NFL Week 5: WR/CB Matchup Grades

We are looking ahead at Week 5 to find the elite matchups for wide receivers against corners. Using Pro Football Focus's ratings as a base, we are able to get an advanced look at what matchups we can take advantage of. Defense against opposing WR's is grabbed from FootballOutsiders. They matchups are broken down into the top tier matchups, middle tier matchups, and matchups to possibly fade. Now the opposing cornerback may not always be on the highlighted receiver, but this is a look at who the highlighted receiver will likely see most of the game. Not every number one cornerback covers the opposing team's wide receiver. They usually stay on their side of the field, and on occasion can shadow a number one. I will continue to edit it during the week, if there is given news of a switch in matchups. Blown coverage equals great matchups, zone coverages suggest they are toss-ups, and lockdown coverage is pretty self explanatory. Premium access grants you the full article.

Blown Coverage

There is a lot to break down in this Philadelphia-Arizona game, and we will start with someone you probably weren't thinking of this week. Nelson Agholor has run a 86% of his routes out of the slot, which means he will see Tyrann Mathieu. The former LSU standout has struggled in coverage, allowing 0.38 F/R going back to last season and a 68% catch rate. While Agholor isn't the sexiest name on the board, Patrick Peterson tends to push targets to other receivers. Jalen Mills has been someone to pick on this season, and John Brown looked healthy last game. Mills has allowed 0.37 F/R and 1.91 Y/RC since last season.

For those playing on FanDuel this week, both Tyreek Hill and DeAndre Hopkins are in good spots despite being a game that might look like its ugly on paper. Hopkins will see Terrance Mitchell for most of his routes, who has graded out as one of the poorer corners this season. Kansas City has been struggling a bit defensively, and rank 24th against WR1s, allowing 86.7 yards per game. Hill is going to lineup all over, given he hasn't run on any one side over 40%, but two of Houston's corner have allowed over 0.35 F/R.

Green Bay ranks 21st against WR1s this season, which means Dez Bryant gets a look at this Packers secondary. Bryant will lineup against Kevin King and Damarious Randall. They have allowed a combined 0.64 F/R this season. Bryant is one of a top options on the board in all formats this week. Sticking in the same game, Randall Cobb has been a strong fantasy wideout this year, and is certainly rebounding from last season. We have seen Cooper Kupp and Larry Fitzgerald take advantage of this matchup over the last two weeks, and Cobb can continue that trend.