Welcome to Going Deep! This weekly article will make use of charting data, advanced metrics, and other RotoViz tools — specifically the newly released 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.
Please note that we only touch upon players with 6.0 or more PPG in this article.
For this Week’s Part 2, we’re going to try something new. For each matchup, I’ll be pasting in a graphic that summarizes much of the basic information that I look through during the beginning phases of my research into each matchup. This will allow me to focus less on just regurgitating rankings, points allowed, etc., and use the text portion of the article to highlight the most interesting or notable findings for each matchup. As a bonus, this might allow me to publish more matchups earlier in the week and might save readers some time, be it from reading less text or saving the step of sourcing pieces of information not noted in the article from the RotoViz tools. (I was planning on letting the graphics do most of the storytelling but ended up being more verbose than expected.)
Matchups
Jaguars at Steelers
Once again, the Matchup Rater loves Christian Kirk, who draws what might be the highest rating we’ve seen all season. Kirk and Calvin Ridley will both see coverage from Levi Wallace who is allowing a massive 15.1 points per game (PPG) on direct targets.
Kirk runs 83% of passing plays from the slot which contributes to his lofty rating as the Steelers are allowing the highest overall PPG to the slot out of all teams in the league. In contrast, Ridley lines up out wide on 60% of plays — an alignment the Steelers have rarely allowed to prosper.
Given how favorable the Steelers have been for opposing WRs, Jamal Agnew could be an intriguing DFS option or fill-in for teams in major need of WR help. If Zay Jones manages to play, he’s a viable flex candidate.
Before looking at Evan Engram’s specific alignment tendencies, this would look like a really difficult matchup for him. That said, Engram lines up as a traditional TE on just 21% of plays which will allow him to benefit from many of the supportive points for Kirk as Engram also frequents the slot.
Jacksonville’s struggles covering players lined up out wide contribute to the high ratings for the Steelers WRs. George Pickens occupies this alignment on 75% of plays and can look forward to playing opposite Montaric Brown and Darious Williams, who are allowing a combined 20.0 PPG on direct targets.
Diontae Johnson can also expect a decent amount of coverage from the duo. Johnson spends 60% of plays lined up on the right side of the field. As Jacksonville is allowing significantly more points to players lined up on the right, Johnson is able to rate similarly to Pickens despite playing in the slot on a higher percentage of plays.
Look for the Steelers WRs to have a solid outing. The same can’t be said for Pat Freiermuth, who operates from a traditional TE alignment on 69% of plays. The Jaguars have been much stingier against this alignment than the slot or out wide.
