RosterWatch Week 1 Matchup Tool Now Available

alex bylineWelcome back.

This is a proprietary weekly tool provided by RosterWatch for our PRO community.

It is designed to be a decision-making tool for gauging the defensive opponents your fantasy players face. If you are new to this, our time-tested and most popular flagship in-season tool, the instructions for use couldn’t be simpler, and can be found below.

RW PRO users can download the matchup tool (or access the online tool for use) in the downloads section of their profile by clicking HERE.

DO NOT RELY ON “FANTASY POINTS AGAINST” as your primary indicator for player matchups ever again. It is a flawed metric, as you’ll see, which will cause you heartache and struggle.

The rankings represented here are derived via a proprietary algorithm which takes into account not only standard “fantasy points against” metrics, but also (and most importantly) weighted averages and medians of separate individual player and defensive-unit scouting grades for members of the 2019 unit that will be run-stopping, pass-rushing, or covering against the position in question, along with other analytic trends including projected game-script, game-flow, Vegas indicators, volume of total snaps and much, much, more.

rosterwatch-pro-testimonials

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INSTRUCTIONS:

To use the tool, think about your fantasy player.

Let’s say you own 49ers TE George Kittle, and would like to see how he matches up against the defense he faces this week.

First, look down the list and find the 49ers (Kittle’s team). You will see that the 49ers’ opponent (OPP) is the Cardinals in Week 1, and there are four color-coded cells in the horizontal columns marked “OPP vs. QBs,” “OPP vs. RBs,” “OPP vs. WRs” and “OPP vs. TEs.”

These are the OPPONENT’S (in this case the Cardinals’) OFFICIAL ROSTERWATCH MATCHUP RANKINGS AGAINST THESE GIVEN POSITIONS.

They are not the rankings for the 49ERS, but rather, for the OPPONENT THEY FACE IN THIS GIVEN WEEK (the CARDINALS). In the “OPP vs. TE” cell for the 49ers, you’ll notice a big, blue ‘No. 1’. This means Kittle faces our best possible matchup for opposing TEs in Week 1 (the Cardinals). This is a great indicator for owners of Kittle, and is a positive one for those thinking of rostering him in DFS contests.

Repeat the same process for other players on your roster as you are trying to decide which players to start and which to sit in season-long leagues. Also use it to identify which upside-plays to roster in DFS contests based on matchup.

With the launch of the online tool, you can now sort by any column: vegas line, over/under, and matchup ranks vs. each position for easy reference. The Vegas lines are updated hourly for your reference and research.

“1″ is the best (easiest) matchup, “32″ is the worst (toughest).

COLOR-CODES
(you like blue matchups best)

BLUE: Best Matchups
LIGHT BLUE: Borderline Top Matchups
WHITE: Neutral Matchups
LIGHT RED: Borderline Bottom Matchups
RED: Worst Matchups

++RW Proprietary Algorithm

71 Comments

  1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

    Holy batshit it’s on now!
    Let’s get these championships again this year!

    1. ↓ Post By Alex Dunlap

      been a long time coming this year but it feels awesome to be back.

      1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

        You guys fucking rock. Tell Byron when he comes out to Santa Clara training camp next year steak and scotch on me.

        1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

          I will certainly remember that Frank Grime! Gorgeous out there!

  2. ↓ Post By MikeVegas

    Good Morning Alex!

    I don’t know if you have the energy for this rabbit hole.

    I had the 2nd pick in a superflex and went with Ezekiel Elliott instead of Lamar Jackson.

    mine:
    RB’s: Ezekiel Elliott and Joe Mixon.
    QB’s: Cam Newton and Joe Burrow.

    instead of:
    RB’s: Joe Mixon and Todd Gurley.
    QB’s: Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton.

    Buyers remorse…

    Thanks!!

    Mike

    1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      The Lamborghini woulda been fine but no remorse needed friend.
      But with pick 2 you took Zeke over the big 2 RBs that’s your mistake haha.

    2. ↓ Post By Alex Dunlap

      I think you’re in a fine spot Mike. I would have likely not skipped over Lamar, but you ended up fine.

      1. ↓ Post By MikeVegas

        Thanks Alex! Every year I learn a little more for the next year.

        Frank, CMC went first and I went 2nd–Zeke Elliott. My 2nd pick was Joe Mixon and my 3rd Devante Adams.
        I followed the 2 qb sheet except for my first pick (Zeke instead of Lamar). Good luck with Ruggs!

  3. ↓ Post By Ron

    I am in a 1qb ppr league and somehow they viewed qbs highly this year. I ended up getting baker Mayfield in the 12th. I think I’m probably better streaming a qb this week. Derek Carr or tyrod Taylor or should I stick with baker?

    1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      That’s what the matchup tool is for green pea.

      1. ↓ Post By Ron

        I see the matchup tool however and it would say to play Derek Carr however the rankings say to play teddy Bridgewater. Also I have devante Parker or ruggs as a flex. Matchup tool suggests that I play ruggs but rankings say I should play Parker.

  4. ↓ Post By chelomendez99@gmail.com

    Matchups not looking great this week. Who would you guys start at RB2 and Flex out these guys?

    Gibson, Fournette, RoJo, Dobbins, Ruggs, E. Sanders.

    1. ↓ Post By Alex Dunlap

      I’m only now importing data into our internal rankings sheet and giving it a first look. You will always get better answers once we have some time to digest the slate. I can tell you right off that I’ve been excited to play Ruggs in Week 1 for about 2 months. 😉

      1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

        Me too. Saved me last dollars in slow auction to swoop him for the flex

      2. ↓ Post By chelomendez99@gmail.com

        I was 100% sure you would say Ruggs lol, that matchup is looking tasty.

        I think I’m trending towards Dobbins for my RB2 spot.

  5. ↓ Post By xrodrigu

    Need Trade advice
    STD Non-PPR League
    I don’t like having Amari and Zekke in my starting lineup looking to trade
    Amari, Elliott, and Jonnu Smith for Michael Thomas, Chris Goodwin, and Jared Cook.
    My Other Backs are A Jones L Bell, L Fournette, and M Mack.
    Should I wait and see if I can get more value out of Cooper after a couple of weeks or just unload him and Zeke now together?

    Thank you!

    1. ↓ Post By Alex Dunlap

      don’t make that trade just yet, it’s too much to lose Zeke. See if you can find another trade partner because it’s probably a good idea to move Amari at some point.

    2. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      No!

  6. ↓ Post By xrodrigu

    Thanks, Alex. I’ll hold off. Best of luck week 1!

  7. ↓ Post By Kevin

    Thank you Cheat sheet! finished another draft. Pro Membership is the best money spent! 12 team standard. Let me know how I did:

    QB-Josh allen
    WR1-Michael Thomas
    WR2-Golladay
    RB1-Jacobs
    RB2-Gurley
    TE-Engram
    Flex- Akers
    Bench- DJ Moore, Jordan Howard, Brandin Cooks, Slayton, Thompson

    1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      Feels like I should like this team but I don’t.

    2. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      Amazing draft dude!!!

  8. ↓ Post By Cancop1

    Roster 2 QBs ( Brees, Josh Allen) or drop one for a handcuff type RB like Benny Snell or Malcom Brown, or even Sony Michel

    QB Brees / Allen
    RB Drake, Gurley, Akers, Gibson, Coleman, Edmonds
    WR Godwin, Lockett, OBJ, Ke Allen, AJGreen, Ruggs

    We start 3wr 2 RB 2 Flex

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      I’d keep those two QBs. You could trade one QB + a skill player for a single better player- and open a roster spot in the process….

      1. ↓ Post By Cancop1

        I’ll try. We are only 10 teams so everyone has a pretty solid Starter

  9. ↓ Post By AbnerLofton

    Did my last draft last night, 12 team .5 ppr

    Had a couple picks stolen from me, how does it looks? Miles sanders keeper in 6th

    QB: Mahomes
    RB:Drake
    RB:Sanders
    WR: kupp
    WR: Sutton
    TE: Hooper
    Flex: marlon Mack

    Bench: fournette, Edmonds, Boston scott, Deebo, CeeDee Lamb, Laviska Shenault , Jonnu Smith

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Abner:
      Snipes are going to happen. But by the look of your team, you did some snipping yourself. Drake has been a RosterWatch favorite all summer long. B/C he was in a walking boot about 2 weeks ago his ADP got pushed down. The Cardinals only kept 3 RBs, it bodes well for Drakes outlook. Your team should crush if you get the injury luck we all pray for!

  10. ↓ Post By vdubnhead

    First ever auction draft last night…how did I do?
    10-team / 16-Rnd / (4)-IDP / (1)-QB/RB/WR/TE/K + (2)-FLX / (5)-bench
    QB: M.Ryan / R.Tannehill [$2 keeper from 2019]
    RB: N.Chubb / K.Hunt / D.Swift / A.Gibson
    WR: A.Robinson / C.Kupp / OBJ / C.Ridley
    TE: M.Andrews
    K: M.Prater
    DL: Aaron Donald
    LB: Zach Cunningham
    DB: Tracy Walker
    DP: Jordan Poyer

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      VDub:

      Auctions are a funny animal when you start doing them right? fun but nerve racking. That said, you did it right. Filled those key positions and have a nice peppering of upside/studs. I like this team a lot.

  11. ↓ Post By DanMach

    12 Team PPR by round drafting out of the 12 spot. I also don’t like having a RB and QB from the same team. Not sure I like my QBs as both have week 9 byes. Daniel Jones is available
    Rd 1 Joe Mixon
    Rd 2 M. Sanders
    Rd 3 D.J. Moore
    Rd 4 M. Evans
    Rd 5 J. Taylor
    Rd 6 Marquies Brown
    Rd 7 D. Parker
    Rd 8 Z. Moss
    Rd 9 M. Mach
    Rd 10 Jonnu Smith
    Rd 11 B. Mayfield
    Rd 12 J. Burrow
    R 13 Deshaun Jackson
    R 14 B. Love
    R 15 Washington Football Team D
    R 16 R Succo

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      hi Dan:

      I like how you built this team. I wouldn’t worry too much about QB/RB combo in this particular case. Burrow made CEH the best pass catching RB in the nation this past year at LSU. Could be that he is “Philip Rivers-esqe” with his willingness to dump off.

      I love Dan Jones, but his early season schedule is not as appealing as JB. Stick it out and be ready to pounce if circumstances change!

      Good lcuk

  12. ↓ Post By adamscottepstein@gmail.com

    I used the draft tool last night for about 85% of the draft – Think it went pretty well.
    Keepers were M Thomas in the 2nd round and DK Metcalf in the 14th. 10 Team PPR Had the 7th pick.

    QB Watson
    RB Mixon
    RB Conner
    WR Thomas
    WR AJ Brown
    Flex Gurley
    TE Ertz
    K Tucker
    Bench – D,K Brieda, Moss, Ruggs, AJ Dillon

    1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      Nice squad Jedi.
      The Lamborghini may have some left in the tank for you.

    2. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Adam:

      Strong Top to bottom, just the way the UDCS was designed to be executed. You did a great job adjusting to your draft room.

  13. ↓ Post By AbnerLofton

    .5 PPR 12 team

    Was just offered Clyde for Michael Thomas

    What do you think?

    My team

    Stafford/Cam
    Thomas/Golladay/Moore/ Marquise Brown/ Kirk
    Carson/ Melvin Gordon/ Hunt/ Ronald Jones/ Antonio Gibson
    Higbee/Jonnu

    1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      Leaning CEH side… tough to give up MT but you’re WRs>RBs.
      Id prolly hold and see what happens when these fools actually start to play.

    2. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      I’d hold MT. I know CEH is a hot commodity. But even in half PPR MT is a bankable asset. The upside is there with CEH, but what happens if he misses a pass block assignment and Mahomes gets lit up. Will they stay with CEH on a full time basis? Darrell Williams but beat writer accounts is a nice pass blocker.

      I wont be surprised if CEH is the RB1 overall or winds up an inconsistent week to week RB2. Hold MT

  14. ↓ Post By Brian

    I know kickers are lame, are you guys going to have kickers in your rankings this year?

    1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      Steam kickers green pea.
      Liking Myers or Carlson this week if Koo is taken.

    2. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Brian:

      Alex/Byron/Trash usually advocates waiting on K/DST in last couple of rounds. An alternate strategy is to reach up a round or so to get an elite kicker, with a proven track record of 3+ years. Last key to reaching up is making sure that kicker has a late bye. This year, KC kicker Butker is that guy…week 10 bye.

      The advantage of the late bye is you don’t have to play the weekly add/drop hustle game and can focus on other positions. But if you miss out on Butker, def wait until the end.

      Tampa is projected to score a good amount of points..I don’t mind Succop

  15. ↓ Post By csb01

    Standard league, need 1 for my flex spot. AJ Green, Sony Michele, Jarvis Landry, or Sammy Watkins. Thanks

    1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      Bruh next year use the RosterWatch Ultimate Draft Cheat Sheet to draft your squad lmao

    2. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      csb:

      Might as well use AJ Green while he is healthy. Decent floor with really good ceiling

  16. ↓ Post By Undertakers

    Hey guys with Evans possible not playing or at 100% Sunday, should I start Fuller, Crowder, or Jones Jr instead full point ppr. Thanks for a great cheat sheet again this year.

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Hi Undertakers,:

      Wow nice options. The stock answer would be wait and see, but you need to make the call on Fuller tonight. This does seem to be a nice spot for fuller. It would take balls, but I wouldn’t hate it if you put Fuller in there tonight. But, a more sound approach is to wait and see, knowing you have Crowder to fill in. Crowder is going to get peppered with targets.

  17. ↓ Post By jrcs851315

    Do you like the chargers DST over Colts for week 1?

    1. ↓ Post By FrankGrimes

      Close call. I see rookie jitters and burrow eats shit this week but still I’d lean Indy.

    2. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      I’m with Frank, Indy has a nice DST, and Jax is projected to be one of the lowest win total teams to start the season. Minshew was gunslinger-ish last year; that could lead to some INTs, and if your lucky pick6s

  18. ↓ Post By Rusty

    0.5 ppr league

    Start Courtland Sutton vs. TEN or TY Hilton @ Jax?

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Rusty, tough call great options. I would lean to the younger Sutton. Likely a tougher matchup on paper, but I need to see Rivers deliver the deep ball to TY Hilton before I can play him with confidence. If TYH goes off and its on your bench, so be it, at least we will know Rivers favors him.

  19. ↓ Post By Bigmanmike

    What do you think of my 3 teams. All are 10 team PPR
    1. Mahomes, Mixon, Carson, Golladay, Sutton, Jared Cook, Melvin Gordon.. Bench
    Akers, Fuller, Dionte Johnson, John Brown, Slayton, Chris Thompson, Chargers, Fairbain. Would you start any of my bench players instead of Gordon?
    2. Deshaun Watson, Dalvin Cook, A Jones, C Godwin, Allen Robinson, Ertz, D Parker, Chargers, Fairbainz Bench Jonathan Taylor, Kerryon Johnson, Brandon Cooks, Chris Thompson, Emmanuel Sanders, DeSean Jackson, John Brown.
    3. K Murray, Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones, Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson, Higbee, Conner, Bills, Koo, Bench Sutton, Landry, Breida, John Brown, Ceedee Lamb, DeSean Jackson Ozigbo.. I went nuts with the WR’s in this draft …
    Thanks RW… Let’s make the magic happen.

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      BigManMike:

      All well constructed and balanced teams. Its hard to chose but team one is my fav. I irrationally love Mixon as a top 4 overall player this season.

      1. ↓ Post By Bigmanmike

        Thanks to RW..

  20. ↓ Post By christopherdavidhui@gmail.com

    I’m having a wide receiver conundrum already. I have DeAndre Hopkins, who’s obviously a must start, and then I have to pick two of these in a full ppr:

    Poopoo Beckham
    Sutton
    Will Fuller
    CeeDee Lamb
    Jamison Crowder

    Thanks for the input!

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Chris:

      The Two stick out to me are

      Odell
      and Fuller for the great matchup. Use him while he is healthy. We know Fuller is boo or busty, so if it goes poorly, I would not be shocked. But Fuller can tilt the table in your favor. Sutton projects safer. Good luck.

      Stop “Crapping” on Odell!

  21. ↓ Post By R A

    I have an offer on the table. I give Akers and get Sutton. 12 team, full PPR. However, RBs are bigger point getters (WRs get 1 point for every 20 yards). Start 1 WR, 1 RB, 3 flex.

    Current RBs: Mixon, Chubb, Montgomery, Akers, Kelley, Harris (IR)

    Current WRs: Evans, Allen, Chark, AJB, Slayton, Pittman

    Also, I still need to add a kicker. Who is the most expendable in this group? I’ll see if I can swing a 1 for 2 or 2 for 3 player deal with the Sutton owner since he proposed the deal, but it may not be possible.

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      RA: I think that is a very fair offer. Sutton is more bankable, but if you drafted Akers and then he goes off on someone else’s team will you be able to live with it?

      I think you can release Pittman for a Kicker,

  22. ↓ Post By John Hunsberger

    Thoughts on JT now after the news for being a spell back for Mack (I think it’s ridiculous since they moved up in the 2nd to get him)

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      Hi john:

      all great points. I am guessing but coaches like vets many times bc of their knowledge and familiarity with pass blocking. Taylor should get his chances. Byron/Alex/Trash have talked about when Taylor gets his chances that it maybe so obvious that he belongs as the starter. Even if you drafted Taylor high, you have to expect a slower ramp up. Same with all the rookies. Even CEH has risk of a 50/50 split tonight.

  23. ↓ Post By rw-qiGJ9ot1q

    So thanks to the sheet and all it’s glory I have Mack and Taylor. So who gets the start? Thanks

    1. ↓ Post By Alan Seslowsky

      rw-qig

      That is a very interesting question. I think logic dictates Mack, but you drafted Taylor high and the upside is tantalizing. If it was my team I’d go Mack, but if you went Taylor, I have no argument against it,

      1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

        I’d play Mack

  24. ↓ Post By woo.jonathanwoo

    What up RWN. Thanks again for all the content. I gobble up that shit.

    Drafted last night in the 9 slot. 10-Team .5 PPR. Extra bench spots:

    RB1 Mixon
    RB2 Gordon
    RB3 Fournette
    RB4 Moss
    RB5 Mack
    RB6 Ozigbo

    WR1 Adams
    WR2 DJ Moore
    WR3 ARob
    WR4 C Ridley
    WR5 D Parker
    WR6 Deebo
    WR7 E Sanders
    WR8 V Jefferson

    TE1 Jarwin

    QB1 Bridgewater (Streaming this position for now)

    QB aside, I feel pretty weak at RB. Should I?

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      Surprised QB and TE got so gobbled up in a 10 tm- good news is love Jarwin and Bridgewater as end of draft options.

      No you are great at RB! LOL! I’d consider playing Marlon Mack this week as your RB2 or RB3 🙂

  25. ↓ Post By Cancop1

    Where are we ranking Chris Thompson and James Robinson in a PPR with the recent news on Odigboe ? In the Akers and Gibson tier ?

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      Not that high—- but CT easily above James White now. Robinson probably around or after the Latavius, Pollard, Mattison, Edmonds group of handcuffs

  26. ↓ Post By Buck_Nasty

    Got froggy and went TE and QB early but i think i recovered, what do you think RWN?

    qb: Lamar Jackson
    rb: Zeke
    rb: Kareem Hunt
    wr: JuJu
    wr: Jarvis
    te: Kelce
    Flx: Crowder

    PPR Monster or no?

    1. ↓ Post By Byron Lambert

      We shall see 🙂

  27. ↓ Post By dmc710

    hello rosterwatch nation
    1 pt ppr 12 man league
    Henry, chubb, Connor, Edmonds and Moss
    Evans, A. Robinson, M. Brown, M Jones and Crowder
    should i drop anyone and pick-up Mattison ?
    Dennis

  28. ↓ Post By A.J.

    Whats up fellas,
    First off…….RW Nation Member for a few years now and Lovin It!
    2nd-How much are we leaning on the match-up tool for DFS on the First Week? Is it mostly based on last year or is it adjusted for acquisitions, new scheme/coaching staff…etc.? Obviously its a bit of an educated guess at this point and I know ya’ll put in the work.

    Cheers,
    Trying To Make That Money!

  29. ↓ Post By christopherdavidhui@gmail.com

    I’ve been back and forth with this all week, and I think I need some advice. Full point ppr, but also 0.25 points per carry.

    David Montgomery or James White?

    Thanks!

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