Corner Report: Week 2

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.

PIT vs DEN

PITTSBURGH WIDE RECEIVERS

JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson played in most two-wide sets for Pittsburgh in Week 1, with Smith-Schuster moving to the slot and James Washington generally stepping in outside in three-wide sets.

Rookie third-round pick Michael Ojemudia (75.2 PFF) looks like the starter at right corner, while Bryce Callahan (64.8 PFF) played mostly on the left side in Week 1. Undrafted rookie Essang Bassey (65.8 PFF) appears to be the slot man after doing relatively well in Week 1, but at around 5-9, 190 he's at a significant size disadvantage to Smith-Schuster. Johnson should be able to beat the Denver outside corners, especially Ojemudia. Washington would mostly run against Ojemudia and Callahan, and he at least has a size advantage in the latter case.

Upgrade: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A

 
DENVER WIDE RECEIVERS

Jerry Jeudy ran as the primary slot receiver for Denver in Week 1, and that should persist regardless of what happens next with Courtland Sutton (shoulder). DaeSean Hamilton played about half inside and half outside in Week 1, while Tim Patrick played mostly outside. If Sutton returns, it might be Hamilton whose role is cut into the most, because he simply isn't very effective.

When in the slot, Jeudy should primarily see Mike Hilton (44.6 PFF, 73.0 2019), who's one of the league's more effective slot corners. Patrick or/and Sutton should somewhat evenly split most of their time between Joe Haden (61.6 PFF, 71.3 2019) and Steven Nelson (53.3 PFF, 80.0 2019). Both corners operate well in the Pittsburgh scheme, which limits their responsibilities somewhat and makes even those easier with a ruthless pass rush, but Patrick and Sutton both have big reach advantages over the outside Pittsburgh corners. If the pass rush is arriving, though, then that might not matter much.

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

MIA vs BUF

MIAMI WIDE RECEIVERS

With DeVante Parker (hamstring) limited, Preston Williams will need to step up that much more against the Bills, who might possess one of the league's best defenses. As the top remaining Miami wideout threat, Williams is a candidate for the shadow coverage of Tre'Davious White (74.6 PFF, 76.0 2019). The Bills might not deem Williams worthy, though, and in that scenario White would mostly play on the left side. Williams should see a mostly even split of White when lined up on the right side of the offense, and Levi Wallace (61.6 PFF, 68.3 2019) when lined up on the left. Wallace is far more beatable than White, but also more likely to have safety help. It's the typical conundrum an offense faces when trying to decode the Bills secondary. It's probably a downgrade for Williams, though his overall projection could be called an improvement if his volume increase offsets the matchup penalty. Parker and Jakeem Grant should play most of the remaining outside snaps, and Grant could really dust Wallace deep if Buffalo isn't careful. They probably will be careful, though. Isaiah Ford should be the primary slot receiver, leaving him to primarily run against Taron Johnson (58.3 PFF, 61.0 2019). Ford can win that matchup, and Buffalo's injuries at inside linebacker might raise Ford's odds of finding a crack in zone coverages over the middle.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Preston Williams, Isaiah Ford, Jakeem Grant, DeVante Parker (downgrade if shadowed by White)

BUFFALO WIDE RECEIVERS

Stefon Diggs and John Brown will play mostly outside in three-wide sets, with Cole Beasley generally playing the slot. The Bills use narrow splits at receiver that might tangle Diggs with the defense's slot coverages at times, so guessing the specific matchup might be tougher in his case. The good news is it probably doesn't matter – the Dolphins' high-price cornerback trio of Byron Jones (60.3 PFF, 74.8 2019) , Xavien Howard (55.3 PFF, 57.0 2019) and Noah Igbinoghene (59.7 PFF) was less than effective in Week 1, and their struggles might persist for some time. Jones played right corner, Howard left and Igbinoghene the slot in Week 1. Playing a little more left than right in Week 1, Brown might see the most of Jones while Diggs sees a little more of Howard. Beasley should mostly run against Igbinoghene.

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

TEN vs JAC

TENNESSEE WIDE RECEIVERS

A.J. Brown (knee) and Corey Davis primarily play outside in three-wide sets, with Adam Humphries the designated slot receiver in most applicable cases. Brown is apparently week-to-week and therefore out for Sunday's game against Jacksonville, leaving Davis as the primary outside receiver and the Titans light on depth behind him. Kalif Raymond is small and can only play so many snaps in Brown's place, so a lower depth chart player like Cody Hollister or Nick Westbrook-Ikhine might pop up out of nowhere for 30 or 40 snaps.

Davis primarily lined up on the right side of the offense in Week 1, which would pencil him in for a matchup mostly against standout rookie C.J. Henderson (83.5 PFF), who is probably more intimidating than right corner Tre Herndon (58.6 PFF, 54.1 2019). The Titans could simply choose to line up Davis more against Herndon, but it's not clear whether they will. The slot corner is D.J. Hayden (28.5 PFF, 77.9 2019), who got beat up by Parris Campbell in Week 1 but has two full years of strong play preceding it. Hayden will likely bounce back, though Humphries is a stern test for him to prove it.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Corey Davis (but keep in mind the volume bump)
Even: Adam Humphries

JACKSONVILLE WIDE RECEIVERS

The new-look Jaguars wideout rotation was highly effective but lightly utilized in Week 1, with Gardner Minshew completing 19 of his only 20 pass attempts. Now the Titans have to slow them down even without top corner Adoree' Jackson, and with second corner Malcolm Butler (51.3 PFF, 64.2 2019) dealing with a quadriceps injury. If Butler is out, it might force rookie Kristian Fulton (54.6 PFF) to play a three-down role at right corner. Johnathan Joseph (70.3 PFF, 65.0 2019) was the left corner in Week 1, and at nearly 36.5 might be hard-pressed to cover deep. Tennessee's slot corner in Week 1 was rookie seventh-round pick Chris Jackson (32.2 PFF).

Joseph and Butler or/and Fulton should see a fairly even share of D.J. Chark, who can run away from all of them. Rookie second-round pick Laviska Shenault should see the second-most outside snaps, and a few more than Chark in the slot. There's nothing obviously intimidating for any of Shenault's prospective matchups but Joseph, Butler and Fulton at least match up fairly well in terms of frame. Keelan Cole should get the most cracks at Jackson in the slot, only occasionally catching Joseph/Butler/Fulton outside otherwise.

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

GB vs DET

GREEN BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Desmond Trufant (40.0 PFF) played left corner in Week 1 but might sit out Week 2 with a hamstring injury. Davante Adams didn't need any additional help, but a Trufant absence would qualify as such. Amani Oruwariye (65.4 PFF, 75.3 2019) looks competent at right corner, at least, but if you're the Packers you can just line up Adams on the right side of the offense or the slot to keep him on an easier matchup.

With slot corner Justin Coleman for sure out in addition to Trufant's situation, the Lions might need to replace their reps at slot and left corner. Rookie third overall pick Jeff Okudah should play one of those roles, presumably the left corner one. Okudah is a great cornerback prospect, but he was injured last week and can't fairly be expected to keep up with a wide receiver as polished as Adams. Okudah struggled in college against teammate Quintez Cephus – there's no reference in Okudah's past matchups that would compare to what Adams presents, in Okudah's first pro game moreover. The slot corner should in any case be Darryl Roberts (81.1 PFF, 58.5 2019), who might be a better fit inside after struggling at outside corner to this point in his career.

Allen Lazard should be Green Bay's primary slot receiver in three-wide sets, setting him up for the most matchups with Roberts. Well as he might have done in Week 1, Roberts is at a major size disadvantage to Lazard. Marquez Valdes-Scantling can run away from any Detroit corner aside from Oruwariye, so his big-play upside should remain in tact despite his hit-or-miss nature.

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

 
DETROIT WIDE RECEIVERS

Kenny Golladay appears highly questionable for Sunday, and if he's out the Lions will again likely need to turn to rookie fifth-round pick Quintez Cephus, who drew 10 targets on 62 snaps against Chicago. Lining up mostly outside, if Cephus starts Sunday he should spend most of his time against Kevin King (60.5 PFF, 62.3 2019). Jaire Alexander (64.7 PFF, 76.7 2019) seemed to shadow Adam Thielen in Week 1, so he might do the same against Marvin Jones if Golladay is out, mostly leaving Alexander away from Cephus as a result. It's a concerning matchup for Jones if so, but one he might be able to offset with target volume. Danny Amendola should primarily run against Chandon Sullivan (51.5 PFF), who received a low PFF grade in Week 1 but had a 75.0 grade over 242 coverage snaps in 2019.

Upgrade: Quintez Cephus (unless Alexander does not shadow Jones)
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola

PHI vs LAR

PHILADELPHIA WIDE RECEIVERS

The Eagles used a committee approach at receiver in Week 1, with neither of DeSean Jackson or Jalen Reagor playing more than 40 snaps against Washington. As long as they play such few snaps so that players like Greg Ward (30), J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (28) and John Hightower (27) can play, it will be difficult to extract any fantasy utility here. The Eagles would be wise to replace Ward in the slot with Arcega-Whiteside, but it seems like they're a ways off from realizing it.

If Ward remains the primary slot receiver in Week 2, he should mostly run against Troy Hill (54.9 PFF), who the Rams somewhat confusingly used at slot corner last week rather than the 5-9 Darious Williams (70.7 PFF). Jalen Ramsey (69.2 PFF, 68.7 2019) may or may not shadow one of Jackson or Reagor outside, but it's not clear which, if either. Williams takes the outside leftover after Ramsey, in any case.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Jalen Reagor
Even: DeSean Jackson, Greg Ward

 
RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS

Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp both play a lot of slot looks for the Rams, so each of them is a candidate to see plenty of former teammate Nickell Robey-Coleman (68.9 PFF, 74.1 2019), a very small corner but one whose results are convincing throughout his career. Woods or Kupp can probably make plays on NRC, but they might have to do it without getting open.

Woods should see a little less of NRC than Kupp, and a bit more of Darius Slay (64.3 PFF) and Avonte Maddox (34.8 PFF). Slay shadowed Terry McLaurin in Week 1, so the Rams might try to shadow Woods with Slay. So much of Woods' functions have to do with what Sean McVay schemes open for him, so the matchup isn't necessarily meaningful, and even if it were Woods might still have an advantage. Maddox is a miscast slot corner – he's the sitting duck in this corner rotation, so Van Jefferson and Josh Reynolds have no excuse to lose to him. Unfortunately, both of them carry major volume concerns if they keep splitting snaps.

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

TB vs CAR

TAMPA BAY WIDE RECEIVERS

Chris Godwin (concussion) doesn't seem like a great bet to play, in which case Mike Evans would need to take on a bigger burden of the Tampa Bay passing game, even as he plays through a hamstring issue. Godwin's most direct replacement in the Tampa offense is Justin Watson, who's better suited to the Tampa slot functions than the more talented but much smaller Scott Miller. It's possible that Tampa will scheme ways to replace Godwin's usage with Miller's functions, but in the meantime it's also true to say Miller plays outside much more often than the slot.

Rookie fourth-round pick Troy Pride (41.2 PFF) played left corner for Carolina in Week 1 while recent free agent pickup Rasul Douglas (83.2 PFF, 50.2 2019) played right. The Panthers seemed to mostly not use a slot corner at all against the Raiders in Week 1, so there might mostly be zone coverages waiting for Watson or/and Godwin in the slot. If the Buccaneers are smart, they'll make Miller play most of his snaps against the overly bulky Douglas and Evans on the fast but short Pride.

Upgrade: Mike Evans, Scott Miller
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Justin Watson

 
CAROLINA WIDE RECEIVERS

The Panthers used Curtis Samuel as an underneath slot specialist in Week 1, which is the opposite of how you should use him. A matchup with Sean Murphy-Bunting (85.1 PFF) is unlikely to bring the best out of Samuel. D.J. Moore was used primarily outside and downfield – again, the opposite of what suits him – and outside he's a candidate to see the shadow coverage of Carlton Davis (56.9 PFF, 72.1 2019). That should be an even matchup for Moore, even if his role is ill-conceived in the meantime. Jamel Dean (42.7 PFF, 78.8 2019) is a tough matchup too if Davis doesn't shadow Moore. Robby Anderson should generally get Dean most often if Davis is on Moore, and Dean is the specific kind of corner you want to cover Anderson with.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Curtis Samuel, Robby Anderson
Even: D.J. Moore

CHI vs NYG

CHICAGO WIDE RECEIVERS

Allen Robinson could see James Bradberry (54.6 PFF, 65.4 2019) in shadow coverage, but (A) Bradberry only played the left side in Week 1 and (B) Robinson would probably beat Bradberry anyway. After mostly playing the slot as a rookie last year, Corey Ballentine (50.0 PFF) played opposite Bradberry outside last week. That left rookie fourth-round pick Darnay Holmes (54.4 PFF) in the slot. Ballentine especially has no hope against Robinson, and Holmes is likely to be a bit overmatched against Anthony Miller in the slot. Miller indefensibly played only 27 snaps in Week 1, but Matt Nagy should feel compelled to change that going forward or consider himself imminently fired. An outside wideout rotation of Ted Ginn, Darnell Mooney and Javon Wims can probably each beat Ballentine but their workloads are too uncertain to capitalize easily.

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

 
GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS

Darius Slayton lit up the outside Pittsburgh corners in Week 1, and now he'll try his luck against the solid outside Bears duo of Kyle Fuller (82.4 PFF) on the left side and rookie Jaylon Johnson (75.6 PFF) on the right. It's basically a bad matchup for Slayton, but players as good as him can still win bad matchups. With that said, Sterling Shepard would have the much easier matchup against Buster Skrine (51.5 PFF) in the slot if he keeps running there, but the return of Golden Tate threatens to make Shepard play more outside. Particularly with Tate aging, the Giants should seriously consider just featuring Shepard in the slot, as he's very likely better than Tate at this point. All the same, the projection for Shepard worsens if Tate plays.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Golden Tate

IND vs MIN

INDIANAPOLIS WIDE RECEIVERS

T.Y. Hilton mostly lined up outside in Week 1, with even left/right splits. They should see relatively even doses of Cameron Dantzler (63.5 PFF) and Holton Hill (23.0 PFF) outside. Both are lanky corners ill-suited to tracking Hilton, but they might match up well with swing backup Zach Pascal. It appears that slot receiver Parris Campbell should generally run against Mike Hughes (48.7 PFF). Hughes can't run with Campbell but no one can – the question here is probably whether the Vikings can devote extra coverage resources toward stopping Campbell, and the presence of Nyheim Hines as a pass catcher should provide Campbell some cover there.

Upgrade: T.Y. Hilton, Parris Campbell
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Zach Pascal

 
MINNESOTA WIDE RECEIVERS

Kenny Moore (74.7 PFF) is good, but it's not clear that he can do much to help the Colts stop Adam Thielen if the Vikings keep running Thielen outside, as they did in Week 1. Indianapolis' outside corners struggled in Week 1, so if they continue to struggle then Thielen could put a hurting on them. Xavier Rhodes (39.3 PFF) really struggled in Week 1, and Rock Ya-Sin (59.6 PFF) is better but also doesn't really want to run with Thielen. Bisi Johnson should generally see whichever outside corner isn't on Thielen, while in three-wide sets rookie Justin Jefferson should see Moore in the slot. Moore could be a tough matchup for a lanky rookie like Jefferson, but Jefferson has a reach advantage.

Upgrade: Adam Thielen
Downgrade: Justin Jefferson
Even: Bisi Johnson

DAL vs ATL

DALLAS WIDE RECEIVERS

CeeDee Lamb operates reliably from the slot, where he should primarily match up against Darqueze Dennard (48.8 PFF, 76.0 2019). Dennard is probably an average corner – capable of playing well at times, but well capable of getting beat by a player of Lamb's quality, too. The corner play outside is probably lesser all the same, as first-round rookie A.J. Terrell (46.4 PFF) struggled at left corner and Isaiah Oliver (45.3 PFF) seems like a liability on the other side. Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup both have major green lights here, with Cooper probably seeing a little more of Terrell and Gallup a bit more of Oliver.

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

 
ATLANTA WIDE RECEIVERS

Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley look like the sort of tandem that can't be stopped, as they both torched last week in what was one of their toughest on-paper matchups against standout outside corners Shaquill Griffin and Quinton Dunbar. This week they'll face the far less impressive duo of Trevon Diggs (55.8 PFF) and Chidobe Awuzie (74.3 PFF, 70.5 2019). Diggs mostly played on the right, leaving Awuzie mostly on the left. Anthony Brown (44.1 PFF) might be transitioning into something of a rover role after playing the slot and an additional 43 snaps in Week 1, but the return of Jourdan Lewis (65.5 PFF 2019) could take away most of Brown's slot snaps. Lewis is the best nickel corner on the Dallas roster, so Russell Gage investors should hope that Brown sees the field more than Lewis.

Upgrade: Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Russell Gage

NYJ vs SF

JETS WIDE RECEIVERS

This is gross – Jamison Crowder is out, so the Jets will go with Breshad Perriman, Chris Hogan and Braxton Berrios as their three wideouts Sunday. Perriman and Hogan should mostly play outside, while Berrios should be the primary slot receiver. K'Waun Williams (59.9 PFF, 75.7 2019) is the primary slot matchup for Berrios – not good for Berrios. Perriman and Hogan should split their time somewhat evenly between Emmanuel Moseley (61.3 PFF, 68.0 2019) and Ahkello Witherspoon (63.5 PFF 2019). Perriman can beat them deep, to be fair to the Jets.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Braxton Berrios
Even: Breshad Perriman, Chris Hogan

 
SAN FRANCISCO WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandon Aiyuk (hamstring) might make his NFL debut here, which would be ideal timing after Jimmy Garoppolo struggled in Week 1 and with George Kittle (knee) questionable against the Jets. Aiyuk's snaps should occur primarily at the expense of Dante Pettis, leaving Kendrick Bourne as the other starting receiver and Trent Taylor still in the slot. Taylor runs against the toughest part of the Jets secondary – slot corner Brian Poole (57.6 PFF, 80.0 2019) – this doesn't look like a great setup for him. Bourne lined up more on the right than on the left in Week 1, and if that holds here then he might see more of left corner Nate Hairston (48.4 PFF) than right corner Blessuan Austin (46.3 PFF, 69.9 2019). Even against bad corners, Bourne is the type of receiver who needs to end up in the right place at the right time, so if he does something good here it won't necessarily be because he beat any corner on a route. Aiyuk should see a bit more of Austin in this alignment, in any case, which would suit Aiyuk as a deep threat because Austin is functional underneath and the intermediate but unlikely to keep up with Aiyuk's speed downfield.

Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Trent Taylor
Even: Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne

ARI vs WAS

ARIZONA WIDE RECEIVERS

DeAndre Hopkins just torched a tough 49ers defense, so his matchup here is easy in comparison. Still, keep in mind the danger posed by the Washington pass rush. It's a better secondary matchup for Hopkins, but last week's results are an unfair expectation in any given game. Still, his corner matchup is a green light. Lining up almost always outside and on the left in Week 1, Hopkins should mostly see right corner Fabian Moreau (87.3 PFF, 56.4 2019), whose high PFF grade from Week 1 is little more than a reflection of the Washington pass rush. Still, the pass rush is real, so the reality is Moreau and left corner Ronald Darby (66.7 PFF, 39.8 2019) will look better than they are until further notice. Christian Kirk should be the primary assignment for Darby – a less than great matchup for Kirk, because Darby's athletic traits do mirror Kirk's fairly well. Kirk isn't to be doubted over a larger sample, though, so he doesn't need luck to put up some numbers in this one. Larry Fitzgerald remains in the slot in any case, where he'll primarily see Jimmy Moreland (67.4 PFF), who seems like a fine enough young slot corner.

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

 
WASHINGTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Terry McLaurin might draw the shadow coverage of Patrick Peterson (66.3 PFF), but in Week 1 Peterson played mostly on the left, perhaps in acknowledgment of San Francisco's void of threatening receivers. McLaurin is about as threatening as they get, by contrast, and the Cardinals might rethink leaving him alone against Week 1 right corner Byron Murphy (72.4 PFF, 48.5 2019). Murphy is a better player than he was as a rookie last year, but it is again difficult to overstate how dangerous McLaurin is. Murphy played the slot in Week 1 too, making him the primary matchup of Steven Sims, which looks like a matchup that could go either way. If Murphy moves into the slot in a three-wide set, then it would give McLaurin additional cracks at Dre Kirkpatrick (63.0 PFF), who is at high risk of slipping up against McLaurin. Even if McLaurin is on Peterson, though, the broader tempo context of this matchup makes it an enticing one for McLaurin. Dontrelle Inman is the third wideout for now, but he doesn't project for the advantage over any NFL corner really.

Upgrade: Terry McLaurin
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Steven Sims, Dontrelle Inman

LAC vs KC

CHARGERS WIDE RECEIVERS

Tyrann Mathieu is one of the league's most feared slot corners at this point, making him an intimidating matchup even for a great receiver like Keenan Allen. When greats face off it's usually a Win Some, Lose Some sort of deal, but Allen's greatness is dependent on a functioning quarterback, which Tyrod Taylor might not be. Mike Williams was heavily utilized in Week 1 and might be again in this matchup, especially if Mathieu can force a funnel away from Allen. Although Charvarius Ward (70.1 PFF) is tough to beat outside at left corner, Rashad Fenton (56.2 PFF) probably would have more trouble with Williams at right corner. Jalen Guyton is who the Chargers should run against Ward, allowing them to maximize Williams against Fenton, but there's no guarantee that they'll do anything in particular.

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

 
KANSAS CITY WIDE RECEIVERS

Casey Hayward (29.6 PFF, 83.0 2019) and Chris Harris (66.6 PFF) are both good corners, but they are smallish and more quick than fast, which means the incomparable speed of Tyreek Hill threatens to take them out of their element pretty quickly on most plays. Stated simply, they can't cover Hill. They'll need help from the safeties or pass rush, because they point blank can't cover him. Hayward and Harris should fare a little better against Sammy Watkins, but maybe not if Watkins keeps playing like he did in Week 1. Demarcus Robinson remains in the lineup as a drops specialist and might get some targets regardless of whether he gets open – because he never gets open, yet sees targets occasionally – and no one could blame the Chargers for forgetting to cover him. Mecole Hardman can beat Hayward and Harris for the same reasons as Hill, if any of this matters to Andy Reid.

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

HOU vs BAL

HOUSTON WIDE RECEIVERS

Will Fuller played very well in Week 1 and could have a breakout season in store for 2020, but this week looks rough as Marlon Humphrey (57.2 PFF, 74.8 2019) looms at right corner and Marcus Peters (55.2 PFF, 85.5 2019). If Humphrey and Peters mostly handle Fuller and Brandin Cooks then it should leave Randall Cobb mostly against Tavon Young (50.6 PFF, 62.6 2018). It's not an easy matchup for Cobb, but there could be a funnel toward him if Fuller or/and Cooks struggle.

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

 
BALTIMORE WIDE RECEIVERS

Bradley Roby (51.6 PFF, 65.2 2019) might shadow Marquise Brown in this game, but it might not matter much for Brown. Roby is good but not great, whereas Brown is at least good and plausibly great soon if not now. Even if it's not an upgrade per se, this matchup is a green light for Brown, as almost all matchups are.

If Roby shadows Brown, it leaves John Reid (54.5 PFF) to cover Willie Snead in the slot – advantage Snead – and the duo of Lonnie Johnson and Vernon Hargreaves to cover Miles Boykin. Johnson is an unusually tall corner who might jam Boykin effectively, but Hargreaves is a shorter corner who probably can't do much at all against Boykin.

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

SEA vs NE

SEATTLE WIDE RECEIVERS

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

 
NEW ENGLAND WIDE RECEIVERS

Upgrade: Julian Edelman
Downgrade: N'Keal Harry
Even: Damiere Byrd

LV vs NO

LAS VEGAS WIDE RECEIVERS

Upgrade: Hunter Renfrow
Downgrade: Bryan Edwards
Even: Henry Ruggs

 
NEW ORLEANS WIDE RECEIVERS

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