RosterWatch Week 8 Matchup Tool Now Available

alex bylineWelcome back.

This is a proprietary weekly tool provided by RosterWatch for our PRO community. You can download it as always, or use the new, sortable and user-friendly online version.

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 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 2017 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

INSTRUCTIONS:

To use the tool, think about your fantasy player.

Let’s say you own Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood, and would like to see how he matches up against the defense he faces this week.

First, look down the list and find the Eagles (Smallwood’s team). You will see that the Eagles opponent (OPP) is the 49ers in Week 8, 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 49ers’) OFFICIAL ROSTERWATCH MATCHUP RANKINGS AGAINST THESE GIVEN POSITIONS.

They are not the rankings for the Eagles, but rather, for the OPPONENT THEY FACE IN THIS GIVEN WEEK (the 49ers). In the “OPP vs. RBs” cell for the Eagles, you’ll notice a big, blue ‘No. 1’. This means Smallwood faces the best possible matchup for opposing RBs in Week 8 in the 49ers. This is a great indicator for owners of Smallwood or those thinking of rostering him in DFS contests. This is an example given to provide instructions on how to read the tool for those who may be new to the site.

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.

“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

147 Comments

  1. Post By Show Me Your TDs

    16 team standard record 4-3

    RB question: My current RBs are CJA, Henry, Foreman, jamaal, and Elijah McGuire

    Someone dropped Forte, would you suggest putting in a claim and drop McGuire? Or What do you think about Picking up Ekeler and dropping McGuire? I need someone to play this week besides CJA thanks guys

    1. yes, i would go for forte then ekeler

  2. After listening to the podcasts, I have created a filthy monster of a receiving Corp. However I can only start 2 plus a flex and am wondering should I consolidate? Or roll with depth?

    12 team standard

    QB: Rivers/Big Ben
    RB: Gurley, Howard, TColeman, Kamara
    Wr: Cooks, M Thomas, K Allen, D Baldwin
    TE: ASJ

    I have a couple offers in mind, what route do you guys think I should pursue?

    Rivers/Allen for Brees?
    Allen/Baldwin for a AJ Green or Mike Evans?
    Howard/Allen or Baldwin for Leveon bell?

    Not sure if I’d be overpaying in these deals or not.

    1. I also have Doctson and Ross as WRs

    2. you’d be overpaying in all of them, but if you’re trying to make your starting lineup better then you might have to. if you’re losing games, i would probably do it. i like going for bell and green in that order.

  3. I traded Jordy for Davante Adams in one of my PPR leagues. Thoughts?

    1. i don’t want anything to do with any gb wrs right now

  4. Need 2 PPR. Sanu, Funchess, D Jax or Fuller

  5. Post By hjhieme@gmail.com

    Zay Jones’s target numbers continue to rise (2, 5, 6, and 9 from weeks 3 to 7). When do you guys think the production will follow? He has the 3rd best match up this week (based on the match up tool) while Hill (28th) and Hilton (23rd) have poor match ups. Am I crazy to ride the up trending stats and match up over the “start your studs” philosophy? (Although that would give me Taylor, McCoy and Jones in my starting lineup. I honestly am not a Buffalo homer)

    1. no i want to see it from jones first. also thompson and matthews are involved now.

  6. RW,

    4-3 record. PPR.

    Was asked for my Dez and Gronk for his Tate, T. Hill, and ASJ. I’d still have Brate as TE and Evans as WR 1.

    Would countering with my Dez and Gronk for his AJ green or Hopkins be enough/too much?

    my other WR (in addition to Evans ) are Doctson, Golladay, and C. Davis.

    Thank you in advance you maniacal fiends.

    KC

    1. Post By hjhieme@gmail.com

      I am not really seeing how you would improve in this trade.

    2. Post By woo.jonathanwoo

      Dez + Gronk for AJ Green or Hopkins? I think that’s a little too much.

  7. What do I do with Deshaun Watson? Picked him up after the pats game, and used him during Russell Wilsons bye. No one wants to trade for him (even the Rodgers owner), but I am having a hard time justifying keeping him on the bench when I could use waiver wire help in other areas. Just play matchup between Wilson and Watson?

    Thoughts?

    1. Post By woo.jonathanwoo

      I think you continue to ride Watson until he gives you a legitimate reason to do otherwise.

  8. Post By AllabouttheTD

    Hey guys why isn’t the rankings showing ppr and standard anymore? Didn’t show for me last week? Or now. Thanks

  9. Post By AllabouttheTD

    A kamara, mixon ppr need one for flex.

    A kamara, mixon and cj Anderson. Standard need rb2

  10. Trade Melvin Gordon and Crabtree for Zeke? Sketchy deal due to suspension and it’s trashy but the Zeke owner already Hates Zeke and has awful wide receivers. My WR: Julio and Dez

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      If I was the Zeke owner, I’d take it. For you- this depends on the rest of your roster / upcoming schedules.

      1. basically my RB’s are Gordon, Hunt and Mixon which is a solid core. But if I get zeke and he’s not suspended just go ahead and write me the check for the league.

  11. Should I trade or drop Ty Montgomery? I can make a trade for James White.

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      I’d keep in that scenario- or drop for a top WW pickup.

  12. Trade Watson for Winston and C Thompson? If he doesn’t bite on that, throw in CJA? I also have Dalton, Hunt, Mixon, T Coleman, and Darkwa. Also drop Darkwa for Forte? Half point PPR.

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Nope.

  13. Who would you start — Doctson, JuJu or Fuller. Also Cohen or Forte?
    Thanks.

    1. fuller is a must start every week. If its a flex Juju over cohen & forte, but I’d lean towards forte if you have to place a RB, all of cohens production last week was off one big play, they made it clear they intend to run howard as much as possible

    2. I like Doctson the best out of this group this week. I am really interested in seeing how well Houston offense looks this week against a good defense.

  14. should I drop T Pryor and PU Corey Davis. I have the following:
    Doctson
    Dez Bryant
    Michael Thomas
    D Parker

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Yes

    2. Yes you should

  15. 12 team standard – struggling to pick 1 WR and 1 flex from: C. Hogan, K. Benjamin, Kamara, and Landry. I’m thinking Kamara. I also have Ingram in my RB2 slot to compliment Zeke. Julio in my other WR spot. Thoughts?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Trade questions tonight!

      1. Post By Byron Lambert

        Check our rankings and Trashmans flex rankings to decide. All being updated from now through Sunday.

  16. Post By marsh_allen2@outlook.com

    Should I trade T. Pryor for Sterling shepard?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Yep

  17. I am trying to trade for Melvin or Evans in a 12 PPR. He was a Rodgers owner so he needs a QB. Trading CJ, A.Jones and Jameis to get Melvin too much or should I try to get Evans for Dez and Jameis instead? My other rbs are Fournette, Lynch, Buck, Smallwood and I also own Dirty Kirk Cousins.

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Either one is fine. Given your roster, I’d prob do it for Gordon. Can you do Dez + Buck or Lynch for Evans?

  18. Send CJA for AP 1ppr?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      I’d take my chances on doing so.

  19. I get diggs for landry and e. mcguire, im 6-1, half .5ppr first places Kareem in my kunt (team name) thought it was a no brainer.

    already have crabtree, cooks, doctson, z. jones, r. louis. hunt Mccoy and fournett

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Sorry guys, a little late to the party. Here we go!

    2. Post By Byron Lambert

      Sure, we’d do that.

  20. Any chance Martavis gets traded ?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Not big enough to make fantasy plans around.

  21. also should I start Carr or D.Watson

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Keep an eye on our rankings TRADE QUESTIONS ONLY!!!! LOL

  22. 1pt PPR should I drop T Pryor and PU Corey Davis. I have the following:
    Doctson
    Dez Bryant
    Michael Thomas
    D Parker

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Yep.

  23. Pick up Mack: drop Coleman, Allen or Henry??

    1. i don’t feel good about dropping any of them for mack

  24. The Freeman owner in our league has Howard and Mixon. Is Coleman worth anything to him? Made a trade earlier today for Fournette/Wentz with my Allen/Martin. So I want to shore up that RB position with now having CJA, Miller, Coleman, and Mack.

    1. And I guess the newly acquired Porterhouse that is Leonard Fournette is included in the running back stable!

    2. most freeman owners don’t want to have to choose between him and coleman week to week cause they don’t feel right playing them both.

    3. He may look at Coleman as a top notch handcuff so he maybe worth a lot to the Freeman owner. There is only one way to find out.

  25. 12 Team half PPR. What role do you see Sterling Shepard playing the rest of the year in a 2WR 1 Flex setup?

    1. hard to say, but he should see enough targets to be a consistent WR2 with upside

  26. I can roll with 2 of these defenses for the rest of the year….which 2? Lions, Rams, and Bengals. I have the Rams and Bengals now, should I drop one for the Lions? If so, which?

    1. i’d keep what you have right now

      1. Thanks!

  27. Trash Man!
    Would you trade away Josh Doctson for Davonte Parker right now?
    Need help.
    I just rostered Doctson and guys offering up Parker.
    Thanks!!!

    1. That one is tough. Both have huge upside. I think I would hold Doctson right now because if he turns into Washington’s number 1 he could be huge down the stretch. The same can be said for Parker but his QB situation isn’t as good as Doctson.

  28. 10 team half point ppr league.

    1. Drop Darkwa for Forte?

    2. I missed on getting Doctson. I can drop Funchess for Marvin Jones, Golladay, or Corey Davis.

    1. I would drop Funchess for Davis if you can afford to hold him.

      1. Other WR are Evans, K Allen, and Garcon.

      2. On second thought, I may need to play Funchess over CJA in my flex this week.

        1. I do like him better than CJA this week even though I do think the Denver coaches will realize they need to feed CJA to win.

  29. Post By paulbwaiter@gmail.com

    2-5 in a league. PPR. Trade hunt and Mack for Hopkins and kamara?
    Current roster:
    Winston
    RB: Hunt, Jones, demarco, Henry, Lewis, Mack
    WR: dez, fitz, Funchess, diggs, golladay
    TE: ASJ

    1. Trading hunt leaves you thin at RB. I would not make this trade

  30. Post By Dsummitt15@sbcglobal.net

    Byron…. Love the Tradecast Pod man one of my favorite tools I use everyweek on RW. You always talk about the Players that are even more elite than the Melvin Gordon’s or Devonta Freeman’s. Could you list the running backs you see being more elite than these guys? I’ve accumulated WW Gold all season, my roster is deep and I wanna make a trade to get one of those RB’s that can put me over the top rest of the season.

    1. This is a great question. I am wondering the samething for Rbs and also Wrs. There are a few obvious ones in Bell, Zeke, Brown but Im not sure after that. Hopefully Byron see this and fills us in

  31. Post By Dsummitt15@sbcglobal.net

    Also.. can only have 2 of these defenses rest of season which would you pick? NO, Kansas City, Philly

    1. Post By woo.jonathanwoo

      I’d say Eagles and Chiefs. Saints have a nice stretch in front of them (I’m a Saints owner), but they will have to play Atlanta twice in a three-week span to finish out fantasy playoffs.

  32. Hi RW – Love you guys. Thanks for all the help over the season.

    Proposing to trade Buck Allen for Alshon Jeffrey to a guy that is weak at RB. He is willing.
    My RBs are: Ajayi; Anderson; Allen; Montgomery; Coleman; Henry; Darkwa (grieving D. Johnson owner 🙁
    My WRs are: Cooper; Hill; Cupp; Davis

    Do you see upside for Jeffrey – his trend right now is alarming.

    An alternative is to drop Montgomery or Darkwa for Doctson? Thoughts?

    1. I would move Allen. Im not really sold on Jeffrey but a trade like this would improve your WRs. Maybe try to throw in Cooper and get a major upgrade at WR. I would also drop Darkwas for Dotson.

  33. Morning,

    12 man 1 ppr, I need (1) TE and (1) flex between the following:…..J. Howard, A. Kamara, K. Rudolph & Seferian-Jenkins.

    Thanks

    1. Bot ASJ and Rudolph have great match ups but I would go with Rudolph since the Browns seem to give up a TD to tight ends every week. I feel like NO is going to put up points and the game script could point to a lot of Cohen this week. That being said I dont know if you can bench a guy that is going to touch the ball a lot until the game gets out of hand. I think I still stick with Howard but expect more like 15-20 touches not the 20+ he has received in the last few weeks.

  34. Are the rankings PPR or standard? I’m in PPR and wondering if I should start Buck Allen tonight in the flex over Garcon, Fuller, Duke Johnson, and T Coleman

    1. The rankings are .5 ppr

  35. Post By chuckcnc@icloud.com

    Should I be stashing David Johnson for any reason? Will he be helpful come playoff time. I have Freeman, Duke, A. Jones & T. Cohen now on my bench.

    Thoughts?

    Full Point PPR – 4-3 and out of playoffs now.

    1. Last I heard he might be back for the fantasy playoffs. You have to get there first so if you need to you can drop him

  36. Post By jjorris13@gmail.com

    Would you trade Jimmy and Foreman for CJ Anderson? I have Reed and can supplement TE on WW. CJ just depth for me. I have Lev, Fournette, and got Zeke 2 weeks for Mixon.

    1. You really dont need him. It might be better to go after a WR. Also, I think I would rather have Graham over Reed

  37. Should i trade BCooks for GTate & Engram?

    1. Sure if you can afford to wait for tate to get healthy. I heard he is already back at practice.

      1. got another offer…
        Doug Martin & BCooks
        for
        Engram
        M.Thomas-NO

        i currently have Mixon, Fournette Bell, TColeman & TMontgomery at RB

        ??

        1. I currently own the Martin Cooks side.

  38. Post By bwittenrad@gmail.com

    12 Team PPR; team name: morning woodhead
    Pick 2:

    Doug Martin
    Stephon Diggs
    Joe Mixon

    Thanks!

    1. I would go with Martin and Mixon. Not sure if Diggs will play or sit

    2. Post By woo.jonathanwoo

      As of today, Mixon (for sure) and Martin. Diggs has PPR value, but you’re gonna have to wait (and you have time to wait) to see what the game status is for Diggs.

  39. Post By woo.jonathanwoo

    10-team standard.

    Need QB help (drafted Mariota, forced to streaming efforts).

    Been trying to pry away Cam or Wentz. After multiple back and forths, I was offered Cam for Mike Evans and Alvin Kamara. Obvious answer is no, but how far away is Wentz for Michael Thomas and Kamara?

    Lineup:
    QB: Taylor
    RB: Mixon, Ajayi, Kamara, Anderson, Coleman, Martin, Henry, B Allen
    WR: Evans, Thomas, K Allen, Hilton

    1. I would not trade Thomas for a Wentz. In a ten man league you should have no problem standing pat and streaming QBs as needed. Just stay a week or two ahead of the game.

  40. Post By Show Me Your TDs

    16 team standard

    RBs are CJA, Forte, Henry Foreman, jamaal
    WRs are Julio, Antonio, Keenan, Alshon, Corey Davis, and Golloday

    Would you suggest offering Alshon Foreman and golloday to try and get S shepherd and gurley or should I wait and hope they go off this week and try next week for more? It’s not guaranteed it would be me making the offer

    1. If you can make that trade happen you will be the king of swindles.

  41. Need RB depth badly after this week. Would you trade away Devante Parker to acquire Derrick Henry?

    1. Post By woo.jonathanwoo

      Man, it’s so hard to project what the volume will be on a weekly basis for either Tennessee RB, but Henry should always get the shorter end of the stick going into the game. Hard to start him knowing that, IMO.

      How’s your WR depth?

      1. WR depth is pretty good honestly – Have Cooks, Tyreke, Keenan, Doctson, C Davis. To me both Devante & Derrick have risk on volume, but comparable upside, no?

        1. Post By woo.jonathanwoo

          Comparable, yeah I think you’re right. But you’d need Murray to get hurt or just sh*t the bed multiple weeks in a row just to have Henry realize that upside (I’ve been holding onto Henry since Week 0, just waiting…).

          If you have doubts about Parker’s recovery, I suppose you can ship him, but in my opinion, Parker is closer to start consideration than Henry is, but maybe not but a ton. Your WR depth can easily absorb that trade, though. I’d have a hard time starting Henry knowing the volume he won’t get.

    2. I dont know if Henry really helps depth. He is more of a stash for when/if Murray gets hurt.

  42. 2 QB PPR Trade inquiry. My gronk and Alex Smith for their AJ green and Stafford. My other TE is Brate and other QB is Brady.

    Thank you!!

    1. I say deal. You still have two solid QBs and TE plus you gain a top notch WR.

  43. Should I trade Dez for Mccoy 1PPR? I’m trying to free up a WR spot to pick up Corey Davis

    1. Post By woo.jonathanwoo

      Is it a 1:1 trade? McCoy still gets good value as a receiver out of the backfield, so I like that swap personally.

    2. I dont trust Mccoy going forward. He has a lot carries under his belt. You have no one on your bench that you can drop?

  44. Would you trade M.Gordon/A.Jeffery/Alvin Kamara for Bell/Hogan? Standard league

    1. Yes. You improve both RB and WR with this trade.

  45. 12 Team .5 ppr
    With D Adams on a bye and M Thomas and Diggs questionable, do I play Buck Allen tonight over CJ Anderson. This way I can plug in CJ either Thomas or Diggs is out. Other option is to drop Rams D and pickup a WR for the week. Not much on the waiver wire, Doctson, Smith-Schuster.

    1. You should have Doctson on your roster if you can. Also, Thomas should play and Diggs is trending in the right direction.

  46. I need a quick answer…

    I own Doug Martin & BCooks
    Guy wants to trade me Engram
    M.Thomas-NO

    i currently have Mixon, Fournette Bell, TColeman & TMontgomery at RB

    ??

    1. Post By woo.jonathanwoo

      I’m unclear about what the trade is. Is it Martin and Cooks for Engram and Thomas?

        1. Love Thomas going forward but that price might be a little steep. Martin’s best days are in front of him. If Engram improves your TE spot I might consider it.

  47. I’m 3-4 in a 10 team standard league, 5th place. My rbs are Gordon a Collins Foreman Gilliselle..
    Te- Ertz
    Trade offer Ertz for Chris Thompson..

    I’d have to pick a Te up off waivers. Should I Hold out and try wait for Injury? I’m #1 on ww… 6-7 is gonna make the playoffs

    1. Try to flip Gordon for something like Ingram+AP or Martin+Mixon. It’s not worth sacrificing a stud like Ertz for someone like Thompson in standard. You want to turn a 5 star player into a 4 and a 3 to end up with 7 stars.

    2. I do not make this trade.

  48. Trade Agholor and Martin for Baldwin and ASJ?

    I need a little help at WR & TE rest of team: Evans, K.Allen, Benjamin, Kearse, Fournette, Forte, Lynch, Miller, Kittle

    Or should I just stay put?

    1. Your WRs and Kittle are fine. Don’t give up Martin here.

    2. Stand pat. You will be super thin at RB if you make this trade.

  49. Kelvin Benjamin or Garcon is cash on FD? – I am leaning Garcon….

  50. Landry or Diggs?

  51. Standard Scoring

  52. Help…..5 PPR flex

    Dion Lewis or pick up K Stills.

    Drop Darkwa, Martavis or McFadden?

    Thanks

  53. So……….

    Any advise would be appreciated.

    Starting line up.

    Mccown
    Collins Hyde
    M Jones. Doctson
    Flex empty
    Croft
    Butker
    Minn D

    Bench
    Parker. Out

    Byes
    Mariota
    Henry
    Murray
    Nelson
    A Jones

    I am probably going to have to take a 0 but where

    Kicker. Tight end.

    Jordan MAtthews and Kearse is available

    I really don’t have anyone to drop

    Trades have a stupid waiting period and I would have to complete it tonight and no one trades with you unless they rip you off

    1. You cant take a zero. Even if you are way out in front. You need to win this week. This is tough though. Might be a case where you have to drop Henry and hope Murray holds up.

  54. Post By kkisell@courtsplus.org

    should I trade Anderson,Murray, Hill for Mixon,Cobb and Dan Bailey? I have Gurley,Jones, Lynch and Doctson,Fuller, Allen.

    1. No I would not do that

    2. I think you are giving up way too much. Especially if Hill is Tyreek the Freak

  55. Hey Guys-

    Watson or Winston?

    thank you-

    1. Winston I think

  56. Would you trade D Freeman for C McMaffrey and A Jeffrey ? Thanks

    1. No way.

  57. Post By chuckcnc@icloud.com

    6-1 team 12 team league. Full point PPR

    My RB’s

    Gordon
    Hunt
    Mixon
    D. Lewis
    Henry

    My WRs
    Allen
    Crabtree
    Parker
    Funchess
    Doctson

    How would you feel about a trade whereby I lose Gordon and gain Michael Thomas and Jerick McKinnon?

    Does this better my team as we head into playoffs?

    1. I would want to know how many RBs and WRs you can start.

      1. Post By chuckcnc@icloud.com

        2 RB. 2WR. One Flex.

    2. I would say yes. Listen to the tradecast to hear what Byron did in a Gordon trade.

      1. Post By chuckcnc@icloud.com

        I did hear that tradecast. I guess my question centers around whether or not I am weak enough at WR and strong enough with Mixon to justify a drop down from Gordon to McKinnon and the addition of Micheal Thomas?

        1. Post By chuckcnc@icloud.com

          I appreciate you and Incognito’s chiming in on this question and value your opinion. But this is a huge trade that could cripple or bolster my team. I am now the number 2 team, so the old adage of “if it aint broke” is whispering in my ear.

          I sure wish I could get Byron or Trashman to add their opinion as well….

          1. Post By Byron Lambert

            You’re going to have to be a little better at making the right matchup plays with your new corps of RB – but this is a solid deal, that likely makes your team better. I’d go for it in PPR!

          2. It does leave you a touch thin at RB. I don’t think you are too weak at WR but you could definitely use a number guy like Thomas. I know the boys at Rosterwatch love Thomas going forward and I was a little shocked how much Byron like Mckinnion so I am interested to see what they say about this one too.

          3. Post By chuckcnc@icloud.com

            Thanks Guys!!!!!

            Lets get Maniacal!!

            I love RosterWatch Nation!!

          4. Post By chuckcnc@icloud.com

            WINDOW DOWN AND TWO FINGERS UP!!!

  58. Should I drop Corey Davis or the ram def for a defense ?

    1. Post By Byron Lambert

      Not Davis.

  59. Roster management question. I have to drop someone to pickup a TE for bye week. Keep Foreman or McFadden for ROS?

    Also, would you consider rostering either C. Coleman or D. Westbrook now ahead of their returns from IR? Which do you prefer?

    Thanks

  60. Arm Bar Gang
    Record 5-2
    Flex Option Forte or Smallwood ?

    Thanks RW Nation !

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