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

WR/CB Matchups to Upgrade and Downgrade - Fantasy Football Week 3 (2024)

Greg Dortch - Fantasy Football Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Corbin analyzes fantasy football WR/CB matchups to find sleepers, targets, avoids for Week 3 of 2024. His WRs to upgrade based on cornerback matchups data.

Welcome back to our WR/CB Matchups for Week 3 of the 2024 fantasy football season. For those who are not familiar, this is a weekly series looking at fantasy football matchups for wide receivers versus the cornerbacks who are projected to cover them.

The data we access for offensive and defensive players continues to skyrocket. Though we mainly focus on offensive players, the defensive matchups and coverages sometimes take a backseat. However, the goal of this weekly column is to cover the potential wide receiver upgrades and downgrades based on the weekly WR/CB matchups for fantasy football.

Most teams mix in defensive backs all over the field, with very few cornerbacks shadowing an opposing top receiver. The main takeaway involves not overreacting to a weaker matchup if the receiver is a high-end to near-elite target earner and producer in their respective offense. Based on the Week 3 matchups, we'll use various tools to find several matchup upgrades and downgrades for the opposing receivers. With more data from the 2024 season, we'll learn what matchups to target and ones to temper expectations.

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

 

WR vs. CB Chart Details

Readers have asked for the WR/CB Matchup Chart once again in 2024, and now you can find it below! While it isn't the same chart from the past, we'll have the most favorable and unfavorable matchups based on several metrics. We used weighted averages to create an adjusted offensive and defensive score. Some inputs include yards per route run, fantasy points per route run, and targets per route run.

We'll have a weekly matchup score with those adjusted scores by subtracting the defensive from the offensive number. The caveat would be the limited data since we're using the Week 1-2 metrics and matchup ratings might be skewed if a player struggled or succeeded, given the small sample. Since this is a newer process, there might be some slight tweaks along the way.

 

Favorable WR/CB Matchups Chart

Below, we'll see the most favorable WR/CB matchups for Week 3. The red numbers indicate a more challenging matchup for the receiver, and the green numbers mean favorable matchups (or the defender allows a high rate of the given metric).

 

Unfavorable WR/CB Matchups Chart

Since WR/CB matchups tend to be nuanced and complex, it may not be a perfect match for the real-time matchups during the game. The visual below shows the unfavorable Week 3 WR/CB matchups.

If a receiver struggles in the first two weeks, it will impact their Week 3 matchup scores after adjusting their respective score based on the weighted averages. A quick example involves Ja'Marr Chase since we're not sitting him and the Commanders defensive backs have been one to target and feast upon as we mentioned with Malik Nabers last week.

 

Favorable WR/CB Matchups to Target

Chris Godwin vs. Ja'Quan McMillian

Not that we need more confidence in Godwin's matchup against the Broncos slot cornerback, but he projects for one of the best matchups for Week 3. Since Godwin has been dominating, with the second-most fantasy points and yards per route run behind Rashid Shaheed, it's partly his offensive dominance impacting the matchup score.

The Broncos have been a solid group of defensive backs, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers and eighth-fewest to receivers lined up out wide. That's especially evident in McMillian ranking 16th in yards per slot coverage snap out of 36 qualified cornerbacks.

Baker Mayfield's passing volume may be limited with the Buccaneers being a 6.5-point favorite, suggesting they may not need to lean on the passing game.

Godwin's high-end performance should continue into Week 3, though it might not be via week-winning upside and he'll need to produce efficiently if the Buccaneers play with a lead for most of the game.

Rashid Shaheed vs. Quinyon Mitchell

Like Godwin, Shaheed has been the most efficient receiver, ranking first in fantasy points and yards per route run. Mitchell was shredded by Jayden Reed and the Packers receivers in Week 1, with five receptions and 86 receiving yards allowed on nine targets.

However, Mitchell played better in Week 2, only allowing two receptions and 31 yards on three targets against Drake London and Darnell Mooney. That's possibly due to Kirk Cousins struggling until later in the game on "Monday Night Football."

Though regression will come for Shaheed and the Saints offense, he ranks first on the Saints in first-read target share at 26.7 percent, ahead of Alvin Kamara (23.3 percent) and Chris Olave (20 percent).

The Eagles defensive backs, including Mitchell, have been slightly below average, ranking 23rd in team coverage grades. That means we should target the Eagles, especially with the Saints rolling on offense.

Greg Dortch vs. Amik Robertson

This game between the Cardinals and Lions has the highest over/under for Week 3 of over 51 points. We'll want a piece of this game, though most fantasy managers will be starting the high-end options. So, let's highlight Dortch because we're confident with Marvin Harrison Jr., Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Trey McBride.

The Lions have allowed the most fantasy points to slot receivers through two weeks, though Dortch isn't on the level of Cooper Kupp and Godwin. With Harrison and McBride earning most of the targets, Dortch's targets fell from eight in Week 1 to two in Week 2.

It's the logical way for the game plan to flow through Harrison and McBride, but Kyler Murray leans on Dortch on third and fourth downs, with a 71.4 percent first-read target share. That's a significant difference compared to Harrison's zero percent and McBride at 14.3 percent on first reads, though it's a small sample.

Week 3 will show us whether high-end to near-elite receivers crushed the Lions in the slot or it's a matchup to exploit with a lower-end slot receiver like Dortch.

Allen Lazard vs. Marcus Jones

While we may not start Lazard unless we're desperate after injuries on Thursday, he might be a sneaky deep-league option against Patriots slot corner Marcus Jones. The Patriots have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to slot receivers while performing better against the outside with Jonathan Jones and Christian Gonzalez holding it down.

Lazard has a respectable 22 percent target share (No. 33) and a 25 percent first-read target rate (No. 34), but we know it's a bumpy ride for the Jets' passing options so far besides Breece Hall.

We'll need an efficient game from Lazard because the Jets use a balanced attack with the 14th-highest pass rate (59 percent) while averaging the second-fewest plays per game (53). Meanwhile, the Patriots prefer to bleed the clock with the fourth-slowest seconds per snap and the third-highest rush rate (58 percent).

In Week 1, Jones kept Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin in check with two catches for 14 yards on three targets. However, in Week 2, Jaxon Smith-Njigba ate up Jones for five receptions (eight targets) and 48 yards. Expect something in between because Aaron Rodgers trusts Lazard, but there's a significant talent gap between him and Smith-Njigba.

 

Unfavorable WR/CB Matchups to Downgrade

DeAndre Hopkins vs. Jaire Alexander

It's best to use a wait-and-see approach with Hopkins since he is dealing with an MCL sprain from the preseason. That's evident in his low usage, with a 34.2 percent route participation and 5 percent target share. Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd have led the team in routes, running them over 80 percent of the time through two weeks.

This might be a game between the Titans and Packers of weakness and weakness because Green Bay allows the eighth-most fantasy points to outside receivers. However, the Titans receivers have been below average in fantasy points and yards per route run.

Hopkins and Boyd have been especially awful, with a 0.15 FP/RR for Boyd and a 0.20 FP/RR for Hopkins. Ridley's 0.38 FP/RR is above average but his "how in the world did he catch that" 40-yard touchdown against the Jets pumped up his numbers.

Ridley is startable in a relatively favorable matchup since he runs routes and earns targets. However, the lack of playing time, targets, and production gave Hopkins a negative matchup score in Week 3 against the Packers.

Christian Kirk vs. Cam Lewis

Many of the Jaguars receivers disappointed fantasy managers in Week 2, though they faced a more challenging Browns cornerback group and defense.

The Bills have been sneaky good, allowing the fewest fantasy points to receivers out wide and ranking 17th in the slot. Cam Lewis is the Bills' primary slot corner. He performed well against the Dolphins, allowing six receptions on seven targets for 45 receiving yards.

Lewis kept Dortch and McBride in check in Week 1, with five receptions for 33 yards on seven targets. Kirk ranks fourth on the team in first-read target share (17.9 percent) behind Evan Engram (25 percent), Gabe Davis (20.5 percent), and Brian Thomas Jr. (20.5 percent).

The Jaguars offense looks dysfunctional and ineffective, with Trevor Lawrence ranking 16th in adjusted yards per attempt (6.12) and 24th in completions over expected (CPOE) at -1.8 percent.

Since the Bills suppressed two quality offenses through two weeks in the Cardinals and Dolphins, it's best to bench Kirk in the Week 3 matchup with Lewis.

Xavier Worthy vs. A.J. Terrell

It's scary to consider downgrading Worthy, especially since there's a good chance the Chiefs increase their pass rate without Isiah Pacheco. While we chase the backup running back trio, it would be logical to lean on Patrick Mahomes more often.

Realistically, it's more of a neutral matchup than a downgrade for Worthy, mainly because the Falcons allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points out wide and the 11th-most to slot receivers, favoring Rashee Rice in Week 3.

Worthy has been running the second-most routes on the team at 67.7 percent behind Rice. Unfortunately, it's been a lowly 13.2 percent target share on a small sample of seven targets through two weeks. There's no reason for the Chiefs to continue averaging a 53 percent pass rate (No. 21) without a power back like Pacheco.

Terrell kept DeVonta Smith and Britain Covey to four receptions for 33 yards on five targets in Week 2. However, he gave up one big play to George Pickens in Week 1, allowing two receptions on two targets for 52 receiving yards.

If there's one cornerback who can somewhat keep up with Worthy's speed, it's Terrell with his 4.42 40-yard dash (85th percentile), but it only takes one or two plays for Worthy to make this neutral matchup look silly.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Wan'Dale Robinson

Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
Joe Flacco

Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Lamar Jackson

Throws for Four Touchdowns in Week 2 Win
James Cook

Scores Two Touchdowns in Rout of Jets
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Rome Odunze

Scores Twice in Loss
Ja'Marr Chase

Snags 14 Receptions, Finds End Zone in Week 2
Russell Wilson

Throws for 450 Yards, Three Touchdowns in Loss
Jared Goff

Throws Five Touchdowns
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Scores Three Touchdowns
Joe Burrow

Suffers Turf Toe and Torn Ligaments in Win
Malik Nabers

Explodes for Two Touchdowns in Overtime Thriller
Joe Burrow

Seen with Boot and Crutches Postgame
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Ryan Preece

Seems Slower on Concrete Than on Asphalt
NASCAR

Legacy Motor Club's Short-Track Speed Will Likely Hold John H. Nemechek Back
Erik Jones

Definitely Faster This Year, but Short Tracks Still a Liability
Daniel Suarez

Despite Poor Qualifying Run, Daniel Suarez Might Not Be a Great Choice
Noah Gragson

Unlikely to Be Fast at Bristol but Still Might Be Worth Considering for DFS
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
Tyler Soderstrom

Scratched on Friday With Groin Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Exits with Side Tightness
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
Ketel Marte

Scratched From Friday's Lineup
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Kyle Tucker

"Unlikely" to Return When Eligible on Tuesday
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Alexander Hernandez

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Quang Le

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Card Opener
Santiago Luna

Set For His Debut At Noche UFC 3
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
Charles Oliveira

Not Eyeing Retirement
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent

RANKINGS

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