The WR/CB matchup chart is one of the most popular fantasy football tools we have here at PFF. It’s an invaluable tool that allows you to see matchups at a more granular level. In the past, we’ve only offered this tool for the NFL, but that all changes today. Introducing the brand new AAF WR/CB matchup chart.
If you’re new to this chart, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, the chart displays primary coverage and not all coverage. We are not suggesting Receiver X will be covered by Corner Y all game. Receivers move around the formation and the percentage of routes they run from each spot is displayed on the chart. The only exception here is if we expect shadow coverage. In that case, the receiver’s name would appear in ALL CAPS. But no AAF teams used shadow coverage in Week 1, so we do not expect any shadows in Week 2.
The most important column is the matchup advantage column in the middle. The higher the number, the better. Green is good. Red is bad. This column takes a few things into account, but the major piece of data here is PFF grades. We also show targets per route (T/R), fantasy points per route (F/R), catch rate (C%), and yards per route run/covered (YPRR/YPRC).
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Upgrades
It’s tough to draw too many conclusions at this point in the AAF, since we’re dealing with an extremely small sample size. But the good news is that most of these players aren’t complete unknowns. We’ve charted most of them at the college level and some of them at the NFL level. Some of those former NFL players stand out on this chart with Charles Johnson, Quinton Patton, Jalin Marshall, and Rashad Ross all showing favorable matchups. Fleet receivers Dontrez Ford and Brian Brown also get plus matchups against an Atlanta defense that graded out as the league’s worst in coverage last week.
Downgrades
Again, we shouldn’t get carried away here, but there are some recognizable names in the AAF secondary. Orlando graded out as the top team in coverage last week. The Apollos feature former NFL corner Keith Reaser, who could put a slight damper on Mekale McKay’s productivity in Week 2. Likewise, the Arizona trio of Robert Nelson, Dexter McDougle, and Sterling Moore all spent time in the NFL. The Hotshots secondary has a sizeable advantage over the Memphis receivers.