Welcome to Going Deep! This weekly article will make use of charting data, advanced metrics, and other RotoViz tools — specifically the Passing Game Matchup Rater — to help readers better understand the challenges facing wide receivers and tight ends in the coming week. As my process makes heavy use of the Matchup Rater, I’d highly recommend that you set aside half an hour to watch the tutorial/walkthrough and take a spin through the tool. (Note that for 2024, the “Target Explorer” tab has been removed from the tool.)

For Part 1, I have included the matchup graphics and some high-level notes. In part 2, we’ll take a deeper dive.

The graphics included this week largely utilize data from Week 9 to Week 18 of 2023

Week 2 Notes

• The Giants were far from stellar in Week 1, but Wan’Dale Robinson managed 11.8 PPR. He draws the most favorable matchup of the week against divisional foe Washington.
  • Darius Slayton also matches up well with the Commanders.
• Chris Godwin and Mike Evans will look to remain hot against a Detroit defense that has done little to slow down WRs in recent games.
• Amon-Ra St. Brown will try to rebound in this contest. He matches up well against Tampa Bay, producing a matchup rating of 66, which is the 11th highest of WRs.
• Drake London and Kyle Pitts could show off the potential they hope the Falcons’ passing attack possesses against the Eagles.
  • Philadelphia was one of the most favorable matchups for WRs last season, and given Pitts’ alignment tendencies, he is expected to have better results than the tight ends Philadelphia has faced in recent weeks.
• If Tee Higgins misses Week 2, Andrei Iosivas will be a popular flex candidate. Unfortunately, he doesn’t match up well against Kansas City, drawing one of the week’s lowest matchup ratings.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba disappointed managers in Week 1 and is in line for another challenging performance as he doesn’t match up well with the Patriots.
  • The rest of Seattle’s receivers also match up poorly with New England.
• The Cowboys’ stout defense will test the Saints’ passing attack. Both Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed score in the low 40s against Dallas.

Matchup Graphics