs (34%) will see plenty of Johnson (or, if he remains out, Cam Lewis) in the slot. Downgrade the Houston wide receiver room.
Vikings' Justin Jefferson, Brandon Powell and Jordan Addison vs. Jets' D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II and Sauce Gardner
The Jets' domination of wide receivers continues for the third consecutive season. New York has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the position despite a slow start and multiple injuries. That includes the fewest points to the perimeter.
Jefferson (65% perimeter) and Addison (70%) do most of their work outside and life won't be much easier against Carter in the slot. Jefferson is fairly matchup-proof, but this will be one of the toughest challenges for him and his running mates.
Advantageous matchups
Jets' Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Mike Williams vs. Vikings' Shaquill Griffin, Byron Murphy Jr. and Stephon Gilmore
This is a bit of a fascinating one, as it's more about your belief in Minnesota/Sam Darnold than it is about the ability of the Vikings' corners. Since the Vikings have led on a league-high 85% of their offensive snaps, game script has led to them facing the second-most WR targets (110) and, in turn, they've allowed the second-most receptions (69), most yards (886) and third-most fantasy points to the position. Minnesota has surrendered the eighth-most points to the perimeter and fourth most to the slot.
However, if we adjust for the heavy volume, the Vikings have allowed the third-fewest points over expected to receivers. If you expect the Vikings to continue their strong play, Jets receivers will be in a good spot this week. If you think the Jets will win this weekend, the matchup isn't quite as appealing.
Bears' DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze vs. Panthers' Jaycee Horn, Troy Hill and Michael Jackson
Carolina is struggling against perimeter receivers this season, having allowed the third-most points to the boundary. The Panthers are middle of the pack in points allowed to the position overall, though that's mainly a product of low volume (eighth-fewest targets faced).
Moore (85% perimeter) and Odunze (64%) benefit most from this matchup, but Allen (42%) also gets the edge on Hill in the slot.
Packers' Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks vs. Rams' Tre'Davious White and Cobie Durant
The Rams did a respectable job against Chicago's wide receivers last week, but otherwise it has been a major struggle. Los Angeles has surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points to the position (third most over expected), including the most points to the perimeter. The Rams have allowed seven touchdowns (second most) and 9.3 yards per target (third highest) to wide receivers.
Doubs (85% perimeter) and Wicks (61%), who figures to play a full-time role with Christian Watson out, benefit most from this matchup. Jayden Reed aligns in the slot 76% of the time and the Rams have allowed the fourth-fewest points to the interior, so he doesn't get much of a boost.
Colts' Alec Pierce, Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Jaguars' Montaric Brown, Darnell Savage and Ronald Darby
The Jaguars have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers (second most over expected), including the second most to perimeter and tenth most to the slot. They're top five in points allowed to both right and left boundary receivers and sit third in catches and yards allowed to the position.
Pittman (71% perimeter) and Pierce (77%) will work against Darby and Brown on the outside and can be upgraded. Downs (79% slot) will battle with either Savage (if he returns from injury) or rookie Jarrian Jones. If Savage plays, it's a tougher matchup for Downs, but if not, Downs can also be upgraded.
Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr., Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis vs. Colts' Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II and Samuel Womack III
The Colts have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to wide receivers, including the ninth most to the perimeter and slot. Jones and Womack have emerged as the Colts' top perimeter options (for now), which is where Thomas (78%) and Davis (86%) align most often.
Both can be upgraded. Kirk (83% slot) will work against one of the league's top slot corners in Moore if he's back from injury, but if not, Kirk can be upgraded against Chris Lammons.