In this edition, we’re diving into defensive coverage schemes and exploring how to identify hidden gem Wide Receivers. Let’s break down the matchups and opportunities that could lead us to success!
Gotta Know Where You’ve Been…
Week 13 Recap:
Let’s take a look at my plays from last week:
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- DKFP: 11.9 (1.9x)
- FDFP: 9.9 (1.3x)
JSN was involved to a degree but didn’t quite break out. He caught 4 passes for 74 yards and added a 5-yard rush, but that was the extent of his impact. Despite leading his team in production, it wasn’t enough for a monster day.
Calvin Austin
- DKFP: 10.9 (3.3x)
- FDFP: 9.9 (1.8x)
Austin’s day was more productive on the scoreboard, catching just 2 passes for 29 yards but finding the end zone. Wilson showcased his ability to get everyone involved, with 10 players catching at least one pass. Given this balanced offensive attack, the production we saw from Austin was probably the best we could have hoped for.
…To Know Where You’re Going
This week, there are a lot of great spots for high-ownership receivers, and Tight Ends (TEs) have been popping up in intriguing positions as well. I honestly can’t remember a week where I’ve had so much interest in the TE position. But there are a couple of receivers that really stand out to me this week—one I absolutely love, and another I find quite intriguing.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS)
- DK: $4,600 (Projected Ownership: 2.01%)
- FD: $5,800 (Projected Ownership: 1.78%)
MVS is my favorite low-owned receiver this week. The Giants’ defense predominantly runs Cover 3 and Cover 1, which plays right into MVS’s strengths. Over the past three weeks, MVS has ranked as the top receiver against Cover 1 and the 5th best against Cover 3 in terms of fantasy points per route run. At the same time, Derek Carr has been performing in the top 10 among QBs against these coverages, making this an optimal situation for MVS to shine.
Adam Thielen
- DK: $5,300 (Projected Ownership: 1.73%)
- FD: $5,900 (Projected Ownership: 2.62%)
Old man Thielen continues to prove his doubters wrong, and he projects well against Philly’s Cover 3 and Cover 1 looks. While this is a tough matchup for Carolina as a whole, there could be some garbage time opportunities for Thielen. In the past three weeks, Carolina has thrown more than expected, and I anticipate this trend will continue. Over that span, Bryce Young has ranked 6th against Cover 3 and 18th against Cover 1, improving on his season-long ranks of 13th and 21st. Though Thielen’s price is a bit steep, I’m not avoiding him—just not forcing him either.
In Summary
These were the matchups that stood out to me most this week. If you have any questions about the process or want to discuss other players, feel free to tag me—my username is TreyJ989 in the channels. Let’s make some bold moves and capitalize on these opportunities this week!
Stay sharp and let’s dominate Week 14!