Corner Report: Week 13

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.

MIN vs JAC

MINNESOTA WIDE RECEIVERS

This one is easy: Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson both project for major matchup advantages against outside corners Tre Herndon (41.0 PFF) and Luq Barcoo (30.1 PFF). Chad Beebe is in the slot, where Josiah Scott (32.2 PFF) might have the advantage despite poor pedigree and poor play to this point.

Upgrade: Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Chad Beebe

JACKSONVILLE WIDE RECEIVERS

Mike Glennon is certainly a bad quarterback, but these Minnesota corners are bad enough that the Jags wideouts might have a good shot anyway. DJ Chark in particular is imposing for these young corners – Jeff Gladney (45.9 PFF) is much smaller than Chark and Cameron Dantzler (53.9 PFF) is much slower – neither rookie has a realistic shot at stopping Chark. Only Glennon can do it. Keelan Cole and Chris Conley can also burn these corners by different ways – Cole with his route running and Conley with his raw speed. Laviska Shenault probably can't separate much but he might be able to run over the short Gladney or the skinny Dantzler.

Upgrade: DJ Chark, Keelan Cole, Chris Conley
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Laviska Shenault

ATL vs NO

ATLANTA WIDE RECEIVERS

If Julio Jones (hamstring) plays then it changes this from 'even' for Calvin Ridley and it raises it to an 'upgrade.' If Julio is out then the Falcons is liable to fall apart, to the point that any matchup advantage Ridley might have could get undone by the decrease in Atlanta's projected passing production. Russell Gage has a decent on-paper matchup against Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (63.7 PFF) but CGJ is probably a better defensive back than Gage is a wide receiver. Christian Blake will be out of the league very soon and projects for the disadvantage against any NFL corner.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Christian Blake
Even: Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage

NEW ORLEANS WIDE RECEIVERS

A.J. Terrell (68.5 PFF) looks like a good one and might shadow Michael Thomas to uncertain effect. Thomas would have the general advantage, but Taysom Hill is a limited passer who might undo Thomas' matchup advantage with his substandard passing. It would help Thomas either way if Terrell does not shadow him, because Darquez Dennard (59.6 PFF) is more beatable. Isaiah Oliver (54.0 PFF) might be catching on a bit at slot corner but still probably needs to move to free safety.

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

CHI vs DET

CHICAGO WIDE RECEIVERS

Detroit might try to shadow Allen Robinson with Amani Oruwariye (58.8 PFF) but it's unlikely to help anything. Then again, Oruwariye has a better shot than Darryl Roberts (49.7 PFF), who might not be able to cover Darnell Mooney, either. The slot coverage should be from Justin Coleman (51.4 PFF), who's at once beatable but also probably an upgrade over the Roberts' prior play in the slot. Anthony Miller has no real excuse for failure there.

Upgrade: Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Anthony Miller

DETROIT WIDE RECEIVERS

Marvin Jones gets a tough draw by running primarily against Kyle Fuller (68.2 PFF) and to a lesser extent Jaylon Johnson (53.1 PFF), who is good despite the uncharitable PFF grade. Marvin Hall should see a little more of Johnson than Fuller, and while Hall can only beat Johnson with speed, he can definitely do that much if Matthew Stafford can land it on target. Mohamed Sanu figures to get the most looks at Buster Skrine (50.1 PFF), which is at once the easiest matchup here but also one Sanu might lose.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Marvin Jones, Marvin Hall, Mohamed Sanu

HOU vs IND

HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVERS

The Colts defense is a unique one that makes it difficult to predict matchups – sometimes the zone coverages are too nuanced to be described as one-on-one matchups between any particular combination of players. But we know Xavier Rhodes mans the right corner spot and Rock Ya-Sin plays the left, which generally makes it easier to beat the Colts outside at right receiver than outside at left receiver. Kenny Moore is a beatable slot corner due to his risk taking, but he presents plenty of risk the other way in the meantime. In short, there are few obvious weaknesses and myriad conceivable difficulties. Brandin Cooks is a good receiver and Deshaun Watson is a great quarterback, so perhaps the Texans passing game has a shot anyway. Cooks is a tough cover for a big corner like Rhodes, so Cooks should be viable on either side of the field. It's not as easy to spot an advantage for Isaiah Coulter, who will need to play in light of Will Fuller's suspension. Keke Coutee should see the most of Moore in the slot.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Isaiah Coulter
Even: Brandin Cooks, Keke Coutee

INDIANAPOLIS WIDE RECEIVERS

The Texans corners are all bad. Every Colts receiver gets an upgrade.

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

MIA vs CIN

MIAMI WIDE RECEIVERS

DeVante Parker has a huge matchup advantage when facing left corner LeShaun Sims (44.4 PFF) but a potential road block when facing right corner William Jackson (71.5 PFF), who's one of the league's better corners and matches Parker's traits well in terms of size and athleticism. The more Sims, the better for Parker. Mack Hollins ran opposite Parker last week, but he's so bad he might not be able to beat Sims. If Miami lines up Hollins much on the right side then they're just begging to lose. Jakeem Grant is better than Hollins but the Dolphins aren't interested – they prefer to keep him in the slot, which limits his snap count. Mackensie Alexander is the second-best Cincinnati corner and he'll be on Grant.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DeVante Parker, Mack Hollins, Jakeem Grant

 
CINCINNATI WIDE RECEIVERS

The quarterback play in Cincinnati that it probably doesn't matter, but Tyler Boyd has a good matchup against Nik Needham in the slot. Tee Higgins and A.J. Green get a difficult draw otherwise against outside corners Xavien Howard (87.5 PFF) and Byron Jones (54.3 PFF). 

Upgrade: Tyler Boyd
Downgrade: A.J. Green
Even: Tee Higgins

TEN vs CLE

TENNESSEE WIDE RECEIVERS

Terrance Mitchell (66.1 PFF) has some quickness but he is not big and ran a 4.63 40 out of Oregon six years ago, so A.J. Brown can both run away from and run through a guy like Mitchell. If by some miracle Mitchell manages to slow Brown, then Corey Davis would have an advantageous matchup on the other side against Kevin Johnson (52.8 PFF), who has some skill but is prohibitively skinny at 6-foot and around 180 pounds. Davis' big frame could be a problem for Johnson. Although Mitchell and Johnson are the respective primary matchups of Brown and Davis, each player will see both of the other side eventually. 

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

CLEVELAND WIDE RECEIVERS

Rashard Higgins doesn't have an advantage over a corner like Malcolm Butler (70.8 PFF) on the right side and Breon Borders (76.9 PFF) has received high grades at left corner, but we'll see how long the latter case lasts. Higgins has been exceedingly efficient so there is some skill there, but the targets have dried up lately. Donovan Peoples-Jones should be opposite Higgins in three-wide sets and at least has the speed to run past the slowish Butler. Jarvis Landry gets an interesting if not tough matchup against Desmond King (66.8 PFF).

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones

NYJ vs LV

JETS WIDE RECEIVERS

Jamison Crowder has seen his target volume fall off drastically of late, which may or may not continue against the Raiders. Lamarcus Joyner (52.2 PFF) has had abysmal results the last two years, though his traits at 5-8 do match up somewhat well to Crowder's. Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims are both much faster than the Raiders outside corners and should be able to beat them.

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

LAS VEGAS WIDE RECEIVERS

Rookies Bryce Hall (56.7 PFF) and Lamar Jackson (48.5 PFF) might have some talented, especially Hall, but they are both fringe prospects all the same. Arthur Maulet (36.3 PFF) might be out of the league soon after this current stint as the Jets' slot corner. All three players are vulnerable to the Raiders receivers.

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

SEA vs NYG

SEATTLE WIDE RECEIVERS

DK Metcalf will get the shadow coverage of James Bradberry, who has a close to ideal set of physical traits to match Metcalf. At 6-1, 210 with long arms, Bradberry isn't the type of corner to get bullied by a big receiver. Metcalf can burn Bradberry deep, but that's easier said than done given Bradberry's strong technique to this point. The Giants will need to give safety help to whichever corner is covering Tyler Lockett, be it slot corner Darnay Holmes (48.5 PFF) or outside corner Isaac Yiadom (47.9 PFF). Holmes/Yiadom probably can't cover David Moore or Freddie Swain either.

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

 
GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS

Quinton Dunbar is out, and Tre Flowers (51.0 PFF) (hamstring) might be out too. Shaquill Griffin (59.3 PFF) is good at left corner but the right corner might end up being Linden Stephens (69.6 PFF) or D.J. Reed (59.1 PFF). Neither player has much of a shot of covering Darius Slayton if his current injuries allow him to play well. Sterling Shepard should see the right corner a few times, too, and he can definitely beat whoever is there. Slot corner Ugo Amadi (67.5 PFF) has a shot at holding his own against Golden Tate.

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

ARI vs LAR

ARIZONA WIDE RECEIVERS

DeAndre Hopkins isn't likely to break out of his slump by facing Jalen Ramsey. Christian Kirk would project for an advantage over Troy Hill (60.9 PFF), but based on Week 12 it seems like Kliff Kingsbury will play Kirk outside against Darious Williams (81.6 PFF), which is simply the objectively wrong decision. He's done it before and might do it again, though, so there's no reason for optimism. Andy Isabella can beat Hill but isn't as likely to as Kirk would, especially since Kingsbury has Isabella playing out of position. Larry Fitzgerald probably can't beat anyone, let alone Hill, if activated.

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

RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS

Matchups don't matter as much for the Sean McVay offense, but the matchups are favorable for the Rams receivers here all the same. 

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

GB vs PHI

GREEN BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Darius Slay will shadow Davante Adams, but it doesn't matter much. Adams can probably beat him. The way it would go wrong for Adams might be if the non-Slay Eagles corners are so bad that it simply allows Allen Lazard or/and Marquez Vadles-Scantling to get open faster on any given play. Lazard at 6-5 and MVS at 6-4 are much too big for corners like the 5-7 Nickell Robey-Coleman or the 5-9 Avonte Maddox to match up with.

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

PHILADELPHIA WIDE RECEIVERS

Kevin King is a bad corner and either of Travis Fulgham or Jalen Reagor can beat him. It's not clear whether they'll get the chance, though, and it's not clear whether the quarterback would get them the ball successfully even if they did. This isn't news to anyone but it'd be ideal to stay only lightly invested in the Philadelphia passing game, if at all.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Greg Ward, Alshon Jeffery
Even: Travis Fulgham (lower to 'downgrade' if shadowed by Alexander), Jalen Reagor

LAC vs NE

CHARGERS WIDE RECEIVERS

Stephon Gilmore (54.5 PFF) might shadow Keenan Allen, to uncertain effect. Gilmore might still be good but he's not the player he used to be, and Allen is the kind of receiver who can beat almost any corner when he's at his best. I'd call it a tough matchup for Allen but not one his investors should find especially intimidating. If Gilmore shadows Allen then J.C. Jackson (71.4 PFF) might shadow Mike Williams – that would be a bad turn for Williams, because Jackson could very well be better than Gilmore by now. Jalen Guyton would likely face one of Gilmore or Jackson if Allen gets any looks at Jonathan Jones in the slot, and Guyton has the disadvantage in either case.

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

NEW ENGLAND WIDE RECEIVERS

Jakobi Meyers is probably pretty good, but Cam Newton isn't throwing well and it might be too much to ask Meyers to beat corners like Casey Hayward and Michael Davis as long as that's the case. Damiere Byrd can really run away from Hayward if Newton can capitalize.

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

KC vs DEN

KANSAS CITY WIDE RECEIVERS

If you play man to man, Tyreek Hill torches the defense over the top. If you play two-high zone to account for Hill, then Travis Kelce chops down the defense from underneath. Which way the Broncos call the defense will inform the result here – the matchup isn't the crucial variable. But the matchup is favorable otherwise, because Bryce Callahan is out with injury and the Broncos have no good corners left as a result.

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

DENVER WIDE RECEIVERS

Jerry Jeudy doesn't have an obvious advantage over Rashad Fenton or Tyrann Mathieu in the slot. Tim Patrick doesn't project especially well against Charvarius Ward or L'Jarius Sneed outside. KJ Hamler should be able to run away from Ward or Sneed, but presenting a viable target for the quarterback is less clear. The quarterback play is a compounding concern for all three players, of course.

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

PIT vs WAS

PITTSBURGH WIDE RECEIVERS

Be it JuJu Smith-Schuster or Chase Claypool, it's the slot receiver who has the best matchup for Pittsburgh on any given play. Kendall Fuller is tough at right corner, where Diontae Johnson runs most of his routes, and Ronald Darby is tough at left corner. Claypool has the frame to box out either Fuller or Darby, so he doesn't need to get open necessarily, making Johnson's poor matchup more consequential perhaps.

Upgrade: JuJu Smith-Schuster
Downgrade: Diontae Johnson
Even: Chase Claypool

WASHINGTON WIDE RECEIVERS

We know the drill with Terry by now. Cam Sims isn't worth attention otherwise – Ron Rivera doesn't know it yet but Sims is not at an NFL receiver. Steven Sims absolutely is, by contrast, but Rivera is only moved by other, doubtlessly more important considerations.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Cam Sims
Even: Terry McLaurin

SF vs BUF

SAN FRANCISCO WIDE RECEIVERS

When you're a 49ers wideout, matchups aren't real. As much as Tre'Davious White might be able to shut down Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk on a diet of slants, stopping them on their Shanahan jet sweeps is a different, more perilous question entirely. Kendrick Bourne is the kind of player who needs to be in the right place at the right time – the matchup isn't necessarily consequential in his case, either.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne

BUFFALO WIDE RECEIVERS

Perhaps Richard Sherman might shadow Stefon Diggs, perhaps not. If I'm a Diggs investor I hope they do – the tall, aging Sherman isn't likely to mirror the lightning quicks of Diggs. Jason Verrett or Emmanuel Moseley would be more concerning matchups for Diggs if this reasoning is correct, though neither is cause for Diggs investors to worry, either. Moseley might be beatable for Cole Beasley in the slot, because Moseley was just moved there last week and might need time to adjust after playing outside previously. Gabriel Davis projects for the disadvantage against any of the three 49ers corners named.

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

BAL vs DAL

BALTIMORE WIDE RECEIVERS

Upgrade: Marquise Brown
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Devin Duvernay, Willie Snead, Dez Bryant

DALLAS WIDE RECEIVERS

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Amari Cooper (raise to 'even' if not shadowed by Marlon Humphrey), Michael Gallup
Even: CeeDee Lamb (lower to 'downgrade' if Humphrey does not shadow Cooper)