NFL Week 2 WR/CB Matchup Report

Welcome back, Headliner Nation! Week one is in the books, and I was able to hit on some of my picks in last week’s article, and then missed on some others.

That’s ok because we’re on to week two! Just as I did last week, I’m going to focus on five wide receivers, ranked in my top 24, that I feel have good matchups. I’m also going to look at my top 24 WR rankings and select five players that I feel don’t have very good matchups. Finally, I’m going to select five WRs outside of my top 24 rankings that I feel have some upside this week. I understand that a one week sample isn’t very much and that it’ll take another two to three weeks before we can really rely on these numbers so a lot of the data I share with you will combine last season with this past week. Who are the good, the bad, and the upside? Let’s find out!

The Good:

DeAndre Hopkins vs. Jalen Ramsey: 

Last week Hopkins looked to be in mid-season form, hauling in eight catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He received 43 percent of the targets from Deshaun Watson, and this week he should be shadowed once again by Jalen Ramsey. Hopkins and Ramsey have squared off against each other six times since 2016:

2016 - Week 10: 5/48/0

2016 -  Week 15: 8/87/0

2017 - Week 1: 7/55/1 

2017 - Week 15: 4/80/1 

2018 - Week 7: 3/50/1 

2018 - Week 17: 12/147/0

Odell Beckham Jr. vs Trumaine Johnson:

Ok, so the Browns didn’t come out firing on all cylinders last week. That’s ok because this week they get the New York Jets, who couldn’t hold onto a 16 point lead in the second half against the Bills in Week 1. Beckham will be lined up across from Trumaine Johnson. In 2018, Johnson was very solid, allowing just a 63 percent catch rate to opposing WRs. Last week was another story, as Johnson allowed seven catches on eight targets for 110 yards.  

Sammy Watkins vs. Lamarcus Joyner:

Tyreek Hill will miss four to six weeks with a collarbone injury, which means Sammy Watkins will be the number one wide receiver for the Chiefs. Last week, Watkins exploded for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Now, while I do expect there to be regression this week, I am excited about his matchup against Lamarcus Joyner. While Joyner was fairly stingy last season against opposing WRs, Watkins has the speed to beat Joyner because of the separation he should see at the line of scrimmage.  Joyner did struggle a bit in week one against the Broncos, as he gave up seven catches for 72 yards. 

Amari Cooper vs. Josh Norman:

The last time Amari Cooper faced the Redskins (and Josh Norman), he erupted for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Norman is already off to a bad start this season, as he allowed six catches for 92 yards and one touchdown. Last week, Cooper saw a target share of 28 percent even though he was only in on 78 percent of the plays due to the blowout against the Giants. 

Tyrell Williams vs. Charvarius Ward:

No Antonio Brown, no problem. Against the Broncos in week one, Tyrell Williams was in on 95 percent of the team’s snaps and saw a target share of 27 percent. What did he do with that 25 percent? He converted it into 105 yards and one touchdown. Charvarius Ward wasn’t as profitable last week. Ward gave up seven receptions for 123 yards against the Jaguars in week one. Last season (and week one of this year), Ward allowed a catch rate of 84 percent to opposing WRs. 

The Bad:

Keenan Allen vs. Justin Coleman:

I had Allen in my “bad matchup” section last week and I got burned. I’m going back to the well this week because while Justin Coleman did give up seven receptions and a touchdown in week one, he only allowed a total of 39 receiving yards. The Lions secondary is better than people think, and without Hunter Henry available to take away coverage in the middle of the field, Coleman could get some help with Allen.

Brandin Cooks vs. Marshon Lattimore:

I love the speedster, Brandin Cooks, but Marshon Lattimore is just as fast as Cooks and not a lot of defenders can say that. Last season, Lattimore did allow a catch rate of 70 percent to opposing WRs, but last week against the Texans he allowed just six yards per target. There is a good chance that Cooks could break off a long one for a touchdown, but there are a lot of mouths to feed in Los Angeles, and this will be a tough matchup for Cooks.

Kenny Golladay vs. Casey Hayward:

Golladay caught a touchdown last week! But, he also only had four catches on nine targets for 42 yards. This week, Golladay gets Casey Hayward. Last week against the Colts, Hayward allowed just three receptions for 34 yards. All of last season, Hayward allowed a catch rate of just 59 percent. 

Allen Robinson vs. Chris Harris:

Against the Packers last week, Robinson didn’t have a bad showing. He was targeted 13 times, had seven receptions and 102 receiving yards. Chris Harris was targeted just twice last Monday night against the Raiders, and while he did all two receptions they were for just 16 yards. Harris has always been known for playing the slot in coverage, but this year he has moved outside where he has seen early (yet limited) success.

Adam Thielen vs. Kevin King:

The Vikings want to run the ball more and that was very evident last week when Kirk Cousins attempted just 10 passes! That’s why I’m hesitant when it comes to Thielen (and Diggs) because we don’t know if the volume will be there. It also doesn’t help that he will see Kevin King in coverage this week. Last week, King saw four targets and allowed two receptions for 14 yards. Last season, he had a catch rate of just 53 percent! 

The Upside:

Calvin Ridley vs. Rasul Douglas:

Give me any receiver against the Eagles secondary. Last year they were decimated with injuries, and this year they aren’t off to a great start. Ridley will be matched up against Rasul Douglas. Two of the four receptions Douglas gave up last week went for touchdowns, and he also surrendered 85 receiving yards as well.

Dede Westbrook vs. Texans Secondary:

The Texans released Aaron Colvin earlier this week, due to his abysmal performance against the Saints. As a whole, the Texans allowed 250 receiving yards and a touchdown to the Saints WRs. Westbrook is the main option in Jacksonville, seeing 18 percent of the target share in week one. 

Josh Gordon vs. Eric Rowe:

We don’t know if Antonio Brown will play against the Dolphins this week, but it doesn’t really matter because Miami is in tank mode and I want all of the Patriots offense in this matchup. Gordon only had three catches last week against the Steelers, but he did have a touchdown. Last week the Dolphins gave up three touchdowns to the Ravens WRs.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. Trae Waynes:

The Packers offense looked out of sorts last week, and the biggest question was which WR would be Aaron Rodgers’ number two guy. Well, it looks like it might be MVS. Geronimo Allison didn’t even have a target last week, while MVS saw a target share of 20 percent. Last week, Waynes gave up a line of 5/62/1.

Donte Moncrief vs. Tre Flowers:

Is this the bounce-back that Moncrief needs? I sure hope so! If he can’t find success against Tre Flowers then I don’t think there’s much hope for him this season. Last week, Flowers gave up 10 catches for 170 yards and one touchdown.