Shadow Report: Your weekly guide to WR/CB matchups (2024)

Fantasy football is a weekly game, so knowing the matchups can help you make the best lineup decisions. By utilizing our play-by-play data, we're able to identify defensive schemes and where each wide receiver and cornerback lines up on each play. By tracking these WR/CB matchups, including potential shadow situations, we can offer the best projections, rankings, sit/start advice and waiver wire suggestions each week.

Down below are the receivers with the best and worst matchups this week, as well as the corresponding fantasy impact.

To view the primary defenders the top three wide receivers for each team will see this weekend, be sure to check out our weekly WR vs. CB Cheatsheet.

Note that, unless otherwise noted, references to where teams rank in statistical categories adjusts to a per-game basis in order to avoid distortion due to bye weeks.

Projected Shadow Matchups

Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase vs. Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. (Shadow)

Porter has shadowed for a substantive chunk of the game six times this season, which has included showdowns with Drake London, Courtland Sutton, Quentin Johnston, CeeDee Lamb, Terry McLaurin and Rashod Bateman. He covered the group on a combined 116 of 176 routes, including 112 of 143 on the perimeter. Their receiving lines were as follows: London (4 targets-2 receptions-15 yards-0 touchdowns), Sutton (5-1-26-0), Johnston (2-2-44-1), Lamb (9-5-62-0), McLaurin (6-5-113-0) and Bateman (3-2-30-0). The group combined to average 8.7 fantasy points, with only McLaurin reaching 13.

The Steelers have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to receivers, including the second fewest over expected. Chase is averaging 17.6 fantasy PPG in four career games against the Steelers.

Takeaway: This is a tough pass defense and Porter has done a nice job when called upon to shadow, but Chase is about as matchup-proof as they come. Any downgrade should be considered minor.

Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb vs. Giants' Deonte Banks (Shadow)

Banks has shadowed in 10 of the Giants' 11 games this season, having traveled with Justin Jefferson, Terry McLaurin (twice), Amari Cooper, Lamb, DK Metcalf, Tee Higgins, A.J. Brown, George Pickens and Mike Evans. He aligned against the receivers on 201 of 264 routes, including 191 of 204 on the perimeter. Their receiving lines were as follows: Jefferson (6-4-59-1), McLaurin (8-6-22-0), Cooper (12-7-86-2), Lamb (8-7-98-1), Metcalf (7-4-55-0). Higgins (7-7-77-0), Brown (5-5-89-1), Pickens (5-4-74-0), McLaurin (3-2-19-2) and Evans (6-5-68-0). That works out to an average of 15.8 fantasy points per game.

Top receivers clearly haven't had much trouble against the Giants (including Lamb in the Week 4 meeting) and Banks has already been benched once this season as a result. These two will face off the 52% of the time Lamb aligns on the perimeter and Dallas' top receiver will see Giants' slot CB Dru Phillips on the rest of his routes.

Takeaway: Lamb can be upgraded.

play

CeeDee Lamb's Week 12 fantasy recap

Take a look at the numbers behind CeeDee Lamb's impressive Week 12 fantasy performance in the Cowboys' thrilling win over the Commanders.

Colts' Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Patriots' Christian Gonzalez (Shadow)

Gonzalez has shadowed Ja'Marr Chase, DK Metcalf, Garrett Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk, Tyreek Hill (x2), Gabe Davis, Davante Adams and Calvin Ridley, combining to cover them on 188 of 270 routes, including 157 of 184 on the perimeter and 31 of 85 in the slot. The receiving lines of those receivers were as follows: Chase (6-6-62-0), Metcalf (14-10-129-1), Wilson (9-5-33-1), Aiyuk (5-2-48-0), Hill (9-6-69-0), Davis (2-1-13-0), Adams (6-4-54-0), Ridley (8-5-73-0) and Hill (6-5-48-0). The group averaged 12.1 fantasy PPG and eight of the nine fell short of 14.5.

Takeaway: Pittman will see a ton of Gonzalez and should be downgraded a bit, but New England is struggling against receivers overall (10th-most points allowed, including the fifth most to the perimeter), so the likes of Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell stand to benefit.

Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Texans' Derek Stingley Jr. (Shadow)

Stingley did not shadow when these teams met in Week 4, but the circumstances are different. Jacksonville was fully stocked at wide receiver back then (Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis are now out for the season) and, after shadowing once during Weeks 1-9, Stingley has shadowed in three straight games.

The standout corner has traveled with DJ Moore (10-6-53-0 receiving line in the game), Jameson Williams (5-3-53-0), CeeDee Lamb (12-8-93-0) and Calvin Ridley (6-5-93-0), combining to cover the group on a combined 78 of 144 routes, including 75 of 89 on the perimeter. The four receivers averaged 12.8 fantasy PPG. Granted he barely saw Stingley in coverage, but Thomas posted a strong 5-76-1 receiving line on eight targets in the Week 4 game, with Kirk (11-7-61-1) also showing well.

Takeaway: Thomas is going to draw a ton of attention here and, while Stingley isn't unbeatable, he's a good corner. Thomas should be downgraded a bit.

Tough matchups

Ravens' Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and Zay Flowers vs. Eagles' Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Darius Slay Jr.

The Eagles are coming off their worst showing of the season against an opposing WR room (58.3 points to the Rams), but have otherwise been dominant as of late. Even after the debacle, Philadelphia has allowed the fourth-fewest WR fantasy points during the last eight games, including the third fewest to the perimeter (and fewest to both over the last four games).

On the season, the Eagles have allowed the fourth-fewest receiving yards and a league-low 6.7 yards per target to receivers. Bateman (91% perimeter) will see the most of standout rookie, Mitchell, and draws the biggest downgrade, but expectations for Flowers and Agholor should also be reduced.

Seahawks' DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Tyler Lockett vs. Jets' D.J. Reed, Michael Carter II and Sauce Gardner

The Jets return from their bye having allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. That includes the second fewest to the perimeter and sixth fewest to the slot. New York has allowed the fewest receptions, second-fewest yards, fifth-fewest TDs (7) and lowest catch rate (56%) to the position.

Metcalf (86% perimeter) and Lockett (70%) will primarily operate against Gardner and Reed and should be downgraded. Red-hot Smith-Njigba (86% slot) will work against Carter inside and, while he can be downgraded a bit, he has the best matchup of the trio.

Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Bears' Kyler Gordon (Slot)

The Bears have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to receivers this season, which includes the fewest to the slot both overall and over their past four games. That's especially notable this week, as St. Brown aligns in the slot on 49% of his routes.

Six receivers have reached 13 fantasy points against Chicago, and all six (including Jordan Addison last week) primarily work on the perimeter. St. Brown's career production against Chicago has been a bit boom/bust and that includes 2023, which saw him post 21.7 points in Week 11, but only 5.1 in Week 14. You're never benching St. Brown, but there's added bust risk this week.

play

Should fantasy managers be concerned about Amon-Ra St. Brown?

Daniel Dopp urges fantasy managers to stay the course with Amon-Ra St. Brown after his subpar performance vs. the Colts.

Advantageous matchups

Texans' Nico Collins, John Metchie III and Tank Dell vs. Jaguars' Tyson Campbell, Jarrian Jones and Ronald Darby

The Jaguars return from their bye having allowed the third-most fantasy points (most over expected) to wide receivers this season, including the second most to the perimeter and ninth most to the slot. Jacksonville has allowed 9.6 YPT (highest) and 70% catch rate (second highest) to the position.

Collins, who exploded for a 12-151-1 receiving line on 15 targets when these teams met back in Week 4, can be upgraded, and the same goes for Dell, who was sidelined for the first meeting.

Eagles' Jahan Dotson, DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown vs. Ravens' Brandon Stephens, Tre'Davious White, Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins

The Ravens have allowed the most WR fantasy points this season, including the most to the perimeter and fourth most to the slot. The Ravens have allowed the third-most receiving yards and most touchdowns (17) to receivers, and there have already been eight instances of a wideout recording 20 fantasy points against them.

The Eagles' WR room should be upgraded across the board, though if Smith is unable to return, Brown will be the Philadelphia receiver you can trust in your lineup.

Chargers' Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Joshua Palmer vs. Falcons' A.J. Terrell, Dee Alford and Mike Hughes

Atlanta has allowed the fourth-most WR fantasy points, including the seventh most to both the perimeter and slot. The Falcons have surrendered the fourth-most receptions, third-most touchdowns (15) and a league-high 72% catch rate to the position. Terrell has shadowed seven times this season and very well could do so against Johnston this week -- it wouldn't be McConkey, as Terrell doesn't align in the slot. Still, that doesn't figure to matter much, as the seven receivers averaged 16.8 fantasy PPG against Atlanta, with none falling short of 12.7 points.

Johnston (89% perimeter) and Palmer (72%) can be upgraded against Terrell and Hughes, whereas McConkey (25%) gets a bump against Alford.

Rams' Demarcus Robinson, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua vs. Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry, Ugo Amadi and Alontae Taylor

Fresh off a huge game against a good Eagles secondary, the Rams' WR room has a much more attractive matchup against a Saints defense that has allowed the sixth-most WR fantasy points this season. New Orleans, which lost Paulson Adebo to injury and Marshon Lattimore via trade, ranks top seven in receptions and yardage allowed to the position.

Nacua (77% perimeter) and Robinson (66%) will work against McKinstry and Taylor, whereas Kupp (36%) will mostly see Amadi. Upgrades all around.

Steelers' George Pickens and Mike Williams vs. Bengals' Cam Taylor-Britt and Josh Newton

The Bengals' cornerback woes keep piling up, with DJ Turner joining Dax Hill on IR prior to the team's Week 12 bye. That leaves struggling Taylor-Britt as an every-down outside corner opposite fifth-round rookie Newton, which is concerning considering the Bengals have already allowed the third-most fantasy points to the perimeter (and the most over their past four games).

Pickens (72% perimeter) and Williams (76%) are the big beneficiaries here, whereas slot man Calvin Austin III (40%) has a tougher assignment against Mike Hilton in the slot.

play

Why aren't the Giants targeting Malik Nabers more?

Field Yates, Stephania Bell, and Daniel Dopp criticize the lack of targets for Malik Nabers in the Giants offense.