The NFC North defenses aren’t talked about much. Do you blame them when you have Justin Fields, Justin Jefferson, and, until this season, Aaron Rodgers dominating the conversation? But maybe the time has come. Who am I kidding? It is always a good time to talk about defenses and their defensive coordinators. So, let’s talk […]
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Patrick Peterson
7 Best Free Agent Cornerbacks NFL 2023
March 1, 2023 | Defense, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Strategy, IDP Rankings |by: Gladys Louise
By now, you understand that defense matters. And as much as we love our fantasy and the passing game, those men who can stop the passing game from being fantasy relevant are just as important. The secondary’s safeties have already been noted. Now is the time to get with the cornerbacks who will be free […]
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Defense Slot vs. Wide Analysis – Key Out Wide Matchups Week 4
October 2, 2021 | Fantasy Football Strategy |by: Bobby LaMarco
Key Out Wide Matchups For Week 4
The goal of this article is to find WRs 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 out wide 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 out wide to WRs this season.
Please, blog, may I have some more? Defense Slot vs. Wide Analysis – NFC Home Games Week 3
September 25, 2021 | Fantasy Football Strategy | 4 Commentsby: Bobby LaMarco
If you haven’t read the intro to defense slot vs. wide analysis then dive in now. That article provides an overview of what we are doing for this article. 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.
Please, blog, may I have some more? Defense Slot vs. Wide Analysis – AFC Home Games Week 1
September 10, 2021 | Fantasy Football Strategy | 1 Commentby: Bobby LaMarco
In this article we will break down how many fantasy points a defense allows to wide receivers from the slot vs. out wide. The analysis will hopefully help us better identify which types of wide receivers to target each week based on where they see the most targets.
For week 1 we will review how the teams in the AFC home games faired vs. slot and outside wide receivers in 2020. We will then look at what has potentially changed from last season and what information could repeat in 2021. The below chart outlines all the teams that are featured in the AFC home games in week 1 and listed by how many total fantasy points they allowed to the wide receiver position last season.
| AFC HOME GAMES | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Slot PPG | Wide PPG | Total PPG | % Slot | |
| TEN | 12.3 | 24.6 | 36.9 | 33% | |
| SEA | 13.1 | 21.3 | 34.4 | 38% | |
| MIN | 10.5 | 23.7 | 34.2 | 31% | |
| HOU | 13.2 | 19.7 | 32.9 | 40% | |
| CLE | 13.3 | 19.3 | 32.6 | 41% | |
| MIA | 11.3 | 20.8 | 32.1 | 35% | |
| JAX | 10.4 | 21.3 | 31.7 | 33% | |
| LV | 13.4 | 18.2 | 31.6 | 42% | |
| IND | 11.9 | 18.9 | 30.8 | 39% | |
| CIN | 9 | 21.1 | 30.1 | 30% | |
| ARI | 11.5 | 17.5 | 28.9 | 40% | |
| PIT | 11.4 | 17 | 28.4 | 40% | |
| NE | 10.6 | 17.6 | 28.2 | 38% | |
| BUF | 8.8 | 17.6 | 26.4 | 33% | |
| BAL | 9.9 | 16.3 | 26.2 | 38% | |
| KC | 8.9 | 16.8 | 25.7 | 35% | |
| Cornerbacks | Games in Shadow Coverage | PPG Allowed | Games Under 10 PPG | Top 24 WRs Faced | Y/SNP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Bradberry | 9 | 8.6 | 5 | 5 | 0.75 |
| Carlton Davis | 8 | 9.4 | 5 | 4 | 1.37 |
| Darius Slay | 7 | 13.6 | 3 | 4 | 1.53 |
| Jalen Ramsey | 5 | 13.5 | 2 | 5 | 0.53 |
| Bradley Roby | 5 | 10.9 | 3 | 2 | 0.72 |
| Patrick Peterson | 5 | 13.4 | 2 | 4 | 1.05 |
| William Jackson | 5 | 6.2 | 3 | 2 | 1.07 |
| Isaac Yiadom | 5 | 8.2 | 3 | 0 | 1.2 |
| Malcolm Butler | 5 | 7.9 | 3 | 3 | 1.36 |
| Jaire Alexander | 4 | 9.6 | 2 | 3 | 0.64 |
| Tre’Davious White | 4 | 9.5 | 2 | 1 | 0.94 |
| Stephon Gilmore | 4 | 8.2 | 2 | 2 | 1.01 |
| Janoris Jenkins | 4 | 9.1 | 3 | 1 | 1.17 |
| J.C. Jackson | 4 | 21.8 | 2 | 1 | 1.23 |
| Xavien Howard | 4 | 11.3 | 1 | 2 | 1.25 |
| Marshon Lattimore | 4 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 1.27 |
Chart Key
Please, blog, may I have some more? The Shadow Coverage Report – Week 17
January 2, 2021 | 2021 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Strategy |by: Bobby LaMarco
The Shadow Coverage Report – Week 17
| Shadow Coverage Tracker | |
|---|---|
| WR Finish | Total |
| 1 | 23 |
| 2 | 13 |
| 3 | 13 |
| 4+ | 29 |
| Grand Total | 78 |
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Opponent: New York Giants
WR1: Amari Cooper
Shadow Coverage Matchup: James Bradberry
| Amari Cooper vs. Shadow Coverage | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Games | Rec | Yards | TDs | PPG |
| All Other Opponents | 31 | 5.6 | 77.6 | 0.5 | 13.3 |
| Vs. Shadow Coverage | 15 | 4.4 | 57.5 | 0.4 | 10.3 |
| vs. James Bradberry | 1 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 3.3 |
Historical Production vs. Shadow Coverage
Amari Cooper’s performance vs. shadow coverage has been ok vs. shadow coverage posting 10 PPG in .5 PPR since 2018. However, it is important to point out he has failed to hit double digits in 8 games while failing to hit 6 points in 7 of those contests. This low floor tends to make Cooper more of a boom or bust prospect when facing notable shadow corners.
Please, blog, may I have some more? The Shadow Coverage Report – Week 14
December 12, 2020 | 2020 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Strategy | 1 Commentby: Bobby LaMarco
| Shadow Coverage Tracker | |
|---|---|
| WR Finish | Total |
| 1 | 18 |
| 2 | 9 |
| 3 | 11 |
| 4+ | 28 |
| Grand Total | 66 |
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: New York Giants
WR1: DeAndre Hopkins
Shadow Coverage Matchup: James Bradberry
| DeAndre Hopkins vs. Shadow Coverage | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Games | Rec | Yards | TDs | PPG |
| All Other Opponents | 27 | 7.4 | 96.3 | 0.4 | 16 |
| Vs. Shadow Coverage | 19 | 6.5 | 73.8 | 0.6 | 14.1 |
| vs. James Bradberry | 1 | 5 | 41 | 0 | 6.6 |
The Shadow Coverage Report – Week 13
December 5, 2020 | Fantasy Football Strategy | 2 Commentsby: Bobby LaMarco
Team: Atlanta Falcons
Opponent: New Orleans Saints
WR1: Julio Jones
Shadow Coverage Matchup: Marshon Lattimore
| Julio Jones vs. Shadow Coverage | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Games | Rec | Yards | TDs | PPG |
| All Other Opponents | 22 | 7.2 | 109.5 | 0.5 | 17.6 |
| Vs. Shadow Coverage | 16 | 6 | 81.3 | 0.4 | 13.4 |
| vs. Marshon Lattimore | 1 | 3 | 79 | 0 | 9.4 |
Historical Production vs. Shadow Coverage
Ok, let’s try this again! After Lattimore missed week 11 and Julio left early we still don’t have much to go on when these two play each other. Back in 2018 the Saints used Marshon Lattimore on Calvin Ridley and tried to double Julio with Eli Apple as the primary CB. Let’s just say that didn’t go well as Julio went for 11-147. In 2019 the Saints wised up and used Lattimore on Julio; however, Lattimore left the game early due to injury and only played half the snaps. Still Julio only finished with a modest 3-79 all of which came after Lattimore left the game. Later in the year Julio missed the second game vs. the Saints so you see we truly don’t know how this matchup will pan out.
Week 13 Recommendation – WR3/Flex
With Julio dealing with another injury in 2020 it is hard to trust him as his usual #1 self in week 13. The good news for Julio is Lattimore has only shadowed Mike Evans in 2020 and with his counterpart Janoris Jenkins out the Falcons should be able to move the football more this week. Most fantasy teams won’t have the depth to fade Julio and with his career 13.4 PPG vs. shadow coverage, Julio should do enough to get the job done in season long leagues
DFS Recommendation – Price FD $8,000 / DK $6,600
Julio is priced as a top 8 option on FD making him a full fade at that price. On DraftKings you are able to get him at a reduced cost at roughly top 16 value, but even at that price playing on a bum wheel it might make him tough to trust. Players I would pivot to include Allen Robinson vs. DET and Adam Thielen vs JAX.
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The Shadow Coverage Report – Week 12
November 28, 2020 | 2020 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Strategy |by: Bobby LaMarco
| Shadow Coverage Tracker | |
|---|---|
| WR Finish | Total |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 8 |
| 3 | 8 |
| 4+ | 25 |
| Grand Total | 56 |
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: New England
WR1: DeAndre Hopkins
WR2: Christian Kirk
Shadow Coverage Matchup: Stephon Gilmore
J.C. Jackson
| DeAndre Hopkins vs. Shadow Coverage | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Games | Rec | Yards | TDs | PPG |
| All Other Opponents | 27 | 7.4 | 96.3 | 0.4 | 16 |
| Vs. Shadow Coverage | 17 | 6.5 | 76.2 | 0.6 | 14.4 |
| vs. Stephon Gilmore | 3 | 6.7 | 72.7 | 0 | 10.6 |
Historical Production vs. Shadow Coverage
According to PFF this season DeAndre Hopkins has yet to face any shadow coverage in 2020. This comes after back to back seasons where he saw shadow coverage in 50% of his games. This “softer” cornerback schedule has led to a solid season so far in 2020 as Hopkins is the WR7 in PPG. Overall, throughout his career Hopkins has been solid vs. shadow coverage as his 14.4 PPG is still borderline WR1 numbers.
As for Christian Kirk he has never seen shadow coverage in his career, but that doesn’t stop the Patriots from using shadow coverage on multiple players. In weeks 9 and 11 of 2020 the Patriots used multiple CBs to shadow the opposing teams WRs and in 2019 used Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson in similar roles down the stretch.
Week 12 Recommendation DeAndre Hopkins – WR3/Flex
Christian Kirk – SIT
Hopkins’ 10.6 vs. Stephon Gilmore doesn’t make him a sit, but tempering expectations on the road vs. the Patriots isn’t a bad idea. Hopkins has yet to score a TD or top 80 yards receiving in any of the games vs. Gilmore since he joined the Patriots back in 2017. These numbers leave Hopkins as solid WR2/flex in week 12.
As for Christian Kirk J.C. Jackson has been playing at a very high level slowing down a white-hot Will Fuller (6-80) while leading the NFL in interceptions so far in 2020. This season the Patriots have yet to allow a team to have multiple WRs hit double digit fantasy points in .5 PPR at home in 2020.
DFS Recommendation – DeAndre Hopkins Price FD $8,500 / DK $8,100
Christian Kirk Price FD $6,100 / DK $5,800
Hopkins vs. Gilmore doesn’t equal DFS success as his 10 PPG will not justify his cost on both sites. At this price point you can pay up for Tyreek Hill in a game which should be a shootout in TB. As for Christian Kirk his price point on both sites is between WR 24-30, and with not a lot of WR success overall when the Patriots play at home its best to pivot. Players I would use over Kirk include DeVante Parker vs. NYJ and Curtis Samuel vs. MIN.
Please, blog, may I have some more? The Shadow Coverage Report – Week 10
November 14, 2020 | 2020 Fantasy Football | 2 Commentsby: Bobby LaMarco
Team: Washington Football Team
Opponent: Detroit Lions
WR1: Terry McLaurin
Shadow Coverage Matchup: Desmond Trufant
| Terry McLaurin vs. Shadow Coverage | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Games | Rec | Yards | TDs | PPG |
| All Other Opponents | 15 | 4.9 | 72.7 | 0.5 | 12.5 |
| Vs. Shadow Coverage | 7 | 5 | 74.3 | 0.4 | 12.5 |
Historical Production vs. Shadow Coverage
So far in 2020 Terry McLaurin has gotten it done vs. Shadow coverage finishing as a WR1 in 2/3 contests. However, in week 2 vs. Arizona it wasn’t until the Washington Football Team was down 3 scores late when McLaurin to finally got his production. Last week vs. James Bradberry McLaurin’s final line looks strong with 7-115-1, but his 68-yard TD came from the slot on a play where 3 Giants defenders missed a tackle. Now making plays isn’t a bad thing and there is 4 quarters in football no matter what so production is production.
Week 9 Recommendation – WR3/Flex
It took almost all season, but the Lions finally have a CB they can use as a shadow corner. Offseason acquisition Desmond Trufant is finally healthy and was tasked to shadow Adam Thielen holding him to 2-38 on 5 targets. The Lions were one of the top teams in using shadow coverage the prior two seasons, so we should expect this trend to continue. McLaurin has been great all year, but I don’t expect the Lions offense to put up points in bunches which means McLaurin might not have the best game flow to dominate this week.
DFS Recommendation – Price FanDuel (FD) $7,000 / Draft Kings (DK) $6,800
On FD McLaurin is priced as a top 15 option and with both offenses not expected to light it up this week I would look elsewhere. Players on FD I would pivot to include Robert Woods vs. SEA and Allen Robinson vs. MIN. On DK McLaurin is getting the love he deserves being priced as a top 10 option. However, this week player should pivot away as both Robert Woods and Allen Robinson should have better matchups.
Team: New York Giants
Please, blog, may I have some more? The Shadow Coverage Report – Week 9
November 7, 2020 | 2020 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Strategy | 1 Commentby: Bobby LaMarco
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: Houston Texans
WR1: D.J. Chark
Shadow Coverage Matchup: Bradley Roby
|
D.J. Chark vs. Shadow Coverage |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Opponent |
Games |
Rec |
Yards |
TDs |
PPG |
|
All Other Opponents |
18 |
4.9 |
66.8 |
0.6 |
12.8 |
|
Vs. Shadow Coverage |
3 |
3.7 |
32.3 |
0.0 |
5.1 |
|
Vs. Houston Texans |
3 |
4.7 |
34.3 |
0.3 |
7.8 |
Historical Production vs. Shadow Coverage
It has been a tough go of it for D.J. Chark when he has faced shadow coverage in his young career only averaging 5.1 PPG. This includes a matchup earlier this season vs. Bradley Roby where he only secured 3 receptions for 16 yards. This production came on a day when Gardner Minshew threw for 301 yards and 2 scores. Dating back to last season Chark has yet to get over 50 yards or score in a game when he faces shadow coverage.
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