Another week of intense WR/CB matchups starts tonight as the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns. Here are the matchups you need to look out for this week!
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*The following matchups are based on the most recent depth chart announcements and could change due to unforeseen injuries or game plan adjustments.*
WR KC Concepcion | CB Asante Samuel Jr.
The Cleveland Browns are 2-1, to many people’s surprise, and I thought their hot start would largely be due to the young offense. Through 3 games, Concepcion just hasn’t been the “wow” factor Cleveland needs, but he hasn’t been bad either. He’s been average, and last week Concepcion got 9 targets, the most in his short career, but caught only 2. With no TDs and just 4 receptions per game, Concepcion remains unready to be a consistent flex option this week or in the weeks to come.
Jalen Ramsey would be matched up against Concepcion, and although he’s listed as questionable, he has a broken wrist, and it’s a short week; I’d be a bit shocked if Ramsey played, but it’s possible. Brandin Echols is also in concussion protocol, really limiting the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary. That leaves Samuel next, and while he can cover Concepcion, he’s ranked 77th on PFF. Samuel has allowed 9 receptions on 12 targets through 3 weeks. Concepcion’s success, if any, will depend on Watson’s time in the pocket, not the overall coverage.
Bench KC Concepcion
WR Matthew Golden | CB Zyon McCollum
The Green Bay Packers offense has revolved around Christian Watson and Matthew Golden this season, and both are serious threats. In 3 games, Golden has 15 receptions for 253 receiving yards, ranking 7th in the NFL. The main concern is his 30 targets and 50% catch rate, especially since other WRs in this range are catching 70% or more. Sustaining this production remains a fair question.
Zyon McCollum jumped to CB1 on the depth chart when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost CB Jamel Dean in free agency. McCollum will be responsible for covering Golden and Watson when they line up on his side of the field, a tall task for a corner who ranks 64th of 92. He is only 13 spots higher than the previously mentioned Asante Samuel Jr., a depth corner in Pittsburgh, which underscores the challenge the Buccaneers’ secondary presents. It now starts this season outside the top 10 in passing yards allowed and 12 yards allowed.
Start Matthew Golden
WR Josh Downs | CB Amik Robertson
Josh Downs and the Indianapolis Colts have had an interesting start to the season, going 1-2. Still, the team has been better than the record suggests, defeating the Houston Texans and forcing the Kansas City Chiefs to overtime. Downs’ fantasy value has increased significantly after Alec Pierce went to IR with a heel injury. In the last two games, Downs has had 9 and 11 targets, totaling over 12 fantasy points in each matchup without finding the end zone. Against a Washington defense that has allowed 280.3 passing yards per game, Downs could top 20 fantasy points this week.
The main concern for Josh Downs is Amik Robertson, who is having an amazing year and is arguably the only good, healthy CB on the Washington Commanders. Robertson ranks 3rd among the 99 qualified CBs, while Washington ranks 31st in passing yards allowed per game (280.3), making this a tougher individual matchup than the team ranking suggests.
Start Josh Downs
WR Jakobi Meyers | CB DJ Turner II
It’s unofficially official: the Jacksonville Jaguars are giving up on Brian Thomas Jr. The 2024 fantasy legend saw just 1 target after 9 in Week 2, while the reliable Jakobi Meyers had 8 targets last game and caught 7 for 64 yards and a TD. Meyers’ consistency has earned him the targets he deserves while Jacksonville figures out Thomas’s role.
DJ Turner II is doing everything he can to keep this Bengals secondary afloat after injuries to CB Jalen Davis, who was recently placed on IR, and three safeties listed as questionable for tonight’s game: Bryan Cook, Jordan Battle, and Kyle Dugger. The Cincinnati Bengals could be using 3rd-string safeties while already using a backup CB to fill in for Davis. That matchup leaves their defense vulnerable, as it ranks 28th in passing yards allowed.
Start Jakobi Meyers
WR Tre Tucker | CB L’Jarius Sneed
Tre Tucker of the Las Vegas Raiders had one elite game in Week 2 and fell back to reality in Week 3; despite that single explosive week, Tucker remains 19th in receiving yards and actually has more than Ja’Marr Chase. So bench Ja’Marr Chase for Tucker! Kidding. Tucker’s inconsistency has erased any value he gained in Week 2, and Tucker is only worth gambling on in your flex if he has a favorable matchup and your starter is injured or on bye.
L’Jarius Sneed will cover Tre Tucker when Tucker lines up in the slot and sometimes out wide, depending on the defensive look. Sneed returned to the Kansas City Chiefs after a less-than-stellar stint with the Tennessee Titans. Sneed ranks 96th out of 99 qualified CBs. Still, the Chiefs rank 6th in passing yards allowed, which should be enough to limit Tucker even when Sneed struggles, so the matchup still points to a tough day for Tucker.
Bench Tre Tucker
Other Content
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