Welcome to the weekly wide receiver/cornerback breakdown! We will review each of the outside matchups, as well as my 10 favorite matchups in the slot. Then, below the charts in this article, I break down my five absolute favorite matchups. We are now in the fifth week of the season, and we are starting to get a better idea of what we have with players but also what to expect from opposing defenses. And as always, we also have some injury problems that are complicating our decisions. Don’t worry, we have you covered in all formats. This article is critical for daily players and season long, as this will help you gain a competitive advantage when setting your lineups. Follow me on Twitter (@fightingchance) as well!
| Left WR | Right CB | Analysis |
| DeAndre Hopkins ARZ | Emannuel Moseley SF | This one comes down to health, and we know that Hopkins will be out there because although his production has been down the past two weeks, he is still on the field nearly 100% of the time. The 49ers secondary has been decimated in recent weeks and they have been giving up big games to number one receivers. Both D.K. Metcalf and Davante Adams have scored touchdowns the past couple of weeks, and it isn't likely to get any better this week. The Cardinals offense is firing on all cylinders and I expect a high volume, high production game from Hopkins. |
| Olamide Zaccheaus ATL | Bryce Hall NYJ | What a disaster this game is going to be! Why does the NFL send the WORST teams to London? Are they actively trying to not grow the game? With Calvin Ridley now out and Russell Gage also not making the trip the Falcons offense is going to be ugly. The Jets secondary hasn't been great, but hasn't been horrible either and I actually think they will do a good job of keeping these pathetic weapons at wide receiver the Falcons have under wraps. Zaccheaus had one catch last week, and I don't foresee anything fantasy relevant for him. This is going to be another week for Patterson to shine and we could see Kyle Pitts best game in the NFL in Week 5. |
| Marquise Brown BAL | Xavier Rhodes IND | It was a nice bounceback game for Brown as he had four catches for 91 yards and a score. That puts some of our fears to rest after he dropped three touchdowns in Week 3. The better news is the mess than is the Colts secondary that has allowed 11 passing touchdowns this season. Brown has been targeted 28 times in four games, even though he has just seven catches in the last two weeks the volume has been there. Given the matchup I feel really good about Brown potentially topping 100 yards and finding the end zone in this one. |
| Stefon Diggs BUF | Mike Hughes KC | He finally had his first 100 yard game and has been targeted double digit times in three of four games. He still has 300 yards in four weeks so he isn't struggling but we would like to see a few more catches and another touchdown or two. This should be a big week as the Chiefs are the sixth most porouts pass defense and top receivers have been doing work against them. Devonta Smith, Mike Williams and Marquise Brown have all had big games in the last three weeks. Diggs is better than all of them and I like him to have another 100 yard game and a touchdown in Week 5. |
| D.J. Moore CAR | Steven Nelson PHI | I know they don't give MVPs to wide receivers, but if that was ever really a thing, Moore would be on that kind of campaign. He had eight catches for the third straight week and his second straight game over 100 yards. Nelson has been an absolute sieve the past two weeks to the Cowboys and Chiefs. Nelson is averaging allowing 13.8 yards per catch and Moore's average catch is very similar. He is getting the highest target share by such a wide margin he is in play for DFS purposes every week and is a high-level option this week. |
| Allen Robinson CHI | Casey Hayward LV | At this point I am hoping that Andy Dalton comes back this week. The Bears offense is lost with Fields at quarterback and now they will be without their starting running back too. Robinson was only targeted three times last week, the lowest total of the season. Casey Hayward just kept Mike Williams in check and for the first time this season I am not optimistic about Robinson this year. I would still put him into my starting lineup in season long leagues unless you are stacked at wide receiver, but right now with how well Hayward has been playing and how poor the Bears offense is how can you expect anything more than 8-10 fantasy points? |
| Tee Higgins CIN | Kevin King GB | Higgins is set to return after two weeks missed with a shoulder injury and gets a gift that Jaire Alexander is going to miss the game. The Packers hope to get Kevin King back from a concussion and if not we will see Isaac Yiadom in there. All of this is good news for Higgins who is Joe Burrow's go-to guy in the red zone, but is just blossoming into a star all over the field. It might be a bit risky to trust him in DFS in his first game back, but it also could lead to him being rostered less and useable in GPPs and an absolute must in season long leagues. |
| Odell Beckham CLE | Michael Davis LAC | The volume was there, the matchup was solid, and Beckham just came up super small again with just two catches and 27 yards. The Browns don't even really have another receiver near his skill level right now and he still didn't get it done. The Chargers defense is equally average as the Vikings, and in theory Beckham should have a solid day. However, I have little faith in him. The Browns are still going to run the ball more than pass and I don't know about the chemistry that Beckham and Mayfield have. He is still a start in redraft leagues but I wouldn't touch him in DFS games. |
| Amari Cooper DAL | James Bradberry NYG | After 17 targets in the first game, Cooper has amassed just 12 in the next three games combined. After two straight games with less than 30 yards he bounced back nicely with 69 against the Panthers. The Cowboys have been running a lot the past two weeks and passing to the tight end more than they had the first two weeks. James Bradberry who was one of the top corners last season had given up a touchdown in each of the first three weeks. He settled down nicely last week against the Saints but remember they don't really have a top receiver. I still really like Cooper for seasonal leagues and I don't absolutely hate him in DFS GPPs figuring people will stay away with Bradberry across the field. |
| Courtland Sutton DEN | Joe Haden PIT | It has been a rollercoaster for Sutton through four weeks and although his target share is strong this rollercoaster has had more lows than highs. In fact, it has just one high in four weeks. Thankfully Teddy Bridgewater will play which brings stability to the offense. However, Sutton has topped 50 yards just once this season. Haden hasn't been nearly the guy we expected and has allowed a 100.6 quarterback rating against and I would trust Sutton as a flex in season long leagues because of his talent, but I am not feeling super excited about him at the moment. |
| Quintez Cephus DET | Patrick Peterson MIN | What this team lacks in talent it keeps you coming back for more with wildly inconsistent play! A week after one catch for eight yards, Cephus came back with four and 83 against the Bears. There is always a chance for garbage time with these Lions, but you never know who it is going to be. I'm not going to lie I still have Cephus rostered in two leagues but he will likely not see a starting spot this week. Patrick Peterson remembered he was a good corner last week against the Browns and he should be able to handle Cephus. He could be worth eight to ten fantasy points but his ceiling isn't high past that. |
| Davante Adams GB | Trae Waynes CIN | The Steelers secondary hasn't been great, but the touchdowns went to Randall Cobb last week and Adams finished with six catches for 64 yards. He has 45 targets in four weeks and is averaging over 90 yards per game. Waynes, who is decent at best, allowed both passes at him to be caught for 64 yards. If the Bengals don't plan on giving him help on Sunday with Adams this is going to be a huge game for the Packers receiver. He is one of my favorite plays of the week. |
| Brandin Cooks HOU | J.C. Jackson NE | The volume was there, but it was just a really tough matchup against the Bills and Davis Mills just isn't very good. Cooks still had seven targets and has 39 on the season but those were good for just 47 yards. The Pats have a way of taking your best offensive weapon away from you so I am worried since Cooks really is the only reliable option they have but I would still give him a start in seasonal leagues. |
| Michael Pittman IND | Marlon Humphrey BAL | The volume has been there, the catches have been great, Pittman is just going to have to start scoring to take the next step. It is hard to argue too much with 23 catches through four weeks and nearly 300 yards. Humphrey has played very well in coverage the past few weeks, and the Ravens have allowed just six passing touchdowns in four weeks. Carson Wentz clearly still won't be 100% which doesn't help to contribute to Pittman having a huge day, but he is lock step WR3 basically every week in redraft leagues. |
| Marvin Jones JAX | Janoris Jenkins TEN | With D.J. Chark now gone, that seems to mean that targets will be distributed a little more tight going forward. That is good news for those of you rostering Jones, as is the matchup with Jenkins and the Titans secondary that really can't stop anyone. Jones had a severe letdown last Thursday with just three targets and three catches for 24 yards, but the Bengals had no answer for Laviska Shenault. You'll find later on that I think that will be the case again, but Trevor Lawrence and the Jags should have more success throwing the ball this week and Jones deserves a start for sure this week. Their coach on the other hand, he needs some serious help really soon. |
| Mecole Hardman KC | Tre'Davious White BUF | Another week, another dud by Hardman. He tied his season low with only three targets and had a season low two catches for just 16 yards. I hope you all have dropped him by now. He gets a really tough matchup with White or whoever covers him for the Bills and now we throw Josh Gordon into the mix. Not that he will have an impact either but he will squash Hardman, Robinson, and Pringle even further into fantasy irrelevance. |
| Robert Woods LAR | D.J. Reed SEA | I love when head coaches say "we have to get this player more involved!" Hey bro, you are running the offense! He is on pace for just over 60 catches right now after 90 in each of the last two seasons. If he is going to get back to his normal value, this has to be the week to do it. Reed is probably the best corner Seattle has been still has been wildly inconsistent with two good games and two pretty poor games. Woods has three inches on him which could certainly help on deep passes or in the red zone. It will come down to if Woods gets the targets whether he can be successful and he certainly belongs in your seasonal leagues starting lineups this week. |
| Mike Williams LAC | Denzel Ward CLE | He had a couple of good deep shot opportunities on Monday but he and Justin Herbert just couldn't connect. Well, I should say Herbert didn't throw good balls. He also had to deal with Casey Hayward who is playing really well this year. Chalk it up to a bad week and move on. It won't get too much easier this week against Denzel Ward who has woken up and remembered he is a great corner. In the past two weeks he has allowed just four catches on ten targets and about a 61 quarterback rating against. The Chargers are still going to throw plenty and Williams should have no trouble topping the four targets he had last week. I'm going to shy away from him in DFS but he is still certainly a viable start in season long leagues. |
| Henry Ruggs LV | Jaylon Johnson CHI | He certainly is going to remain boom or bust and most of his 60 receiving yards last week came on one play. That is the problem with someone like Ruggs, but the Raiders have been taking a few deep shots with him each game. He might never he a high volume reception guy, but I have seen them target him in a few more intermediate routes than in the past. The Bears second year corner has been great allowing just 42% of passes to be caught but he is allowing 15.6 yards per catch so when he does give up catches they aren't short. He has also allowed a 26 yard catch and 33 yard catch the last two weeks so I wouldn't be benching Ruggs in Week 5. |
| DeVante Parker MIA | Jamel Dean TB | He did have four catches for 77 yards, although 70 of them came in the fourth quarter. That might be how it is for Miami for a while without Tua Tagovailoa and another tough matchup against the Dolphins. Miami is going to get crushed in all likelihood meaning even noodle arm Jacoby Brissett is going to have to try to push the ball down the field. Dean missed the game with a knee injury last week but likely will be back and is one of the best in the business. Parker is a decent flex option where you hope for garbage time production. |
| Justin Jefferson MIN | Amani Oruwariye DET | The Vikings offense didn't get much going last week so it was good that they got Jefferson's touchdown out of the way early. He could have had a bigger day without a penalty taking a catch back but six for 84 and a score isn't a bad day. Oruwariye has an interception in back to back weeks, but is also allowing a 70% catch rate and nearly 14 yards per catch. Jefferson has been great at home in his short career, averaging over 101 yards per game and the Lions defense is....well....I don't need to go on and on about how bad it is. Jefferson is an elite option in both season long and DFS in Week 5. |
| Nelson Agholor NE | Desmond King HOU | I mean three catches for 55 yards isn't BAD, but what about Agholor is exciting you right now? The Pats are throwing more than I expected, but Mac Jones is seriously spreading the ball around to everyone on the offense. King and the Texans haven't been terrible at times this year, and the Pats offense certainly isn't Buffalo. Agholor just doesn't do anything that makes me say yeah, I need him in my lineup. |
| Marquez Callaway NO | William Jackson WFT | The 74 yards were nice, but the vast majority came on one play and he was only targeted twice all game. The Saints are running a real conservative offense and Winston hasn't even thrown it 25 times in a game yet. Until New Orleans unleashes their offense and lets Jameis chuck the ball around Callaway is either going to bust a big play or leave you with very few points. That isn't the kind of guy I like in my starting lineups. |
| Kenny Golladay NYG | Trevon Diggs DAL | It finally clicked last week with Golladay and Daniel Jones as he had an impressive six catches for 116 yards. Most importantly he looked like the dominant receiver that we saw in Detroit and it wasn't even a good matchup. It stays equally tough against the Defensive Player of the Week in Diggs, who is definitely blossoming into a much better player but I'm not ready to say he is someone to avoid playing receivers against. The Giants offense is doing really well, and I find no reason to not put Golladay in your lineups in season long formats. |
| Corey Davis NYJ | Fabian Moreau ATL | Well, the Jets offense actually looked like a pro team last week and Davis was a big beneficiary with four catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. Normally, I would pour cold water on it and say hey the Titans are really bad. But guess what? So are the Falcons! I can't trust the Jets offense enough to put DFS money down, but Davis certainly belongs in any seasonal league starting roster. |
| Devonta Smith PHI | Donte Jackson CAR | They throw to the tight ends and running backs, but there is becoming little doubt who the most trusted (and targeted) wide receiver on this team is. Smith had season highs across the board with seven catches on ten targets for 122 yards against the Chiefs. Jackson has had his ups and downs this season, but he is still one of the better corners out there. The Eagles inconsistency along with the matchup with Jackson makes me hesitant to trust Smith in DFS contests, but I think he has solidified himself as a guy you put in your season long lineups and just leave him there regardless. |
| Diontae Johnson PIT | Kyle Fuller DEN | You can talk about drops, you can say his quarterback is washed up, but at the end of the day, Johnson just gets it done. He has been targeted 35 times in three games and has back to back games with nine catches. He has topped 90 receiving yards and has a touchdown in two of three games he has played this season. Fuller and the Broncos secondary is stout, but any week that Johnson is out there, he belongs in your lineups and I can't fault you for putting him in a DFS GPP also as I don't think he gets enough attention there. |
| D.K. Metcalf SEA | Jalen Ramsey LAR | He scored for the third time in four weeks against the Niners last week, and I am not worried about this lingering foot issue that he has. What I am worried about is Jalen Ramsey locking him up. In two games against the Rams last season, Metcalf had just eight catches for 87 yards combined. Now, they really started to run the ball more at the end of the season, but I am not sure that I feel really good about this matchup. I am still going to start him in my yearly leagues, but I am not going into it with a great deal of confidence considering the past. |
| Deebo Samuel SF | Robert Alford ARZ | He is a grown ass man! Samuel continues to pace the 49ers passing game in every single category as he had another eight catches on 12 targets for 156 yards and two touchdowns against Seattle. He will have Trey Lance at quarterback this week, but right now I don't think that matters. He will also haev a fairly winable matchup against Alford who has a 99.5 quarterback rating against and Arizona is averaging giving up almost two passing touchdowns a game. Alford has only allowed 38 yards after the catch this season, but Samuel is sure going to test that. Look for Deebo to continue to be the focal point of the pass game as he is the fifth most targeted receiver in football. If San Francisco is going to keep pace with the Cardinals they are likely going to be doing a lot of throwing. I am loving Samuel in all formats. |
| Mike Evans TB | Xavien Howard MIA | He has had double digit targets in back to back weeks and 20 catches over the last three games. Could it be that Evans is becoming the most reliable option on the team? He also has had 75 yards or more in three straight game after a big of a disappointment to start the year. He will draw the toughest matchup of them all with Xavien Howard. Howard is still one of the better corners out there, but he has been giving up some big plays this season with two 41 yard passes and a 23 yard play. He has also allowed two touchdowns in four games and 15.3 yards per catch. It is always hard to pick a Bucs receiver for DFS purposes, but Evans is a no doubter in your redraft leagues. |
| A.J. Brown TEN | Shaquill Griffin JAX | I didn't think Brown would be back this week, but with a limited practice on Wednesday it looks like a real possibility. It would be great for those who roster Brown considering what a cupcake matchup this is! I think the situation comes down to this. Are you worried he will aggravate the injury and have to leave the game? If not, he should be 100% in all of your lineups since Griffin and the Jaguars secondary is just a wet paper bag flying in the breeze. I don't think the Titans would make him active for the game if they weren't confident in his ability to play the whole thing. |
| Terry McLaurin WAS | Marshon Lattimore NO | It wasn't a really difficult call that McLaurin was going to torch the Falcons last week, but even 123 yards and two scores was a bit of a surprise. It is going to be a heck of a lot tougher this week, although the Saints defense has been very up and down. Lattimore had his hands full last week with Kenny Golladay and didn't play well at all. McLaurin will be even more of a focal point of the offense with Logan Thomas expected to be out this week. McLaurin might get less attention in DFS because of the matchup, but I am not scared of it, and of course he never comes out of your season long league starting group. |
| Right WR | Left CB | Analysis |
| A.J. Green ARZ | Dre Kirkpatrick SF | He is wildly exceeding expectations now, a trend that I don't expect to continue all season but I can't say that it will come to an end in Week 5. Green has ten catches in the last two weeks for 179 yards and on the season has two touchdowns. The Cardinals offense is absolutely firing on all cylinders and right now he is doing well. The 49ers secondary is just cycling new guys in every week due to injury and I expect Kyler Murray to have his way with them. Green is worth a play for one more week before we really have to re-evaluate what is going on here. |
| Tajae Sharpe ATL | Javelin Guidry NYJ | This game is going to make the British as angry as the Boston Tea Party when they see the crap football that is coming their way this weekend! Sharpe has been a disappointment his entire career and that certainly isn't going to change this week. Don't even think about him for fantasy purposes as this is going to be all tight ends and running backs and whatever we consider Cordarrelle Patterson to be. |
| Sammy Watkins BAL | Isaiah Rodgers IND | He has been targeted seven times or more in all four games, but Watkins is yet to find the end zone. He has exactly four catches in all four games, but has only eclipsed 50 yards twice. He is the very definition of an average player. The Colts secondary has dealt with injuries all season and havenot been good. However, I don't even think that Watkins belongs on fantasy rosters, nevermind in starting lineups. I would not trust him in any week unless Marquise Brown were to get hurt. |
| Emmanuel Sanders BUF | DeAndre Baker KC | It is two straight pretty strong games for Sanders as he had five catches for 74 yards against the Texans in a game where Buffalo sat their starters for most of the fourth quarter. His efficiency has been great lately as he has ten catches on his last 12 targets, and his average depth of target (aDOT) is a very impressive 15.7, after being just 9.1 last season for the Saints so the Bills are using him as more of a down the field threat. Baker has been beaten on seven of the last ten targets thrown his way, and the Chiefs secondary has allowed 292 yards through the air and seven touchdowns already. Sanders is definitely worth a play in season long leagues and a DFS GPP might not be the worst idea either. |
| Robby Anderson CAR | Darius Slay PHI | Well, there was at least some positive out of the week. Anderson did have 11 targets against the Cowboys which matched his total from the first three weeks combined. You would have liked it to be for more than five catches and 46 yards, but we gotta take the positives here. The Eagles secondary has allowed nine passing touchdowns, but outside of one game against the Cowboys, Slay has played quite well. In the other three games he allowed just over a 50% catch rate and has allowed just 7.6 yards per reception all season. I feel a little better about Anderson in my seasonal leagues now but still not nearly enough confidence for DFS games. |
| Marquise Goodwin CHI | Trayvon Mullen LV | He had no catches for the second straight week and has just five grabs all season. It doesn't matter who the quarterback is, there is no chance that Goodwin is looking at a consistent, fantasy relevant role on this team without more than one injury to a wide receiver. |
| Ja'Marr Chase CIN | Eric Stokes GB | Even with Tee Higgins set to return, Chase remains a very strong fantasy option. I do worry that he could turn a little touchdown dependent, but now with the running game dinged up some, the Bengals could look to pass even more. Stokes was peppered endlessly against the Steelers last week, and if Chase gets that sort of volume he will have a good day. I am confident in him in all fantasy formats especially with the injury concerns in the Green Bay secondary as they are bringing guys in off the practice squad. |
| Donovan Peoples-Jones CLE | Asante Samuel LAC | This offense just isn't very good, there I said it! I believe that Mayfield just locks on to whoever he feels comfortable with that day. Peoples-Jones didn't even have a catch, while slot receiver Rashad Higgins had seven targets. I don't even feel like you can trust Odell Beckham on a week to week basis, so I certainly am not putting any faith in this guy. |
| CeeDee Lamb DAL | Adoree Jackson NYG | He has been a bit of a flop the past two weeks as the Cowboys have been running a lot more and Dak has thrown it less than 30 times in back to back games. The Giants defense hasn't been playing terrible, but Jackson has allowed catches on 13 of the last 18 targets sent his way. With James Bradberry likely to spend most of the day with Amari Cooper that should open up Lamb to perhaps have his best game of the season. The Cowboys offense has been putting up points, and we should see Lamb get back on track in Week 5. |
| Tim Patrick DEN | Cameron Sutton PIT | He had his first down game of the season where he had just three catches for 39 yards and no touchdowns against Baltimore. Well, he had other games without a lot of catches or yards, but he at least scored in those. We all know that the offense is better with Bridgewater, so thankfully he will be back this week. The Steelers secondary has not played up to expectations yet. Sutton has allowed a 112.8 quarterback rating against and nearly 200 yards in two weeks. Patrick looks like he is going to be touchdown dependent, and although I just mentioned that Pittsburgh hasn't been great I still don't feel great trusting Patrick. Maybe a flex option if you are desperate but that's it. |
| Kalif Raymond DET | Bashaud Breeland MIN | It looked like Quintez Cephus was the receiver to roster, but not Raymond had ten targets two weeks ago and two touchdowns last week. This is getting to be quite the crap shoot! However, this could be a week where the Lions actually represent well as the Vikings secondary has not been good. In fact, Breeland has allowed 20 of 23 targets to be caught for nearly 300 yards already and four touchdowns. I don't love the Lions offense, but Raymond could be a very deep dart throw to consider this week. |
| Allen Lazard GB | Eli Apple CIN | Even with Marquez Valdes-Scantling out of the lineup, Lazard was still only targeted three times, catching two for 33 yards. Any bump that comes from MVS being out obviously goes to Randall Cobb who had a great game last week. Eli Apple isn't even a good corner and I can't recommend you even consider stashing Lazard on a bench spot nevermind actually thinking about putting him in a starting roster place. |
| Chris Conley HOU | Jalen Mills NE | I promise I didn't fart, that raw sewage odor you smell is the Texans offense. Brandin Cooks is still ok, Anthony Miller is halfway decent, but Conley hasn't had a catch in two weeks and I won't be surprised if he doesn't again against New England. This is not a situation worth our time. |
| Zach Pascal IND | Anthony Averett BAL | The touchdowns were keeping him afloat, but he hasn't had one of those in two weeks. Given the inconsistent nature of the Colts offense, it is hard to try to figure when he might be successful. Pascal does have a three inch height advantage on Averett which could come in handy in the red zone if the Colts could get there. However, Averett has allowed just five catches in the last 13 targets his way and has a very impressive 41.7 quarterback rating against in 2021. It will likely be a game where the Colts struggle to score a lot and the information just isn't there to think that Pascal will have anything other than a very ordinary day. |
| Tavon Austin JAX | Kristian Fulton TEN | The loss of D.J. Chark will push Austin to the other starting outside receiver and that is as exciting to me as watching paint dry, the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy, basket weaving, yard work, or finding out what the Kardashians are up to lately. Can he break some sort of big gadget play against a terrible Titans defense? Sure. Is that something that I want to bank on or try to figure when it is going to happen with my fantasy rosters. |
| Demarcus Robinson KC | Levi Wallace BUF | He was not even targeted last week and there is a chance that Josh Gordon plays this week. I don't think Josh Gordon is worth your time either, but that really will just cement Robinson to fantasy irrelevance. Nothing to see here, let's move on. |
| Van Jefferson LAR | Sidney Jones SEA | I wish this guy would either be consistent, or drop off the map so we could get a better handle on the Rams offense. He has been targeted six times in each of the last two games and caught all six for 90 yards and a score in Week 4. He is really hurting Robert Woods value as well. The Seahawks secondary is actually really bad as they are giving up nearly 300 yards per game through the air. Jefferson isn't the worst dart throw for Week 5, but I wouldn't roster him in season long leagues as I am only considering him because of a good matchup against Seattle and I don't think he has week to week value. |
| Jalen Guyton LAC | Greedy Williams CLE | He had three catches in Week 1 and has had a combined three catches since for a whole 22 yards. The Chargers have their two big receivers, Ekeler, and tight ends to throw to and Guyton is beyond an afterthought. |
| Bryan Edwards LV | Kindle Vildor CHI | He had just one catch on four targets Monday night, and Edwards didn't have his last second heroics to make his game stats look good for once. He still has just 17 targets in four games and that just isn't good enough to be a relevant fantasy player on a weekly basis. He has been great at home so far with seven catches for 170 yards as opposed to four catches for 44 yards on the road, so if you wanted a dart throw he is there, but until he starts finding the end zone it is really hard to trust Edwards. |
| Albert Wilson MIA | Richard Sherman TB | He hasn't been used much so far this season, but with Will Fuller out of this one perhaps Wilson will get some usage. Richard Sherman looked like he could use more seasoning before entering games last week, and the Dolphins will likely be playing from behind most of this game. Even with all of those factors coming into play, I still just don't like Wilson. The only way I could suggest using him is if you really have injury problems and would be good with six to eight fantasy points coming from your flex in PPR leagues. |
| Adam Thielen MIN | Bobby Price DET | Well, every game can't be great! Thielen dropped his first dud of the season with three catches for 46 yards. It was the first time all season that he didn't have a target in the red zone as well. However, the whole Vikings offense wasn't any good so it is hard to lay too much blame just on Thielen's feet. Price allowed nearly 150 passing yards against him last week with an 83% catch rate. Thielen is still a heavily used option in the passing game and can easily be relied upon on a weekly basis. He is in a smash spot this week and should be deployed in all seasonal and daily formats this week. |
| Kendrick Bourne NE | Terrence Mitchell HOU | It was a second straight good game for Bourne as he had five catches for 58 yards. Most was with Richard Sherman on him who clearly wasn't ready for game action. It doesn't get too much tougher this week against the Texans though, but I really am not quite buying into any Patriot receiver right now too wholeheartedly outside of Jakobi Meyers. If you want to take a shot of him in your flex you can, but I am not suggesting it. |
| Deonte Harris NO | Kendall Fuller WFT | He had a surprisingly good game with five catches and 52 yards, but if that is a surprisingly good game is that something that you want to shoot for? A ceiling of ten fantasy points? I know Washington's secondary hasn't been as good as we hoped, but the Saints just aren't throwing a ton and you can't even begind to consider Harris anywhere. |
| John Ross NYG | Anthony Brown DAL | Darius Slayton made the trip to New Orleans last week so I thought that was a good sign he would play this week. But not practicing on Wednesday has changed my mind. Ross had his first action in quite a while and surprised with three catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. Before we get too crazy the touchdown was 51 of those yards, so he didn't do much else. The Cowboys secondary after Trevon Diggs is not good, but I still need to see a lot more from Ross before I even consider thinking about putting him on a roster nevermind starting him. |
| Keelan Cole NYJ | T.J. Green ATL | The boxscore looks nice with 92 yards, but he was only targeted four times and has just six looks all season. Was that the week that Zach Wilson turned the corner and is going to improve? Or was this one good week against a terrible Titans secondary? I mean it doesn't get much tougher this week against the Falcons this week who have allowed 11 passing touchdowns already but I still have little to no faith in Cole. |
| Jalen Reagor PHI | A.J. Bouye CAR | Jalen Hurts threw the ball nearly 50 times and Reagor was targeted just once. Once. ONCE! This is two of four games that he didn't even cap double digits in receiving yards and right now it is hard to have any faith in him. He has topped 50 yards just once and has scored just once. The Panthers secondary is fairly strong even if Bouye isn't great, and Reagor isn't getting enough action to warrant a starting spot on your roster. |
| Chase Claypool PIT | Patrick Surtain DEN | He missed last week with a hammy injury but signs all point to his return this week. He has been heavily targeted when he has played this season and he had 166 yards in the last two games he played in combined. Broncos rookie Patrick Surtain played well the first three games, but then was beaten repeatedly last week allowing seven catches on nine targets against. He hasn't allowed a touchdown since Week 1 though, and the Broncos as a whole have allowed just three passing touchdowns. The Steelers pass game looks a little broken right now so you are probably best to give Claypool a week to show that the hammy is 100% before putting him back in your lineups. |
| Brandon Aiyuk SF | Marco Wilson ARZ | I really thought that last week was going to be a springboard for Aiyuk back into fantasy relevance but it was a total flop as he had just one catch on three targets against a soft Seahawks secondary. I know the talent is there, but the opportunity just hasn't been. Personally, I am going to keep throwing him in my season long starting lineups unless I really have far better options, but I certainly can't blame you if you superglue him to the bench until you see a big game. |
| Freddie Swain SEA | Darious Williams LAR | He had three catches and his second touchdown of the season, but Swain has just 12 targets on the season and isn't nearly involved enough to warrant any kind of fantasy consideration. Put that on top of Williams being perhaps the best "other corner" on any team and we have already spent too much time on this guy. |
| Antonio Brown TB | Byron Jones MIA | Back from a one game absence on the Covid list, Brown had season highs in targets and catches. He didn't score and you'd love to see seven catches add up to more than 63 yards but overall a positive day. He should continue to get more work with Gronk out, although it isn't an easy matchup this week. Jones has allowed just a 55% catch rate and a 76.3 quarterback rating against. I would take him out of my DFS consideration, but Brown is still a weekly WR3 or flex in season long leagues. |
| Josh Reynolds TEN | Tyson Campbell JAX | With the top two options on the team out with injury, Reynolds stepped up decently with six catches for 59 yards. Ryan Tannehill spread the ball around to a number of different players so no one popped off against a decent Jets secondary. The task will be a little easier this week against the Jags who are allowing over 310 yards per game through the air. Campbell himself gave up 158 yards in receiving last week and has graced opposing players with a generour 131.6 quarterback rating against and a 81% catch rate. Reynolds could be a nice find as a dart throw for Week 5. |
| Curtis Samuel WFT | Paulson Adebo NO | He didn't do much in his first game back but caught all four targets for 19 yards. With Logan Thomas banged up along with Dyami Brown the Football Team might be forced to start to lean on Samuel more right away. The Saints young corner startout out the season well but has now been burned on touchdowns in three straight weeks and coughed up over 150 receiving yards against the Giants. I like Samuel as a redraft weapon this week, but I think I need to see another week out of him before thinking of trusting him for DFS purposes. |
Now, here are my 10 favorite matchups in the slot in Week 5.
| Slot WR | Slot CB | Analysis |
| Tyreek Hill KC | Taron Johnson BUF | Johnson has been one of the top slot corners this season, allowing just a 44% catch rate and a 57.8 quarterback rating against. However, how can you bet against anyone stopping Hill right now? I mean, sure, he has had a couple of down games to go with his two monster performances, but this game should feature plenty of throwing and scoring. He had a bad game against the Bills last season, but I just can't say no to this guy. He might not be the number one best DFS play but you cement him into your starting lineups in redraft. |
| Keenan Allen LAC | Troy Hill CLE | He is the third most targeted receiver in football, although his yardage totals have left plenty to be desired the past two weeks. Allen does have 15 catches in the last two games to keep PPR players happy, but his 86 yards in that span is not inspiring. Troy Hill has been strong with allowing just 82 yards total in four games and just eight of 15 targets to be caught. However, it is just a matter of time before Allen gets his. He might not have a 100 yard game in this one, but he is going to be targeted enough that seven catches and 60 yards is likely his floor with a good chance for more |
| Cooper Kupp LAR | Ugo Amadi SEA | Kupp is the most targeted receiver in football after his 13 looks in Week 4. It wasn't his best game with just five catches and 64 yards, but if he continues to see the ball come his way at this pace the production will come. The Seahawks secondary has been very vulnerable, and Amadi is a part of that. In the past two weeks he has allowed eight of nine passes to be caught and on the season he has a 125.2 quarterback rating against. He had 13 catches in the two games against the Seahawks last season and that was with Jared Goff. Clearly, Kupp and Matthew Stafford have quite the bromance going and he is a dynamite play in both season long and DFS cash games with his performances this season. |
| Tyler Lockett SEA | David Long LAR | The two game giant upswing for Lockett was predictably followed by the last two games where he swung way back in the other direction with just 55 yards in two weeks. Which way will the pendulum swing this week? David Long had played great all season but was victimized on all five balls thrown his way last week. The other concern with him is allowing 14 yards per catch out of the slot, as that number is generally around ten yards or less. Lockett is a big play guy too so it isn't crazy to put him in your lineups in any kind of format that you play as the Cardinals showed last week the Rams secondary can be beaten. |
| Chris Godwin TB | Justin Coleman MIA | It was his worst game of the season with just three catches for 55 yards for Godwin in New England, but that was also a very supercharged game and the weather wasn't great. Speaking of not great, Justin Coleman has only stopped one pass thrown his way from being caught this year. He has also allowed a bit much with 13.2 yards per catch and 93 yards after the catch so he is not stopping the ball, he is letting receivers too far down the field, and not tackling them right away after the catch. Sounds like a great recipe for success for Tom Brady and Godwin this week in a game where the Bucs should be throwing a bunch. |
| Laviska Shenault JAX | Chris Jackson TEN | With D.J. Chark going on Injured Reserve, this opens up the world to Shenault. He had six catches for 99 yards and an 11 yard run, and this is the way that Jags have to utilize him. I have huge high hopes for him coming into this one as the Titans secondary made Zach Wilson and the Jets look good last week! Fulton allowed four catches on six targets last week for 73 yards and has already been beaten for two touchdowns. His price tag is very affordable and he will be one of my favorite plays of Week 5. |
| Jakobi Meyers NE | Tavierre Thomas HOU | He has as many targets as Stefon Diggs and more than Darren Waller and Tyreek Hill. The problem is that Meyers is still yet to find the end zone in his career. Mac Jones is running the offense pretty well for a rookie and he clearly likes Meyers as evidenced by his 26 targets in the last two games. New England has played four teams that you would say had a decent defense at the worst and I'd say three have good defenses. Houston......does not have a good defense. Meyers has a four inch height advantage on Thomas so if the Pats do get into the red zone, he could be a great target. |
| Jamison Crowder NYJ | Avery Williams ATL | It didn't take long for Crowder to return and for him to have an impact. He had seven catches for 61 yards and a score in the Jets win over the Titans. Clearly, Zach Wilson loves his slot receiver. Normally, I would say that it was against the Titans and take it for what you will. But the Falcons are equally bad, and perhaps the Jets take a little confidence out of their win. With the injuries to the Atlanta secondary Williams had to come in and allowed four catches for 44 yards against Washington. Crowder should have little trouble with him, it will depend on the quarterback play which I have enough faith in to give Crowder a start in my redraft leagues for Week 5. |
| Chester Rogers TEN | Tre Herndon JAX | I can't believe I'm writing about Chester Rogers, but isn't that the fun of fantasy football? With Julio Jones and A.J. Brown set to miss another game, Rogers is set to be a decent part of the passing game again. He had the most yards last week among the wide receivers, and was efficient catching five of six passes. Tre Herndon played for the first time last week and I think he hurt the team more than helped. He allowed five catches on six targetst for 98 yards and a touchdown. Granted, Tyler Boyd is a pretty good slot receiver, but Herndon appeared to be little but an illusion out there. Tannehill clearly has some faith in Rogers and if you are in desperate need for a one week fill in or maybe a super DFS dart throw I think he is a viable option. |
| Randall Cobb GB | Mike Hilton CIN | With no Marquez-Valdes Scantling, we finally go the game from Cobb we hoped for when he returned to Green Bay. He was only targeted six times, but he caught five for 69 yards and two touchdowns against a tough Steelers defense. Hilton has been getting crushed all season long as he has allowed nearly 200 yards in four games and a 115.4 quarterback rating against. The Packers offense has been clicking the last two weeks, and after Davante Adams there aren't many other reliable options outside of Cobb. Look for him to have another great game against the Bengals. |
Elite
Justin Jefferson vs. Amani Oruwariye
Adam Thielen is getting all of the love so far this season, but let’s not overlook Jefferson with his 26 catches, nearly 340 yards and three scores through four weeks. The guy is still a stud. You have to love this game indoors and against the Lions who are basically helpless to stop any offense. Hell, even Darnell Mooney went for 125 yards against them last week. The Vikings are going to throw early and often, and Jefferson is going to be a big part of the game plan. If he doesn’t go over 100 yards in this one, I will be quite surprised.
D.J. Moore vs. Steven Nelson
Explain to me how you don’t want to use this guy this week? Or any week given how he is playing? He has a near 30% target share and that is after Robby Anderson actually got some attention last week. Moore and Darnold couldn’t be more on the same page than they are, and it is a beautiful thing. Moore is great at the short passes but can beat a defense deep as well. Fantasy football is about volume and touchdowns and Moore is doing well in both. Nelson was great the first two weeks but has come crashing back to Earth the last two. Darnold is playing like an MVP and Moore is his best buddy.
Affordable
Chris Godwin vs. Justin Coleman
I’ve often said that it is hard to figure out which Buccaneer receiver is going to have the big game, but I really like Godwin in this one. The Dolphins have two great outside corners that will have their hands full with Mike Evans and Antonio Brown and Godwin will be the lucky one to deal with Coleman. I already outlined how bad he is, and we know the Bucs are going to throw a ton given that their run game hasn’t been great, and Tom Brady doesn’t like to take his foot off the gas even when well ahead. Tampa should cruise in this one and I love Godwin to be a big part of how they build a lead.
DeVonta Smith vs. Donte Jackson
This matchup isn’t the greatest on paper, but we all know games aren’t played on paper. Smith has been targeted six or more times in all four games this season and has easily shown he is the most reliable target the team has. He had his first 100-yard game of the season last week and I don’t think it will be the last. Carolina is sure to be ahead in this one, so the Eagles are going to have to throw a bunch. It also helps that the run game is nearly non-existent, and Hurts has thrown the ball 35 times or more in three of the first four games. We need him to find the end zone more but that will come with time considering how much he is getting the ball.
Bargain Bin
Laviska Shenault vs. Chris Jackson
I almost used Chester Rogers here, but I couldn’t ignore VISKA SZN! He is ready to be unlocked and let loose as he showed last Thursday against the Bengals. He has great hands, but his best skill is his ability to run with the ball after the catch and making would-be tacklers miss. The team also likes to throw a running play or two his way during the course of the game, so he can always possibly break one of those. The Titans secondary is absolutely awful, and we saw what Jamison Crowder did last week out of the slot. With D.J. Chark gone there isn’t much for Trevor Lawrence to throw to outside of Marvin Jones and Shenault so look for a hefty amount of volume and a great day in the box score.
*Information gathered from research done at Pro Football Focus.