Week 9 of the NFL season is upon us, and for fantasy football managers, that means another crucial round of start/sit decisions. One key factor in projecting wide receiver performance is analyzing their cornerback matchups. Our weekly Shadow Report dives deep into the data to identify the most promising and perilous WR/CB pairings. Let’s see what the numbers tell us.
Projected Shadow Matchups
CeeDee Lamb vs A.J. Terrell
The Cowboys’ star wideout faces a part-time shadow from the Falcons’ top corner. Terrell has limited some elite receivers this year, but Lamb’s ability to move into the slot, where he runs 51% of his routes, mitigates the matchup. Atlanta allows the 8th-most fantasy points to WRs, so don’t shy away from Lamb.
Zay Flowers vs Pat Surtain II
Rookie sensation Zay Flowers draws the unenviable task of battling shutdown artist Pat Surtain II. The Broncos play man coverage at the highest rate in the NFL, and no receiver has topped 18 fantasy points against them. With Flowers taking 69% of his snaps out wide, temper expectations for the young Raven.
Calvin Ridley vs Christian Gonzalez
The Titans’ trade acquisition has an imposing matchup on tap with the Patriots’ ascending corner. Gonzalez has stymied the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and Tyreek Hill, allowing just one TD all season. Ridley aligns outside on 82% of plays, so with his inconsistent volume, he’s a dicey option.
Terry McLaurin vs Deonte Banks
McLaurin likely draws Giants first-rounder Deonte Banks, who was benched in Week 8 after a string of tough shadow assignments. Regardless if it’s Banks or backup Greg Stroman Jr, Big Blue allows the 8th-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers. Fire up Scary Terry with confidence.
Tough Matchups
Several receiving corps have their work cut out for them against stingy secondaries:
- The Jaguars trio of Gabe Davis, Parker Washington, and Tim Jones/Brian Thomas Jr will have to contend with the Eagles’ emerging lockdown trio of Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Darius Slay Jr.
- The Texans underwhelming unit of Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods, and Tank Dell draws the menacing Jets tandem of D.J. Reed and Sauce Gardner.
Advantageous Matchups
On the flip side, several teams project to feast on exploitable pass defenses:
- Fire up all Colts versus a Vikings unit allowing the most fantasy points to wideouts.
- The Packers, Chiefs, Broncos and Chargers also have juicy spots against the generous Lions, Buccaneers, Ravens, and Browns, respectively.
Knowing which cornerbacks your fantasy receivers will see the most of in their upcoming matchup is a crucial, and often overlooked, component in making those agonizing start/sit calls. Cross-reference our Shadow Report with your weekly rankings to gain a competitive edge over your opponents. Best of luck in Week 9!
