Corner Report: Week 14

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.

NYG vs ARI

GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS

Dre Kirkpatrick (51.1 PFF) at right corner and Patrick Peterson (50.2 PFF) at left corner are both big, aging corners better suited to handling the sideline against receivers built like themselves than chasing smurf receivers laterally. Sterling Shepard isn't exactly a smurf but still isn't the kind of receiver these corners want to run with. Darius Slayton doesn't have a frame or tendency advantage over these corners – he tends to run his routes in areas that suit them best – but he's still a good player for his own part and at the very least is much faster than Peterson or Kirkpatrick. Slayton should see more of Kirkpatrick and Shepard should see more of Peterson. The question is whether the quarterback play is good enough for either receiver to do anything. The same is true for Golden Tate and his otherwise favorable matchup against slot corner Byron Murphy (59.8 PFF)

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

ARIZONA WIDE RECEIVERS

DeAndre Hopkins should draw the shadow coverage of James Bradberry – probably one of the worst matchups possible for Hopkins. Kliff Kingsbury's scheme broadcasts its tendencies openly, and Bradberry didn't need any help. Bradberry's frame and athletic characteristics are almost identical to Hopkins, though Bradberry is likely the better pure athlete of the two. Hopkins' skill level makes him a threat in any setting, but the odds are rarely this bad for him all the same. Christian Kirk can torch all of the other Giants corners, but not if they're sitting on Kliff's static route combos. It's tough to tell which is more plausible from afar. Andy Isabella or/and Larry Fitzgerald also have on-paper advantages but it just might not matter.

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

TB vs MIN

TAMPA BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Cam Dantzler (69.1 PFF) saw his coverage grade skyrocket upon facing Mike Glennon, so make whatever conclusion you wish with that. At 6-2 under 190 pounds with a 4.6 40, I don't think Dantzler has the tools to cover any standout wide receiver without a great deal of safety help. Dantzler played on both the left and right sides in Week 13 but didn't shadow DJ Chark, which makes me suspect he lined up only pending a safety help consideration by Mike Zimmer, lining up Dantzler where the safety help is for any given defensive play call. That could be wrong, but the point is I don't think he'll be as effective once he's going against Tom Brady instead of Glennon. Mike Evans is faster than Dantzler at about 50 pounds heavier – it'll take either a lot of safety help or Evans' hamstring giving out for him to get shut down here. Jeff Gladney (47.7 PFF) has no real hope against Evans and not much more against Chris Godwin, who should prove his primary matchup, but Antonio Brown might be manageable for the rookie given their similar frames. Kris Boyd (50.3 PFF) should see more of Brown and Evans than Gladney and he projects poorly against both.

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

MINNESOTA WIDE RECEIVER

Carlton Davis (63.8 PFF) is better than his coverage grade, but still probably carries the underdog status against a receiver as good as Adam Thielen or Justin Jefferson. It's not clear which of the two Davis would shadow, if either, and in whatever scenario the effect is similarly ambiguous. Perhaps Davis will see more of Jefferson than Thielen, if only because Thielen plays the slot more often – if so then Thielen might see the most of slot corner Sean Murphy-Bunting (51.6 PFF), a talented player but one who probably lacks the polish to hang with Thielen or Jefferson. What's in any case true is that it will probably be one of Davis or Murphy-Bunting on Thielen or Jefferson on nearly every play if Jamel Dean is out again – the Buccaners can't afford to let either of Thielen or Jefferson run against their No. 4 CB.

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

CHI vs HOU

CHICAGO WIDE RECEIVERS

There might not be a worse cornerback rotation in the NFL right now than the one in Houston. Even Chicago's backups would project for the advantage here, so it's safe to say that things are teed up for Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller and Darnell Mooney.

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

HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Jaylon Johnson and Kyle Fuller are solid outside corners, but they will have their work cut out for them against Brandin Cooks, who's generally one of the league's toughest covers. The other outside receiver for the Texans might be Chad Hansen, who thrived in the role last week (five catches for 101 yards on seven targets) and might yet remain a viable NFL prospect despite getting cut by all of the Jets, Patriots, Saints, Titans, Broncos and Texans after he was a fourth-round pick of the Jets in 2017. Poor league reception or not, Hansen was productive at California in college and is a good athlete. Adam Thielen didn't get a shot until he was 26, and Hansen has a lot of the same characteristics as a former highly productive small school guy with outside-viable athleticism despite generally receiving the 'slot receiver' tag. Hansen turns 26 in January. Few long shots have a profile as good as Hansen's, though this remains a tough matchup for him.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Brandin Cooks, Keke Coutee, Chad Hansen

JAC vs TEN

JACKSONVILLE WIDE RECEIVERS

DJ Chark is the best receiver here and the most dangerous to the Titans secondary, but other Jaguars wideouts can do damage here too. Malcolm Butler (70.4 PFF) is the only good outside Titans corner, but even he is vulnerable to the speed of receivers like Chark and Chris Conley, though Conley only played eight snaps last week. Collin Johnson jumped not only Conley but potentially also Laviska Shenault, all three of whom should be able to beat backup type Breon Borders (71.4 PFF), though Borders has a high PFF grade at the moment. Slot man Keelan Cole gets one of the comparatively tough matchups of the group against Desmond King (66.6 PFF), who is probably a legitimately good slot corner.

Upgrade: DJ Chark
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Keelan Cole, Collin Johnson, Laviska Shenault

TENNESSEE WIDE RECEIVERS

It would be a boost to the Jaguars secondary if they could get back Sidney Jones (77.3 PFF), who would make for one good outside starter and good slot corner when going three-wide. Luq Barcoo will start opposite Tre Herndon and Josiah Scott would play the slot if Jones can't play. All of the latter three are at a disadvantage in this one.

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

CAR vs DEN

CAROLINA WIDE RECEIVERS

DJ Moore is likely out, leaving Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel as the two lead outside receivers in two-wide sets, while Samuel will still presumably move into the slot more often than not when the Panthers go three wide. The new receiver in the rotation might be Brandon Zylstra, who served as the fourth wide receiver prior to Moore's injury. I can't find out much about Zylstra – maybe he can play, maybe he can't.

If he mostly plays outside then Zylstra and Anderson should split most of the outside snaps, maybe with Anderson on the right a little more than the left. If so, then Anderson might see a bit more of Devante Bausby (61.8 PFF) than Michael Ojemudia (50.1 PFF), neither of whom are well-suited to covering Anderson. The slot corner might be Duke Dawson, a former second-round pick of the Patriots but one who has struggled consistently in his three NFL seasons. Dawson does not project for the advantage against Samuel.

Upgrade: Robby Anderson, Curtis Samuel
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Brandon Zylstra

DENVER WIDE RECEIVERS

Rather than trying to man up in press coverage against the Broncos receivers, we might see Carolina defensive coordinator Phil Snow instead try to confuse Drew Lock with disguised zone coverages. The fact that Carolina's cornerback personnel isn't very good only gives Snow more reason to take this approach, though Lock's inability to read a defense is plenty of reason in itself. If this is all true then it makes the one-on-one matchups here less pertinent than the question of how well Lock does reading the coverages. But to the extent that the Panthers do match up corners with receivers, Rasul Douglas (64.3 PFF) might be the best bet to match up with Tim Patrick, while KJ Hamler should see more of Donte Jackson. It's not ideal for either Broncos wideout, though slot corner Corn Elder (68.9 PFF) doesn't look much better for Jerry Jeudy in the slot.

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

CIN vs DAL

CINCINNATI WIDE RECEIVERS

Keep in mind that quarterbacks don't get much worse than Ryan Finley, so the Bengals receivers are largely at the mercy of details outside their control. That's a shame, because all of Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and AJ Green project for the matchup advantages here. Higgins and Boyd have shown the ability to transcend their circumstances somewhat, but that specifically is what's necessary to thrive with quarterback play like this.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, AJ Green

DALLAS WIDE RECEIVERS

William Jackson is the toughest Cincinnati corner, and he should see the most of Michael Gallup. Gallup should also get looks at weak left corner LeShaun Sims (43.9 PFF). Amari Cooper should see more of Sims and Mackensie Alexander (66.7 PFF) than Gallup, while CeeDee Lamb should mostly see Alexander.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup

MIA vs KC

MIAMI WIDE RECEIVERS

DeVante Parker gets a tough matchup when facing Charvarius Ward (65.8 PFF), but Bashaud Breeland (68.0 PFF) is less likely to have an answer for Parker on the other side. Tough matchup or not, Ward and Breeland aren't good enough to constitute a downgrade to a receiver as good as Parker. Jakeem Grant poses a downfield threat against both corners – Breeland flatly doesn't have the speed to cover deep and while Ward does, at 6-1 he counterintuitively might be too tall to mirror the 5-6 Grant. Lynn Bowden should run mostly against Rashad Fenton in the slot.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant, Lynn Bowden

KANSAS CITY WIDE RECEIVERS

The corner matchups don't matter for Tyreek Hill as much as the question of whether the defense calls for safety help or/and zone coverages versus press-man coverage with or without safety help. Whichever course the defense takes informs the strategy adopted by Andy Reid. If you're a Hill investor you want the Dolphins to call as much press man coverage as possible, because no one can cover Hill by this method. To contain Hill you need to put two safeties over the top, which at once can successfully contain Hill but at the cost of allowing Patrick Mahomes to cut up the defense in the new space underneath, especially to Travis Kelce. Beyond Hill, the remaining Chiefs wideout with the potential matchup advantage on any given look is the slot receiver, who gets to avoid standout outside receivers Byron Jones and Xavien Howard.

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

LV vs IND

LAS VEGAS WIDE RECEIVERS

Xavier Rhodes and Rock Ya-Sin can't cover guys like Henry Ruggs or Nelson Agholor in man coverage. Unfortunately for the Raiders, the Colts won't let Ruggs or Agholor get such looks. Ruggs or Agholor could still get open – guys sometimes slip or otherwise fail to execute their zones properly – but it will require Derek Carr to make sharper reads than he normally does if the Raiders are to capitalize. Hunter Renfrow should present a more consistent target in the slot, but also probably one without much big-play upside.

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

INDIANAPOLIS WIDE RECEIVERS

Left corner Trayvon Mullen (68.7 PFF) is Vegas' best counter to Michael Pittman, but Pittman should get half or more of his shots against the 5-9 Nevin Lawson (55.2 PFF), too. Lawson would be better matched up against T.Y. Hilton since they're the same build, and at 6-2 Mullen is at risk of tangling his own legs up trying to mirror a smurf like Hilton. Zach Pascal should also see a bit of both corners – neither of whom should be badly threatened by him – but at 5-8 slot corner Lamarcus Joyner is at a major build disadvantage against the 6-2 Pascal.

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

SEA vs NYJ

SEATTLE WIDE RECEIVERS

Green lights for everyone.

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

 
JETS WIDE RECEIVERS

Jamison Crowder is questionable and might sit, in which case Braxton Berrios should be a competent plug-in replacement. The slot coverage from Seattle is mainly the task of Ugo Amadi (68.6 PFF), who may or may not be good but remains mostly untested in the meantime. Left corner Shaquill Griffin (59.8 PFF) is better than his grade and should prove a tough matchup for whoever lines up at right receiver, but the right corner should be a green light for the left receiver. Breshad Perriman will be one of those two receivers in any given play, and the other might be Jeff Smith with Denzel Mims out.

Upgrade: Breshad Perriman
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Braxton Berrios, Jeff Smith

SF vs WAS

SAN FRANCISCO WIDE RECEIVERS

As always, there is not really any such thing as traditional matchups for the 49ers wideouts. Perhaps Kendall Fuller and Ronald Darby are good – they probably are! – but it doesn't really matter for the fantasy football purposes of Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk.

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

WASHINGTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Terry McLaurin might draw the shadow of Richard Sherman (70.3 PFF), and even if he doesn't the coverage of Jason Verrett isn't likely to be any more favorable. But McLaurin is a transcendent talent, and if he fails to produce it very rarely has anything to do with him. Rather than the cornerbacks, McLaurin's investors should worry about Alex Smith.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Cam Sims, Isaiah Wright
Even: Terry McLaurin

PHI vs NO

PHILADELPHIA WIDE RECEIVERS

Travis Fulgham and Jalen Reagor may or may not be able to beat the likes of Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins, but like most of the year the quarterback play is likely to undermine them even if so. That's not just due to the risk posed by Jalen Hurts' accuracy, which is certainly substantial in itself, but also because Hurts is liable to take reps that previously were targets to Fulgham or Reagor and turn them into carries. 

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

NEW ORLEANS WIDE RECEIVERS

Michael Thomas will probably draw the shadow of Darius Slay (55.6 PFF) but it's unlikely to matter much. In this scenario it would leave Emmanuel Sanders against Avonte Maddox (35.4 PFF), who the Eagles have seemingly broken. Tre'Quan Smith should see the most of Nickell Robey-Coleman (57.5 PFF). None of these corners are concerning, but I'm holding off on the 'Upgrade' declaration given the Taysom Hill situation.

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

DET vs GB

DETROIT WIDE RECEIVERS

Jaire Alexander played only on the left side during Green Bay's Week 2 matchup with Detroit, so he might not see Marvin Jones except for when Jones is lined up at outside right receiver. Jones has lined up a little more on the right than the left to this point, so he still might see a problematic amount of Alexander, but Detroit has the option of avoiding him if they take up the offer. Jones would fare much better on his snaps against right corner Kevin King (60.0 PFF). Slot corner Chandon Sullivan (55.0 PFF) is probably better than King despite the lower PFF grade, but Jones can probably win against him on the applicable slot snaps. The Lions appear to otherwise intend to use Mohamed Sanu as their WR2 while Danny Amendola plays the slot and Quintez Cephus takes the outside snaps when Sanu is in the slot or on the sideline.

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

GREEN BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Davante Adams can't be covered by any of these corners, though it might be Amani Oruwariye (58.1 PFF) who's primarily left with the thankless task. Slot corner Justin Coleman (55.1 PFF) isn't bad but still might be at a disadvantage against Allen Lazard. Marquez Valdes-Scantling probably has an advantage over Darryl Roberts (48.6 PFF).

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

LAC vs ATL

CHARGERS WIDE RECEIVERS

The Falcons might try to shadow Keenan Allen with A.J. Terrell (66.6 PFF) but (A) Allen can probably just beat him and (B) Allen tends to play in the slot more than outside, and Terrell might not be able to follow Allen into the slot. If so, and if the Chargers would prefer to get Allen lined up against Isaiah Oliver (54.4 PFF) instead of Terrell (they should) then they ought to have the option available. If Allen faces Oliver on a play then it might leave Terrell on Mike Williams, to uncertain effect. In that scenario Darqueze Dennard (58.7 PFF) should line up against the lightly used Jalen Guyton, who has a speed advantage.

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

ATLANTA WIDE RECEIVERS

Chris Harris (50.4 PFF) started last week over Casey Hayward (61.3 PFF), but that was Hayward's first game back from injury. Harris moved to the slot in three-corner formations last week, so we might see Hayward start with Michael Davis (70.6 PFF) with Harris showing up in the slot when going nickel formation. Russell Gage doesn't project for an advantage over Harris in the slot, and the duo of Hayward and Davis should provide competent against Calvin Ridley outside. If Christian Blake replaces Julio Jones in the lineup then he will likely struggle against any NFL corner, including these.

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

BUF vs PIT

BUFFALO WIDE RECEIVERS

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

PITTSBURGH WIDE RECEIVERS

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson

CLE vs BAL

CLEVELAND WIDE RECEIVERS

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

 
BALTIMORE WIDE RECEIVERS

Upgrade: Marquise Brown
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Willie Snead, Miles Boykin