DFS Wide Receiver vs. Cornerback Matchup Analysis: Week 1

When it comes to selecting receivers in DFS, it’s important to understand who will cover them. Many times defense-versus-position stats alone don't tell the whole story or overlooked defensive injuries will have a significant effect.

Below is a chart detailing each wide receiver versus cornerback matchup, cornerback fantasy points allowed per target, catch rate allowed, and yards per target allowed.

The most important column is the last one (+/-), which indicates whether the matchup is an upgrade or downgrade for the receiver.

After the chart, I also provide key notes such as veteran receivers that will square off against rookies, how a wide receiver matchup might affect the team's tight end, etc.

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Week 1 Wide Receiver versus Cornerback Matchups

Note: An asterisk* indicates WR plays outside in two-wide sets. N' in the Upgrade/Downgrade (+/-) column indicates neutral matchup. Click header to sort. M/U = aFPA ranking vs. WR. FP/T = PPR fantasy points per target.

All of the elite WRs are in play, but these are some of the less than obvious situations to key in on:

DeAndre Hopkins, HOU vs. AJ Bouye/Jalen Ramsey, JAC

Hopkins moves around, but on each side he’ll face a shutdown corner in either AJ Bouye or Jalen Ramsey. When opposing QBs threw in Bouye’s direction last season, he allowed a 48.5 passer rating while Ramsey allowed a 76.1 passer rating. Combined, they allowed just 4 total TDs on 180 targets. This might be a situation to take advantage of Jacksonville’s linebackers, who are below average in pass coverage, with C.J. Fiedorowicz, who could see more targets.

Martavis Bryant, PIT vs. Beian Boddy-Calhoun, CLE

While gravitates towards AB, Bryant has a favorable matchup with Boddy-Calhoun. He's an up and coming corner, but could struggle with Bryant this week. Last season, Calhoun allowed a QB rating of 106.2 on balls thrown his way and was resonsible for 6 scores on 54 targets.

Larry Fitzgerald, ARI vs. Quandre Diggs, DET

Fitz is going to be highly-owned, but it's a great matchup for him. Fitz is a catch machine and Diggs allows a 91 percent catch rate and a 129.5 QB rating when targeted.

Kelvin Benjamin, CAR vs. Rashard Robinson, SF

Benjamin will draw Rishard Robinson, who struggled in coverage last season, allowing 5 TDs on his 21 receptions allowed and opposing QBs had a passer rating of 95 throwing in his direction. He's also liable to miss tackles.

Paul Richardson, SEA vs. Davon House, GB

The Packers let Micah Hyde walk in free agency, so House is going to be filling in. House allowed QB rating of 122.1 when targeted and nearly 0.20 fantasy points per snap.

Randall Cobb, GBP vs. Jeremy Lane, SEA

Lane had a 26% slot rate and should move there in three-wide sets. Lane allowed over 480 yards in coverage and a 112.1 QB rating last season.

Stefon Diggs, MIN vs. Marshon Lattimore, NO

The OSU rookie, Lattimore, will have a trial by fire against one of the league's up and coming receivers, Diggs.

Amari Cooper, OAK vs. Adoree Jackson, TEN

Take advantage of Cooper going against a rookie corner in what is shaping up to be a high-scoring game.

Doug Baldwin, SEA vs. Damarious Randall, GB

Randall was consistently torched last season, allowing 8 TDs on 61 targets and a QB rating of 114.7.

Rishard Matthews, TEN vs. David Amerson, OAK

Amerson allowed 766 yards receiving to opposing receivers last season on a 57% catch rate.

Sammy Watkins, LA vs. Quincy Wilson, IND

The Colts secondary is depleted, especially with the loss of Vontae Davis, and this is another veteran rookie-matchup to exploit. Watkins seems underpriced on FanDuel.

Alshon Jeffery, PHI vs. Josh Norman, WAS

This is a shadow situation I'm staying away from. Norman allowed a QB rating of just 50 when targeted last season. This is going to open the door for Zach Ertz to receive more targets, as Washington's linebackers are average in coverage. Washington's ILB duo of Mason Foster and Zach Brown were targeted a combined 128 times, allowing a combined 102 catches for 952 yards in 2016.

Michael Thomas, NO vs. Xavier Rhodes, MIN

Slot receiver Willie Snead is suspended for the first three games of the season, leaving the defense to focus on Thomas. Rhodes allowed a 46.9 QB rating and fewer than 46% of passes thrown his way to be caught. The Vikings linebackers are average coverage and Ingram is a threat out of the backfield. Anthony Barr was reponsible for four TDs and allowed over 500 yards when targeted, so Coby Fleener is in play at tight end.

Demaryius Thomas/Emmanuel Sanders, DEN vs. Jason Verrett/Casey Hayward, LAC

This is a matchup I might consider staying away from. Verrett allowed a 62.7 QB rating when he was targeted last season, and Hayward was even better once Verrett went down, allowing a 52.4 QB rating and one TD on 96 targets.