Corner Report: Week 17

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.

NE vs JAC

NEW ENGLAND WIDE RECEIVERS

With Nelson Agholor out the Patriots seemingly head into this game with Jakobi Meyers (slot), Kendrick Bourne (outside) and N'Keal Harry (outside) as their primary receivers. Bourne is the more popular player between himself and Bourne, but Bourne reliably plays fewer snaps than Meyers and the second lead outside receiver, be it Harry or Agholor. It's a conundrum for fantasy investors, because Harry (and Agholor) tend to do less than Bourne even while playing more snaps. Meyers should run against Rudy Ford primarily, while Bourne and Harry should split their reps on some basis against the formidable Shaquill Griffin and the less proven rookie Tyson Campbell.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jakobi Meyers, N'Keal Harry, Kendrick Bourne

JACKSONVILLE WIDE RECEIVERS

Laquon Treadwell is apparently the lead outside receiver alongside Marvin Jones. Neither is likely to threaten the Patriots corners. Laviska Shenault is bigger than Myles Bryant in the slot but there's not much reason to expect good results with the second-year wideout given how he's generally looked this year.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Laquon Treadwell, Marvin Jones, Laviska Shenault
Even: N/A

WAS vs PHI

WASHINGTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Terry McLaurin figures to draw the shadow coverage of Darius Slay, which is normally a matchup McLaurin can win, but it's not clear whether he can given the surrounding circumstances of the Washington offense. Cam Sims and Adam Humphries are not threatening otherwise

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Cam Sims, Adam Humphries
Even: Terry McLaurin

PHILADELPHIA WIDE RECEIVERS

DeVonta Smith is probably a better receiver than William Jackson or Kendall Fuller are cornerbacks, though the corners are likely better at their tasks than WR2 Quez Watkins is at his. 

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

NYJ vs TB

JETS WIDE RECEIVERS

Keelan Cole and Braxton Berrios appear to be the Jets lead receivers, with Denzel Mims stepping in on the outside in three-wide sets as Berrios goes into the slot. Berrios could be a tough cover for Sean Murphy-Bunting in the slot if SMB is cleared from the Covid list, otherwise Berrios might run against Ross Cockrell. Cockrell isn't a bum, but Berrios is still a tough cover for him. Cole is less threatening in general, and especially against a lead corner like Carlton Davis. Mims could be dangerous to the backup types covering him if SMB and Jamel Dean (Covid) are both out, but if Dean somehow plays he's a really tough assignment for Mims.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Keelan Cole (raise to 'Even' if not shadowed by Davis)
Even: Braxton Berrios, Denzel Mims

TAMPA BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Antonio Brown (ankle) is apparently legitimately questionable, leaving the Buccaneers wideout rotation in serious question in an otherwise easy matchup. Rob Gronkowski could do a lot more lifting of course, but even if so Mike Evans would be the obvious beneficiary in fantasy if Brown is out. Tyler Johnson can't be counted out given his elite collegiate production, but his NFL returns to this point have been less convincing and he doesn't get the benefit of the doubt against Brandin Echols and especially not Bryce Hall. Cyril Grayson could be a downfield threat given his speed, but the Jets corners are surprisingly athletic themselves.

Upgrade: Mike Evans, Antonio Brown
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tyler Johnson, Cyril Grayson

TEN vs MIA

TENNESSEE WIDE RECEIVERS

Xavien Howard and Byron Jones are both good, but you probably need to be better than that to present a downgrade to A.J. Brown. Brown basically can't be covered – if the ball doesn't get to him then it's because the pass rush got to Ryan Tannehill. That's always a valid concern, especially against a Dolphins defense that blitzes more than anyone.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: A.J. Brown, Julio Jones, Chester Rogers

MIAMI WIDE RECEIVERS

DeVante Parker will almost certainly get some squeaky wheel treatment after seeing zero targets against the Saints, but Kristian Fulton is a good corner who could arguably constitute a downgrade for Parker. Still, Parker has a size advantage on Fulton and is no less athletic, whereas the Saints outside corners are specifically tall and very athletic. Fulton might be good, in other words, but he should be less threatening to Parker than what he saw last week. If Parker is cold again it might not even have as much to do with Fulton as Jaylen Waddle simply drawing so much usage that there isn't much left for Parker to do. It's easier to throw against any non-Fulton corner in Tennessee than Fulton, and Fulton seems unlikely to follow Waddle into the slot.

Upgrade: Jaylen Waddle
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DeVante Parker

IND vs LV

INDIANAPOLIS WIDE RECEIVERS

Michael Pittman won't get open against Casey Hayward, but he's so much bigger than Hayward that he might not need separation to create a viable catch opportunity. Zach Pascal has really tanked this year and he might see the most of intimidating rookie slot corner Nate Hobbs. T.Y. Hilton doesn't seem so fast at the moment and therefore might not be threatening against anyone in particular. If he can show some jets here then there might be opportunities for striking deep.

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

LAS VEGAS WIDE RECEIVERS

Hunter Renfrow doesn't get an 'easy' matchup against Kenny Moore, but Moore's strengths as a player don't strictly have to do with his coverage. You'd sooner give Renfrow the upper hand here than assume the opposite. Zay Jones and Bryan Edwards are not threatening to the outside Indianapolis corners. DeSean Jackson is, but not much can be counted on there in terms of playing time or usage.

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

CIN vs KC

CINCINNATI WIDE RECEIVERS

Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase are excellent, but the Chiefs outside corners Charvarius Ward and Rashad Fenton are no bums. Fenton is the one more easily beaten – he's neither big nor fast, and wideouts like Higgins/Chase are always dangerous to that category of corner – but Ward is big, fast, and a good jumper on the sideline. Slot coverage from L'Jarius Sneed should prove competent but Tyler Boyd is a strong player in his own right.

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

KANSAS CITY WIDE RECEIVERS

It's tedious to mention it at this point, but no one can cover Tyreek Hill. To slow him requires a disciplined deep coverage of both halves with at least one safety in each half. If the Bengals can do that they will have a prayer, but only a prayer. Chidobe Awuzie figures to follow Hill as much as the Bengals can arrange it, but Awuzie's big build goes to waste against a player as elusive as Hill, and Awuzie's 4.43 speed otherwise isn't enough to match stride with Hill for more than 10 yards or so. Byron Pringle doesn't have any obvious advantage against the Bengals corners – he is fast but so are they. Demarcus Robinson sometimes makes a catch when the defense forgets he's on the field, which is easy for anyone to do.

Upgrade: Tyreek Hill
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson

CHI vs NYG

CHICAGO WIDE RECEIVERS

Apparently Allen Robinson is playing, but he had a rough bout with Covid and might not be himself. Darnell Mooney would be a tough cover for the hulking James Bradberry, though the lighter and faster Adoree' Jackson might prove a tough matchup for Mooney. Andy Dalton is the quarterback, also.

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

GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS

The Giants are badly depleted with injuries at receiver, so it seems like aside from Kenny Golladay they will have Pharoh Cooper in the slot while David Sills lines up opposite Golladay. Cooper and Sills were good college players but have shown little or no viability in the NFL, especially Sills. Golladay could be a tough cover for Jaylon Johnson and especially the rookie Thomas Graham, though Graham has looked rather promising in his own right. Golladay is just a tough assignment for a young corner, especially one who is neither big nor fast. Johnson and Graham should be able to hold their own against Sills.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: David Sills
Even: Kenny Golladay, Pharoh Cooper

BUF vs ATL

BUFFALO WIDE RECEIVERS

The Falcons have one good corner in A.J. Terrell, but until the Falcons move him from left corner to match up against lead opposing wideouts, opposing teams can simply line up a receiver on the defense's right side to avoid Terrell. Fabian Moreau is easily beaten there, and he might give up numbers to all of Stefon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders and Gabriel Davis. The Atlanta slot corner is also no good, though it's not clear how the Bills will split up their playing time between Isaiah McKenzie and Cole Beasley.

Upgrade: Stefon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders, Gabriel Davis, Isaiah McKenzie, Cole Beasley
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
 

ATLANTA WIDE RECEIVERS

Not good. It's bad for Matt Ryan to leave a dome, and as far as outside venues go they aren't much more hostile than Buffalo this time of year. If Ryan can't go then the receivers can't, and the receivers aren't good enough to help Ryan through the rough matchup.

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

BAL vs LAR

BALTIMORE WIDE RECEIVERS

If Marquise Brown (illness) can't play then the Ravens might need Devin Duvernay (ankle) to play the slot reps in three-wide looks. If Duvernay can't play then it might need to be James Proche. Rashod Bateman and Sammy Watkins might need to be the lead outside wideouts, especially if Brown can't play. In all of these scenarios it's not obvious how the Rams might use Jalen Ramsey – basically the Reaper for whoever gets him. Ramsey mostly played in the slot to open the year, but lately he has mostly played outside. If the Rams stick with the latter approach then he should mostly see Bateman and Watkins. Darious Williams should take the leftover outside receiver, and though good overall he is small compared to Bateman and Watkins. David Long seems headed to the slot role, where he's easily the most vulnerable Rams cornerback.

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

RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS

Perhaps this would be a head scratcher if Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters were healthy, but they are not. Nor is Anthony Averett. The Ravens are running a practice squad secondary, and as a result the Rams wideouts all have the advantage.

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

SF vs HOU

SAN FRANCISCO WIDE RECEIVERS

Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk have the advantage over the Texans corners. Rather than the Texans defense, the concern here is whether Trey Lance can offer the 49ers receivers the target volume they need to capitalize in fantasy to the extent their talent advantage would normally dictate. 

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

HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandin Cooks could be able to be his usual self, knock on wood, since he had three days to practice after returning from the Covid list. If Cooks is his normal self then the 49ers don't have anyone who can cover him. Josh Norman is particularly hopeless against Cooks, while rookie Ambry Thomas still doesn't project much better. Slot corner K'Waun Williams might be the best option to cover Cooks, but that's not saying anything. Nico Collins and Chris Conley can probably get the better of corners like these, too.

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

LAC vs DEN

CHARGERS WIDE RECEIVERS

Ronald Darby and Patrick Surtain are the toughest corners for Denver, and they tend to line up outside. Keenan Allen tends to run most often inside, where Kyle Fuller is more beatable. Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton or Josh Palmer might be able to get something going, but they might need to run more against the tough outside corners than Allen will. 

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

DENVER WIDE RECEIVERS

If Courtland Sutton can play then he isn't obviously overmatched against these corners. The ability of Denver to throw the ball well is a separate, less encouraging question. If Sutton can't play then we are talking about a bunch of bums. Except Kendall Hinton – he might not be a bum – but he would still probably be the underdog against these corners.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Courtland Sutton, Diontae Spencer, Kendall Hinton

NO vs CAR

NEW ORLEANS WIDE RECEIVERS

Marquez Callaway should mostly run against C.J. Henderson and Keith Taylor, neither of which is especially intimidating. Nor is Myles Hartsfield so intimidating for Tre'Quan Smith in the slot. More concerning for the Saints receivers is their offensive line's ability to hold up against the Carolina pass rush, and Taysom Hill's ability to throw them the ball accurately.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith

CAROLINA WIDE RECEIVERS

The Carolina offense (and organization) is a joke. The New Orleans secondary is not.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: DJ Moore, Robby Anderson
Even: N/A

DAL vs ARI

DALLAS WIDE RECEIVERS

Rather than the Arizona corners, the concern here should probably relate more to the Arizona pass rush. If Dak Prescott has time to throw, then the likes of Antonio Hamilton and Kevin Peterson have little hope against receivers like CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. Byron Murphy is the best Arizona corner and he might be best-suited to the slot, where he should mostly see Cooper and to maybe a lesser extent Lamb. Murphy is at once tougher than the other two corners but still beatable.

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

ARIZONA WIDE RECEIVERS

Antoine Wesley doesn't project for an advantage against outside corners Trevon Diggs and Anthony Brown. A.J. Green doesn't, either, but he stands a better chance than Wesley. Slot corner Jourdan Lewis is probably at a slight disadvantage to Christian Kirk, though it's not as if Lewis is some kind of bum. Factor in the Dallas pass rush and it's hard to see what's favorable about this matchup for the Arizona wide receivers. They probably just need to catch the Dallas defense on a bad day.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, Antoine Wesley

SEA vs DET

SEATTLE WIDE RECEIVERS

The Seahawks wideouts should be open all day, but between the weather and the question of play/pass attempt volume it's less clear how much they might be able to capitalize on the otherwise favorable matchup. Neither DK Metcalf nor Tyler Lockett can be covered by the Lions receivers, and even the likes of Dee Eskridge and Freddie Swain might be able to take advantage of the matchup. Keep an eye on the weather in this game, though.

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

DETROIT WIDE RECEIVERS

Keep in mind that Tim Boyle is the quarterback again (that's bad), but the matchups should be manageable here for the Detroit receivers. Amon-Ra St. Brown was the one most immune to Boyle's effects last week, with Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond predictably suffering more for playing outside and farther downfield than St. Brown, and we can probably expect a similar dynamic against the Seahawks here. It might actually be Reynolds who's most threatening to the Seahawks corners, who tend to be rather short or/and skinny, but it's not clear what Reynolds' Covid situation might be for Sunday, nor is it clear whether Boyle can hit the broad side of a barn more than 10 yards downfield. 

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