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.
NYJ vs CLE
JETS WIDE RECEIVERS
Denzel Ward seemed to follow around Darius Slayton last week, but if Ward shadows anyone here the calculus is more complicated. Whereas Slayton is the clear top speed threat in the Giants offense, one could argue that either of Breshad Perriman or Denzel Mims qualify for that distinction within the Jets offense. Perriman is the more established of the two, so he might be the slight favorite, but the Browns could also opt to just have Ward line up on
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.
NYJ vs CLE
JETS WIDE RECEIVERS
Denzel Ward seemed to follow around Darius Slayton last week, but if Ward shadows anyone here the calculus is more complicated. Whereas Slayton is the clear top speed threat in the Giants offense, one could argue that either of Breshad Perriman or Denzel Mims qualify for that distinction within the Jets offense. Perriman is the more established of the two, so he might be the slight favorite, but the Browns could also opt to just have Ward line up on the left side, which is the approach they've taken for most of this year. Ward is in any case bad news for whoever he covers. Terrance Mitchell, by contrast, is quite vulnerable to either of Perriman or Mims. Mitchell was running a 4.6 seven years ago, so it's doubtful that he can match the strides of sub-4.4 wideouts like Perriman and Mims. Jamison Crowder should mostly run against Kevin Johnson, a mostly competent corner but one who's less than intimidating.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Breshad Perriman (downgrade if shadowed by Ward), Denzel Mims (downgrade if shadowed by Ward), Jamison Crowder
CLEVELAND WIDE RECEIVERS
The Jets have a fairly promising rookie corner in fifth-round pick left corner Bryce Hall, but he gets a stern test here in the form of playaction-heavy reps against Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Right corner Blessuan Austin might have some ability opposite Hall, but he's quite speed challenged and therefore particularly vulnerable to DPJ on deep routes. Jarvis Landry, meanwhile, gets to run against whoever the Jets' third nickel corner might be – Brian Poole and Javelin Guidry excelled at the position previously but both are hurt.
Upgrade: Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
JAC vs CHI
JACKSONVILLE WIDE RECEIVERS
Happy Mike Glennon Day! The Jaguars receivers have a good matchup against Chicago's beat up secondary, but Glennon is there for tanking purposes.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DJ Chark, Keelan Cole, Laviska Shenault
CHICAGO WIDE RECEIVERS
The Trubisky Factor seems less likely to manifest than usual in this case, against a Jaguars team almost definitely tanking. Allen Robinson didn't need that help, but Darnell Mooney and Anthony Miller could stand to benefit from it.
Upgrade: Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Anthony Miller
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
KC vs ATL
KANSAS CITY WIDE RECEIVERS
There's nothing concerning in this matchup for any of the Chiefs receivers. Tyreek Hill has a hamstring issue to monitor, but he otherwise threatens to torch slot corner Isaiah Oliver, who isn't built to run. Mecole Hardman presents a similar threat, though Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson are likely to play more.
Upgrade: Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson
ATLANTA WIDE RECEIVERS
These Chiefs corners are solid across the board, but it takes a top-tier unit to present a true downgrade to Calvin Ridley. Russell Gage arguably merits a 'downgrade' against talent greater than his, but the target volume appears almost fully assured.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage
PIT vs IND
PITTSBURGH WIDE RECEIVERS
The Pittsburgh receivers are very talented, but this Colts defense is feared for a reason. Ben Roethlisberger has failed miserably against much worse defenses this year.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool
Even: N/A
INDIANAPOLIS WIDE RECEIVERS
Outside corners Steven Nelson and Joe Haden can't run with T.Y. Hilton, and Michael Pittman is much bigger than either. Zach Pascal is quite a bit bigger than slot corner Mike Hilton, too. These Colts receivers should present viable targets to Philip Rivers -- the question is more likely whether Rivers can actually get them the ball.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: T.Y. Hilton, Zach Pascal, Michael Pittman
BAL vs NYG
BALTIMORE WIDE RECEIVERS
James Bradberry is back and the Giants might use him to shadow Marquise Brown. Brown's season has been frustrating and Bradberry's highly impressive, but Bradberry is a very big corner and might not be well-suited to chasing a mosquito like Brown.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Marquise Brown, Willie Snead, Miles Boykin
GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters are waiting for Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton in some combination or another. The Giants receivers project to get the worse end of that draw. Golden Tate's absence would normally be a boost to Shepard but in this case it only sends Shepard straight into Humphrey's territory.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton
Even: N/A
HOU vs CIN
HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVERS
William Jackson is a very good corner for the Bengals, and he might be a problem for Chad Hansen, who has otherwise played well this year. Brandin Cooks should see some of Jackson as well but projects better than Hansen. Cooks should see a bit more of Darius Phillips or/and LeShaun Sims, neither of whom can cover Cooks. Keke Coutee should mostly play the slot, where he'll run against the hard-nosed Mackensie Alexander.
Upgrade: Brandin Cooks
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Keke Coutee, Chad Hansen
CINCINNATI WIDE RECEIVERS
Throughout the year the Texans have used several cornerbacks in prominent roles who will struggle to make rosters in 2021. Then they lost Bradley Roby to injury. Ryan Finley is an awful passer, but the cornerback matchups couldn't be much more favorable to Tee Higgins and A.J. Green, for whatever that's worth. Alex Erickson shouldn't be in the NFL but might be Cincinnati's slot receiver with Tyler Boyd out.
Upgrade: Tee Higgins, A.J. Green
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Alex Erickson
WAS vs CAR
WASHINGTON WIDE RECEIVERS
Terry McLaurin is out, so we shouldn't worry ourselves about what we can get out of this receiver group.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Cam Sims, Robert Foster
CAROLINA WIDE RECEIVERS
Kendall Fuller is tough at right corner and Ronald Darby has played reasonably well on the left side, so DJ Moore will likely face competent coverage. Robby Anderson will be subject to that same scenario, but he gets more inside looks than Moore. Jimmy Moreland is the inside corner, and while he may be decent he's clearly a dropoff from Fuller and Darby. Curtis Samuel can hurt Moreland if Anderson doesn't.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel
LAC vs DEN
CHARGERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jalen Guyton, Tyron Johnson
DENVER WIDE RECEIVERS
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler
DAL vs PHI
DALLAS WIDE RECEIVERS
Darius Slay might shadow Amari Cooper, but that's still a matchup where Cooper probably has the slight advantage. Michael Gallup is probably a toss-up against Kevon Seymour, while CeeDee Lamb is a clear mismatch in the slot against the 5-7, 170ish Nickell Robey-Coleman.
Upgrade: CeeDee Lamb
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup
PHILADELPHIA WIDE RECEIVERS
The Cowboys were able to get the better of Nick Mullens, but even if they are at their best the Cowboys secondary doesn't project for the advantage against the Eagles wideouts.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jalen Reagor, Alshon Jeffery, Greg Ward
SEA vs LAR
SEATTLE WIDE RECEIVERS
It's not enough reason to bench him, but DK Metcalf has to get a downgrade for facing the peerless Jalen Ramsey. Tyler Lockett has a chance to pick up the slack against slot corner Troy Hill, though Hill and outside CB2 Darious Williams are at least respectable corners.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: DK Metcalf
Even: Tyler Lockett, David Moore
RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS
We have to worry about Jared Goff holding up under pressure, but aside from left corner Shaquill Griffin the Seahawks don't have any formidable corners. D.J. Reed and Ugo Amadi will have to pick up the remaining reps, and both of them are smallish corners better built for the slot than outside. If Goff does his part, any or all of Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Josh Reynolds should be poised for strong play.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Cooper Kupp, Robert woods, Josh Reynolds
GB vs TEN
Upgrade: Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
TENNESSEE WIDE RECEIVERS
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: A.J. Brown, Corey Davis (upgrade if Jaire Alexander shadows Brown)
NE vs BUF
NEW ENGLAND WIDE RECEIVERS
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Damiere Byrd, N'Keal Harry
Even: Jakobi Meyers
BUFFALO WIDE RECEIVERS
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley, John Brown
