Corner Report: Week 12

This article will go game by game looking at the top wide receivers from an offense and, based on the inside/outside and left/right splits in the alignment data of those receivers, identify the cornerbacks most likely to face them in man coverage. The corners named will parenthetically cite the rank of their coverage grade from Pro Football Focus from the 2019 season. The snap counts listed are not a projection, but rather the totals from so far this year.

Receivers very rarely see the same corner every play, be it due to formational quirks or zone coverage calls by the defense, so a receiver's fortunes depend on much more than just the quality of the corner they're likely to see the most in a given game. But it's part of the puzzle, and it's worth keeping track of.

Receivers are left with an Upgrade, Downgrade, or Even verdict based on their projected matchup. This shouldn't be read as 'good' or 'bad' but rather a measured tweak from the receiver's baseline projection.

BUF vs DEN

BUFFALO WR SNAPS

John Brown: 602 snaps – 429 wide (261 left, 168 right), 167 slot (94 left, 73 right), one tight (one right), five back

Cole Beasley: 448 snaps – 65 wide (36 left, 29 right), 381 slot (179 left, 202 right), two back

Isaiah McKenzie: 202 snaps – 43 wide (18 left, 25 right), 117 slot (51 left, 66 right), three tight (three right), 39 back
 

We can probably expect Chris Harris (71.8 PFF) to shadow John Brown, to what effect is less clear. Harris is pretty tough to beat underneath or through the intermediate, but Harris has always had average at best speed, and it's doubtful he can match steps with Brown beyond 15 yards or so. Since Brown makes his living downfield anyway (13.6 ADOT), I think Brown is generally built to take advantage of Harris' few weaknesses. The question for me is whether Josh Allen has the time to throw downfield to Brown and, if so, whether Allen hits the target Brown offers. Cole Beasley rarely leaves the slot, where he should run against Duke Dawson (55.9 PFF), who seems more beatable than most slot corners. If Harris shadows Brown, then Isaiah McKenzie should get left with Devontae Harris (55.1 PFF).

Upgrade: Cole Beasley

Downgrade: N/A

Even: John Brown, Isaiah McKenzie

DENVER WR SNAPS

Courtland Sutton: 604 snaps – 362 wide (224 left, 138 right), 227 slot (145 left, 82 right), six tight (three left, three right), nine back

DaeSean Hamilton: 409 snaps – 47 wide (21 left, 26 right), 328 slot (166 left, 162 right), 29 tight (19 left, 10 right), five back

Tim Patrick: 65 snaps – 32 wide (14 left, 18 right), 28 slot (14 left, 14 right), five tight (two left, three right)

Courtland Sutton is a good bet to draw the shadow of Tre'Davious White (72.3 PFF), a tough matchup for Sutton but one he can still win. As much as it's probably a downgrade, I think it's more worth focusing on the fact that Sutton is a top talent with 17 targets on 119 snaps since Brandon Allen took over. Tim Patrick was an interesting addition to the offense last week, and with Sutton running on the left more than 60 percent of the time, we can figure that Patrick will find snaps more easily on the right. Regardless, if White shadows Sutton then Patrick's matchup is likely against Levi Wallace (60.6) no matter where he lines up. Wallace is skinny and slow, whereas Patrick is skinny with good athleticism (4.47-second 40, 37.5-inch vertical, 128-inch broad jump). I can't quite call it an upgrade but Patrick can probably beat Wallace if the safety doesn't help. DaeSean Hamilton may remain the slot wideout but he's been profoundly ineffective and a matchup against Taron Johnson (52.2 PFF) doesn't move the needle either way.
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Courtland Sutton

Even: Tim Patrick, DaeSean Hamilton

ATL vs TB

ATLANTA WR SNAPS

Calvin Ridley: 521 snaps – 314 wide (120 left, 194 right), 192 slot (63 left, 129 right), four tight (three left, one right), 11 back

Julio Jones: 520 snaps – 295 wide (180 left, 115 right), 215 slot (119 left, 106 right), eight tight (two left, six right), two back

Russell Gage: 206 snaps – 73 wide (38 left, 35 right), 128 slot (72 left, 56 right), two tight (one left, one right), three back

Julio Jones runs on the left roughly 58 percent of the time, and Calvin Ridley runs on the right about 63.5 percent of the time so far, but the Buccaneers have shuffled their secondary so many times it's tough to guess who will match up where. If things remain like last week, then the Buccaneers might generally use rookie second-round pick Sean Murphy-Bunting (61.0 PFF) at right corner and Carlton Davis (67.8) at left corner. That would leave Ridley mostly against Davis and Jones mostly against Murphy-Bunting. Murphy-Bunting is big and very athletic, but he's also all of 10 games out of Central Michigan. I have to call that an upgrade for Jones, and I'll say the same for Ridley since (A) he might beat Davis on the offense's right side and (B) Ridley will get his own shots at the rookie every so often. I'm also calling it an upgrade for slot wideout Russell Gage, as the Buccaneers primarily defended the slot last week with safety Mike Edwards (48.0 PFF).

Upgrade: Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

TAMPA BAY WR SNAPS

Chris Godwin: 693 snaps – 120 wide (60 left, 60 right), 439 slot (206 left, 233 right), 129 tight (73 left, 56 right), five back

Mike Evans: 653 snaps – 494 wide (273 left, 221 right), 153 slot (75 left, 78 right), five tight (two left, three right), one back

Breshad Perriman: 326 snaps – 179 wide (83 left, 96 right), 125 slot (62 left, 63 right), 20 tight (13 left, seven right), two back

Scotty Miller: 148 snaps* (from PFF) – 112 wide (55 left, 57 right), 36 slot (17 left, 19 right)

Mike Evans lined up on the left side about 53.7 percent of the time so far, probably within the margin of error to call it a tossup for whether Evans sees more of right corner Isaiah Oliver (57.9 PFF) or left corner Desmond Trufant (65.0). If their respective PFF ratings hold, then we might prefer to see Oliver on Evans rather than Trufant, but the distinction probably isn't worth fussing about. Even with the Falcons pass defense looking better the last two games, I think the corner personnel is still closer to an upgrade for Evans than a downgrade. Chris Godwin tends to run inside, where he might mostly avoid the previously mentioned two corners. Atlanta's main slot corner in recent weeks is rookie fourth-round pick Kendall Sheffield (58.0 PFF). You probably have to call it an upgrade for Godwin, but Sheffield likely possesses low 4.3 speed at 6-foot, 193 pounds, and he has high PFF coverage grades in each of his last two games. Breshad Perriman played only 36 snaps last week to Scott Miller and his 35 plays, and Miller has the speed (4.34-second 40) to mimic Perriman's field-stretching functions. Miller was very productive at Bowling Green and might continue to steal snaps from Perriman.

Upgrade: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Breshad Perriman, Scotty Miller

PHI vs SEA

PHILADELPHIA WR SNAPS

Nelson Agholor: 630 snaps – 132 wide (48 left, 84 right), 448 slot (234 left, 214 right), 25 tight (seven left, 18 right), 25 back

Alshon Jeffery: 411 snaps – 313 wide (185 left, 128 right), 94 slot (47 left, 47 right), four tight (two left, two right)

Mack Hollins: 385 snaps – 209 wide (113 left, 96 right), 164 slot (65 left, 99 right), three tight (three right), nine back

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside: 193 snaps – 143 wide (73 left, 70 right), 43 slot (23 left, 20 right), one tight (one left), six back

Jordan Matthews: 62 snaps* (from PFF) – 54 wide (32 left, 22 right), eight slot (four left, four right)

If Alshon Jeffery (ankle) can return then we might expect him to line up on the left roughly 57 percent of the time, but for this particular game we want to see that number go well over 60. Shaquill Griffin (80.1 PFF) very rarely leaves the left side of the defense, meaning it would instead leave Jeffery against the much more beatable Tre Flowers (42.4 PFF) when lined up on the offense's left. Jordan Matthews seemed the direct replacement to Jeffery last week and might serve the same function here if Jeffery is out. With the cursed Nelson Agholor (knee) questionable after missing practice all week, Matthews might need to serve as a replacement starter even if Jeffery is back. If it's Agholor who needs replacing, then Matthews will run from the slot more than last week. Whoever runs from the slot should primarily face Jamar Taylor (43.6 PFF). Mack Hollins might be on his way out of the offense after playing 13 snaps to the rookie J.J. Arcega-Whiteside's 19 snaps, but it's not clear how the Jeffery and Agholor situations might affect their respective projections.

Upgrade: Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews (only if Agholor is out)

Downgrade: Mack Hollins, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside

Even: Alshon Jeffery

SEATTLE WR SNAPS

Tyler Lockett: 647 snaps – 120 wide (60 left, 60 right), 477 slot (203 left, 274 right), 12 tight (six left, six right), 38 back

DK Metcalf: 576 snaps – 431 wide (282 left, 149 right), 140 slot (101 left, 39 right), four tight (two left, two right), one back

David Moore: 197 snaps – 126 wide (58 left, 68 right), 61 slot (34 left, 27 right), eight tight (two left, six right), two back

Josh Gordon: 27 snaps – 24 wide (seven left, 17 right), three slot (two left, one right)

Malik Turner played 35 snaps last week, but I think that's just because he was the only remaining slot receiver after Tyler Lockett (leg) got hurt. But Lockett is supposed to be fine – he was removed from the injury report at least – and if he's healthy then he's playing the vast majority of Seattle's snaps. At outside receiver Turner is likely behind all of DK Metcalf, Josh Gordon, and David Moore. Generally speaking, a two-wide set will feature Metcalf at left wideout and Lockett at the right spot, which changes to Metcalf at left, Lockett in the slot, and Gordon at right in three-wide sets. Moore is otherwise the top backup to Metcalf and Gordon. The right corner should generally be Ronald Darby (46.4 PFF), leaving him against Metcalf for the most part. Darby has sub-4.4 speed and can jump, but Metcalf is four inches taller and faster yet at 35 pounds heavier. Gordon should mostly run against Jalen Mills (81.9 PFF), who has earned high PFF grades at left corner in his four games back from injury. Perhaps he's playing legitimately well, but Mills and his 4.61 speed are asking for problems against Gordon and even Moore. If the Eagles stick with Avonte Maddox (48.7 PFF) at slot corner then it's probably an upgrade for Lockett.

Upgrade: Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Josh Gordon, David Moore

CHI vs NYG

CHICAGO WR SNAPS

Allen Robinson: 599 snaps – 260 wide (146 left, 114 right), 315 slot (172 left, 143 right), 19 tight (nine left, 10 right), five back

Taylor Gabriel: 406 snaps – 236 wide (99 left, 135 right), 163 slot (75 left, 88 right), three tight (one left, two right), four back

Anthony Miller: 368 snaps – 58 wide (26 left, 32 right), 295 slot (151 left, 144 right), 12 tight (nine left, three right), three back

Allen Robinson plays everywhere but has a slight leftward slant in his splits (54.6 percent), so he should see a bit more of DeAndre Baker (30.0 PFF) than left corner Janoris Jenkins (65.8 PFF). Robinson can beat Jenkins too, but we really want him matched up against Baker as much as possible. Robinson could see a few additional favorable looks against Corey Ballentine (30.0 PFF) in the slot, where the rookie sixth-round pick recently replaced the struggling Grant Haley. Taylor Gabriel should see the most of Jenkins, leaving Gabriel with a winnable matchup but still the least desirable of the Bears wideouts. That includes Anthony Miller, who projects for the advantage against Ballentine in the slot.

Upgrade: Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Taylor Gabriel

GIANTS WR SNAPS

Darius Slayton: 416 snaps – 353 wide (203 left, 150 right), 50 slot (28 left, 22 right), 12 tight (five left, seven right), one back

Golden Tate: 365 snaps – 55 wide (28 left, 27 right), 292 slot (154 left, 138 right), eight tight (four left, four right), 10 back

Bennie Fowler: 334 snaps – 182 wide (79 left, 83 right), 131 slot (67 left, 64 right), 15 tight (four left, 11 right), six back

Sterling Shepard: 252 snaps – 66 wide (26 left, 40 right), 174 slot (87 left, 87 right), two tight (two left), 10 back
 

Sterling Shepard (concussion) is expected to return, in which case he and Darius Slayton might more or less split the outside snaps, each with mostly even splits but with Slayton on the left slightly more than the right, and Shepard on the right slightly more often than the left. If so, both of the previously named wideouts will see both of Kyle Fuller (52.8 PFF) and Prince Amukamara (72.9 PFF), but with Fuller on the defense's left and Amukamara the right, Slayton should see a bit more of Amukamara and Shepard a bit more of Fuller. Golden Tate arguably has the easiest matchup of the Giants wideouts, primarily facing off against slot corner Buster Skrine (66.7 PFF), though Skrine's PFF grade has improved sharply in recent weeks.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton

NO vs CAR

NEW ORLEANS WR SNAPS

Michael Thomas: 622 snaps – 365 wide (231 left, 134 right), 253 slot (154 left, 99 right), four back

Ted Ginn: 440 snaps – 274 wide (123 left, 151 right), 139 slot (71 left, 68 right), 10 tight (five left, five right), 17 back

Tre'Quan Smith: 196 snaps – 43 wide (24 left, 19 right), 136 slot (70 left, 63 right), 15 tight (11 left, four right), two back

Depending on whether the Panthers use James Bradberry (67.3 PFF) to shadow Michael Thomas, Thomas could either see Bradberry on most snaps or see a bit of each of the top three Carolina corners. With a leftward slant to his snaps, Thomas would more so see right corner Donte Jackson (64.7 PFF) otherwise. Ted Ginn would be left on Bradberry more often in this scenario. Thomas and Tre'Quan Smith will catch either Ross Cockrell (quadriceps, 57.6 PFF) on their slot snaps or, if Cockrell is unavailable, Javien Elliott (65.6 PFF). It's hard to spot an obvious edge for Saints receivers, though matchups don't matter for Thomas.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn, Tre'Quan Smith

CAROLINA WR SNAPS

D.J. Moore: 631 snaps – 457 wide (329 left, 128 right), 153 slot (98 left, 55 right), six tight (six left), 15 back

Curtis Samuel: 597 snaps – 299 wide (97 left, 202 right), 251 slot (127 left, 124 right), six tight (two left, four right), 41 back

Jarius Wright: 423 snaps – 58 wide (31 left, 27 right), 343 slot (171 left, 172 right), 14 tight (six left, eight right), eight back
 

Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) appears highly questionable at best, and if active he might be compromised to an extent where it's still an upgrade for D.J. Moore, who runs on Lattimore's default side (left of the offense, right of the defense). If Lattimore is out, then it's unclear whether Moore would draw a shadow from Eli Apple (70.3 PFF) or if Apple would man the left side of the defense with P.J. Williams (54.0 PFF) playing on the right. As long as Apple doesn't shadow Moore, I think he's closer to an upgrade than a downgrade. Curtis Samuel would likely see Apple most often if Apple doesn't shadow Moore. Apple is toolsy and has a relatively high PFF grade, so that'd be a tough draw for Samuel. In the event that Lattimore is active, Williams might be the primary assignment of slot wideout Jarius Wright. If Lattimore is out, then Williams' move outside will clear up snaps for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (72.7 PFF) at slot corner, and he's arguably the Saints' best slot corner anyway. Keep in mind, the Panthers will need adequate QB play for any of these matchup advantages to matter much.
 

Upgrade: D.J. Moore

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Curtis Samuel, Jarius Wright

CLE vs MIA

CLEVELAND WR SNAPS

Odell Beckham: 637 snaps – 482 wide (252 left, 230 right), 143 slot (67 left, 76 right), three tight (one left, two right), nine back

Jarvis Landry: 620 snaps – 146 wide (68 left, 78 right), 438 slot (202 left, 236 right), 23 tight (14 left, nine right), 13 back

Rashard Higgins: 121 snaps – 62 wide (19 left, 43 right), 59 slot (31 left, 28 right)
 

The Dolphins really used Nik Needham (78.5 PFF) and his 4.7 speed on John Brown last week. It didn't work, but it'd be nice for Odell Beckham if the Dolphins used Needham as the shadow corner again this week. Even if they don't, it's still an upgrade for Beckham regardless of whether he's running against Needham or Ken Crawley (57.7 PFF). It's an upgrade for Rashard Higgins too, though he's not getting any usage at the moment. Jarvis Landry gets an upgrade as well as he matches up against Jomal Wiltz (44.0 PFF) in the slot.

Upgrade: Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

MIAMI WR SNAPS

DeVante Parker: 558 snaps – 293 wide (129 left, 164 right), 254 slot (120 left, 134 right), 11 tight (six left, five right)

Allen Hurns: 285 snaps – 80 wide (41 left, 39 right), 194 slot (82 left, 112 right), four tight (four right), seven back

Jakeem Grant: 213 snaps – 80 wide (34 left, 46 right), 110 slot (45 left, 65 right), one tight (one left), 22 back

Albert Wilson: 165 snaps – 15 wide (eight left, seven right), 144 slot (69 left, 75 right), two tight (two left), four back
 

With Denzel Ward (67.8 PFF) quickly reestablishing himself as Cleveland's top corner, it will be interesting to see if Cleveland uses Ward as a shadow on DeVante Parker or if they instead leave Ward on the left side of the defense and rookie Greedy Williams (61.6 PFF) on the right. Parker would incidentally catch more of Ward anyway, but with Parker's height advantage (6-foot-3 to 5-foot-11) he might get a few catches on Ward even if he's covered. Jakeem Grant may be worth most of Ward's attention when on the field, because only Ward can match Grant's speed and quickness. Allen Hurns splits outside snaps with Grant while Albert Wilson splits the slot snaps with Grant, making it difficult to take much for granted with any of the three. Whoever runs from the slot probably gets T.J. Carrie (49.0 PFF).
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: DeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant, Albert Wilson, Allen Hurns

CIN vs PIT

CINCINNATI WR SNAPS

Tyler Boyd: 616 snaps – 109 wide (68 left, 41 right), 451 slot (230 left, 221 right), 22 tight (11 left, 11 right), 34 back

Auden Tate: 515 snaps – 272 wide (162 left, 110 right), 233 slot (132 left, 101 right), six tight (two left, four right), four back

Alex Erickson: 293 snaps – 116 wide (54 left, 62 right), 156 slot (63 left, 93 right), eight tight (two left, six right), 13 back

Although Auden Tate and Alex Erickson move around plenty, the most typical three-wide set for Cincinnati probably features Tate on the left side, Tyler Boyd in the slot, and Erickson on the right side. If that persists in this game, then for some slight majority of the time Tate should draw right corner Steven Nelson (74.1 PFF), arguably the better corner between himself and Joe Haden (67.6 PFF), who would generally catch more of Erickson. Perhaps Tate's 6-foot-5 frame can make him a viable target despite tight coverage from Nelson, but it's hard to see how Tate generates much separation. Nothing looks easy about this for Boyd, either, as slot corner Mike Hilton (74.0 PFF) is one of the better ones. Then there's the quarterback issue.
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Tyler Boyd, Auden Tate, Alex Erickson

Even: N/A

PITTSBURGH WR SNAPS

JuJu Smith-Schuster: 483 snaps – 115 wide (72 left, 43 right), 337 slot (145 left, 192 right), 23 tight (nine left, 14 right), eight back

Diontae Johnson: 389 snaps – 269 wide (150 left, 119 right), 111 slot (65 left, 46 right), two tight (two right), seven back

James Washington: 350 snaps – 177 wide (94 left, 83 right), 123 slot (48 left, 75 right), 43 tight (12 left, 31 right), seven back

Tevin Jones: 35 snaps – 32 slot (11 left, 21 right), three tight (three right)

JuJu (concussion) is out, and when he left last week's game he was mostly replaced in the slot by Tevin Jones, a non-prospect who was just a rotational player at Memphis before bouncing around practice squads the last four years. Maybe Jones can offer something, but I'd generally have to give the upper hand to slot corner Darqueze Denard (66.7 PFF). James Washington sees slightly more slot usage than Diontae Johnson, who tends to stick outside, and we can otherwise generally expect Johnson to play a bit more on the left than the right. Johnson's leading matchup might there be right corner William Jackson (60.5 PFF), who has a mediocre PFF grade but is much faster than Johnson even at about 20 pounds heavier. Washington should see some snaps against Dennard and Jackson as well, but he should more so see B.W. Webb (57.5 PFF), who was struggled a bit since playing more outside snaps in light of Dennard's return from injury about a month ago.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Diontae Johnson, James Washington, Tevin Jones

NYJ vs OAK

JETS WR SNAPS

Robby Anderson: 563 snaps – 429 wide (250 left, 179 right), 134 slot (79 left, 55 right)

Jamison Crowder: 485 snaps – 85 wide (45 left, 40 right), 386 slot (199 left, 187 right), one tight (one left), 13 back

Demaryius Thomas: 324 snaps – 142 wide (68 left, 74 right), 174 slot (87 left, 87 right), five tight (two left, three right), three back
 

Playing on the left more than the right, Robby Anderson should see Daryl Worley (71.0 PFF) more than the other Raiders corners. Trayvon Mullen (68.8 PFF) is looking good as the left corner, so there's no obvious weakness for Anderson to attack outside. Neither player has the speed to run with Anderson, but that hasn't mattered all year for Anderson. Demaryius Thomas will see both of Worley and Mullen as well, though perhaps Mullen a bit more often. Jamison Crowder is the only Jets receiver with an obvious green light, as he should run against Nevin Lawson (80.6 PFF) in the slot if Lamarcus Joyner misses another game. Lawson has a high grade at the moment, but it's on only 72 snaps. Lawson posted a 54.7 grade over 512 snaps last year.

Upgrade: Jamison Crowder

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Robby Anderson, Demaryius Thomas

OAKLAND WR SNAPS

Tyrell Williams: 431 snaps – 263 wide (172 left, 191 right), 161 slot (83 left, 78 right), five tight (one left, four right), two back

Hunter Renfrow: 326 snaps – nine wide (five left, four right), 306 slot (152 left, 154 right), six tight (four left, two right), 11 back

Zay Jones: 173 snaps* (from PFF) – 118 wide (44 left, 74 right), 55 slot (33 left, 22 right)
 

It could be a big day for Tyrell Williams, who should see a mostly even split in his snaps between outside corners Blessuan Austin (83.2 PFF) when lined up on the left and Nate Hairston (50.4 PFF) when on the right. Austin has high grades in his two games replacing the injured Darryl Roberts, but I'm willing to bet the sixth-round rookie out of Rutgers will find it more difficult against Oakland than he did against the Giants or Washington. Zay Jones will get the leftover of whichever outside corner Williams doesn't see. It's a great matchup for Jones as well, though he might be incapable of capitalizing. Hunter Renfrow has produced against similarly tough matchups this year, but it must be noted that he gets the toughest draw against Brian Poole (79.0 PFF) in the slot.

Upgrade: Tyrell Williams, Zay Jones

Downgrade: Hunter Renfrow

Even: N/A

WAS vs DET

WASHINGTON WR SNAPS

Terry McLaurin: 485 snaps – 352 wide (213 left, 139 right), 120 slot (62 left, 58 right), two tight (one left, one right), 11 back

Trey Quinn: 396 snaps – 39 wide (nine left, 30 right), 318 slot (161 left, 157 right), 32 tight (eight left, 24 right), seven back

Paul Richardson: 388 snaps – 155 wide (69 left, 86 right), 212 slot (88 left, 124 right), 10 tight (four left, six right), 11 back

Kelvin Harmon: 174 snaps – 83 wide (48 left, 35 right), 70 slot (25 left, 45 right), 15 tight (two left, 13 right), six back

Terry McLaurin figures to draw the shadow of Darius Slay (65.5 PFF), who can mostly run with McLaurin but might give up catches anyway if the weak Detroit pass rush keeps hanging him out to dry. I'm calling it an even matchup – Dwayne Haskins is a far greater concern for McLaurin than Slay is. If Slay follows McLaurin, then the remaining outside receiver gets the burnable Rashaan Melvin (49.5 PFF). That would have been Kelvin Harmon last week, but Paul Richardson returns from injury and might knock Harmon out of the lineup as a result. If Washington is smart (they probably are not), then they would bench Trey Quinn in the slot and have Richardson play there, leaving Harmon at outside receiver. Absent evidence of that specific intention, though, I would mostly expect Richardson to displace Harmon from the lineup. If Quinn remains the slot wideout then he'll see Justin Coleman (54.1 PFF), a good player but one who's fallen off with the rest of the defense.

Upgrade: Paul Richardson, Kelvin Harmon

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Terry McLaurin, Trey Quinn

DETROIT WR SNAPS

Marvin Jones: 612 snaps – 266 wide (107 left, 159 right), 327 slot (140 left, 187 right), 15 tight (eight left, seven right), four back

Kenny Golladay: 602 snaps – 401 wide (244 left, 157 right), 194 slot (107 left, 87 right), four tight (two left, two right), three back

Danny Amendola: 346 snaps – 39 wide (24 left, 15 right), 296 slot (163 left, 133 right), six tight (three left, three right), five back
 

Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay will see their respective share of looks against both outside Washington corners, but Jones should see a bit more of Josh Norman (45.2 PFF) by lining up slightly more often on the right, and Golladay should see a greater share of the imposing Quinton Dunbar (90.0 PFF) by lining up more often on the left. At 6-foot-2 with standout athleticism, Dunbar is lab-built to stop a receiver like Golladay, so Golladay needs to make his shots at Norman really count. Norman was running a 4.66-second 40 when he was 22, so at more than 32 he's totally toast now. He might be a 4.75 guy. It's a green light for Jones, and it largely offsets the concern Dunbar presents Golladay when Golladay is on the offense's left. Jones should get a few looks at vulnerable slot corner Fabian Moreau (44.9 PFF), but Danny Amendola will see Moreau the most.

Upgrade: Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Kenny Golladay

TEN vs JAC

TENNESSEE WR SNAPS

Corey Davis: 451 snaps – 179 wide (69 left, 110 right), 252 slot (116 left, 136 right), 19 tight (10 left, nine right), one back

A.J. Brown: 365 snaps – 240 wide (150 left, 90 right), 113 slot (54 left, 59 right), seven tight (four left, three right), five back

Adam Humphries: 341 snaps – 29 wide (16 left, 13 right), 284 slot (157 left, 127 right), 14 tight (nine left, five right), 14 back

Tajae Sharpe: 297 snaps – 191 wide (105 left, 86 right), 102 slot (56 left, 46 right), two tight (one left, one right), two back

Corey Davis (hip) is set to return and should mostly line up on the right, with A.J. Brown mostly lining up on the left. Adam Humphries gets the slot snaps, and Tajae Sharpe will probably get 20-25 snaps to do nothing in particular. A.J. Bouye (68.2 PFF) might shadow Davis but if not, he would default to the right side where he would mostly catch Brown. As much as Bouye is a tough corner, Brown is a future Pro Bowl player who can win despite a formidable matchup. If Bouye doesn't shadow Davis, then Davis should be left mostly with Tre Herndon (46.0 PFF). The slot corner is D.J. Hayden (71.9 PFF) and probably presents a downgrade for Humphries.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Adam Humphries

Even: Corey Davis, A.J. Brown

JACKSONVILLE WR SNAPS

Chris Conley: 541 snaps – 456 wide (252 left, 204 right), 84 slot (47 left, 37 right), one tight (one right)

D.J. Chark: 538 snaps – 274 wide (113 left, 161 right), 239 slot (99 left, 140 right), 17 tight (eight left, nine right), eight back

Dede Westbrook: 436 snaps – 55 wide (27 left, 28 right), 365 slot (162 left, 193 right), four tight (one left, three right), 12 back

Running almost always outside and slightly more often on the left, Chris Conley should mostly run against Leshaun Sims (46.5 PFF), the replacement for Malcolm Butler at right corner, but Sims played both sides in his last game against Kansas City. I'm guessing that's because Tennessee tried to keep the faster Adoree' Jackson (68.9 PFF) on Tyreek Hill. Jackson reliably played the left side this year otherwise. Even if that doesn't incidentally revert to the case in this game, Jackson might end up on the left side more often to shadow D.J. Chark, who tends to line up on the right more than the left. It's a much tougher matchup for Chark than Sims would be, but Chark is still arguably a better receiver than Jackson is a corner. Dede Westbrook runs against Logan Ryan (69.8 PFF), an above average slot corner who can probably slow Westbrook on underneath routes. Westbrook has a speed advantage on Ryan but it would only materialize if they sent Westbrook downfield, which they don't tend to do.

Upgrade: Chris Conley

Downgrade: N/A

Even: D.J. Chark, Dede Westbrook

NE vs DAL

NEW ENGLAND WR SNAPS

Julian Edelman: 647 snaps – 78 wide (28 left, 50 right), 537 slot (252 left, 285 right), 14 tight (four left, 10 right), 18 back

Phillip Dorsett: 437 snaps – 261 wide (177 left, 84 right), 166 slot (100 left, 66 right), two tight (one left, one right), eight back

Mohamed Sanu: 145 snaps* (from PFF) – 76 wide (nine left, 67 right), 61 slot (35 left, 26 right), five tight (one left, four right), three back

N'Keal Harry: 32 snaps – 22 wide (20 left, two right), 10 slot (10 left)
 

N'Keal Harry played 32 snaps last week but almost exclusively on the left side, where Phillip Dorsett (concussion) will block his playing time if healthy. In this matchup the left receiver spot is not enviable, because that player will generally run against Byron Jones (70.9 PFF), a standout corner and one of the most athletic players in the league. Among Dallas corners it's probably easiest to complete passes against left corner Chidobe Awuzie (62.8 PFF), who would normally cover Mohamed Sanu (ankle) in this matchup. If Sanu isn't available, then New England might actually turn to Jakobi Meyers before Harry, because Meyers has more reps on the right side. Although it doesn't matter for a receiver as effective as Julian Edelman, the slot corner Jourdan Lewis (79.4 PFF) looks tough.

Upgrade: Mohamed Sanu (or replacement)

Downgrade: Phillip Dorsett, N'Keal Harry

Even: Julian Edelman, Jakobi Meyers

DALLAS WR SNAPS

Amari Cooper: 516 snaps – 335 wide (150 left, 185 right), 161 slot (80 left, 81 right), 10 tight (six left, four right), 10 back

Michael Gallup: 483 snaps – 358 wide (224 left, 134 right), 121 slot (61 left, 60 right), two tight (one left, one right), two back

Randall Cobb: 446 snaps – 14 wide (five left, nine right), 395 slot (190 left, 205 right), 24 tight (nine left, 15 right), 13 back

Stephon Gilmore (75.1 PFF) appears likely to shadow Amari Cooper, which in most three-wide sets would leave Jason McCourty (80.6 PFF) to cover Michael Gallup. As much as the Dallas might be able to win their matchups, it's probably a downgrade for both players. The same applies to Randall Cobb in the slot, where he generally should have to run against Jonathan Jones (86.3 PFF).

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Randall Cobb

Even: N/A

SF vs GB

SAN FRANCISCO WR SNAPS

Deebo Samuel: 427 snaps – 156 wide (90 left, 66 right), 229 slot (153 left, 76 right), 16 tight (seven left, nine right), 25 back

Emmanuel Sanders: 175 snaps* (from PFF) – 121 wide (55 left, 66 right), 50 slot (25 left, 25 right), three tight (one left, two right), one back

Kendrick Bourne: 305 snaps – 73 wide (34 left, 39 right), 201 slot (92 left, 109 right), nine tight (five left, four right), 22 back

It's not clear how the Packers will handle their corner personnel. They could choose to use Jaire Alexander (74.9 PFF) as a shadow on Emmanuel Sanders, though Alexander hasn't shadowed since Week 6. I still think Green Bay would be smart to do so in this case, both because Alexander is the perfect counter to a receiver like Sanders, and because Alexander plays on the defense's left side when he doesn't shadow, making it easy for Kyle Shanahan to isolate Sanders against Kevin King (59.1 PFF) on the offense's left side. If Alexander follows Sanders around, it would instead leave Deebo Samuel to run against King, in which case the matchup would be an upgrade for Samuel. The slot coverage from Tramon Williams (80.3 PFF) has been quite good this year, so moving Sanders into the slot isn't necessarily a viable way to find soft coverage. If Sanders is followed by Alexander and Deebo is against King, then in that scenario Kendrick Bourne would see the most of Williams. Williams has the safe advantage in that scenario. Whoever is specifically lined up on King has the most desirable setup.
 

Upgrade: Deebo Samuel (lower to Even if Jaire Alexander does not shadow Sanders)

Downgrade: Emmanuel Sanders (raise to Even if not shadowed by Alexander), Kendrick Bourne

Even: N/A
 

GREEN BAY WR SNAPS

Marquez Valdes Scantling: 448 snaps – 260 wide (148 left, 112 right), 168 slot (102 left, 66 right), two tight (one left, one right), 18 back

Geronimo Allison: 390 snaps – 62 wide (22 left, 40 right), 305 slot (152 left, 153 right), 20 tight (10 left, 10 right), three back

Davante Adams: 323 snaps – 149 wide (73 left, 76 right), 166 slot (76 left, 90 right), one tight (one right), seven back

Jake Kumerow: 229 snaps – 105 wide (52 left, 53 right), 111 slot (48 left, 63 right), four tight (three left, one right), nine back

Allen Lazard: 187 snaps – 58 wide (33 left, 25 right), 116 slot (56 left, 50 right), five tight (three left, two right), eight back

It sure looked like Marquez Valdes-Scantling got benched last week (11 snaps), but perhaps that was due to some anecdotal reason that no longer applies. The other possibility is that both Jake Kumerow and Allen Lazard passed up MVS on the depth chart. The role previously held by MVS ran on the left more than the right, where the outside receiver would match up against right corner Emmanuel Moseley (75.1 PFF). Moseley has done a good job and is very athletic, but it's interesting that Kumerow and Lazard are both much bigger. Geronimo Allison is the primary slot receiver and should mostly play against K'Waun Williams (78.4 PFF), where the advantage is likely held by Williams. Davante Adams is the only Packers receiver good enough to get open against this cornerback crew, and he figures to see each of the top three San Francisco corners. The one I haven't mentioned yet, Richard Sherman (85.6 PFF), rarely leaves the left side of the defense and should not shadow Adams if the Packers keep him on the offense's left side.
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Geronimo Allison, Jake Kumerow, Allen Lazard

Even: Davante Adams

LAR vs BAL

RAMS WR SNAPS

Robert Woods: 596 snaps – 153 wide (40 left, 113 right), 342 slot (109 left, 233 right), 59 tight (six left, 53 right), 42 back

Cooper Kupp: 596 snaps – 43 wide (32 left, 11 right), 421 slot (250 left, 171 right), 111 tight (44 left, 67 right), 21 back

Brandin Cooks: 431 snaps – 171 wide (133 left, 38 right), 226 slot (180 left, 46 right), one tight (one left), 33 back

I tried to find a bright side here but could not. Brandin Cooks has the easiest matchup of these three receivers, running against Jimmy Smith (67.4 PFF), but I see no reason to think Jared Goff will play well enough for it to matter. Things only look worse for Robert Woods, who should run against Marcus Peters (76.8 PFF) while Cooper Kupp primarily faces Marlon Humphrey (77.5 PFF).
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Brandin Cooks

Even: N/A

BALTIMORE WR SNAPS

Willie Snead: 448 snaps – 65 wide (31 left, 34 right), 308 slot (151 left, 157 right), 65 back

Seth Roberts: 366 snaps – 305 wide (219 left, 86 right), 58 slot (40 left, 18 right), three back

Marquise Brown: 310 snaps – 167 wide (58 left, 109 right), 121 slot (56 left, 65 right), one tight (one right), 21 back

Willie Snead should probably run against Nickell Robey Coleman (80.1 PFF), which is not the sort of matchup you seek for a sub-replacement level player like Snead. Seth Roberts rarely leaves the left side of the field, but regardless of where he is I'd guess Roberts runs against Troy Hill (75.7 PFF) in three-wide sets. That's because Jalen Ramsey (55.9 PFF) should shadow Marquise Brown when he's on the field. Ramsey has had a down year and Brown is uniquely dangerous, but you'd still much rather see Brown running against Hill, which I doubt is an option.
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Willie Snead

Even: Marquise Brown, Seth Roberts