Corner Report: Week 12

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.
 

JAC vs ATL

JACKSONVILLE WIDE RECEIVERS

None of these guys are likely to do anything against A.J. Terrell, but to this point the Falcons have only lined up Terrell on the left side. Fabian Moreau is bad at right corner, and slot corner Avery Williams probably isn't so good either. If the Jaguars would just start thinking for once and move Laviska Shenault back into the slot he would almost certainly bully Williams there. Shenault can't run away from Moreau outside – Moreau is much more athletic, even if he has no technique. Marvin Jones can beat Moreau, and maybe more than a few times. If Laquon Treadwell is the slot replacement for Jamal Agnew rather than Shenault, then he would get the Williams matchup (and do less with it) instead of Shenault. Last week, though, Shenault played more slot reps than Treadwell after Agnew's injury.
 

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Marvin Jones, Laviska Shenault (arguable Upgrade if playing the slot), Laquon Treadwell

ATLANTA WIDE RECEIVERS

Shaquill Griffin (concussion) is out, so that makes things easier for the Atlanta outside receivers – Russell Gage and Tajae Sharpe in two-wide, with Olamide Zaccheaus stepping in for three-wide sets, rotating with Gage for slot reps within that sample. The Jaguars pass defense has been better lately, but without Griffin they just don't have much. Then again, neither do the Falcons.

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

NE vs TEN

NEW ENGLAND WIDE RECEIVERS

Kristian Fulton is a good corner who might or might not shadow a particular outside receiver. If Fulton doesn't shadow either of Nelson Agholor or Kendrick Bourne then he should mostly play on the right side. That's the offense's left, where Agholor runs most of the time. Bourne and N'Keal Harry tend to split the snaps on the right side these days, where they should more so see Janoris Jenkins. Jenkins is probably a better corner than those two are receivers, but they both have a size advantage, especially Harry. Either the rookie Elijah Molden or Chris Jackson will be the slot corner, and Jakobi Meyers probably has the slight upper hand over either.

Upgrade: Jakobi Meyers
Downgrade: Nelson Agholor
Even: Kendrick Bourne, N'Keal Harry

TENNESSEE WIDE RECEIVERS

If A.J. Brown (chest) plays then he'll have a brutal matchup against J.C. Jackson – truly one of the most dangerous defenders in the league. Ryan Tannehill tends to fall flat when his surrounding personnel is at a disadvantage against the defense, and this matchup is shaping up to be an extreme example of such a case. Dez Fitzpatrick and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine appear to be the main outside receivers after Brown, with Chester Rogers in the slot. None of them seem particularly capable of threatening the Patriots.
 

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Everyone
Even: N/A

CIN vs PIT

CINCINNATI WIDE RECEIVERS

You need top-level corners or a strong pass rush to project especially well against Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Joe Haden and Cameron Sutton aren't top-level corners, but T.J. Watt should be back from injury and with that the Steelers pass rush can come back alive. If Joe Burrow has time to let Chase and Higgins get downfield, then the Bengals should have the upper hand. If the pass rush is a problem then it might make Burrow look more quickly to Tyler Boyd in the slot.

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

PITTSBURGH WIDE RECEIVERS

The Bengals might try to shadow Diontae Johnson with Chidobe Awuzie, but even if so it probably doesn't constitute a downgrade. If they don't it's sooner an upgrade for Johnson, because Eli Apple is beatable on the other side. Chase Claypool plays the slot more than Johnson so Claypool should see a lot of Mike Hilton, who at 5-foot-9 is entirely ill-suited to cover Claypool. Luckily for the Bengals, Pittsburgh hasn't used Claypool in the slot as often as last year, and Hilton is more likely to hold his own against James Washington than against Claypool. Though Washington can beat Hilton, too.
 

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, James Washington

HOU vs NYJ

HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandin Cooks is a top-level receiver and he'd hold the advantage over secondaries better than this one. The quarterback play is the only real question – Tyrod Taylor has not been good – but corners like Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols will be under a lot of stress if Cooks runs routes against them. Nico Collins projects better against the smallish Echols than against the tall, well-built Hall. The Texans prefer to waste their slot snaps on Danny Amendola and Chris Moore so they probably aren't great bets to take advantage of the otherwise vulnerable slot coverage of the Jets.

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

JETS WIDE RECEIVERS

Everybody has an upgrade here. Terrance Mitchell and Desmond King aren't awful, but King is slightly out of position playing outside while Tavierre Thomas plays the slot, and neither Mitchell nor King project very well against size/speed receivers like Corey Davis. Jamison Crowder has the advantage over Thomas, and Elijah Moore is at the very least dangerous for Mitchell and King. If Zach Wilson can manage the pocket and deliver competently, the Jets passing game should be in good shape here.

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

MIA vs CAR

MIAMI WIDE RECEIVERS

Although the Carolina defense was shown up in its last game by the weak Washington passing game, this still looks like a difficult spot the Miami passing game here. The Carolina pass rush is lively, and the Dolphins might have the worst offensive line in the league. The corner trio of Stephon Gilmore, Donte Jackson and A.J. Bouye is rather imposing, moreover, so it looks difficult from every angle. Jaylen Waddle has talent and usage worth betting on to an extent, but particularly given the Carolina pass rush there might be cause to worry that the whole Dolphins offense falls apart. If it doesn't, then perhaps Albert Wilson or Mack Hollins can get something going, but Mike Gesicki will probably take precedent over them both.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Jaylen Waddle, Albert Wilson, Mack Hollins
Even: N/A
 

CAROLINA WIDE RECEIVERS

DJ Moore is arguably a better receiver than Xavien Howard or Byron Jones is a corner, but it's important to remember that the Carolina pass attempt volume projects downward due to Cam Newton's frequent rushing, and the Carolina offense in general is a mess, including the offensive line. The Dolphins like to blitz and if Carolina struggles to pick it up then things could go awry here. Robby Anderson faces the same concern and has it compounded by less talent than in Moore's case. Terrace Marshall is playing the wrong position and given that might not be able to take advantage of the slot, where the Dolphins are arguably weakest.

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

IND vs TB

INDIANAPOLIS WIDE RECEIVERS

It's good news for Michael Pittman that Carlton Davis is unlikely to play, because it leaves Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting as the top two corners for Tampa, and they both tend to stay outside while Mike Edwards plays the slot corner position. That means the Colts should be able to move Pittman in the slot to get him away from Dean and Murphy-Bunting, who otherwise might pose challenging matchups. T.Y. Hilton can beat Edwards deep and maybe Murphy-Bunting, but probably not Dean unless Dean bites on a double move (it's possible). Zach Pascal doesn't really move the needle either way.

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

TAMPA BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Hopefully Mike Evans (back) can play, and if so he would have a favorable matchup against a Colts defense that gets weaker the farther downfield you make it cover. Xavier Rhodes can match Evans' frame but not his athleticism or skill, while the corners Rock Ya-Sin and Isaiah Rodgers are liable to get bullied physically – especially Rodgers. Tyler Johnson seems less capable of capitalizing against this group than a speedy downfield option like Scotty Miller might, but it's not clear what's happening on that front. Chris Godwin projects as at least fine in the slot, and probably sooner warrants an Upgrade label than a Downgrade one.

Upgrade: Mike Evans
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Chris Godwin, Tyler Johnson, Scotty Miller

NYG vs PHI

GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS

The Eagles might choose to shadow Kenny Golladay with Darius Slay, though the compelling speed of Darius Slayton on the other side might lead the Eagles to just leave Slay on one side of the field and feel content that he's on one of Slayton or Golladay in any given play. If Slay shadows Golladay that's arguably a downgrade for the wideout, because Slay is playing very well and has the size/speed to match up credibly with an otherwise imposing receiver like Golladay. Slayton can run right past Steven Nelson on the other side if so, but the Eagles might decide Nelson and a safety is enough to stop Slayton. It seems that Pharoh Cooper might need to play slot receiver against Avonte Maddox.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, Pharoh Cooper, John Ross

PHILADELPHIA WIDE RECEIVERS

DeVonta Smith is a route-running menace and if the Giants try to shadow him with the hulking James Bradberry then they might be disappointed with the result. Bradberry is very good, but he's at his best against receivers built more like him, not a darting disappearing act like Smith. Adoree' Jackson might be a better option to cover Smith, but even so Smith probably has the advantage. Quez Watkins and Jalen Reagor are more easily managed if you're the Giants.

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

DEN vs LAC

DENVER WIDE RECEIVERS

If Asante Samuel (concussion) is out then it might make things a bit easier for Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick, though those two are much bigger than Samuel anyway. Michael Davis has the frame and athleticism to match those two better, but Davis probably has less corner skill than Samuel and Chris Harris. Harris should primarily cover Jerry Jeudy – a challenging matchup for Jeudy, but one that probably shouldn't quite be called a downgrade.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick
 

CHARGERS WIDE RECEIVERS

The Broncos defense has had some low points this year, but they've mostly been effective defending against the pass, allowing just 13 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions while holding opponents to a completion percentage of 57.9 at a YPA of 7.1. It's tough to call it downgrade specifically for receivers as imposing as Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but the coverage could be tight. Allen should mostly see Kyle Fuller, while Williams splits his snaps against Ronald Darby and Patrick Surtain.

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

SF vs MIN

SAN FRANCISCO WIDE RECEIVERS

Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are the only names worth knowing here, and both of them should benefit from a favorable matchup here. The cornerback duo of Bashaud Breeland and Cameron Dantzler are ill-suited to cover most starting NFL receivers, and this tandem qualifies as much as any other. You even worry about a skinny player like Dantzler being able to so much as tackle a bruiser like Samuel.

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

MINNESOTA WIDE RECEIVERS

The 49ers have mostly done well with a Bend But Don't Break approach with their pass defense this year, limiting opponents to just 6.9 yards per attempt, but allowing 13 touchdowns versus four interceptions implies they're not great at forcing the issue. Given that, it sooner seems an upgrade for Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen to run against a BBDB defense, if only because they present a much higher breaking threat than the typical wideout duo the 49ers have seen this year. It's not necessarily an easy matchup – it might be true that a passing game needs to play well to get the better of the 49ers, but we have reason to believe these two in particular will play well. K.J. Osborn has a viable matchup in the slot but the Vikings haven't used him much lately.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn

GB vs LAR

GREEN BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Davante Adams figures to see a lot of shadow coverage from Jalen Ramsey, which at once constitutes a downgrade for Adams yet doesn't justify benching him. Adams saw the exact same scenario when the Packers played the Rams in the playoffs last year, when Adams caught nine of 10 targets for 66 yards and one touchdown on 62 snaps. Marquez Valdes-Scantling could be a problem for the otherwise talented CB2 Darious Williams, who at 5-foot-9 and slower than MVS can only do so much. If Allen Lazard (shoulder) can't return then Randall Cobb will be the main slot receiver. They might see a good amount of Ramsey, believe it or not – he's their primary slot corner – though the Rams might need to alter that approach with Adams up next.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Davante Adams (start him anyway!), Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard
Even: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
 

RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS

Cooper Kupp is producing at a level that seems immune to matchup, but this matchup still appears favorable in addition to that. Chandon Sullivan is not an obstacle. Odell Beckham is the more interesting question – can he already be up to speed in this Rams offense? If so then it's trouble for Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas and whoever else might play outside corner in this game. Especially Douglas. Van Jefferson poses a danger to both outside corners, too.

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