NFL Week 5 WR/CB Matchup Report
Week five is here, and we have some really fun WR/CB matchups to dive in to. As I’ve done with every article this season, 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. You can use these picks in your season-long leagues (as a guide, not as a start/sit), or even when selecting your DFS lineups.
The Good:
Michael Thomas vs. Vernon Hargreaves:
While Michael Thomas has seen his targets drop since Drew Brees went out in week two, he is still the most targeted receiver (as he should be) on the Saints. This week he will see Veron Hargreaves in coverage. Through four games, Hargreaves has allowed 17 receptions for 269 yards. Tampa Bay focuses so much on stopping the run (first in run defense DVOA), and it’s their pass defense that has really struggles this season.
Mike Evans vs. Marshon Lattimore:
It’s tough to say which Tampa Bay receiver will go off in any given week, but Mike Evans has a matchup that will make fantasy owners salivate. Last week it was Godwin, which means it’s Evans’ turn to get in on the action. Marshon Lattimore has made this article quite a bit, and not in a good way. So far this season, Lattimore has been targeted 34 times, allowed a catch rate of 71 percent, 380 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Stefon Diggs vs. DeAndre Baker:
I know that Diggs (and the Vikings passing offense) has been disappointing so far this season, and that there have been trade rumors swirling around with Diggs’ name involved. With that said, the Vikings get to play the Giants this week! The Giants as a team have allowed the following to opposing WRs: 52 receptions, 835 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. All of these rank in the bottom five in the entire league. DeAndrew Baker? Well, he’s the lowest rated cornerback in the league (with at least 170 snaps), according to PFF.
Josh Gordon vs. Josh Norman:
Gordon has yet to break 100 yards receiving this season, but that could change this week against Josh Norman and the Redskins. Washington ranks 29th in the league in pass defensive DVOA, and Norman has allowed the most touchdowns to opposing WRs (four). Along with allowing the most touchdowns in the Redskins secondary, Norman has also allowed 16 catches for 241 yards.
Tyler Boyd vs. Tramaine Brock:
This season, Boyd has seen almost 10 targets a game and a target share of 23 percent. With John Ross on IR, the targets should increase for Boyd. The Bengals matchup with the Cardinals won’t be pretty, but we should see a lot of scoring opportunities. Boyd will see Tramaine Brock in the slot this week and it sets up to be a great matchup, as Brock has allowed 13 yards per target, 239 yards and two touchdowns this season.
The Bad:
Amari Cooper vs. Jaire Alexander:
The Packers defense has been very under-rated this season, and a lot of that has to do with the improved play of their secondary. This season the Packers have allowed the fewest receiving yards to wide receivers, and only two touchdowns. I love Amari Cooper, but I’m not loving this matchup with Jaire Alexander. So far, through the first four games, Alexander has allowed just 4.63 yards per target, one touchdown, and a catch rate of just 41 percent.
Allen Robinson vs. Daryl Worley:
Trubisky out, Daniels in! This is a big downgrade for all of the Bears pass-catchers, and while Robinson should see a lot of targets his way I am not thrilled with his matchup against Worley. This is nothing against Robinson, but with Chase Daniels behind center I’m erring on the side of caution with the Bears WR1, especially with Worley allowing a catch rate of only 43 percent and seven yards per target.
Courtland Sutton vs. Casey Hayward:
I’ve been really happy with Sutton’s incognito start to the season (22 catches, two touchdowns, six red zone targets). Unfortunately, this week he goes up against Casey Hayward. This season, Hayward has been targeted 16 times and has allowed just nine catches for 127 yards. Denver has an implied total of just 19, so scoring won’t come easy for the Broncos in week five.
Marquise Brown vs. Joe Haden:
After Brown’s week one explosion, he has been used a lot more in the offense but his fantasy production has been very lackluster (8.6, 4.9, 2.2 points over the last three weeks). This week he goes up against the Steelers’ Joe Haden, who has allowed just 6.44 yards per target, 116 yards and zero touchdowns.
Jarvis Landry vs. K’Waun Williams:
Landry went off last week against the Ravens, but this week I expect Odell Beckham to have a bounce back game and get back to his normal target share. Antonio Callaway returns this week, and that should also decrease the number of targets that Landry could see. Landry should see a lot of K’Waun Williams in the slot, and so far this year Williams has given up just seven catches for 79 yards.
The Upside:
Will Fuller vs. Isaiah Oliver:
The Falcons are the fourth worst team in the league against deep passes (17 yards or more) to the left side of the field (right side for receivers), according to Football Outsiders. Well, Will Fuller has an aDOT of 17 and he lines up on the right side of the field opposite of Isaiah Oliver this week. Oliver has given up 15 receptions for 195 yards and three touchdowns this season.
Alshon Jeffery vs. Darryl Roberts:
The Jets are allowing 30 fantasy points per game to opposing WRs, and 131 receiving yards to WR1. Roberts has given up 18 catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Jeffery and the Eagles 29 point implied total should have a very nice Sunday.
Calvin Ridley vs. Jonathan Joseph:
I honestly wasn’t sure which Falcons wide receiver to target in this article, so Ridley wins the draw; literally and figuratively. He gets Jonathan Joseph this week who has allowed 24 catches for 269 yards this year.
Auden Tate vs. Byron Murphy:
John Ross has been ruled out for about a month with a shoulder injury he sustained in this past Monday Night’s game against the Steelers. That means Auden Tate will take the spot as the Bengals WR2, and he should draw Byron Murphy in coverage. Murphy has only allowed a catch rate of 59 percent, but he has allowed two touchdowns. It’s a dart throw, but it could be one that helps you in a GPP.
KeeSean Johnson vs. Dre Kirkpatrick:
I’m going back to the well with KeeSean Johnson. He was a value play of mine last week and he disappointed, but I’m holding out hope for him as a deep sleeper in week five. He has another really nice matchup, this time against Kirkpatrick who has given up 11 yards per target, 211 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
