Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Risers and Fallers for Week 2 (2022)

You are already aware that wide receivers will play a critical role in the success of your teams. The undeniable volatility that exists with the running back position has also presented an increasing rationale for prioritizing wide receivers when you build your rosters - both at the onset of your drafts and as you manage your teams throughout the entire season. The numbers that are generated by all wide receivers provide the foundation for this weekly statistical breakdown of the position, which I will be constructing for the fifth consecutive season.

This will be the first installment that will examine game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, air yards, targets per route run, yards per route run, red-zone targets, and snap counts. 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.

As the season progresses 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 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 1 Target Leaders

The offseason trade that sent Davante Adams to Las Vegas for a reunion with Derek Carr was the first of several blockbuster developments that reshaped the landscape for wide receivers. Adams had accumulated 852 targets (9.8 per game) from 2016-2021, including 149+ during three of his previous four seasons before Week 1. He also tied for second overall with 169 (10.6 per game) during 2021, while collecting at least 10 targets in eight different contests.

Second-most receiving yards by a Raider in their Silver and Black debut ☠️

Every catch from @tae15adams' 141-yard day ▶️ (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/vS3Mt1Bg0C

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 12, 2022

Adams’ transition to Las Vegas did nothing to impede the massive accumulation of targets that he has sustained in recent seasons, as he spearheaded the list of 14 receivers who attained double-digit totals in Week 1. Adams' 17 targets were the most among all wide receivers, as he also registered his highest total since Week 3 of 2021.

Ja’Marr Chase captured 16 targets, which established a new career high. Chase had been targeted 10+ times in five different outings during his historic rookie season. However, he had never exceeded 13 targets during any of his matchups in 2021.

Cooper Kupp's 10-target performance during the Rams' season opener in 2021 launched a seven-game sequence in which he attained a double-digit target total in every contest. Kupp has now captured another double-digit total to begin his 2022 season, as Matthew Stafford targeted him 15 times.

A.J. Brown all 10 catches for 155 ?pic.twitter.com/2otGvmJxSt

— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) September 12, 2022

A.J. Brown was also targeted extensively after resurfacing in a new environment as he collected 13 during his debut as an Eagle. That was the third time in 44 career games that Brown has reached that total, while it was also just the sixth double-digit target total of his career.

That tied Brown with Michael Pittman whose 13 targets represented the second highest weekly total of his career. Amon-Ra St. Brown accumulated 10+ targets during each of Detroit’s final six regular season matchups in 2021. He also extended that streak of double-digit totals when he was targeted 12 times by Jared Goff during Detroit’s season opener.

OMG @Juiceup__3 ?

? #PITvsCIN on CBS | NFL+ https://t.co/E0NYNUzFXC pic.twitter.com/aVHf676rTp

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 11, 2022

That tied him with Diontae Johnson, whose steady collection of double-digit target totals was not impeded by the transition from Ben Roethlisberger to Mitchell Trubisky. Johnson has now been targeted 10+ times during 20 of his last 26 matchups, including 12 different contests during 2021.

Jacksonville signed Christian Kirk to a four-year $72 million contract in March and the former Cardinal immediately seized an integral role in the Jaguars’ passing attack. He was targeted 12 times by Trevor Lawrence and has now reached double digits in eight different matchups since entering the NFL in 2018. Kirk also tied his career high during his debut with the Jaguars.

Brandin Cooks entered the regular season as Houston’s unquestioned WR1 and promptly collected 12 targets during the Texans' season opener. He has now reached double digits in 10 of his last 19 games. Tyreek Hill accumulated 125 targets (8.3 per game) during his final five seasons with Kansas City. He has also collected 10+ targets in 10 of his last 15 regular season matchups after becoming the fifth receiver to accrue 12 in Week 1.

MVP @JJettas2

?: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/dON294dXk8

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 11, 2022

Justin Jefferson led all wide receivers in fantasy scoring during Week 1 while capitalizing on the 11 targets that he procured when Minnesota hosted NFC North rival Green Bay. Jefferson has now captured 10+ targets in eight of his last 10 regular season matchups. That tied Jefferson with CeeDee Lamb, who reached double digits four times during 2021 but had failed to accomplish it during eight of his final 10 contests. 

Curtis Samuel reemerged in the fantasy landscape by collecting 11 targets, which was his first double-digit total since Week 17 of 2021. That also exceeded his entire total throughout last season, when he was relegated to just nine targets during a year that was heavily impacted by multiple injuries.

Donovan Peoples-Jones joined the collection of receivers who reached double digits when he was targeted 11 times during Cleveland’s season opener. It was the first time that Peoples-Jones has attained 10+ since entering the NFL in 2020. Seven different receivers captured nine targets, including Greg Dortch, who began the week with just three career targets since he entered the league in 2019.

Week 1 Air Yards

This is filthy by Davante Adams. pic.twitter.com/6XvQDWlJnV

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 11, 2022

Davante Adams led all wide receivers in air yards during Week 1 (177), while Brandin Cooks was second overall with 131. Christian Kirk was next (128), followed by D.J. Chark (124), Jarvis Landry (123), Courtland Sutton (121), Justin Jefferson (118), Cooper Kupp (116), Diontae Johnson (115), and Michael Pittman (113). Corey Davis was next (112), followed by Julio Jones (110), Tyreek Hill (109), and three receivers that were tied with 108 air yards – Rashod Bateman, Ja’Marr Chase, and CeeDee Lamb.

Bateman’s former teammate Marquise Brown accumulated 101 air yards, which tied him with Marvin Jones. Stefon Diggs was next (99), followed by Ashton Dulin (95), A.J. Brown (94), and two receivers that were tied with 90 air yards – Mike Evans, and Jacobi Meyers.

Michael Thomas accrued 88 air yards during his return to the Saints’ lineup, while three receivers accumulated 87 – Gabriel Davis, Tyler Boyd, and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Mecole Hardman and Breshad Perriman both registered 86 air yards, followed by Noah Brown with 85.

Week 1 Air Yards %

A.J. Brown led all wide receivers with a 72.9% share of air yards in Week 1. Justin Jefferson nearly matched his percentage (72.8%), followed by Richie James (54.8%), Corey Davis (54.6%), Randall Cobb (53.4%), and Cobb’s former teammate Davante Adams (53.3%). Brandin Cooks was next (51.2%), followed by Cooper Kupp (48.5%), and Jarvis Landry (47.3%).

Diontae Johnson was next (44.4%), followed by Stefon Diggs (43.6%), and two receivers that were tied at 41.9% – Tyreek Hill, and Robbie Anderson. D.J. Chark completed the group of 15 wide receivers who attained the percentage share of 40+ (40.5%). He was followed by Gabriel Davis (38.3%), whose season opener will be examined in the Five Things I Noticed section. 

Donovan Peoples-Jones was next (38.3%), followed by Marquise Brown (37.9%), Michael Pittman (37.2%), CeeDee Lamb (37.1%), Sterling Shepard (36.5%,”), Julio Jones (36.1%), Christian Kirk (35.1%), and Michael Thomas (33.9%).

Week 1 Targets Per Route Run

Rookie Kyle Phillips led all wide receivers in targets per route run (42.9%) among receivers who ran 20+ routes during Week 1. Davante Adams was second overall (39.5%), followed by Tyreek Hill (37.5%), A.J. Brown (36.1%), Mike Evans (35%), Donovan Peoples-Jones (34.4%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (33.3%), Justin Jefferson (32.4%), and Cooper Kupp – who was targeted on 31.9% of his routes.

Curtis Samuel was next (31.4%), followed by Jarvis Landry (31%), Brandin Cooks (30.8%), Diontae Johnson (30%), and Christian Kirk (29.3%). Jauan Jennings was targeted on 28.6% of his routes, while Stefon Diggs attained a percentage of 28.1%. Michael Thomas was next (27.6%), followed by Deebo Samuel (26.7%), Robbie Anderson (26.7%), and Julio Jones completing the list of wide receivers that finished among the top 20 (25%).

Week 1 Yards Per Route Run

Justin Jefferson easily led his position in yards per route run while averaging 5.41 when Minnesota hosted NFC North rival Green Bay. A.J. Brown finished second overall (4.31), followed by Jarvis Landry (3.93), Stefon Diggs (3.81), Mike Evans (3.55), Julio Jones (3.45), Robbie Anderson (3.4), Davante Adams (3.28), and Kyle Phillips (3.14) completing the list of nine receivers who averaged at least 3.0 yards per route.

Jauan Jennings was next (2.95), followed by Tyreek Hill (2.94), Christian Kirk (2.85), Sterling Shepard (2.84), Cooper Kupp (2.7), Gabriel Davis (2.44), Jaylen Waddle (2.38), Rashod Bateman (2.36), and JuJu Smith-Schuster – who averaged 2.32. Drake London was next (2.31), followed by Michael Pittman (2.12), Brandin Cooks (2.1), Michael Thomas (1.97), Richie James (1.97), and Ja’Marr Chase (1.95). Donovan Peoples-Jones (1.88) Corey Davis (1.88) Jakobi Meyers (1.83) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (1.78) also attained averages over 1.75 yards per route run during their season openers.

Week 1 Red Zone Targets

Ja’Marr Chase led all wide receivers with six red zone targets in Week 1, while no other receiver was targeted more than three times.

Six different receivers collected three targets during their season openers: Davante Adams, Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Garrett Wilson, Mecole Hardman, and Mike Thomas of the Bengals. A collection of eight receivers were targeted twice, including Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, and Michael Pittman.

Chase also led his position with four targets inside the 10-yard line, while Adams and Wilson tied for second with three. Adams captured a league-best three targets inside the 5-yard line. He was followed by four receivers who were targeted twice: Chase, Wilson, Jefferson, and A.J. Brown.

Week 1 Snap Counts

Five different wide receivers were involved in 100% of their team's offensive snaps in Week 1: Cooper Kupp, Ja’Marr Chase, D. J. Moore, Robbie Anderson, and DeVante Parker. Brandon Aiyuk was next (98.5%), followed by Gabriel Davis (98.3%), Michael Pittman (97.8%), Allen Robinson (97.0%,), CeeDee Lamb (96.9%), DeVonta Smith (95.8%), and Courtland Sutton (95.3%).

Marquise Brown was next (95.2%), followed by Adam Thielen (95.1%), Davante Adams (94.6%), Mike Williams (92.3%), Justin Jefferson (81.8%), and Chase Claypool (81.8%). Diontae Johnson played on 80.3% of Pittsburgh’s snaps, which tied him with Josh Reynolds. D. K. Metcalf was next (79.6%), followed by Tyler Boyd (78.7%), and Tyler Lockett (77.6%).

There's that duo! #PITvsCIN | ? CBS pic.twitter.com/inJnxQcOhC

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 11, 2022

Chase also led all wide receivers by performing on 94 of Cincinnati’s offensive snaps. Pittman was second (88), followed by Chase’s teammate Boyd (74) Elijah Moore (70), and two receivers tied at 69: DeVonta Smith, and Parris Campbell. Kupp and Aiyuk were tied with 66 snaps, while Cincinnati’s Mike Thomas and Robinson were tied at 64.

A.J. Brown was next (63), followed by four receivers who played on 62 snaps in Week 1: Lamb, Cooks, Terry McLaurin, and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Courtland Sutton and Jahan Dotson were tied at 61, while Marquise Brown, Mike Williams, and Amari Cooper were involved on 60 snaps. Adam Thielen, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Ben Skowronek were next (58) while Gabriel Davis, Jerry Jeudy, and Greg Dortch were tied with 57.

Five Things I Noticed

1. In the aftermath of several blockbuster trades and a collection of signings during free agency, a large group of veteran wide receivers underwent transitions into new environments during the offseason. This list was extensive (Davante Adams/Tyreek Hill/A.J. Brown/ Amari Cooper/Allen Robinson/Christian Kirk/Robert Woods/Marquise Brown/JuJu Smith-Schuster/Julio Jones/Jarvis Landry), and their matchups in Week 1 provided the initial opportunity for these receivers to perform for their new teams.

The results were highly favorable for a number of these players. This includes Adams, who had led all wide receivers in receptions (581/6.7 per game) and receiving yards (7,192/82.7 per game) and was second in targets (852 targets/9.8 per game) during his final six seasons with Green Bay. He also established new career-highs in multiple categories during his final year as a Packer: (123 receptions/7.7 per game), (1,553 receiving yards/97.1 per game) (eight 100-yard performances).

There were divergent opinions within the fantasy community surrounding Adams’s prospects of sustaining mammoth target totals. However, any concerns that his usage would decline failed to account for the massive investment that the Raiders had made to seize Adams. The team had dispensed their first two selections in April’s NFL Draft to the Packers, and it was implausible to believe that Josh McDaniels and Derek Carr would fail to utilize Adams extensively.

New uniform, same ridiculous @tae15adams route running ?

?: #LVvsLAC on CBS
?: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/CBvEeqTkng pic.twitter.com/JY2vTets6e

— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022

Adams ultimately paced all wide receivers with 17 targets in Week 1, while capturing a league-best 48.6% target share. He also accumulated a league-high 177 air yards, while finishing second in targets per route run (39.5%), tying for second in receptions (10), and finishing third in receiving yards (141). Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller both registered 17.1% target shares, which accentuated the degree to which Adams dominated the Raiders’ target distribution.

1. A.J. Brown is a monster 2. This throw is insane pic.twitter.com/bf0a0zqf3m

— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) September 11, 2022

A.J. Brown also thrived in his new environment, after being targeted extensively during his debut with the Eagles, Brown collected 13 targets from Jalen Hurts, which vaulted him to fourth among all receivers. He also commandeered a gargantuan 44.8% target share – which was second only to Adams.

Most receiving yards by an Eagles WR with Jalen Hurts as QB

AJ Brown 128 (FIRST HALF today)
DeVonta Smith 122 (Week 4 2021)
Quez Watkins 117 (Week 2 2021) pic.twitter.com/cF89eLk79K

— NFL on CBS ? (@NFLonCBS) September 11, 2022

Brown also led his position with a 72.9% share of air yards and was second in receiving yards (155), receptions (10), and yards per route run (4.31). He was also fourth in yards before catch (54), yards after catch (63), and targets per route run (36.1%).

.@cheetah getting ? ?

?: Watch #NEvsMIA on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/miBTeJJP86

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 11, 2022

Hill had accumulated 625 targets (8.3 per game), 418 receptions (5.6 per game), and 6,037 yards (80.5 per game) during his last five seasons with Kansas City, and promptly attained a 38.7% target share during his debut as a Dolphin. That placed him third among all receivers, while he was also third in targets per route run (37.5%), sixth in targets (12), and seventh in receptions (8).

Kirk had averaged 6.4 targets, 4.2 receptions, and 51.8 yards per game from 2018-2021 with Arizona, while averaging 6.1 targets/4.5 receptions/57.8 yards per game last season. Kirk was also targeted on 17.4% of his routes while averaging 1.66 yards per route run during 2021.

Set up by a beautiful 49-yard bomb from Trevor Lawrence to Christian Kirk ?pic.twitter.com/0DNCO09yHy

— Austin Pendergist (@apthirteen) September 11, 2022

Jacksonville was compelled to pay Kirk as a WR1 (four years/$72 million) and the Jaguars proceeded to deploy him in that same capacity during their Week 1 matchup with the Commanders. Kirk was targeted on 29.3% of his routes and averaged 2.85 yards per route run – which was eighth among receivers who ran 30+. His 12 targets also tied him for sixth overall, while he was also eighth in receiving yards (117).

Tom Brady 48-YARD DIME TO JULIO JONES ?

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/C250SJiZgD

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 12, 2022

The 33-year-old Jones collected three of his five targets from Tom Brady when Tampa Bay visited Dallas, which in itself was unexceptional. However, he also secured his highest yardage total since September of 2021 (69), while finishing sixth in yards per route run (3.45), 12th in air yards (110), and 20th in yards before catch (54). Jones should remain relevant for fantasy managers while Chris Godwin contends with his hamstring issue.

Landry attained a 31.0% target share, during his first game as a Saint, which placed him 13th overall. He also finished third in yards per route run (3.93), ninth in receiving yardage (114), and tied for 15th in targets (9). He should also sustain his status as a reliable weapon for Jameis Winston.

2. A cluster of veteran quarterbacks also completed their first career starts for their new franchises in Week 1, including Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan, Baker Mayfield, Carson Wentz, and Marcus Mariota.

This provided the first opportunity to examine the target distribution that transpired within their arsenals of receiving weaponry. The Monday Night matchup was of particular interest, as it included the first installment of Denver’s revamped attack with Wilson under center. This transition had elicited an offseason filled with conjecture and anticipation surrounding the percentage of targets that Wilson would allocate to Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.

There were tangible reasons to believe that Sutton might become the greatest beneficiary of Wilson’s arrival, which could maximize Sutton’s capabilities as a downfield weapon.

He generated his career-best numbers during 2019 while finishing inside the top 20 in targets (124/7.8 per game), air yards (1,472), yards before catch (760), and receiving yards (1,112/69.5 per game). His career ascent was halted by a torn ACL that concluded his season after 31 snaps in 2020, although he delivered encouraging numbers at the onset of 2021.

Sutton averaged 2.3 yards per route run and registered a percentage of 24.1% targets per route run from Weeks 2-7, while Jeudy was sidelined by an ankle injury. Sutton also led all wide receivers in air yards (897) and averaged 9.2 targets/87.5 yards per game.

However, his usage and output plunged after Jeudy reemerged in Denver’s lineup. Sutton averaged just 0.83 yards per route run/4.0 targets/21.9 yards per game from Weeks 8-18, while his targets per route run (13.9%), and air yards (542) also dropped significantly.

It was also reasonable to expect that Wilson’s presence would enable Jeudy to finally reach the lofty expectations that were created when he became the 15th overall selection of 2020’s NFL Draft. He had finished at WR85/WR45 in scoring during his first two seasons while averaging 9.2 points per game. He had registered career averages of 6.5 targets/3.5 receptions/46.7 yards per game during 2020-2021, as the promise of his finish at sixth overall in air yards as a rookie (1,541), was offset by his penchant for drops, last year’s six-game absence, and the shortcomings of Denver’s quarterbacks during his first two seasons.

BIG PLAY, @JERRYJEUDY!

?: #DENvsSEA on ESPN/ABC
?: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/54o9fOPBKO pic.twitter.com/wnuZFwmZSF

— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2022

Wilson ultimately launched 42 passes when Denver traveled to Seattle, although the results were inconclusive regarding the lingering debate surrounding Sutton and Jeudy. Both receivers were targeted seven times, while each player also collected four receptions.

However, one of Jeudy's catches was a 67-yard touchdown that was easily the most significant play involving either receiver. That expanded his overall yardage total to 102, which surpassed the 72 yards that were generated by Sutton. It was the third time that Jeudy has eclipsed 100 yards in 27 career games, and the first time since Week 17 of the 2020 regular season.

Jeudy accumulated more yards after the catch than Sutton (71/13) which was fueled by the aforementioned big play. However, his catch rate was only 57.9%, while Sutton attained a higher aDOT during the matchup (17.3/10.4).

Courtland Sutton with the 30-yard reception ?#BroncosCountrypic.twitter.com/gKXpFj8p0h

— Broncos Country (@BroncoCountryCP) September 13, 2022

The one-week sample size is not sufficient to determine whether Sutton or Jeudy will commandeer the highest target share this season with Wilson spearheading the Broncos’ reshaped aerial attack. However, anyone who preferred Sutton or Jeudy during their draft process can remain cautiously optimistic entering Week 2.

3. Gabriel Davis' outlook emerged as one of the most widely discussed topics during the offseason. This included a blend of sizable optimism following his highly-productive conclusion to his 2021 season, along with some consternation regarding the limited span of his relevance last season. 

This was a significant contrast to the level of disinterest in Davis exactly one year ago which remained firmly intact throughout most of the 2021 regular season. His nominal role in Buffalo’s passing attack had destined him to an outlying area far beyond the fantasy landscape, as he dwelled a distant fourth among the Bills' wide receivers in targets (26/2.4 per game), receptions (17/1.5 per game), and receiving yards (302/27.5 per game) from Weeks 1-12. He was also relegated to a 35.6% snap share during that sequence. However, his snap share rose dramatically from Weeks 14-18 (87.9%) while Davis soared into relevance, averaging 8.0 targets/4.0 receptions/51.8 yards per game.

Gabriel Davis has had two touchdowns SINCE THE TWO-MINUTE WARNING #Bills #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/QJ64TT5QWR

— John Breech (@johnbreech) January 24, 2022

His statistical eruption during Buffalo’s divisional-round matchup with Kansas City (201 yards/four touchdowns) ensured that Davis’ outlook for 2022 became cemented among the most hotly debated topics during the offseason.

Josh Allen LAUNCHED IT. 75-YARD TD. #BillsMafia #NFLPlayoffs

?: #BUFvsKC on CBS
?: https://t.co/bCIjXIlFWh pic.twitter.com/2NO3xrBTMJ

— NFL (@NFL) January 24, 2022

That late-season surge also fueled the meteoric rise of his ADP, as Davis was ultimately selected in Round 4 during the draft process. While many fantasy managers were confident in his ability to justify that investment, that lofty level of confidence was hardly universal within the fantasy community.

However, anyone who was anticipating Davis operating as Buffalo’s clear WR2 was rewarded with favorable numbers during the Bills' opener versus the Rams. He commandeered a 98.3% snap share, as Josh Allen launched five targets to the third-year receiver. Davis also collected four receptions generated 88 receiving yards and accumulated 87 air yards. That included his 26-yard touchdown reception, which resulted in the first score by any player during the regular season.

The first touchdown of the 2022 NFL Season!

?: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/2GpvRlvcLX

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 9, 2022

Davis was also targeted on 13% of his routes, which was a 6% drop when contrasted with his percentage from Weeks 14-18 last season (19.2%). However, he averaged 2.44 yards per route run, and his role as the WR2 in Buffalo's aerial attack is unquestioned. Stefon Diggs unsurprisingly led the Bills in targets (9), receptions (8), receiving yards (122), and air yards (99), while Isaiah McKenzie (44.1% snap share) and Jamison Crowder (30.5% share) rotated in the slot. Crowder did collect more targets (4/3), receptions (3/2), receiving yards (28/19), and air yards (24/23) than McKenzie.

Three certainties in life: Death, Taxes, and Gabriel Davis being WIDE OPEN! ?

pic.twitter.com/qEUqsPG48N

— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) September 9, 2022

Anyone who targeted Davis for their rosters should be encouraged that he capitalized on his opportunities. Allen will continue to launch passes in his direction, and Davis is capable of approaching WR2 production during the season.

4. The results of this week’s matchups also included a return to relevance for several veteran receivers whose stock had plummeted in the aftermath of their numbers during 2021. 

Curtis Samuel returned after a season hindered by hamstring and groin injuries to do this — in just the 1st quarter pic.twitter.com/kmVfq0DDRJ

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 12, 2022

Curtis Samuel has reemerged in the fantasy landscape following his encouraging outing in Week 1. He finished 11th among all wide receivers with 11 targets – which was his highest total since Week 17 of the 2020 regular season. Samuel also vaulted to ninth in yards after catch (48). while his eight receptions represented his highest total since Week 11 of 2020. Samuel was also 10th overall in targets per route run (31.4%).

Samuel had secured career highs in receptions 77 (5.1 per game) and receiving yards 851/56.7), during his 2020 season while easily establishing career highs in catch rate (79.4%), yards per target (8.8), yards before catch (531), and yards after catch (320). He also accumulated a career-best 200 yards on the ground.

Samuel signed a three-year, $34.5 million contract with Washington in March of 2021, but his versatility could not be displayed in his new environment. Multiple injuries (groin/hamstring) conspired to sideline Samuel for 12 matchups last season while restricting him to just 84 snaps, nine targets, six receptions, and 27 receiving yards.

However, his performance in Week 1 should eviscerate any lingering concerns surrounding his forgettable 2021 season. Samuel also attained a 71.4% snap share, while easily leading Washington's wide receivers in target share (31.4%). He should also remain productive for the Commanders and for fantasy managers despite the presence of Terry McLaurin and promising newcomer Jahan Dotson.

BAKER TO ROBBIE ANDERSON 75 YARD TOUCHDOWN?
pic.twitter.com/9lBTVy7XET

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 11, 2022

Robbie Anderson also rekindled his relevance after collecting eight targets, capturing five receptions, and assembling 102 yards. That placed Anderson 10th among all receivers in yardage, while he eclipsed 100+ for the first time since October of 2020. He also finished 11th overall with a 32% target share, 13th with a 41.9% share of air yards, and was 18th in targets per route run (26.7%).

Anderson’s career-best numbers ironically were also attained during 2020 when he operated as Samuel's teammate on the Panthers. Anderson rose to WR19 while averaging 14.0 points per game during his stellar season. This was accomplished as he finished eighth among all wide receivers in targets (136/8.5 per game/25.9% share), eighth in receptions (95/5.9 per game), and 13th in receiving yards (1096/68.5 per game). Anderson also finished fifth overall in yards after catch (497) and was 16th in air yards (1,318). 

Anderson became a sixth-round selection during the 2021 draft season. However, his numbers failed to match offseason projections by a considerable margin, as his disappointing season included massive declines in a plethora of categories. 

Anderson's ADP degenerated to Round 18 as a byproduct of his discouraging 2021 results. While he will not surpass D.J Moore’s usage and production consistently, the numbers that he attained during Carolina's season opener have launched him into consideration as a roster component once again.

5. The matchups of Week 1 provided an abundance of impressive performances while presenting many fantasy managers with tangible reasons to embrace the results. Unfortunately, there were also discouraging numbers during the season openers that have forced other managers to contend with less favorable emotions. This includes the disappointing one-catch performance that was registered by Allen Robinson.

"We love Allen Robinson's expanded route tree, we can line him up all over the field"

The route tree: pic.twitter.com/aAlR6kLajn

— JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) September 10, 2022

Robinson was only targeted twice during his Week 1 matchup with the Bills, despite a 97.1% snap share. This resulted in a microscopic 4.9% target share. He also registered his lone 12-yard reception, which resulted in his lowest production since Week 9 of 2019.

Robinson’s lack of involvement in the Rams’ attack was surprisingly similar to his forgettable numbers during 2021 when he only accumulated 66 targets (5.5 per game/19.2% share), 38 receptions (3.2 per game), and 410 receiving yards (34.2 per game) while finishing at a dismal WR62

Those numbers had all established career lows among seasons in which he played in at least 10 games. The results also distanced the 29-year-old Robinson even further from his favorable numbers during 2019-2020 when he stockpiled 305 targets (9.5 per game/26.3% share), 200 receptions (6.3 per game), and 2,397 receiving yards (74.9 per game) while finishing at WR8/WR9 during that sequence.

Robinson’s relocation to Los Angeles had seemingly positioned the nine-year veteran to rebound significantly from those numbers while functioning as the WR2 in Sean McVay’s offense. That was also the expectation of many fantasy managers when Robinson’s ADP rose to Round 4 during the draft process.

Unfortunately, his horrific outing was reminiscent of last season’s anemic usage and production.

Maybe there is hope for Allen Robinson ? pic.twitter.com/Pcm99l1WWk

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 9, 2022

Stafford should locate Robinson with greater frequency in upcoming matchups, but his first game in his new environment prompted frustration and concern from anyone who had elevated him into their Week 1 lineups.

Robinson was hardly the only wide receiver with unexpectedly low usage or output in Week 1. DeVonta Smith was targeted four times during Philadelphia’s season opener but did not register a reception. Smith had exceeded four targets during 12 of his 17 matchups last season while averaging 6.1 per game. His failure to garner at least one catch also established a career low, after he had averaged 3.8 receptions per game during 2021 while progressing through the regular season with at least one reception during every contest.

Smith also led all rookies with 53 targets (7.6 per game) and was second in receptions (32/4.6 per game) from Weeks 1-7 last season, which could only intensify concerns following the initial results from 2022, particularly for anyone who invested in him at his Round 8 ADP during the draft process. Smith attained a 96.1% snap share although his 13.8% target share dwelled far below the 44.8% that was attained by A.J. Brown in Week 1. Brown might not commandeer that level of usage every week. However, his presence was not a favorable development for Smith during Philadelphia's season opener.

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