Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Risers and Fallers for Week 15

Your wide receivers remain essential components toward your primary goal of securing league championships. As many of you prepare for your Week 15 matchups, an expanding assortment of tools is available that can provide you with an extensive level of knowledge during this critical week. Those results are contained in this weekly statistical breakdown of multiple categories, which is designed to help you fulfill your championship aspirations.

This will be the 14th installment that will examine game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, first downs, red-zone targets, snap counts, and a compilation of advanced statistics. The information that is contained in this weekly report will analyze how various receivers are being utilized, and how effectively they are capitalizing on their opportunities. This massive collection of data supplies the foundation from which the numbers that are generated in various categories can be evaluated.

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 during your postseason matchups. 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. Good luck with your matchups in Week 15.

Week 14 Target Leaders

The catch that got COOOOOP to 5,000 career receiving yards!#ProBowlVote + @CooperKupp | ? @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/RCsQej55rS

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 14, 2021

Cooper Kupp continues to lead all wide receivers in total targets entering Week 15 (151). He has now collected 10+ in 12 of his 13 matchups, including each of his last five games, while his 11.6 per game average also leads his position. Tyreek Hill is second overall (131) even though he has only averaged 4.5 per game during Kansas City‘s last two outings. Hill did lead all wide receivers with 50 targets from Weeks 8-11, which has propelled him to his overall total.

Diontae Johnson has collected 10+ targets in seven of his last eight games, which has expanded his season-long total to 130. Johnson has also accrued a league-high 80 targets since Week 8 while averaging a league-best 11.4 per game. Davante Adams is fourth overall (128) after he reached a double-digit total for the first time since Week 10. Justin Jefferson has accumulated 127 targets, including 59 during his last five contests. The second-year receiver will be discussed further in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Keenan Allen was sidelined when the Chargers hosted the Giants in Week 14. However, his 11.6 per game average from Weeks 8-12 has boosted his overall total to 124. D.J. Moore has now captured 10 targets in two consecutive games following a streak of four straight contests in which he failed to exceed eight. That has improved his overall total to 122. Stefon Diggs is next (121) after he accrued his highest weekly total since Week 10. Chris Godwin completes the list of nine receivers who have accumulated 120+ targets after stockpiling 32 since Week 13. He also attained the highest weekly total at his position for the second consecutive week.

Jaylen Waddle will return from Miami’s bye week leading all rookie wide receivers with 115 targets, which includes 21 in his last two games. Brandin Cooks reached a double-digit total for the first time since Week 9, which improved his overall number to 109. Terry McLaurin has assembled 107 targets despite averaging 4.5 per game since Week 13. He suffered a concussion during Washington‘s NFC East matchup with Dallas which limited him to just 33 snaps. He is tied with Marquise Brown, who averaged a league-high 12.3 per game from Weeks 7-12, but has averaged just 7.5 per game since Week 13.

This route from Hunter Renfrow ?

(via @nfl) pic.twitter.com/lrF4jSnUXX

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 12, 2021

Hunter Renfrow established a new career-high for the second consecutive week when he stockpiled 14 targets during the Raiders' visit to Kansas City. He has also collected 10+ during each of his last two matchups, after failing to do so during the first 40 games of his career. CeeDee Lamb is the 15th receiver who has been targeted 100+ times after accruing 23 during the Cowboys' last two contests.

Michael Pittman Jr. has accumulated 99 targets including 18 that were assembled in Weeks 12-13. That ties him with Mike Williams who has failed to reach double digits during each of his last eight games. Mike Evans has also captured 99 targets, even though he has failed to exceed six during four of his last six contests. Ja’Marr Chase has been targeted eight times by Joe Burrow in each of Cincinnati’s last two matchups while expanding his overall total to 98. Darnell Mooney is next (95), even though he was limited to just five in Week 14.

Cole Beasley captured 11 targets in Week 14, which was his highest total since Week 9. It also expanded his overall total to 93. He is tied with Tyler Lockett who has not secured a double-digit total since Week 8. Deebo Samuel has also accumulated 93 targets, even though his injury (groin) and increased deployment as a runner have combined to limit his average since Week 11 (2.3). D.K. Metcalf is next (91), after being targeted exactly eight times in four of his last five outings. That ties him with Adam Thielen who was sidelined with his high ankle sprain in Week 14. Jakobi Meyers returns from New England’s bye week as the only other wide receiver who has reached 90+.

Tee Higgins has collected 89 targets while averaging 8.7 per game since Week 7. That tied him with Marvin Jones, who has failed to attain a double-digit total since Week 6. Jones’ teammate Laviska Shenault Jr. is next (83) while averaging 6.0 per game since Week 8. DeVonta Smith has collected 82 targets, even though he has only averaged 5.0 per game since Week 8. Chase Claypool has accrued 81 targets after collecting nine during two of his last four games. That ties him with Robby Anderson who emerged from his Week 14 matchup with a new season-high (12).

A.J. Brown and Courtland Sutton are tied at 78, while Tyler Boyd and Elijah Moore are next (77). Amon-Ra St. Brown has accumulated 76 targets, after capturing 12 in each of Detroit’s last two matchups. Amari Cooper is next (74) even though he has failed to reach double-digits since Week 8. Van Jefferson has now collected 73 targets, even though he was limited to just three in Week 14 – which was his lowest weekly total since Week 2. Christian Kirk has assembled 70 targets, including six from Kyler Murray in Week 14.

DIONTAE OMG ?#ProBowlVote | @Juiceup__3 | ?: NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO pic.twitter.com/1ncnfOAdRd

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 10, 2021

Johnson and Jefferson have both stockpiled 48 targets since Week 11 which is the highest total among all wide receivers during that four-game span. Godwin is next (43), followed by Renfrow (37), and two receivers that are tied with 36: Gallup and Mooney. Kupp and Diggs are next (35), followed by Evans (33), Russell Gage (33), Higgins (32), and St. Brown (32). Allen and Elijah Moore are next (31), followed by three receivers that have all collected 30 targets (Adams/Waddle/Brandon Aiyuk). Claypool is next (29), followed by Metcalf (28) and four receivers that are tied at 27 – Lamb, Moore, Williams, and Lockett. Landry and Shenault have both accrued 26 targets, while Brown, Cooks, and Chase have all assembled 25.

Five different receivers are averaging at least 10 targets per game – Kupp (11.6), Johnson (10.9), Adams (10.7), Allen (10.3), and Hill (10.1). Kupp has collected 10+ targets in 12 different games, while Johnson has reached double digits in 10 matchups. Allen and Hill have accomplished it eight times, while Jefferson and Moore have reached 10+ in seven contests. Adams, Waddle, Diggs, Godwin, and Marquise Brown have accumulated at least 10 targets in six different games.

Week 14 Weekly Changes  

Justin Jefferson is downright unstoppable. #SKOL @JJettas2

?: #PITvsMIN on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
?: https://t.co/qPn4jI7cBS pic.twitter.com/aFzgHRbE3L

— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2021

18 different wide receivers collected at least 10 targets during their matchups in Week 14. That includes Jefferson, whose 15 targets established a new career-high. He has now accrued 10+ during four of his last five matchups, while also reaching double digits during 12 of his last 19 games extending back to Week 12 of 2020.

Godwin also received 15 targets when Tampa Bay hosted Buffalo. He has captured 10+ in six different contests, including each of his last two outings. Godwin had established his career-high with 17 targets in Week 13, and his 15 targets against the Bills now represents the second-highest weekly total of his career.

Kupp joined Jefferson and Godwin by also securing 15 targets when the Rams traveled to Arizona. That established his new season-high,  even though Kupp's weekly totals have ranged between nine and 13 during his exceptional season.

Renfrow also achieved a career-high when he was targeted 14 times by Derek Carr in Week 14. It was mentioned previously that he had not reached double digits until Week 13, but he has now stockpiled 24 during the Raiders’ last two matchups. That places him third among all receivers during that span.

.@AaronRodgers12 to @tae15adams for the DEEP TD! ? #ProBowlVote | #CHIvsGB | #GoPackGo

? NBC pic.twitter.com/OjQZn1hHvG

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 13, 2021

Adams accumulated 13 targets when Green Bay hosted Chicago, which was the sixth time that he has garnered 10+ throughout the year. That tied him with Diggs, who captured 13 targets for the third time this season. It was also the fifth time that Diggs has attained 11+. DeAndre Hopkins had eclipsed 10+ in nine different games during 2020. However, he will finish the 2021 regular season with just one double-digit total, after capturing 12 in Week 14.

Anderson had only collected 10+ targets twice this season and had not accomplished it since Week 6. However, the 12 that he received in Week 14 enabled him to also establish a season-high. That tied him with rookie St. Brown, who had averaged 4.7 targets per game from Weeks 1-12 but has now assembled 12 in two consecutive outings.

Cooks had been averaging just 4.7 targets per game from Weeks 11-13 before he captured 11 when Houston hosted Seattle. That tied him with Beasley who has now reached 11+ in five different games. Cooks and Beasley were joined by Brandon Aiyuk who registered a double-digit total for the first time in 2021. It was also Aiyuk's first game with 10+ since Week 15 of 2020 when he accomplished it in four different contests.

Johnson’s consistent accumulation of 10+ targets has been discussed frequently in this column throughout the season. He is now averaging a league-high 11.6 per game since Week 6 which was bolstered by the 10 that he accrued in Week 14. That tied him with Moore, who has accrued 10+ in seven different contests. Lamb was also targeted 10 times, which was the fourth game in which he has achieved double digits this season. A.J. Green had also been averaging just 5.1 per game from Weeks 1-13, but he captured 10 in Week 14, which was his first double-digit total since Week 7 of 2020.

Braxton Berrios collected 10 when the Jets hosted New Orleans. That was the second time that he has eclipsed 10+ this season, as he attained 41% snap share while operating within New York’s depleted receiving weaponry. Rookie Nico Collins also established a new career-high with his 10 targets after entering Week 14 with a per-game average of just 3.3 during the season.

Toe-tappin @DeAndreHopkins x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/xQtzak3vjH

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 14, 2021

Hopkins' 12 targets during Arizona's matchup with the Rams were collected just one week after he had only been targeted twice. That propelled him to this week's largest increase of +10. Berrios had been relegated to one target in Week 13, prior to his accumulation of 10 in Week 14. That fueled a weekly rise of +9. It also tied him with Collins, and Green who both attained 10 targets after being limited to just one in Week, 13.

Anyone with Beasley on their roster is aware that his weekly totals have been erratic throughout the season. Six games with 9+ targets have now been interspersed with five in which he has failed to surpass four. His 11 targets in Week 14 were collected following his limited total in Week 13 (3), which created his rise of +8. Rashod Bateman had failed to capture his only target during Baltimore’s Week 13 visit to Pittsburgh. However, he collected eight when the Ravens traveled to Cleveland, which expanded his weekly total by +7.

Diggs had averaged 7.3 targets per game from Weeks 11-13, but his 13 targets during Buffalo’s matchup with Tampa Bay elevated his weekly total by +6. That tied him with Claypool, who accrued nine targets one week after being relegated to a season-low (3).

Tee Higgins registered his second-highest weekly total of the season when Cincinnati hosted the Chargers in Week 13. He also accrued seven targets in Week 14, but that resulted in a decline of -7. Russell Gage had averaged 7.6 targets per game from Weeks 9-13, including his season-high (12) in Week 13. However, he was targeted six times when Atlanta visited Carolina, while fueled his drop of -6.

Gage's teammate Olamide Zaccheaus was not targeted by Matt Ryan, which diminished his weekly total by -5. That tied Zaccheaus with Van Jefferson, whose three targets tied his season-low. Emmanuel Sanders joined Zaccheaus and Jefferson at -5, after being relegated to his season-low (1).

Week 14 Air Yards

Justin Jefferson leads all wide receivers in air yards for a second consecutive week (1,589). Stefon Diggs is now second overall (1,410), followed by Terry McLaurin (1,403), Tyler Lockett (1,399), Tyreek Hill (1,383), Cooper Kupp (1,344), Marquise Brown (1,333), and D.J. Moore (1,321). Davante Adams is next (1,316), followed by  Ja’Marr Chase (1,292), and two receivers who are tied at 1,277 – Mike Evans, and former league leader Courtland Sutton. Diontae Johnson is next (1,206), followed by Brandin Cooks (1,168), D.K. Metcalf (1,164), DeVonta Smith (1,125), Tee Higgins (1,097), Darnell Mooney (1,085), and two receivers that are tied at 1,061: Marvin Jones and Emmanuel Sanders. CeeDee Lamb (1,059), Mike Williams (1,053), and Michael Pittman (1,034) complete the list of 23 receivers who have accumulated 1,000+ air yards entering Week 15. Keenan Allen (997), Chase Claypool (992), and Van Jefferson (961) are the only other receivers who have eclipsed 900+.

.@obj with the dagger! ?

? @nflonfox | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/56LNtEHIIa

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 5, 2021

Odell Beckham Jr. leads the position in percentage share of air yards (51.4%). Jefferson is second (44.7%), followed by McLaurin (42.5%), Lockett (42.3%), Cooks (40.9%), and Moore (40.1%) completing the list of six receivers who have attained a percentage of 40+. A.J. Brown is next (38.9%), followed by Adams (38.6%), Hill (38.6%), Chase (38.0%), Johnson (37.9%), Smith (37.0%), Sutton (36.9%), and Higgins (36.5%). DeVante Parker is next 35.5%, followed by Metcalf 35.2%, Josh Reynolds 34.9%, Diggs (34.8%), Claypool (34.4%), Marquise Brown (34.1%), and Mooney (34.0%). Valdes-Scantling is next (33.2%), followed by Kupp (32.9%), Pittman (32.8%), Hopkins (30.7%), Evans (29.6%), Allen (29.6%), Meyers (29.4%), and Lamb (29.3%).

Valdes-Scantling also leads all wide receivers in targeted air yards (17.2), followed by  Sutton at (15.8). Zay Jones is next (15.7), followed by two players that are tied at 15.5: Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Emmanuel Sanders. Lockett and Bryan Edwards are tied at 15.4, followed by Nelson Agholor (14.4), Smith (14.3), Keelan Cole (14.2), Marquez Callaway (13.6), and three players tied at 13.5 – McLaurin, Chase, and Van Jefferson. Three teams are tied at 13.4 (Beckham/Kenny Golladay/Darius Slayton), while Quez Watkins is next (13.3), followed by Mike Evans (13.1), and three players who are tied at 12.9 – Marvin Jones, Jalen Guyton, and DeAndre Hopkins.

Week 14 First Downs

Cooper Kupp leads his position with 70 first down receptions, while three receivers are tied at 61: Adams, Hill, and Jefferson. Godwin and Allen have collected 53, while Diggs and Waddle have accrued 50. Moore is next (49), followed by Johnson (48), Evans (46), Pittman (44), Lamb (43), Chase (42), Williams (41), and Renfrow (40).

Samuel has assembled 39 receptions, while Higgins and Metcalf are tied at 38. Cooks and McLaurin have accumulated 37,  while Cooper and Thielen are tied at 36. Smith is next (35) while Brown and Kirk are tied with 34. Lockett and Mooney have both collected 33 receptions while Hopkins has attained 32. Five receivers are also tied with 31 catches – A.J. Brown, Tim Patrick, Courtland Sutton, Chase Claypool, and Jakobi Meyers.

Week 14 Red Zone Targets

Chris Godwin was targeted three times in the red zone when Tampa Bay hosted Buffalo. That enabled him to vault into the overall lead with 26 entering Week 15.

Things we love to see: Coop in the end zone. ?#ProBowlVote + @CooperKupp | ? @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/bD9keDkT67

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 14, 2021

Cooper Kupp is second (25), followed by Stefon Diggs (21), Justin Jefferson (20), and two receivers who are tied at 18  (Davante Adams/Tyreek Hill). Three receivers have collected 17 targets – Allen, Mike Williams, and Hunter Renfrow – while two additional receivers have accumulated 16 (Diontae Johnson/Mike Evans).

D.K. Metcalf has captured 15 targets, while Adam Thielen, Van Jefferson, and Randall Cobb have been targeted 14 times. Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton are tied at 13, while six different receivers accrued 12 targets inside the 20 (Michael Pittman/Amari Cooper/Jamison Crowder/Gabriel Davis/Zach Pascal/Mecole Hardman). DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, and Cole Beasley have accrued 11 targets, while six different receivers have been targeted 10 times in the red zone – D.J. Moore, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, CeeDee Lamb,  Brandin Cooks, and Tim Patrick.

Kupp leads his position with 14 targets inside the 10-yard line, while Cobb is now second (11). Nine different receivers have captured nine targets – Adams, Jefferson, Renfrow, Johnson, Diggs, Williams, Evans, Pittman, and Pascal. Godwin, Allen, and Thielen have collected eight targets, while Hill, Green, Patrick, Davis, and Van Jefferson have all accrued seven. Waddle, Hopkins, Chase, Moore, and Brandon Aiyuk have all accumulated six targets inside the 10-yard line.

Kupp leads all receivers with eight targets inside the 5-yard line, while Jefferson and Cobb have been targeted six times. Johnson, Williams, Evans, and Thielen have all collected five targets, while seven different receivers have accumulated four targets inside the 5 – Adams, Godwin, Allen, Hopkins, Pascal, Davis, and Marvin Jones.

Week 14 Snap Counts

Chris Godwin first touchdown +800 ?

Anyone cash??

pic.twitter.com/GYjrh63VUp

— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 23, 2021

Chris Godwin leads all wide receivers with 786 offensive snaps. His teammate Mike Evans is directly behind him (765), followed by Terry McLaurin (754), Justin Jefferson (751), Cooper Kupp (746), Michael Pittman (733), D.J. Moore (724), and Ja’Marr Chase (718). Zach Pascal is next (712), followed by Marvin Jones (708), and two receivers that are tied at 695 – Diontae Johnson, and Courtland Sutton. Stefon Diggs is next (694), while DeVonta Smith and Robby Anderson are tied at 693.

Adam Thielen is next (692), followed by Darnell Mooney (691), Jaylen Waddle (689), Keenan Allen (676), Jakobi Meyers (675), and Tyreek Hill (673). Brandin Cooks and Tim Patrick are tied at 671, followed by Mike Williams (668), Marquise Brown (663), Davante Adams (655), and two receivers who are tied at 649 – Van Jefferson, and Emmanuel Sanders. Brandon Aiyuk is next (642), followed by Tyler Lockett (627), Bryan Edwards (625), CeeDee Lamb (623), and two receivers who are tied at 616 – A.J. Green, and Marquez Callaway.

Kupp leads the position in snap count percentage (92.8%), followed by Johnson (90.7%), Godwin (90.0%), Marvin Jones (90.0%), McLaurin (89.8%), Chase (88.6%,) Pittman (88.3%), Adams (88.2%), and Allen (88.0%). Evans is next (87.6%), followed by Jefferson (87.4%), Thielen (87.4%), Mooney (87.3%), Lockett (87.2%), and Cooks (87.0%). Moore is next (86.5%), followed by Pascal (85.8%), Sutton (85.3%), Smith (85.2%), Meyers (85.0%), Robinson (83.3%), Hopkins (83.3%), Anderson (82.8%), and Metcalf (82.3%).

Patrick is next (82.3%), followed by Waddle (81.7%), Josh Reynolds (81.7%), Diggs (81.2%), Van Jefferson (80.7%), and DeVante Parker (80.6%). Deebo Samuel is next (80.5%), followed by his teammate Aiyuk (79.9%), Williams (79.7%), A.J. Green (79.3%), Claypool (79.1%), Marquise Brown 78.5%, and Michael Gallup (77.7%).

Five Things I Noticed

1. D.J. Moore has functioned as Carolina’s primary receiving weapon amid multiple transitions that have occurred in the Panthers’ offense throughout the season. He had surpassed Robby Anderson for that distinction from Weeks 1-13, while Anderson’s disappointing season has partially been a byproduct of the evolving offense, along with ongoing shortcomings at quarterback.

The latest transformation occurred in Week 14, as the team operated for the first time with Jeff Nixon calling plays. Carolina’s matchup with Atlanta was also the first game in the aftermath of Christian McCaffrey’s season-ending ankle injury. Cam Newton spearheaded the offense on 48 snaps, while P.J. Walker was under center for 16.

D.J. Moore with a nominee for best non-catch of the year pic.twitter.com/dzB47eUMGI

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) December 13, 2021

Moore was targeted 10 times, and has now accrued 20 during his last two two outings. He collected six of those passes versus the Falcons, which was his highest reception total since Week 7. Moore also eclipsed 80+ receiving yards for a second straight week (84).

Robby had to let em know... TOUCHDOWN!

?: FOX pic.twitter.com/CVyRWpqGkc

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 12, 2021

However, Anderson emerged from Carolina’s NFC South matchup with his best usage and output of the year. Anderson led the Panthers with 12 targets (34.4% share), as the sixth-year receiver reached double-digits for the first time this season. He also established new season highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (84), which tied Moore for the team-high in that category. Anderson also paced the Panthers in air yards (149), and percentage share of air yards (48.7%).

Moore is now seventh overall in targets from Weeks 1-14 (122/9.4 per game), 12th in receptions (72/5.5 per game), 11th in receiving yards (938/72.2 per game), and eighth in air yards (1,321). He is also 11th in first down receptions (49).

Moore’s per-game averages in targets (9.4) and receptions (5.5) exceed his averages from 2020 (7.9/4.4), while his 72.2 yards per game average is 7.3 yards below last season’s 79.5. However, his current pace would enable him to establish new career highs in targets and receptions, while he would also eclipse 1,175 yards for a third consecutive season. Moore’s 13.0 yards per reception is five yards below the 18.1 that he attained in 2020, while his 7.7 yards per target is 2.4 yards lower than last season’s 10.1.

Anderson’s Week 14 target total raised his per-game averages from 5.8 to 6.2, although that remains well below his 8.5 average from 2020. His 2.8 receptions per game average are Anderson’s lowest since his 2016 rookie season, while his 28.6 yards per game average is the lowest of his career. Moore is now contending with a hamstring issue, which should be monitored. Anderson’s one-week statistical surge makes him worthy of a roster addition for anyone who is searching for options at the position. He would also operate as Carolina's primary receiving option if Moore is not available to sustain that role this week.

2. There is a collection high profile wide receivers who are delivering favorable results for fantasy managers, which is perfectly timed at this critical juncture of the season. Several other receivers also have recently vaulted into expanded roles and are also taking full advantage of their opportunities. This would include second-year receiver K.J. Osborn, who collected nine targets while generating 83 yards and a touchdown when Minnesota hosted Pittsburgh in Week 14. 

???@KirkCousins8 airs it out to @KJ_Osborn#ProBowlVote

?: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/B9llB8aJ3P

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 10, 2021

His performance was among the cluster of highly productive outings by receivers on both the Vikings and Steelers which led to statistical fireworks and coveted fantasy points for anyone who deployed them in their lineups – Chase Claypool (8 targets/8 receptions/93 yards), Diontae Johnson (10 targets/ 5 receptions/76 yards), Justin Jefferson (15 targets/7 receptions/79 yards/1 touchdown).

Osborne was limited to three receptions, although his 62-yard connection for a touchdown instantly enhanced his overall production. Osborne has been operating as the Vikings’ WR2 due to Adam Thielen‘s ankle injury. He ascended into those duties throughout the majority of Minnesota‘s visit to Detroit in Week 13 and continued in that capacity against the Steelers. He has attained an 89% snap share during that two-game sequence, while also accumulating 16 targets, seven receptions, 130 receiving yards, 167 air yards, and two touchdowns.

Osborn was selected in Round 5 of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Vikings, but did not register an offensive snap as a rookie. However, he did capture 12 of his 15 targets, while generating 167 yards in Weeks 1-2. Osborn also attained a 19% target share during those initial two contests, but that share dropped to 10.3% from Weeks 3-12. Osborn also averaged just 3.8 targets, 2.3 receptions, and 24 yards per game during that eight-game sequence.

Waking up with a win.#Skol pic.twitter.com/vl3e2re5sm

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 10, 2021

However, Osborn is now capitalizing on his enhanced role while functioning as a viable WR3 option for fantasy managers. That should continue this week when Minnesota travels to Chicago, providing that Thielen remains unavailable.

Jefferson’s extensive usage has also fueled his exceptional numbers during his last two contests. He has commandeered a 40.3% target share in Weeks 13-14 while accumulating 29 targets (14.5 per game), 18 receptions (9 per game), and 261 yards (130.5 per game). He is also assembled 371 air yards while attaining a 54.1% share of air yards.

That has lifted Jefferson’s season-long targets per game average to the threshold of 10.0 (9.8), while he is also averaging 6.5 receptions and 99.1 yards per game. That has expanded his season-long totals to 127 targets, 85 receptions (6.5 per game), and 1288 yards (99.1 per game). He has already exceeded last year’s target total, and only needs three receptions and 112 yards to match his 2020 totals in those categories. Jefferson has also accrued 61 first down receptions, leads the league in air yards (1,589), and is second with a 44.7% share of air yards. Jefferson’s elite status remains unquestioned, as he continues to deliver outstanding numbers entering the fantasy postseason.

3. If you invested a second-round selection on DeAndre Hopkins during your draft process you were understandably anticipating results that would resemble the exceptional numbers that he routinely assembled during his previous seven seasons.

Hopsational.@DeAndreHopkins x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/Vb9dTkvBNd

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 5, 2021

Hopkins accumulated 150+ targets from 2015-2020, including the 160 that he stockpiled during 2020. Hopkins had also averaged 1.315 yards per season from 2014-2020. Unfortunately, Hopkins’ usage and output had remained below the numbers that fantasy managers had become accustomed to during his last seven seasons, prior to his season-ending knee injury. He had previously been impacted by a lingering hamstring issue that limited his involvement during Arizona’s Week 8 matchup with Green Bay, while also forcing his absence in Weeks 9-11.

Deandre Hopkins is now officially questionable to return this game due to his hamstring injury. pic.twitter.com/AH4rRuG9Es

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 29, 2021

His hamstring remained problematic until he resurfaced in Week 13. Hopkins was limited to just two targets, two receptions, and 32 yards when Arizona traveled to Chicago while he performed on 74% of the Cardinals' offensive snaps. However, Hopkins did capture a team-high 12 targets when Arizona hosted divisional rival, Los Angeles, in Week 14, while he also collected five of his targets and generated 54 yards.

Toe-tappin @DeAndreHopkins x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/xQtzak3vjH

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 14, 2021

However, he also encountered his most recent injury, which will require some fantasy managers to reconstruct their wide receiving arsenal entering the postseason.

Hopkins’ 2021 per-game averages had been underwhelming even when he has been running routes for the Cardinals. He entered Week 14 averaging 5.7 targets per game, and the season-high 12 targets that he accrued against the Rams raised his current per game average to 6.4 targets, 4.2 receptions, and 57.2 yards per game. Those numbers failed to match the stellar averages that he had constructed from 2014-2020 (10.2 targets/6.3 receptions/83.7 yards) and remained well below his per-game averages throughout last season (10.0 targets/7.2 receptions/87.9 yards).

Hopkins’s eight touchdowns had placed him fifth overall. However, he was just 46th among all wide receivers with 63 targets (6.3per game/20.5% share) 45th in receptions (45/4.5 per game), and 41st in receiving yards (572/57.2 per game).

Hopkins did lead the Cardinals in target share (20.5%), percentage share of air yards (30.7%), and touchdowns. He was tied for second with A.J. Green in receptions (42), and third behind Green and Christian Kirk in targets (63) receiving yards (572), and air yards (788).

Green also established season highs in targets (10/20.8%), and receptions (7) against the Rams while eclipsing 100 yards for the second time this season (102). Kirk collected three of his six targets from Kyler Murray but has now surpassed 85 yards in three different contests after accruing 86 versus the Rams. Kirk also leads Arizona in targets (70/5.4 per game), receptions (53/4.1 per game), and receiving yards (718/55.2 per game), and air yards (863) from Weeks 1-14.

Green and Kirk should benefit from expanded usage due to Hopkins' absence and have now been elevated to WR3 status during their enticing matchup versus the Lions. The Cardinals will also host Indianapolis in Week 16, and travel to Dallas in Week 17.

4. Amon Ra-St. Brown was the 17th wide receiver to be selected during last April’s NFL Draft when Detroit secured him in Round 4 (112th overall). He did not deliver an immediate statistical surge at the onset of his season, similar to Ja’Marr Chase, nor did he match Jaylen Waddle’s steady ascension to a place among the league leaders. However, St. Brown has emerged as the Lions’ WR1, and can now provide fantasy managers with a viable WR3 during the postseason.

St. Brown was initially contained within a depth chart that included Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, Quintez Cephus, and Kalif Raymond. However, St. Brown quickly attained an ongoing role as Perriman was released in August, Williams was released (from injured reserve) after suffering a concussion in Week 1, and Cephus’ season ended in Week 5 (broken collarbone).

St. Brown was involved on 55.6% of Detroit’s offensive snaps from Weeks 1-3 while averaging 3.3 targets, 2.0 targets, and just 14.3 yards per game. He also registered 2.8 yards per target and 4.0 yards per reception in Weeks 2-3. His snap share rose to 70.5% in Weeks 4-5, as did his yards per target (8.44), and yards per reception (10.5), while St. Brown also averaged 7.5 targets, 6.5 receptions, and 67.5 yards per game.

He eventually rose to fifth among all rookies in receptions (39/3.5 per game), and air yards (359) from Weeks 1-12, and was sixth in both targets (52/4.7 per game) and receiving yards (352/32 per game). He was also third on the Lions behind D'Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson in targets, and receptions.

However, his usage and production have risen significantly in Weeks 13-14. Only Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, and Chris Godwin have garnered more targets than St. Brown during his last two contests (24/12 per game), while he has also accrued 18 receptions (9 per game), 159 yards (79.5 per game), and 146 air yards (73 per game).

He leads Detroit in each of those categories during that sequence, while also attaining a 32% target share. He established new career highs in receptions (10) and receiving yards (86) when Detroit hosted Minnesota in Week 13. St. Brown also accumulated eight targets and generated 73 yards when the Lions traveled to Denver in Week 14. He also led the Lions’ receivers in routes run (37) according to PFF

The Lions claimed Josh Reynolds off waivers in mid-November, and the fifth-year receiver has averaged 5.0 targets, 2.5 receptions, and 47.8 yards per game since  Week 11. Reynolds was also second in targets (12/16,0% share), receptions (7), and receiving yards (121) since Week 13, while leading the Lions in air yards (165). Raymond has been limited to seven targets (9.3% share), six receptions, 64 receiving yards, and 74 air yards during that two-game span.

Swift (shoulder) and Hockenson (hand) could return for Detroit’s matchup with Arizona on Sunday. However, St. Brown should continue to operate as Jared Goff’s primary option at wide receiver and can be started confidently as a WR3 during your Week 15 matchups.

5. The Titans returned from their bye week to host divisional rival Jacksonville in Week 14. However, they did so without A.J. Brown in their lineup, as the third-year receiver was sidelined for a second consecutive game due to his chest injury. He was placed on injured reserve in late November and is not eligible to return until Tennessee hosts San Francisco in Week 16.

✈️ #JAXvsTEN pic.twitter.com/68XmGIwWZ1

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 12, 2021

However, Julio Jones did resurface for his first game action since Week 9, following his stint on injured reserve (hamstring). Ryan Tannehill distributed 12 targets to Tennessee wide receivers, as Jones captured a team-high six (20% share). His reception and yardage totals were not massive (4/33), but Jones was the recipient of a 65.4 receiving grade from PFF during his return.

Jones has missed six different matchups during the season while being relegated to career-low averages targets (5.3), receptions (3.6), and yards per game (52.7) in the seven games that he has been active. He currently leads the Titans in yards per reception (14.8), and yards per target (10.0). However, he is second on the team in receiving yards (369), and third in targets (37/17.8% share), receiving yards (369), and air yards (416).

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was limited to three targets during Jones' return after he had averaged 7.5 per game during the Titan’s two previous outings. The second-year established career highs in receptions (7), and yardage (107) in Week 11, but he has only exceeded three receptions and 31 yards once during his other 10 matchups. He is currently second on the Titans in targets (40/3.3per game/10.8% share), receptions (28/2.3 per game), receiving yardage (328/(27 per game), and third in air yards (347). However, he is not a reliable option for fantasy managers during the playoffs.

Brown still leads Tennessee in nearly every receiving category by a considerable margin including targets (78/7.8 per game/25.2% share), receptions (46/4.6 per game), receiving yards (615/61.5 per game), air yards (894), and yards after catch (177). If he is contained on your roster, and you prevail during this week’s matchup, he can still function as a valuable resource in your lineup during Weeks 16-17.

The 32-year old Jones is not a candidate to replicate the exceptional numbers that he stockpiled during the fantasy postseason just two years ago (48 targets/30 receptions/378 receiving yards). However, the Titans were not challenged during their matchup with the Jaguars, and the game script could dictate greater reliance on Tennessee’s aerial attack when the Titans visit Pittsburgh on Sunday. Jones will be operating as Tannehill’s primary option at wide receiver and can be deployed as a WR3 in your lineups.

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