Corner Report: Week 12

This article will go game by game for the Sunday main slate 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 2020 season, though sometimes with reference to prior years when noted.

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. Even against a bad corner, a good receiver can be denied the opportunity if the pass rush or something else outside his control complicates things. 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.
 

NYJ vs MIA

JETS WIDE RECEIVERS

Denzel Mims and Breshad Perriman should split the outside snaps on a mostly even left/right split, meaning they should split reps against Byron Jones (55.1 PFF) and Xavien Howard (80.0 PFF) on a mostly even basis too. Jones' PFF grade is low at the moment but it's probably Howard who's more beatable for speed receivers – Jones' athleticism is Olympian-level. It's probably a tough matchup for both receivers, though their target volume at the moment arguably makes for a favorable projection anyway. Jamison Crowder nonetheless has the far easier matchup against the slot coverage of Nik Needham (47.0 PFF)

Upgrade: Jamison Crowder
Downgrade: Breshad Perriman, Denzel Mims
Even: N/A

MIAMI WIDE RECEIVERS

The Jets corner rotation was bad all year but it's worse than ever now as it heads into Tank Mode. It's upgrades for everyone – even in the slot, where standout corner Brian Poole is out for the year. The Jets will likely go with rookie fringe prospects Bryce Hall and Lamar Jackson outside with non-prospect Arthur Maulet in the slot.

Upgrade: DeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant, Malcolm Perry
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

CIN vs NYG

CINCINNATI WIDE RECEIVERS

Tee Higgins is a fine candidate for the shadow coverage of James Bradberry, and probably draws a 'downgrade' verdict in such a scenario. Higgins is a beast and may very well beat Bradberry, but can quarterback Brandon Allen get him the ball? Despite the certainty of stardom in his future, the short-term could be difficult for Higgins, especially in this game. Then again, if Bradberry for some reason spends any snaps on A.J. Green then Higgins could torch whoever gets left on him. Tyler Boyd has the advantage over Darnay Holmes in the slot but again, it's not clear whether the quarterback play will be good enough for that to matter.

Upgrade: Tyler Boyd
Downgrade: Tee Higgins (raise to 'even' if not shadowed by Bradberry
Even: A.J. Green (lower to 'downgrade' if Bradberry does not shadow Higgins)

GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS

William Jackson is a good corner on the right side of the defense, where he might see Darius Slayton upwards of 2/3 of the time. It's not great for Slayton, but he should at least 1/3 of the time get shots at the weaker LeShaun Sims (43.9 PFF). Sterling Shepard should get more looks at Sims than Slayton so he has the better matchup in that case, but it's still manageable for a player as good as Slayton. Slot corner Mackensie Alexander is a formidable challenge for the declining Golden Tate.

Upgrade: Sterling Shepard
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Darius Slayton, Golden Tate

BUF vs LAC

BUFFALO WIDE RECEIVERS

John Brown is out, which should clear the way for Gabriel Davis as a plug-in replacement. The rookie fourth-round pick lacks Brown's speed but can probably present a viable downfield threat due to a strong overall skill set with adequate athleticism on a big frame. Davis and Stefon Diggs should split most of the outside reps, with Diggs on the right and Davis on the left upwards of 60 percent of the time. That's arguably to Diggs' advantage – he would see the most of Casey Hayward (59.8 PFF), who at 31 just doesn't really have the athleticism to mirror a receiver like Diggs, especially downfield. The other corner is Michael Davis (68.1 PFF), who is bigger and more toolsy than Hayward and therefore could neutralize the main strengths of Gabriel. Still, Gabriel is talented for his own part and could benefit from the attention drawn by Diggs. In the slot Cole Beasley should mostly run against either Chris Harris if active or, if not, Tevaughn Campbell (64.0 PFF).

Upgrade: Stefon Diggs
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Cole Beasley, Gabriel Davis

CHARGERS WIDE RECEIVERS

Sean McDermott will need to think of a novel game plan this week, because his normal loadout won't work against Keenan Allen, who has been unstoppable of late in the area where Buffalo is typically weakest: the slot. Tre'Davious White is a good outside corner and may very well shadow Allen on the applicable outside snaps, but when Allen moves inside White doesn't seem like an option to follow him. Slot corner Taron Johnson (46.7 PFF) has had poor results this year and McDermott will need to think of something else – perhaps utilizing safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde – to address the unique threat posed by Allen. The prospect of betting against either of McDermott or Allen is nauseating, but there's little doubt that Allen has the advantage if McDermott runs the same defensive game plan he usually does. If Allen is in the slot it would in any case leave White to shadow Mike Williams, but Williams is so big it's not clear that White can shut him down even if he's in good position at the catch point. Jalen Guyton can burn past the remaining corner, be it Levi Wallace or Josh Norman, but there will probably be safety help over the top.

Upgrade: Keenan Allen
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton

IND vs TEN

INDIANAPOLIS WIDE RECEIVERS

Malcolm Butler on the right and Breon Borders on the left should be Tennessee's corner loadout. Neither corner can run with T.Y. Hilton deep, and Michael Pittman has a big frame advantage over both, especially the skinnyish Borders. Zach Pascal would see a handful of both corners too – both of which probably project well against a receiver like Pascal, whose frame and tools both are nondescript. Pascal doesn't project for an advantage there or when he's in the slot, as trade acquisition Desmond King (71.6 PFF) is probably Tennessee's best corner as long as Adoree' Jackson is out.

Upgrade: T.Y. Hilton, Michael Pittman
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Zach Pascal

TENNESSEE WIDE RECEIVERS

A.J. Brown is matchup-proof but his quarterback is not, so it's concerning that he goes against a Colts defense here that has covered well outside, especially on the right side of the defense – where Xavier Rhodes covers and Brown runs most of his routes. Corey Davis has things a little easier by running more often against Rock Ya-Sin on the left side of the defense, while Adam Humphries gets a tossup grade at best against Kenny Moore in the slot.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: A.J. Brown
Even: Corey Davis, Adam Humphries

MIN vs CAR

MINNESOTA WIDE RECEIVERS

Carolina's left corner should be rookie fourth-round pick Troy Pride (34.4 PFF) and the right corner Rasul Douglas (63.0 PFF), with Corn Elder (71.9 PFF) in the slot. Justin Jefferson should see more of Douglas than Pride, which should suit Jefferson's traits well. Douglas is a slowish and borderline oversized corner – he's not built to mirror anyone in particular, especially someone like Jefferson. If Adam Thielen (COVID list) gets cleared he would see more of Pride. If Thielen is out then the Vikings might go with Bisi Johnson outside while Chad Beebe continues to waste everyone's time in the slot.

Upgrade: Justin Jefferson
Downgrade: Chad Beebe
Even: Bisi Johnson

CAROLINA WIDE RECEIVERS

D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson both project for clear advantages over Jeff Gladney, Cam Dantzler and Kris Boyd outside. Gladney moves into the slot in three-wide sets, where he's likely at a disadvantage against Curtis Samuel.

Upgrade: Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

ATL vs LV

ATLANTA WIDE RECEIVERS

If Julio Jones (hamstring) can play then he'll likely see a bit more of Damon Arnette (49.8 PFF) than Trayvon Mullen (60.7 PFF), which suits Jones' interests fine since Arnette is at a major speed disadvantage. Calvin Ridley has the advantage over both corners if his foot cooperates, but he'll probably see more of Mullen than Arnette. Russell Gage may or may not have an advantage over Lamarcus Joyner (52.2 PFF) in the slot, but Joyner has generally been one of the most vulnerable slot corners over the last two years. If Jones is out, we might expect Olamide Zaccheaus to play in his place.

Upgrade: Calvin Ridley, Julio Jones
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus

LAS VEGAS WIDE RECEIVERS

Hunter Renfrow might be a tough cover in the slot for Isaiah Oliver (56.7 PFF). Oliver will definitely be vulnerable on the applicable Henry Ruggs slot snaps. Darqueze Dennard (59.1 PFF) on the right looks more vulnerable right now than A.J. Terrell (71.2 PFF) on the left, which arguably sets up more favorably for Nelson Agholor than Ruggs since Agholor tends to play a bit more on the left side of the offense and Dennard can't run like Terrell. But the truth is that the Raiders should be able to throw the ball in some fashion or another if they want to – there are a variety of weak spots Derek Carr should see from most looks.

Upgrade: Nelson Agholor, Henry Ruggs, Hunter Renfrow
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

JAC vs CLE

JACKSONVILLE WIDE RECEIVERS

Denzel Ward is one of the league's top corners and Cleveland won't have him, so that's good news for Keelan Cole and Laviska Shenault. Terrance Mitchell has played reasonably well as one starting corner and prior slot corner Kevin Johnson (57.2 PFF) could be a decent option outside to replace Ward, but the Jaguars wideouts are probably a little more talented. Mike Glennon is more of a concern than Cleveland's coverage.

Upgrade: Keelan Cole, Laviska Shenault
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

CLEVELAND WIDE RECEIVERS

The Jaguars are without their top three corners as well as their fifth, leaving Tre Herndon (44.6 PFF) as their best remaining one. (That's bad for Jacksonville.)

Upgrade: Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins
Downgrade: N/A
Even: KhaDarel Hodge

NE vs ARI

NEW ENGLAND WIDE RECEIVERS

N'Keal Harry has been horribly inefficient to this point in his NFL career and hasn't looked especially explosive despite a strong combine and dominant career at Arizona State, so it's not clear whether he can threaten the otherwise unimpressive outside Arizona corner duo of Patrick Peterson (51.0 PFF) and Dre Kirkpatrick (45.6 PFF). As much as Damiere Byrd isn't the kind of player you'd project for consistent usage, there's no doubt that he can torch this defense deep if the Patriots dial it up. The slot coverage of Byron Murphy (59.2 PFF) doesn't seem good enough to throw off Jakobi Meyers, who has quietly been quite consistently productive the past two years.

Upgrade: Jakobi Meyers, Damiere Byrd, N'Keal Harry
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

ARIZONA WIDE RECEIVERS

A secondary can wear itself out running man coverage against the persistent four-wide, uptempo approach of the Cardinals, so it might be hasty to assume New England will use the same amount of man coverage as they normally do, especially when it worked as poorly as it did for them against Houston last week. Arizona presents similar dangers even without Larry Fitzgerald, and it's not clear whether Stephon Gilmore (59.5 PFF) in particular is capable of holding up against DeAndre Hopkins or/and Christian Kirk without safety help. J.C. Jackson (72.0 PFF) might be the best Patriots corner at this point, so it might be him who shadows Hopkins rather than Gilmore. If Hopkins and Kirk are outside then Andy Isabella is in the slot, but Isabella ran different routes than Fitzgerald this year – further downfield – and he might not be the actual replacement for Fitzgerald in the slot. That might be Kirk, who is arguably miscast in the first place by playing the outside right receiver role in Arizona. Kirk was a uniquely dominant possession receiver at Texas A&M yet has mostly played as a downfield target for Arizona – this is a chance for him to earn reps in a slightly different role, arguably one better suited to him. Isabella's burning speed is probably more useful outside and downfield than underneath and in the slot, anyway.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, Andy Isabella

DEN vs NO

DENVER WIDE RECEIVERS

Tim Patrick could get Janoris Jenkins (73.6 PFF) as a primary matchup, which looks tough at a glance, but Jenkins is a smallish corner and probably would prefer to face someone built more similarly to himself. Marshon Lattimore might be the tougher assignment for Patrick for trait reasons, but he should see him less than Jenkins. It's far from a slam dunk, but Patrick might be able to establish the upper hand. KJ Hamler might see a bit more of Lattimore, to an uncertain effect. Lattimore has played poorly this year but Hamler hasn't really capitalized on his rare big-play ability to this point. Jerry Jeudy usually runs from the slot, where Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (60.3 PFF) has had an up-and-down season.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler

NEW ORLEANS WIDE RECEIVERS

I'm personally concerned about Taysom Hill going on the road to face Vic Fangio's defense, because Fangio's track record as a defensive schemer is time-tested and uniquely strong. Hill's productive passing last week probably had something to do with the dysfunction of the Atlanta defense, and this would be a dangerous spot if so. If Hill's passing production does go, however, then Michael Thomas should go with it. Emmanuel Sanders has the revenge game narrative and should have some insider insights on how to beat Fangio's coverages, but he'll probably need a good game from Hill to have the usage opportunity. Tre'Quan Smith might get the toughest coverage assignment of the group running the most from the slot, as that's where standout corner Bryce Callahan tends to reside in three-wide sets. Callahan will be tough on Sanders and Thomas in the applicable outside snaps otherwise.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Tre'Quan Smith
Even: Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders

LAR vs SF

RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS

The 49ers have two good outside corners active in Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett, but the slot coverage might suffer in the absence of K'Waun Williams. Jamar Taylor (51.2 PFF) might be the slot corner now, which makes him an easy target for Cooper Kupp. Robert Woods can probably manage the otherwise competent coverage of Moseley and Verrett, especially with the McVay scheme at his side. Josh Reynolds doesn't seem likely to separate from either of Moseley or Verrett, but he does have a major catch radius advantage over both.

Upgrade: Cooper Kupp
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Robert Woods, Josh Reynolds

 
SAN FRANCISCO WIDE RECEIVERS

Jalen Ramsey is a great corner and both of Darious Williams and Troy Hill are probably good too, but normal matchup logic just doesn't really apply with Kyle Shanahan offenses. Samuel in particular functions as something different than the traditional route-running wide receiver, so his results are usually subject to details other than how good the opposing cornerbacks might be in man coverage. The Rams pass rush and the 49ers quarterback play are a concern, however.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Deebo Samuel, Richie James, Kendrick Bourne

TB vs KC

TAMPA BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Charvarius Ward (70.2 PFF) isn't a talent on the level of Mike Evans but he is close to the prototype for covering an Evans-like receiver in terms of traits. That's less true for Bashaud Breeland (68.9 PFF), who has received high grades to this point but is both smaller and less athletic than Ward. Antonio Brown might not be able to go deep on those corners, but he can probably beat them underneath. Chris Godwin faces competent slot coverage from the likes of Tyrann Mathieu, Rashad Fenton and L'Jarius Sneed but Godwin is a top-tier athlete for the slot and is always a candidate to bully non-dominant corners.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown

KANSAS CITY WIDE RECEIVERS

The Buccaneers seemed to use more zone coverage against the Rams than they usually do. Jamel Dean missing this game, combined with facing the unparalleled deep threat posed by the Chiefs offense, might give Todd Bowles reason to do the same in this contest. If you're a Tyreek Hill investor you probably want Tampa to use as much man coverage as possible, because shadow corner Carlton Davis (68.9 PFF) can't cover a receiver with Hill's traits. Davis is so good largely because of the physicality element of his coverage, but that's not a realistic option here since no one can get their hands on Hill in the first place. As prior Chiefs opponents have shown this year, defenses sometimes respond to this reality by keeping safeties over the top at all times to keep Hill underneath. That suits Travis Kelce when that happens. Sammy Watkins and the rarely seen Mecole Hardman would project for advantages here, especially if Davis shadows Hill. Demarcus Robinson would likely have a bigger role than Hardman but is less likely to produce efficiently per usage unit.

Upgrade: Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman
Downgrade: Demarcus Robinson
Even: N/A

GB vs CHI

GREEN BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
 

CHICAGO WIDE RECEIVERS

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Allen Robinson (change to 'upgrade' if not shadowed by Jaire Alexander)
Even: Darnell Mooney (change to 'downgrade' if Alexander does not shadow Robinson), Anthony Miller

PHI vs SEA

PHILADELPHIA WIDE RECEIVERS

Upgrade: Travis Fulgham, Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

 
SEATTLE WIDE RECEIVERS

Upgrade: DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, David Moore, Freddie Swain
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A