Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends Season Review

Congratulations to all managers whose tireless dedication toward winning league titles resulted in the fulfillment of your championship aspirations. You successfully navigated beyond the numerous hurdles that emerged during this unique season. For those of you who were unsuccessful in achieving the ultimate goal of capturing your leagues, your diligent efforts should also be commended. Regardless of whether your teams were negatively impacted by injuries, inadequate performances, or a weekly barrage of points allowed to opposing rosters, this does not diminish your ongoing commitment throughout the offseason and every regular season matchup.

Your wide receivers remained essential components toward your goal of capturing fantasy championships. This column has been dedicated to assisting your efforts, by providing an extensive weekly collection of game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, first downs, red-zone targets, snap counts, and a compilation of advanced statistics. The information that has been contained in these weekly reports also analyzed how various receivers were being utilized, and how effectively they were capitalizing on their opportunities.

Now that a full regular season of matchups has been completed, we are in possession of 17 weeks with statistics that encompass each of the categories once again. That has supplied the foundation for this season review, which can be essential in your planning for 2021. Pro Football Reference, PFF, NextGenStats, Rotowire, Rotoviz, and Football Outsiders were all used as resources in compiling this data for this season-long statistical breakdown of wide receivers during 2020.

Overall Target Leaders 

Stefon Diggs led all wide receivers with 166 targets during the 2020 regular season. He ascended into a tie for first overall with Keenan Allen in Week 15, then elevated beyond Allen to accumulate the league’s highest overall total. It also established a new career-high for Diggs, who will be discussed further in the 5 Things I Noticed section.

Stefon Diggs ends the regular season:

NFL leader in receptions (127)
NFL leader in receiving yards (1,535)
Bills record for receptions in a season
Bills record for receiving yards in a season

Best receiver in the game. pic.twitter.com/TQQB52hGOe

— Maryland Terrapins (@umterps) January 4, 2021

DeAndre Hopkins finished second overall (160), after capturing 10+ targets during each of his last five matchups. He has now eclipsed 150 targets in each of his last six seasons. Allen Robinson finished third overall with 151 targets and ironically has attained that exact total during three of his last six seasons. Davante Adams finished fourth overall (149), which was the second-highest season total of his career.

Allen was next with 147, despite being limited to just three targets from Weeks 15-17. Diontae Johnson soared beyond the 92 targets that he attained as a rookie during 2019, to finish sixth overall (144). Calvin Ridley was next (143), which was exactly 50 more than his previous career-high. He was followed by Robby Anderson, whose 136 targets represented yet another career-best. Tyreek Hill was next (135), which were just two targets fewer than his current season-high. He was followed by Terry McLaurin, who attained 134 targets after accruing 93 during his 2019 rookie season.

Tyler Lockett was targeted 132 times, followed by Amari Cooper (130), while D.K. Metcalf and Robert Woods were tied at 129. JuJu Smith-Schuster was next (128), followed by Justin Jefferson (125), Cooper Kupp (124), Brandin Cooks (119), D.J. Moore (118), and Marvin Jones (115). That completed the top 20 in this category. Jerry Jeudy was second among rookies with 113 targets and was followed directly by fellow newcomer CeeDee Lamb (111). Russell Gage and Tyler Boyd were tied at 110, while Mike Evans and Chase Claypool were tied at 109. Tee Higgins and Adam Thielen each collected 108 targets, followed by Cole Beasley with 107, A.J. Brown (106), Michael Gallup (105), and A.J. Green (104). DeVante Parker (103), Jarvis Landry (101), and Marquise Brown (100) completed the list of 35 wide receivers who were targeted at least 100 times during the 2020 regular season.

Adams (10.6), Allen (10.5), Diggs (10.4), and Hopkins (10.0) completed the year as the only four receivers who averaged at least 10 targets per game. Johnson averaged 12.0 per game from Weeks 9-16, which propelled his season-long average to 9.6. Ridley averaged 11.4 per game from Weeks 13-17, which elevated his overall average to 9.5. Robinson's averaged decreased to 7.3 per game from Weeks 7-11. But he still finished the season with an average of 9.4. Hill was the only other receiver to attain a per-game average of 9+ after he averaged 11.6 per game from Weeks 11-16.

Adams, Allen, and Johnson led all receivers by collecting 10+ targets during 10 different matchups. Diggs and Hopkins reached a double-digit total in nine different contests, while Ridley collected 10+ targets in eight games. Hill and Jefferson were targeted 10+ times in seven different matchups, while Robinson and Anderson accomplished it in six games.

Largest Increases And Decreases 

Most managers were not competing for championships during Week 17. This allowed the majority of you to evade the assortment of irregular factors that emerge during the final week of regular season matchups. The abnormal nature of Week 17 game action impacts the usage and production as various players can be unavailable or are operating with restrictions on their involvement. That will fuel a departure from the usual examination of weekly increases and decreases in target totals. However, the usage in Week 17 will still be discussed since those targets are included in the final season totals. Following a review of the target leaders in Week 17, the focus will shift toward various results that transpired during the final weeks of the season.

Another one! DW4 and Brandin Cooks stay hot ?

?: CBS
?: https://t.co/Nm64mQkAPf pic.twitter.com/xJtAepNovk

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 3, 2021

Brandin Cooks attained a double-digit target total during Houston’s final two matchups, after only accomplishing it in just once from Weeks 1-15. His 16 targets established a new career-high, and also vaulted him to the league lead in targets during Week 17. Antonio Brown surpassed his previous season-high by collecting 14 targets during Tampa Bay‘s regular-season finale. That tied him with DeVante Parker, who accumulated 14 targets during two of his final four contests. Tyler Lockett was the third receiver to accrue 14 targets during the matchups of Week 17. It was the third time that he had been targeted 13+ times during the season, but the first game in which he had accomplished it since Week 7.

Darnell Mooney surpassed 10 targets for just the second time this season after he captured a career-high 13 during Chicago’s Week 17 matchup with Green Bay. That tied him with Emmanuel Sanders who achieved a double-digit target total for the first time since Week 5. Three players were targeted 12 times during their Week 17 matchups. That includes Calvin Ridley who finished the season by eclipsing 10 targets in four of his final five matchups. He was joined by Justin Jefferson, who attained 10+ targets in six of his final eight matchups. Both Ridley and Jefferson will be discussed more extensively in the 5 Things I Noticed section. Lynn Bowden Jr. also captured 12 a season-high 12 targets, after entering Week 17 with a total of 25 for the season.

Seven different receivers were targeted 11 times during their final matchups of the regular season. That includes Carolina teammates D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel. They were joined by Marvin Jones, Russell Gage, Chase Claypool, A.J. Brown, and Brown’s teammate Corey Davis. DeAndre Hopkins eclipsed 10 targets for the fifth consecutive week and the ninth time throughout the season. That tied him with Sterling Shepard who was targeted 22 times in Weeks 16-17. Only those 18 receivers received 10+ targets during their matchups in Week 17. D.K. Metcalf, Amari Cooper, Laviska Shenault Jr., Chris Conley, and Isaiah McKenzie all received nine targets during their season finales.

Cooks led all wide receivers with 26 targets during Weeks 16-17. Four receivers finished in a tie for second with 22 targets - Hopkins, Jefferson, Shepard, and Jeudy - while three receivers tied with 21 - Ridley, Moore, and Smith-Schuster. Mooney and Antonio Brown each collected 20 targets, while Diggs, A.J. Brown, and Lockett all accrued 19. Four receivers were targeted 18 times during that two-game span - Johnson, Adams, Robinson, and Sanders- while four additional receivers captured 17 targets - Metcalf, Andersen, Claypool, and Mike Williams. Eight receivers attained 16 targets - Shenault, Gallup, Gage, Samuel, Woods, Godwin, Evans, and Reynolds, while three receivers were targeted 15 times - Cooper, DaeSean Hamilton, and Bowden. Five different receivers also collected 14 targets - Hilton, Jones, Adam Thielen, DeVante Parker, and Cam Sims,while five additional receivers collected 13 targets during that sequence – Green, Davis, Meyers, Jamison Crowder, and Isaiah McKenzie. Lamb, Marquise Brown, and Breshad Perriman were among the nine receivers who garnered 12 targets in Weeks 16-17.

Ridley led all receivers with 47 targets from Weeks 14-17. That placed him one target ahead of Diggs (46), while Hopkins was third overall with 44. They were followed by Jefferson (41), while Adams and Johnson were tied with 38. Robinson was next (36), followed by six different receivers who collected 34 targets during that four-game span - Jones, Anderson, A.J. Brown, Samuel. Sterling Shepard, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. 33 targets were collected by Russell Gage, Brandin Cooks, and Laviska Shenault, while Antonio Brown finished the four-game sequence with 32. Seven different receivers were targeted 31 times from Weeks 14-17 - Metcalf, Lockett, Woods, Claypool, Jeudy, Brandon Aiyuk, and Lynn Bowden Jr.

No other wide receivers reached 30 targets during that span. Moore and Slayton captured 29 targets, while Evans,  Sanders, and Meyers were tied with 28. Three receivers collected 27 targets during that span - T.Y.Hilton, Agholor, and Mooney, while McLaurin, Michael Gallup, and Keelan Cole were tied with 26. Marquise Brown,  Crowder, and Cole Beasley all received 25 targets during that sequence which completed the list of 38 receivers who were targeted 25+ times from Weeks 14-17.

Air Yards Leaders

Calvin Ridley finished the season with 2,104 air yards which were 359 more than any other wide receiver. Tyreek Hill finished second overall (1,745), followed by D.K. Metcalf (1,706), Stefon Diggs (1,649), Jerry Jeudy (1,531), and D.J. Moore (1,514). No other wide receivers eclipsed 1,500 air yards during the regular season. Marvin Jones was next (1.470, followed by Chase Claypool (1,439), Allen Robinson (1,416), A.J. Green (1,415), Justin Jefferson (1,405), and Brandin Cooks (1,397). Andre Hopkins accumulated 1,377 air yards, followed by Mike Evans (1,327), Davante Adams (1,302), Marquise Brown (1,299), and Robby Anderson (1,298).

Calvin Ridley is the fifth player in NFL history to have 217+ receptions for 3,000+ yards and 26+ touchdowns within a player’s first three seasons.

Randy Moss
A.J. Green
Odell Beckham Jr.
Mike Evans
Calvin Ridley pic.twitter.com/0wWHbXD4Fr

— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) January 3, 2021

Darius Slayton (1,296), D.J. Chark (1,292), and Tee Higgins (1,289) completed the top 20 in this category. Mike Williams was next (1,279), followed by Tyler Lockett (1,270). Nelson Agholor (1,251), Terry McLaurin (1,250), and both Adam Thielen and Michael Gallup in a tie with (1,246). A.J. Brown (1,209), Diontae Johnson (1,154), and Amari Cooper (1,153) were among the 10 additional receivers who surpassed 1,000 air yards during the 2020 regular season.

Ridley and Metcalf tied for the league lead in percentage share of air yards (39.2), while Moore and Marquise Brown finished in a tie for third (38.5). They were followed by Jefferson (36.1), Hill (35.7), McLaurin (35.0), Diggs (33.8), and Slayton (33.3). Hopkins and Anderson were tied at 33.0, followed by Adams (32.8), Thielen (32.0), and four receivers that were tied at 31.0 - Claypool, Robinson, Green, and Damiere Byrd.  A.J. Brown was next with (30.9), followed by Jeudy (30.8), Marvin Jones (30.1), and Cooks (30.0). No other receivers reached a percentage share of 30.0+

Marquez Valdes-Scantling led all wide receivers in targeted air yards (18.0) He was followed by Henry Ruggs (16.9), Jalen Guyton (16.4), Gabriel Davis (15.9), Breshad  Perriman (15.6), and two receivers that were tied at 15.3 - Nelson Agholor, and Scott Miller. Mike Williams and Denzel Mims were tied at 15.1, followed by Ridley (14.9), Rashard Higgins (14.4), and D.J. Chark (14.2). Slayton was next (14.1), followed by three receivers that were tied 13.9 - Jeudy, Green, and Jalen Reagor. DaeSean Hamilton was next (13.8), followed by Marquise Brown (13.7), Metcalf (13.6), Moore (13.4), Claypool (13.3), Hill (13.2), Travis Fulgham (13.1), and James Washington (13.0) completing the top 25 receivers in this category.

First Downs Leaders

DeAndre Hopkins finished the season with a league-high 75 first down receptions. Stefon Diggs and Davante Adams were tied for second (73), followed by Allen Robinson (68), Calvin Ridley (65), D.K. Metcalf (63), and Keenan Allen with 61. Justin Jefferson was next (58), followed by Tyler Lockett and Tyreek Hill each for 57. A.J. Brown and Mike Evans were tied with 55 first down receptions, followed by Amari Cooper (54), Cole Beasley (53), and D.J. Moore (53). Marvin Jones, Adam Thielen, and Tee Higgins, all collected 52 first down receptions, while Terry McLaurin and Brandin Cooks captured 51. Russell Gage garnered 50 receptions while completing the list of 21 receivers who accumulated 50+ first down receptions during the season.

#Byi pic.twitter.com/KmXLjlby6B

— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) December 21, 2020

Robby Anderson and Corey Davis collected 49 receptions, followed by JuJu Smith- Schuster (48), and three receivers that were tied with 46 first down receptions - CeeDee Lamb, Jarvis Landry, and Robert Woods. Diontae Johnson, Cooper Kupp, and Chris Godwin were among the 10 additional receivers who captured 40+ first down receptions during the 2020 regular season.

Red Zone Target Leaders

Davante Adams collected five red zone targets in Weeks 16-17, which solidified his status as the league leader for the season (27). Calvin Ridley (21), and Adam Thielen (20), were the only other wide receivers who eclipsed  20 targets during the year. Three receivers tied with 19 targets - Allen Robinson, Mike Evans, and JuJu Smith Schuster, while two other receivers captured 18 targets - DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyreek Hill. Keenan Allen and Russell Gage were tied with 17 targets, while four different receivers attained 16 during the season - Stefon Diggs, D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jarvis Landry.

Amari Cooper, Robby Anderson, and Tyler Boyd were all targeted 15 times, while four different receivers captured 14 targets - Marvin Jones, DeVante Parker, Brandon Aiyuk, and Zach Pascal. Terry McLaurin, A.J. Brown, and CeeDee Lamb spearheaded a group of 10 different receivers that were targeted 13 times, while 23 other receivers collected at least 10 red zone targets throughout 2020.

Adams also led all receivers with 19 targets inside the 10-yard line. Evans was second overall (14) followed by Thielen (13) Hill (12,) and four receivers that were tied with 10 targets - Ridley, Hopkins, Metcalf, and Aiyuk. Five receivers were targeted nine times (Robinson/Lockett/Cooper/Claypool/Christian Kirk), while Smith-Schuster, Justin Jefferson, and A.J Brown were among the 10 receivers that collected eight targets inside the 10-yard line.

Adams also led the position with 11 targets inside the 5-yard line, while five receivers tied for second with eight during the year - Evans, Thielen, Ridley, Aiyuk, and Parker. Lockett and Cooper both attained seven targets, while Hill, Lamb, and A.J. Green were all targeted six times. Hopkins, Robinson, and Chase Claypool were among the group of six receivers that received five targets inside the 5- yard line during the season.

Snap Counts Leaders

DeAndre Hopkins led all wide receivers in offensive snaps from Weeks 1-17 (1,044). Michael Gallup was second overall (1,003), followed by Robert Woods with an even 1,000 snaps. No other receivers reached 1,000 snaps for the season. D.K. Metcalf was next (980), followed by Stefon Diggs (965), Terry McLaurin (950), and Tyler Lockett (944). Amari Cooper (943), Marvin Jones (942), and Adam Thielen (926) completed the top 10. JuJu Smith-Schuster was next (923), followed by Jalen Guyton (919), Allen Robinson (911), Tyreek Hill (901), and Damiere Byrd (901). Justin Jefferson was next (886), followed by Darius Slayton (877), Keenan Allen (874), Mike Evans (857), and Cooper Kupp completing the top 20 with 842 offensive snaps.

D.J. Moore was next (835) followed by Zach Pascal (834), Calvin Ridley (822), A.J. Green (820), and two receivers that were tied with 805 - Tee Higgins, and fellow rookie Jerry Jeudy. Robby Anderson (804), Josh Reynolds (803), Brandin Cooks (802), and Marquise Brown (802), completed the list of 30 wide receivers that performed on 800+ offensive snaps during the season.

Terry McLaurin led all wide receivers in offensive snap count percentage (93.2)) followed by Hopkins (92.3), Metcalf (92.0), Thielen (91.7), and Breshad Perriman (90.2). Marvin Jones was next (89.8), followed by Woods (89.3), Byrd (89.1), Diggs (88.7), Lockett (88.6), and Cooks (87.8). Michael Gallup was next (87.6), followed by Brandon Aiyuk, (87.0), Darius Slayton (86.6), Moore (86.4), and Hill (85.9). Robinson was next (85.1), followed by Chris Godwin (84.8), Adams (84.7), Smith Schuster (84.1), Keenan Allen (83.6), D.J. Chark (83.5), and Amari Cooper (82.4). Jefferson (81.9), A..J. Brown (81.2), and Kupp (80.4) were the only other wide receivers to attain a snap count percentage of 80+.

Five Things I Noticed

1. Stefon Diggs’ talent was unchallenged entering the 2020 regular season. However, his ability to become a highly productive receiver on a consistent basis was in question as he transitioned into a new environment.

But he thrived during his first season as a Buffalo Bill while forming one of the league’s premier quarterback/wide receiver tandems with Josh Allen. Diggs had averaged 106.8 targets, 73 receptions, and 924.6 yards during his five seasons with Minnesota (2015-2019), while departing the Vikings with career highs of 149 targets, 102 receptions, and 1,130 yards.

Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs is a dream pic.twitter.com/nZJWZ9CwE2

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 29, 2020

But he surpassed those numbers while soaring to undisputed WR1 status in 2020. Diggs led all receivers in targets during the season (166/10.4 per game), and also finished first overall in receptions (127/7.9 per game)), and receiving yards (1,535/95.9). He also generated eight touchdowns, while establishing yet another career-high by eclipsing 100 yards in seven different matchups. He also finished at WR3 in PPR scoring, was second in yards before catch (1,071), third in target share (29.0), fourth in air yards (1,649), and eighth in percentage share of air yards (33.8). He will be selected near the onset of Round 2 in most fantasy drafts following his stellar season.

Ridley’s prospects of delivering a breakout season in 2020 were discussed here during last season's examination of potential breakout candidates. Among the most compelling rationale for projecting Ridley’s ascension into a lofty tier were his numbers following Atlanta’s trade of Mohamed Sanu to New England in October of 2019. Ridley averaged 8.2 targets, 5.7 receptions, and 82.2 yards per game in six games following Sanu’s departure, which provided a preview of the massive rise in usage and output that would occur in 2020.

Ridley began the season by capturing 50 targets from Weeks 1-5 while placing among the top five in both targets (50) and receiving yardage (485). He also collected 57 targets during his last five contests and finished seventh overall for the season (143/9.5 per game). Ridley also led the league in air yards (2,104), while tying for first in percentage share of air yards (39.2), and receptions of 20+ yards (23). He also led the league in 100-yard performances (8), and yards before catch (1,099), while finishing second in red zone targets (21), fourth in receiving yards (1,374/91.6 per game), and soaring to WR5 in PPR scoring. He also led the Falcons in each category, as Julio Jones was unavailable for seven different contests. Ridley will be selected frequently during Round 2 of 2021 drafts.

The complete list of receivers that experienced a statistical rise in 2020 would be difficult to condense into one section of this article. But there several other players who accumulated the highest numbers of their careers, while also rewarding fantasy GMs who invested in them during the draft process.

That includes Robby Anderson, who was infused into Carolina’s receiving arsenal amid concern that his usage and production would be constrained by the presence of D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel It was also unclear how the Panthers’ aerial attack would evolve during Teddy Bridgewater’s initial season at quarterback, while Matt Rhule and Joe Brady would also be concocting a restructured strategic approach.  But Anderson finished W19 in scoring. while easily establishing new career highs in targets (136/8.5 per game), and receptions (95/5.9 per game). He also exceeded 1,000 yards for the first time during his five NFL seasons (1,096/68.5 per game).

This play is so satisfying.

?Jet motion creates conflict
?DJ’s 2-for-1 block
?Ankle breaking cut

Curtis Samuel carries a grown ass man 26 YARDS down the boundary.

He’s going to be a great player for someone in 2021.

pic.twitter.com/8bUXTcApZW

— John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) January 6, 2021

Anderson’s teammate Samuel also delivered the most prolific season of his career, as Rhule and Brady designed a highly effective plan for maximizing his unique assortment of skills. Samuel secured career highs in receptions (77/5.1 per game), receiving yards (851/56.7 per game), rushing attempts (41), and rushing yards (200), Samuel was also 14th in PPR scoring from Weeks 9-17, while averaging 7.9 targets per game during that span. He is an unrestricted free agent, which has presented several intriguing possibilities for the fourth-year receiver.

Cole Beasley established new career highs in targets (107/7.1 per game), receptions (82/5.5 per game), and receiving yards (967/64.5 per game) before experiencing a knee injury in Week 16. Nelson Agholor led Las Vegas wide receivers in targets (82/5.1 per game), receptions (48/3.0 per game), receiving yards (896/56 per game), and touchdowns (8).  Russell Gage also achieved career highs in targets (110/6.9), receptions (72/4.5 per game), and receiving yards (786/49.1).

2. Six wide receivers were selected in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft, while 11 first-year receivers were among the top 50 overall picks. Some of these newcomers delivered outstanding results during their initial seasons including several receivers who exceeded expectations.

The most receiving yards by a rookie in NFL history: Justin Jefferson.@JJettas2 | #SKOL

?: #MINvsDET on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/EMdqIO97si pic.twitter.com/nYHWTfF3qE

— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2021

Justin Jefferson was the fifth member of the 2020 draft class to be selected when Minnesota seized him with the 22nd overall pick. But he constructed the most impressive season among all newcomers at his position. Jefferson finished WR8 in PPR scoring and led first-year receivers in a cluster of categories. That includes his 125 targets (7.8 per game) which also placed him 16th overall at his position. He also finished third overall with 1,400 receiving yards (87.5 per game) which established an NFL record for rookies. Jefferson also tied for second by generating 100+ yards in seven different contests and was also 11th overall in air yards (1,405). He also led the 2020 class in target share (25.7), receptions (88/5.5 per game),  and percentage share of air yards (36.1).  Jefferson's accomplishments were extensive and could supply the source of content for an entire article. He is easily a third-round selection in 2021 fantasy drafts and could progress into Round 2 in many leagues. 

CeeDee Lamb was leading the rookie class in multiple categories throughout much of the season and performed most effectively when Dak Prescott was spearheading the Dallas offense. Lamb was WR10 entering Week 7 and was also seventh among all receivers in targets (51/8.5 per game) entering Week 7. He was also seventh overall in both receptions (36/6 per game) and receiving yards (497/82.8 per game), and was 20th in air yards (488). Lamb’s per-game averages declined to 6.0 targets, 3.8 receptions, and 43.8 yards per game from Weeks 7-17. But there is enormous rationale to project favorable results for Lamb in 2021, and a re-emergence of Prescott as his signal-caller would fuel his rise toward WR2/high-end WR3 territory.

Tee Higgins 2020 stats:

67 receptions
908 yards
6 TDs@teehiggins5 x #ClemsonNFL pic.twitter.com/2eVOWTo5uc

— #ClemsonNFL (@ClemsonPros) January 5, 2021

The inaugural season of Tee Higgins has also been impressive. Both in terms of his overall usage and production and his ability to retain respectable numbers following Joe Burrow's season-ending knee injury. Higgins was second among all rookies in targets entering Week 17 (107/7.1 per game) before he suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him during the first quarter. He was also second among newcomers in receiving yardage entering that matchup (908/60.5 per game), third in receptions (67/4.5 per game), and tied for third in touchdowns (6).

Higgins also finished 11th overall in air yards from Weeks 1-16 (1,289) and attained a 29.3 percentage share of air yards. He also averaged 7.2 targets, 4.8 receptions, and 55.8 yards per game with Brandon Allen and Ryan Finley spearheading Cincinnati's transformed passing attack, after averaging 7.1 targets 6.9 receptions, and 62.9 yards per game with Burrow under center. It is reasonable to project Higgins as Cincinnati's WR1 in 2021.

Brandon Aiyuk led all wide receivers with an average of 12.4 targets per game from Weeks 8-15. Aiyuk also averaged  7.8 receptions and 90.6 yards per game during that sequence, and still rose to WR18 - even though he only performed in five games during that nine-week span, The identity of San Francisco's starting signal-caller in 2021 is unclear while healthy versions of George Kittle and Deebo Samuel should compete with Aiyuk for opportunities. But Kyle Shanahan targeted Aiyuk with a first-round draft selection and will continue to script his talented receiving weapon into space during 2021.

Chase Claypool led rookies in touchdowns, was eighth overall in air yards (1,439), and finished WR23 in scoring, while Jerry Jeudy paced all newcomers in air yards (1,531). They were joined by Gabriel Davis, Laviska Shenault Jr., Darnell Mooney, and Denzel Mims in displaying the promise of increased production during the seasons ahead.

3. D.K. Metcalf was one of several receivers from the 2019 class who rose to a loftier region of the fantasy landscape during 2020. The statistical decline of Seattle’s passing attack from Weeks 10-17 was examined after Week 16.

This included the impact on Metcalf’s numbers as Russell Wilson's per-game averages dropped from 37.1 attempts, 26.4 completions 317.6 yards per game from Weeks 1-9 to 21.6 completions, 32.6 attempts, and 208.9 yards per game during his last eight contests.

However, this does not diminish Metcalf’s ascent from a fifth-round selection in the majority of fantasy drafts to the WR7 in scoring. It also should not deter managers from including him among their preferred options in Round 2 of 2021 drafts. Metcalf also finished sixth overall in yardage for the season (1,303/81.4 per game), third in air yards (1,706), and tied with Ridley for the league lead in percentage share of air yards (39.2). He was also 13th in targets (129/8.1 per game) and was 17th in receptions (83/5.2 per game).

His catch rate rose during his second season (67.2%), as did his averages in yards per reception (15.7), and yards per target (10.1). Metcalf just turned 23, is already capable of exploding statistically in any given matchup, and should only improve during his third season.

Diontae Johnson WHEW ? @Juiceup__3 @steelers

? #PITvsCLE on CBS pic.twitter.com/krwGiVtnUA

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) January 3, 2021

Diontae Johnson was the 10th wide receiver to be selected during the 2019 NFL Draft. But he led all rookies in receptions during 2019 (59), while also pacing the Steelers in targets (92), target share (18.9), receptions, and receiving touchdowns (5). Johnson had also tied for 13th overall in targets (31/7.8 per game) from Weeks 14-17, while also finishing eighth in receptions (23/5.8 per game) and 15th in yardage (257/64.3 per game) during that sequence.

But his ADP of 86 was somehow nearly 50 spots below teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster (37) during 2020 drafts - even though he had presented a glimpse of what he would soon accomplish. However, his ADP will rise significantly during 2021 drafts, as any lingering skepticism regarding Johnson should have dissipated. He finished sixth overall in targets from Weeks 1-17 (144/9.6 per game) and captured a double-digit target total during eight of his last 11 matchups.

Johnson also led all wide receivers in targets from Weeks 7-16 (114/11.4 per game) was third in receptions (70/7.0 per game) and sixth in touchdowns (6). He also finished. WR4 in scoring during that span, and can be targeted in Round 3 of your upcoming drafts.

Terry McLaurin was WR9 in scoring from Weeks 1-12, while he was also tied for fifth among all receivers in targets during that sequence (102/9.3 per game). The second-year receiver was also fourth in receiving yards (963/87.5 per game), and 10th in receptions (69/6.3 per game). McLaurin was also first overall in percentage share of air yards (44.7), 10th in air yards (990), and seventh in target share (27.3). This had enabled him to establish his presence on the WR1 periphery for managers, before incurring an ankle injury.

That impacted his output in Weeks 13-14 while forcing him to the sideline completely in Week 16. But that late-season health issue does not diminish his continuing ascension toward the top-tier at his position. Washington's situation at quarterback remains unsettled. But McLaurin has proven repeatedly that he can remain highly productive regardless of who is under center for The Football Team.

4. While the 2020 season included an encouraging number of impressive performances at the wide receiver position, the results that were delivered by some receivers were disappointing. 

Marquise Brown's  ADP placed him at WR27 during the majority of drafts, which resulted in his selection before Stefon Diggs, Diontae Johnson, Justin Jefferson, Brandin Cooks, CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, and Robby Anderson - among others. Brown finished seventh among all receivers in target share (24.9), tied for third in percentage share of air yards (38.5), and was 16th in air yards (1,299). But his managers are aware that the results of those categories did not equate to the level of production that had been envisioned during the draft process.

Brown finished WR36 in scoring, was 35th in targets (100/6.3 per game), 42nd in receptions (58/3.6 per game), and 40th in receiving yards (769/48.1 per game). He also led the Ravens in each category, although his per-game averages were not overly inspiring.  From Weeks 8-16, his averages dropped to just 5.6 targets, 3.0 receptions, and 39.1 yards per game, before he collected five of his eight targets and assembled 41 yards in Week 17.

Baltimore finished 32nd in pass play percentage (44.1), as Lamar Jackson attempted 25.1 attempts per game while finishing 27th in completion percentage (64.4). The Ravens’ ground-oriented philosophy automatically places structural limitations on Brown’s ability to function as anything beyond an inconsistent WR3 for fantasy GMs.

D.J. Chark’s Round 5 ADP (WR22) during the draft process was an indication of the confidence that had been built with many managers following his production in 2019. Chark had accumulated 1,008 yards while finishing seventh overall in touchdowns (8), and 19th in both targets (118/7.9 per game), and receptions (73/4.9 per game). He was a legitimate candidate to secure weekly WR2 status during 2020, but the results that were delivered were discouraging for anyone who had secured him for their rosters.

Chark’s numbers decreased in every major category, as he received 25 fewer targets (93), collected 20 fewer receptions (53), and experienced a drop of over 300 yards (706). His touchdown total also declined (5), while his per-game averages degenerated to 7.2 targets, 4.1 receptions, and 54.3 yards per game). However, he did finish 19th in air yards (1,292). Jacksonville should address the quarterback position at the onset of this year’s NFL Draft, following a year of uncertainty and ineffective performances at the position. This supplies a reason for optimism that Chark’s output could improve during 2021.

Christian Kirk was the 35th wide receiver to be selected during the majority of drafts. But he ultimately finished WR51 in scoring and was also 59th with 79 targets (5.6 per game), 58th in receptions (48/3.4 per game), and 57th in receiving yardage (621/44.4 per game). Those averages universally declined when contrasted with his results during 2019 (8.3 targets/5.2 receptions/54.5 yards per game).

N’Keal Harry did not enter 2020 with the same expectations as Brown, Chark, and Kirk. However, his final numbers during 2020 were abysmal, and his alarmingly unproductive performance deserves mention. Harry was the second receiver to be selected during the 2019 NFL Draft (32nd overall). But after his first two seasons, he has only accumulated 81 targets, collected 45 receptions, and manufactured 414 yards. His substandard rookie season was impacted by an ankle injury. This sidelined him until Week 11, as he only managed 105 yards on 12 receptions.

But he was also placed in a position to achieve a substantial increase in usage and production during 2020. New England’s passing attack was operating with a significant shortage of weaponry, and Harry would have an opportunity to seize a significant role within the Patriots’ talent deficient attack. However, Harry constructed another nightmarish season, while only accruing 57 targets, 31 receptions, and 309 yards in 14 contests. His per-game averages (4.1 targets/2.3 receptions/ 22.1 yards) should compel fantasy GMs to evade any further urge to consider Harry as a fantasy option.

5. We have examined ascending receivers, disappointing receivers, impressive rookies, and second-year receivers who will be selected during the initial rounds of this year's drafts. This section will review veteran receivers who were selected among the top 50 at their positions during 2020 drafts.

Some of these players delivered highly productive seasons, while others were unable to sustain their level of play from previous seasons.

.@tae15adams is the first player in @NFL history with 100+ receptions (115) & 18 receiving TDs in a season.

He did it in 14 games. ?#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/i9G3U7W9vU

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 4, 2021

Davante Adams was WR1 in scoring from Weeks 1-17 and also led receivers in receiving touchdowns (18), and red zone targets (27).  He was also fourth overall with 149 targets while leading all receivers with a 10.6 per game average. Adams also collected 10+ targets in 10 different matchups, tied for second in receptions (115/8.2 per game) and fourth in receiving yardage (1,374/98.1 per game)– all despite missing two matchups due to a hamstring issue.

Tyreek Hill also rewarded his managers by finishing second only to Adams in scoring and also placing second in air yards (1,745) from Weeks 1-16. He was also seventh in receiving yards (1,276/85.1 per game), ninth in targets (135/9 per game), and 15th in receptions 87/5.8 per game). DeAndre Hopkins' first season with Arizona was also exceptional as he finished second in targets (160/10 per game), receptions (115/7.2 per game), and receiving yardage (1.407/87.9 per game).

Keenan Allen also flourished with Justin Hebert under center, (10.5 targets/7.1 receptions/70.9 per game) after an offseason of trepidation surrounding the transition from Philip Rivers. Amari Cooper finished WR15 in scoring despite multiple transformations under center in Dallas. He was also ninth in receptions (92/5.8 per game), and 12th in both targets (130/8.1 per game), and receiving yardage (1,114/69.6 per game).

However, there were also four receivers whose ADPs ranged between 7-40 but ultimately combined to miss 36 games throughout the season. Injuries are an unwelcome but frequent occurrence for players and anyone who has them contained on their rosters. But the disappointment that ensued for fantasy GMs who selected any of these receivers in the top 14 cannot be overlooked.

Michael Thomas led all receivers in multiple categories just one year ago, including nearly 30 more targets than any other receiver (185). He captured 10+ targets in 12 different matchups, while also pacing the position in receptions (149), receiving yardage (1,725), and red zone targets (26). Thomas was also second in percentage share of air yards (41.34) while performing in all 16 of New Orleans’ regular season matchups.

That compelled managers in the majority of leagues to target Thomas as the first receiver to be selected during their drafts. But he contended with a problematic ankle throughout the season, while a hamstring issue and a disciplinary absence also contributed to limited availability (7 games). He ultimately finished 78th in targets (55) and receiving yardage (438). and was 70th in receptions (40). He also finished the season with averages of 7.9 targets, 5.7 receptions, and 62.6 yards per game.

Julio Jones had finished among the top two in receiving yards from 2015-2019 and had averaged 161.7 targets per season from 2014-2019. But his troublesome hamstring sidelined him during seven matchups during 2020. This destined him to the lowest season totals in targets (68), receptions (51), and receiving yards (771) since 2013.

Kenny Golladay accumulated nearly 1,200 yards in 2019 (1,190) while finishing at WR9 during his third season. He appeared primed to secure WR1 status during 2020, which propelled him to WR10 during the majority of drafts. But he only performed in five contests (hamstring/hip), which relegated him to season totals of 32 targets, 20 receptions, and 338 yards. Odell Beckham Jr. was 13th in targets entering Week 6 (39/7.8 per game). But he experienced a torn ACL during Cleveland’s Week 7 matchup, and that season-ending issue limited his overall totals to 43 targets, 23 receptions, and 319 yards.

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