This article will go game by game for the Week 2 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.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns
RAVENS WIDE RECEIVERS
Zay Flowers probably doesn't have as many advantages against the Browns corners as he did the Bills. Whereas the Bills corners sacrifice quickness and speed for length and tackling, the Browns cornerback duo of Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome is one of the most athletic duos in the league. Flowers can sometimes beat tough coverage – one of his best 2024 games was against Denver – but the Ward/Newsome duo is both good generally and an effective trait match to
This article will go game by game for the Week 2 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.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns
RAVENS WIDE RECEIVERS
Zay Flowers probably doesn't have as many advantages against the Browns corners as he did the Bills. Whereas the Bills corners sacrifice quickness and speed for length and tackling, the Browns cornerback duo of Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome is one of the most athletic duos in the league. Flowers can sometimes beat tough coverage – one of his best 2024 games was against Denver – but the Ward/Newsome duo is both good generally and an effective trait match to a smaller, quicker receiver like Flowers.
That's not to say Rashod Bateman has any advantage in comparison – he doesn't – because Ward and Newsome are not far off from Bateman's build. Meanwhile, they can both run much better. DeAndre Hopkins didn't play much in Week 1 but he was effective, just as he was in 2024. Hopkins might compel more snaps, perhaps at Bateman's expense. The slot is probably where Cleveland is most vulnerable, or at least in Week 1 they primarily kept Ward and Newsome on the boundary.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins
BROWNS WIDE RECEIVERS
Nate Wiggins looks less beatable than Jaire Alexander at the moment. Perhaps Alexander will shake off the rust, but until then on the right side he's more vulnerable than Wiggins on the left. Marlon Humphrey might play a little more on the boundary than usual in this one if Baltimore responds to Cleveland's 2TE formations with a base package, though generally the Ravens have preferred to stay in nickel, where Humphrey stays in the slot.
Cedric Tillman was the lead slot receiver for Cleveland in Week 1, so in this one he should see the most of Humphrey. If so, it might create slack for Jerry Jeudy on the boundary, especially if he's lined up against Alexander. The Browns didn't use a clear WR3 last week, with Isaiah Bond and Jamari Thrash splitting the meager remaining snaps.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
BENGALS WIDE RECEIVERS
It's probably not fair to call it an Upgrade for cornerback matchup reasons – the likes of Tyson Campbell, Jarrian Jones and Travis Hunter are a strong corner group – but you do have to like this setup for the Bengals receivers due to the aggression we might see in both game plans. Both teams are anxious about the other posting a high point total, and with good reasons, so we're likely to see more urgency from both offenses than in Week 1.
Campbell lined up on the right and Jones on the left in Week 1, with the unremarkable Jourdan Lewis in the slot. That was with Jacksonville barely using Hunter at corner. If Hunter plays more corner in this game it could be either in the slot or the left side, the latter case likely resulting in Jones moving into the slot.
No doubt, Campbell and Hunter on the boundary and Jones in the slot would be tough. Still, Ja'Marr Chase gets the benefit of the doubt against any corner, and Tee Higgins is a difficult matchup for height reasons. Andrei Iosivas remained the clear slot wideout for Cincinnati in Week 1, though it's probably about time for someone to ask what exactly he does around here. Regardless, if Lewis is in the slot then Iosivas has the easiest matchup here, though if it's against Jones then Iosivas probably gets no benefit of the doubt.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas
JAGUARS WIDE RECEIVERS
Travis Hunter mostly played wide receiver in Week 1, and mostly from the slot, but in this game he might need to play more cornerback than he did in Week 1. Whether that's enough to sap his fantasy upside isn't clear, but it's clear the Jaguars need him at corner for this game.
Brian Thomas will likely bounce back, as Cam Taylor-Britt and especially DJ Turner are not imposing at corner – Turner is much smaller and could be someone for Thomas to target. Dyami Brown isn't as easily given the benefit of the doubt against these corners, but Brown looked good in Week 1 for Jacksonville and should remain the primary boundary wideout opposite Thomas.
If Hunter plays significantly fewer snaps at receiver in this game then Parker Washington would be the likely slot replacement, though Washington only played 15 snaps in Week 1. The slot is also where Dax Hill tends to defend, and he's potentially the best Bengals corner.
Upgrade: Brian Thomas
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, Parker Washington
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants
COWBOYS WIDE RECEIVERS
CeeDee Lamb almost never cares about the matchup, so that Dru Phillips might be the Giants' best corner doesn't really change Lamb's projection in the slot. With that said, it might be a little easier to target Paulson Adebo or Cor'Dale Flott on the boundary.
George Pickens is trait-matched by Adebo outside, but it could still be a good matchup for Pickens due to Adebo's tendency to gamble. Flott would likely be the easier target, even so – while Flott isn't a pushover he is rather skinny and probably isn't well-suited to fighting Pickens above the rim.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens
GIANTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Matchups tend to not matter much for Malik Nabers, but this should be a good one. The Dallas pass rush doesn't appear good enough to bail out its dubious cornerback personnel. Trevon Diggs might not be fully recovered from his knee injury – he played off the bench in Week 1 – but Diggs probably needs to start this game because DaRon Bland (toe) is out. Kaiir Elam on the other side also has the bull's eye on him. It's not clear who will play slot corner for Dallas with Bland out.
Someone other than Nabers should make an impact, too, but it's not obvious how ready to play either of Darius Slayton (groin) or Wan'Dale Robinson (ankle) might be.
Upgrade: Malik Nabers
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson
Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
LIONS WIDE RECEIVERS
Amon-Ra St. Brown will likely bounce back here, but if so it's owed to general fact that a player like St. Brown won't stay down for long rather than anything being especially easy about this matchup. Playing in Detroit is a great reassurance, though – if this game were in Chicago the optimism would require a little more effort.
Then again, if Kyler Gordon (hamstring) is out then it really makes it easier to attack the slot. Jaylon Johnson was a full practice participant this week, so he should be back after missing Week 1. When St. Brown lines up on the boundary he might want to prepare for the possibility of Johnson following him.
If Johnson doesn't shadow St. Brown on the boundary then it would mean that Jameson Williams splits his snaps mostly evenly between Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson. Williams' speed stresses either corner – even Johnson isn't particularly fast – but it's a whole separate issue as to whether Jared Goff can get the ball downfield. Kalif Raymond was the primary WR3 in Week 1 but probably gets no benefit of the doubt versus the corners.
Upgrade: Amon-Ra St. Brown (arguably lower to Even if Gordon plays)
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond
BEARS WIDE RECEIVERS
DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are set up reasonably well here if only because the game is in a dome, but they're also tough matchups for the Detroit cornerback duo of Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed. Arnold is the 'big' one at 6-feet, 189 pounds, while Reed checks in at something like 5-foot-9, 188 pounds.
Arnold and Reed play bigger than their builds, but Moore and especially Odunze can be powerful in a phone booth. Amik Robertson would be an easier target at 5-foot-8, though you'd generally need to go to the slot to find him. Good as Olamide Zaccheaus might be, Robertson is a trait match to him and in general Robertson is probably glad to see Zaccheaus rather than someone bigger than him.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Olamide Zaccheaus
Miami Dolphins vs. New England
DOLPHINS WIDE RECEIVERS
Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) is already nicked up, Tyreek Hill has been accused of domestic violence again, and Tua Tagovailoa looked like a mess in Week 1. "What year is it?"
The Patriots corners might be somewhat accommodating, at least, especially with Christian Gonzalez out again. Carlton Davis on the left and especially Alex Austin on the right are probably the wrong kind of corners for covering receivers like Hill and Waddle. Marcus Jones quickly becomes a liability in the slot when facing bigger wideouts, but Malik Washington doesn't qualify, and the one guy who would (Nick Westbrook-Ikhine) played more on the boundary as the WR4 last week.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington
PATRIOTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Kayshon Boutte is managing a shoulder injury but hopefully it's not enough to derail his considerable momentum. As much as Drake Maye obviously won't throw 46 passes every week, Josh McDaniels clearly isn't afraid to air it out and Boutte has quietly put together a productive stretch going back to last year. As a former standout prospect, Boutte's production is good enough at 23 to take him from the fringe and regrade his prospect profile as that of a likely NFL starter.
Boutte specifically gives the Patriots a credible downfield threat from the boundary, where Stefon Diggs is more so operating at the intermediate and shallow depths. Diggs only played 29 snaps in Week 1 – DeMario Douglas played 44 and Mack Hollins played 38 – so Diggs unsurprisingly might still face some limitations in his recovery from last year's ACL tear. Hollins was all but invisible as a route runner in Week 1 and his blocking acumen clearly paid no dividends, so perhaps the Patriots might want to consider giving more snaps to Kyle Williams if nothing improves there.
Douglas needs to improve, too, though. You can't bury a player for one game, especially when they've otherwise been a solid player for two years with a good prospect profile, but two catches for minus-2 yards on seven targets is ghastly. There's reason to think such improvement is possible in this game against rookie Jason Marshall and to a lesser extent Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Boutte and Diggs both project well enough on a per-snap basis, but who knows whether Diggs goes over 30 snaps in this one. Boutte should lead the team in wideout snaps if his shoulder isn't an issue, and against corners like Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas it's not clear why caution would be necessary. Hollins has a shot at viable targets as long as he's playing, too.
Upgrade: Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Stefon Diggs (Upgrade if snap count increases), Mack Hollins
New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers
SAINTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks makes for a lightweight loadout at receiver, but it appears to be the plan for now. Devaughn Vele played only 14 snaps last week while each Olave, Shaheed and Cooks went over 50.
Kellen Moore seemed to emphasize interchangeability, with both of Olave and Cooks seeing a decent number of slot snaps even while tight end Juwan Johnson led the team in the category. Guessing which corners which receivers will see is made more difficult by this.
Olave did line up on the left more than the right, though, so he might see right corner Renardo Green a little more than Deommodore Lenoir or slot corner Upton Stout. Cooks and especially Shaheed should mostly see Green and Lenoir.
Green and especially Lenoir appear to be quality corners, but neither is especially fast and Lenoir is a bit stocky for his height. Olave and Shaheed are blurs, and even in decline Cooks isn't exactly easy to run with. The 49ers corners probably would prefer to face slower receivers than these.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks
49ERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Ricky Pearsall projects well against Kool-Aid McKinstry and especially the underwhelming journeyman Isaac Yiadom.
The Saints surprisingly played Alontae Taylor as their CB3 in Week 1, and Russell Gage is apparently who will see the most of Taylor from the slot. Kendrick Bourne should be able to plug in for some significant number of snaps, potentially as a flanker, but Bourne is slow and therefore can't target the weakness of McKinstry and Yiadom, which is primarily speed.
The Mac Jones effect might or might not be a problem, but it's not a great development and it doesn't help any of these receivers.
Upgrade: Ricky Pearsall
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Russell Gage, Kendrick Bourne
New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills
JETS WIDE RECEIVERS
Garrett Wilson should be a problem for the Bills corners for the same reason Zay Flowers was in Week 1 – Wilson is a blur whose stop/start ability and high top speed are the clear weaknesses of bigger corners like Christian Benford and Dorian Strong. Benford and Strong are adept when in their element, but the farther into space you take them the worse they get.
The difference between Wilson and the Flowers example is the Jets have no other pass catchers to draw attention away from Wilson. Flowers somewhat snuck up on the Bills secondary, but Wilson is the only visible Jets route runner. If Wilson can light up the Bills the way he did the Steelers in Week 1 then it would be a very reassuring sign for his projection going forward. Wilson is excellent, but the Jets really are pushing the limits of what they can get away with by so badly neglecting the other route reps.
Josh Reynolds (hamstring) and Tyler Johnson, in contrast to Wilson, are the exact type of receivers the Bills corners would prefer to see. Reynolds and Johnson can neither bully nor outrun Benford or Strong.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson
BILLS WIDE RECEIVERS
Keon Coleman led the Bills in snaps and saw a much higher target rate in Week 1 than he did as a rookie. It will be interesting to see if the Jets try to assign Sauce Gardner (groin) to Coleman – it certainly seems warranted at this point. If Gardner doesn't follow Coleman then Josh Palmer and Coleman would project for a roughly even split of Gardner and Brandon Stephens, with Stephens the preferable target.
Khalil Shakir remains threatening from the slot and we can expect him to have his big games eventually, especially after shaking off a high-ankle sprain in training camp. Michael Carter is probably no major obstacle as a slot corner.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Keon Coleman (arguable Upgrade if Gardner is out or limited), Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks
STEELERS WIDE RECEIVERS
DK Metcalf probably projects better against Josh Jobe than Riq Woolen, given the latter's matching build and speed, but Metcalf should be fine against either given that he's projected to carry 25 percent or more of Pittsburgh's target share.
Calvin Austin could prove challenging to any of the Seattle corners, including slot corner Devon Witherspoon. Austin needs to get downfield – Witherspoon rarely gets beat when the play is in front of him, but Austin's speed is not easy to manage after a few seconds.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin
SEAHAWKS WIDE RECEIVERS
Jaxon Smith-Njigba couldn't average so many as three snaps without a target in Week 1, meaning he's likely to see an absurd target volume all year regardless of the matchups. In this game the Steelers might not have Joey Porter (hamstring), but for JSN the distinction probably doesn't matter a whole lot.
If Porter is out it might matter more for Tory Horton, who was unable to draw a target in Week 1, but Darius Slay was unimpressive in Week 1 and Horton might get more done against Slay or/and Brandin Echols than he did the 49ers, though in the slot it's difficult to see how Cooper Kupp is supposed to get anything done against Jalen Ramsey.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: Cooper Kupp
Even: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tory Horton
Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Rams
TITANS WIDE RECEIVERS
Elic Ayomanor was the second wideout for Tennessee in Week 1, with Tyler Lockett in third, so the rookie fourth-round pick Ayomanor might continue to see fantasy opportunities behind Calvin Ridley.
Emmanuel Forbes and Ahkello Witherspoon were the surprise starters for the Rams in Week 1 -- seemingly benching incumbent starters Cobie Durant and Darious Williams in the process. Witherspoon might be ill-suited to mirroring the movements of Ridley, while the skinny Forbes might be capable of getting bullied by Ayomanor.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, Tyler Lockett
RAMS WIDE RECEIVERS
The Titans for some reason restricted the playing time of Roger McCreary last week, who just happened to make a big interception while covering Courtland Sutton. McCreary was restricted to the slot all the same, whereas in previous years McCreary would start games and move into the slot when applicable. Last week Jarvis Brownlee and Darrel Baker ran ahead of McCreary.
If the Titans continue to run Baker and especially Brownlee ahead of McCreary then they might not like the results much, especially with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams up next. For Nacua matchups don't matter at all, but for Adams it's definitely preferable to face Brownlee than, say, a healthy L'Jarius Sneed, who's working his way into form from last year's season-ending knee injury.
Keep an eye on the status of guards Steve Avila (ankle) and Kevin Dotson (ankle) – you don't want Jeffery Simmons getting shots at the backups.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Puka Nacua, Davante Adams
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers
CARDINALS WIDE RECEIVERS
Marvin Harrison might see a lot of Jaycee Horn in this one, but more important than the matchup is the question of what routes the Cardinals assign Harrison. Harrison's 2024 routes too often entailed difficult downfield throws that applied a downward pressure to both Harrison's per-snap target rate and his catch rate. The Cardinals still used Harrison too far downfield in Week 1 – as a result he had just six targets on 54 snaps – but the Cardinals should be able to run the ball in this game and as long as they do Harrison should continue to see touchdown opportunities even if his target volume remains disappointing.
Michael Wilson deserves very little benefit of the doubt after a one-catch Week 1, but there's no obvious reason why he shouldn't be able to beat the likes of Mike Jackson or Chau Wade-Smith. If Zay Jones gets open somebody tripped.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Marvin Harrison, Michael Wilson, Zay Jones
PANTHERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Tetairoa McMillan might be able to produce despite Carolina's brutal quarterback play, and in this game there's no obvious cornerback matchup of concern. Rookie second-round pick Will Johnson will be an interesting matchup at 6-foot-2 and Max Melton seems to be coming along well on the other side, but Xavier Legette has a way of disappearing and the Panthers really have nothing better to do than throw the ball at McMillan. Slot corner Garrett Williams should make things tough on Hunter Renfrow.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Hunter Renfrow
Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos
COLTS WIDE RECEIVERS
Michael Pittman might get followed around by Patrick Surtain in this one, especially with Josh Downs usually operating from the slot. Alec Pierce is a good starting boundary receiver opposite Pittman, but Daniel Jones can't access the downfield regions Pierce works best. If Surtain follows Pittman then Riley Moss might mostly see Pierce, but Moss might be good enough to face off with Pittman in his own right.
In any case, pressure on Pittman should result in more usage for Downs, who runs against JaQuan McMillian in the slot. McMillian is solid but still more easily beaten than Surtain.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Michael Pittman (arguable Downgrade if shadowed by Surtain), Josh Downs, Alec Pierce
BRONCOS WIDE RECEIVERS
Charvarius Ward (concussion) might be out, and if so it leaves the Colts thin at corner just as Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims arrive in Indy. Xavien Howard and Mekhi Blackmon are less than intimidating by comparison.
Kenny Moore is a good all-around slot corner but if Troy Franklin continues to run in the slot then Franklin could continue to see opportunities. In general, though, Howard and Blackmon on the boundary might be more beatable.
Upgrade: Courtland Sutton (arguably lower to Even if Ward is active)
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
CHIEFS WIDE RECEIVERS
Hollywood Brown was extremely busy in Week 1 after Xavier Worthy (shoulder) suffered his injury, and Brown should be fairly active even if Worthy plays through his injury. Worthy would likely be less than his normal self and would be at risk of getting stuck with decoy work.
Brown seemed to function as the primary Chiefs slot receiver in Week 1, which if it holds would match him up against Cooper DeJean regularly – a matchup where Brown's speed could be challenging.
JuJu Smith-Schuster used to be the primary slot wideout but more so ran on the outside in Week 1, to vaguely good effect. It's difficult to know how much Smith-Schuster might see Quinyon Mitchell, but if he does that's problematic for JSS. Adoree' Jackson is likely much more beatable on the other side, so be it JSS or Tyquan Thornton, there might be some opportunity there.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton
EAGLES WIDE RECEIVERS
A.J. Brown is inevitable over a long enough sample, and he's the squeaky wheel going into Week 2. DeVonta Smith would have grounds for demanding more targets, as well – it's possible both get their wish. If one of them sees more of Trent McDuffie than the other then that player probably has the worse projection, however.
The Chiefs cover guy most easily beaten is Chamarri Conner in the slot, and Smith figures to get the most looks at Conner. Brown and Jahan Dotson should primarily see McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, though you'd expect the Chiefs to prefer McDuffie on Brown rather than the weaker Dotson.
Upgrade: DeVonta Smith
Downgrade: N/A
Even: A.J. Brown, Jahan Dotson
Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons
VIKINGS WIDE RECEIVERS
Justin Jefferson figures to see a lot of AJ Terrell in this one, which on the one hand isn't ideal but on the other doesn't change much for Jefferson. The Vikings would ideally have someone else step up if only to take a little pressure off of J.J. McCarthy, who sometimes had nowhere to throw in Week 1 when Jefferson wasn't an option.
Mike Hughes is a corner much more easily beaten, to the extent that he might have the under hand against both Jalen Nailor and Adam Thielen. Thielen seemed to only step onto the field as a flanker when Minnesota went three-wide, and Nailor actually functioned as the WR2.
Upgrade: Jalen Nailor
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen
FALCONS WIDE RECEIVERS
Darnell Mooney (shoulder) should be back for this one, which is reassuring for Michael Penix as he takes on a confusing and disruptive Minnesota defense. Drake London (shoulder) is also off the injury report.
Byron Murphy is a candidate to follow London a bit, and particularly when the pass rush is hot Murphy can be a hassle for even standout receivers. As long as London is going over double-digit targets then his matchups don't matter, however.
Mooney should be able to get the better of players like Isaiah Rodgers and Josh Metellus, though doing so before the Minnesota pass rush arrives makes that easier said than done.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud
Houston Texans vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TEXANS WIDE RECEIVERS
Nico Collins was a dud in Week 1 and doesn't have an obvious trait mismatch to leverage against big, athletic corners like Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum, but as long as the Texans keep C.J. Stroud upright a player with Collins' loud talent won't stay quiet for long. There's no obvious reason why Collins shouldn't get back on track in this one.
Whether a second Texans wideout can emerge is the real question. If Christian Kirk (groin) is out again then it puts more pressure on Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson. If the Texans continue to give Justin Watson more snaps than Higgins and Noel then they should consider is unsurprising if they continue to lose.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Nico Collins
BUCCANEERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Emekga Egbuka was the main slot receiver for Tampa Bay in Week 1, so in this game he might get the most shots at Jalen Pitre, who's probably the most easily-beaten among the Texans corners. When on the boundary Egbuka should get a fairly even split between Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter, though both are ideally avoided.
Mike Evans won't be able to avoid the boundary corners as easily, but Lassiter might be too small and slow to hold up well against Evans. When Egbuka is in the slot the Texans might want to put Stingley on Evans, if only to hide Lassiter a bit.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka (arguable Upgrade if Stingley shadows Evans)
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers
RAIDERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Jakobi Meyers should be fine in this game, though Tarheeb Still might be on the verge of establishing himself as one of the league's better slot corners. Meyers had one of his better games of 2024 against the Chargers all the same.
Donte Jackson and Cam Hart are probably more easily beaten on the boundary. Meyers should get some looks at them both, too, but otherwise Tre Tucker and Dont'e Thornton should see the most of Jackson and Hart, because Meyers should generally get the slot to himself.
Tucker and Thornton showed the ability to coexist as gadgety speedsters, who sprinkle in big plays while otherwise clearing out room for the likes of Meyers and Brock Bowers. Impressive as Tucker and Thornton were in Week 1, it's not obvious how to scale up their production given how often they're left with decoy tasks.
Upgrade: N/A
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Dont'e Thornton
CHARGERS WIDE RECEIVERS
Kyu Blu Kelly and Eric Stokes are your primary boundary corners for the Raiders, with Darnay Holmes in the slot. It's not a good group on paper.
Ladd McConkey is likely too much for Holmes, and from the boundary it's possible that either or both of Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen might be able to draw viable targets. Kelly and Stokes have reach and are prepared to press + play above the rim, but Allen's precise route running might be able to get the corners off their rails a bit.
Upgrade: Ladd McConkey
Downgrade: N/A
Even: Quentin Johnston, Keenan Allen
