Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the NFL's top wide receivers. Josh Norman is one of the game's top cover corners. The Giants and Redskins play each other this week. This can only mean one thing: a full-on, head-to-head battle from start to finish.
Although that's the likely scenario here in Week 3, top-end receiver/corner showdowns rarely follow that script. There are only a handful of cornerbacks who shadow No.1 receivers most weeks, and you can count on one hand those who shadow both the perimeter and the slot.
By analyzing each and every snap, we can best project how each defense will attempt to slow the opposing team's wide receiver. Presented in no particular order, below is a list of the league's top cover corners and a breakdown of how each is utilized.
Note: Each week, I examine the top wide receiver/cornerback fantasy matchups, including projections of each and every shadow situation. Also included is the weekly WR/CB matchup cheat sheet, which shows the usage of the top three wide receivers and corners for each team.
Josh Norman, Washington Redskins
Shadows often, but only the perimeter
Where else to start but with the man of the hour? Norman is ticketed for shadow coverage against Beckham in Week 3, but that doesn't mean the CB will follow the opponent's top wide receiver each and every week. When Norman played for Carolina last year, he shadowed DeAndre Hopkins, Vincent Jackson, T.Y. Hilton, Dez Bryant, Brandin Cooks, Julio Jones (twice), Mike Evans and, of course, Beckham. Norman infamously did not shadow Antonio Brown earlier this season, but did follow Bryant during part of the Week 2 meeting with Dallas.
Some simple math tells us that Norman has shadowed during roughly half of his games over the past two seasons. Additionally, Norman almost never covers the slot. Last season, he lined up inside on a grand total of 10 pass plays. This may not matter against the Giants this week (Beckham has lined up in the slot 7 percent of the time this season), but it will surely allow the likes of Jordan Matthews, A.J. Green, Stefon Diggs and Larry Fitzgerald to avoid full-on shadow coverage later this season.
Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
Shadows occasionally
Sherman is one of the most feared cover corners in the league, but he rarely travels to the slot and shadows only occasionally. During the 2015 season, Sherman followed Torrey Smith (twice), Dez Bryant and Antonio Brown, and was a part-time shadow against A.J. Green and Michael Floyd. By season's end, Sherman had lined up in the slot on a grand total of 31 pass plays and lined up at his traditional position (left corner) 76 percent of the time. Sherman did not shadow in Week 1 or 2 this season, but it's likely he will occasionally be asked to do so this season. Smith, Julio Jones, Brandin Cooks, Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Kelvin Benjamin and Jordy Nelson are all on the slate, and they are possible shadow targets for Sherman.
Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals
Shadows often, but only on the perimeter
Peterson is one of the few cornerbacks who shadows almost every single week. With that being said -- and you should be starting to sense a theme here -- he does not travel to the slot very often. Peterson shadowed in 13 games last season and followed Mike Evans in Week 2 this year. During the past two seasons, Peterson has lined up in the slot on a grand total of 49 of the 704 pass plays (7 percent) for which he's been on the field. Peterson is a shutdown perimeter corner, but he has deferred to Tyrann Mathieu (2015) and Tyvon Branch (2016) when it comes to defending the slot.
Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
It's complicated
Prior to this season, Revis had the well-earned reputation as a cornerback who could shut you down no matter where you lined up. Last year, Revis shadowed during 11 of the 14 games he played. He lined up in the slot on only 74 of pass plays (14.1 percent), but he did travel inside a significant amount to cover the likes of Jarvis Landry and Julian Edelman. But Revis, now 31, has seen his usage change a bit after a rough start to the 2016 season. He shadowed A.J. Green on 26 of his 35 routes in Week 1. That included all 22 of Green's perimeter routes and five of 13 slot routes. Revis did not shadow Sammy Watkins in Week 2, instead lining up at left corner on 29 of Buffalo's 30 pass plays. It's hard to know how Revis will be used moving forward, but it's likely that his best days are behind him.
Jason Verrett, San Diego Chargers
Shadows often, but only on the perimeter
Like Norman, Verrett is a hot topic after shutting down Allen Robinson in Week 2. In fact, Robinson and Verrett have met the past three seasons, with Verrett winning the majority of their battles. Robinson has run 68 routes against Verrett during that span. His totals? 11 targets, five receptions, 84 yards and no touchdowns. Verrett, however, does not follow the receiver he is shadowing to the slot very often. Verrett shadowed Jeremy Maclin in Week 1 and Robinson in Week 2. That included 56 of 61 perimeter routes and four of 30 slot routes. The Chargers meet the Colts in Week 3, but those wondering about T.Y. Hilton's potential impact should know that he has lined up in the slot 59 percent of the time this season. He figures to avoid Verrett at least half the time.
Vontae Davis, Indianapolis Colts
Shadows often, but only on the perimeter
Davis, who's currently out with an ankle injury, spends a lot of time at right corner but will occasionally shadow top receivers on the perimeter. He figures to settle into a similar role upon his return. Davis shadowed during roughly half of his outings last year -- Sammy Watkins, Brandon Marshall, Demaryius Thomas, Allen Robinson, DeAndre Hopkins and Kendall Wright. Davis lined up in the slot on only 14 of the 543 pass plays (2.6 percent) he defended.
Desmond Trufant, Atlanta Falcons
Shadows sometimes
Trufant has consistently been one of the league's top cover corners the past few seasons, but what has not been consistent is his usage. Trufant shadowed on and off throughout the 2014 season before simply staying at home at left corner during the Falcons' first 13 games last season. Since that point, he has shadowed during four of Atlanta's past five games -- Allen Robinson, Ted Ginn Jr., Brandin Cooks and Amari Cooper. Trufant lined up in the slot on 12 of 492 pass plays (2.4 percent) last year, but followed Cooper inside three times in Week 2. It's clear that Trufant has shifted into a part-time shadow corner, which means Cooks may be on his radar in Week 3.
Darius Slay, Detroit Lions
Shadows often, but only on the perimeter
Slay took a big step forward last season and is now very much in the conversation as one of the league's top cover corners. The 2013 second-round pick didn't shadow through Week 7 last season, but took on a much bigger role when Rashean Mathis went down for the season. From there, Slay shadowed Jeremy Maclin, James Jones (twice), Amari Cooper, Kenny Britt, Brandin Cooks and Anquan Boldin. The trend has continued in 2016, with Slay following T.Y. Hilton on the perimeter in Week 1. Slay covered the slot on 22 of 526 pass plays (4.2 percent) last season and has lined up inside on four pass plays in two games this season. Count on Slay shadowing the likes of Jordy Nelson, Alshon Jeffery, DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs, Allen Robinson, Odell Beckham Jr., Dez Bryant and Cooks during the 2016 season.
Delvin Breaux, New Orleans Saints
Shadows sometimes
Breaux is sidelined with a leg injury, but he's expected back around midseason. The return of one of the league's top 2015 breakouts at the position will provide a big boost to the Saints' pass defense. Breaux shadowed right out of the gate last season and quickly moved ahead of Brandon Browner as the team's clear top corner. Breaux ended up following the top receiver in about half of his outings, but didn't travel to the slot very often -- just 47 of 500 pass plays (9.4 percent).
Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan, New England Patriots
Shadow often, including the slot
When it comes to personnel usage, no one is more creative than coach Bill Belichick. And that creativity extends to the cornerback position. The Patriots are the only team in the league that shadows almost every single week, usually with multiple corners. At this point, Butler and Ryan are featured in these shadow situations. Butler usually lines up against the opponent's shiftiest receiver. Examples from 2015 include Emmanuel Sanders, Jarvis Landry, Eric Decker and Odell Beckham Jr. Ryan, meanwhile, has tended to follow bigger/slower targets, including Demaryius Thomas, Rishard Matthews, Brandon Marshall and Rueben Randle.
Although neither corner is off to a very good start this year, we've seen similar usage so far. Ryan shadowed Larry Fitzgerald in Week 1, leaving Butler to handle Michael Floyd and John Brown. Week 2 was a bit unique, with the duo taking turns against DeVante Parker and Landry. No. 3 corner Justin Coleman often shadows the opposing team's No. 3 receiver, which was Kenny Stills for Miami in Week 2. Assuming Butler and Ryan bounce back, the top two wide receivers for each team on the Patriots' schedule will have their hands full against New England this season.
Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos
Shadows sometimes
Harris Jr. is in the conversation as one of the league's best corners, but he's unique in that he aligns in the slot when the Broncos play nickel. Harris lined up on the perimeter on 46 percent of pass plays last season, which is a number well above most slot/nickel corners because (A) he plays out wide in base, and (B) he occasionally shadows or is simply moved outside.
Denver decided to shadow in only three games last year (Detroit, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh), although Harris swapped assignments with nickel corner Bradley Roby and played the perimeter against Cincinnati in Week 16. Denver has yet to shadow in 2016, instead positioning Harris at right corner in base and at the slot in nickel. Aqib Talib is the full-time left corner and Roby fills in for Harris in nickel. In Week 3, don't expect A.J. Green to see shadow coverage, but he'll still have his hands full against arguably the league's best one-two-three punch at the position.
Final thoughts
By this point, it should be crystal clear that top-end cornerbacks simply do not travel to the slot very often. You might be wondering if this is simply a product of top-end wide receivers playing exclusively on the perimeter. It's not. With 49ers coach Chip Kelly's offense being the only exception, wide receivers simply don't play a side anymore. And even top-end perimeter wide receivers are working from the slot more often.
Larry Fitzgerald (68 percent), T.Y. Hilton (59 percent), Tavon Austin (60 percent), Jarvis Landry (77 percent), Jordan Matthews (66 percent) and Doug Baldwin (88 percent) are No. 1 receivers who also work as their team's primary slot man. And No. 1 options who typically play on the outside will move into the slot to get away from shadowing corners on occasion.
Offensive coordinators are clearly taking advantage of this leaguewide trend of top corners not covering the slot, and at least for now, their defensive counterparts have not adjusted.