Wide Receiver Matchups To Target in Week 9

November 8, 2020

Mike Riggall's favorite WR vs. CB matchups to exploit for Week 9 of 2020 DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel. These wide receivers should be tournament and cash game targets based on matchups.

The recommendations from the Week 8 wide receiver matchup article were fairly productive, featuring Corey Davis, Brandon Aiyuk, Cooper Kupp and Tyler Boyd who all finished inside the top-15. On the negative side, Marquise Brown was only targeted twice, A.J. Green underwhelmed and Justin Jefferson couldn't get it done in windy conditions which limited the Vikings passing game. Jarvis Landry only had 9.2 points, but his day would have been much better had he been able to haul in a 19-yard pass from Baker Mayfield which would have gone for a touchdown.

Nothing is more important than evaluating matchups when making lineup decisions. Not much has changed since Week 8 as the Buccaneers, Colts, Saints, Giants, Seahawks and Rams Defenses are all giving up under 4.0 yards-per-carry, which means it's difficult to run against them and thus, easier to pass on them. The Seahawks, Titans, Vikings, Browns, Falcons and Texans Defenses give up the most fantasy points-per-game to opposing wide receivers through the first eight weeks which makes them units you want to exploit.

Now, here are the top WR vs CB matchups for Week 9. Use these to set season-long lineups, as well as gain a competitive edge in the DFS games.

Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

$7,600 FanDuel / $7,400 DraftKings – vs Quinton Dunbar

The Seahawks Defense has given up the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this year. Going back to Week 4, the Seahawks have allowed seven receivers to register at least 14-fantasy points, five of them exceeded 20-fantasy points. Diggs is a surgical route runner and he should be able to do some serious damage if the Seahawks stick to cover-3.

John Brown, Buffalo Bills

$5,500 FanDuel / $4,600 DraftKings – vs Linden Stephens

John Brown started off the season hot, gaining at least 70 yards and scoring in his first two games. However, Brown cooled off and was slowed by a knee injury for a few weeks. In Week 8 Brown appeared to be fully healthy, playing 81% of the Bills offensive snaps, but he underwhelmed as the entire Bills passing game was limited due to windy conditions in Buffalo. Heading into Week 9 Brown figures to see Linden Stephens in coverage who has played very little football this season. Brown has always been a deep threat which will be problematic for Seattle who has given up 29 explosive plays in the passing game which is fourth-most in the NFL.

DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins

$6,300 FanDuel / $5,200 DraftKings – vs Dre Kirkpatrick

The idea of playing DeVante Parker with Tua Tagovailoa making just his second start in the NFL is a little concerning, but Parker is expected to see an injured Dre Kirkpatrick in coverage. Patrick Peterson has only shadowed one receiver so far this season and that was DK Metcalf, which means Parker will see different cornerbacks depending on where he lines up. While Miami does move Parker around the formation, he plays a majority of his snaps on the right side which means he will be lining up across from Kirkpatrick on almost half of his snaps. Kirkpatrick gives up a 76% catch-rate and 1.7 yards-per-route covered which are both poor marks. If you have faith that Tagovailoa can get the ball to Parker, he does have a good matchup. If Kirkpatrick does not play, Parker may see De'Vante Bausby in coverage who has seen limited action.

Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks

$7,400 FanDuel / $6,800 DraftKings – vs Taron Johnson

The Bills haven't been great against the run or the pass so far this year which means the Seahawks will not have trouble putting points on the board in a game with an over/under set at 54.5 points. The Bills have given up a decent amount of fantasy points to slot receivers so far this year, including 24.5 points to Jamison Crowder, 14.6 points to Isaiah Ford, 25.7 points to Cooper Kupp and 13.8 points to Jakobi Meyers.

Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos

$5,700 FanDuel / $4,700 DraftKings - vs A.J. Terrell

The Falcons Defense has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2020. So far this season, the Falcons have given up 19-point performances to six different receivers, including Curtis Samuel, Justin Jefferson, D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, Allen Robinson and DK Metcalf. If Tim Patrick plays he will also be viable as the Broncos X-receiver but Jerry Jeudy leads all Broncos wide receivers in targets by a wide margin, and if this turns into a shootout he should come through.

Marvin Hall, Detroit Lions

$4,600 FanDuel / $3,800 DraftKings – vs Cameron Dantzler

Cameron Dantzler is in the concussion protocol and may not play. Dantzler has been struggling, giving up a 74% catch-rate and 1.93 yards-per-route covered which is fifth-worst in the NFL. If Dantzler cannot play, Hall will likely see either Kris Boyd or Jeff Gladney, neither of which have performed well so far this season. With Kenny Golladay out of the lineup, Marvin Hall is the Lions deep-threat and he has a decent shot to catch a big one against a Vikings Defense that has surrendered 30 explosive pass plays which is third-most in the league.

Allen Robinson, Malcolm Butler

$6,900 FanDuel / $6,900 DraftKings - vs Malcolm Butler

The Titans Defense has given up the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers so far this season and actually cut a few defenders this week, including Jonathan Joseph. In Week 8 alone the Titans gave up at least 13 fantasy points to three different Bengals receivers, Auden Tate, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. On the season, the Titans have given up 15-point games to eight different receivers.

Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts

$5,200 FanDuel / $4,300 DraftKings – vs Khalil Dorsey

The Ravens are very good against the run which means Philip Rivers may need to throw a lot in order for the Colts to win this week. Normally, slot receivers have a lot of trouble against the Ravens, but Marlon Humphrey will likely miss the game because he's on the reserve-COVID list, which means Zach Pascal will see his replacement, Khalil Dorsey in the slot who has barely played so far this season.

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