Wide Receiver Matchups to Target in Week 9: Adam Thielen, Michael Pittman Jr., Terry McLaurin, Tank Dell, Demario Douglas

Dan's favorite WR vs. CB matchups to exploit for Week 9 of 2023 - DFS wide receivers to target on DraftKings & FanDuel. These WR/CB matchups are GPP and cash game sleepers.

Week 9 in the NFL is here. With daylight savings ending this weekend for the majority of North America, it’s only fitting to see several receiving veterans turn back the clock in recent weeks. Adam Thielen and Keenan Allen have each enjoyed three top-5 weeks at the position so far and both sit in the top 10 on the season. DeAndre Hopkins finished as the WR2 last week with rookie QB Will Levis under center for the Titans.

As we turn our attention to Week 9 in DFS, several of these longstanding veterans present great matchups while a handful of upstart rookie receivers do as well. In a 10-game main slate riddled with QB injuries, variability will be greater and receivers in stable, healthy offenses will be at a premium.

Each week we use matchup data from PFF to determine wide receivers to target based on who they will be primarily lining up against that week. Below are five of the top WR vs. CB matchups for this week’s DFS main slate. Use these to set season-long lineups, make player prop picks, and gain an edge in DFS.

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Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers

$7,500 on DraftKings, $8,300 on FanDuel; vs. Kenny Moore II

Thielen has been an absolute delight in fantasy this year, entering Week 9 as the WR9 in PPR scoring. First-overall pick QB Bryce Young has been a significant contributor to this success, helping Thielen to the lowest percentage of uncatchable balls so far this year (14.3%).

Thielen and the Panthers match up with the Colts on Sunday, PFF’s number one easiest matchup for receivers. The 33-year-old has lined up in the slot 72% of the time this season and will line up primarily against Colts slot CB Kenny Moore II. PFF ranks Thielen’s matchups with the Colts secondary as the second-best matchup advantage for a receiver this week behind only Tyreek Hill. 

With seven or more catches in all but one game this year, Thielen brings a high floor that makes him a great play in cash games this week.

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

$6,600 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel; vs. CJ Henderson

On the flip side of the Colts vs. Panthers matchup, Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. also presents a great opportunity in Week 9. This game’s 44.5-point total (FanDuel) is the fourth-highest of any game this week and two weak secondaries mean a high likelihood of a shootout.

The Panthers present the third-easiest matchup for receivers according to PFF, with starting perimeter corners CJ Henderson and Donte Jackson both operating with below-average PFF defensive grades (45.9 and 57.3, respectively). Henderson and Jackson both rank outside of the top 50 eligible cornerbacks in catch rate, yards allowed per coverage snap, and explosive pass plays allowed rate according to PFF.

Pittman ranks in the top 12 in both first-read targets (52) and total targets (73) among receivers in Shane Steichen’s fast-paced offense. The 26-year-old has top 12 upside this week.

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

$5,600 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel; vs. J.C. Jackson

McLaurin has yet to crack the top 12 in PPR receivers so far this year, but with a game against New England and their fourth-easiest matchup for receivers, this week could be the week. 

McLaurin has the six-best individual matchup of any WR/CB matchup this week according to PFF, with a 96.6 matchup advantage over Patriots corner J.C. Jackson. New England deploys man coverage at the seventh-highest rate in the NFL. McLaurin has commanded a 22.7% target rate against man coverage so far this season, compared to 18.9% against zone.

As the 20th most costly receiver on the DraftKings main slate, you can do worse than selecting McLaurin as a value play in DFS this week.

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Tank Dell, Houston Texans

$5,300 on DraftKings, $5,800 on FanDuel; vs. Carlton Davis III

The Texans passing offense has impressed with rookie QB C.J. Stroud under center. Houston ranks 11th in passing yards per game and 13th in offensive DVOA thus far. In a Week 9 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both Tank Dell and Nico Collins present great options. 

With Dell playing a fairly equal amount across all three receiving positions, he will see more favorable matchups against cornerbacks Christian Izien and Carlton Davis III who both have sub-65 PFF defensive grades this season. Dell’s 2.10 yards per route run rank 16th among receivers. With another week removed from his two-game absence due to concussion, Dell is a good bet to return value in Week 9.

Demario Douglas, New England Patriots

$4,000 on DraftKings, $5,400 on FanDuel; vs. Danny Johnson

The rookie has been heating up as of late, leading Patriots pass-catchers in first-read targets over the last two weeks with eight. As one of the last men standing in the Patriots receiving room missing DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, rookie receiver Demario Douglas has a massive opportunity to continue that streak and lead his team in receiving this week. 

Douglas has played out of the slot 83% of the time, meaning he will match up almost exclusively with Commanders slot cornerback Danny Johnson. Johnson has a below-average 58.2 defensive grade, compared to Douglas’ 77.3 PFF offensive grade.

The rookie also presents a threat on the ground. Among 33 NFL wide receivers with at least three rushing attempts this year, Douglas’ 9.7 yards per rushing attempt ranks fifth and his 7.7 yards after contact per rushing attempt ranks first. Douglas is a great bet to return two-times value or more in DFS this week.

Thanks for reading, and good luck with your DFS contests!

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