This article is part of our Corner Report series.
This article will go game by game for the Week 17 slate looking at the top wide receivers from an offense and, based on the inside/outside and left/right splits of those receivers, identify the WR vs. CB matchups likely to occur.
Receivers rarely see the same corner every play, be it due to formation 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 wide receiver vs. cornerback matchup. This shouldn't be read as "good" or "bad" but rather a measured tweak from the receiver's baseline projection.
Be sure to keep an eye on our NFL injury report and the latest fantasy football news. For player usage updates and roster context, check out RotoWire's NFL Depth Charts, and don't miss the Weekly Projections to see how this week's matchups shape up.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
COLTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Philip Rivers showed surprisingly well last week so perhaps each of the noteworthy Colts wideouts can continue providing standout fantasy utility. Michael Pittman of all people is the one who is due for production, because Alec Pierce and even Josh Downs got going against the 49ers. The Jaguars defense might be a tougher test, however.
The loss of slot corner Jourdan Lewis might hurt, but Jarrian Jones has also seen good results there while Greg Newsome and Montaric Brown have done well on the boundary. Downs should mostly see Jones while Pittman and Pierce mostly see Newsome and Brown. To this point the Jaguars have mostly used Newsome on one side and Brown on the other as opposed to assigning player matchups. Pierce versus Brown is nonetheless something Indianapolis should aim for – Brown can't run with Pierce downfield.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs
JAGUARS WIDE RECEIVERS
Last week the Colts rotated Johnathan Edwards, Cameron Mitchell and Mekhi Blackmon on the boundary, all of whom are probably at significant disadvantages to both Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas. Parker Washington can probably land some punches from the slot against Kenny Moore if necessary, but Moore is the most established corner of the bunch by far.
Upgrade: Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Parker Washington
Miami Dolphins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DOLPHINS WIDE RECEIVERS
Jaylen Waddle can definitely run circles around even good corners, so Jamel Dean and Benjamin Morrison would sooner be the side at a disadvantage. Low play/route counts and thus low target volume has held back Waddle all year and the quarterback situation weighs him down further, but these guys can't cover him. Jacob Parrish can probably establish the upper hand against Malik Washington.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington
BUCCANEERS WIDE RECEIVERS
The absence of left tackle Tristan Wirfs is a concern but as long as they keep the Miami pass rush under control the Tampa wideouts have big advantages over the Miami corners. The absence of Minkah Fitzpatrick in the slot might cut loose Chris Godwin, while on the boundary Mike Evans is way too much for guys like Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas. Emeka Egbuka should be able to get open, too, though the challenge might be getting open as quickly as Evans or/and Godwin do.
Upgrade: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Emeka Egbuka
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
BROWNS WIDE RECEIVERS
Jerry Jeudy can probably still get open but he's been downright miserable all year through all of Cleveland's regrettable quarterback phases. Joey Porter has improved this year and might be able to shut down Jeudy given the current circumstances, while Cedric Tillman has produced so poorly this year that he gets no benefit of the doubt against anyone. Isaiah Bond offers a big-play threat but his opportunities might come down to random occurrences like botched coverages.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Isaiah Bond
STEELERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Adam Thielen can probably still run from the slot, but the Steelers use so many multi-tight end formations that the slot is often blocked by some huge guy. Thielen probably cannot get open on the boundary, meanwhile, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling even at his peak was mostly just a decoy. If Scotty Miller is up next then it's not easy to see where the production is supposed to occur, no matter how bad the secondary is. The corner tandem of Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell is excellent, as it were.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
New York Jets vs. New England Patriots
JETS WIDE RECEIVERS
Adonai Mitchell has drawn target and air yardage at a rapid rate but if he gets shadowed by Christian Gonzalez that might stop. Mitchell can definitely create separation against Carlton Davis, so the Patriots might want to make Mitchell the specific assignment for Gonzalez. Marcus Jones in the slot is challenging but not truly intimidating for Isaiah Williams. As the flanker type John Metchie might be the primary matchup for Davis, which is not awful but still not easy for Metchie.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Adonai Mitchell (arguable Downgrade if shadowed by Gonzalez), John Metchie, Isaiah Williams
PATRIOTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Kyle Williams might need to play more here with Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins out, and there's reason to think Williams has the talent to capitalize, especially in a matchup this easy. Brandon Stephens is probably the best between himself, Qwan'tez Stiggers (boundary/base) and Jordan Clark (slot), yet Stephens is quite beatable too, including by Williams. Stefon Diggs could do big damage against these guys but likely won't play more than 30 or so snaps.
Upgrade: Kyle Williams, Stefon Diggs
Downgrade: N/A
Even: N/A
Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints
TITANS WIDE RECEIVERS
Chimere Dike continues to impress but Alontae Taylor is a tough matchup in the slot. Elic Ayomanor is potentially at a disadvantage against Kool-Aid McKinstry, while Quincy Riley is not a pushover either. Van Jefferson never really registers regardless of the matchup.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, Van Jefferson
SAINTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Chris Olave is a wideout to be feared, especially if you have corners like the Titans do. Jalyn Armour-Davis and Darrell Baker really can't cover Olave. They can probably manage against Kevin Austin.
Upgrade: Chris Olave
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Kevin Austin
Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks
PANTHERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Tetairoa McMillan looks awfully good and the Panthers are definitely dependent on him for receiving production, but this also looks like a challenging matchup. The Seahawks interior defensive line takes away the middle of the field, and on the boundary it's not easy to get to the rim when you're running against Riq Woolen. Devon Witherspoon on the other side is generally tougher yet. Jalen Coker is more trustworthy than Xavier Legette, but Nick Emmanwori in the slot still looks tough.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Xavier Legette
Even: Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker
SEAHAWKS WIDE RECEIVERS
Jaxon Smith-Njigba figures to see the most of Jaycee Horn but to no consequence at all. Cooper Kupp has seen his functions mostly reduced to dirty work rather than opportunities from scrimmage, so there's not much reason to get excited even in manageable matchups against Chau Smith-Wade and Mike Jackson. Rashid Shaheed can do big damage against corners like those but will need to do so on a limited snap count – probably about 60 percent of Kupp's count.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Arizona Cardinals
BENGALS WIDE RECEIVERS
The Cardinals secondary is talented but beat up at the moment, with Budda Baker out at safety while Max Melton (heel) and Will Johnson (chest/thumb) are trying to play injured. They were already without standout slot corner Garrett Williams.
Some combination of Melton, Johnson and Denzel Burke might need to lead the rotation, and Johnson and Burke are both rookies. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are awfully close to warranting an upgrade here – the argument can definitely be made.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins
CARDINALS WIDE RECEIVERS
DJ Turner might follow around Michael Wilson in the event that Marvin Harrison (heel) is out, but Wilson can counter Turner's speed with physicality and the target volume is all but assured either way.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Marvin Harrison, Michael Wilson (Upgrade if Turner shadows Harrison)
Las Vegas Raiders vs. New York Giants
RAIDERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Tre Tucker has a lot of slack waiting for him especially if Jack Bech (back) cannot play, so while Tucker is overexposed as the WR1 in Las Vegas this is a setting where there could be ample opportunity. The corner duo of Paulson Adebo and Cor'Dale Flott doesn't really move the needle either way, but if Flott is out then Deonte Banks is probably an easier target yet. Lockett against Dru Phillips might get the toughest draw.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Tyler Lockett
GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Cover-3 spammers like Eric Stokes and Darien Porter won't get beat deep by Wan'Dale Robinson, but they can't match Robinson's lateral movements or stop/start ability. When in the slot Robinson might do even more damage, as the Raiders lost Jeremy Chinn to injury. Darius Slayton can beat anyone deep but one ostensible perk of the Cover-3 approach is that it takes away the deep shot on the sideline. In a way, if the Raiders corners play the way they're supposed to it should create an ongoing funnel to Robinson.
Upgrade: Wan'Dale Robinson
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins
Buffalo Bills vs. Philadelphia Eagles
BILLS WIDE RECEIVERS
Assuming they stick with their most recent rotation, Khalil Shakir will of course take the slot while the boundary reps are primarily given to Joshua Palmer and Tyrell Shavers.
The Eagles might or might not prioritize Palmer between him and Shavers, and if so they would put Quinyon Mitchell on Palmer. Palmer might not be clearly better enough than Shavers to warrant this response, however, so it's possible that Palmer and Shavers might more so seen an even split between Mitchell and Adoree' Jackson. Jackson is the corner most easily beaten between himself, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean (base/slot), and Jackson's skinny build in particular might leave him vulnerable to physical receivers like Palmer and Shavers.
It looks like a tough matchup for the Bills whatever way they or the Eagles approach it.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Khalil Shakir, Tyrell Shavers, Joshua Palmer
EAGLES WIDE RECEIVERS
Although Tre'Davious White and Christian Benford have both played better lately after a rough start to the season neither has the movement necessary to mirror the routes of A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith. The Bills are used to playing the moneyball approach in the secondary which means a lot of zone coverage or otherwise redefined responsibilities from pure man coverage, but if the Buffalo run defense gets flattened it would make it harder to hide those corners. The Eagles have the ammo to go on the attack if Jalen Hurts plays well.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith
San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears
49ERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Jauan Jennings is good and the 49ers seem dependent on him yet again in this game, but the matchup could be a little challenging. Jaylon Johnson is presumably getting healthier and will eventually be able to go one-on-one against WR1s again some time soon. Speed is what hurts the Bears corners, and Jennings is deficient there. If Ricky Pearsall is out then the Bears can get away with more blitzing and single-teams on Jennings. Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne are the next two up after Pearsall, but again all of Jennings, Robinson and Bourne lack speed.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Kendrick Bourne
BEARS WIDE RECEIVERS
Deommodore Lenoir is the corner to avoid with Renardo Green out, because Upton Stout (slot) and Darrell Baker (boundary) just can't cover receivers like DJ Moore or Luther Burden. Stout might be able to hold serve against Olamide Zaccheaus in the slot, at least.
Upgrade: DJ Moore, Luther Burden
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Olamide Zaccheaus
Atlanta Falcons vs. Los Angeles Rams
FALCONS WIDE RECEIVERS
Drake London did not appear fully healthy from his PCL injury in his return last week, and if he isn't 100 percent it's tough to know what to expect of London, especially in what could be a challenging matchup. The Rams corners categorically cannot cover London and probably can't even run with a fully healthy Darnell Mooney, but the Rams strategically deploy zone coverages that key on the tendencies of the opposing offense, and they'll instruct their corners to troll the areas where the Falcons heat map points toward. It's on the quarterback and route runners to figure out where the Rams are leaving themselves uncovered.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Drake London, Darnell Mooney
RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS
Basically every week is a good matchup for Puka Nacua, so while he won't register as an Upgrade here it's still a very good setup for him. Konata Mumpfield is apparently the WR2 with Davante Adams out, and while the rookie has shown some promise he probably doesn't get the benefit of the doubt even against lesser corners like C.J. Henderson, Dee Alford and Cobee Bryant.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Puka Nacua, Konata Mumpfield
