NFL Wide Receiver Matchup Grades: Week 14

We are looking ahead at Week 14 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 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.

Weather in Cleveland, Buffalo, Green Bay, and New York could damper passing attacks.

Blown Coverage

This week is interesting because we sit with a lot of value in good spots, which is great given there are two high priced running backs to pay up for. Julio Jones is expected to play this week, while Mohamed Sanu is on the doubtful side. Jones isn't 100%, putting Taylor Gabriel on the map. He will be matched up against E.J. Gaines, who has 0.43 fantasy points per route, and is targeted 7-8% more than any other L.A. corner.

Chicago is really banged up right now, and Cameron Meredith is about the only Bear I like this week. This would have been a plus matchup either way against Quandre Diggs, but he is out this week. Adairius Barnes has allowed 0.32 fantasy points per route, and is being targeted 29% of the time. With Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson raising their play over the last five-six weeks, targets should be funneled down to Meredith.

With a bottom three DVOA against the pass, it's pretty optimal that both Cincinnati wideouts are in play this week, alongside their tight end, Tyler Eifert. Joe Haden and Tracy Howard are allowing over 0.30 fantasy points per route. With no A.J. Green, these two have picked up the slack. The Bengals stack is a cheap one if you want exposure to it. Speaking of bottom passing defenses, Tennessee has been torched of late, and even against a subpar Denver pass attack, a $5,900 Emmanuel Sanders on FanDuel is enticing.

There is a really cheap group of slot guys this week, Doug Baldwin, Jamison Crowder, and Quincy Enunwa. Green Bay's secondary has been abysmal this season, and Micah Hyde is someone I like to target. He is allowing 0.41 fantasy points per route, which is just about Baldwin's average this season. With Jordan Reed doubtful, Jamison Crowder gets a bump for me, and is in a good spot. Malcolm Jenkins was a guy I picked on last week, and will do so again, allowing 0.44 fantasy points per route. Enunwa is obviously a boom-or-bust candidate, but anyone squaring off against Jimmie Ward I will take a look at. Ward is allowing 0.40 fantasy points per route, and being targeted 20% of the time. The issue, as it is with a few of these guys, is the quarterback play.

In terms of pay up options, Mike Evans and T.Y. Hilton draw the best matchups. Evans is simply a mismatch for most corners, and Delvin Breaux will have the duties of chasing him around. He is being targeted 23% of the time, and allowing 0.32 fantasy points per route. Hilton called this matchup versus Houston Game 7, and I am ready to fire up some Luck-Hilton stacks this week. Charles James is allowing 0.33 fantasy points per route. Hilton should stay away from A.J. Bouye.

Zone Coverage

Starting with Odell Beckham Jr, he is a viable tournament option this week, but not quite cash for me. Brandon Carr isn't a fade type of corner, but a guy I haven't targeted that much. A lot of it has to do with Dallas keeping offenses off the field, and playing slow grind it out games. If the Giants can establish their pace of play at home, then OBJ will be fine.

The Saints receivers have a good matchup this week, if they can survive Drew Brees' road splits. New Orleans is coming off of a horrific home game, and will need to rebound here to have a shot at some late season magic. Brent Grimes is allowing 0.29 fantasy points per route, and Michael Thomas is also play on the other side with Brandin Cooks.

So that quarterback play I was talking about above, well that's the case with DeAndre Hopkins. I am more intrigued with his price on DraftKings, but FanDuel's isn't bad either. Vontae Davis, has been hindered by injury this season, and also just hasn't been that great in coverage. Hopkins would be an interesting correlation play if you believe the Colts will match that total they have this week (second highest).

If Jordy Nelson is going to see Richard Sherman a fair amount, I do not mind Davante Adams as the pivot play to get some Packers exposure. The Green Bay prices have been priced down, against a defense that just lost Earl Thomas, which is a big factor. I will be keeping an eye on the Adams/Nelson matchups as the week goes on. Golden Tate is coming off of a big week against New Orleans, and is in a decent spot this week. It's not a wow matchup, given Bryce Callahan is allowing 0.21 fantasy points per route, but is being targeted 20% of the time.

Sammy Watkins remains a GPP dart throw, and up against Pittsburgh I don't mind it. Watkins is working his way back from injury, and saw an increased snap count and target share against Oakland. Artie Burns is a targetable corner, allowing 0.33 fantasy points per route, and being targeted far more than any other Steelers corner. Larry Fitzgerald has a mediocre matchup this week. Bobby McCain has been targeted just 12% of the time, allowing 0.25 fantasy points per route. Personally I am not on Fitz this week.

Lockdown Coverage

Casey Hayward has stepped up big time in Jason Verrett's absence. He is allowing 0.26 fantasy points per route, and is a top eight graded corner, per PFF. Kelvin Benjamin is not a high snap count wideout, nor is his target share impressing me. I am off again this week. Dez Bryant is a tournament play at most, but I am not sure his upside is really there this week, but I could be wrong. Janoris Jenkins has been very solid, allowing 0.19 fantasy points per route, and being targeted just 19% of the time. He has really been a lockdown corner this year.

I talked a bit about Jordy Nelson above, but he should get some Richard Sherman this week at the least. I still actually don't mind him in tournaments, so while I usually fade against Sherman, I will have some shares. Nelson is being targeted 21% of the time, and is averaging 0.40 fantasy points per route. Like I said, I will be keeping an eye on news throughout the week.

Xavier Rhodes is allowing 0.21 fantasy points per route, and Allen Robinson has to play with a putz at quarterback. Robinson is only averaging 0.28 fantasy points per route, and with his high volume, it just screens inefficiency. I won't be targeting any receiver in this game.

Patrick Peterson will see DeVante Parker, putting him on an auto-fade this week. Peterson is allowing 0.18 fantasy points per route, and is being targeted 16% of the time. Jarvis Landry doesn't have a better matchup, facing Tyvon Branch, who is allowing 0.22 fantasy points per route. There are better options this week.