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.)
Please note, in general, this article will only discuss players averaging 6.0 or more PPR.
This week’s matchup graphics are based on games in 2024 only.
Packers at Jaguars
The Packers’ passing attack should make easy work of a favorable Jaguars defense. The team’s WRs draw notably high matchup ratings and can stretch Jacksonville from both alignments and sides of the formation. Jayden Reed is as close to a lock of a WR2 or better that you’ll find this week and the rest of the team’s WRs are viable Flex, possibly WR3, options.
| Player | GMs | Tgt | Rec | Yards | TD | YPR | Tgt Shr | AirYards | AY/Tgt | Team % | WOPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romeo Doubs | 6 | 5.7 | 3.8 | 52 | 0.3 | 13.6 | 0.19 | 73.8 | 13 | 0.28 | 0.47 |
| Dontayvion Wicks | 7 | 5.4 | 2 | 25.9 | 0.6 | 12.9 | 0.18 | 75.4 | 13.9 | 0.29 | 0.48 |
| Jayden Reed | 7 | 5.4 | 4.1 | 64.6 | 0.4 | 15.6 | 0.18 | 41.1 | 7.6 | 0.16 | 0.39 |
| Tucker Kraft | 7 | 4.3 | 3 | 37.7 | 0.6 | 12.6 | 0.14 | 20 | 4.7 | 0.08 | 0.27 |
| Josh Jacobs | 7 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 16.7 | 0.1 | 7.3 | 0.09 | -2.3 | -0.9 | -0.01 | 0.12 |
| Christian Watson | 6 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 26.2 | 0.3 | 17.4 | 0.08 | 35.5 | 15.2 | 0.13 | 0.21 |
The Jaguars’ passing game remains frustrating for fantasy managers rostering Christian Kirk. The veteran WR has cooled off since a respectable Week 3 and Week 4 and is behind Brian Thomas Jr. and Evan Engram in the team’s pecking order. He matches up with Green Bay’s tough defense better than any of the other WRs on his team, but approximating points per game (PPG) would be a good outcome for him in this one.
Thomas Jr. is in line for a typical performance, and there’s nothing in Gabe Davis’ profile that stands out as notable against Green Bay. Engram, however, matches up very well with Green Bay and should again post a TE1 week.
