Wide Receiver Matchup Grades: Week 16

We are looking ahead at week 16, 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.

Top Tier Matchups

Alshon Jeffery - Granted Alshon Jeffery is healthy, he will have an elite matchup for week 16, seeing Jonathan Banks. Tampa ranks 12th defending opposing WR1, but Tampa has given up plenty of big games to opposing wideouts. The biggest question mark is Jeffery's health.

Sammy Watkins - While game flow helped Sammy Watkins' week 15 ceiling, he has flourished down the stretch here. He has six touchdowns in the last four games, and a matchup to keep the train rolling in week 16. Watkins has also received double-digit targets in the three of the last four weeks. Dallas ranks 31st against opposing WR1.

Calvin Johnson - We are probably ready to grab out pitchforks and form an angry mob here, but Calvin Johnson has another prime matchup. 49ers rank 21st against opposing WR1 this season. Great matchup against Kenneth Acker, but will he see more than five targets?

Allen Hurns - The Jacksonville receiving core has the best matchup of the weekend, and Hurns will see slot-corner, Kyle Wilson. New Orleans ranks 24th against opposing WR2. Hurns is the 15th ranked wideout, squaring off against the 37th ranked corner. I was on the fence about this one being top tier, but the New Orleans matchup as a whole helped me lean this way.

Jarvis Landry - Miami's offense is unpredictable, but we know Jarvis Landry will get his looks. He averages 10.4 per game, but has seen 16, 18, 5, and 10 targets in the last four games. He now gets a matchup against slot-corner, Darius Butler. He has a poor PFF grade, ranked 97th. He is a great PPR play on DraftKings.

Donte Moncrief - If Andrew Luck was playing we would be all over this matchup, but he is not. Miami ranks 30th against opposing WR2. Tony Lippett will have the honor of covering Moncrief, who has an F grade. The price tag puts Moncrief on the radar, but the upside is likely limited with Matt Hasselbeck, who is basically one hit from a wheelchair.

DeAndre Hopkins - Another sketchy QB situation, with Brandon Weeden taking over in Houston. Tennessee ranks 25th against opposing WR, and will see Perrish Cox, just a 64th ranked corner. He did not see him last game, with an 8-94-1 line. Hopkins still has a higher price tag making me uncomfortable to use with the QB situation, but the matchup is solid.

Doug Baldwin - 10 touchdowns in the last four games, and he might be in line for another big game this week. He will draw the easiest of matchups among Seattle's core. Lamarcus Joyner has a D+ grade, while the other two corners rank in the top 30. Baldwin's player grade has risen significantly, sitting as the 8th ranked wideout.

Antonio Brown - Antonio Brown is matchup proof, but he gets another stellar matchup this week. He will see Jimmy Smith, who is likely to be healthy enough to cover Brown. I am sure he is thrilled. Brown is your number one rated wideout, per PFF. No shocker here. Brown had one of his worst games of the season against Baltimore, but Mike Vick was under center.

Emmanuel Sanders - Coming off of a monster week, with a 10-181-1 line, it was nice to see Denver's receivers still had upside. With Adam Jones on Demaryius Thomas, Sanders will see Dre Kirkpatrick, a much easier task. He is the 109th ranked corner. Cincinnati ranks 15h against opposing WR2.

Middle Tier Matchups

Ted Ginn - Robert Alford was torched in the first matchup, just two weeks ago. Ginn had two catches, for 120 yards, and a score. Ginn has two touchdowns in each of the last three games. I don't believe you can call Ginn a true WR1, so Atlanta's 8th ranked defense against opposing WR1 does not apply.

Mike Evans - I am all over Mike Evans this week for GPP's. Vincent Jackson is likely done for the year, meaning Evans will see an increase in volume. Evans will see Kyle Fuller, who is an average corner. The only reason this matchup is not elite is due to Evans not exactly being more than average either. Chicago ranks 30th against opposing WR1.

Golden Tate - Golden Tate has been sneaky good over the last few weeks. He has five touchdowns in the last four games, six plus catches in each. San Francisco ranks 20th against opposing PF. Detroit has another strong matchup in the passing game, and Tate comes in with some solid price tags.

Brandin Cooks - Coming off of a 10-124-1 line against Detroit, Cooks now has a 74-993-8 line on the season. Jacksonville ranks 24th against opposing WR1. You have to love the possible shootout predicted. Cooks will draw Davon House, Jacksonville's best corner, who is a subpar corner at best.

Allen Robinson - One-on-one this matchup favors Robinson slightly, but he will see Delvin Breaux. New Orleans ranks 29th against WR1, so really not a big deal. A-Rob is the one I want to pair up with Bortles this week for monster upside. Robinson is a top ten wideout, per PFF.

Jeremy Maclin - While it was the defense that scored the touchdowns last week, Kansas City has been thriving since their trip to London. Maclin has 9+ targets in the last four games, as well as four touchdowns. Maclin will see Tramon Williams, who is an average rated corner. Should be nothing Maclin can't handle.

Dorial Green-Beckham - No Marcus Mariota for the next two weeks, but Zach Mettenberger shouldn't hurt DGB's value. DGB has steadily been stepping into a larger role in the offense. He has two 100 yard games in the last three, and one score. He will see Kevin Johnson, making for a matchup DGB to keep things going in the right direction.

Eric Decker - Decker has moved to the slot role, and will see Leonard Johnson. Decker caught six balls, for 94 yards in their first matchup. Decker has 10 touchdowns in the season, putting up a stellar season with Ryan Fitzpatrick. If I am targeting a Jets' wideout it will be Decker against an average corner.

Larry Fitzgerald - Fitz has not scored since week 8, making him a sneaky play for week 16. Green Bay ranks 18th against opposing WR1. Fitz is the 4th ranked wideout, and is matchup proof you could say given the ability to line him up anywhere. He will see a dose of Casey Hayward, who does have an above average grade. Not a tremendous lineup, but not a bad one either.

Kamar Aiken - The Baltimore wideout has taken on the WR1 role, and has performed well. He has seen double-digit targets in three of the last four games. Pittsburgh ranks 27th against opposing WR1, and as we saw last week, the secondary is not one to shy away from. Aiken will get WR1 volume, and see an above average matchup. He still makes for a decent value play.

Tough Matchups

Stefon Diggs - Two touchdowns for Mr. Diggs last week, but I doubt we see that this week. N.Y. ranks 15th against WR2, and with A.P. likely being back, the passing game volume will be turned down a notch. Prince Amukamara is an above average corner, keeping Diggs off my radar for week 16.

Julio Jones - While we will not see a wrestling match like OBJ, we will also not see Jones explode for much. He had a 7-88-0 line a few games ago, which is probably what you can expect again, maybe a touchdown onto that. Either way, you will likely be able to get his numbers for cheaper.

Anquan Boldin - Anquan Boldin might be on your radar, after an 8-74-1 line, but he shouldn't be. Boldin will see Quandre Diggs, who has picked up his game in the second half. He is now ranked the 21st best corner, per PFF.

Brandon Marshall - Malcolm Butler has been an underrated corner, if you ask me. He is ranked as the 23rd best corner, with a B- PFF grade. Marshall put up a mediocre 4-67-0 line against New England in the first matchup. With Marshall's huge second half, his price has risen, and this is not a matchup I feel comfortable paying up for.

Tyler Lockett - I am not taking anything away from Seattle's performance, but this is the first time in a while Seattle will face a better than average secondary. I like Baldwin, but I am not on Lockett, squaring off against Janoris Jenkins.

DeMaryius Thomas - Thomas will draw the tougher of matchups, facing Adam Jones, the third ranked corner. Cincinnati ranks 9th against opposing WR1. I will not be expecting a two touchdown performance this week.