Corner Report: Week 17

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 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. 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.

KC vs LAC

KANSAS CITY WR SNAPS

With barely better than 4.6 speed even back when he came out of Vanderbilt seven years ago, Casey Hayward (84.4 PFF) is not a serious matchup concern if he should shadow Tyreek Hill. If Hayward doesn't shadow, he should mostly play on the left side of the defense. Since the Chiefs wideouts move around a lot, Hayward might see a bit of everyone in that scenario. Michael Davis (52.0 PFF) can probably keep up with the mediocre Demarcus Robinson, though the corner would face a dangerous matchup if he should see Mecole Hardman or Sammy Watkins. Watkins tends to see the most slot snaps among Chiefs wideouts, so he should mostly see Desmond King (67.1 PFF) and a bit of safety Derwin James otherwise. James is intimidating, and while King doesn't have the speed to run with Watkins deep, the Chiefs don't really send Watkins deep.
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

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

CHARGERS WR SNAPS

Keenan Allen should see the most of slot corners Tyrann Mathieu (78.5 PFF) and Kendall Fuller (56.8 PFF), making for a potentially imposing matchup since Fuller is probably better than his PFF grade. The right receiver on any given play should run against the comparably weak Bashaud Breeland (44.4 PFF), so the Chargers would be smart to get Mike Williams on that side as much as possible. The right corner, Charvarius Ward (65.7 PFF), is much tougher, so the Chargers would maximize Williams by keeping him away. There's no guarantee they keep any of these things in mind, though, so it wouldn't be surprising if the Chargers assigned Williams against Ward for roughly half of his snaps. Andre Patton isn't getting open against anyone so far in his career and I'm not sure why that would change here.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Andre Patton

NE vs MIA

NEW ENGLAND WR SNAPS

Against a weak opponent and substantially limited by injury, it's not obvious why the Patriots would ask much of Julian Edelman in this game, but if he's out there he'll be in position to produce at a more efficient rate than usual. Given his steadily high target volume, an efficiency spike from Edelman could mean a big game. Slot corner Jomal Wiltz (shoulder) was badly overmatched all year, but he's out. Nik Needham (61.2 PFF) might be the new slot corner in three-wide sets, but he's not intimidating to Edelman. It's conceivable that Needham might do a solid job if he shadows Mohamed Sanu, on the other hand, but it still wouldn't be enough to qualify as a concern for Sanu, who otherwise has moved around a lot lately. N'Keal Harry has seen his left/right splits even out in recent weeks, too, after playing only on the left in his initial return from injury. Tae Hayes (42.0 PFF) lined up on the right last week, and he'd be at a major disadvantage to Harry, and probably Sanu as well.

Upgrade: Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, N'Keal Harry

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

MIAMI WR SNAPS

DeVante Parker will probably get the Stephon Gilmore (87.7 PFF), an interesting matchup to watch but probably not one to wager on. Albert Wilson owns the slot these days in Miami, and for his reward he should catch Jonathan Jones (73.9 PFF) or, if Jones sits with his groin injury, then J.C. Jackson (74.8 PFF). Rookie second-round pick Joejuan Williams (73.2 PFF) will need to play outside corner if Jason McCourty (groin) continues to sit, and in this case that should mostly see him face off against Allen Hurns and Isaiah Ford. The Patriots obviously like Williams, but he's a weird prospect at 6-foot-4 with 4.6 speed, and I bet Ford can beat him. New England might have a plan to give Williams extra help, though.
 

Upgrade: N/A

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

Even: N/A

CAR vs NO

CAROLINA WR SNAPS

D.J. Moore is out, leaving Curtis Samuel as the clear WR1 for Carolina this week, with Jarius Wright presumably maintaining his slot specialist role while the likes of Chris Hogan replace Moore's snaps. It's bad news that the Will Grier era didn't need to add to its difficulties, especially against a decent defense. I guess I'd be surprised if the Saints bothered to shadow Samuel with anyone since Marshon Lattimore (69.4 PFF) doesn't even project that well against a smaller/quick/fast wideout like Samuel and since Grier might be bad enough that they don't need to even try that hard to win easily, but it's a possibility. Because of the Grier factor, Eli Apple (59.1 PFF) should be able to hold his own, too. It's hard to see what could go especially right for the Panthers receivers in a setting like this
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Chris Hogan

Even: Curtis Samuel, Jarius Wright

NEW ORLEANS WR SNAPS

Michael Thomas' hand is evidently just fine, meaning it should be business as usual against the Panthers. The interim coaching staff of Carolina has lost control of its defense lately, so the sailing should be smooth. James Bradberry (63.5 PFF) is not an intimidating shadow threat, and both Ross Cockrell (62.3 PFF) and Javien Elliott (65.6 PFF) are limited slot corner types. Tre'Quan Smith should be able to get open, too, though Drew Brees just doesn't really throw his way. Ted Ginn earns targets more reliably than Smith but saw his playing time dip in recent weeks.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Michael Thomas, Tre'Quan Smith, Ted Ginn

MIN vs CHI

MINNESOTA WR SNAPS

If Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs sit, then it should mostly be Bisi Johnson and then some combination of Laquon Treadwell and Alexander Hollins, all of whom should mostly catch passes from Sean Mannion in Kirk Cousins' place. Johnson should see the most slot work of the three, in which case he'd likely see the most of Buster Skrine (58.8 PFF), probably the most beatable of the three main Chicago corners but no gimme. Treadwell and Hollins should split the outside snaps on some basis, with mostly even left/right splits. The receiver on the left gets Prince Amukamara (70.4 PFF) if he's able, though a hamstring injury has limited him lately. When Amukamara can't play his replacement is Kevin Toliver (58.6 PFF). Kyle Fuller (58.3 PFF) has had a down year at left corner so far, but he's capable of better. It's in any case difficult to see why the Vikings receivers would have any advantages here, though Johnson probably has the best shot.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Laquon Treadwell, Alexander Hollins

Even: Bisi Johnson

CHICAGO WR SNAPS

Allen Robinson should be able to beat these Vikings corners on their best days, especially on the outside where Xavier Rhodes (44.7 PFF), Trae Waynes (61.6 PFF), and Mike Hughes (58.3 PFF) have struggled all year. If their backups might play, then that works for Robinson too. The catch as always just comes down to Mitchell Trubisky and whether he'll give Robinson catchable targets. Slot defender Mackensie Alexander (65.4 PFF) is probably the best Vikings corner at the moment, which doesn't bode especially well for Anthony Miller, though Miller is a capable talent and Alexander's playing time might be negotiable. It will be interesting to see if Javon Wims loses any playing time to Cordarrelle Patterson or Riley Ridley after struggling with drops last week, and whoever gets the outside snaps opposite Robinson will be in the same position to benefit from Minnesota's weak outside coverage.
 

Upgrade: Allen Robinson, Javon Wims, Riley Ridley, Cordarrelle Patterson

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Anthony Miller

TB vs ATL

TAMPA BAY WR SNAPS

Breshad Perriman and Justin Watson should split the outside snaps again with even left/right splits, but with Ishmael Hyman back to the practice squad Watson might stay outside in three-wide sets rather than moving inside like he had previously. The Buccaneers are down to some combination of Cyril Grayson, Jaydon Mickens, and Spencer Schnell for the third receiver spot, and all of them are slot receiver types. Grayson is a burner and recent track convert who only started playing football a few years ago, Schnell is an underwhelming athlete from Illinois State, and Mickens was a reasonably productive player at Washington who possesses great quicks. If Watson stays in the slot in three-wide sets then maybe Grayson's big speed advantage would make him the best candidate for the outside spot. Perriman and Watson should in any case see a mostly even split of Isaiah Oliver (55.9 PFF) on the offense's left and Blidi Wreh-Wilson (62.1 PFF) on the right in three-wide sets. Whoever gets the slot snaps in such cases should run against Kendall Sheffield (47.8 PFF), a very fast corner but one with middling results so far. It would arguably be a favorable matchup for Watson if he should stay in the slot for this game.
 

Upgrade: Breshad Perriman

Downgrade: Spencer Schnell

Even: Justin Watson, Jaydon Mickens, Cyril Grayson

ATLANTA WR SNAPS

Julio Jones should be the shadow assignment of Carlton Davis (75.4 PFF), who might be on the verge of establishing himself as one of the league's best corners. It's nothing that scares you away from Julio given his talent level and target volume, but there are better matchups to be had. Promising rookies Jamel Dean (82.0 PFF) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (65.3 PFF) respectively split the remaining outside and slot snaps leftover after Davis follows Jones on a given play, so Dean should see the most of Christian Blake and Olamide Zaccheaus opposite Jones, while SMB should see the most of Russell Gage in the slot. 
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Christian Blake, Olamide Zaccheaus

Even: Julio Jones, Russell Gage

CIN vs CLE

CINCINNATI WR SNAPS

Tyler Boyd gets a favorable draw against T.J. Carrie (47.7 PFF) and then some combination of safeties Damarious Randall and Juston Burris in the slot. It would make a lot of sense for Cleveland to use Denzel Ward (69.7 PFF) to shadow John Ross, whose speed isn't countered as well by Greedy Williams (55.0 PFF). Williams projects better against Alex Erickson. 
 

Upgrade: Tyler Boyd

Downgrade: N/A

Even: John Ross, Alex Erickson

CLEVELAND WR SNAPS

If Odell Beckham (hip) plays then he'd mostly split his outside snaps between B.W. Webb (55.9 PFF) when lined up on the left, and Darius Phillips (94.0 PFF) when lined up on the right. Phillips' high PFF grade is misleading – he has only 38 coverage snaps this year versus 151 snaps at a 54.2 grade as a rookie last year. Perhaps he's improved. If Beckham is out then it would seem KhaDarel Hodge or/and Damion Ratley would be next in line. Jarvis Landry projects to mostly run against Darqueze Dennard (75.2 PFF), which is at best an 'even' call for Landry.
 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Damion Ratley, KhaDarel Hodge

BUF vs NYJ

BUFFALO WR SNAPS

Let's just assume guys like John Brown and Cole Beasley won't play much in this one. Let's take the liberty of assuming further that if that happens, then Isaiah McKenzie would be Beasley's primary replacement in the slot and Robert Foster would be Brown's primary replacement outside. McKenzie is an interesting player with a dynamic open-field running skill set, but he would get a tough matchup if Brian Poole (79.6 PFF) can play through his ankle issue. Foster was great last year but buried all year in 2019. If he's fired up in this one then he'd have a major speed advantage over the Jets outside corners, but the Matt Barkley effect probably offsets that somewhat.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Isaiah McKenzie

Even: Robert Foster

JETS WR SNAPS

The Bills might rest many or all of their defensive starters to some extent, and the Jets might be without Demaryius Thomas (hamstring/knee), who logged just a limited practice on Friday this week. Robby Anderson (calf) is also listed as questionable, but he practiced in a limited capacity each day. Jamison Crowder avoided the injury report, at least. Anderson and Crowder might have held their own even against the first-string Buffalo defense, so the prospect of playing three or more quarters against backups makes them quite interesting despite Sam Darnold's poor road splits. Vyncint Smith should run outside if Anderson or/and Thomas is unavailable. 
 

Upgrade: Robby Anderson, Jamison Crowder

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Vyncint Smith, Demaryius Thomas

DET vs GB

DETROIT WR SNAPS

Kenny Golladay poses an interesting matchup against the Green Bay secondary, one he caught five passes for 121 yards on nine targets against at Lambeau Field in Week 6. Kevin King (61.4 PFF) matches Golladay athletically but not skills-wise at right corner, while left corner Jaire Alexander (78.0 PFF) is brilliant but at too much of a size disadvantage to match Golladay's catch radius. The quarterback is more concerning than the matchup for Golladay. With Danny Amendola there's cause for concern with the matchup as well, because Tramon Williams (79.3 PFF) has been strong all year in the slot. 

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Danny Amendola

Even: Kenny Golladay

GREEN BAY WR SNAPS

Davante Adams probably gets the shadow of Darius Slay (61.6 PFF) when lined up outside, but it's winnable for Adams both on merit and the fact that the Detroit pass rush badly undermines their corners. Allen Lazard may finally be ahead of Geronimo Allison now, playing 58 snaps to Allison's 33 last week. That should make Lazard the favorite for two-wide sets opposite Adams, and a regular in the slot for three-wide sets. Justin Coleman (54.1 PFF) has struggled in the slot, and the remaining outside corner (Rashaan Melvin, 49.1 PFF) is even much more beatable. Jake Kumerow and Allison split the remains somehow, Kumerow presumably outside more than Allison, who should rarely play outside.

Upgrade: Davante Adams, Allen Lazard

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Jake Kumerow, Geronimo Allison

DAL vs WAS

DALLAS WR SNAPS

Who knows what's going on with Dak Prescott's shoulder, but there's a strong chance that he'll never see weaker NFL coverage than he will in this game. Washington is without Quinton Dunbar, Jimmy Moreland, and Fabian Moreau, and even Josh Norman is questionable after missing practice sick all week. They also will miss at least two safeties (Landon Collins, Monte Nicholson) and maybe a third (Troy Apke). Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Randall Cobb all might be constantly open in this game. 

Upgrade: Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Randall Cobb

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

WASHINGTON WR SNAPS

Terry McLaurin is out, leaving Kelvin Harmon and perhaps Cam Sims as the primary outside wideouts. Steven Sims should get some of those snaps opposite Harmon, though, and nearly every slot snap Washington logs. Sims gets a tough draw against Jourdan Lewis (65.2 PFF), to the point where I have to call it a downgrade. Sims is getting substantial target volume, though, so keep that in mind for your projections. Harmon benefits from the potential absence of Byron Jones (ankle), an absence from whom would likely leave Chidobe Awuzie (66.5 PFF) at left corner and a mystery guy at right. I'd probably rank Awuzie lower than PFF does, for what it's worth.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Steven Sims Jr

Even: Kelvin Harmon, Cam Sims

LAR vs ARZ

RAMS WR SNAPS

**Attempt to verify whether the Rams use their starters Sunday -- it's not clear whether they will 

Patrick Peterson (62.9 PFF) played exclusively on the left side the last time these teams played, and from there Robert Woods went on to catch 13 of 18 targets for 172 yards. Peterson has played better since then, but Woods doubtlessly won the last time. Brandin Cooks should mostly draw Chris Jones (74.7 PFF), a player at a major speed disadvantage against Cooks. Jared Goff has declined to attack similar opportunities in the past, but Cooks should generate some space for his own part. One player who is almost always bankable regardless of Goff's play is Cooper Kupp, who should run against the struggling rookie second-round pick Byron Murphy (48.3 PFF). 
 

Upgrade: Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

ARIZONA WR SNAPS

Larry Fitzgerald should mostly face slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman (75.5 PFF), one he can overpower at times but also one that will very rarely give up any separation. Throw in the chance that Brett Hundley starts at quarterback, it's a difficult situation. Christian Kirk should line up on the right, where he luckily will avoid the injured Jalen Ramsey. The left wideout will run against Darious Williams (89.5 PFF), who's done a good job 83 coverage snaps into replacing Troy Hill. Some combination of Damiere Byrd and Andy Isabella is the apparent plan there, neither at an advantage.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Larry Fitzgerald, Damiere Byrd, Andy Isabella

Even: Christian Kirk

NYG vs PHI

GIANTS WR SNAPS

Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton should split up the outside snaps, Shepard a little more on the right and Slayton a little more on the left, and from there they should run against Rasul Douglas (46.7 PFF) when on the left and Jalen Mills (56.0 PFF) when on the right. Avonte Maddox (54.7 PFF) is the slot corner, and he should see the most of Golden Tate. Particularly with Mills playing through an ankle issue, the Giants wideouts have the advantage from every angle.
 

Upgrade: Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Golden Tate

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

PHILADELPHIA WR SNAPS

Greg Ward is the clear lead wideout in Philadelphia at the moment, and he should play in the slot slightly more than half of the time. Grant Haley (48.3 PFF) might be the slot corner with Corey Ballentine hurting, and the outside corners present upgrades for Ward as well. DeAndre Baker (44.3 PFF) is on the right side of the defense while Sam Beal (56.4 PFF) is on the left, though Beal is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. While still an upgrade matchup for Ward, to be fair to Baker, Ward is the one type of receiver he actually matches up well with traits-wise. It just seems that Ward may have the skill advantage. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has more of a traits advantage over the outside corners than Ward does, and the same goes for Robert Davis. As the main slot guy, though, Ward projects for the most work between them.

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

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

JAC vs IND

JACKSONVILLE WR SNAPS

DJ Chark might push for 60-plus snaps with Dede Westbrook (neck/shoulder) highly questionable, while Keelan Cole would be the primary usage beneficiary if Westbrook sits. Chark should play outside about twice or three times as often as the slot, where Cole should play more often. Chris Conley should be opposite Chark in most sets, including two-wide formations. Chark and Conley in that case should both see some combination of Indianapolis' primary outside corners: right corner Rock Ya-Sin (62.7 PFF) and left corner Pierre Desir (56.6 PFF). Be it Cole or Chark, the slot receiver is likely to see Briean Boddy-Calhoun (61.6 PFF) with Kenny Moore logging just one limited practice on Friday this week.

Upgrade: DJ Chark

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Chris Conley, Keelan Cole

INDIANAPOLIS WR SNAPS

A.J. Bouye (55.4 PFF) tends to play on the right more than the left while Tre Herndon (54.8 PFF) usually sees more on the left. T.Y. Hilton and Zach Pascal both play inside and left and both with even left/right splits, so they should mostly see the Bouye/Herndon duo while seeing a few looks each at D.J. Hayden (76.7 PFF). Marcus Johnson should run almost exclusively against Bouye and Herndon.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: T.Y. Hilton, Zach Pascal, Marcus Johnson

DEN vs OAK

DENVER WR SNAPS

Courtland Sutton is such a beast that I rarely care who's covering him, and such is the case here, where I don't think either of right corner Daryl Worley (67.2 PFF) nor left corner Trayvon Mullen (60.2 PFF) can match up with Sutton. Tim Patrick might be good enough to get the better of them too, though the Drew Lock offense is definitely a limiting factor. Slot corner Lamarcus Joyner (44.4 PFF) has struggled all year, but even after a fine game last week it's tough to trust DaeSean Hamilton.

Upgrade: Courtland Sutton

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Tim Patrick, DaeSean Hamilton

OAKLAND WR SNAPS

Hunter Renfrow was excellent in his first game back from injury, earning nine targets on just 29 snaps and catching seven for 107 yards and one touchdown. Although he only plays around 30 snaps a game, checkdown king Derek Carr targets Renfrow at a blistering rate, and that should remain the case here. You never know whether Carr will tank his receivers, but Renfrow should at least avoid the feared Chris Harris (66.1 PFF), who has generally avoided the slot this year. Renfrow's more likely matchup is safety Will Parks (58.0 PFF), and while the Mile High/Carr factors make me a bit leery, I have to call it an upgrade. While I don't necessarily expect Harris to shadow Tyrell Williams, the two should face off for at least 40 percent of the time and I'd bet on the over. Williams is a good player but Carr just doesn't have the guts to throw to him all that often, so the margin of error is thin. Zay Jones just doesn't seem to have it and I'm not sure any matchup would constitute an upgrade for him.

Upgrade: Hunter Renfrow

Downgrade: N/A

Even: Tyrell Williams, Zay Jones

HOU vs TEN

HOUSTON WR SNAPS

The Texans wideouts are beat up and, despite Bill O'Brien's stated intention to play to win this game, it'd be a unique act of negligence to ask 60 snaps of DeAndre Hopkins (illness) and Kenny Stills (knee) both questionable and Will Fuller (hamstring) out. Keke Coutee is an interesting punt play, especially if Hopkins and Stills end up sitting or playing only briefly, though last week DeAndre Carter played ahead of him. They've been fighting over the slot snaps lately, though there would be room for both if multiple Houston wideouts sit. The problem is that Deshaun Watson might also get pulled in such a situation. I kind of need to put a N/A on this whole thing.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: DeAndre Hopkins, Kenny Stills, DeAndre Carter, Keke Coutee

TENNESSEE WR SNAPS

AJ Brown mostly plays wide and on the left, and wide on the right most of the rest of the time. He would primarily project against Bradley Roby (68.9 PFF), but it's not clear if Houston will leave their starters in all game. Doesn't matter, Brown can beat them all. The left corner spot appears to be the sole property of Gareon Conley (64.7 PFF), who had previously rotated with Johnathan Joseph. Corey Davis should have the ability to win on that side, but Brown clearly takes precedent by now. Tajae Sharpe should be the primary slot wideout, and his matchup is the beatable Vernon Hargreaves (43.6 PFF). Between the beatable starters and the chance backups play big snaps, I feel the need to upgrade everyone here.

Upgrade: A.J. Brown, Corey Davis, Tajae Sharpe

Downgrade: N/A

Even: N/A

BAL vs PIT

BALTIMORE WR SNAPS

The low stakes of this game for Baltimore might rule out playing time for Marquise Brown and maybe even guys like Willie Snead and Seth Roberts. Roberts and Miles Boykin both play more reliably on the left, where they'd mostly see Steven Nelson (76.6 PFF), who certainly would project for an advantage over backup types. Chris Moore is a candidate to pick up the snaps on the right side, where Joe Haden (69.4 PFF) has the advantage.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: Willie Snead, Seth Roberts, Miles Boykin, Chris Moore

Even: N/A

PITTSBURGH WR SNAPS

JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Diontae Johnson would all get downgrade verdicts against the starting Baltimore secondary, but it's not clear how much of the starting Baltimore defense will play in this. I'll concede 'even' grades, but understand that Devlin Hodges can still screw this up.

Upgrade: N/A

Downgrade: N/A

Even: JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Diontae Johnson