Corner Report: Week 10

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 PHI

GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS

Sterling Shepard plays the slot when Golden Tate doesn't play, and it's not clear what the deal is with Tate's current knee injury. Shepard owners might prefer that Tate misses the game, because running in the slot would be a way for Shepard to avoid the coverage of outside shadow corner Darius Slay. Of course, there's a chance that Slay would instead shadow Darius Slayton even if Tate plays and pushes Shepard outside. That would also work for Shepard's interests – Avonte Maddox (49.3 PFF) is not intimidating at outside corner. 

Upgrade: Sterling Shepard
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Darius Slayton (upgrade if no Slay shadow), Golden Tate
 

 
PHILADELPHIA WIDE RECEIVERS

Travis Fulgham ought to and certainly deserves to keep functioning as Philadelphia's clear WR1, even with Jalen Reagor and now Alshon Jeffery in the fold. Greg Ward functioned as both a starting wideout and lead slot receiver last week, but it's hard to imagine him remaining a three-down player with Jeffery active and Reagor in his second game back from a considerable injury layoff.

Fulgham is in any case a reasonable candidate to see shadow coverage from James Bradberry (73.4 PFF), who presents a likely downgrade. Fulgham is playing well for his own part though and could maintain a strong target volume, so especially in PPR scoring many or even most Fulgham owners might want to keep him active. Reagor would in this case see the comparatively easy coverage of Isaac Yiadom (40.5 PFF) while Ward mostly faces rookie Darnay Holmes (47.2 PFF).

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

DET vs WAS

DETROIT WIDE RECEIVERS

Marvin Hall has a speed advantage over standout right corner Kendall Fuller but not much of one over left corner Ronald Darby. It's not clear whether he'll get a chance to run by either, but if Hall gets a step he can run away from most corners. Marvin Jones would ideally get to the slot more to avoid Darby and especially Fuller, because slot corner Jimmy Moreland is more beatable. Danny Amendola might get most of the shots at Moreland, though.

Upgrade: Danny Amendola
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Marvin Jones, Marvin Hall

WASHINGTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Terry McLaurin might see shadow coverage from Desmond Trufant but it just isn't a concern for a receiver as good as McLaurin. Cam Sims blew up a bit last week but that looks like a fluke -- he never produced at Alabama and is an average athlete at best. Steven Sims is clearly this team's second-best receiver but he barely played last week and Ron Rivera might again go instead with Isaiah Wright, who's like a worse Cordarrelle Patterson.

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

GB vs JAC

GREEN BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Davante Adams might see shadow coverage from rookie CJ Henderson (57.4 PFF) but it shouldn't matter in any negative sense. As much as Marquez Valdes-Scantling isn't convincing at the other spot, he should be able to beat Tre Herndon (45.2 PFF). The wind might be incredibly bad in this game, though.

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

JACKSONVILLE WIDE RECEIVERS

DJ Chark is big enough at 6-4 to make downfield catches even if the coverage is great from Jaire Alexander (89.9 PFF), but there's a chance Alexander misses the game due to injury. If Alexander is out then Chark probably gets open, but again, who knows whether anyone can throw in winds like these. Keelan Cole in any case gets a tough matchup against Chandon Sullivan (64.9 PFF).

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DJ Chark, Keelan Cole 

CLE vs HOU

CLEVELAND WIDE RECEIVERS

More wind! Either of Jarvis Landry or Rashard Higgins is a candidate to see shadow coverage from Bradley Roby, additionally, so it's tough to identify who might get a shot at the more beatable Houston corners. Vernon Hargreaves and Phillip Gaines are weaker, but between the wind and the matchup ambiguity it's difficult to parse out any specific advantages here.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins

HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVERS

All of Will Fuller, Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb can produce yardage after the catch, and they might really need to in this windy setting. Denzel Ward (75.1 PFF) is a player you want to avoid at left corner, where he should see both of Fuller and Cooks but Cooks a little more than Fuller. Fuller should see the most of Terrance Mitchell (62.9 PFF), probably the weakest Cleveland corner and one specifically vulnerable to speed. Kevin Johnson (61.1 PFF) might be pretty good in the slot, but not in a way that deters Cobb investors.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Brandin Cooks
Even: Will Fuller, Randall Cobb

CAR vs TB

CAROLINA WIDE RECEIVERS

A lot of people seem to think Sean Murphy-Bunting (50.8 PFF) is bad but he is not. Murphy-Bunting should pose a challenging matchup for slot wideout Curtis Samuel, while Robby Anderson and DJ Moore will have to split standout outside corners Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean. Davis normally works as a shadow corner against other teams' top receivers, but who knows whether the Buccaneers consider that Anderson or Moore. It might not matter – both Davis and Dean are quite good.

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

TAMPA BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Mike Evans might see shadow coverage from Rasul Douglas (73.6 PFF), who has done well with limited responsibilities in Carolina's peculiar scheme. Douglas is probably a product of the system, but he matches Evans well trait-wise and could be a challenging matchup for Evans. Antonio Brown would run against Donte Jackson (60.7 PFF), while Chris Godwin faces a competent slot corner in Corn Elder (71.3 PFF), but one at a major size/athleticism disadvantage against Godwin.

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

LV vs DEN

LAS VEGAS WIDE RECEIVERS

The Broncos are pretty tough at corner these days, where Bryce Callahan (88.2 PFF) and A.J. Bouye (50.9 PFF) play outside in two-wide sets before Callahan moves to the slot in three-wide looks. Michael Ojemudia (50.8 PFF) is big and rangy, so in Vic Fangio's well-tuned scheme he can do his part outside when Callahan heads to the slot. Callahan is by far the best of the three, and the Broncos' best chance of keeping Henry Ruggs under wraps. Of course, Ruggs hasn't done anything in a couple weeks, so the Broncos should arguably be as concerned with Nelson Agholor or Hunter Renfrow. Renfrow should run mostly against Callahan, which might be a dead end, while Agholor should see a similar combination outside as Ruggs will.

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

DENVER WIDE RECEIVERS

Jerry Jeudy should be able to play, and if so he should primarily run against Lamarcus Joyner (51.1 PFF), who has seemingly done poorly in just about every game in his two-year Raiders career so far. Outside corners Trayvon Mullen (61.6 PFF) on the left and Nevin Lawson (50.7 PFF) on the right are not imposing, but if you're a Tim Patrick investor you'd probably rather see him against the 5-9 Lawson. Unfortunately, Patrick runs a little more on Mullen's side usually, but hopefully Pat Shurmur has Patrick switch sides with KJ Hamler in this one – Hamler can beat Mullen easier than Lawson, and Patrick can beat Lawsom easier than Mullen, so it's an easy way out if the Broncos take it.

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

ARI vs BUF

ARIZONA WIDE RECEIVERS

DeAndre Hopkins figures to draw shadow coverage of Tre'Davious White (66.6 PFF), but it's hard to declare a downgrade for Hopkins over that. White is good but probably only good, and even good coverage isn't itself enough to stop Hopkins in most cases. Christian Kirk gets the more beatable Levi Wallace, though Wallace's lack of speed all but compels the Bills to give Wallace more safety help than White. Generally speaking, any advantage an offense has over the Bills defense is one Sean McDermott already identified and built an adjustment in response to. Larry Fitzgerald gets the easiest matchup against slot corner Taron Johnson, though safeties Jordan Poyer/Micah Hyde do a good job of jamming the middle of the field even if Johnson is a liability.

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

BUFFALO WIDE RECEIVERS

Neither Dre Kirkpatrick nor Patrick Peterson can cover Stefon Diggs, and it's possible the same is true of John Brown, or even Gabriel Davis. Cole Beasley gets maybe the toughest matchup of the group against Byron Murphy (60.6 PFF), but that's not saying much at all.

Upgrade: Stefon Diggs, John Brown, Cole Beasley
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

MIA vs LAC

MIAMI WIDE RECEIVERS

DeVante Parker should see an almost even split between corners Michael Davis (69.8 PFF) and Casey Hayward (62.7 PFF), with Davis the more intimidating of the two at this point. Hayward is especially vulnerable to Parker, who is both faster and much bigger than Hayward. Jakeem Grant might be the second outside receiver after Parker, though so far the Dolphins have mostly used him underneath this year, which isn't where you want to attack the Chargers defense. If the Dolphins change up and send Grant deep, Davis but especially Hayward can't match his stride. Te'Vaughn Campbell (47.1 PFF) appears to be the slot corner, and there he's vulnerable when Grant moves inside.

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

CHARGERS WIDE RECEIVERS

Safety Eric Rowe will get some slot corner looks and may well be an upgrade over Nik Needham (49.7 PFF) on those snaps, but Needham has been Miami's primary slot corner for almost all of this year. That's a problem against Keenan Allen, because Needham can't cover him, and Miami's outside corners (Byron Jones and Xavien Howard) are good enough to cause a slight funnel inward, toward Allen in the slot. Mike Williams and Jalen Guyton will be hard-pressed to beat Jones and Howard outside, but Williams can get up over either of them if Justin Herbert throws it to the right spot.

Upgrade: Keenan Allen
Downgrade: Jalen Guyton
Even: Mike Williams

NO vs SF

NEW ORLEANS WIDE RECEIVERS

Michael Thomas should split his time mostly between Jason Verrett (77.6 PFF) and Emmanuel Moseley (52.2 PFF), both of whom are good but also significantly smaller than Thomas. Thomas should also see the slot a few times, where the 49ers might need to play the kind of awful Jamar Taylor in place of the injured but otherwise formidable K'Waun Williams. Emmanuel Sanders was strong in Week 9 but only played 22 snaps – perhaps he will play more in this game at the expense of Marquez Callaway, but it's not an easy matchup that awaits him. Tre'Quan Smith might get the most looks at Taylor in the slot.

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

SAN FRANCISCO WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne are back and should both step into the top-three at receiver for the 49ers. Aiyuk is locked in as the top outside receiver, though Bourne's role relative to Richie James might be up to negotiation following James' big game in Week 9. Bourne would probably be the main slot receiver of the three, but it's up to debate how the outside snaps opposite Aiyuk get split up between Bourne and James in two-wide sets. The Saints corners have played pretty poorly this year, especially Marshon Lattimore (53.3 PFF) and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (56.2 PFF), though Janoris Jenkins (69.2 PFF) has been somewhat successful.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Brandon Aiyuk, Richie James, Kendrick Bourne

LAR vs SEA

RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS

Cooper Kupp is playing through a oblique issue, though that might not matter much against D.J. Reed (58.4 PFF) in the slot. Robert Woods should get some looks at Reed as well, though he'll get more outside looks than Kupp, resulting in more collisions with the memorably bad Tre Flowers (45.3 PFF) and the unknown Linden Stephens in the event that both Quinton Dunbar and Shaquill Griffin are out. Although Josh Reynolds doesn't have the ideal trait set to beat a corner like Flowers, the skill variable is decisively in Reynolds' favor.

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

SEATTLE WIDE RECEIVERS

Jalen Ramsey (74.4 PFF) said he won't shadow DK Metcalf, but we should probably assume he's lying. Tyler Lockett heads to the slot often enough that it would be practically difficult to shadow him instead, and the Rams obviously won't allow Ramsey to cover David Moore more than a couple times, and probably even then only by accident. The question shouldn't matter much for Metcalf investors either way – this could be an uptempo game with an uptick in plays logged, and with enough targets Metcalf will eventually get loose against any defense. Plus, there's the chance that Ramsey straight up can't cover him. Lockett in any case has likely the easiest matchup against slot corner Troy Hill (59.4 PFF), though when running outside Lockett is likely to see the formidable coverage of Darious Williams (74.8 PFF) if Ramsey shadows Metcalf.

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

PIT vs CIN

PITTSBURGH WIDE RECEIVERS

Right corner William Jackson (69.6 PFF) is quite good and slot corner Mackensie Alexander (58.3 PFF) is probably at least decent. The remaining corner spot isn't so great for Cincinnati, where they appear to be down to the toolsy but (previously, at least) unskilled Tony Brown. It's tough to take for granted since the Steelers switch up their alignments at times based on matchup, but JuJu Smith-Schuster generally plays the slot, meaning he should see the most of Alexander. Chase Claypool has at times moved to the slot, though, and would be a reasonable switch for the Steelers here because Claypool is much bigger and faster than Alexander, whereas JuJu has largely similar physical traits to Alexander. But if Claypool mostly stays outside then he should see the most of Brown or whoever is playing opposite Jackson, and that's a good matchup for Claypool or whoever runs against the corner. Diontae Johnson should stay outside for the most part, seeing Jackson a little more than Brown. Jackson is much more toolsy than Johnson, but it's still a matchup where Johnson should be able to draw underneath targets at least, even if they don't go for much.

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

CINCINNATI WIDE RECEIVERS

Outside corners Steven Nelson (68.0 PFF) and Joe Haden (63.6 PFF) play well in the Pittsburgh system at right and left corner, respectively, but the Cincinnati receivers can pose threats that the Pittsburgh scheme can only do so much to neutralize. Tee Higgins is a beast and A.J. Green might yet find a second wind going forward, and both of them tower over the Steelers corners. Green should see more of Nelson and Higgins more of Haden – good news for Higgins if so. Tyler Boyd has an advantage over whoever he sees in the slot, though Mike Hilton is solid when healthy. The bigger question for these Cincinnati receivers is whether the Bengals offensive line gives them any time to complete their routes – the Bengals receivers are clearly better at their job than the Steelers corners are at theirs.

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

NE vs BAL

NEW ENGLAND WIDE RECEIVERS

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

BALTIMORE WIDE RECEIVERS

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

CHI vs MIN

CHICAGO WIDE RECEIVERS

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

MINNESOTA WIDE RECEIVERS

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