The goal of this article is to find wide receivers to fade and buy based on how many fantasy points their opponent allows in the slot vs. out wide. In today’s article, we will review the key slot matchups for week 4.
The below chart breaks down where each team allows their fantasy points to wide receivers and is listed from the most to the least amount of fantasy points allowed to the slot this season.
| Team | Slot PPG | Wide PPG | Total PPG | % Slot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEN | 21.9 | 20.5 | 42.4 | 52% |
| BAL | 18.5 | 10.9 | 29.4 | 63% |
| MIA | 18.3 | 11.8 | 30.1 | 61% |
| WSH | 15.8 | 27.4 | 43.2 | 37% |
| IND | 15.3 | 22.8 | 38.1 | 40% |
| PIT | 14.6 | 22.5 | 37.1 | 39% |
| CHI | 14.6 | 21.1 | 35.7 | 41% |
| MIN | 14.5 | 25.7 | 40.2 | 36% |
| ARI | 13.7 | 20.1 | 33.8 | 40% |
| NO | 13.4 | 18.6 | 32 | 42% |
| TB | 13.4 | 42.3 | 55.7 | 24% |
| CIN | 12.9 | 19.6 | 32.5 | 40% |
| ATL | 12.1 | 21.2 | 33.3 | 36% |
| SEA | 11.6 | 20.1 | 31.7 | 36% |
| JAX | 11.3 | 21.3 | 32.6 | 35% |
| LV | 11.2 | 17.9 | 29.1 | 38% |
| DAL | 11 | 25.5 | 36.5 | 30% |
| SF | 10.8 | 17.6 | 28.4 | 38% |
| NE | 10.8 | 11.3 | 22.1 | 49% |
| HOU | 10.5 | 15.3 | 25.8 | 41% |
| CLE | 10.5 | 13.4 | 23.9 | 44% |
| DET | 10 | 19.6 | 29.6 | 34% |
| KC | 9.6 | 22.9 | 32.5 | 30% |
| LAR | 9 | 22 | 31 | 29% |
| NYJ | 8.5 | 12.7 | 21.2 | 40% |
| PHI | 8.5 | 12.1 | 20.6 | 41% |
| NYG | 8.4 | 24.9 | 33.3 | 25% |
| LAC | 8.4 | 11.1 | 19.5 | 43% |
| BUF | 6.7 | 13.7 | 20.4 | 33% |
| GB | 6.3 | 17.8 | 24.1 | 26% |
| DEN | 5 | 20.5 | 25.5 | 20% |
| CAR | 4.3 | 19.5 | 23.8 | 18% |
| NFL AVG | 11.6 | 19.5 | 31.1 | 38% |
Slot PPG – This represents how many fantasy points a defense allowed to the slot in .5 PPR in 2021
Wide PPG – This represents how many fantasy points a defense allowed on the outside to wide receivers in .5 PPR in 2021
Total PPG – This represents how many total fantasy points a defense allowed to the wide receiver position in .5 PPR in 2021
% Slot – This represents what percentage of the total fantasy points the defense allowed from the slot in 2021
Upgraded Slot Matchups
Team: New England Patriots
Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matchup Upgrade: Jakobi Meyers
When you think Jakobi Meyers you don’t typically think alpha #1 WR. However, this season Meyers has been just that. Meyers leads the team in targets (29), receptions (19) and yards (176) through week 3. This includes a big performance last week where Meyers secured 9-94 on 14 targets. What is holding Meyers back is his lack of TDs as he has yet to find the end zone this season. The good news for Meyers owners is he currently tied for the team lead in red zone targets. This usage should at some point lead him to the end zone sooner rather than later.
This week the Patriots take on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady and company should be motivated to put up points and they have done so all season. This has led to the Buccaneers allowing the most points to WRs in 2021. This should immediately impact Meyers who will be first in line at the Bucs WR points buffet for some additional fantasy points for your fantasy team. Currently ranked as the WR29 according to FantasyPros ECR, Meyers should be viewed as a top 24 WR this week.
Team: Miami Dolphins
Opponent: Indianapolis Colts
Matchup Upgrade: Jaylen Waddle
Jaylen Waddle has surprisingly opened the year as the top WR for the Dolphins. Waddle currently leads the team in every receiving category through 3 weeks. This includes an interesting stat line of 12-58 on 13 targets just last week vs. the Raiders. The good news for Waddle is even with Jacoby Brissett at the helm he still showed he can be valuable in PPR. The most encouraging usage for Waddle is he runs 91% of his routes from the slot. This helps Waddle avoid top CBs which should help the rookie produce early on in his career like Ceedee Lamb in 2020.
This week the Dolphins face the Colts who have allowed the 5th most points to the slot so far in 2021. This includes a big performance from Cooper Kupp (9-162-2) and allowing a TD to both D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett from the inside in week 1. Currently ranked outside the top 36 WRs, Waddle makes for a solid WR3/flex in week 4.
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Opponent: Miami Dolphins
Matchup Upgrade: Zach Pascal
Zach Pascal has become Mr. Necessary for the Colts as they have seen multiple injuries to their top pass catchers including T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell. Campbell has since returned, but Pascal was still tied with Michael Pittman for the team lead in routes and second in targets. Pascal’s production has been driven by TDs finding the end zone 3 times and in 2 of 3 games this season. Last week he failed to do so but he did drop a pass on the one-yard line which could have led to another score in week 3.
Heading into week 4 the Colts take on a Miami Dolphins DST that has allowed the third most points to the slot this season. This has lot to do with their solid CB duo of Xavien Howard and Byron Jones on the the outside. Last week the Raiders had a combined 228 receiving yards from the slot vs. the Dolphins alone. Currently ranked as the WR61 this week, Pascal makes for an interesting DFS play in week 4.
Downgraded Slot Matchups
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Opponent: Denver Broncos
Matchup Downgrade: Marquise Brown
We don’t typically think of Marquise Brown as a slot WR. When you dive into his numbers it is clear his fantasy production is driven by his slot usage. In 2021 56% of his targets, 60% of his receptions and 74% of his yards have come from the slot. A lot of this production was from his big day vs. the Chiefs as he secured 5-93-1 from the slot in that game. Another factor to keep an eye on is Brown’s target competition. The Ravens are tentatively expected to get back WR Rashod Bateman.
In week 4 Brown faces his toughest test of the season vs. a Broncos DST that has allowed the 9th fewest points to WRs and the 2nd fewest points on the inside in 2021. Currently ranked as the WR31 according to Fantasy Pros ECR, it might be best to look elsewhere in week 4 for your WR3/flex.
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: Green Bay Packers
Matchup Downgrade: Juju Smith-Schuster
Juju Smith-Schuster looks to be on track to play in week 4 as he got a limited practice in on Thursday. Prior to last week Juju posted solid performances vs. a tough Bills DST in week 1 and found the end zone on rushing TD in week 2. A lot of Juju’s appeal has to do with his target volume as he continues to see between 7-8 targets a week. This usage should make Juju a solid WR3 play in PPR formats throughout the season.
Now to the bad news for Juju and his fantasy owners is the Steelers take on the Packers in week 4. Green Bay has allowed the 3rd fewest points to the slot. Granted the Packers haven’t seen the best competition from the slot as they faced the Saints and Lions. However, Deebo Samuel was averaging 50 yards per game from the slot before being shut out for just half of that production that last week vs. Green Bay. If Juju plays in week 4, he’s probably better left on benches as Diontae Johnson should be back this week as well.
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: Los Angeles Rams
Matchup Downgrade: Christian Kirk
Christian Kirk is the definition of a post hype sleeper. Last year he was consistently being drafted in the middle rounds, but failed to live up to expectation as the #2 behind DeAndre Hopkins. This season that has all changed as Kirk is now the primary slot WR for the Cardinals. This is a much more natural position for Kirk as he seemed undersized to run on the outside. Kirk has capitalized on his new slot usage as he currently tied with Marquise Brown as the WR16 in PPR PPG.
This week Kirk will face his toughest test yet as he will square off vs. Jalen Ramsey and the Rams. This season the Rams have used Ramsey as their primary slot CB. This has helped the Rams slow down inside WRs only allowing 9 PPG to the slot. Currently viewed as WR4 according to FantasyPros ECR, Kirk should be a full fade for week 4.
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Sources: Razzball, Pro Football Focus, FantasyPros Pro Football Reference, FFToday, and Football Outsiders
