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.

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.

This article is normally posted on Fridays behind paywall, and this week will still feature a Friday post regarding the Sunday games, but this one-off unlocked post will break down the Thanksgiving games.
 

MIA vs NYG

MIAMI WIDE RECEIVERS

The Giants pass defense is normally stronger than its run defense, but that might change with Adoree' Jackson out this week. James Bradberry and his otherwise standout talent largely go to waste against wideout personnel like this – at least if DeVante Parker (shoulder) remains inactive. Bradberry is a tough matchup for bigger wideouts like Parker and Preston Williams, but a dart like Jaylen Waddle might be a tougher matchup for a big corner like Bradberry than the more Waddle-sized Jackson. Rookie third-round pick Aaron Robinson appears to be the corner opposite Bradberry, with Darnay Holmes playing the slot when safety Xavier McKinney does not.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: DeVante Parker, Preston Williams, Mack Hollins
Even: Jaylen Waddle, Albert Wilson

GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS

The slot is the weakest part of the Miami secondary, so it's a shame that the Giants are without both Kadarius Toney and Sterling Shepard. It leaves either John Ross (questionable, illness) or Pharoh Cooper to serve as the primary slot receiver, and only Ross is particularly dangerous to Nik Needham there. Outside corners Xavien Howard and Byron Jones will need to take seriously the deep threats posed by Kenny Golladay and Darius Slayton, but probably less than usual with Mike Glennon at quarterback.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, John Ross, Pharoh Cooper

HOU vs IND

HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Illnesses have the status of Brandin Cooks and Chris Conley in question, while Nico Collins would be expected to serve as the third receiver if those two are active. The Colts defense can be hurt deep, but in the underneath and intermediate Tyrod Taylor doesn't seem capable of striking regularly.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins, Chris Conley

INDIANAPOLIS WIDE RECEIVERS

Corners like Terrance Mitchell and Desmond King can probably run with receivers like Zach Pascal and Michael Pittman, but they probably can't defend well above the rim, especially against Pittman. Neither of those corners can cover T.Y. Hilton deep, by contrast. There's no excuse for the Indianapolis passing game failing here.

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

DET vs MIN

DETROIT WIDE RECEIVERS

Kalif Raymond can run away from all of the Vikings corners, easily. Whether Jared Goff can capitalize is a different, more pessimistic question for the Lions offense. Josh Reynolds might remain Goff's preferred target, but outside corners Bashaud Breeland and Cameron Dantzler are actually well-built to cover a player like Reynolds. Normally Breeland and Dantzler are vulnerable for their lack of speed, but Reynolds is no concern there. Similarly, Amon-Ra St. Brown does not project for an obvious advantage over slot corner Mackensie Alexander.

Upgrade: Kalif Raymond
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Josh Reynolds, Amon-Ra St. Brown

MINNESOTA WIDE RECEIVERS

Amani Oruwariye might prove to be a viable starting NFL corner. Jerry Jacobs probably won't on the other side. Whatever the case, they're entirely overmatched against Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. It's not clear who will cover the slot for Detroit, but K.J. Osborn likely has the advantage over whoever it is. The question here is probably 'How much does Minnesota want?' rather than 'How much can Minnesota take?'

Upgrade: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

NYJ vs PHI

JETS WIDE RECEIVERS

If Corey Davis is out then it makes an easy call for the Jets to shadow Elijah Moore with Darius Slay. Jamison Crowder is countered in the slot reasonably well by Avonte Maddox, while Keelan Cole would project no better than even against Steven Nelson. If Slay doesn't shadow Moore then Moore could probably cut up a corner like Nelson.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Elijah Moore (raise to Upgrade if Davis is active and shadowed by Slay), Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder, Keelan Cole

PHILADELPHIA WIDE RECEIVERS

There's no guarantee the Eagles capitalize, especially if Jalen Hurts (ankle) isn't himself, but the matchup here is favorable. No one in this group can cover DeVonta Smith, and despite their low current profile both Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins can beat this group too.

Upgrade: DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Jalen Reagor
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

CHI vs ARI

CHICAGO WIDE RECEIVERS

Darnell Mooney is an impressive player and he should see a lot of usage here, but the bull's eye is definitely on him with Allen Robinson and Marquise Goodwin unavailable. The second wideout for Chicago might be the decoy-type burner Damiere Byrd, who might need to play less of a decoy role and more of a real route-running role given the other injuries for the Bears. The problem is they'll both have to make it work after the catch, because the Arizona pass rush will probably hassle Andy Dalton before Mooney or Byrd can get more than 15 or so yards downfield. Guys like Byron Murphy can't run with them far, but he might not need to either. Poor quarterback play is a substantial concern.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Darnell Mooney, Damiere Byrd

ARIZONA WIDE RECEIVERS

DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring) will be a game-time decision, and between the windy/rainy weather and Arizona's status as heavy favorites, it wouldn't be shocking if the Cardinals decided they don't need him here. Antoine Wesley plays the left side when Hopkins is out, and A.J. Green plays the right side whatever the case. Jaylon Johnson is the one good Bears corner, and he tends to play the right side of the defense, or the left side of the offense. If Hopkins is out and the Bears don't shadow Green with Johnson, then it's an upgrade for Green, weather aside. Same for Christian Kirk and Rondale Moore in the slot.

Upgrade: A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DeAndre Hopkins, Antoine Wesley
 

CIN vs LAC

CINCINNATI WIDE RECEIVERS

The Chargers secondary works well as a whole, but the individual parts are pretty unimpressive aside from Derwin James at safety. Chris Harris in the slot is the toughest individual component, and he might be a challenging matchup for Tyler Boyd there. Michael Davis and Tevaughn Campbell at outside corner are less imposing, and both are in trouble against Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins if Joey Bosa can't get to Joe Burrow quickly.
 

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd

CHARGERS WIDE RECEIVERS

Mike Williams might see the shadow coverage of Chidobe Awuzie – a challenging matchup if so. Eli Apple is more beatable on the other side, so that's as much of a reason for Awuzie to shadow Williams as any specifically pro-Awuzie argument. If Apple is on Jalen Guyton or Josh Palmer then Apple might not be a liability. Mike Hilton could struggle to match up with Keenan Allen in the slot, where Allen is about a half-foot taller and 30 pounds heavier than Hilton.

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

ATL vs TB

ATLANTA WIDE RECEIVERS

Carlton Davis might be back for the Buccaneers, and if so they will have a fully-loaded starting three at corner for the first time since Week 1. Davis has been out since Week 4. He and Jamel Dean should shut down the outside, while Sean Murphy-Bunting is a solid prospect in the slot. This is a downgrade for the Falcons.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Russell Gage, Tajae Sharpe, Olamide Zaccheaus
Even: N/A

TAMPA BAY WIDE RECEIVERS
 

A.J. Terrell has done well this year but he only plays on the left side to this point. If the Buccaneers line up Mike Evans on the offense's left – the defense's right – then Evans can run against Fabian Moreau every play instead, and Moreau can't really cover anyone. Nickel corner Avery Williams would be totally overmatched against Chris Godwin, too. Tyler Johnson can beat Williams or Moreau but probably not Terrell, at least not consistently.

Upgrade: Chris Godwin, Mike Evans
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tyler Johnson

LV vs WAS

LAS VEGAS WIDE RECEIVERS

DeSean Jackson (calf) is already a crucial piece of this offense and without him they have no speed, so the Raiders could be in trouble here given the absence of Darren Waller. Hunter Renfrow should see a lot of safety and slot corner Kamren Curl, but Curl might match up better with bigger slot targets rather than a smaller, quicker one like Renfrow. Bryan Edwards gets a challenging draw just for the fact that he's playing the wrong position for his set of traits. Kendall Fuller and William Jackson should be challenging both for him and Zay Jones.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Hunter Renfrow, DeSean Jackson, Bryan Edwards, Zay Jones

WASHINGTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Casey Hayward might shadow Terry McLaurin, and if so it might be difficult for McLaurin to get open regularly underneath and in the intermediate. Hayward can't run with McLaurin more than 15 yards or so, but the problem is the Raiders edge rush of Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue often gets to the quarterback before any receivers can get 20 or so yards downfield. If Taylor Heinicke can get some deep drops without the pass rush clobbering him, then McLaurin should be able to beat Hayward deep. Then again, if the centerfield safety has his eye on McLaurin then even in that scenario the completion is easier said than done. If Hayward is on McLaurin it would leave Brandon Facyson to cover the other outside receiver, probably DeAndre Carter or, health permitting, Curtis Samuel (groin). Facyson can get burned by either, so the Raiders will need to be careful there too. Slot corner Nate Hobbs probably has the upper hand on Adam Humphries.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Adam Humphries
Even: Terry McLaurin, DeAndre Carter, Curtis Samuel

LAR vs JAC

RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS

The Jaguars defense has quietly been coached rather well this year. That's credit for Joe Cullen, not Urban Meyer. Even so, they're without top corner Shaquill Griffin and the remaining personnel can't be expected to deal with the likes of Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham and Van Jefferson.

Upgrade: Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham, Van Jefferson
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

JACKSONVILLE WIDE RECEIVERS

Not a real offense.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: All
Even: N/A

PIT vs BAL

PITTSBURGH WIDE RECEIVERS

The Ravens have suffered for the absence of Marcus Peters all year, and at the moment they're managing a number of complicating details at cornerback otherwise. Top corner Marlon Humphrey and slot corner Tavon Young both dealt with illness this week, while already vulnerable CB2 Anthony Averett is dealing with shoulder and ankle issues. Diontae Johnson really struggled against Baltimore last year, and the Ravens shadowed him with Humphrey in neither game. The Ravens secondary is much more thinned out this time around, though, so Johnson should do better as long as Humphrey isn't shadowing him. The Ravens might prefer to use Humphrey's premier size/speed against the bigger and faster Chase Claypool, though they could just as easily assign Humphrey's side based on play design. Basically, whoever has Humphrey on a given play has a bad draw, but any other Baltimore corner is looking vulnerable.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Washington

BALTIMORE WIDE RECEIVERS

The Steelers would be crazy to play press man coverage against Baltimore, so they probably won't. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman has no play designs to counter off, cover-3 type coverage that sits back and crowds the intermediate and deep part of the field. With no JK Dobbins or Gus Edwards to make defenses pay for this, the default pass route combos in the Roman offense run into the parts of the field the defenses are crowding with their off coverage. This is why most Lamar Jackson pass attempts result in him seeing nothing for some amount of time before invariably throwing it away, forcing a throw, taking a sack, or tucking/running.

The good news for Baltimore is that the Steelers might be without both Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt, so the Pittsburgh pass rush might not show up at all. The Ravens route combos might be telegraphed ahed of time and Roman might have no idea what to do about it, but if you give any quarterback enough time eventually people will start screwing up their zone assignment. The Steelers corners can't cover Marquise Brown and maybe not even Rashod Bateman or Sammy Watkins, and if there's no pass rush it might not matter that their routes might be predictable.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman, Sammy Watkins, Devin Duvernay

SEA vs SF

SEATTLE WIDE RECEIVERS

Josh Norman will see DK Metcalf on most snaps. Norman cannot cover Metcalf more than 10 yards or so, but with Russell Wilson clearly damaged it's difficult to say whether the Seahawks will be able to capitalize. Tyler Lockett is playing brilliantly this year and should see Norman a few times, but mostly he should run against the tougher duo of Emmanuel Moseley and K'Waun Williams. Freddie Swain ran ahead of Dee Eskridge again last week, though it's tough to tell whether that will change as Eskridge logs more practice time. Whoever the third receiver is should mostly face Moseley, subbing for Lockett at right receiver when Lockett goes into the slot against Williams.

Upgrade: DK Metcalf
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tyler Lockett, Freddie Swain, Dee Eskridge

SAN FRANCISCO WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandon Aiyuk will need to take up a bigger workload with Deebo Samuel (groin) out, and that upward usage spike is compounded by a good on-paper matchup here. Outside corners D.J. Reed and Sidney Jones are both overmatched generally but are also ill-suited to a bruising style of play, Reed being 5-foot-9 and Jones being rather skinny. Safety tweener Ugo Amadi is not imposing in the slot. Even Jauan Jennings is threatening to a secondary this weak. 

Upgrade: Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A