Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can help you make the best lineup decisions. By utilizing our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defensive schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking these WR/CB matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start advice and waiver wire suggestions each week.
Down below are the receivers with the best and worst matchups this week, as well as the corresponding fantasy impact.
To view the primary defenders the top three wide receivers for each team will see this weekend, be sure to check out our weekly WR vs. CB Cheatsheet.
Note that references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjust to a per-game basis in order to avoid distortion due to bye weeks, unless otherwise indicated.
Advantageous matchups
Rams' Cooper Kupp vs. Cardinals' Jace Whittaker (Slot)
This is an interesting one, as we saw top Arizona corner Byron Murphy shadow last week -- the first time Arizona has shadowed since Patrick Peterson in Week 11 of 2020 and the first time Murphy has shadowed since his rookie season in 2019. Murphy followed Davante Adams last week, traveling with him on 29 of his 39 routes, including 22-of-23 on the perimeter and 3-of-16 in the slot. The latter is notable as, while Murphy has experience in the slot, he has settled in as an outside corner, and that is evidenced by him not following Adams inside. The plan worked, as Adams was held to a 2-12-1 receiving line on seven targets (all against Murphy). Perhaps Arizona will return to playing sides, but considering the Rams have a clear top perimeter receiver (Allen Robinson II), it's very possible Murphy travels with him this week. Consider downgrading Robinson slightly. Meanwhile, we're upgrading Rams slot man Kupp (Raiders slot Hunter Renfrow had 10 targets last week) against Whittaker. We're also considering Van Jefferson (if he returns) or Ben Skowronek (if Jefferson is out) a deep sleeper against Marco Wilson.