2023 Week 1 Fantasy Mismatch Report

With Fantasy Points Data — a project we’ve worked on for nearly two years and launched in 2023 — we wanted to answer one big question: what if we tailored all of the data our team has gathered (hand-charted from our team of experts) directly to the fantasy player?

Based on years of playing season-long fantasy, dynasty, and DFS — and using all the charted data out there to build models and try to gain an advantage in a game where the margins are shrinking — we believe we’ve found where we can do things better. That is the Fantasy Points Data Suite.

Using Fantasy Points Data, I’ve identified the biggest mismatches in all of this week’s games in an effort to make your fantasy and wagering decisions easier.

First, a note on some of the tools I’m using here.

Rush Grade

Our “RUSH GRADE” offensive line stat is based simply on a formula measuring an offense’s average yardage before contact on non-QB rush attempts (a catch-all way to eliminate scrambles) versus a defense’s average yards per contact allowed on non-QB rush attempts.

Pass Grade

Our “PASS GRADE” is a formula developed using “QB Pressure Rate Over Expectation.” It measures how much a quarterback should be expected to face pressure, adjusted for the quarterback’s average time to throw (a quarterback with a 3.0-second aT2T should be expected to be pressured more than one with a 2.0-second aT2T, for instance).

The higher the number, the worse it is for an offense, and the better it is for a defense.

WR/CB Tool

Our WR/CB Matchup Tool is sortable with loads of matchup data.

A note on our process: there are very few situations in the NFL in which one receiver will match up with one corner for the vast majority of his routes. So honestly, WR/CB matchups in the traditional sense are perhaps the most overrated form of fantasy analysis.

We aim to do them better: our process breaks down how many routes a receiver runs from a certain alignment, and assigns a weighted score based on how much that receiver is expected to see a given defender based on those alignments. So it will measure how often we expect a receiver to face all defenders in a matchup, not just one particular defender, and weigh a score by those expected percentages.

If I do believe there will be a “shadow CB” situation, I’ll mention it and break down the matchup.

A note for Week 1 — and early in the 2023 season — is that we are basing a large part of our analysis on guesswork, given we don’t yet know how teams will play or deploy new personnel in 2023. So it’s important to realize that this should only be a small part of your analysis.

All times Eastern

Detroit at Kansas City (Thu, 8:20 PM)

Chiefs OL vs. Lions DL in the run game

We don’t think of the Chiefs as being a dominant run team because, well, they have Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. But Travis Kelce (knee) is hurt, and Reid will always take what a defense gives him. The Lions had a terrible time stopping the run last season, giving up the 4th-most rushing yards in the league while allowing a fourth-most 1.96 adjusted yards before contact per attempt. The Lions also surrendered a 7.5% explosive run rate, second-worst in the NFL. Though Kelce being unavailable would change this, the Chiefs were able to generate the fourth-most rushing attempts against light boxes (six men in the box or fewer), and the Lions gave up 7.51 yards per attempt with a light box last season.

The Lions believe first-round rookie LB Jack Campbell will help allay some of those struggles, but Detroit’s DL is still a problem spot. Reid has two new tackles — Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor — protecting Mahomes, in addition to Kelce’s injury. I wouldn’t be shocked if Isiah Pacheco gets going early to get the new bookends comfortable.

The Chris Jones Factor

By our Rush Grade, this is a mediocre matchup on the ground for the Lions (17th of 32). By our Pass Grade, it’s a horrible matchup for Jared Goff and the boys (30th of 32). But top Chief edge rusher Frank Clark is now in Denver, and DT Chris Jones is, as of publication, a holdout for a new contract. Jones might be the most disruptive interior defensive lineman in the game and wants to be paid as such. If he’s not in uniform, it’s a big boost for a Lions offensive line that has a chance to be one of the best in the NFL.

Carolina at Atlanta (Sun, 1 PM)

SHADOW ALERT! Falcons WR Drake London vs. Panthers CB Jaycee Horn

In two matchups last year, London ran just 12 routes against Horn’s primary coverage, and wasn’t targeted a single time. That’s not exactly uncommon with Horn — he didn’t allow more than 49 yards receiving to a single receiver last year (DK Metcalf), and he didn’t allow a single receiving touchdown either. Horn allowed just 0.17 FP/RR last season… the same as Patrick Surtain. Horn should be getting more love on his name, and this is not a great matchup for London, with a young QB pulling the trigger. Maybe this duel will convince Arthur Smith to play some fantasy football and actually scheme up targets for Kyle Pitts.

Houston at Baltimore (Sun, 1 PM)

Ravens OL vs. Texans DL in the run game

The off-season hubbub around Todd Monken’s offense in Baltimore is justifiable, considering how stale the old, condensed attack under Greg Roman got in recent years. Yes, we absolutely would expect the Ravens to spread the ball around and throw it more with their rebuilt receiving corps. But Monken is not stupid — a quarterback with Lamar Jackson’s running ability will butter the bread of any offense. Last year, the Ravens’ 2.38 adjusted yards before contact per attempt in the run game ranked just behind Philadelphia for second overall, and just ahead of Buffalo. Hmm… what do all those teams have in common?

Now, the Texans were actually OK (on a curve) defensively last year, as their 1.63 aYBC/A was just 11th-most in the NFL, though their 4.92 YPC allowed on non-scrambles was 3rd-most. And now they have a new scheme under coach De’Meco Ryans, along with additions to the front seven in DT Sheldon Rankins, LB Denzel Perryman, and rookie EDGE Will Anderson. I simply think it’s going to take some time for Ryans to get the best out of this unit, and Week 1 against Lamar and JK Dobbins is a tough draw. I really like Dobbins this week, though I definitely think Gus Edwards will get some work too.

Ravens DL vs. Texans OL

I predict a lot of growing pains for Texans rookie QB CJ Stroud early this season… with an emphasis on “pain.” By both our Rush Grade and Pass Grade, the Texans' offensive line has a bottom-5 matchup against Baltimore this week. And as I’ve noted, there’s no way for our Data to take into account that the Texans have been decimated up front. Three projected starters — LG Kenyon Green (shoulder), rookie C Juice Scruggs (hamstring), and RT Tytus Howard (hand) — are on IR (Green is out for the season, the other two at least four games). New acquisitions at LG (Josh Jones) and RT (George Fant) will likely start, while a sixth-round rookie (Jarrett Patterson) will fill in for another rookie at center. And keep in mind that Scruggs was only starting because Scott Quessenberry blew out his knee in August. The Texans smartly invested in this line in the off-season to help a rookie QB, but bad luck has put them in an awful spot in Week 1. Dameon Pierce will get carries, but he might not have a lot of room to run.

Cincinnati at Cleveland (Sun, 1 PM)

SHADOW ALERT! Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase vs. Browns CB Denzel Ward

These two rivals faced off for 24 coverage snaps in Week 14 of last year, and Chase torched Ward for 6/80/1 on 9 targets in Ward’s primary coverage. Ward also ceded the third-most fantasy points per route run (PPR) among qualified corners in 2022, at 0.38. The Browns clearly trust Ward to selectively travel (he didn’t go into the slot with Chase), but the numbers suggest this is not a matchup that should scare you off of Chase. (NOTE: Ward entered concussion protocol on August 26 and is questionable for this game.)

Jacksonville at Indianapolis (Sun, 1 PM)

Jaguars OL vs. Colts DL in the run game

The Jaguars haven’t exactly been known for their offensive line prowess in recent years, so would it surprise you to learn that only four teams averaged more aYBC/A than the Jags’ 2.06 last year? And in two games against the Colts last year, the Jags rushed for 339 yards, the 13th-most by any team against any opponent. (So you’re aware, there are 446 instances of that, so that’s really good.) Travis Etienne accounted for just 106 of those yards, as he was used in a rotational role to start the year, but it’s a good spot for him to get off on a good foot in 2023. That said, it’s possible rookie Tank Bigsby also looks particularly sharp in this matchup. The Colts are hoping LB Shaquille Leonard (concussion) plays to help ease some of their pain here.

Tampa Bay at Minnesota (Sun, 1 PM)

Buccaneers Outside WRs vs. Vikings CBs

The Vikings made a much-needed change at defensive coordinator, letting go of Ed Donatell and bringing in Brian Flores. Flores will need to dial up some pressure in order to protect a young secondary — the Vikings are projected to start one rookie at corner — third-rounder Mekhi Blackmon from USC — and 2022 fourth-rounder Akayleb Evans at the other spot. It’s a small sample, but Evans was beatable as a rookie. On 81 coverage snaps, he allowed 2.64 yards per route run, which was 3rd-most among CBs with 80 or more coverage snaps played. The biggest question, is, of course, if Baker Mayfield can get the Ball to Mike Evans on the outside. I’m also interested to see if Chris Godwin gets more outside snaps and what rookie Trey Palmer’s role is here. But if you drafted Evans at his depressed ADP, this is a spot in which you want to be starting him.

Tennessee at New Orleans (Sun, 1 PM)

Titans DL vs. Saints OL in the run game

The Titans absolutely stifled opposing run games in 2022. Their 3.05 YPC allowed on non-scrambles was the lowest in the NFL. Their 3.1% explosive run rate allowed was 2nd-lowest in the NFL. Their 0.77 aYBC/A was the lowest in the NFL, and one of only two teams (the other being Buffalo) that surrendered less than 1.0 aYBC/A. The Saints’ offensive line is not bad by any stretch, and they have all five starters back. I’m just not sure how much that will matter against Jeffery Simmons and this Tennessee front. The Saints need to hope the Titans’ rebuilt second level struggles. If you drafted Jamaal Williams, you did so to start him in the weeks Alvin Kamara is suspended. Unfortunately, this week features perhaps the worst matchup for a guy who isn’t explosive in the first place.

Saints CB Marshon Lattimore vs. Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins

One big caveat to apply here: Lattimore (knee) is on the Saints’ injury report, though it looks to be trending towards him being available on Sunday. The other caveat, of course, is that Hopkins is on a new team in a new offense, but Hopkins predominantly played the LWR spot for the Cardinals last year, lining up there on 62% of his routes. If that stays the same out of respect for a veteran’s comfort level in 2023, he’ll draw plenty of coverage against Lattimore, who was almost exclusively the Saints’ RCB last year (82%). Among CBs with 200 or more coverage snaps last season, Lattimore’s 50.7 passer rating allowed was 5th-lowest in the NFL. This isn’t something that I’d consider a severe mismatch against Hopkins, but a good battle and perhaps a slight downgrade.

San Francisco at Pittsburgh (Sun, 1 PM)

49ers DL vs. Steelers OL

Sorry Steelers fans — Nick Bosa is going to play in this one after becoming the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. That said, the Steelers’ offensive line should be better than it has been in years — they signed underrated LG Isaac Seumalo away from the Eagles this off-season, and first-round rookie tackle Broderick Jones isn’t even starting because third-year man Dan Moore had a fantastic camp at LT. Nonetheless, the 49ers are loaded up front, with Bosa back, Javon Hargrave joining the interior unit, and reclamation project Clelin Ferrell having a solid camp at EDGE. It’s a tough matchup for the ascending Kenny Pickett, and if RB Najee Harris is going to produce in this game, it’s going to have to be in true Najee fashion — plodding. The Niners’ 2.6% explosive run rate allowed was the lowest in the NFL last season.

49ers CB Charvarius Ward vs. Steelers WR George Pickens

This will be a heck of a matchup to see if Pickens has progressed beyond “contested catch artist” into a complete receiver in his second season. Pickens, almost exclusively an outside WR (86% of his routes in 2022) is going to link up about half the time with Ward, who allowed a strong 0.21 FP/RR from his predominantly LCB alignment. Opposing QBs went after Ward just 13.8% of the time on his routes, which was in the same neighborhood as Sauce Gardner (13.7%), if you’re looking for how infrequently he was targeted. At just 0.30 FP/RR a season ago, Pickens was 80th among 139 qualified receivers. It’s a massive challenge as he and QB Kenny Pickett look to take their second-year leap together.

Arizona at Washington (Sun, 1 PM)

Commanders WR Curtis Samuel vs. Cardinals S Jalen Thompson

In actuality, it’s hard to find an area where the Cardinals aren’t overmatched, and I imagine that will be the case for much of this season. But for DFS sickos (who will be all over Jahan Dotson as well), I wanted to highlight a spot where our WR/CB Matchup Tool has screamed at me. Samuel was not very efficient last season, averaging just 1.19 YPRR from the slot, which was 52nd among 72 receivers with 100 or more slot routes run. But Thompson really struggled in his slot coverage role last season, allowing a 9th-most 1.65 YPRR among defenders who played more than 50% of their coverage snaps inside. It remains to be seen how new Cards coach Jonathan Gannon deploys Thompson now that Isaiah Simmons has been traded, but even if Thompson is moved back to safety, the Cardinals will be digging ever further into their nonexistent depth. Given the uncertain status of Terry McLaurin (toe), it’s possible Samuel is a bigger part of the Commanders’ gameplan for new QB Sam Howell.

Actual NFL Team vs. The Cardinals

The Cardinals are starting Josh Dobbs at QB just two weeks after acquiring him. He knows the system because he worked with OC Luke Petzing in Tennessee last year, and to be fair to Dobbs, he started on a far quicker turnaround than that with the Titans. But he’s quarterbacking a ship built to sink. The Commanders’ talented front could give him hell.

Green Bay at Chicago (Sun, 4:25 PM)

Packers OL vs. Bears DL

Here is part of the peril in projecting Week 1 mismatches using 2022 data — the Bears have made a concerted effort to improve their defensive front after a disastrous 2022. Of the nine defensive linemen on the Bears’ active roster, only two were on the team last year (starting DT Justin Jones, backup DE Dominique Robinson). Both of their LBs, TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, were acquired in the off-season. Nonetheless, the Bears managed the second-worst QBPROE last season, and the third-worst adjusted rush yards before contact per rush attempt. The Packers were in the top half of the league in both metrics offensively… though, of course, Aaron Rodgers heavily contributed to their #2 rating in QBPROE. While Jordan Love won’t have the instincts of Rodgers, I still believe the Bears’ revamped front seven will take some time to come together, giving the Packers’ offensive line — which has all five starters back — the clear advantage.

Packers Pass Rush vs. Bears OL

The Bears knew they had offensive line issues — that’s why they signed new RG Nate Davis away from the Titans and spent a top-10 draft pick on RT Darnell Wright out of Tennessee. But it certainly bears mentioning (no pun intended) that a large, and perhaps the biggest, reason for Chicago’s league-worst (by a mile) 12.24% QBPROE is QB Justin Fields. We charted Fields with 17 sacks that were his fault in 2022, most in the NFL, and the 28.8% of his pressured snaps that resulted in sacks ranked behind just Carson Wentz (33.8%) in futility. The Bears hope added weapons at WR help Fields avoid coverage sacks, while the additions on the offensive line help keep him clean for longer. But we’ll also learn very quickly if Fields has taken a step forward in processing speed, as Green Bay ranked 8th in defensive QBPROE last year.

Packers WR Christian Watson vs. Bears CB Tyrique Stevenson

Stevenson, a rookie second-round pick out of Miami, is not lacking for confidence, and the youngster had a fantastic preseason to seal what we project to be a starting job as the Bears’ left CB, opposite Jaylon Johnson. But it would be foolish to think the Packers won’t go after him often, and especially with Watson, who was 10th among all qualified WRs with 2.51 YPRR as a rookie. If Stevenson is indeed starting, as projected, expect Matt LaFleur to dial up a go ball for Watson early in the game. NOTE: Watson is listed on the Packers’ injury report with a hamstring injury.

Las Vegas at Denver (Sun, 4:25 PM)

SHADOW ALERT! Raiders WR Davante Adams vs. Broncos CB Patrick Surtain

Adams ran 75 routes against the Broncos in two games last season. Of those 75, 45 were in Surtain’s primary coverage, with Surtain following Adams everywhere but the slot. On 13 targets with Surtain in coverage, Adams caught 8 passes for 135 yards and 2 TD, with both scores coming in Week 11. Surtain gave up just 3 TD all year — DJ Moore scored the other. But Adams also did serious damage when not covered by Surtain, torching all other Broncos for 8/106 on 13 targets (30 routes).

There are two major variables here, of course. The Broncos have a new DC in Vance Joseph, and Adams has a new QB in Jimmy Garoppolo. Season-long players will obviously be starting Adams, but the new QB and the matchup with Surtain could scare off DFS players despite Adams’ success in this matchup last season.

Miami at Los Angeles Chargers (Sun, 4:25 PM)

Dolphins OL vs. Chargers DL in the run game

The reason so many fantasy nerds are excited about a potential Jonathan Taylor trade to the Dolphins is because Mike McDaniel is a run-game guru, and the Dolphins’ wide zone scheme is an ideal fit for Taylor. But the fact remains that Miami won’t pay a super-duper premium for Taylor because it’s a system that a good number of backs can have success in, including Raheem Mostert and rookie De’Von Achane. And this is a matchup in which the McDaniel system should feast — the Chargers gave up 2.20 adjusted yards before contact a season ago, behind only the Giants in futility. Their 5.35 YPC on non-scrambles surrendered was the worst in the NFL. And on zone scheme runs, the Chargers were the only team in the league to surrender more than 5.0 YPC… at 5.53, it was worse than their overall YPC surrendered.

And the Chargers’ personnel shifts in the off-season… didn’t really do a ton to move the needle. They don’t have a major addition on the defensive line, while they’re relying on veteran LB Eric Kendricks and rookie Daiyan Henley to shore up the second level. In fact, the most significant “move” for the Chargers is the fact that EDGE rusher Joey Bosa reportedly gained 20 pounds to help stifle the run better. Maybe the Chargers’ work in the weight room will pay off, but this is a pretty spicy spot for Mostert in Week 1, with Jeff Wilson on IR.

Philadelphia at New England (Sun, 4:25 PM)

Eagles DL vs. Patriots OL

The offensive line in New England was already a concern heading into the season — they lost RT Isaiah Wynn to the Dolphins in free agency, and the man they signed to replace him, veteran Riley Reiff, suffered a leg injury in the final preseason game and will miss at least the first four games of the year. The man replacing Reiff, Calvin Anderson, just recently came off the NFI list after a serious illness. Moreover, projecting starting guards Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu have missed some time throughout the summer and might not be 100%.

Yes, the Eagles lost DT Javon Hargrave to the 49ers this off-season, so they don’t have the full group that was second in the NFL at 8.46% QBPROE back. But they also added a couple of blue-chip prospects from Georgia — DT Jalen Carter and EDGE Nolan Smith — in the first round of the NFL Draft to go with returning studs Haason Reddick, Brandon Graham, and Fletcher Cox. The Patriots might well rotate in some young depth to try to figure out their best five early in the season. This is not the matchup they’d prefer in doing that. Expect a lot of the run game, screens, and RPOs at a quick tempo to try to mitigate the Eagles’ clear advantage up front.

Eagles WRs vs. Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez

Among wide receivers with 100 or more routes run, the Eagles’ AJ Brown ranked second in yards per route run with 2.94, and DeVonta Smith ranked 16th with 2.24. Gonzalez was a first-round pick for a reason — his size and athletic traits are impossible to teach. But it’s possible he drew the toughest matchup in the entire league from a 1-2 punch perspective for his NFL debut, and that’s simply bad luck. Expect new Eagles OC Brian Johnson to test Gonzalez from the start of this game.

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle (Sun, 4:25 PM)

Seahawks WRs vs. Rams DBs

Last season against the Rams, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett combined for 24/349/3 on 35 targets against the Rams… on a defense that included Jalen Ramsey. Projected starting outside CBs Ahkello Witherspoon (4th) and Derion Kendrick (10th) ranked in the top 10 of yards per route run allowed among 141 qualified corners. That’s bad for the corners… but good for the receivers. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said rookie slot man Jaxon Smith-Njigba (wrist) will play in this game, but JSN could have his snaps limited, and his matchup with nickelback Cobie Durant is the hardest of this bunch. I expect Metcalf and Lockett to go absolutely nuts here.

Seahawks DBs vs. Rams WR Van Jefferson

The Rams have already ruled Cooper Kupp (hamstring) out of this game, and there’s potential for that injury to be a long-term one, as coach Sean McVay wouldn’t rule out putting Kupp on IR. Yes, someone has to catch passes for LA, and Jefferson is the best bet to do so on the perimeter after having an excellent camp. But this is a pretty brutal matchup. While the Seahawks are not yet at Legion of Boom levels in the secondary, this unit has the potential to be scary good very soon. 2022 fifth-round pick Tariq Woolen was one of the steals of the NFL Draft, allowing just 0.76 YPRR as a rookie, 8th-fewest among qualified corners. Last year’s left corner, Michael Jackson, was 18th-best in the same category, and hasn’t even won the starting job yet, as he’s battling Tre Brown. Another 2022 rookie, Coby Bryant, gave them good snaps in the slot… and then the Seahawks spent the 5th overall pick in April on Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon. The Seahawks just know how to draft corners… and the Rams just know how to rack up the injuries.

Dallas at New York Giants (Sun, 8:20 PM)

Cowboys OL vs. Giants DL in the run game

The Giants were atrocious in the run game last year. Only the Chargers (5.35) surrendered more YPC than New York (5.11) on non-scramble runs. They tied the Lions for a 7.5% explosive run rate allowed, behind only the Bears (7.6%). And most alarmingly, the Giants' 2.88 adjusted yards before contact per attempt ranked .68 YPA worse than the Chargers’ 2.20… and they were the only two teams to allow more than 2.0 aYBC/A. Dallas’ offensive line was simply mediocre in that category last year (1.49), owing perhaps to how thin the depth is up front. The biggest question is if the Giants did enough to improve their run defense in the off-season — they added a couple of interior depth options at DT in A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, plus they signed MLB Bobby Okereke away from the Colts. GM Joe Schoen was also active in August, adding EDGE defenders Isaiah Simmons and Boogie Basham in cheap deals. It’s not going to be enough to get me off of Tony Pollard in Week 1.

Cowboys Pass Rush vs. Giants OL

No team pressured QBs at a higher rate above expectation than the Cowboys last year — 10.11%. Meanwhile, the Giants allowed pressure at the fourth-highest rate above expectation (6.85%). The Giants have just one new starter up front, but it’s a rookie (C John Michael Schmitz). Second-year RT Evan Neal was one of the worst offensive linemen in the league a season ago, and Cowboys DC Dan Quinn will certainly test him with Micah Parsons, much in the same way the velociraptors in Jurassic Park tested the electric fences for weaknesses. Giants fans are hopeful that Neal takes a similar second-year leap to that of LT Andrew Thomas, who was awful as a rookie and has developed into one of the best tackles in the league. Unfortunately, they’ll need a lot more than “hope” against Parsons. I’d expect Brian Daboll to scheme up a lot of quick throws to TE Darren Waller and the Giants’ cornucopia of slot receivers.

Buffalo at New York Jets (Mon, 8:15 PM)

SHADOW ALERT! Jets WR Garrett Wilson vs. Bills CB Tre’Davious White

As White was recovering from a late-2021 knee injury and didn’t play early in 2022, he faced off against Wilson just once last year. Wilson ran 30 of his 50 routes in White’s primary coverage in a Week 14 showdown, catching 4 passes for 51 yards on 5 targets with White covering him. In White’s six games in 2022, no receiver had more yards than Wilson in his primary coverage. It also goes without saying that Aaron Rodgers will be a significant upgrade over Mike White, who started that contest last year for the Jets. Frankly, I view this as a clash of titans, and I’m looking forward to these two going at it. I’m not sure either receiver or corner has a distinct advantage here. I do know Rodgers will challenge White’s coverage.

Bills DL vs. Jets OL in the run game

As optimistic as Jets fans are for this season, I would wager most of them are nervous about the offensive line. That’s not to say it can’t be better than a line that was decimated by injury last year, but there are potential weak links in terms of age (Duane Brown) and inexperience (Mekhi Becton). Jets coach Robert Saleh said this week that the Jets will play it smart with second-year RB Breece Hall coming off his 2022 ACL tear, and that’s probably smart in this matchup. The Bills’ 0.81 aYBC/A surrendered last year was second-fewest in the NFL, to only the Titans.

Jets CB Sauce Gardner vs. Bills WR Gabe Davis

At Fantasy Points, we’re believers that Davis will bounce back from his injury-riddled 2022 campaign, a season that was derailed early by a high-ankle sprain. We’re just not sure this is the week to project that to happen. Davis is almost exclusively an outside receiver for Buffalo, lining up on the left and right side of the formation about equally, while Stefon Diggs moves all around, including into the slot. Last season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, Gardner played almost exclusively left corner for the Jets. The two matched up on 29 routes last year. Davis had 1 catch for 6 yards on 3 targets in Gardner’s coverage. If Gabe’s going to make a big play, it’ll likely come against RCB DJ Reed.