X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

WR/CB Matchups to Target and Downgrade - Week 5 (2023)

Cooper Kupp - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Welcome to Week 5 of the WR/CB Matchups article. For those who are not familiar, this is a weekly series looking at fantasy football matchups for wide receivers versus the cornerbacks who are projected to cover them.

During the past three seasons, I have tweaked my process to make the chart more user-friendly and predictive, but NFL teams are moving receivers around more than ever in today's game. It is difficult to pinpoint which CB each WR will be matched up against. The chart is designed to give a 1-vs-1 matchup for each player, but the reality is that most NFL WRs will see a mix of all the DBs they face each week.

As a reminder, the process for assigning points to a specific matchup has to do with how the entire defense defends the player who lines up at one of the three spots (LWR, RWR, slot) the most. For example, in Week 1 last year, Jahan Dotson scored a TD from the LWR spot and the right slot, but all of his points were assigned to Shaquill Griffin because Griffin played primarily LCB and Dotson was the Washington receiver with the most snaps at RWR.

The chart is best used to understand how teams are defending outside versus inside receivers if teams are shadowing, and how much emphasis they put on slowing down the opposing WR1.

 

WR vs. CB Chart Details

The CB Matchup Chart below is a snapshot of each team's cornerback group as it relates to allowing fantasy points. There are inherent flaws within the data compilation of cornerback play. The first is the fact that quantifying a 1-on-1 matchup in an NFL game is unfair because of zone coverages, mental errors, certain passing concepts, and a million other things. Assigning fantasy points against a cornerback isn't a perfect science.

The purpose of this chart is to give more of a general sense of how defenses are handling opposing WR groups rather than identifying exactly where, when, and how every single encounter happened. Another factor to consider is that players are listed based on where they line up the majority of the time. Most receivers do not line up on one side on every single snap, so they won't be matched up with the same CB on every snap.

The "Rtng" column is the rating of each cornerback based on film study and analytics. The lower a player is graded, the easier the matchup for the WR, so low ratings are green, and high ratings are red. The "PPGA" is the number of fantasy points per game that the player has given up on average this year. Keep in mind that team scheme is a huge factor in points assigned to specific players. A name in blue means the corner could possibly shadow the WR1. A name in red means that the player is dealing with an injury.

 

Cornerback Ratings and Matchups Chart - Week 5

 

Click the image for a full-screen view

 

WR/CB Matchups to Target

We start on Thursday Night, where the Bears secondary is extremely banged up. Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson are in smash spots.

The Steelers have been by far the easiest matchup in the league for opposing WRs. Nico Collins toasted their secondary last week, and this week Lamar Jackson should have no issue shredding them through the air. While Zay Flowers has been the top WR target earner so far, if Odell Beckham Jr. plays he actually has the easiest matchup. All Ravens WRs are in good spots.

Similar to the Ravens, the Chiefs don't always prioritize targeting their WRs. However, this week they get a smash spot against a Minnesota secondary that has been below average all year at limiting opposing WR groups. In deep leagues and large-field tournaments, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore could be viable.

Nico Collins and Tank Dell have been awesome as young targets for C.J. Stroud, but Robert Woods has the easiest matchup this week. It's a good spot for the reliable veteran Woods.

The Cardinals gave up a huge stat line to Brandon Aiyuk last week, and this week will be tasked with slowing down Ja'Marr Chase. It's a get-right spot for Joe Burrow, who has obviously underperformed so far.

Cooper Kupp is eligible to return this week, but the Rams could opt to keep him out at less than 100% health. Whoever lines up at WR for the Rams will take on an Eagles pass defense that has given up a ton of fantasy points so far this season. If Kupp doesn't play, Puka Nacua is a top option and Tutu Atwell is a solid play. The Vegas total is 50.5, so whoever sees targets for the Rams is likely to produce.

Terrace Marshall Jr. saw 10 targets last week and has a favorable matchup this week as well. It could be a negative game script for Bryce Young, who may have to pass a lot.

Brandin Cooks has been a ghost for Dallas through the first four weeks. If there's a spot for a sneaky good week, it's this week against San Francisco, who have given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing RWRs this season.

 

WR/CB Matchups to Downgrade

The Cardinals offense hasn't been terrible, and Marquise Brown is earning enough targets to be fantasy-relevant. Unfortunately, Brown gets the stingy coverage of the Bengals, who have limited opposing WR1s all year so far.

Drake London is stuck in a low pass volume situation with a below-average QB. He will also have to deal with Steven Nelson this week. DeMeco Ryans has the Texans' defense playing well, especially in terms of limiting opposing WR1s.

The Jets defense made Patrick Mahomes look mortal last week. This week they'll take on Russell Wilson and the Broncos, who have had their moments on offense. Courtland Sutton in particular gets a downgrade against the Jets' awesome outside corners.

Jordan Addison put up a gooseegg last week against the Panthers. This week he'll have to deal with a solid Kansas City pass defense, who have done a great job limiting WR2s all year.

Nico Collins and Tank Dell have been awesome at outside WR for the Texans. This week they'll have to deal with the solid Atlanta pass defense. They both get matchup downgrades but are obviously startable depending on your other options.

Thanks for reading all season and good luck this week.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Colby Thomas2 hours ago

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Colby Thomas
Brock Stewart2 hours ago

Exits With Knee Injury
Evan Sisk2 hours ago

Optioned to Triple-A
Will Benson2 hours ago

Sent To Triple-A
Bryan Shaw3 hours ago

Optioned To Triple-A
Mookie Betts3 hours ago

Could Miss Tokyo Series
Mitch Garver11 hours ago

Goes Hitless In Return To Cactus League Action
Austin Riley11 hours ago

Doubles In Return To Lineup On Saturday
Colby Thomas15 hours ago

Sustains Injury On Saturday
Josh Rojas15 hours ago

Exits Early On Saturday
Thairo Estrada15 hours ago

Removed From Saturday's Contest
Nick Kurtz15 hours ago

Exits After Hit-By-Pitch
Tobias Myers15 hours ago

Exits Early On Saturday
Brice Turang16 hours ago

Dealing With Shoulder Fatigue
Amed Rosario20 hours ago

Returning On Saturday
Jose Trevino20 hours ago

Going For CT Scan
Bryce Eldridge20 hours ago

Will Not Play On Saturday
Blake Perkins20 hours ago

Cleared For Light Baseball Activities
Doug Nikhazy20 hours ago

Optioned To Triple-A
Jung Hoo Lee20 hours ago

Scratched On Saturday With Back Tightness
Cody Bradford20 hours ago

Won't Throw For At Least Four Weeks
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP
10
9
11
10
12
19
13
22
14
24
15
25
16
33
17
40
18
41
19
42

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
1
1
2
3
3
7
4
11
6
14
7
15
8
18
9
19
10
20

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

 
Albert Haynesworth - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Worst NFL Free Agent Signings Of All Time

With the free agency period for the 2025 NFL season now underway, many big-name players will find new homes as teams compete to sign anyone and everyone they think they need to help their squad. While many signings end up being good moves, or at least help their teams fill holes at certain positions on […]


D'Andre Swift - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injuries

Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets and Avoids: Running Backs to Buy or Sell (2025)

Running back volume and production is highly mercurial in the NFL. It can thus be difficult to know when to trade away and when to trade for tailbacks. There is constant competition for roles in certain backfields, and red-herring situations are abound due to injuries and plain luck. While some RBs are certainly safe in […]


Josh Downs - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News Updates

2025 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Third-Year Breakouts

Patience can be tough, especially in fantasy football. We want instant production from rookies, but these players often take a while to get going. These youngsters need to adjust to the speed of the NFL and learn from their early struggles to break out fully. The third year in the NFL is oftentimes when things […]


Justin Fields - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Florio's Free Agency Fantasy Football Winners and Losers!

Free Agency is the most fun week of the NFL offseason. Even when it is not the strongest class, there is never a shortage of excitement. Players changing teams at a rapid rate. It is a week filled with hope that your favorite team will add stars and that those under-the-radar players you love will […]


Josh Downs - 2025 Dynasty Fantasy Football Outlook

The 2025 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. For the last few months, dynasty fantasy football gamers have been meticulously studying the incoming rookie class to gain any edge they can on their league mates. While we should be anxiously awaiting our rookie drafts, we must also take time and analyze how veteran players are valued […]


Tyron Smith Top Landing Spots: 2025 NFL Free Agency Outlook

New York Jets and former long-time Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith was one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL for an extended period of time. He's made five All-Pro teams, two with the first team and two with the second team, been selected to eight Pro Bowls, and earned a spot on […]


Bills Defense - Von Miller IDP Rankings, D/ST Streamers, Fantasy Football Team Defense

Von Miller Top Landing Spots: 2025 NFL Free Agency Outlook

Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller, one of the greatest pass-rushers in NFL history, was released by his team on March 9, 2025. He had signed a six-year, $120 million deal with the team in 2022, but the soon-to-be 36-year-old wasn't able to make it to the end of that contract, so he's now looking for […]


Aaron Jones - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Staying Put - Impact Players Re-signed: Aaron Jones, Zach Ertz, Jaylen Warren, more

NFL free agency is a frenzy. As football fans, we love to see the movement around the league. It allows us to dream about the possibility of our team signing a fresh player who could make a serious impact. However, one cannot overlook the impact of re-signing significant contributors. While it is not as exciting […]


Tucker Kraft - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends To Buy in 2025

My friend Josh used to make me listen to the Bring Me The Horizon song "Diamonds Aren't Forever," which begins with the line "We will never sleep, cause sleep is for the weak." That sentiment rings true in fantasy football dynasty leagues as well. You can't get complacent. You can't stop thinking about how to […]


Zay Flowers - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Dynasty Fantasy Football WR Buy or Sell: Zay Flowers, Rashee Rice, and Jordan Addison (2025)

The 2024 NFL Draft class had seven first-round wide receivers. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze were selected in the top 10. Meanwhile, Brian Thomas Jr., Xavier Worthy, Ricky Pearsall, and Xavier Legette were Day 1 selections. More importantly, Nabers and Thomas finished their rookie seasons as top-7 wide receivers in half-point PPR […]


Courtland Sutton - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Sleepers, Draft Targets: Early 2025 Analysis

One of the biggest factors in winning fantasy football teams is finding middle-to-late-round sleepers. With wide receivers typically carrying the most drafted players of any position, it makes sense that taking multiple stabs at the position in search of hitting multiple-round values is the way to set yourself apart in drafts. For 2025, the draft […]


Caleb Williams - Fantasy Football Rankings, QB, NFL Rookies, Draft Sleepers

2025 NFL Free Agency Frenzy: Biggest Winners and Disappointments at Every Fantasy Football Position

NFL franchises will have an opportunity to reshape their rosters before the draft. Fantasy managers will have a chance to read the tea leaves and make measured strikes against their fantasy football opposition ahead of rookie drafts. Savvy managers will use this period to try to get the best return on some previous investments, as […]


DK Metcalf - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Free Agency Fantasy Football Analysis: Fallers On New Teams (2025)

With the first wave of NFL free agency coming to an end, several fantasy-relevant players have signed on to new teams. The quarterback carousel still has several dominoes to fall, but Sam Darnold, Geno Smith, and Kenny Pickett have found new homes within the first few days of the new league year. The running back […]