Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Risers and Fallers for Week 13

Your wide receivers remain essential components toward your primary goal of securing league championships. As many of you prepare for your Week 13 matchups, an expanding assortment of tools is available that can provide you with an extensive level of knowledge regarding this critical position. Those results are contained in this weekly statistical breakdown of wide receivers, which is designed to help you fulfill your championship aspirations.

This is the 12th weekly installment that will examine game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, first downs, red-zone targets, snap counts, and a blend of advanced statistics. The information that is contained in this report will analyze how various receivers are being utilized, and how effectively they are capitalizing on their opportunities. It is also designed to help with your roster decisions throughout your remaining matchups.

During these final weeks of the season, all noteworthy changes in usage and production will be blended into the equation.  That will bolster your efforts to determine which wide receivers should be in your lineups and which are worthy of remaining on your rosters. Statistics from our newly designed player pages at RotoBaller were included during the compilation of data, while Pro Football Reference, NextGenStats, Rotowire, Rotoviz, PFF, and Football Outsiders were also used as resources in the creation of this report.

Week 12 Target Leaders

Toe-tappin'.

? @NFLonFOX | @CooperKupp pic.twitter.com/dgA6WDPmo1

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 29, 2021

Cooper Kupp re-captured the league lead with 126 targets by collecting 10+ for the 10th time during his 11 contests. The only time in which he has failed to attain at least 10 throughout the season occurred in Week 8 when he was targeted nine times.

Tyreek Hill will return from Kansas City’s bye week in second overall (122), as he attempts to build upon his current streak of four consecutive games with 10+. Keenan Allen has reached a double-digit total in five consecutive outings while averaging 11.6 per game since Week 8. Davante Adams is currently fourth overall with 115 targets, even though he has averaged 8.5 per game during Green Bay’s last two matchups.

D.J. Moore collected 10 targets for the first time since Week 7 which expanded his season-long total to 112. Diontae Johnson is next (109), after averaging a league-high 12 per game since Week 6. Jayden Waddle is now seventh overall with 104, after collecting 9+ for the fifth time during his last seven games. Diggs completes the list of receivers who have eclipsed 100 targets for the season (101) even though he has reached the double-digit total just once during his last five games.

Justin Jefferson has now captured 9+ targets during each of his last three games to improve his overall total to 98. That ties Jefferson with Terry McLaurin, who has averaged 7.3 per game since Week 8. Three receivers are tied with 92 targets, including Marquise Brown who has averaged a league-best 12.3 per game since Week 7. That ties Brown with Deebo Samuel, who has only averaged 3.0 per game since Week 11. Kyle Shanahan has opted to deploy Samuel as a rusher and the third-year receiver has thrived with those responsibilities since Week 10 (181 yards/4 touchdowns). Brandin Cooks joins Brown and Samuel with 92, although he has only attained 10+ targets once since Week 7.

Carson ➡️ MPJ

? CBS pic.twitter.com/ZLLLESoAfE

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 14, 2021

Michael Pittman Jr. has also accrued 91 targets after reaching a double-digit total for the first time since Week 8. Jakobi Meyers had averaged 4.7 per game from Weeks 9-11 but captured eight targets when New England hosted Tennessee in Week 12. That expanded his season-long total to 90. It also tied Meyers with Adam Thielen, who has now received seven targets in three of his last four matchups. Chris Godwin's five targets in Week 12 represented his lowest weekly total since Week 6, although his overall total has now risen to 88. Mike Williams had averaged 5.4 per game from Weeks 6-11 before he attained eight targets in Week 12. That improved his overall total to 86.

Darnell Mooney has now accumulated 83 targets including 24 during his last two matchups. His usage and production will be discussed further in the 5 Things I Noticed. Ja’Marr Chase is next (82), even though he was relegated to a season-low three targets in Week 12. That tied Chase with Hunter Renfrow, who has now registered nine targets during three of his last four games. Chase and Renfrow are tied with Mike Evans, who has captured 10+ targets during two of his last five games while averaging 4.0 per game during the other three matchups.

Allen leads all wide receivers with 47 targets from Weeks 9-12. Johnson is second overall with 46, followed by Adams (42) and two receivers that are tied with 36, Kupp and Diggs. Three receivers have collected 35 targets – Marquise Brown, Jefferson, and Waddle, while Elijah Moore has captured 33. Hill is next (32), followed by three receivers that are tied with 31 (Adam Thielen/Hunter Renfrow/D. J. Moore). Mooney is next (30), followed by Jarvis Landry (28), and four receivers that are tied with 26 – Pittman, Russell Gage, Rashod Bateman, and Laviska Shenault.

Brandon Aiyuk and Mike Williams have accrued 25 targets, while A. J. Brown, Marvin Jones, and Tre’Quan Smith have collected 24. Beasley, Gallup, and Marquez Valdez-Scantling are tied with 23 targets, while seven different wide receivers have captured 22 during the last four weeks: Chase, Cooks, Meyers, DeVonta Smith, Cedrick Wilson, Chase Claypool, and Deonte Harris. Samuel, CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Rondale Moore, and Jamison Crowder have collected 20 targets while completing the list of 39 receivers who have accumulated 20+ since Week 9.

Six different receivers are averaging at least 10 targets per game entering Week 13: Kupp (11.5), Hill (11.1), Johnson (10.9), Allen (10.5), Adams (10.5), and Calvin Ridley (10.4),

Kupp has reached a double-digit target total during 10 of his 11 matchups this season, while Hill, Allen, and Johnson have all eclipsed 10+ eight times.  Moore and Marquise Brown have accomplished it in six different contests, while Adams, Diggs,  Jefferson, and Waddle have collected double-digit totals in five games.

Week 12 Weekly Changes  

10 different wide receivers collected at least 10 targets during their matchups in Week 12. The highest weekly total was constructed by Johnson, whose 14 targets established a season-high. However, it was also his sixth game with 13+ targets, and his seventh with 12+.

We like it, @Juiceup__3!@budlight | #BudLightCelly pic.twitter.com/eeyXScJFoO

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 22, 2021

The other receivers who reached double digits all accumulated exactly 10 targets during their contests. Kupp’s 10 targets represented his second lowest total of the season, which is a testament to the consistency and excellence of his numbers throughout the year. He was joined by his new teammate Odell Beckham, who secured a double-digit total for the first time since Week 1 of the 2020 regular season. Beckham’s former teammate Landry also accrued 10 targets, which was his second double-digit total of the season.

Allen has only failed to reach 10 targets in three of his 11 matchups this season, while he has also averaged 10.5 per game since Week 6. Waddle has averaged 9.7 per game during that same span, while his 68 targets have only been surpassed by three other receivers. Moore was third among all receivers in targets from Weeks 2-7 (65/10.8 per game), but his average has dropped to 7.3 per game from Weeks 8-11.

The eyes, feet, and patience. ?‍?
pic.twitter.com/jSEDJPtxzZ

— Hagler (@JonHaglerCR) November 29, 2021

Marquise Brown has now collected 10+ targets during each of his last four matchups and has also attained double digits in five of his last six. Pittman’s 10 targets represented his highest total since Week 8. The combined absence of CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper provided Cedrick Wilson with the opportunity to perform in an expanded role on Thanksgiving Day, and he captured 10 targets for the first time in his career. Eight different receivers nearly reached double-digit totals in Week 12, as Adams, Diggs, Jefferson, Renfrow, Van Jefferson, Laviska Shenault, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Noah Brown all collected nine during their matchups.

Brown entered Week 12 having accumulated 54 targets since his 2017 rookie season, but his nine targets in Week 12 fueled a rise of +7. Zach Pascal had only accumulated three targets in Weeks 10 and 11 combined, but his seven targets in Week 12 produced an increase of +6. Pittman’s 10 targets in Week 12 were collected one week after he had only received five targets, which propelled a weekly rise of +5. That tied Pittman with Tee Higgins, who accumulated eight targets when Cincinnati hosted the Steelers. Kenny Golladay’s seven targets were the most since Week 4, which created his weekly increase of +5. Laquon Treadwell collected a career-high eight targets, which propelled him to a weekly rise of +5. Zay Jones' season-best seven targets also resulted in an increase of +5.

Mooney has averaged 9.8 per game since Week 8. However, his eight targets in Week 12 were accumulated one week after he stockpiled a career-high 16. That resulted in a weekly decline of ~8. Marquise Goodwin accrued eight targets in Week 11, which was his highest weekly total since Week 15 of 2018. However, he was only targeted once on Thanksgiving Day, which created his drop of -7.

Evans had attained his second-highest target total of the season in Week 11 (11). However, he was limited to five targets in Week 12 which resulted in a decline of -6. That tied him with Tyler Boyd, who has only been targeted twice during two of his last three matchups. Jamison Crowder had captured 7+ targets in three of his four matchups from Weeks 8-11. However, he was only targeted one time when Zach Wilson resurfaced as the Jets’ signal-caller. That resulted in his weekly decrease of -6.

Week 12 Air Yards

TYREEK. HILL. HOW!!!!!

?: #KCvsPHI on CBS pic.twitter.com/UeNX2t2PNa

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 3, 2021

Tyreek Hill maintained his league lead in air yards (1,274), even though Kansas City’s bye week prevented him from adding to his overall total.  Terry McLaurin is second overall (1,250), followed by Davante Adams (1,225), while D.J. Moore is only one yard behind Adams (1,224). Justin Jefferson is next (1,218), followed by Marquise Brown (1,168),  Stefon Diggs (1,151), Cooper Kupp (1,126), Ja’Marr Chase (1,093), and Courtland Sutton (1,085).

Mike Evans is next (1,083), followed by DeVonta Smith (1,079), Tyler Lockett (1,076), Brandin Cooks (1,067), and Diontae Johnson (1,023), completing the list of 15 receivers who have eclipsed 1,000 air yards through Week 12. Emmanuel Sanders is next (984), followed by Marvin Jones (980), Michael Pittman (979), Darnell Mooney (964), D.K. Metcalf (953), Mike Williams (933), and Williams’ teammate Keenan Allen (918). A.J. Brown is next (894), followed by Jakobi Meyers (888), CeeDee Lamb (870), Chase Claypool (866), Adam Thielen (851), and Van Jefferson (849).

Terry McLaurin leads the position in percentage share of air yards (45.1%), followed by Cooks (43.1%) Jefferson (42.4%), Odell Beckham (41.9%), Moore (40.9%), and Calvin Ridley (40.7%), Chase is next (40.1%), followed by Lockett (39.9%). A.J. Brown (38.9%), Adams (38.7%), Johnson (38.7%), and Hill (38.3%). Sutton is next (37.5%), followed by Smith (37.1%), Claypool (37.0%), Metcalf (35.8%), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (35.4%), Mooney (35.3%), and Marquise Brown (34.7%). Tee Higgins is next (34.3%), followed by Diggs (33.3%), Pittman (32.6%), Kupp (32.4%), Deebo Samuel (32.2%), Corey Davis (32.0%), Mike Williams (31.2%), and Keenan Allen (30.7%).

Valdes-Scantling leads all receivers in targeted air yards (18.3), followed by Emmanuel Sanders (16.1), Sutton (15.6), Bryan Edwards (15.6), Lockett (14.6), Nelson Agholor (14.5), Smith (14.4), Marquez Callaway (14.2), Van Jefferson (13.9), Beckham (13.6), and three receivers that are tied at 13.4 – Corey Davis, Marvin Jones, and Keelan Cole. Quez Watkins is next (13.3), followed by Evans, Golladay, and McLaurin who are all tied at 13,2. Four receivers are also tied at 13 (Marquise Goodwin/DeAndre Carter/Darius Slayton/Sammy Watkins).

Week 12 First Downs

Cooper Kupp gets the 1st down & more #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/pWyWQqoRVU

— Eric Sklar (@TheDukeOfSports) November 29, 2021

Cooper Kupp has recaptured the league lead in first down receptions (58), followed by Tyreek Hill (57), Davante Adams (53), and two receivers who are tied at 48 – Keenan Allen, and Justin Jefferson. Jaylen Waddle and D.J. Moore have both collected 45 receptions, followed by Stefon Diggs (44), Chris Godwin (42), and two receivers who have accrued 40 – Diontae Johnson and Michael Pittman. Deebo Samuel has now accumulated 38 first down receptions, followed by Terry McLaurin, Mike Evans, and Adam Thielen who are tied at 36. CeeDee Lamb is next (35), followed by three receivers who have assembled 34 – Mike Williams, Ja’Marr Chase, and DeVonta Smith. D.K. Metcalf, Christina Kirk, and Amari Cooper are tied at 32, while Jakobi Meyers, Brandin Cooks, and A.J. Brown have all collected 31 first down receptions.

Week 12 Red Zone Targets

Cooper Kupp continues to lead all wide receivers in red zone targets (24) while Chris Godwin is the only other receiver who has eclipsed 20+. Stefon Diggs is next (19), followed by Tyreek Hill (17), Davante Adams (16), and three receivers that are tied with 15 – Keenan Allen, his teammate Mike Williams, and Mike Evans. Three receivers are also tied at 14 (Randall Cobb/Justin Jefferson/Adam Thielen). Diontae Johnson and Courtland Sutton have captioned 13, while four receivers have collected 12 targets inside the 20 -Jaylen Waddle, Hunter Renfrow, Van Jefferson, and Mecole Hardman. Five receivers have been targeted 11 times (Michael Pittman/Zach Pascal/D.K. Metcalf/A.J. Green/Jamison Crowder), while four receivers have all accumulated 10 red zone targets entering Week 13 - D.J. Moore, Amari Cooper, Cole Beasley, and DeAndre Hopkins.

4 catches for 95 yards and a TOUCHDOWN for Randall Cobb in the 1st half!

Are we sure it's not 2014 again? pic.twitter.com/e9DDJUKshl

— packers clips (@packers_clips) November 28, 2021

Cobb leads the position with 11 targets inside the 10-yard line while Kupp is directly behind him with 10. Evans is next (9), followed by five receivers that have accrued eight targets – Diggs, Williams, Thielen, Pittman, and Pascal. Five receivers have captured seven targets: Hill, Adams, Renfrow, Green, and Tim Patrick. A whopping nine receivers have been targeted six times inside the 10 – Godwin, Allen, Johnson, Waddle, Hopkins, Sutton, Claypool, Justin Jefferson, and Van Jefferson.

Kupp has retained his league lead with seven targets inside the 5-yard line, while Cobb is second overall with six. Evans, Thielen, and Jefferson have all collected five targets, while Williams, Hopkins, and Marvin Jones have accrued four. Hill, Godwin, and Allen are among the 15 wide receivers who have accumulated three targets inside the 5  from Weeks 1-12.

Week 12 Snap Counts

Adam Thielen leads all wide receivers with 686 offensive snaps. Michael Pittman is second with 680, followed by D.J. Moore (669), Terry McLaurin (667), Zach Pascal (658), Chris Godwin (652), DeVonta Smith (651), Jakobi Meyers (650), and Jaylen Waddle (637). Cooper Kupp has accumulated 636 snaps, followed by Robby Anderson (633), Mike Evans (631), Keenan Allen (626), Justin Jefferson (622), Marvin Jones (613), Davante Adams (598), Tyreek Hill (590), Ja’Marr Chase (587), and Emmanuel Sanders (580).

Courtland Sutton has accrued 575 snaps, followed by Diontae Johnson (574), Stefon Diggs (574), Darnell Mooney (570), Brandin Cooks (568), Nelson Agholor (564), Tim Patrick (557), and three players that are tied at 556 – Mike Williams, Van Jefferson, and Quez Watkins. Bryan Edwards is next (552), followed by Deebo Samuel (549), Marquise Brown (537), Tyler Lockett (529), A.J. Green (527), and Brandon Aiyuk (524). Marquez Callaway (519), Christian Kirk (516), CeeDee Lamb (515), Jalen Reagor (509), and Khalif Raymond (501), completing the list of 41 wide receivers who have played on 500+ offensive snaps entering Week 13.

Thielen also leads the position in snap count percentage (95.2%), followed by McLaurin (93.0%), Jones (90.0%), Johnson (89.7%), Pittman (89.6%), and Godwin (89.6%). Lockett is next (88.9%), followed by Allen (88.5%), Adams (88.1%), Cooks (88.1%), Josh Reynolds (87.9%), Smith (87.3%), Chase (87.1%), and Meyers (86.8%). Pascal is next (86.7%), followed by Evans (86.7%), Moore (86.3%), Jefferson (86.3%), Mooney (86.0%), Sutton (84.8%), Allen Robinson (84.1%), and Hopkins (83.6%).

Claypool is next (83.0%), followed by Corey Davis (82.8%), Metcalf (82.7%), Parker (82.4%), and Waddle (82.2%). Patrick is next (82.2%), followed by Anderson (81.7%), Van Jefferson (81.3%), Green (81.0%), Samuel (80.9%), and Emmanuel Sanders (80.2%), completing the list of receivers who have been involved at least 80% of their teams’ offensive snaps.

Five Things I Noticed

1. We have now witnessed the Los Angeles passing attack operate in two different games without Robert Woods being included in the Rams’ receiving arsenal. Woods had averaged 7.7 targets, 5.0 receptions, and 61.8 yards per game from Weeks 1-9 before a torn ACL brought an abrupt conclusion to his season. The Rams have traveled to San Francisco and Green Bay during Woods’ absence, while the team’s bye week was sandwiched between those two challenging matchups. 

Matthew Stafford has distributed a league-high 74.4% of his passes to the team's newly restructured trio of wide receivers during that sequence, with Cooper Kupp unsurprisingly commandeering a 28% share. Kupp has performed on 100% of LA’s offensive snaps, while leading the Rams in targets (23/11.5 per game), receptions (18/9 per game), and receiving yards (218/109 per game). Kupp has also accumulated the most yards after catch (102) and paced Ram receivers in yards per target (9.5).

Kupp tied with Beckham for the team lead in targets (10/25.6% share) during the Rams’ Week 12 matchup with the Packers, while pacing L.A. in snap share (100%), receptions (7), receiving yards (96), and yards after catch (41).  He has now accumulated 7+ receptions and 90+ yards in 10 of his 11 games this season.

Can't help but love the effort. Cooper Kupp wants to win — period. Down 36-25 with 1:25 left in the game and this is the effort he's giving you.

You need more players like this. Bottom line. pic.twitter.com/FyYrUjkY5M

— Sosa Kremenjas (@QBsMVP) November 29, 2021

Jefferson was second behind Kupp in snap share (98.4%), targets share (19.8%), targets (16/8 per game), receiving yards (147/73.5 per game), and yards after catch (54) from Weeks 10-12. However, Jefferson leads the Rams in air yards (249), percentage share of air yards (31.4%), aDOT (15.6), yards per target (9.02), yards per reception (24.5). and red zone targets (3),

Jefferson also attained a 23.1% target share in Week 12 while leading the Rams in air yards (164), percentage share of our yards (35.8%), and aDOT (18.2). He also established new season-career highs in targets (9) and receiving yards (93), while also generating a -79-yard touchdown.

VAN JEFFERSON. 79 YARDS.

?: #LARvsGB on FOX
?: NFL app pic.twitter.com/rsrQCC20yn

— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2021

However, Jefferson only collected three of those targets, and his 33.3% catch rate underscores the degree to which he could have generated additional production if he had achieved greater efficiency.

Beckham is second with seven receptions (3.5 per game) since his arrival in Week 10, and is third behind Kupp and Jefferson in target share (16.1%), targets (13/6.5 per game), receiving yards (99/49.5 per game), air yards (188), and percentage share of air yards (23.7%). He is also third in yards target (7.05) and aDOT (14.5). However, Beckham does lead the trio of wide receivers in yards per reception (25.2), which was propelled by his 16.2 in Week 12.

Beckham had played on just 15 snaps during his debut with the Rams while running 11 routes according to PFF. However, his snap share rose significantly in Week 12 (98.4%) which presented the eight-year veteran with an opportunity to become more infused into the aerial attack. He accumulated season-highs in targets (10), and receiving yards (81), while he also finished second behind Jefferson in air yards (120), percentage share of air yards (26.2%), and aDOT (12.0). Stafford also connected with Beckham for his first touchdown as a Ram.

First TD as a Ram‼️

? @NFLonFOX | @OBJ pic.twitter.com/Osr1qSqx4H

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 29, 2021

Anyone with Beckham on their roster should also be encouraged that he ran 40 routes, which was comparable to both Jefferson (41), and Kupp (39), according to PFF. He joins Jefferson in functioning as a high-end WR3 who delivers WR2 potential, while Kupp remains cemented among the high-end WR1s.

 2. Darnell Mooney’s prospects of generating a significant statistical rise in his second season were discussed here during August. He continues to operate within a Chicago offense that has undergone a rocky transition under center and remains ranked dead last in passing yards (169.8 per game), and passing touchdowns (8). However, Mooney’s recent numbers have delivered a promising return on the investment that was made during the draft process (ADP 112/WR47), for anyone that exhibited the fortitude to avoid dropping him.

Mooney has accumulated 24 targets during his last two matchups (12 per game), while also procuring 10 receptions (5 per game), and assembling 244 receiving yards (122 per game). That includes his usage and production when Chicago visited Detroit on Thanksgiving Day (8 targets/5 receptions/123 yards).

Air it out deep to Darnell Mooney and good things happen ?? pic.twitter.com/ufAdSHinKm

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 25, 2021

That sequence also contained his matchup with Baltimore, when Mooney stockpiled a career-high 16 targets while commandeering a 49.5% share. That was the third time that he had reached a double-digit target total during his career and was also the first matchup this season in which he eclipsed 10+. He also generated 121 yards, while registering 24.4 yards per target.

.@Darnell_M1 60 YARDS FOR THE TOUCHDOWN!!! ?#BALvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/Vb1Jt6nlen

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 21, 2021

Mooney was also operating with both Chicago quarterbacks during those contests, as Justin Fields experienced a rib injury versus the Ravens. Dalton entered the matchup during the second half and continued under center against the Lions.

Since Week 6, Mooney is 13th among all wide receivers in both targets (52/8.7 per game, and receiving yards (433/72.2 per game, and is also 26th in receptions (26/4.3 per game). He has also averaged 9.8 targets, 88.3 yards, and 4.8 receptions per game since Week 8, which has expanded Mooney’s season-long totals to 82 targets (7.5 per game/27.5% share), 46 receptions (4.2 per game), and 694 yards (63.1 per game). He leads Chicago in each of those categories, along with snap share (86.2%), air yards (964), and percentage share of air yards (35.3%).

Mooney’s rise to WR1 status for the Bears has occurred as Allen Robinson has descended into nonexistence as a prospective resource for fantasy managers. Robinson had entered 2021 having led the Bears in target share during each of his first three seasons with the team (25.4%/27.2%/22.1%), while averaging 162.5 targets (9.5 per game), 100 receptions (6.3 per game), 1,198.5 receiving yards (74.9 per game) during, and 1,578 air yards (98.6 per game) during 2019-2020. He also finished WR8/WR9 during that span.

However, Robinson has experienced a nightmarish season in which his numbers do not resemble his recent usage and production. He has accrued just 50 targets (5.5 per game), 30 receptions (3.3 per game), and 339 yards (37.7 per game). He has also been contending with a troublesome hamstring that has kept him sidelined since Week 9, although his anemic numbers were already being assembled before the injury.

Mooney has established a clear connection with Fields but will continue to operate as the Bears WR1 regardless of which quarterback spearheads the passing attack. He can also function as a WR2 for fantasy managers during the Bears' remaining matchups.

3. Las Vegas has now completed four games since the release of Henry Ruggs, as Hunter Renfrow continues to operate as the Raiders’ primary weapon at wide receiver. Renfrow is now WR17 during that sequence after establishing new career highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (134) when the Raiders visited Dallas on Thanksgiving Day.

Hunter Renfrow set new career-highs on Thanksgiving

? 8 catches
? 134 yards

UNDERRATED ?️ pic.twitter.com/7XdfrAsZkQ

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 26, 2021

He also captured nine targets for the third time during his last four games, which has expanded his total during that span to 31 (7.8 per game). That ties him with Darren Waller for the team lead, while both players have attained a 21.7% target share. Renfrow also leads Las Vegas in receptions (26/6.5 per game), receiving yards (259/64.8 per game) yards after catch (126/31.5 per game), and red zone targets (5).

That has propelled Renfrow to the team lead in receptions (64/5.8 per game) and receiving yards (658 /59.8 per game) from Weeks 1-12. He is also a close second behind Waller in targets (82/7.5 per game) and is tied with Waller for the lead with 11 red zone targets. Renfrow is also 21st among all wide receivers in targets, 11th in receptions, and 24th in receiving yards from Weeks 1-12.

While Renfrow has operated a trustworthy weapon for Derek Carr, Bryan Edwards has failed to function as a reliable contributor to the Raiders’ aerial attack. He has only registered one target during the team’s last two matchups combined, which resulted for just one reception and 12 yards in Dallas. Edwards has only averaged 2.3 targets, 1.3 receptions, and 25 yards per game since Week 9, and is also averaging just 3.6 targets 2.0 receptions, 40.5 yards per game from Weeks 1-12. All of which has resulted in an extremely disappointing second season.

The Raiders also added DeSean Jackson on November 7, and he has already supplied a critical downfield presence for the team.

DJax loves playing here ?@DeSeanJackson10 is GONE for six.#LVvsDAL | #RaiderNation | CBS pic.twitter.com/F4RmaTcLsv

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 25, 2021

Jackson has accrued 140 yards with his five receptions since he was infused into the attack during Week 10. Jackson was not targeted when Las Vegas hosted Cincinnati in Week 11, but he collected three of his four targets in Week 12 while exploding for 102 yards and a touchdown. Jackson has exceeded 25 yards per target and 34 yards per reception in two of his three games as a Raider, while providing Las Vegas with a potent vertical weapon.

Waller was impacted by a knee injury in Dallas, and his health should be monitored as the Raiders' Week 13 matchup with Washington approaches. Renfrow’s integral role as Carr’s reliable option would be enhanced if Waller is unavailable during any of the team's upcoming contests Renfrow can be deployed confidently as a high-end WR3 even if Waller is in the lineup. Jackson is now worthy of deployment as a flex option, although fantasy managers will endure inconsistencies with his yardage totals.

4. As always, the updates on usage and production contain a blend of encouraging numbers that are being assembled by some wide receivers, along with disappointing results that are being manufactured by others. D.K. Metcalf performed on 93.6% of Seattle’s offensive snaps when the Seahawks traveled to Washington in Week 12, which was also his lowest weekly total since Week 10 of the 2020 regular season. However, he was relegated to a season-low four targets (12.9% share), while trailing team leader Gerald Everett (9), (29.0% share), and Tyler Lockett (5), (16.1% share).

The fact the Seahawks can play a half & not target DK Metcalf once is incomprehensible

And I’m sorry, but Russ’ finger or the confidence in that finger isn’t right. He has sailed & missed passes every game since he’s been back that he never used to miss

— Brock Huard (@BrockHuard) November 30, 2021

Metcalf also registered season lows in receptions (1) receiving yards (13) and failed to accumulate any yards after catch. He has now averaged 2.7 receptions and an anemic 23.3 yards per game since Week 10. He has also failed to generate a touchdown after he entered Week 10 tied for third overall (8). Metcalf actually leads the Seahawks in targets during that three-game span (20/6.7 per game), but that has not delivered the level of output that is expected from a receiver who possesses an unmatched blend of size and explosiveness.

His recent statistical decline coincides with the reemergence of Russell Wilson under center.Wilson was completing a career-high 72% of his passes prior to his three-game absence while averaging 9.0 yards per attempt, 239 yards per game. Wilson also built a 10:1 touchdown to interception ratio during that span Since his return, Wilson’s completion percentage has plunged to 55.7%. He is also averaging 6.0 yards per attempt, 205 yards per game, and his touchdown to interception reception ratio is an uninspiring 2:2.

Tyler Lockett has not been impacted by Seattle’s recent offensive shortcomings to the same degree as Metcalf, although his targets and receptions have still decreased. He had averaged 7.3 targets, and 5.1 receptions per game from Weeks 1-9, and is averaging 6.0 targets, and 3.0 receptions per game since Wilson resurfaced under center.

Lockett’s yards per game average has increased from 72.4 to 78.0 since Week 10, which is fueled by the 211 that he has accrued during his last two matchups. Lockett also leads the Seahawks’ air yards (377), percentage share of air yards (37.5%), and yards after catch since Week 10. However, Lockett has also failed to score a touchdown, which has extended his streak to nine consecutive games.

There has been escalating conversation surrounding the need for fantasy managers to avoid starting Metcalf, but the Seahawks can be expected to prioritize an expansion of his usage in the aftermath of their Week 12 debacle. It will be incumbent upon Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to concoct a plan that will resuscitate the Seahawks’ stagnant attack. This should include a strategic approach that will capitalize on Metcalf’s unique capabilities. That should also involve in-game adjustments that circumvent coverage from their opponents.

5. Metcalf is not the only wide receiver whose recent numbers have created concern. Courtland Sutton averaged 10.0 targets per game from Weeks 2-6, but he has now failed to exceed four targets in four straight matchups. He is averaging 3.0 per game during that span, while his 11.2% target share is just fifth on the Broncos (11.2%) behind Jerry Jeudy (22.4%), Noah Fant (17.1%), Tim Patrick (15.9%), and Albert Okwuegbunam (12.2%). 

Teddy Bridgewater attempted 36 passes against the Eagles.

Courtland Sutton had three targets. Three.

For context: That’s as many targets as Javonte Williams and one less than Melvin Gordon.

No. 14 is struggling in Checkdown City. #Broncos

— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) November 15, 2021

Sutton also averaged 7.2 receptions and 91.4 yards per game from Weeks 2-6. However, he has now failed to surpass two receptions in each of his last four matchups and has yet to reach 30 yards in any of his last three games. He has also averaged 1.7 receptions and 18.3 yards per game since Week 9.

Sutton was also the league leader in air yards from Weeks 1-8 (1,006/125.8 per game) and was fourth in percentage share of air yards (42.1%). He has only accrued 79 air yards during his last four games (19.8 per game) while his percentage share has diminished to 15.6%.

Sutton’s statistical plunge has transpired since Jerry Jeudy returned from his protracted absence in Week 8, and has led the Broncos in both targets (24/6.0 per game/27.3% share), and receptions (18/4.5 per game) since he resurfaced. Jeudy (186) and Tim Patrick (192) have both surpassed former league-leader Sutton in air yards, and have each attained higher percentage shares of air yards (Jeudy 27.8%), Patrick (28.2%).

Sutton’s extremely low target totals might expand slightly during upcoming weeks, but the presence of Jeudy will continue to place constraints on his numbers.

Emmanuel Sanders was averaging 6.5 targets per game from Weeks 1-6, while his 17.7% target share was third behind Stefon Diggs (26.4%), and Cole Beasley (19.6%). Sanders was also averaging 4.0 receptions and 68.8 yards per game. His 17.3 aDOT led all receivers with over 10 targets, while he was also eighth overall in air yards (673/112.2 per game), and had attained a 31.5% share of air yards.

Since Week 10, Sanders’ target share has decreased to 10.8%, while he is only averaging 3.4 targets per game. He has not exceeded three receptions in any of those matchups, which has dropped his average to 2.7 per game. His 81 receiving yards have dropped him to just fifth on his own team (Diggs 259/Gabriel Davis 179/Dawson Knox 129/Beasley 84), while reducing his average to 27 per game. He has only accumulated 96 air yards (32 per game), and his percentage share has diminished to 11.7%. His aDOT has also plunged to 9.6

Davis has also averaged 3.3 targets per game during that sequence, but he has averaged 59.7 yards per game. He leads the Bills in aDOT (19.6) and is second in air yards (196/65.3 per game), and percentage share of air yards (24.0%). If Sanders is on your roster, there is no discernible sign that he should be in your lineups during the critical matchups that remain on your schedule.

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