Matchups to Attack
Jarvis Landry vs Leon Hall
Jarvis Landry has been a massive part of the Cleveland Browns offense this season. Through three games, he has totaled 20 receptions for 278 yards, but has yet to find the end zone. He has seen a 35.2% target share, including a ridiculous 66.7% red zone target share. Landry also posted his highest score or the season (23.3 DK points) in his only game with Baker Mayfield at quarterback (second half). Landry has found some success with an inefficient Tyrod Taylor at quarterback this season, and the addition of Mayfield adds to both his floor and ceiling at this point in the season.
Landry has played the majority of his snaps as the slot receiver, and he will face off against Leon Hall, who has played almost exclusively in the slot for the Oakland Raiders. Hall has only been targeted on 13% of his routes covered, but he has allowed a 72% catch rate. Overall, Hall ranks as a bottom-12 cornerback in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Landry looked to be one of Mayfield’s top targets last week, and he should be peppered with targets in this matchup. He is no longer a cheap option, but he is one of the best options on this slate.
Ted Ginn Jr. vs B.W. Webb
Ted Ginn Jr. is somewhat of the forgotten man for the New Orleans Saints. He’s third in the pecking order, behind Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. Still, Ginn has posted a 12/135/2 line on 19 targets per game. Most importantly, he has seen six targets in each of his three games. Ginn owns a 15.8 aDOT this season, as well. He doesn’t see a high target share, but Ginn is locked into a deep threat role in one of the best offenses in the NFL.
Ginn moves all over the formation, but has spent the most amount of time as the Saints right outside receiver. He’ll face off against B.W. Webb, who has also moved around the New York Giants defense. Webb has graded out as a bottom-five cornerback in the NFL, according to PFF. He has also allowed a 67% catch rate, while being targeted on 14% of his routes covered this season. This is a great matchup for Ginn, specifically because of Webb’s catch rate. Ginn needs to be efficient with his limited opportunities, and this is a matchup that he can succeed in.
Will Fuller vs Nate Hairston
Will Fuller has only played in two games this season, but he has posted elite numbers. In those games, he’s averaging 6.5 receptions for 107 yards and 1.0 touchdown on 10 targets per game. Fuller has recorded a 28% target share while on the field, which is only slightly behind fellow teammate, DeAndre Hopkins. At this point, it’s difficult to see Fuller as anything lower than a potential WR1 when Deshaun Watson is healthy and playing.
Fuller has played the majority of his snaps (48%) as the Texans right outside receiver. He’ll face off against Nate Hairston, who has been playing as the Indianapolis Colts’ left outside cornerback. Hairston has allowed a 60% catch rate, while being targeted on 15% of his routes covered. He has also been struggling this season, ranking as Pro Football Focus’ ninth worst cornerback in the NFL. Fuller isn’t truly viewed as an elite wide receiver because he plays “behind” DeAndre Hopkins, but Houston as proven time and time again that they can sustain two elite fantasy wide receivers.
Matchups to Avoid
Pierre Garcon vs Casey Hayward
Pierre Garcon has been an extremely underwhelming player this season, totaling only seven receptions for 89 yards through three games. He only owns a 16% target share, while failing to top six targets in any game. He has also yet to produce double digit DK points in a week. Garcon will also see a major downgrade in his quarterback, as Jimmy Garoppolo has been placed on the injured reserve and C.J. Beathard is expected to take over for him.
Garcon has played 49% of his snaps as the 49ers right outside receiver. He’ll matchup against Casey Hayward, who has played 66% of his snaps as the left outside corner for the Los Angeles Chargers. He has graded out as Pro Football Focus’ best cornerback in the NFL this season. He has also allowed only a 53% catch rate, while being targeted on 17% of his routes covered. It’s difficult to trust Garcon in the perfect situation at this point, and now he has multiple factors working against him this week. His price tag has dropped a bit, but there is very little reason to even consider him on this slate.
Geronimo Allison vs Tre’Davious White
Geronimo Allison has been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season. He has needed only 18 targets to record 13 receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns. While his 15% target share is far from impressive, but he ranks second on the team in red zone targets behind only Davante Adams. Allison also leads the Green Bay Packers receivers in catch rate, yards per reception, and touchdown rate. He’s also the third receiver on what projects to be one of the best offenses on the slate.
Allison has played all over Green Bay’s formation, but he has spent the majority of his time as their right outside receiver. He’ll be matched up against Tre’Davious White this week, who has played 86% of his snaps as the Buffalo Bills’ left outside corner. He has been targeted on 17% of his routes covered, while allowing only a 56% catch rate. Overall, White has graded out at Pro Football Focus’ third best cornerback. Green Bay is also a -10 point favorite this week, and they may be running out the clock in the second half of this game. Allison could see an even smaller workload this week after struggled with his target share to start the season.
DeVante Parker vs Stephon Gilmore
DeVante Parker returned to the Miami Dolphins lineup last week, but he saw a limited role, recording two receptions for 40 yards on three targets. It’s unknown if the Dolphins are planning on easing him back into the offense or if this is his new role. He was only dealing with a finger injury, though, so it would be odd if he wasn’t well conditioned entering last week. It’s also important to note that this was the first offseason Miami didn’t talk about Parker breaking out after continuously praising him earlier in his career.
Stephon Gilmore is tentatively expected to shadow Parker when he’s on the field. It makes sense, as he has the potential to be a true number one receiver in the NFL, while the other Miami receivers lack that build. Overall, Gilmore has allowed a 64% catch rate, while being targeted on only 16% of his routes covered. He has graded out as a top-six cornerback in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. Parker’s price tag on DraftKings is appealing, but this isn’t a matchup to use him in, as he’ll likely continue to be carry a low price tag for the time being.
