Corner Report: Week 4

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.

Miami vs Indianapolis

MIAMI WIDE RECEIVERS

Will Fuller (chest/elbow) functioned as Miami's third receiver in his 2021 debut last week, logging 48 snaps while Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker played 68 and 59, respectively. Parker and Fuller mostly played outside, while Waddle works mostly in the slot. The slot is also where Mike Gesicki tends to run, but last week especially the Dolphins made enough snaps for both Waddle and the 'tight end.'

If Fuller can play then he and Parker should mostly see an even split between right corner Xavier Rhodes and left corner Rock Ya-Sin (ankle). If Ya-Sin can't play then the replacement might be Isaiah Rodgers, a seventh-round pick out of Massachusetts last year. Rodgers might be the best bet to match stride with speed like Fuller or Waddle, because Rhodes and Ya-Sin would probably need to play with some cushion to be safe over the top. The Colts have struggled on defense so far this year, so we can't ignore Parker, but Ya-Sin and especially Rhodes are probably better built to cover him than the smaller, faster Miami targets. Kenny Moore should be the primary slot opponent for Waddle. That could be a tough matchup for Waddle, especially if Miami continues to only use him as an underneath target.

Of course, the question of Jacoby Brissett's play might matter more for the Dolphins pass catchers than any matchup considerations. Through two starts Brissett has been brutal, averaging less than 4.5 yards per pass in games against the Bills and Raiders.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jaylen Waddle, DeVante Parker, Will Fuller, Mike Gesicki

INDIANAPOLIS WIDE RECEIVERS

To this point the Colts have used Michael Pittman as their lead outside receiver and Zach Pascal as their lead slot receiver. Parris Campbell has played as the third wideout, mostly outside. The slot is probably the easiest part of the Miami pass defense to attack, so that's theoretically beneficial for Pascal and to a lesser extent Pittman, who lines up in the slot more than Campbell.

When outside, though, Pittman and Campbell have to deal with Xavien Howard and Byron Jones, who are among the toughest tandem for outside receivers to run against. Perhaps the Colts will try to move Pittman into the slot more often, where Nik Needham is probably more beatable.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Parris Campbell
Even: Michael Pittman, Zach Pascal 

Buffalo vs Houston

BUFFALO WIDE RECEIVERS

The Texans defense has played better than expected so far, and perhaps they can keep it up. The personnel in the secondary still doesn't grade well, though, and the Buffalo offense is difficult for even good defenses to handle. Right corner Vernon Hargreaves has been a punching back for his entire NFL career up until the last three games, and left corner Terrance Mitchell (concussion) might miss the game. If Mitchell is out his replacement would likely be Tremon Smith, who started in Week 3. The best Houston corner might be their only occasionally-used Desmond King, who defends the slot.

Stefon Diggs and Emmanuel Sanders should see some of each of Houston's top three corners, and the Bills duo has the upper hand against all of them. Cole Beasley should run mostly against King.

Upgrade: Stefon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders, Cole Beasley
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
 

HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandin Cooks continues to thrive despite the bleakness around him, though perhaps his superhuman level of play will slow down soon. Until then there's not much reason to downgrade him on the basis of matchup. While the Bills might try to shadow Cooks with top corner Tre'Davious White, (A) White probably isn't as good of a corner as Cooks is a receiver, and (B) White might not be able to follow Cooks into the slot, where he runs plenty of routes. Rather than the cornerback matchup the concern is what level of play rookie quarterback Davis Mills might be capable of.

If White follows Cooks that should mostly leave Chris Conley to run against Levi Wallace, which is a more vulnerable matchup for Buffalo than it might seem. Wallace's game is about smarts and technique, but he lacks speed. Conley is nothing if not top-notch athleticism, so if Wallace needs to match Conley's stride it could go badly for the Bills. Conley has drawn basically no usage in 2021, however – slot receiver Anthony Miller is probably the better bet for targets. He should mostly run against slot corner Taron Johnson.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Brandin Cooks, Anthony Miller, Chris Conley 

Dallas vs Carolina

DALLAS WIDE RECEIVERS

It's not clear how quickly C.J. Henderson might get up to speed for the Panthers after they acquired him from Jacksonville this week, but he might need to play right away with Jaycee Horn (foot) out. Donte Jackson is locked in as the lead corner in the meantime, and A.J. Bouye finally will make his 2021 debut off of suspension, but the Panthers are reeling a bit and might have immediate snaps available for Henderson. If not Bouye or Henderson opposite Jackson, then Carolina might have to give snaps to Rashaan Melvin again. It's not clear who will cover the slot – Bouye could be an option there, but last week it was mostly safeties Juston Burris and Jeremy Chinn who handled slot coverage.

Great as the Panthers defense has been, and as dangerous as their pass rush continues to be, their personnel in the secondary is a bit overmatched on paper in this contest. Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb can get open against better corners than these, though the absence of Michael Gallup might make them a bit more easily managed for a defense. Cedrick Wilson served as the WR3 last week in Gallup's place and mostly runs from the slot, but he split snaps with Noah Brown last week and holds meager fantasy utility as long as that's the case. 

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

CAROLINA WIDE RECEIVERS

Trevon Diggs looks very good through three games, so far serving as Dallas' shadow corner when applicable and lining up at right corner otherwise. It's not clear whether he'll shadow DJ Moore in this game, but it seems clear that Moore is the WR1 in Carolina, with the production of Robby Anderson and Terrace Marshall lagging far behind through three games. If Diggs keeps playing as well as he has then this could be a spot where Anderson and Marshall get longer looks from Sam Darnold. Crucially, if Dallas shadows Moore with Diggs then they resign themselves to let Anthony Brown cover Anderson, which is begging for a big play. Slot corner Jourdan Lewis is solid and should make Marshall work for it, though Marshall has the clear advantage in a jumpball situation.

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

Jets vs Tennessee

JETS WIDE RECEIVERS

Corey Davis probably doesn't hold any hard feelings toward the Titans, but the Revenge Game narrative arguably applies here. It looks like a good matchup otherwise, too, because the Tennessee cornerback personnel is questionable and their pass rush shouldn't hassle Zach Wilson as much as his prior opponents did. Kristian Fulton looks good at right corner so far and he might slow Davis when he lines up on the left side, but on the other side Davis should get looks at the aging and 5-foot-9 Janoris Jenkins. Davis is a big wideout who doesn't necessarily need to get open to reel in a catch, so even against Fulton he should remain competitive. It's a spot where Davis can hopefully get back on track. There could be additional lifting for him to do with Elijah Moore (concussion) potentially out. Jamison Crowder (groin) could finally make his 2021 debut and should draw usage right away if so, probably at the expense of Braxton Berrios. Second-year corner Chris Jackson took over as Tennessee's slot corner and should be the primary matchup of Crowder – a matchup where Crowder likely has the advantage.

Upgrade: Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Elijah Moore, Keelan Cole

TENNESSEE WIDE RECEIVERS 

The Titans are really hurting with A.J. Brown (hamstring) out, and Julio Jones (hamstring) is no lock himself. If Jones is also out then the Titans are all but forced to start Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Josh Reynolds at outside receiver, with Chester Rogers serving as the primary slot receiver either way. Reynolds was previously a healthy scratch and Westbrook-Ikhine has no reliable history of NFL production, so the Titans passing game is looking shaky regardless of which corners they run against. Jones can dust these Jets corners if active and perhaps he'll do just that – as Tennessee's primary left receiver Jones would see the most of rookie sixth-round pick Brandin Echols – a promising prospect and a good athlete, but one about 40 pounds lighter and four inches shorter than Jones. Second-year corner Bryce Hall plays the opposite side and has a bigger build better for matching Jones in tight spaces. If Westbrook-Ikhine is the starter opposite Jones then he would mostly see Hall. If Jones is out it's anyone's guess who lines up on which side, but Rogers should in whatever case mostly run against Michael Carter, who hasn't gotten great results at slot corner to this point.

Upgrade: Julio Jones
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chester Rogers

Minnesota vs Cleveland

MINNESOTA WIDE RECEIVERS

We're about to find out just how good these new-look Browns defensive backs really are. Not in any final sense, of course – they're young players working together for the first time, so they will likely improve with time – but running against Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen has a way of highlighting any previously overlooked flaws in a cornerback's play. Denzel Ward seemed to shadow Allen Robinson last week and might have a primary assignment here, but the interchangeability of Jefferson and Thielen might encourage the Browns to simply leave Ward on one side and Troy Hill on the other in base formations, with Hill moving into the slot in three-wide looks. Greedy Williams could line up in Newsome's former spot and still has time to make it as a prospect, but there's generally reason to think that's a downgrade for the Browns. Be it Thielen or Jefferson, the Vikings player in question would have an on-paper advantage against Williams, and wideouts of their quality can produce even against good corners like Ward. K.J. Osborn should see the most of Hill in the slot.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Justin Jefferson (raise to Upgrade if Ward shadows Thielen), Adam Thielen (raise to Upgrade if Ward shadows Jefferson), K.J. Osborn

CLEVELAND WIDE RECEIVERS

This could be just the spot for Odell Beckham to get on track. Patrick Peterson at right corner and Bashaud Breeland (illness) are both ill-suited to cover a receiver as dynamic as Beckham, and playing indoors will hopefully help Baker Mayfield calibrate to Beckham's unique speed. If Breeland sits that would actually be bad for Beckham – whoever the backup is (Cameron Dantzler?) can't be worse, though whoever it is projects as a potential victim of Beckham's all the same.

Of course, there are other Browns receivers who can hurt corners like these. Donovan Peoples-Jones has been quiet but he led the Browns wideouts in snaps last week, and he absolutely has the athleticism to burn a defense if they don't defend him soundly. Rashard Higgins should be the main slot receiver and should mostly run against slot corner Mackensie Alexander, who might be the most effective Vikings cornerback.

Upgrade: Odell Beckham
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins

Atlanta vs Washington

ATLANTA WIDE RECEIVERS

This should be a bad on-paper matchup for the Falcons and might very well be, but the Washington defense is completely busted at the moment and none of its talent is showing up in the stats. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is basically blowing it, and the question of whether the Falcons have a prayer in this matchup simply comes down to whether Del Rio gets this act fixed. William Jackson and Kendall Fuller are a strong top two at corner, and safeties Kamren Curl and Landon Collins have already logged many quality reps in this defense. And yet, the Washington defense was a complete joke against Josh Allen in Week 3.

Of course, Matt Ryan is no Allen, and the Falcons have no talent to speak of aside from Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts. Olamide Zaccheaus might be a fine player, but he and Tajae Sharpe aren't scaring or wounding the defense in any way if the defense sells out to stop Ridley and Pitts (and Washington would be crazy not to). Perhaps Arthur Smith will show some ingenious looks to free up Ridley and Pitts while successfully protecting Ryan from the pass rush, but there just isn't much reason to expect any of that.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Calvin Ridley, Olamide Zaccheus
 

WASHINGTON WIDE RECEIVERS

If Terry McLaurin disappoints in this setting it would probably be the result of his teammates poaching production against a largely helpless Atlanta defense. Dyami Brown has struggled and Adam Humphries isn't much of a threat, but the Falcons defense could help them both get on track. A.J. Terrell is the only good Atlanta corner, and he should line up on the left side if cleared from his concussion. Fabian Moreau runs on the right side and Isaiah Oliver is in the slot. Moreau is toolsy like Terrell but less skilled, so he's a prime roasting candidate for McLaurin, who has mostly run on the left side of the offense. Humphries should be a tough lateral cover for the bulkier Oliver, while Brown/Cam Sims should see the most of Terrell.

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

Philadelphia vs Kansas City

PHILADELPHIA WIDE RECEIVERS

Things went poorly for Jalen Hurts in Week 3, and the conditions that precipitated that outcome might be similar in this game against the Chiefs. More specifically, Hurts fell apart against Dallas after the Eagles fell behind and the Cowboys stopped needing to defend the run. Patrick Mahomes has a way of giving you a point deficit despite whatever desperate efforts to stop him, and the Chiefs defense has varied personnel capable of running disguised coverages.

If Hurts struggles in this setting it might make moot whatever cornerback matchups there are to ponder for DeVonta Smith and Jalen Reagor. With that said, the Chiefs left corner is Charvarius Ward and L'Jarius Sneed runs on the right in two-wide situations. In three wide the Chiefs often move Sneed or Tyrann Mathieu into the slot, and Mike Hughes steps in to the vacant outside right corner rep. Smith and Reagor should mostly run against Ward, Sneed and Hughes, with no obvious advantage against any. Primary slot receiver Quez Watkins should mostly run against Sneed and Mathieu.

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

KANSAS CITY WIDE RECEIVERS

Tyreek Hill is due to get going soon, perhaps in this game, but the Eagles would be crazy to leave him with many one-on-one looks despite the quality play of outside corners Darius Slay and Steven Nelson to this point. Teams have to sit deep and keep a safety over Hill at all times, and in the last two weeks that approach has contained Hill and left the Chiefs scrambling to create production underneath. Mecole Hardman can run away from either of these corners, too, but hasn't been used as a deep target much. Demarcus Robinson doesn't project well against Slay or Nelson, so if he comes through it will probably have to be against a zone or busted coverage.

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

Chicago vs Detroit

CHICAGO WIDE RECEIVERS

Allen Robinson has endured a miserable 2021 season to this point, but this is about as good of an on-paper matchup as he can reasonably ask for. Whether Andy Dalton (knee) and the Bears offensive line can get their acts together in time for Robinson to get on track in this game is the only real question, though a substantial one. Running often from the slot, Robinson should get a lot of looks at slot corner A.J. Parker, and when outside Robinson should see a good amount of injury-appointed starter Bobby Price, who had previously been a special teams/practice squad type. If Andy Dalton is upright and vaguely functional then it's almost unthinkable that Robinson would post yet another dud here.

Of course, the matchup is good for the other Bears targets, too. Darnell Mooney has been similarly quiet this year as Robinson but is more than capable of running away from these corners, probably Price in particular. Damiere Byrd could, too, but he doesn't have much to offer other than speed.

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

DETROIT WIDE RECEIVERS 

Jaylon Johnson is a good player at right corner for the Bears, and he even saw some snaps on the left side in Week 3, which could indicate an intention by the Bears to eventually use him as a shadow corner. Until then, though, the Lions would be smart to line up Quintez Cephus and Kalif Raymond on the offense's right side so that they can run routes against left corner Kindle Vildor instead. Vildor might be decent too, but Johnson is straight up intimidating. To this point Raymond has run a bit more on the right (where Vildor is) while Cephus has drawn more on the left (where Johnson is). Duke Shelley isn't so frightening in the slot, meanwhile, where Amon-Ra St. Brown should run the vast majority of his routes. 

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Kalif Raymond, Quintez Cephus (though worse than Raymond's matchup), Amon-Ra St. Brown

New Orleans vs Giants

NEW ORLEANS WIDE RECEIVERS

Kenny Stills should get another call up from the practice squad after logging the second-most wideout snaps for the Saints behind Marquez Callaway in Week 3, with Deonte Harris stepping in as a field-stretching third wideout. Callaway has mostly lined up on the left side, which would generally seem to leave Stills. The Giants have used corners James Bradberry and Adoree' Jackson as matchup shadows rather than one side of the field, and it's tough to guess how the Giants might deploy them against these Saints wideouts, all of whom are smallish and speed-oriented. Normally the Giants match up Bradberry with the WR1 or the big wideout from the other team and leave Jackson for the smaller/faster counterpart, but in this case they're all small/fast role player types. The Giants corners have the on-paper advantage, whatever the case.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Marquez Callaway, Kenny Stills, Deonte Harris

GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS

The Saints defense looked strong to start the year, then it added the esteemed Bradley Roby to play corner opposite Marshon Lattimore. Rookie third-round pick Paulson Adebo played at left corner ahead of Roby last week, but Roby should take that spot soon, perhaps even this week. Lattimore should in any case play on the right side when not shadowing opposing receivers. Kenny Golladay might be a player the Saints shadow with Lattimore, however, so we might expect Lattimore to follow Golladay and for Roby or Adebo to cover the remaining outside receiver. Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton are both liable to miss this game with hamstring issues. If they can play then Slayton might run against Adebo/Roby and Shepard mostly against slot corner Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. If Slayton is out, then Collin Johnson might replace most of his outside functions, and if Shepard is out it might be Kadarius Toney who projects best in the middle of the field. Of course, tight end Evan Engram might also play a lot of slot snaps with Kyle Rudolph around to handle the in-line tight end work.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Kenny Golladay (raise to Even if not shadowed by Lattimore)
Even: Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Collin Johnson, Kadarius Toney

Rams vs Arizona

RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS

DeSean Jackson certainly gave upcoming defensive opponents something to think about as they prepare for this intimidating Rams offense, drawing five targets on 20 snaps and catching three for 120 yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneers in Week 3. Jackson still ran behind all of Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Van Jefferson and that will likely continue all year, but in a divisional matchup with a max-tempo opponent like Arizona there might be another 20-plus snaps for Jackson here. He has the advantage over whoever covers him.

The base matchup here should feature Kupp against slot corner Byron Murphy, with Woods and to a lesser extent Jefferson mostly facing off against Arizona's boundary corners. Marco Wilson is on the right and Robert Alford is on the left. Neither grades as concerning for Woods or Jefferson

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson, DeSean Jackson

ARIZONA WIDE RECEIVERS

DeAndre Hopkins (ribs) should see a lot of Jalen Ramsey, who did a good job slowing down Hopkins in the teams' two games from 2020. Then again, Ramsey has been the Rams' primary slot corner through this point in the year, and if that holds here then he might see as much or more of Christian Kirk than Hopkins. Darious Williams plays outside corner along with David Long, alternating sides on some basis or another. It might be due to matchup, it might be due to play design. In any case, the results have been good for not just Williams, who's been good for two years now, but even Long, who had mostly just played special teams in his first two season. A.J. Green has a size advantage on the 5-foot-9 Williams but probably can't separate much anymore. Rondale Moore should see all of the Rams corners at various points. Rather than the CB vs WR matchup, the reason to buy into whatever Cardinals wideout here just has to do with logging a lot of snaps in a Kyler Murray offense. As Murray goes, so generally should his teammates, too, but the corner matchup is probably tough.

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

San Francisco vs Seattle

SAN FRANCISCO WIDE RECEIVERS

The Seahawks cornerbacks are not good. Tre Flowers is vulnerable on the right side and D.J. Reed isn't much better on the left. There's not much more to it – Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk should both hold the upper hand over the coverage they see here.

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

SEATTLE WIDE RECEIVERS

The 49ers are hurting a bit at corner, having already lost the talented Jason Verrett for the year, and left corner Emmanuel Moseley is evidently still dealing with knee discomfort. Rookie fifth-round pick Deommodore Lenoir runs on the other side, where he might primarily face DK Metcalf. The 49ers probably need to give the rookie help on those plays, which they may or may not be able to pull off without letting Tyler Lockett loose elsewhere on the field. Moseley mirrors Lockett's traits better than Lenoir does Metcalf, but the 49ers have very little room for error either way. Freddie Swain has taken most of the slot work lately, leaving Lockett to run more outside and leaving Swain to face most of K'Waun Williams.

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

Denver vs Baltimore

DENVER WIDE RECEIVERS

Courtland Sutton is a good bet to see shadow coverage from Marlon Humphrey, and if so that would probably be a bad thing for Sutton. If Humphrey doesn't shadow Sutton, though, the wideout might be able to get the better of a battered Ravens corner rotation. Humphrey has mostly just played the left side to this point, so whoever runs on the offense's left (the defense's right) could be in position to get open. Sutton has run on that side more than Tim Patrick to this point, so Sutton might be in a surprisingly good spot against Anthony Averett if Patrick deals with most of the Humphrey burden. Diontae Spencer was the primary replacement for the injured KJ Hamler last week, and if that holds here he should mostly see slot corner Tavon Young, who is probably at least decent.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Tim Patrick, Diontae Spencer
Even: Courtland Sutton

BALTIMORE WIDE RECEIVERS
 

Marquise Brown tends to line up on the right and Sammy Watkins the left. They'll both change places occasionally, but this arrangement leads Brown to see the most of Kyle Fuller and Watkins the most of Patrick Surtain. Perhaps the rookie is easier to beat than the veteran – if so then Watkins might have the more favorable draw, but both covers look tough for the wideouts. This Broncos defense is legitimate. Running to the slot won't save you – Bryce Callahan is a problem for wideouts as well. These Baltimore receivers have some talent and Lamar Jackson is of course capable of transcending, but this is not a great spot for the Ravens offense.

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

Green Bay vs Pittsburgh

GREEN BAY WIDE RECEIVERS
 

Davante Adams runs all over the place and so he should see all parts of the Steelers secondary at various points. For the Steelers Joe Haden mans the left side, and Cameron Sutton the right in base formations. In nickel and dime formations Sutton becomes the primary slot corner, leaving James Pierre to take over the right side when Sutton moves into the slot.

With Marquez Valdes-Scantling out it should leave more outside snaps for Allen Lazard and if so, more slot snaps for Randall Cobb than in Green Bay's first three games. MVS would normally see more right-side snaps than Adams, who sees more on the left, so we might expect Lazard to see more of Haden than Sutton. The difference is inconsequential, but Adams in any case might see Sutton more than any other corner. The Packers receivers probably have the talent advantage – the bigger question is whether Green Bay can give Aaron Rodgers time to throw.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb

PITTSBURGH WIDE RECEIVERS

Jaire Alexander only played left corner in Week 3, and to this point in the year has yet to line up on the right side of the Packers defense. Alexander is a beast and can shut down anyone, but if Diontae Johnson or Chase Claypool line up on the offense's left side they should avoid Alexander. Johnson lines up on the left a bit more than Claypool, so the opportunity should present itself at some point for Johnson. On the right side Claypool should see rookie first-round pick Eric Stokes, who is extremely toolsy but also unproven and probably a bit raw. JuJu Smith-Schuster should run against the beatable Chandon Sullivan in the slot. The quarterback situation is bad, but the Steelers receivers are in a decent spot here in terms of the corners.

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