X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Wide Receiver Matchups to Target in Week 12

Mark Wemken's favorite WR vs. CB matchups to exploit for Week 12 of DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel. These wide receivers should be tournament and cash game targets based on matchups.

We're more than halfway through the NFL season, with several teams already having their bye weeks behind them. Nevertheless, injuries have begun to rack up. Picking on the backups that precede starting defensive backs is a common strategy among DFS players, simply because it's a solid process. Fortunately, we have plenty of data to break down those matchups and pick the best ones to target for the coming week.

Nothing is more important than matchup analyzation when it comes to fantasy football. Playing your teams’ best players on a regular basis is important, but picking apart the top matchups on a week to week basis can win you a championship, or even better, some cold hard cash in DFS. Matchups for the wide receiver position aren’t always as black and white as they can be for other positions. Receivers need to be broken down even deeper by analyzing the potential cornerback matchup they’re going to draw. This is especially true in potential shadow coverage cases such as any time an X receiver plays against Patrick Peterson and the Arizona Cardinals. Some analytical data used here such as fantasy points allowed per route covered, and percentage of routes run on the left side, right side, and in the slot is courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Now, here are the top WR vs CB matchups for Week 12. Use these to set season-long lineups, as well as gain a competitive edge in the Daily Fantasy realm.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

WR/CB Matchups to Target

BAL WR Willie Snead Versus OAK CB Nick Nelson

Would you believe me if I told you that nobody in the city of Baltimore possesses a higher share of the target market over the last three weeks than Willie Snead? He was also Lamar Jackson's favorite target last week as well, drawing a 42-percent target share and 36-percent of the teams total air-yards. This is encouraging for Week 12, considering Jackson attempted more rushes than he did passes.

Snead will line up in the slot across from Nick Nelson, who was gashed for 83 yards and two touchdowns on inside coverage last week. It's a tremendous matchup, and the opportunity is there for Snead to smash value at $4,400. He's a player I'd be comfortable rostering in all formats, including season-long leagues.

 

CAR WR Curtis Samuel Versus SEA CB Shaquill Griffin

D.J. Moore stole the show with his 7-157-1 performance last Sunday in Detroit, but Curtis Samuel was a large part of the action as well. Samuel hauled in five of seven targets for 55 yards, capping his production off with a touchdown. Samuel was paced for the team-lead in air yards by just Devin Funchess, as well. Samuel has scored three touchdowns over his last three games, and he is always a threat to run the football on a reverse as well.

I partly love the spot Samuel is in because I expect many to chase Moore's production from last week. I partly love the spot because he'll be running against Shaquill Griffin, who's been one of Seattle's worst graded defenders throughout the season. Griffin is allowing a catch rate just shy of 70-percent on the year, and he's surrendered a passer rating of 101.8 when thrown at over the last month.

Samuel is a player I don't quite trust enough for cash-games, but he's a play I'll be looking at a lot in tournaments at just $3,800.

 

SF WR Dante Pettis Versus TB CB Javien Elliott

Javien Elliott has been filling in at nickel for the injured M.J. Stewart. You might recognize Stewart's name, given that I've picked on him in this column on a weekly basis since the start of the season. I'll continue that trend by attacking his backup, who allowed a perfect catch rate on five targets in his coverage last week.

This contest between the 49ers and Buccaneers has gotten a lot of attention from Vegas, with San Francisco posting the sixth-highest implied team total on the slate. The game itself actually has he highest total throughout all of Week 12, which has me interested in some of the pass catchers in this game. I'm most interested in Dante Pettis, who will likely see the most of Elliott on the inside.

Pettis is a rookie, and his volume hasn't been tremendous. With that said, this matchup is too good for me to ignore. Pettis is a tournament-only play, unless you're looking for a high-upside punt play to unlock Saquon Barkley's $9,100 salary in cash.

 

HOU WR Demaryius Thomas Versus TEN CB Malcolm Butler

DeAndre Hopkins is projected to see a shadow from Adoree' Jackson, allowing Demaryius Thomas to run free against the league's most inefficient corner. Malcolm Butler has allowed the second-most receiving yards, third-most receptions, and a league-high seven touchdowns to only one interception.

Thomas won't be a part of the main slate, but he's a lock for me in the showdown given that he's Houston's third-most expensive receiver.

More Weekly DFS Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nils Lundkvist

Expected to Miss Time
Pierre-Luc Dubois

to Remain Out Sunday
Jacob Bryson

in Concussion Protocol
Niko Mikkola

Hurt in Saturday's Loss
Shayne Gostisbehere

Exits Saturday's Action With Lower-Body Injury
Mark Stone

Suffers Apparent Wrist Injury
Chase Elliott

Can Chase Elliott Deliver Another Clutch Win to Make Championship 4?
William Byron

Seeks First Win at Talladega to Overcome Las Vegas Crash
Chase Briscoe

Despite Cheap DFS Salary, Chase Briscoe Will Almost Certainly Finish Worse than He Starts
Kyle Larson

Despite Winlessness on Drafting Tracks, Kyle Larson Is Improving
Tyler Reddick

Despite Winning at Talladega, Tyler Reddick's Drafting Record Is Not So Hot
Ross Chastain

Poor Qualifying As Usual Makes Him a Strong DFS Option at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Excellent Crash Avoidance Could Reap Dividends at Talladega
Ty Gibbs

If Ty Gibbs's Team Executes a Better Strategy, He Could Win at Talladega
Daniel Suarez

Hopes for Clutch Talladega Win to Remain in the NASCAR Cup Series
Josh Berry

Might Contend at Talladega, but Starting Way Too Well for DFS Play
Austin Dillon

Doesn't Lead Enough at Talladega to Contend for Wins
Josh Jacobs

"a True Game-Time Decision" for Week 7
Kyler Murray

Expected to Return in Week 9
Brock Bowers

Not Expected to Play on Sunday, "Good Chance" he Returns After Bye
Christian Kirk

Won't Play on Monday Night
Frederick Gaudreau

to Be Sidelined for 4-6 Weeks
Kaiden Guhle

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Patrick Kane

Ruled Out for Sunday
Noah Hanifin

Not Ready to Return Saturday
Brandon Montour

Takes Leave of Absence
Joel Kiviranta

Out Indefinitely With Lower-Body Injury
Hampus Lindholm

a Game-Time Call Saturday
Rob Dillingham

Timberwolves Exercise Team Option on Rob Dillingham
Scotty Pippen Jr.

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least 12 Weeks
George Kittle

Activated From Injured Reserve, All Set for Week 7
Jacoby Brissett

Expected to Start for Cardinals in Week 7
Mike Evans

a Game-Time Decision in Week 7
Chris Godwin

Ruled Out for Week 7
Emeka Egbuka

Week 7 Status a "Game-Time Decision"
New York Knicks

Knicks Cut Ties with Garrison Mathews
Dallas Mavericks

Dalano Banton Waived by the Mavericks
Miami Heat

Precious Achiuwa Waived by Miami
Dallas Mavericks

Mavericks Waive Dennis Smith Jr.
Macklin Celebrini

Has Multi-Point Outing Friday
Clayton Keller

Grabs Four Points in Friday's Victory
Nick Schmaltz

Celebrates Second Career Hat Trick Versus Sharks
Dylan Strome

Erupts for Four Points Against Wild
Dylan Larkin

Leads Red Wings to Victory Friday
Zach Bogosian

Hurt on Friday
Nikita Kucherov

Struck by Illness
Jauan Jennings

Good to Go in Week 7
George Kittle

Expected to Play With No Limitations in Week 7
Brendan Donovan

Undergoes Sports Hernia Surgery
George Springer

Exits Game 5 Early After HBP on his Knee
Jackson Chourio

Back in Game 4 Lineup Against Dodgers
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Questionable for Week 7
Kyler Murray

Officially Questionable for Week 7
George Kittle

Likely Playing in Week 7
Alexander Romanov

to Be a Game-Time Call Saturday
Brock Bowers

Considered Doubtful for Week 7
Brock Purdy

Ruled Out Again in Week 7
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Clears Concussion Protocol, Will be Active on Sunday
CeeDee Lamb

Off the Injury Report, Will Return in Week 7
Josh Jacobs

Listed as Questionable For Week 7
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Has Bone Spurs Removed From his Elbow
Carson Wentz

Named Vikings' Starting Quarterback in Week 7
Brendan Allen

Set For UFC Vancouver Main Event
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder A Favorite At UFC Vancouver
Mike Malott

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Puka Nacua

Rams "Very Optimistic" Puka Nacua Will Return After Week 8 Bye
Kevin Holland

Set For UFC Vancouver Co-Main Event
Aiemann Zahabi

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
Bradley Beal

Set to Make Clippers Debut in Preseason Finale
Marlon Vera

Returns At UFC Vancouver
VJ Edgecombe

Set to Return for Preseason Finale
Jeremy Sochan

Won't Play in Season Opener
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
AJ Green

Bucks Agree to Contract Extension
Manon Fiorot

Looks To Bounce Back
Aoriqileng

Aori Aoriqileng Looks To Rebound
Cody Gibson

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jaylen Brown

Considered Day-to-Day with Hamstring Tightness
Kyle Nelson

Set For Lightweight Bout
Matt Frevola

Set To Open Up UFC Vancouver Main Card
Jaden Ivey

Will Miss Four Weeks After Knee Surgery
Paul George

Expected to Miss Season Opener
Joel Embiid

Set to Make Preseason Debut on Friday
CFB

Curt Cignetti Signs Eight-Year, $11.6 Million Extension With Indiana
Carlos Rodón

Carlos Rodon Unlikely to Be Ready for Opening Day After Elbow Surgery
Anthony Santander

Removed From ALCS Roster With Back Injury
Jackson Chourio

Aggravates Hamstring, Pulled Early in Game 3 of NLCS
Aaron Judge

Will Not Need Elbow Surgery
Anthony Volpe

Won't be Ready for Start of Next Season
Gerrit Cole

Won't be Ready for Opening Day Next Year
Milwaukee Bucks

Chris Livingston Waived by the Bucks
Keegan Murray

Nique Clifford Shines in Keegan Murray's Absence
Cooper Flagg

Continues to Start at Point Guard
Ron Harper Jr.

Earns a Two-Way Deal with the Celtics
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Waived by the Hornets
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sterling Shepard's Stock Rising for Buccaneers
CFB

Jermod McCoy Officially Out for Alabama Matchup
CFB

Jam Miller Questionable to Face Tennessee
Jaden Ivey

Considered Day-to-Day
CFB

Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt Probable For Saturday
Anthony Volpe

Undergoes Left-Shoulder Surgery
CFB

Jayden Gibson No Longer with Oklahoma Program
Emmanuel Clase

to be Banished for Life After Gambling Allegations?
Alex Bregman

Plans to Opt Out of Contract With Red Sox
Christopher Bell

Sits Third in Points After Quiet Third-Place Finish
Chase Briscoe

Passes Denny Hamlin at the Start, but Hamlin Gets Him in the End
Joey Logano

Falling Out of Playoff Picture Despite Other Contenders' Crashes
Ryan Blaney

Stage 1 Crash Puts Ryan Blaney in Severe Playoff Trouble
Denny Hamlin

Wins at Las Vegas and Will Compete for the 2025 Cup Series Title
Kyle Larson

Dominates at Las Vegas but Ends Up Second
Chase Elliott

Struggles to Gain A Solid Finish at Las Vegas After Pit-Road Penalty
William Byron

Strong Run Ends In A Wreck at Las Vegas
CFB

Sam Leavitt Viewed as Day-to-Day with Undisclosed Injury
Anthony Santander

Scratched From Game 2 of ALCS With Back Tightness
San Diego Padres

Mike Shildt Retires as a Manager
Mateusz Gamrot

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Charles Oliveira

Gets Back In The Win Column
Montel Jackson

Drops Decision
Deiveson Figueiredo

Gets Split-Decision Victory
Vicente Luque

Outclassed
Vicente Luque

Joel Alvarez Outclasses Vicente Luque
Jhonata Diniz

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mario Pinto

Remains Undefeated
CFB

Matt Rhule Denying Interest in Penn State Head Coaching Job
CFB

Le'Veon Moss Not Believed to Have Suffered Season-Ending Injury
Ricardo Ramos

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
CFB

Bill Belichick Says he's Committed to North Carolina
Tiger Woods

Undergoes Back Surgery