Wide Receivers With the Best and Worst Cornerback Matchups in Week 7

Exploiting key matchups is one of the best ways to give your fantasy team an edge over your opponent. Poor cornerback play should be exploited whenever possible, as even subpar receivers can produce in positive situations while elite receivers can hand in career games.

These mismatches can be found in every game on every team if you dig deep enough. Here’s a look at the wide receivers with the best and worst matchups in Week 7.

Matchups to Target

Los Angeles Rams receivers vs. the Atlanta Falcons secondary

It has not been pretty for Jared Goff and the Rams' offense. Behind a busted offensive line, Goff is averaging 0.05 Passing Net Expected Points (NEP) per drop back, which ranks 21st among quarterbacks with at least 100 drop backs. This has tanked their downfield passing game, as Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods have been fighting for scraps while Cooper Kupp has dominated short targets in the slot.

This will change in Week 7, as the Falcons' defensive line ranks dead-last in adjusted sack rate on Football Outsiders. They also rank 31st in Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play and could be without their top cornerback, Desmond Trufant, who missed Week 6 with a toe injury. Goff should have all day to throw to his open receivers streaking down the field, meaning Cooks and Woods are due for a massive bounce back.

Michael Gallup vs. Rasul Douglas

With Amari Cooper highly questionable after leaving Week 6 with a quad injury, Michael Gallup would take command of the Dallas Cowboys' receiver corp. He's averaging nearly 97 yards per game in his four games with Cooper this season, so his absence would funnel targets to Gallup.

He'll be up against Rasul Douglas, who just allowed a previously lifeless Stefon Diggs to have a monster game. The Philadelphia Eagles rank sixth in Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP per play, so if Ezekiel Elliott gets shut down on the ground, Dallas will be airing it out often. Lock Gallup in regardless of Cooper's status.

T.Y. Hilton vs. Johnathan Joseph

In 14 regular season games against the Houston Texans, T.Y. Hilton has 76 catches for 1,445 yards and nine scores. Even with Jacoby Brissett throwing him passes in 2017, Hilton managed to post 175 yards and two touchdowns against Houston in Week 9. T.Y. will be fully rested coming off a bye, so his quad injury should be well behind him. The 36-year-old Johnathan Joseph hasn't been able to keep up with Hilton even when his legs were younger. Don't expect him to be able to now trying to return from a hamstring injury.

D.J. Chark vs. Torry McTyer

The Cincinnati Bengals rank 27th in Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play and will be down their top corners in Dre Kirkpatrick and William Jackson III. You should be starting any Jacksonville Jaguars passing game weapon, but D.J. Chark should be a top priority. Chark ranks third among receivers in Reception NEP per target while Dede Westbrook ranks fifth-to-last.

To compensate for their missing pieces, the Bengals will be starting Torry McTyer and Tony McRae on the outside with B.W. Webb in the slot. No matter where Chark decides to line up, he is an obvious mismatch against this unit.

Matchups to Avoid

Julio Jones vs. Jalen Ramsey

The Rams have not been the best against opposing receivers, but they also haven't had Jalen Ramsey on their team. The two-time Pro Bowler should bring an instant boost to the squad, and he'll likely be tested right away. Expect the Rams to ask Ramsey to stick to Julio Jones all day in man coverage, as it might be difficult for him to learn LA's new zone schemes on the fly in time for Sunday. We haven't seen much from Ramsey lately due to his back issues, but if he's cleared to play, Julio might be in for a tough time.

Allen Robinson vs. Marshon Lattimore

Marshon Lattimore has been matched up with Amari Cooper, Mike Evans, and D.J. Chark over the last three weeks. None have topped 50 receiving yards or scored in those contests. It seems as though the New Orleans Saints have figured out their scheme, and Lattimore is playing like he did in his Pro Bowl rookie season.

Allen Robinson is next in Lattimore's crosshairs. Robinson has been steady on the year, recording at least six catches and 60 yards in four of five games. He found the end zone twice in Week 5 with Chase Daniel under center, but Mitchell Trubisky should be back this week. It's hard to determine which passer would be better for Robinson, but this is a matchup we should be fading anyway.

Robby Anderson vs. Stephon Gilmore

Stephon Gilmore makes his weekly appearance here, this time matched up with Robby Anderson. Anderson exploded with Sam Darnold back, dropping 125 yards and a score on Chidobe Awuzie as the New York Jets upset the Cowboys. While that is promising for the future, the New England Patriots are allowing -0.25 Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play on the season.

A big part of that is their defensive front, as they rank second in adjusted sack rate on Football Outsiders. This should give Darnold minimal time to find his deep receivers, meaning Anderson could be held to under 30 yards like he was in both matchups with the Pats last season.