Wide Receiver Matchups To Target in Week 4

The Week 3 wide receiver matchup article featured three top-10 options highlighted by Allen Robinson, Cooper Kupp and Tyler Boyd who all came through with big games. Darius Slayton was targeted seven times but he came up small, and Marvin Jones underwhelmed because the Lions remained dedicated to the running game against the Cardinals, which is something they hadn't done in the past. D.K. Metcalf finished as WR-19 on the week but he would have scored even more fantasy points if he didn't get stripped on the one-yard line while prematurely celebrating a touchdown. Rounding out the Week 3 recommendations, Terry McLaurin and CeeDee Lamb had modest showings and Russell Gage came up extremely small because he got hurt.

Nothing is more important than matchup analysis when it comes to fantasy football. Through three weeks of action, the Colts, 49ers, Chargers and Patriots Defenses are looking like units you want to avoid starting wide receivers against because they really slow down opposing passing attacks. On the other side of things it's becoming even more clear that the Seahawks, Falcons, Vikings and Cowboys Defenses can't really stop anybody through the air, and we may want to exploit these defenses moving forward.

Now, here are the top WR vs CB matchups for Week 4. Use these to set season-long lineups, as well as gain a competitive edge in the DFS games.

Cooper Kupp, L.A. Rams

$7,200 Fanduel/$6,700 DraftKings - vs Darnay Holmes

The Giants Defense has been absolutely crushed out of the slot this year. Darnay Holmes allows opposing wide receivers to catch 75% of balls thrown in his direction and he gives up 2.10 yards-per-route that he covers which is one of the worst marks in the NFL. Robert Woods is likely to see shadow coverage from James Bradberry this week, and while Bradberry won't completely lock Woods down, it will be easier for Jared Goff to get the ball to Cooper Kupp in Week 4.

Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns

$6,600 FanDuel/$5,800 DraftKings - vs Daryl Worley

The Browns are underdogs against the Cowboys this week in a game with an over/under listed at 56 points. This means that the Browns will need to throw the ball a ton in order to keep pace with the electric Cowboys offense. Thus, the Browns wide receivers will likely be busy. On the season the Cowboys Defense has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and the fifth-most passing yards. The Cowboys have also given up 14 plays of 20-plus yards through the air which is fourth-most in the NFL. Things are setting up well for Odell Beckham Jr. to have a big game, especially if the Cowboys get out to an early lead.

DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins

$6,500 Fanduel/$5,700 DraftKings - vs Shaquill Griffin

The Seahawks Defense has given up the most fantasy points to wide receivers so far this season and with the Dolphins likely to be playing from behind in Week 4, there's reason to believe DeVante Parker will have a big day. The Seahawks are also giving up 12.7 yards-per-reception which is second-worst in the league and they have given up an NFL-high 18 plays of 20-plus yards through the air. Parker figures to see a lot of Shaquill Griffin who gives up 1.96 yards-per-route he covers along with a 77% catch-rate.

A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals

$5,700 FanDuel/$5,500 DraftKings - vs Tre Herndon

A.J. Green has been targeted 28 times this year which is eighth-most in the NFL. Tyler Boyd's average depth-of-target is just 8.16 yards compared to 14.18 yards for A.J. Green, which means Joe Burrow is taking shots to Green down the field and using Boyd as his possession-receiver. Through the first three weeks of the season, the Bengals offensive line has had trouble against opposing defensive lines, but according to PFF data, the Bengals offensive line actually has a decent matchup against the Jaguars pass rush this week. If Burrow has more time to throw against the Jaguars below-average pass rush, he may actually be able to hit Green on one of these deep-shots.

Will Fuller, Houston Texans

$6,100 FanDuel/$5,900 DraftKings - vs Kris Boyd

Will Fuller had a big Week 1 and then he kind of faded over the last two weeks. In Week 4, Fuller will find himself facing off against the Vikings Defense which surrenders the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. The Vikings haven't exactly been stingy defending the run this year, but they're better against the run than they are the pass, giving up just 4.2 yards-per-carry. The Vikings have given up 12.1 yards-per-reception and 14 plays of 20-plus yards which ranks them towards the bottom of the league in both categories.

Pivot: Randall Cobb, Houston Texans - $5,400 FanDuel/$4,800 DraftKings - vs Jeff Gladney

Randall Cobb's salary on both FanDuel and DraftKings is cheaper than Will Fuller's, and if the Vikings decide to roll coverage towards Fuller, Cobb may see more targets underneath. Will Fuller was on the Texans injury report earlier in the week but he was eventually removed from it on Friday. If Fuller's injury history gives you any pause, you may want to roll with Cobb in DFS. Cobb is also worth consideration in deeper season-long leagues if you need to replace an injured wide receiver.

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

$5,600 FanDuel/$5,400 DraftKings - vs Tavierre Thomas

The Browns Defense gives up just 3.7 yards-per-carry and with the Cowboys offensive line a little banged up, it means Ezekiel Elliott may have some trouble toting the rock in Week 4. While the Browns are good against the run, they give up the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. This game is supposed to be high scoring with an over/under set at 56 points, so look for Dak Prescott to air it out in this one. CeeDee Lamb has the best matchup out of all the Cowboys receivers this week as he's likely to see Tavierre Thomas in coverage. So far in 2020, Thomas is surrendering an 81% catch-rate and 1.20 yards-per-route covered which is worst in the Browns secondary. Through the first three weeks of the season, the Browns have given up at least 16-fantasy points to opposing slot receivers.

Pivot: Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions - $6,000 FanDuel/$4,900 DraftKings - vs Justin Hardee

The Saints and Lions have an over/under set at 54 points which means this game will likely be a shootout. Both Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins were ruled out for Week 4, which means Justin Hardee will fill in for Jenkins at cornerback. Marvin Jones will likely see a lot of Hardee in coverage, and with the Saints Defense giving up just 3.4 yards-per-carry, Matthew Stafford is going to need to throw the ball a ton in this one to keep pace with the Saints.

Golden Tate, N.Y. Giants

$5,300 FanDuel/$4,600 DraftKings - vs Troy Hill

The Rams offense should be able to put plenty of points up on the board in Week 4 as they're favored by 13 points over the Giants with an over/under set at 48 points. Jalen Ramsey is likely to cover Darius Slayton a lot this week, which means Golden Tate will have the easier matchup in the secondary against Troy Hill who gives up 1.85 yards-per-route covered.

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