This is the Week 14 WR-CB Matchups! With playoffs either starting or right around the corner in fantasy football leagues, it’s important to identify the wide receivers that can potentially put up a dud this week and end your team’s playoff pursuit. As a result, this week we’ll put more of an emphasis on wide receivers to FADE based on their matchups.
- First, I’m targeting players who are STARTING in over 50-percent of Sleeper Leagues to FADE. I believe these WRs will finish outside the top-30 wide receivers for the week.
- Second, I’m targeting players ROSTERED in less than 50-percent of Sleeper Leagues to PLAY. These are your desperate WR2 and/or FLEX plays. I believe these wide receivers will finish inside the top-30 WRs for the week.
- Finally, the players I recommend playing I would play OVER players I recommend fading.
FADE – Mike Evans (CB Matchup: Charvarius Ward – No. 4)
Firstly, it’s concerning that in his last three games that Mike Evans hasn’t topped 11 fantasy points despite facing young cornerbacks that rank outside the top-50 in the Cornerback Rankings. On the season, Evans is outside the top-35 in Target Share and Yards Per Route Run.
Mike Evans Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Evans has faced two top-10 cornerbacks this season, resulting in two of his three worst performances on the season. Charvarius Ward will be the best cornerback he’s faced when they play this weekend. He’s only allowed over 45 yards in one game this season. He’s top-5 in Coverage Rating and Catch Rate Allowed and is No. 10 in Fantasy Points allowed Per Target (1.23).
FADE – Josh Palmer (CB Matchup: Xavien Howard – No. 7)
Josh Palmer‘s big games have come only with the absence of Keenan Allen and/or Mike Williams. Allen’s been back for three games, and Williams is expected back this weekend. His 20.0-percent (No. 59) Target Rate is a sign of his impending end as a fantasy-relevant wide receiver. If that wasn’t enough, He’s No. 70 in Yards Per Route Run (1.43) and No. 69 in Fantasy Points Per Target (1.59).
In recent weeks, Xavien Howard has played a part in holding more talented wide receivers (Amari Cooper and Brandon Aiyuk) to under 10.0 PPR fantasy points. Howard is No. 5 in Shadow Rate (59.9-percent) which means he’ll quite literally be a thorn in the side of Palmer this weekend. This is the easiest fade of a wide receiver starting in over 50-percent of Sleeper leagues this season.
PLAY – D.J. Chark (CB Matchup: Duke Shelley – No. 104)
The Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings game has a projected total of 52 points scored. Therefore, we want pieces of this game in our fantasy football lineups. D.J. Chark returned from an ankle injury recently and over his last two weeks is averaging 35 Routes Run and 93.5 Air Yards. For the season, Chark is top-10 in Route Win Rate and Win Rate Vs Man.
D.J. Chark Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Moreover, Duke Shelley has been on the Vikings’ active roster for one month. He’s seen notable playing time (over 40-percent Snap Share) in his past two games and has been targeted against 12 times total. Therefore, Chark is licking his lips as Shelley is averaging 18.7 Yards Per Reception Allowed and 13.7 Average Target Distance this season.
