Corner Report: Week 15

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.

KC vs DEN

KANSAS CITY WR SNAPS

Chris Harris (66.4 PFF) seemed to shadow DeAndre Hopkins last week, and so perhaps the Broncos will try the same with him against Tyreek Hill. But Hill moves into the slot often, and Hill's speed is much more threatening than any one trait with Hopkins. Harris isn't a downgrade for him in my opinion. If Harris follows Hill, then Sammy Watkins should mostly run against Duke Dawson (59.0 PFF) and Isaac Yiadom (53.4 PFF). Yiadom is so sketchy that even Demarcus Robinson could maybe get open against him. Mecole Hardman is the better player but he only played 14 snaps to Robinson's 62 last week. I generally suspect the Broncos will use a lot of zone coverages so I'm hesitate to call too much either way here.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson

DENVER WR SNAPS

Courtland Sutton tends to run his routes on the left side about 60 percent of the time, and if that holds here then he would project to see Charvarius Ward (69.2 PFF) roughly six times out of 10, perhaps running against the much more beatable Bashaud Breeland (44.4 PFF) most of the rest of the time. But Tim Patrick might get more of the shots against Breeland. Kendall Fuller (57.1 PFF) returned to the slot last week and struggled, but he was normally a good player in his career, including in Kansas City last year. DaeSean Hamilton probably can't capitalize regardless of Fuller's play.
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, DaeSean Hamilton
 

CAR vs SEA

CAROLINA WR SNAPS

D.J. Moore should get matched up against Tre Flowers (49.0 PFF), a drum to beat if there ever was one. It's a smash spot for Moore, far as I can tell. Curtis Samuel has a comparatively brutal draw against Shaquill Griffin (81.9 PFF) on the majority of his outside snaps, though Samuel moves around enough that he should get Flowers a few times and might actually spend most of his time otherwise running against zone coverage from outside linebackers. The Seahawks seemingly never left their base defense against the Rams, as the third corner (Akeem King) played only nine snaps. If not Samuel, then Jarius Wright is the slot corner who will apparently be running against various zones.

Upgrade: D.J. Moore

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Curtis Samuel, Jarius Wright

SEATTLE WR SNAPS

Tyler Lockett should primarily run against slot corner Ross Cockrell (59.6 PFF), a matchup that will doubtlessly need safety assistance. James Bradberry (64.5 PFF) shadowed Julio Jones last week, but I'm not sure whether he'll shadow DK Metcalf here. It would seem like the best match for Bradberry's strengths and weaknesses, given that both he and Metcalf are big players for their positions. Bradberry arguably would count as a downgrade for Metcalf if so. Donte Jackson (59.2 PFF) is a burner but at a major size disadvantage to both Metcalf and Josh Gordon, who finally seemed to pull away from David Moore as the clear WR3 last week. If Gordon is on Jackson, it's an interesting jumpball setup.

Upgrade: Tyler Lockett

Downgrade: N/A

Even: DK Metcalf, Josh Gordon
 

GB vs CHI

GREEN BAY WR SNAPS

Geronimo Allison isn't benched yet, and if that persists here he should see the most looks against slot corner Buster Skrine (64.2 PFF), the easiest of the three Chicago corners but not quite a pushover (like Allison is). The right corner is Prince Amukamara (69.3 PFF), who returns after missing last week with a hamstring injury. The left corner is Kyle Fuller (60.7 PFF), who is generally better than his grade this year. Davante Adams should see all three relatively evenly, and they'll make him earn his numbers. There's just reason to think Adams is up to it. Allen Lazard will play both the slot and the outside spots – basically wherever Adams isn't running – and although better than Allison, Lazard still would have a tough task against Amukamara or Fuller.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Geronimo Allison

CHICAGO WR SNAPS

Allen Robinson may or may not see the shadow of Jaire Alexander (74.6 PFF) but I don't think it matters. Robinson is elite, and Alexander is probably merely 'very good.' Plus, Robinson has a size advantage that could negate blanket coverage from a shorter corner like Alexander. Kevin King (55.9 PFF) is a major turkey and a prime target for Robinson, additionally. Tramon Williams (79.2 PFF) will be a tough test for Anthony Miller in the slot, while at the third receiver spot Riley Ridley or Javon Wims (knee) have the undesirable remaining tasks.
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Anthony Miller

Even: Allen Robinson
 

CIN vs NE

CINCINNATI WR SNAPS

Tyler Boyd will either see the Stephon Gilmore (77.7 PFF) shadow or, if not, he should reliably run against slot corner Jonathan Jones (76.1 PFF). It's a downgrade either way. John Ross and Alex Erickson will split the leftovers to a likely dreary outcome.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Tyler Boyd, John Ross, Alex Erickson

Even: N/A

NEW ENGLAND WR SNAPS

Phillip Dorsett played only 33 snaps last week, losing much of his playing time to Jakobi Meyers and Mohamed Sanu. Sanu played more on the left last week, previously Dorsett's domain, after playing almost exclusively on the right before the loss to Kansas City. If Sanu and Dorsett split left-side snaps again here, then Sanu and Meyers should split the right-side of the field (though Meyers will see some looks on the left too). Julian Edelman is of course unchallenged and borderline infallible in the slot, even against the best Darqueze Denard (73.3 PFF). Sanu and Meyers should split their time somewhat evenly between right corner William Jackson (58.6 PFF) and left corner B.W. Webb (59.8 PFF). Jackson is probably one of the more talented corners in the league, but the results just haven't been there this year.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, Jakobi Meyers, Phillip Dorsett

TEN vs HOU

TENNESSEE WR SNAPS

A.J. Brown is a beast but will face one of his biggest tests yet against Bradley Roby (68.6 PFF), likely the top Houston corner. Roby moved to right corner last week after previously playing the slot, where Vernon Hargreaves (44.7 PFF) is apparently the plan. Hargreaves should see a bunch of Corey Davis, who should otherwise primarily run against the left-side corners, where Houston used a committee between Gareon Conley (66.3 PFF) and Johnathan Joseph (61.6 PFF). I think it's a nice setup for Davis, especially if Roby continues to outplay his fellow corners. I should mention that although Brown should primarily see Roby, it shouldn't be a shadow situation – Brown should get plenty of looks at Conley/Joseph by lining up on the right at selective points throughout the game.
 

Upgrade: Corey Davis

Downgrade: N/A

Even: A.J. Brown

HOUSTON WR SNAPS

Adoree' Jackson (foot) is Tennessee's top corner, yet he'll have to sit out just as DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller (hamstring), and Kenny Stills come into town. LeShaun Sims (44.3 PFF) tends to play on the right side of the defense, so Jackson's replacement will be on the left. It might be Logan Ryan (60.7 PFF) in base formations, but in three-wide sets he'll move to the slot, where he should mostly cover Stills and Keke Coutee. Fuller will get in there a bit too if he's active. But Hopkins tends up on the left about 60 percent of the time, so he should mostly see Sims. That's an upgrade. Tramaine Brock (66.6 PFF) or Tye Smith (90.5 PFF) should be the left corner, seeing some of Hopkins but mostly Fuller or/and Stills. They have high PFF grades at the moment but they're both likely scrubs. It's upgrades for everyone, but it's too bad the playing time situation with Fuller/Stills/Coutee is unclear.

Upgrade: DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Kenny Stills

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

NYG vs MIA

GIANTS WR SNAPS

Darius Slayton's remarkable rookie season could maintain its momentum against Miami's Arena League corners, with his burning speed posing a threat to even 'Top Corner' Nik Needham (64.7 PFF) if the Dolphins use him as a shadow. And yet, Sterling Shepard is still a dangerous target and a worthy candidate of any shadow strategy. It just looks like a lose/lose for the Dolphins. They're down to Ryan Lewis (32.8 PFF) at the other corner spot with Ken Crawley and Ken Webster on IR now. Just brutal. Slot corner Jomal Wiltz (40.9 PFF) is supremely overmatched by Golden Tate, moreover. If Eli screws this up we should chase him into the sea.

Upgrade: Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Golden Tate

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

MIAMI WR SNAPS

DeVante Parker (concussion) is questionable, but it'd be a smash spot if he can gain clearance to run against the likes of DeAndre Baker (41.4 PFF) and Sam Beal (45.5 PFF). It'd be borderline unfair for them if Parker suits up. Isaiah Ford would project well against those guys if Parker sits, though if Parker is in it's hard to see how Ford plays as much as he did last week. Albert Wilson is also questionable with a concussion from last week, so if he's out then Ford would have room even if Parker is back. In that scenario, Parker and Ford would play outside while Hurns would likely play the slot. If Both Parker and Wilson play, then a logjam might occur between Ford/Hurns/Wilson. The slot coverage with the Giants is in any case poor and whoever gets the snaps will be poised to produce.

Upgrade: DeVante Parker, Isaiah Ford, Allen Hurns, Albert Wilson

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

WAS vs PHI

WASHINGTON WR SNAPS

Trey Quinn is out again, leaving Steven Sims as the Washington slot specialist while fellow rookies Terry McLaurin and Kelvin Harmon typically play the outside spots. Sims will need three-wide sets to see the field, but he played 46 snaps last week and 37 the one before that. When on the field Sims should run against Avonte Maddox (54.2 PFF), a player with probably better days ahead but has mostly endured struggles in 2019. McLaurin should see the left and Harmon should see the right about 55 percent of the time in their respective sides, giving them both looks at both outside Philadelphia corner. Harmon matches up best with right corner Ronald Darby (40.7 PFF), because he can at least box him out a bit on jumpballs, but I worry that Jalen Mills (59.9 PFF) might neutralize Harmon when matched up. Darby has the speed to match McLaurin stride for stride, but Darby's general struggles this year make that an 'even' grade at worst, while Mills is distinctly vulnerable to McLaurin's speed when McLaurin lines up on the right side.

Upgrade: Terry McLaurin, Steven Sims

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Kelvin Harmon

PHILADELPHIA WR SNAPS

Nelson Agholor (knee) didn't practice all week, so it sure looks like the Eagles will primarily go with J.J. Arcega Whiteside at outside wideout and Greg Ward in the slot. Practice squad callup Robert Davis should serve as the third receive and second outside receiver. Whoever lines up on the left has the worst deal here – they'll run against right corner Quinton Dunbar (89.5 PFF), who appears one of the truly best corners in the league. Arcega-Whiteside had even left/right splits last week, so if that continues here then about half of his snaps might go to waste on Dunbar's island. I have to assume Davis will also have even right/left splits, seeing Dunbar and left corner Fabian Moreau (52.8 PFF) roughly equally, just on fewer snaps than JJAW plays. Moreau is fast but hasn't put forth good results to this point in his career. Ward has the most enviable matchup of the three unproven Eagles wideouts, running about half of his snaps from the slot last week, but the Eagles will run so many two-TE looks that Ward will have to spend probably ¼ of his snaps against the dreaded Dunbar. Still, he might be the only player aside from Zach Ertz to get cracks at the slot against Washington, where rookie Jimmy Moreland (59.3 PFF) is the sole corner. I'm going to list Ward as an Even along with the other two wideouts, but his situation is still better than theirs, in my opinion.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade:

Even: Greg Ward, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Robert Davis

DET vs TB

DETROIT WR SNAPS

Marvin Jones is unfortunately done for the year, and players like Chris Lacy and Travis Fulgham are not serious replacement candidates. I would sooner expect Danny Amendola to play in two-wide sets, with Kenny Golladay of course being the other one. They'll both play both sides, but perhaps with Golladay on the left and Amendola on the right in some form or another roughly 60 percent of the time. I think there's a chance that Golladay gets shadowed by Carlton Davis (71.9 PFF), though Davis mostly played on the left side last week. If Davis doesn't shadow Golladay, then he might see the rookie Jamel Dean (76.2 PFF), and both former Auburn stars are big corners lab-built to stop wideouts like Golladay, but Golladay is one of the best and both Davis and Dean are still a bit green. Amendola would see the leftover outside corner in two-wide sets, and in three-wide sets he should mostly run against Sean Bunting-Murphy (67.0 PFF), a promising and toolsy rookie but one who might fit better outside than in the slot against a short, quick wideout like Amendola. I think Amendola has the upper hand there.

Upgrade: Danny Amendola

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Kenny Golladay

TAMPA BAY WR SNAPS

Breshad Perriman should be the primary replacement for Mike Evans, and that might make him the shadow target of Darius Slay (59.1 PFF). Slay could also conceivably shadow Chris Godwin, but that seems unlikely since Justin Coleman (51.4 PFF) is the team's primary slot corner. Coleman seems benched in base defense, though, as rookie fifth-round pick Amani Oruwariye (83.8 PFF) played ahead of him last week and is clearly doing well so far. There's nothing in Oruwariye's profile that indicates shutdown upside, but he's around 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and at least a slightly above average athlete. If Slay shadows Perriman and Godwin faces Coleman in three-wide sets, then the duo of Justin Watson and Scott Miller would likely face Oruwariye on some uncertain basis. Watson played extensively last week, but Miller played ahead of Watson before getting hurt a couple weeks ago.

Upgrade: Chris Godwin

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Breshad Perriman, Justin Watson, Scott Miller

ARZ vs CLE

ARIZONA WR SNAPS

Larry Fitzgerald has the best matchup for Arizona, as he should primarily run against struggling slot corner T.J. Carrie (50.5 PFF). Pharoh Cooper figures to see Carrie a few times, too. Christian Kirk draws the toughest matchup among the Cardinals corners against Denzel Ward (68.0 PFF), though perhaps Kirk can win anyway – he may be a better receiver than Ward is a corner, and I mean that as no disrespect to Ward. Kirk just might be a top-15 sort of receiver. The left receiver is a rotating position in the Cardinals offense, so it's anyone's guess whether the likes of Andy Isabella or Damiere Byrd might have a chance to contribute.

Upgrade: Larry Fitzgerald, Pharoh Cooper

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Christian Kirk

CLEVELAND WR SNAPS

Who knows how healthy Odell Beckham (groin) might be, but at least he catches Patrick Peterson (50.3 PFF) at less than his best, as the star corner has struggled in his return from suspension. Kevin Peterson (60.9 PFF) was the corner opposite Patrick last week, with Byron Murphy (50.1 PFF) taking over as the full-time slot corner. Murphy might be a good prospect but he's struggling with his heavy rookie workload, and he makes a fine target for Jarvis Landry. Rashard Higgins might do something against Kevin Peterson in three-wide sets, but it's generally difficult to see a role for him in light of Kareem Hunt's activation.

Upgrade: Jarvis Landry

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Odell Beckham, Rashard Higgins

LAC vs MIN

CHARGERS WR SNAPS

Keenan Allen should primarily run against slot corner Mackensie Alexander (64.7 PFF), a player who's both unremarkable but also the best of the Minnesota corners. Allen should get a few cracks at the struggling outside Minnesota corners too, though. When on the left side of the offense Allen snould see either Xavier Rhodes (46.3 PFF) or Mike Hughes (56.3 PFF). Rhodes is questionable with an ankle issue, and it's not as if he needed any additional difficulties. Trae Waynes (56.7 PFF) is the corner for the receiver lined up on the right. Mike Williams and Andre Patton play with almost perfectly even left/right splits, so they should split their time equally between the Rhodes/Hughes committee and Waynes on the other side. The corner matchups are favorable for the Chargers receivers – the question is whether Philip Rivers will have the time and ability to get the ball to them against a Minnesota pass rush that can cause problems.

Upgrade: Mike Williams

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Keenan Allen

MINNESOTA WR SNAPS

Adam Thielen (hamstring) is back, and hopefully for good this time. While it's tough to know what we can take for granted with the hamstring, Thielen is a beast when healthy. His primary matchup in this game might be slot corner Desmond King (67.8 PFF), one of the league's top slot corners but one who I think generally loses to Thielen, especially if Kirk Cousins has ample time to throw. Stefon Diggs figures to draw the shadow coverage of Casey Hayward (85.0 PFF), who should theoretically be one of Diggs' toughest matchups in the league. If he can beat Hayward, it's difficult to conceive of a cornerback profile that would plausibly stop him. Bisi Johnson (quadriceps, questionable) should mostly run against Brandon Facyson (53.4 PFF), for what it's worth (not much).

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Stefon Diggs

Even: Adam Thielen, Bisi Johnson

OAK vs JAC

OAKLAND WR SNAPS

Tyrell Williams is still battling plantar fasciitis, and he already had enough battling to do with the Oakland offense itself. In this game the Jaguars may or may not shadow him with A.J. Bouye (57.2 PFF), but if not then Williams would probably still run a slight majority of his routes against Bouye, who tends to play on the defense's right when he's not shadowing. Tre Herndon (47.6 PFF) would be Williams' matchup about probably 40 percent of the time. They should be good matchups, but Williams might not be able to capitalize in his current state. Zay Jones would run opposite of Williams in this scenario, and should see Herndon a bit more than Bouye. Keelan Doss was the slot receiver last week and should continue in that role, though in this case he unfortunately catches the toughest Jacksonville corner in D.J. Hayden (75.1 PFF).

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Keelan Doss

Even: Tyrell Williams, Zay Jones

JACKSONVILLE WR SNAPS

DJ Chark is out, which should plug Keelan Cole into a three-down role, mostly at outside receiver. Cole had served as sort of the top backup at both outside and inside receiver before this point, showing adeptness at both spots. Chark tended to line up on the right slightly more than the left, and if Cole does the same then he should see a little more of Trayvon Mullen (54.7 PFF) than Daryl Worley (67.6 PFF), but they're both beatable. Playing a little more on the left than the right, Chris Conley should see a bit more of Worley. Dede Westbrook should run against Lamarcus Joyner (42.6 PFF), who has really struggled this year and can't run with Westbrook beyond 10 yards or so.

Upgrade: Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley, Keelan Cole

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

SF vs ATL

SAN FRANCISCO WR SNAPS

Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel both primarily play outside but both typically see double-digit slot snaps per game too, which their alignment otherwise slanted negligibly to the right in Sanders' case and the left in Samuel's. But they should see pretty even workloads against right corner Isaiah Oliver (55.8 PFF) and either Blidi Wreh-Wilson (48.8 PFF) or Kendall Sheffield (52.6 PFF) will be at left corner with Desmond Trufant hurt. Sheffield has been the slot corner for nearly two months now, so my guess is it will be Wreh-Wilson. It sets up great for both Sanders and Samuel, in my opinion. Kendrick Bourne is the main slot guy these days, and Sheffield is a favorable projection for him, too.

Upgrade: Emmanuel Sanders, Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

FALCONS WR SNAPS

Julio Jones normally played on the left and Calvin Ridley on the right for around 60 percent of the time, but perhaps that changes with Ridley out with injury. If Jones keeps his leftward slant in his snaps, then Olamide Zaccheaus and Christian Blake might fight over the snaps Ridley leaves behind, presumably mostly on the right. Zaccheaus is the much better prospect, but at 5-foot-8 he might only handle so many snaps out wide and too the right. As much as Zaccheaus is also better than slot wideout Russell Gage, it would be hard for the rookie to prove it on one week's notice. Gage has been the team's primary slot receiver since the Sanu trade and I'd imagine that lasts another week at least. But Zaccheaus was very productive at Virginia, and if they give him more opportunities I think he'll eventually force a timeshare with Gage in the slot. Anyway, it's not clear whether the 49ers will move Ahkello Witherspoon (78.5 PFF) to left corner in light of Richard Sherman's absence, or if the 49ers will instead play former right corner Emmanuel Moseley (72.5 PFF) on the left side. Jones should see both of them, but Moseley would probably be better since Witherspoon (6-foot-2) can largely match Jones' size. Slot corner K'Waun Williams is also out, which probably leaves D.J. Reed (73.9 PFF) in his place. The volume might be there for Gage, but I don't think Reed is especially vulnerable. 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Olamide Zaccheaus, Christian Blake

Even: Julio Jones, Russell Gage

DAL vs LAR

RAMS WR SNAPS

Robert Woods should be in position to stay hot as he primarily matches up against Chidobe Awuzie (63.4 PFF), easily the most beatable of the three Dallas corners. Cooper Kupp should generally face off against the second-toughest, the slot corner Jourdan Lewis (61.2 PFF), whose PFF grade is low but primarily due to two games where I personally think Lewis made more than a few bad plays. Still, I'll call it an upgrade due to Kupp's own skill and the fact that Dallas' slot coverage has been poor lately. Brandin Cooks gets the toughest matchup of the group against Byron Jones (71.6 PFF), but who cares.

Upgrade: Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp

Downgrade: Brandin Cooks

Even: N/A

DALLAS WR SNAPS

Jalen Ramsey (65.3 PFF) might shadow Amari Cooper, as Ramsey seemed to follow DK Metcalf last week. It's only a matter of time before Ramsey regains his shutdown form, but Metcalf caught six of six targets for 78 yards on 53 snaps last week. Cooper is a more dangerous and much more varied threat than Metcalf, and the home splits for Cooper otherwise give me reason to resist the 'downgrade' tag in his case. Troy Hill (74.5) would likely end up following Michael Gallup in that scenario, with Randall Cobb primarily matched up against Nickell Robey-Coleman (74.8 PFF). Gallup versus Hill is a tough question too, because Hill has played well lately. Gallup has heavy usage this year and holds a YPT average of 9.8, so I'd generally give him the advantage over Hill's work this year, which is only 323 coverage snaps deep. Hill played 255 coverage snaps to a 58.2 grade last year, so he's still a regression candidate. Robey-Coleman looks like a tough assignment for Cobb. In contrast to Hill, NRC's high grades extend well beyond this year – he had a PFF coverage grade north of 81.0 over 2017 and 2018 (873 snaps). Tyler Lockett posted eight catches for 94 yards and one touchdown on 10 targets and 127 snaps in two games against the Rams' slot coverage, and Cobb's baseline is well lower than Lockett's.
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Randall Cobb

Even: Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup