Johny The Greek's Cornerback Corner: Week 3

Who are the best and worst CB streaming options for Week 3?

Welcome to Johny the Greek’s Cornerback Corner, the only place (that I know of) across the entirety of the planet where we track every single IDP cornerback option every week all season long. If they’ve got a pulse and log snaps we’ll have a start/sit call on them and what league size/format they make the most sense in for all 96 plus starting cornerbacks across the entire NFL every week this season.

Last week I made 67 different start/sit calls and had the best week for accuracy I’ve ever had in four seasons of writing this article.

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Of the 67 calls I made last week, 7 were declared inactive or injured during play. We don’t count acts of God here, so subtracting those players we’re left with 60 adjusted calls. Of those, 52 were correct (matched, beat, or were within a slim margin of their projection on Yahoo and MFL), and 8 were incorrect (didn’t match or beat projection and weren’t even close), giving us an 86% accuracy for week 2.

Of those 52 correct calls, 26 of them were “massive hits” (more than doubled or even tripled their projection), giving us a 50% massive hit rate on correct calls for Week 2. We sit at 81.5% accuracy overall for the season with 45% of all correct calls ending up as “massive hits”.

Week 1: 77% accuracy, 40% massive hit rate

Week 2: 86% accuracy, 50% massive hit rate

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Cornerback Corner: Week 3

Giants at 49ers

Outlook: Las Vegas has the early line for this one at 43.5 and it’s probably a safe bet that most of those points end up with the 49ers. After seeing this Giants passing attack twice now this season we can safely say any production from our 49ers corners will likely be splash-play-related. With that in mind, it should be deeper leagues only for any 49ers corners this week since our floor is tackles from completed passes and we’re not looking at many of those from Danny Dimes and company.

And for the record I’m aware Daniel Jones did put it together in the second half against Arizona last week and ended with pretty good numbers, this defense isn’t that defense though. The 49ers are playing for a Super Bowl while the Cardinals are playing for draft picks and it took every bit of luck and effort for the Giants to slip past Arizona at the last second in week 2, that shouldn’t inspire confidence.

For the reverse, this is a decent week for Adoree Jackson and company as they contend with Aiyuk, Deebo, and Purdy out there steady slinging. Beyond that, there’s a likely version of this game where New York spends a ton of time on defense and that’s always a nice factor for our cornerback options. This is a nice week for our Giants corners and not so much for our 49ers options.

New York Giants

Adoree Jackson (CB): I’m starting Jackson as a CB2 in leagues of all sizes this week, he played 100% of snaps last week as is tradition.

Deonte Banks (CB): I’m also starting Banks but as a CB3 plus in medium to deeper leagues, he played 100% of snaps as well last week.

Tre Hawkins (CB): I’m sitting Hawkins due to playing time concerns, just 63% of snaps played last week, and lack of historical production or other factors that would override that concern.

San Francisco 49ers

Chavarious Ward (CB): Start Ward in deeper leagues as a CB4, he played 100% of snaps last week.

Deommodore Lenoir (CB): Start Lenoir in deeper leagues as a CB4, he played 96% of snaps last week.

Isaiah Oliver (CB): Oliver is a sit this week due to this matchup and lack of ideal playing time with just 84% of snaps played last week.

Colts at Ravens

Outlook: Las Vegas has put the early line for this game at 44.5 and this Colts team looked pretty good in regards to completing passes last week once Anthony Richardson was replaced by Minshew. He ended up completing just under 20 passes playing nowhere close to a complete game so I think we’re OK to start any Ravens. It should be in deeper leagues only though as that secondary continues to be in flux from injury issues.

If Richardson can play this week downgrade our Ravens cornerback options slightly. Richardson has shown to be an excellent fantasy quarterback but the completed passes floor won’t be as good as it would be with Minshew in my humble opinion.

For the reverse Lamar Jackson was much better in week 2, completing 24 passes and attempting over 30 which is a marked improvement. Beyond that, Kenny Moore bounced back nicely for the Colts in a bad matchup last week so he should be good to go in this one and we’ll call any other relevant options for Indy a “medium to deeper leagues” type of deal. This looks like a mediocre matchup overall.

Indianapolis Colts

Kenny Moore (CB): Kenny is always a start, he’s a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues this week, he always plays every snap and let’s just hope he’s covering Zay Flowers since that’s the only wide receiver the Ravens target these days.

Dallis Flowers (CB): Flowers is a start in the deepest of leagues as a CB4 due to ideal playing time, 100% of snaps last week, and the likelihood we’d be picked on in coverage over Moore (lesser of two evils theory).

Darrell Baker Jr (CB): I’m sitting Baker Jr due to matchup and playing time, just 74% of snaps played in week 2.

Baltimore Ravens

Marlon Humphrey (CB): If he’s healthy enough to play I’d always start Humphrey, he’s that good and will play every snap. He’d be a CB 2 in leagues of all sizes if he’s able to go this week.

Ronald Darby (CB): We gave him a chance and he didn’t deliver or play much, just 58% of snaps last week after almost all of them in week 1. He’s a sit until further notice due to fluctuations in playing time plus a mediocre matchup.

Rock Ya-Sin (CB): Rock only played 42% of snaps last week and is a sit this week and every week going forward unless that playing time improves significantly.

Geno Stone/Brandon Stephens (S/CB): If your league of merit has designated either of these players (safeties according to NFLGSIS) as a cornerback I’d start them as a CB3 plus in medium to deeper leagues due to their 100% of snaps both are playing currently. Part of that is fallout from the Marcus Williams injury and part is likely fallout from Marlon Humphrey being inactive so I’d tread carefully with this if Humphrey can play this week.

Titans at Browns

Outlook: Las Vegas thinks we’re in for a low-scoring affair here with the early 41 points for the over/under and that feels likely. Ryan Tannehill only attempted 24 passes last week and that’s par for the course in Tennessee, our ceiling is always limited in regards to their passing offense. Our Browns options will have limited value simply due to the style of offense the Titans play.

For the reverse nothing DeShaun Watson did Monday night did anything to make us think he’s returned to his old Texans days in regards to completing tons of passes. It looks like we’ve got limited value for our Titans corners as well for this matchup. This one will probably end up in my “avoid this matchup” section of the audio podcast.

Tennessee Titans

Elijah Molden/Kristian Fulton (CB): With Fulton inactive last week it was Molden in as the replacement, he played 100% of snaps. You’ll have to monitor inactives to take advantage of either of these streams, it will be Fulton if healthy, and Molden if not. It’s probably not worth the headache due to the matchup, I’ve got both as a sit this week.

Sean Murphy Bunting (CB): Bunting played 99% of snaps last week and is a start only as a CB4 in deeper leagues due to matchup.

Roger McCreary (CB): McCreary was back up to 99% of snaps last week and is a start only as a CB4 due to matchup as well.

Cleveland Browns

Denzel Ward (CB): Denzel played 85% of snaps last week and is only a start in the deepest of leagues as a CB4 plus and is a sit in the vast majority of places due to the matchup.

Greg Newsome (CB): Newsome only played 76% of snaps last week due to injury but is considered “day to day”, that doesn’t matter for us since he’s a sit this week due to matchup and reinjury risk.

Martin Emerson (CB): Emerson played 76% of snaps last week and recorded no statistics of any kind, thankfully I called him a sit last week just like he is this week due to the matchup plus bad playing time.

Falcons at Lions

Outlook: Desmond Ritter actually attempted 32 passes in week 2, which is a ton more than he did in week 1 so things are moving in the right direction for Atlanta. Beyond that, this matchup, with an over/under of 47 is on the higher side a bit and there’s a good chance the Falcons need to pass to stay in this one against an excellent Lions offense. Our Lions corners will have value here and could capitalize on the mistakes Ritter is sure to make.

Our Atlanta corners absolutely have value against this really good Lions passing attack that completed 28 passes last week and attempted 35. We can fire up AJ Terrell and company in most places in week 3 it appears. Not a bad matchup all things considered and it’s indoors which is always a plus.

Atlanta Falcons

AJ Terrell (CB): Terrell is a start as a CB2 in leagues of all sizes this week, he played 100% of snaps last week.

Tre Flowers/Jeff Okudah (CB): If Okudah is inactive then it’s Tre Flowers that’s the order of operations here, Flowers played 98% of snaps last week as a replacement for Okudah. Whichever starts this week makes a nice CB3 plus in medium to deeper leagues as a start.

Dee Alford (CB): Alford only played 48% of snaps last week and this matchup isn’t nearly good enough to overpower that massive negative factor, he’s a sit this week, and every week while that playing time is so bad.

Detroit Lions

Emmanuel Moseley/Jerry Jacobs (CB): Until Moseley can return from injury it should continue to be Jacobs filling in for him. Jacobs played 100% of snaps last week and whichever one starts this week would make a fine CB4 in deeper leagues since we still don’t trust Desmond Ritter completely.

Cameron Sutton (CB): Sutton played 100% of snaps last week and bounced back nicely from his week one dud in the box score, he’s a start as a CB4 in deeper leagues this week.

Brian Branch (CB/S): Branch only played 68% of snaps last week and is a sit for me this week due to lack of ideal playing time and I don’t trust Desmond Ritter to be the second coming of Joe Montana just yet.

Saints at Packers

Outlook: Vegas has this one at 43 for the over/under but both teams are more than capable of putting up points, this feels like a good matchup for medium to deeper leagues to find some value. The only significant negative factor that’s bothering me is that Jordan Love has only completed 29 passes across two entire games. That may limit the value for our Saints corners beyond Lattimore, who is always good.

For our Packers corners, they are all systems go against a veteran quarterback with a loaded wide receiver corps. Let’s just keep an eye on the weather since this is outdoors but thankfully not into winter in Green Bay as of yet.

New Orleans Saints

Paulson Adebo (CB): Adebo played 100% of snaps last week but is only a start as a CB4 plus in much deeper leagues due to the matchup.

Alontae Taylor (CB): Taylor played 98% of snaps last week and is a start but only as a CB4 in deeper leagues for the same reasons as Adebo.

Marshon Lattimore (CB): Lattimore played 98% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues even though the matchup isn’t great because he himself is great, both historically and this season so far.

Green Bay Packers

Rasul Douglas (CB): Rasul played every snap last week and is a start this week as a CB2 in leagues of all sizes.

Jaire Alexander (CB): Jaire played 100% of snaps last week and is a start as well this week but as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues since opposing offenses tend to avoid him sometimes.

Keisean Nixon (CB): Nixon only played 46% of snaps last week but still gave us 55 return yards, if your league scores those I’d start him but otherwise he’s a sit due to the lack of ideal playing time.

Texans at Jaguars

Outlook: With an over/under of 45.5 we have some likely offense here in Jacksonville, it’s just likely that most of it comes from the Jaguars. CJ Stroud has completed nearly 30 passes per game rather quietly in his first two weeks as a starting quarterback. That should continue to give Tyson Campbell and company value for the third straight game. Keep those guys in the lineup and we’ve got the makings of a solid floor and some possible splash plays due to the kind of rookie mistakes Stroud is sure to make.

For the reverse, we can absolutely fire up Derek Stingley, Steven Nelson, and company in a picture-perfect matchup against an excellent Jags passing attack that looks to get back on track after an off-week against the Chiefs. What initially looked like half of a good matchup actually looks pretty good across the board.

Houston Texans

Steven Nelson (CB): Nelson played 100% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues this week.

Derek Stingley (CB): Stingley played 95% last week and is a start as a CB2 in leagues of all sizes this week.

Tavierre Thomas (CB): Sit this week, he broke his hand in week 2 and according to beat reports will be replaced by Shaq Griffin.

Shaq Griffin (CB): Unless you’re in a crazy deep league where you need to take huge risk this early I’d sit Griffin this week and really make sure he’s replacing Thomas before plugging him into the lineup.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tyson Campbell (CB): Campbell is a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues and he played 100% of snaps last week.

Darious Williams (CB): Williams is a start as a CB4 in deep, degenerate leagues this week and he played 87% of snaps last week and typically plays 100% of snaps.

Tre Herndon (CB): Herndon is a sit due to matchup and lack of ideal playing time having only played 67% of snaps last week.

Broncos at Dolphins

Outlook: We’ve got a 45.5 for the over/under so definitely a good chance of sustained offense and a nice setup for some cornerback streams. Our Broncos options are locked and loaded against this incredible Miami passing attack and we could be looking at a beautiful Patrick Surtain week.

For the reverse, our Miami corners will have value, but with Wilson completing fewer than 20 passes last week against Washington we’re still unsure if we’re getting a Super Bowl winner or a guy who gets outdueled by his toilets each week. I’d go deeper leagues only for any Dolphins corners and be happy with half of a beautiful matchup.

Denver Broncos

Patrick Surtain (CB): Surtain is a start as a CB1 in leagues of all sizes this week and plays 100% of snaps every week.

Damari Mathis (CB): Mathis is a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues even though he played 100% of snaps last week and the matchup is correct, the injury news to Waddle may impact Mathis’ production if Jaylen can’t play in this one. Surtain should be on Tyreek for most of the game.

No significant third CB option

Miami Dolphins

Kader Kohou (CB): Kohou played 100% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues this week.

Xavien Howard (CB): Howard played 100% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB3 in medium to deep leagues this week.

Eli Apple (CB): Apple played 92% of snaps last week which was an increase but he’s still the third option here in a mediocre matchup so he’s a sit for me, he does remain an option for those of you in crazy deep leagues though.

Chargers at Vikings

Outlook: Las Vegas has the early line here at an incredible 50.5 and we are more than aware of how good both of these passing offenses are. This game is indoors and we have no less than three Pro Bowl wide receivers, one Pro Bowl tight end, and two Pro Bowl quarterbacks in this one.

This is looking like the best matchup of the week to this point. Both cornerback corps are locked and loaded and this will very likely be a place I stream from in many leagues this week. All signs point towards a shootout, and one that will be indoors as well which always helps.

Los Angeles Chargers

Michael Davis (CB): Davis only played 37% of snaps last week seemingly out of the blue and isn’t listed as injured as of the time of writing. This appears to be a demotion, he’s a sit for now while we see what happens.

Asante Samuel Jr (CB): Samuel Jr played 100% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB1 in leagues of all sizes this week as he likely chases Justin Jefferson all over the field.

JC Jackson (CB): Jackson only played 63% of snaps last week and beyond Samuel Jr. there’s a real mess brewing in this Chargers cornerback corps, I’d still start him due to this juicy matchup but only as a CB4 in a much deeper league to limit risk.

No other significant cornerback options currently.

Minnesota Vikings

Byron Murphy (CB): Murphy played 100% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB2 in leagues of all sizes this week.

Akayleb Evans (CB): Evans played 95% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues this week.

No significant third CB option but if Metellus is incorrectly designated in your league of merit I’d start him as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues, he played 73% of snaps last week and has been very productive even without ideal playing time.

Patriots at Jets

Outlook: With an over/under of 38 points we can see that Vegas knows what we know, this will be a very boring affair that’s defensive in nature. Zach Wilson completed even fewer passes in week 2 than he did in week 1 which is mind-blowing (12 in week 2, 14 in week 1) so any production our Patriots corners get us will have to be splash play related. And while our Patriots corners are certainly capable of that it’s never a good bet so we’ll go deeper leagues only for them.

As for the reverse, Mac Jones has completed 35 and 31 passes in weeks 1 and 2 respectively which is something I never thought I’d see. He appears to have turned a corner and has been pretty good so far this season. Those performances should give us at least some value for Sauce and DJ Reed in deeper leagues but the setup is nowhere as good for them as it was with Buffalo and Dallas as opponents the last couple of weeks.

New England Patriots

Christian Gonzalez (CB): Gonzalez played 100% of snaps again last week and is cooking, the matchup is garbage but he is not. I’d start him as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues and hope the hot streak continues.

Jonathan Jones (CB): Assuming Jones is healthy enough to play this week he’s nothing more than a CB4 in deeper leagues due to matchup and possible reinjury risk. He typically plays around 80% of snaps per game.

Myles Bryant (CB): Bryant saw a bump with injuries to Jonathan and Marcus Jones, if those two can’t play this week he’ll see similar playing time to his 84% of snaps last week but this matchup isn’t worth the hassle. He’s a sit this week.

Marcus Jones (CB): Sit, he’s injured and only played 32% of snaps last week and around the same in week 1.

New York Jets

Sauce Gardner (CB): Sauce played 94% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues this week.

DJ Reed (CB): Reed also played 94% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB2 in leagues of all sizes due to the “target anyone except the guy who Sauce is covering” effect and hopefully another week of 30 plus completions for Mac Jones and company.

Michael Carter (CB): Carter only saw 38% of snaps due to an injury in Dallas but typically sees around 80% per game, he’s a sit regardless due to the matchup.

Bills at Commanders

Outlook: We’ve got another decent over/under at 44.5 and based on what we saw from Sam Howell last week we may have a competitive game here despite our initial thought I’m sure most of us had; Bill’s blood bath win.

Howell completed 27 passes on 39 attempts in a comeback win against the Broncos in Denver and really showed that he belongs as the starter. Sticking with the Broncos and sticking with the Bills are two different things but I think we’ll at least have some value for our Bills corners in this one.

And of course, on the other side, it’s a full go for our Commander’s corners against one of the best quarterbacks in the league as he passes to his excellent pass-catching options.

Buffalo Bills

Christian Benford (CB): Benford played 85% of snaps then sat on the bench in garbage time, he’s played 100% of snaps when the games are close we know that much. He’s a CB4 in much deeper leagues as a start this week.

Tre’Davious White (CB): White played 85% of snaps and rested once this game was out of hand, he’s a start as a CB4 in deeper leagues this week and very likely to play every snap as is tradition.

Taron Johnson (CB): Taron saw more playing time this week, even with blowout rest all around, with 80% of snaps played. He’s still only a start as a CB4 in deeper leagues due to matchup and playing time fluctuations in the first two weeks of the season.

Washington Commanders

Benjamin St. Juste (CB): Benjamin played 100% of snaps last week and is a start this week as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues only due to a lack of historical production when compared to Fuller who we know we can rely on.

Kendall Fuller (CB): Fuller is a start as a CB2 in leagues of all sizes this week and will play 100% of snaps like he always does and did last week.

Emmanuel Forbes (CB): Forbes saw just 67% of snaps in week 2 and around that much in week 1 so his playing time is limited at the moment. He’s still a start this week due to the matchup but just as a CB4 in deeper leagues.

Panthers at Seahawks

Outlook: The Panthers have had a rough start to the season in regards to the health of their wide receivers and a rookie quarterback getting used to NFL speed defenses. With an over/under of 42.5, we’re looking at a lower-scoring game and it’s possible that Seattle will blow right by the Panthers.

I’d pass completely on the Seattle options since we’ve got injuries (Tariq Woolen), a rookie now in the mix (Witherspoon) screwing up playing time for Tre Brown, Mike Jackson, and Coby Bryant plus those factors mentioned above. There are far less risky streams coming for our Seahawks corners in weeks to come.

By all means though, if you’re a believer in the rookie corner rule feel free to fire up Devon Witherspoon. He was absolutely horrible in week 1 and was cooked on that flea-flicker the Lions dialed up. The odds are good he’ll be picked on in coverage by Carolina, I would.

For our Panthers options, this is a good spot to start them in most leagues against a Seahawks passing attack that got back on track last week and is loaded with talented pass-catching options. We’ve got half of a good setup here in Seattle for week 3.

Carolina Panthers

CJ Henderson (CB): Henderson played 100% of snaps last week and is apparently locked in as a starter at this point with the injury to Jaycee Horn. He’s a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues this week due to matchup and hopefully, this playing time holds up.

Donte Jackson (CB): Jackson played 86% of snaps last week and is a start this week despite the worrying loss of snaps from his week 1 snap share. I’d plug him in as a CB4 in deeper leagues just in case this is the start of a trend and he loses more playing time this week, for the record, I don’t see any injury so I have no idea why those 14% of snaps disappeared.

Troy Hill (CB): Hill only played 47% of snaps last week and is a sit unless he can see more playing time.

Seattle Seahawks

Devon Witherspoon (CB): Witherspoon played 100% of snaps in his first game this year, he may have value since he was so bad last week that it’s likely he’ll be picked on somewhat. I’d start him as a CB3 in medium to deep leagues.

Tariq Woolen (CB): Woolen was injured last week after 17% of snaps and is a sit this week due to reinjury risk and matchup.

Tre Brown (CB): Brown played 83% of snaps last week but likely only because Woolen was injured and out, there’s a big reordering of this secondary coming once all these guys are healthy. Regardless he’s a sit for me this week with this matchup.

Coby Bryant (CB): Bryant played 74% of snaps last week and that won’t be enough with this less-than-ideal matchup on the plate this week, he’s a sit in week 3.

Cowboys at Cardinals

Outlook: Despite Dobbs passing for a couple of hundred yards and completing over 20 passes last week I think we can all agree this Cowboys defense is a beast of a different nature. The 42.4 over/under and Cowboys -10.5 implies a bloodbath where most of those points end up with the Cowboys and I’m not arguing with Vegas on this.

Our Cardinals corners should be in for a nice week with CeeDee, Dak, and company in town, indoors and on turf. Marco Wilson will look to smash his (under) projection again for the third week in a row in another solid matchup and our other Cardinals corners will have value as well considering they’ll likely spend most of this game on the field.

For our Dallas corners, it should be splash play production or not much at all so I’d demote them to deeper leagues this week, we saw a similar setup against the Jets and while Trevon Diggs did secure an interception he only had one whole tackle on the day. If not for that lucky pick his day would have been a complete disaster and that’s what we’re looking at here as well.

Dallas Cowboys

Daron Bland/Jourdan Lewis (CB): Lewis if he’s healthy, Bland if not, but it doesn’t matter these two are a sit this week with the worst weekly playing time of any Cowboys cornerback and a bad matchup.

Trevon Diggs (CB): Diggs plays 100% of snaps every week but is only a start as a CB4 in deeper leagues due to a bad matchup this week.

Stephon Gilmore (CB): Gilmore plays 100% of snaps every week but is only a start as a CB4 in deeper leagues this week due to the matchup.

Arizona Cardinals

Marco Wilson (CB): Wilson played 99% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB2 in leagues of all sizes this week.

Kei’Trel Clark (CB): Clark played 97% of snaps last week and is a start this week as a CB3 in medium to deep leagues.

No significant third CB option

Bears at Chiefs

Outlook: With an over/under of 49 we could have some offensive fireworks here, unfortunately for Bears fans the Chiefs -12.5 implies that most of those points will end up on the Kansas City side of the scoreboard.

We can fire up our Bears options since they’ll be busy all afternoon long if Vegas is right about this one but for our Chiefs corners it should be splash plays or nothing. Justin Fields continues to not impress with just 16 completed passes in week 2.

This Chiefs defense was a different kind of monster with Chris Jones back as well. We may want to consider deeper leagues only for them since their floor may be limited by the Bear’s inability to pass the ball effectively.

Chicago Bears

Jaylon Johnson (CB): Johnson played 100% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues, same reasoning as Stevenson below.

Tyrique Stevenson (CB): Stevenson played 100% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues due to the Chief’s lack of weekly wide receiver targets.

Greg Stroman (CB): Stroman was an injury replacement for Josh Blackwell and only played 46% of snaps last week. Between the playing time and the necessity of needing to track the health of Blackwell as well this is more headache than it’s worth, sit in week 3.

Kyler Gordon (CB): Gordon is a sit until further notice, he’s on IR for a broken hand.

Kansas City Chiefs

L’Jarius Sneed (CB): Sneed played 100% of snaps last week and is a start but only as a CB3 plus in medium to deeper leagues due to this matchup in week 3.

Trent McDuffie (CB): McDuffie played 99% of snaps last week and is a start only as a CB4 in deeper leagues this week due to a bad matchup.

Joshua Williams (CB): Williams only played 46% of snaps this week and is a clear sit in a bad matchup with horrific playing time.

Steelers at Raiders

Outlook: Two very mediocre passing offenses with an over/under of 43.5 at least face off indoors for this matchup. We always start Nate Hobbs but we’ll have to look closely at the other options on both defenses since neither quarterback has exactly set the world on fire so far this season. This feels like a deep, degenerate league type of stream and we’ll adjust the calls accordingly with that in mind.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Patrick Peterson (CB): Peterson played 98% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB3 plus in medium to deeper leagues this week due to the mediocre-at-best matchup.

Levi Wallace (CB): Wallace played 90% of snaps last week and is only a start as a CB4 in deeper leagues this week due to the matchup plus we’re missing those last 10% of snaps we like to see.

Chandon Sullivan/Joey Porter (CB): Having played 54% and 16% of snaps respectively last week neither corner is anywhere close to having enough time on the field to warrant a start with this mediocre matchup. Sit them both.

Las Vegas Raiders

Nate Hobbs (CB): Hobbs played 100% of snaps last week and left his projection in the dust like usual, he’s always a start as a CB1 in all leagues until he proves otherwise.

Marcus Peters (CB): Peters played 95% of snaps last week and is only a start as a CB4 plus in the deepest of leagues due to the matchup this week, the Steelers really don’t pass the ball well.

Jakorian Bennett (CB): Bennett played 91% of snaps last week and has quietly had two very productive weeks to start the season. He may be benefitting from the “lesser of all evils” phenomenon where opposing offenses target him simply because he isn’t Nate Hobbs or Marcus Peters. Regardless he’s just a CB4 in deeper leagues this week due to a bad matchup.

Eagles at Buccaneers

Outlook: Despite the mediocre over/under of 45 points we’ve seen two pretty good passing attacks so far this season. Baker Mayfield is averaging about 24 completed passes per game and there’s a good chance he’ll need to throw more than usual to hang with this powerful Eagles offense. I like the relevant cornerback options on both sides to have plenty of value and we’ll just focus on where they make the most sense in terms of league size etc.

Philadelphia Eagles

Darius Slay (CB): Slay played 100% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB1 in leagues of all sizes this week likely tasked with following Mayfield’s favorite target, Mike Evans, around all game.

James Bradberry/Josh Jobe (CB): If Bradberry is healthy he’s a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues that plays 100% of snaps whenever he plays. If he’s inactive it appears that Josh Jobe is the preferred replacement, he played 100% of snaps last week in relief of Bradberry and did OK with those snaps. He’d be a start as a CB4 in deeper leagues if he ends up playing.

Mario Goodrich (CB): Goodrich appears to be the replacement for Maddox and played 67% of snaps last week, I’d sit him this week while we see how this thing shakes out and what his playing time will look like. The matchup is good but not good enough to override good common sense and risk avoidance.

Avonte Maddox (CB): Maddox had surgery this week to repair a torn pec and may be done for the season, he’s obviously a sit until further notice.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Carlton Davis (CB): If Davis is healthy this week he’s an automatic start as a CB1 in leagues of all sizes that will play every snap and likely be responsible for AJ Brown or Devonta Smith.

Zyon McCollum (CB): With Carlton Davis out last week McCollum got the start and played 100% of snaps, if Davis is inactive again this week I’d start McCollum as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues. Obviously, if Davis plays McCollum is a sit.

Jamel Dean (CB): Dean played 98% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues this week.

No significant third CB option currently.

Rams at Bengals

Outlook: With an over/under of 46.5 it’s certainly possible we got some offensive fireworks in this matchup, it really all depends if we get the old Bengals or the new Bengals. Matt Stafford, who would have been the worry here a few weeks ago, is averaging close to 30 completed passes per game and is getting it done with wide receivers no one has ever heard of. Our Bengals corners are good to go.

However Joe Burrow is only averaging about 22 completions per game and has not looked like himself yet this season, he did look a little better in the second half against the Ravens but there is cause for concern here. I’m still betting on the Bengals passing attack returning to form so that makes this a decent stream for our Rams corners as well. Fire everybody up in this one and let’s hope we end week 3 with a bang!

Los Angeles Rams

Akhello Witherspoon (CB): Witherspoon played 100% of snaps last week and is a start as a CB4 in medium to deeper leagues due to a lack of production with that playing time so far this season. He will likely be responsible for Chase or Higgins but he hasn’t put up nearly any stats at all so far this year.

Derion Kendrick (CB): Kendrick was in for 91% of snaps last week and should be responsible for Higgins or Chase, which gives him value as a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues.

Cobie Durant (CB): Durant only played 58% of snaps last week and is a sit due to a lack of ideal playing time until further notice.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cam Taylor Britt (CB): Britt played 99% of snaps last week and could be very busy with that rookie everyone loves, he’s a start as a CB3 in medium to deeper leagues this week with a shot at a really nice game.

Chidobe Awuzie (CB): Awuzie only played 73% of snaps last week but should see more with this game script, the Rams won’t run nearly as much as the Ravens did in all likelihood. He’s a start as a CB4 in deeper leagues this week.

Mike Hilton (CB): Hilton only played 71% of snaps last week and is a sit with two weeks of less-than-ideal playing time and an opposing Rams team that doesn’t resemble the greatest show on turf.

Have no idea what any of that was?

I’d recommend reading the Week 1 edition of The Cornerback Corner. I intentionally made that one as detailed as humanly possible and explained nearly every aspect of cornerback streaming, what factors we look for, and why. There’s also a language key in that edition and every call (start or sit) is explained in detail using the factors we look to each week. Consider that the “primer” for the rest of the season if any of this reads like hieroglyphics.

Want a faster version?

Check out the audio version of this article in The IDP After Show feed for a quick rundown of every week’s best and worst games to stream from plus my favorite streams of each week. I’ll be highlighting all the most important information from this article in a quick and easily digestible audio podcast that should run around 20-30 minutes.

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Additional Resources & Contact Information

Reminder! These are only suggestions, your responsibility for your lineup is yours and yours alone. However, with that being said, these are the same moves I’m making myself in my double-digit amount of redraft leagues and another 20 or so dynasty leagues so we sink or swim together. Remember to check inactives before kickoff to prevent any surprise zeroes.

We make the best decisions we can with the information we have available at the time and after that, it’s in the hands of the fantasy gods. I’ve averaged approximately 72% accuracy matching or beating projections since I started writing this article series four seasons ago. I want to win just as badly as you do so I promise you I’ll do everything in my power to make sure these suggestions are solid.

There will be a weekly transparency thread before each week’s cornerback streaming calls where I review the previous week’s results. If I’m in a slump you’ll know it. This is year 20 of IDP for me and a normal season should put me well past 40 titles and 60 plus 2nd/3rd place finishes across redraft and dynasty plus a ton more in best ball, DFS, eliminators, salary cap, etc. You’re in good hands here at the Cornerback Corner, as this is not my first rodeo.

For additional IDP resources please see idpguys.org and footballguys.com. For weekly in-season waivers and playing time reports/podcast, please see my work with @TheIDPTipster on the SGPN network. Gary (IDP Tipster) also does an article series there utilizing his start/sit charts, which are a great resource for your non-cornerback start/sit decisions.

For any questions/comments, to discuss specific cornerback streams, or to talk IDP in general, hit up my Twitter, @OrangeMan3142, or email Johnysmack3141@yahoo.com. Good luck this week and let’s go get those titles!