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.
Please refer to Part 1 for matchup graphics.
Chargers at Cardinals
Ladd McConkey (72) draws a notable matchup rating against Arizona. The Cardinals have been a favorable opponent for WRs running from the slot, an alignment that the rookie occupies on 80% of routes. The Cardinals have slowed down WRs lined up out wide and are allowing WRS to approximate PPG. The Cardinals have allowed an abundance of WR2 weeks across the team’s last eight games and McConkey is well positioned to add another. Quentin Johnston’s status for the game is in question and he doesn’t match up well with the Cardinals. As a result, there’s no need to hold out hope that he ends up playing in this Monday night matchup.
| Player | GMs | Tgt | Rec | Yards | TD | YPR | Tgt Shr | AirYards | AY/Tgt | Team % | WOPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladd McConkey | 5 | 6.4 | 3.8 | 43.8 | 0.4 | 11.5 | 0.26 | 60.2 | 9.4 | 0.31 | 0.61 |
| Quentin Johnston | 5 | 4.4 | 2.8 | 32.8 | 0.6 | 11.7 | 0.18 | 44.4 | 10.1 | 0.23 | 0.43 |
| Josh Palmer | 4 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 27 | 0 | 12 | 0.13 | 28.8 | 8.8 | 0.15 | 0.29 |
| Will Dissly | 5 | 3 | 2.6 | 22.2 | 0 | 8.5 | 0.12 | 4.6 | 1.5 | 0.02 | 0.2 |
| JK Dobbins | 5 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 10 | 0 | 4.2 | 0.11 | -0.4 | -0.2 | 0 | 0.16 |
| Hayden Hurst | 5 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 11.8 | 0 | 9.8 | 0.09 | 10.4 | 4.7 | 0.05 | 0.17 |
The Chargers have been stout against wide alignments and average against the slot. Michael Wilson scores a low matchup rating of 43 and Marvin Harrison Jr. a 40. Overall, the Chargers are a middle-of-the-road opponent for fantasy WRs and if it is clear that Harrison Jr. will play, he should be in lineups. In recent games, WR scoring against the Chargers has been limited, but the team hasn’t played the strongest group of players.
Trey McBride’s matchup rating of 49 isn’t too shabby considering that the average for TEs this week is 46.5. McBride will benefit from facing a defense that has allowed TEs to score 129% of PPG in recent games. He should see a nice target share and be a significant contributor to fantasy squads on Monday.
| Player | GMs | Tgt | Rec | Yards | TD | YPR | Tgt Shr | AirYards | AY/Tgt | Team % | WOPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey McBride | 5 | 7.4 | 5.6 | 54.2 | 0 | 9.7 | 0.25 | 62 | 8.4 | 0.25 | 0.55 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr | 6 | 6.2 | 2.8 | 46.5 | 0.7 | 16.4 | 0.22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.33 |
| Michael Wilson | 6 | 5 | 3.5 | 39.5 | 0.3 | 11.3 | 0.18 | 56.8 | 11.4 | 0.25 | 0.44 |
| Greg Dortch | 6 | 4.5 | 3.2 | 29 | 0 | 9.2 | 0.16 | 27.7 | 6.1 | 0.12 | 0.32 |
| James Conner | 6 | 2.5 | 2 | 14.7 | 0 | 7.3 | 0.09 | -6.5 | -2.6 | -0.03 | 0.11 |
| Emari Demercado | 6 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 10.8 | 0 | 7.2 | 0.07 | 4.7 | 2.5 | 0.02 | 0.11 |
