Week 8 Rankings: Standard | PPR
We talk about matchups in Fantasy Football a lot, but too often we look at it on the macro level. We think if a team is good or bad against the pass then that affects all receivers the same.
That couldn't be further from the truth.
Thankfully, our friends at ProFootballFocus provide data on the coverage skills of individual players, which gives us a much more reliable starting point. Each week in this column I'll focus on some of my favorite matchups for wide receivers and at least one matchup you should try to avoid.
I look at PFF's individual coverage grades. This helps sort out some of the noise and give us an idea of how each individual cornerback has performed, where they generally line up and who they'll cover most often.
I've included the PFF grade of each corner we're targeting this week. This grade is on a scale of 0 to 100, making it easily digestible.
DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller vs. Nevin Lawson (PFF Grade: 71.6)
It's looking like Darius Slay won't be ready for Week 8, which is bad news for the Lions. They have been one of the worst pass defenses in the league despite the fact that Slay (PFF Grade: 84.3) has been pretty outstanding. When opposing quarterbacks have targeted anyone other than Slay, they've completed 78 percent of their passes for 8.4 Y/A. More specifically, when they've targeted Lawson, they've compiled a 124.2 passer rating.
If Slay recovers before Sunday, I'd still start Hopkins, but I wouldn't love him like I do now. But it wouldn't change the prognosis for Fuller, who should bounce back in a big way.
Jordan Matthews vs. Anthony Brown (PFF Grade: 76)
Brown's grade looks higher than we generally show in this column, but that's because he's actually had some success outside. In the slot, he's been a disaster surrendering 16/20 for 146 yards and two touchdowns. With Mo Claiborne returning, Brown will be forced back inside where he'll likely see a large dose of Jordan Matthews.
Matthews has had a frustrating start to the season, but a lot of that has to do with the game flow the Eagles have experienced. This will be a slow-paced game but I expect the Eagles will have to stretch the field a little bit to move the ball. Matthews is going to be dropped in some leagues this week, I'm sure. I would start him as no. 3 WR or flex option against Brown.
Quincy Enunwa vs. Tramon Williams (PFF Grade: 44.9)
Unlike Anthony Brown, Tramon Williams hasn't really been good anywhere, but he's been especially bad in the slot, where he allows more than 10 yards per reception. Quincy Enunwa has played close to 80 percent of his snaps in the slot since Eric Decker went down, so he should be the main benefactor.
Enunwa showed his big play ability in Week 8 and is quite clearly the second best receiver on the Jets. I do have concerns about the Jets getting a big league and running the ball at will. This is a game where the Jets should be able to do pretty much whatever they want. It's also a week with six teams on a bye so Enunwa is still a nice boom or bust flex play.
Willie Snead vs. Jeremy Lane (PFF Grade: 72.2)
Targeting receivers against the Seahawks? Well, let me explain. You should never, ever target receivers outside against the Seahawks, but they've actually had their fair share of troubles over the middle. Their slot corner, Jeremy Lane, has surrendered a 102 passer rating on plays in the slot. That should mean a whole lot of Willie Snead.
We saw Drew Brees avoid Marcus Peters last week, and I would expect him to exploit the only thing close to a weakness in this Seahawks defense.
One to avoid
While Brandin Cooks will spend a little time in the slot, Michael Thomas has played almost exclusively outside. That makes him a easy fade in my opinion. Even though I do believe Thomas may be the most talented WR in New Orleans and Drew Brees has targeted him heavily, I just can't get on board with a rook WR facing these two talented corners without the benefit of facing a slot corner occasionally.
I ranked the Saints receivers by how many snaps I expect them to play in the slot, and that left Thomas a distant third. With bye weeks I could understand why you might need to start him as a flex, but I don't feel good about it.