Is it wise to start players based on CB matchups?

[Brees#1]

Usually if a starting receiver is facing a top cb then the no.2 deep threat benefits mostly. However something seems a bit perplexed, namely last year when Hilton burned Sherman when technically Wayne is the colts no.1 receiver. Sherman apparently mixed and matched with the two. Another one was Talib who for some reason could shut down many receivers but not Steve Smith and Brandon Lafell. He switched up against those two as well. Is the switch-up prevalent enough where you cannot bench a no.1 receiver on a team just because he is supposed to be matchup against a top cb. Only exception, however, is when its a bad matchup and a blowout is likely to ensue where the starter is going to get the garbage yards. What's odd is how Hilton was able to burn Sherman when many other receivers could not.

This has an impact on how I draft this year where I am deciding on taking a chance on Maclin(a 1?), Wayne(a 1), Hilton, or Boldin and want the one who on paper has the best advantage of the matchups. No.2 receivers I usually like most when the 1 is facing a top cb and the opponents can stop the run.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

depends, you should never take out your studs, but if the replacement is relatively similar to the usual starter then sure...

 

[TREFF]

There aren't any corners today that would make me seriously reconsider benching a WR based solely on the match up. Awesomewaa and Revis haven't been replaced as of yet, and other than a guy in that level, I'm not worried about a CB vs WR match up.

Maybe this would come into play a little more when choosing a third WR, or flex starter.

 

[Brees#1]

Well Haden does a pretty good job shutting down receivers as does Leon Hall when bengals are at home(last year Gordon's TD came late). But yeah truly elite receivers no, but the ones who are near the end of their careers such as Wayne its possible. Wayne did not have good weeks against Miami and Seattle but did well against Oakland, Jacksonville, and Denver he got a TD against before getting hurt. Though he wasn't displaying what Hilton did in his big weeks(due to being older), where he lit up Seattle and Houston. Maybe this has more to do with the fact that CBs don't have as much film on guys they don't usually plan to defend so Hilton's big day could have been a result of Sherman not as concentrated on him as he was Wayne. But Browner, the lesser CB, defended him well before the taunting as he was assigned that matchup.

 

[averagejoe]

Maybe if corners played man-to-man. But most teams use zone coverage, and offenses exploit "the zone."

Did find a neat little matchup chart. It broke-down all fantasy matchups by position (if you put any stock into SOS charts). The WR with the toughest matchups this season (per this chart) are STL (32nd), SF (31), IND (30), ATL (29), and NYJ (28). The WR with the easiest matchups are WSH (1st), NYG (2), DAL (3), GB (4), and CHI (5).

I agree with Treff, Not benching a stud WR based on a CB.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

The WR with the easiest matchups are WSH (1st), NYG (2), DAL (3), GB (4), and CHI (5).

take a chance on Maclin!

 

[leftypower]

Well, I think it all depends on who it is that you have you are going to start. IF I had a choice between Marshall vs Revis or Sherman, or say Dez vs the worst corner in the league then yes. But I'm not sitting any of those guys for Golden Tate even with a great matchup.


One thing on the SOS's posted out there, it is based upon last yr stats. So if the defense stayed exactly the same it is meaningful, if not, then not so much.

 

[TREFF]

take a chance on Maclin!

Lol..k, Joe may need to clarify a bit. . The way I understand it, this means the corners for Philly stink, so take the chances on Cowboys/Giants/Redskins. (Although, if all of them are in the top 5, any NFC east WR looks to have juicy schedules)

 

[averagejoe]

Lol..k, Joe may need to clarify a bit.

The SOS-by-position chart is courtesy of FFToolbox. And in their description, they point out that lower numbers represent the easiest matchups. Higher numbers = tougher. The chart also includes IDP positions, and kick return!

Sure the chart ranks the matchup for the WR, but keep in mind that it applies to ALL of the WR for said team. Not individual players. (That goes for all the positions really.) For example, while Alshon Jeffery may have had a field day, teammate Brandon Marshall may have been held to pedestrian numbers.

As Lefty pointed out, all SOS are based on 2013 win/loss, so take it with a grain of salt IMO. Especially since Josh Gordon destroyed DB's last season, and probably skews the numbers a bit, even though he won't be on the field this season.

 

[averagejoe]

Need to point out that it looks like FFToolbox updated the chart. Because some of the numbers/teams are adjusted from a month ago. Hmmmm. (Or maybe I selected a specific "group" of weeks, which is a nice option they offer. Sorry.)

The WR with the easiest matchups are: MIA (1), NE (2), GB (3), CHI (4), BUF (5). Toughest are: BAL (32), PHI (31), CIN (30), JAC (29), PIT (28).

 

[SmokingMonkey]

Need to point out that it looks like FFToolbox updated the chart. Because some of the numbers/teams are adjusted from a month ago. Hmmmm. (Or maybe I selected a specific "group" of weeks, which is a nice option they offer. Sorry.)

The WR with the easiest matchups are: MIA (1), NE (2), GB (3), CHI (4), BUF (5). Toughest are: BAL (32), PHI (31), CIN (30), JAC (29), PIT (28).

so stock up on WRs facing the AFC East, and be wary of the ones facing the AFC North......if you put much stock in SOS stats that come out in JULY!

 

[SteelersPride]

toughest matchups are pittsburgh?
with what cb?

 

[TKOSpikes]

Just their secondary and philosophy in general has been tough to throw on...and Ike is still there, right?

 

[wilwhite]

I think Joe's list means that the toughest* matchup schedule is actually for the Raven WRs, and fifth-worst for the Steelers WRs.

*Based on last year's numbers, which will be dramatically wrong.

 

[averagejoe]

toughest matchups are pittsburgh?
with what cb?

Just to clarify, the SOS chart referenced a few posts earlier is essentially projecting that the Steelers WR will (on average) have tough matchups. Not that WR from other teams will have a tough matchup against the Steelers.

I think Joe's list means that the toughest* matchup schedule is actually for the Raven WRs, and fifth-worst for the Steelers WRs.

*Based on last year's numbers, which will be dramatically wrong.

I was intrigued by the chart since it does break down each position. But I personally do not put much stock into SOS. Especially since there are other factors to consider in a matchup. Like, is the opposing team easy to run on? If so, that will skew the passing numbers. And vice versa. Was a team playing from behind? Some teams (after taking a healthy lead) will soften the secondary to allow yards (and time to come off the clock). Not to mention that some teams improve and others regress each season.

 

[leftypower]

Just to clarify, the SOS chart referenced a few posts earlier is essentially projecting that the Steelers WR will (on average) have tough matchups. Not that WR from other teams will have a tough matchup against the Steelers.



I was intrigued by the chart since it does break down each position. But I personally do not put much stock into SOS. Especially since there are other factors to consider in a matchup. Like, is the opposing team easy to run on? If so, that will skew the passing numbers. And vice versa. Was a team playing from behind? Some teams (after taking a healthy lead) will soften the secondary to allow yards (and time to come off the clock). Not to mention that some teams improve and others regress each season.

Precisely why I don't like a DST format. ... that applies to most teams nowadays.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

I usually do Wrs based on match ups.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

Is it wise to start players based on CB matchups?

Answer: Not for WR1s, they are 1s for a reason, start them every week. Why would you want to miss out on a potential big day?
Possibly for WR2s, but that would only be if you have a bunch of solid WR2 options, then of course, you'd want to go with the player facing the inferior defense
Definitely for WR3s/Flex. Those roster spots are more where you want to hit that home run and establish a clear advantage over your opponent. I'd target WRs going against a team that has a great offense, playing the odds for a shootout, instead of trying to pick the guy going against the worse defender. Hopefully they are going against DAL, cause then you'd have both.