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WR vs. CB Matchups & Advice: Week 17 (2022 Fantasy Football)

WR vs. CB Matchups & Advice: Week 17 (2022 Fantasy Football)

If you’re reading this, congrats! I assume you’ve reached your league’s championship/at least something to play for this weekend. For those unfamiliar, this weekly article is a depiction of our models that leverage advanced data to hone in on player matchups AND defensive tendencies to predict what WRs are more or less likely to “boom” in a given week.

The models take into account everything from height, speed advanced grading, and yards per route run and compare that to the (weighted, expected) corresponding defensive player’s respective data. We mesh that with some defensive tendencies we expect to see, along with how that WR has performed given those splits, and find players to start/sit for the given week.

Let’s jump right in.

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Week 16 Results

At 3-2 on the week (3-0 if you ignore Dolphins WRs), we’re claiming victory in the form of magnitude. Despite the marginal victory, we netted you three points to the good per selection. I’ll take that any week!

Name FP Selection Projected Actual Net
Richie James Jr. START 9.4 17.0 +7.6
Tee Higgins START 13.7 26.8 +13.1
Tyreek Hill START 23.8 14.3 -9.5
Jaylen Waddle SIT 16.3 25.3 +9.0
DeAndre Hopkins SIT 15.0 1.4 -13.6

Season Scored Card

Season Record: 55-35

*All stats based on Yahoo Fantasy Football 1/2 PPR

Week 17 WR vs. CB Model Scorecard

Raw Numbers Weekly Rank
Snaps Wt.ed Net pprr 40 Adv. HT Adv. nPFFwted Total Wt.ed Net pprr 40 Adv. HT Adv. nPFFwted Total Avg. Rk.
Tee Higgins 40.3 14.1 0.00 5.00 7.8 21 27 3 11 16
Christian Watson 42.4 16.5 0.06 6.08 0.7 5 7 1 55 17
CeeDee Lamb 41.3 15.7 0.04 2.50 6.4 12 13 33 18 19
D.J. Chark Jr. 39.8 11.5 0.06 4.67 5.4 42 6 6 23 19
Drake London 45.3 15.2 0.00 3.51 6.4 15 27 19 19 20
Amon-Ra St. Brown 39.1 15.9 0.00 1.86 13.6 9 27 44 3 21
Tyreek Hill 39.2 18.3 0.00 1.05 10.9 1 27 53 4 21
DeSean Jackson 57.0 17.8 0.25 -0.85 6.5 2 1 72 17 23
D.K. Metcalf 39.8 12.0 0.12 4.23 1.9 39 4 9 44 24
Justin Jefferson 39.1 15.8 0.03 1.86 4.7 10 17 43 27 24
DeVante Parker 39.5 10.7 0.05 3.83 6.9 61 8 13 15 24
Davante Adams 39.4 15.8 0.00 1.55 5.7 11 27 49 22 27
Jaylen Waddle 39.4 15.4 0.00 0.92 7.5 13 27 58 13 28
Ja’Marr Chase 40.1 14.6 0.00 1.00 8.5 20 27 56 9 28
Amari Cooper 41.0 13.2 0.02 1.01 5.8 25 18 55 21 30
Chris Moore 38.4 11.3 0.00 2.09 9.6 46 27 38 8 30
Terry McLaurin 40.6 13.0 0.03 -0.26 7.9 27 16 71 10 31
DeVonta Smith 41.9 13.8 0.00 -0.22 10.9 23 27 70 5 31
Mike Williams 42.2 13.5 0.00 4.01 -0.7 24 27 11 64 32
Josh Reynolds 39.8 11.2 0.00 3.66 2.8 47 27 14 40 32
Jerry Jeudy 38.3 15.1 0.03 -0.87 5.1 16 15 73 25 32
Brandon Aiyuk 40.3 12.9 0.00 1.82 3.9 29 27 46 32 34
Parris Campbell 39.2 10.0 0.12 1.25 10.4 76 3 51 7 34
Rashid Shaheed 41.6 15.0 0.00 0.23 4.3 17 27 68 30 36
Chris Godwin 40.7 11.8 0.02 -1.75 14.4 41 19 82 1 36
Garrett Wilson 40.6 12.4 0.04 -2.04 6.7 32 12 85 16 36
Jakobi Meyers 39.3 13.9 -0.01 3.37 4.2 22 73 23 31 37
A.J. Brown 41.9 16.4 -0.07 0.94 13.6 6 84 57 2 37
Treylon Burks 45.0 14.9 0.00 -0.16 3.1 18 27 69 37 38
Laviska Shenault Jr. 38.3 17.3 -0.12 3.03 3.7 3 95 24 33 39
Stefon Diggs 42.0 16.3 -0.05 0.87 10.8 7 80 62 6 39
Michael Pittman Jr. 39.2 12.0 -0.07 4.06 4.4 35 83 10 28 39
Jauan Jennings 39.7 10.5 0.00 3.54 1.4 65 27 17 48 39
Julio Jones 41.0 10.7 0.05 0.90 4.3 59 10 59 29 39
Zay Jones 40.9 10.2 0.02 3.62 0.1 72 20 15 59 42
Tutu Atwell 41.7 13.2 0.00 -1.18 3.5 26 27 80 35 42
Tre’Quan Smith 39.3 11.5 -0.07 3.54 5.3 45 82 18 24 42
D.J. Moore 39.1 12.0 0.05 -0.92 1.3 36 9 76 50 43
George Pickens 42.5 10.8 0.00 1.76 2.0 57 24 47 43 43
Nelson Agholor 39.4 10.8 0.05 1.13 0.9 56 11 52 53 43
Tyler Boyd 40.3 12.0 -0.08 3.00 4.9 38 85 25 26 44
Donovan Peoples-Jones 40.9 10.3 0.01 2.01 1.5 69 22 39 46 44
Michael Gallup 41.8 12.2 0.00 1.92 -2.3 34 26 41 76 44
Trent Sherfield 39.8 9.6 0.00 3.99 -0.1 83 27 12 61 46
Mike Evans 41.0 11.2 -0.08 2.81 5.9 48 87 28 20 46
Byron Pringle 56.8 16.3 -0.02 0.89 2.9 8 75 61 39 46
DeAndre Hopkins 41.2 15.3 -0.12 0.31 7.7 14 92 66 12 46
Terrace Marshall Jr. 39.3 10.1 0.00 3.39 -0.3 75 27 22 62 47
Curtis Samuel 39.1 10.8 0.04 -1.98 3.7 55 14 84 34 47
Marquise Brown 41.2 12.9 0.00 -3.29 2.5 28 27 90 42 47
Jahan Dotson 40.5 12.4 0.01 -1.84 1.2 33 21 83 51 47
Christian Kirk 40.6 10.4 0.00 0.89 3.3 68 25 60 36 47
Mack Hollins 39.4 9.7 0.00 4.66 -1.6 82 27 8 72 47
Noah Brown 41.8 11.0 0.00 2.62 -2.3 53 27 32 77 47
Allen Lazard 38.8 11.0 -0.05 6.00 0.5 54 79 2 56 48
Josh Palmer 42.1 11.5 0.00 2.31 -4.0 43 27 34 87 48
Sammy Watkins 42.1 10.0 0.13 1.88 -1.4 78 2 42 70 48
Brandin Cooks 38.6 11.1 0.00 -0.96 2.8 52 27 77 41 49
Marquez Valdes-Scantling 41.9 9.0 0.01 4.67 -3.6 86 23 7 82 50
Gabriel Davis 41.8 11.2 -0.12 3.51 3.0 51 93 20 38 51
Van Jefferson 39.8 10.2 0.00 2.16 -0.9 73 27 37 68 51
JuJu Smith-Schuster 58.5 16.8 -0.03 1.47 -1.9 4 78 50 73 51
Equanimeous St. Brown 40.9 9.9 -0.02 4.78 1.7 80 77 4 45 52
Romeo Doubs 37.2 10.3 0.00 2.85 -3.6 70 27 27 83 52
Adam Thielen 39.4 10.6 0.00 2.25 -3.7 62 27 35 84 52
Demarcus Robinson 41.8 12.0 -0.02 1.74 1.4 37 74 48 49 52
Greg Dortch 40.7 12.7 0.00 -5.07 0.1 30 27 94 58 52
Alec Pierce 43.9 11.5 -0.02 2.63 -0.8 44 76 30 67 54
Corey Davis 37.6 9.4 0.00 1.03 1.2 85 27 54 52 55
Damiere Byrd 40.1 11.9 0.00 -4.20 -0.1 40 27 93 60 55
Marvin Jones Jr. 40.8 7.6 0.00 3.59 -3.9 91 27 16 86 55
Keenan Allen 41.9 14.7 -0.16 2.70 -2.9 19 96 29 79 56
Courtland Sutton 39.1 10.7 -0.08 3.43 -0.8 60 86 21 65 58
Dante Pettis 42.0 10.2 0.00 0.56 -1.4 71 27 64 71 58
Isaiah Hodgins 35.0 10.0 -0.11 4.76 -0.8 77 91 5 66 60
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine 40.4 10.5 0.00 0.36 -3.3 66 27 65 81 60
Justin Watson 35.7 6.9 0.00 2.62 -7.2 93 27 31 92 61
Robert Woods 40.1 10.5 0.00 -2.14 -0.4 67 27 86 63 61
Hunter Renfrow 39.4 11.2 0.00 -1.12 -4.0 50 27 78 88 61
Richie James Jr. 43.9 12.7 -0.01 -2.82 0.8 31 72 88 54 61
Quez Watkins 41.5 9.9 -0.10 0.61 7.4 79 89 63 14 61
Darius Slayton 40.1 10.8 0.00 1.84 -2.0 58 70 45 74 62
Olamide Zaccheaus 40.3 11.2 0.00 -5.98 -2.2 49 27 96 75 62
Brandon Powell 32.6 10.1 0.00 -3.50 0.3 74 27 91 57 62
Laquon Treadwell 39.7 5.7 0.00 2.21 -8.1 96 27 36 94 63
Marquise Goodwin 39.5 9.6 0.12 -2.58 -3.7 84 5 87 85 65
Phillip Dorsett 38.8 8.0 0.00 -0.89 -2.3 88 27 74 78 67
K.J. Osborn 39.4 9.8 0.00 0.24 -7.6 81 27 67 93 67
Elijah Moore 37.9 8.0 0.00 -3.99 -1.2 89 27 92 69 69
Ray-Ray McCloud III 39.8 8.1 0.00 -1.17 -6.3 87 27 79 91 71
Diontae Johnson 40.7 10.6 -0.09 -2.84 1.4 63 88 89 47 72
Isaiah McKenzie 41.7 10.6 -0.01 -1.60 -3.3 64 71 81 80 74
David Bell 37.9 6.0 -0.12 2.95 -5.2 95 94 26 90 76
Marquez Callaway 39.4 7.8 -0.10 1.97 -5.1 90 90 40 89 77
Steven Sims 29.4 6.4 0.00 -5.20 -15.6 94 27 95 96 78
Freddie Swain 39.2 7.0 -0.05 -0.90 -9.9 92 81 75 95 86

*Again, thanks to our friends at PFF for the data
**To standardize all variables we are tracking (and make it easier to read), we included a RANK Display, respective of each data point to the right AND sorted by the average rank across variables.

Legend

  • Snaps: estimated total dropback snaps a WR will play in the coming matchup
  • Wt.ed Net PPRR: “Weighted Net Fantasy Points/Route Run.” Simply this is the net value of a WR’s PPRR average vs. the DB’s PPRR given up, weighted according to the DB each WR is expected to play.

Example:

  • Say Davante Adams averages 2.0 points/route run
  • DB1 (expected to face 50% of snaps) gives up 3.0 points/route run
  • DB2 (expected to face 30% of snaps) gives up 4.0 points/route run
  • DB3 (expected to face 20% of snaps) gives up 1.0 points/route run

This first model would predict Adams to produce 2.45 points/route run (Adams 2.0 vs. aggregate defenders averages weighted to 2.9)

  • *40 Adv: “40 Yard Dash Advantage” (weighted difference between WR 40 time and DB’s)
  • *HT Adv: “Height Advantage” (same as above, but with height)
  • nPFFwted Total: “Net PFF weighted Total Advantage.” Our core model, similar to the Wt.ed Net PPRR above, it compares the PFF grade between WR and likely DB, weighted by expected snaps he’ll see each respective DB

*Not all WRs and DBs have 40 times and/or height measurements. When this occurs with ONE party, the model ignores the other (i.e., you need a WR and DB with a 40 time for this data point to populate)

Secondary/Bonus Chart

For this week, we included data points/a model to represent the target share CHANGES given specific circumstances (Blitz, Man) we expect the WR to see, given the opponent’s tendencies. As we’ve noted previously, how a QB operates and who he targets can change drastically given the defensive scheme, so keeping the data below in consideration for setting your lineup on a weekly basis is key.

NOTE: For Week 17, I spared you the players within +/-2% change, and the chart below ONLY displays players that have a (relatively) strong indication in either direction

A few notes on the data below:

  • ALL stats ignore game scripts of greater than a 16-point differential (either way), the goal line (and from 0-10 yard line), and 4th downs and quarters
  • All % next to a WR represent target SHARE given the circumstance (i.e., Nico Collins is seeing 24% of targets without a blitz and 62% when blitzed)
  • The first 6 columns represent how the respective WR performs, along with a “bonus” that’s reflective of target share increasing with Blitz (vs. non-Blitz) and Man (vs. Zone), meaning a negative number is not “bad,” but more so that the WR’s target share gets a bump with no Blitz or Zone respectively.
  • The middle columns represent the WR’s opponent’s tendencies, along with a (3rd and 5th row in the middle section) metric for how many percentage points above or below league average THAT defense sends blitz/runs Man
  • The last 3 columns give an aggregate of how the WR performs relative to coverage and blitz schemes to expect
Player no blitz BLITZ zone MAN BLITZ bonus MAN bonus Opp BRAnflAVG MRAnflAVG Blitz bonus Man bonus net
Justin Jefferson 62% 72% 59% 71% 10% 12% Packers 17% 6% 2% 1% 3%
Curtis Samuel 37% -3% 30% 17% -40% -14% Browns -5% -1% 2% 0% 2%
Chris Godwin 19% 42% 25% 16% 23% -9% Panthers 6% -7% 1% 1% 2%
Ben Skowronek 15% 27% 13% 26% 13% 14% Chargers 3% 9% 0% 1% 2%
Elijah Moore 29% 14% 24% 18% -16% -6% Seahawks -9% -4% 1% 0% 2%
DeVante Parker 31% 49% 33% 22% 19% -11% Dolphins 11% 4% 2% 0% 2%
Romeo Doubs 5% 29% 11% 12% 24% 1% Vikings -6% -14% -2% 0% -2%
K.J. Osborn 11% 3% 8% 5% -8% -4% Packers 17% 6% -1% 0% -2%
Michael Pittman Jr. 35% 36% 36% 25% 1% -12% Giants 16% 16% 0% -2% -2%
Jakobi Meyers 37% 19% 30% 30% -18% 0% Dolphins 11% 4% -2% 0% -2%
Demarcus Robinson 27% 15% 25% 11% -12% -15% Steelers 5% 9% -1% -1% -2%
Marquise Brown 22% 46% 23% 33% 25% 10% Falcons -7% -3% -2% 0% -2%
Equanimeous St. Brown 26% 15% 29% 8% -11% -21% Lions 9% 6% -1% -1% -2%
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine 26% 16% 31% 4% -10% -26% Cowboys 1% 9% 0% -2% -2%
Darius Slayton 47% 68% 46% 48% 21% 1% Colts -12% 2% -3% 0% -2%
Garrett Wilson 31% 54% 34% 54% 23% 21% Seahawks -9% -4% -2% -1% -3%

*ONLY WRs with > +- 2% Included in chart above
**Thanks to our friends at Sports Info Solutions and their SIS Database for the info!
***NEW NOTE: the “target share” is not “target ONLY,” but Intended Air Yard share (IAY share) as this gives us a clearer picture not only of target share but the potential magnitude of said share
****Players that have played on 2 separate teams in 2022 are excluded (as they blur the percentage shares)

WR Matchups to Target in Week 17

*For the matchup sections below, we refrain from “obvious recommendations” and/or players you are starting no matter what (and the opposite for players recommended to sit)

DeVante Parker

Parker comes into the week with an interesting schematic advantage, amplified by an inverse finding applied to fellow Patriot WR Jakobi Meyers (that our models are relatively fading this week). Parker has proven to be the Patriots QB WR of choice when faced with the blitz. Parker sees a 49% target share (compared to 31% without a blitz), which is enticing as he faces the Dolphins this week, that blitz 11% points more than the league average. As noted, what makes this play even stronger, is the additional “layer of evidence” we see in the fact that “typical target share king” Jakobi Meyers has an inverse relationship when blitzed, seeing a 37% target share when NOT blitzed, but only 19% when blitzed. In other words, from a predictive standpoint, it’s fairly easy to point to targets “typically” going Meyer’s way, which are re-routed to Parker when blitzed.

Tee Higgins

Higgins is another WR we have keyed in on for multiple weeks this season (which is usually a good sign, meaning we have a “feel for what variables correlate to his fantasy success”). For this week, our base model really likes Higgins’ individual matchup. Coming in at our “best” matchup overall for the week, the veteran WR has all 4 indicators pointing up, including BOTH advanced analytic plays. This is especially true for his net PFF (weighted) grade for the week. We expect Higgins to face a few different cover men on the week. Still, the majority of snaps should be against Tre’Davious White (43% pass snaps), who, despite being considered a quality DB, has only a 58.1 PFF Grade vs. Higgins’ 80.4.

WR Matchups to Avoid in Week 17

Darius Slayton

Slayton is another “frequent flier” on our start/sit lists, but typically in the other direction. Here, our secondary model does not like his schematic splits relating to the defense bringing the blitz. All accidental rhyming aside, despite Slayton having healthy target shares in almost any circumstance, relatively speaking, he sees his “monster shares” vs. the Blitz (68% vs. 47%). And given the Colts have one of the league’s lowest blitz rates (12 percentage points below league average), for a WR that has been relatively “boom or bust” of late, we are fading him this week.

Michael Pittman Jr

It’s hard to make a case for another WR that has fallen so far from the top during his early season fantasy success than Pittman. Along that overall trend, our base model does not like his “physical matchup” this week. Specifically his matchup vs. CB Faian Moreau. With an expected 37% of his pass snaps going up against Moreau, it’s tough to see Pittman gaining much separation with his 4.52 40 going up against Moreau’s 4.35. Take this along with a slight schematic disadvantage (see secondary chart), and we’re keeping Pittman on the bench this week.

Marquise Brown

Not bragging, but after back-to-back weeks spotting a DeAndre Hopkins fade, we feel we’ve gained some insight into what makes the Cardinals WRs produce. This is particularly this weekend when you consider the potential scheme Brown’s likely to face. Brown more than doubles his target share from 22% to 46% when blitzed. This is not great for the downfield speedster, as the Falcons send the house 7 percentage points less than the league average.

Hopefully, this data helps you build the ideal lineup to propel you through the championship weeks!

See you all next week.

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.

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