A brief analysis of Week 3 fantasy football WR/CB matchups. Find out which wide receivers have favorable matchups and which should be downgraded.
Week 3 gives fantasy football managers enough data to decide which wide receivers are earning consistent opportunities and which matchups could be problematic. Fantasy points per route, target share, and route participation give you the full picture once the sample grows past the season-opening noise.
Here are three WRs to target and three you should avoid.
WRs To Target in Week 3
Rashod Bateman vs. DaRon Bland
Rashod Bateman is Baltimore’s top outside passing option since Zay Flowers is battling an injury. Bateman earns a route rate of 75.3%, and he generates 0.35 fantasy points per route run. He faces DaRon Bland, who gives up 0.40 fantasy points per route run. Bland is targeted on 21.5% of routes run against him. Managers should expect more volume for Bateman, making him a solid WR3 option.
Justin Jefferson vs. Benjamin Morrison
Justin Jefferson doesn’t need much help in this matchup. He is producing 0.60 fantasy points per route. Tampa Bay’s secondary has been a soft spot all season. Jefferson runs his routes from Morrison’s side of the field roughly 50% of the time. Morrison has already given up 0.36 fantasy points per route while being targeted on 21.2% of routes against him. A big week is expected.
Tee Higgins vs. Asante Samuel
Tee Higgins is on a favorable cornerback matchup. He is averaging 0.45 fantasy points per route run and has a 21.5% target share when running routes. He draws a matchup against Asante Samuel, who is on the same perimeter alignment. Higgins excels against man coverage, making 1.55 fantasy points per route run. Samuel continues to be the vulnerable link in Pittsburgh. Higgins has a high floor and strong touchdown upside.
WRs To Avoid/Downgrade in Week 3
Rome Odunze vs. Riq Woolen
Odunze struggles with a mere 13% target rate and 5.5 expected fantasy points per game. He is running routes on only 75.3% of dropbacks. Rig Woolen has only conceded 0.14 fantasy points per route run. Woolen has only been targeted on 14.4% of routes against him. With Tyson Bagent or Case Keenum expected to start, Odunze carries more risk than usual.
Stefon Diggs vs. Devon Witherspoon
Stefon Diggs leans heavily on low-A DOT slot targets. He averages 0.45 fantasy points per route run. His matchup against Devon Witherspoon offers significant resistance. Witherspoon surrenders only 0.15 fantasy points per route and a 12.3% target rate. Consider benching Diggs if you have stronger alternatives.
Ja'Marr Chase vs. Jamel Dean
Ja’Marr Chase should be included in most lineups but with low expectations. Jamel Dean has given up only 0.18 fantasy points per route run and has been targeted on 13.4% of routes against him. Chase still has enough volume and talent, but this matchup could limit his ceiling.
Week 3 Fantasy Takeaway
The best fantasy football matchups come from combining opportunity with individual cornerback matchups. Bateman, Jefferson and Higgins have appealing paths to production. Odunze and Diggs present additional risk, while Chase remains a start with lowered expectations.
