As fantasy managers are about to enter the last week before byes become a factor for the next two months, this will be the last time they will have a full roster to contemplate start/sit decisions.
Last week, we saw Keenan Allen massively exploit his matchup. I mentioned he would have a “sizable return,” but even I underestimated the level of points he would to return fantasy managers last week.
These are WR/CB matchups that fantasy managers need to be aware of and either take advantage of or be cautious about this week. Here are all my notable matchups for the week. Below we dive into a few players.
- Waiver Wire Advice
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
WR/CB Matchups: Week 4 (Fantasy Football 2023)
Challenging Wide Receiver Matchups
Mike Evans (TB) vs. Paulson Adebo (NO)
Mike Evans has had an exceptional start to the season and is currently the WR5 in PPR scoring. However, he has a tough matchup this week against the Saints in the Superdome.
Evans is currently ranked second amongst all wide receivers in fantasy points per route run at 0.77 (only Tyreek Hill has more with 0.80). However, he is up against Paulson Adebo, who is only allowing 0.13 fantasy points per route run against him. This is currently tied for the fourth-lowest allowed by cornerbacks so far this season.
Evans is still a must-start this week, but it will be a challenging matchup for him. Therefore, temper expectations and expect this to be his toughest outing of the season so far.
Zay Flowers (BAL) vs. Greg Newsome (CLE)
Zay Flowers remains the receiver to own in Baltimore for fantasy managers, though this week might be the one to consider sitting him. Flowers comes into this week as the WR29 in PPR scoring, amassing a respectable 0.40 fantasy points per route run.
However, Greg Newsome and this Cleveland Browns defense have been extremely stingy so far this season. The Browns have only given up 335 receiving yards all season and only one receiving touchdown, leading the NFL in both categories so far in 2023.
As for Newsome himself, he is only being targeted on 8.9% of routes run against him. This shows opposing offensive coordinators and QBs are worried about targeting Newsome in one-on-one matchups, given his exceptional skills. Newsome is also only allowing 0.13 fantasy points per route run, which is tied for fourth-lowest allowed by cornerbacks so far this season.
This might be a matchup where fantasy managers need to consider sitting flowers.
Garrett Wilson (NYJ) vs. Joshua Williams (KC)
Garrett Wilson has had fantasy managers concerned ever since Aaron Rodgers went down with a season-ending injury on the opening “Monday Night Football” game of the season. However, considering he is the only receiver gaining enough targets to be fantasy-relevant, fantasy managers have continued to persevere with Wilson.
Wilson comes into this week as the PPR WR30. However, this matchup against Williams and the Chiefs is a challenging one. The Chiefs have only conceded 534 receiving yards all season, which ranks sixth in the NFL. They have also only allowed two receiving touchdowns in their three games this season.
Williams has been exceptional so far this season. He is only allowing 0.15 fantasy points per route run against him and has broken up some considerable plays as well.
Fantasy managers, though the game script will support a high-volume passing game for the Jets, will need to be cautious about Wilson heading into this game. Don’t be too surprised if he puts up low-end WR3 numbers or worse in this encounter. Caution is advised in starting him this week.
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Adam Murfet is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Murf, check out his archive and follow him @Murf_NFL.