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Your wide receivers remain essential components toward your primary goal of securing league championships. As this unique regular season continues to unfold, an expanding assortment of tools is available that can provide you with an extensive level of knowledge regarding this critical position. Those results are contained in this weekly statistical breakdown of multiple categories, which is designed to help you fulfill your championship aspirations.
This will be the sixth 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.
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. Pro Football Reference, PFF, NextGenStats, Rotowire, Rotoviz, and Football Outsiders were all used as resources in compiling this data.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including Best NFL Series, MLB Series, NBA Writer, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
Week 6 Target Leaders
| Wide Receivers | Total Targets | Targ/Game | YPT |
| Allen Robinson | 66 | 11 | 7.2 |
| Amari Cooper | 65 | 10.8 | 7.7 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 61 | 10.2 | 9.9 |
| Stefon Diggs | 59 | 9.8 | 9.4 |
| Terry McLaurin | 58 | 9.7 | 8.4 |
| Calvin Ridley | 57 | 9.5 | 9.6 |
| Robby Anderson | 51 | 8.5 | 11.1 |
| Keenan Allen | 50 | 10 | 7.1 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 50 | 8.3 | 9.9 |
| Adam Thielen | 49 | 8.2 | 8.5 |
| Tyler Boyd | 48 | 8 | 8.7 |
| D.J. Moore | 48 | 8 | 9.9 |
| Jamison Crowder | 46 | 11.5 | 8.3 |
| Cooper Kupp | 45 | 7.5 | 8.3 |
| A.J. Green | 45 | 7.5 | 4.8 |
| Darius Slayton | 44 | 7.3 | 9.2 |
| Odell Beckham | 43 | 7.2 | 7.4 |
| Marquise Brown | 42 | 7 | 9 |
| Brandin Cooks | 42 | 7 | 8.7 |
| Robert Woods | 41 | 6.8 | 8 |
| Will Fuller | 41 | 6.8 | 11.1 |
| DeVante Parker | 40 | 6.7 | 9.1 |
| D.K. Metcalf | 39 | 7.8 | 12.7 |
| Tyler Lockett | 38 | 7.6 | 8.9 |
| Tee Higgins | 38 | 6.3 | 8.9 |
| Keelan Cole | 38 | 6.3 | 9.5 |
| Tyreek Hill | 38 | 6.3 | 10.1 |
| Mike Evans | 37 | 6.2 | 7.6 |
| T.Y. Hilton | 37 | 6.2 | 6.5 |
| Cole Beasley | 37 | 6.2 | 9.7 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 36 | 7.2 | 8.4 |
| Russell Gage | 36 | 6 | 8 |
| Julian Edelman | 36 | 7.2 | 8.4 |
| Justin Jefferson | 36 | 6 | 14.9 |
| Laviska Shenault Jr. | 35 | 5.8 | 8 |
| Greg Ward | 34 | 5.7 | 5.6 |
| Michael Gallup | 34 | 5.7 | 10.9 |
| D.J. Chark | 34 | 6.8 | 7.8 |
| Jerry Jeudy | 33 | 6.6 | 8 |
| Jarvis Landry | 33 | 5.6 | 9.7 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 30 | 6 | 8 |
| Darnell Mooney | 30 | 5 | 6.5 |
| Davante Adams | 30 | 10 | 8.4 |
| Julio Jones | 30 | 7.5 | 11.7 |
Allen Robinson leads all wide receivers in targets for the second consecutive week (66). Amari Cooper is second (65), followed by DeAndre Hopkins (61), Stefon Diggs (59), Terry McLaurin (58), and Calvin Ridley (57). Robby Anderson is next (51), followed by Keenan Allen (500, CeeDee Lamb (50), and Adam Thielen (49), while D.J. Moore and Tyler Boyd are tied with 48. Jamison Crowder is next (46), followed by Cooper Kupp (45), A.J. Green (45), Darius Slayton (44), and Odell Beckham (43). Marquise Brown (42), Brandin Cooks 42. Will Fuller 41, Robert Woods, (41), and DeVante Parker (41), are the only other wide receivers who have eclipsed 40 targets.
What a play by @AllenRobinson!!!
23 yard pick up!#CHIvsCAR | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/14ccX87531
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 18, 2020
Robinson also leads all wide receivers with 48 targets since Week 3. Cooper is second once again with 42, followed by McLaurin (41), Diggs (37), Hopkins (36), and a three-way tie with Boyd, Ridley, and Lamb at 35. Kupp and Anderson have collected 34 targets, while Crowder and Thielen are tied with 33 during that four-game span. Allen and Tee Higgins are next with 32, Fuller has captured 31, and both Marquise Brown and Justin Jefferson have been targeted 30 times. Jefferson’s recent surge in usage and production will be examined further in the 5 Things I Noticed section.
Robinson also leads to the position with 25 targets during the last two weeks, while Diggs is located directly behind him with 24. Crowder and the surging Travis Fulghum are in a tie for third (23). Cooks and Lamb are next (21), while Cooks’ teammate Fuller is tied with McLaurin at 19. D.J. Chark Anderson and Thielen are next (18), followed by Kupp, and Ridley in a tie at 17. Five different receivers have also been targeted 16 times during that two-game span – Higgins, Moore, Jefferson, A.J. Brown, and Marquise Brown.
Crowder leads all receivers in targets per game (11.5) and is one of six receivers who is averaging 10+ - Robinson (11), Cooper (10.8), Hopkins (10.2), Allen (10), and Adams (10).
Justin Jefferson leads all receivers with a 14.9 yards per target average. Chase Claypool is the only other receiver with an average of 14+, followed by Metcalf (12.7), Julio Jones (11.7), and three receivers who are tied with an average of 11.1 - Anderson, Fuller, and Scott Miller. Michael Gallup and Travis Fulgham are next (10.9), followed by four receivers that are tied at 10.8 – Josh Reynolds, Corey Davis. Gabriel Davis, and Mecole Hardman. Tim Patrick and Kenny Golladay are tied at 10.7, while Tyreek Hill (10.1), Hunter Renfrow, and Christian Kirk (10.0), are the only other receivers who currently have an average of 10+
Largest Weekly Changes
| Wide Receivers | Week 5 | Week 6 | Changes |
| A.J. Green | 1 | 11 | 10 |
| D.J. Chark | 4 | 14 | 10 |
| Davante Adams | INJ | 10 | 10 |
| Julio Jones | INJ | 10 | 10 |
| Tim Patrick | BYE | 8 | 8 |
| Breshad Perriman | INJ | 8 | 8 |
| Amari Cooper | 4 | 10 | 6 |
| D.J. Moore | 5 | 11 | 6 |
| Julian Edelman | BYE | 6 | 6 |
| Justin Jefferson | 5 | 11 | 6 |
| Adam Humphries | COVID | 6 | 6 |
| Terry McLaurin | 7 | 12 | 5 |
| Robert Woods | 5 | 10 | 5 |
| DeVante Parker | 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Jerry Jeudy | BYE | 5 | 5 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | BYE | 5 | 5 |
| Zach Pascal | 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Marcus Johnson | 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Jamison Crowder | 10 | 13 | 3 |
| Will Fuller | 8 | 11 | 3 |
| Keelan Cole | 6 | 9 | 3 |
| James Washington | 4 | 7 | 3 |
| Calvin Ridley | 10 | 7 | -3 |
| Brandin Cooks | 12 | 9 | -3 |
| Tyreek Hill | 6 | 3 | -3 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | 7 | 4 | -3 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 6 | 3 | -3 |
| Travis Fulgham | 13 | 10 | -3 |
| Marquise Brown | 10 | 6 | -4 |
| Jarvis Landry | 9 | 5 | -4 |
| Odell Beckham | 9 | 4 | -5 |
| T.Y. Hilton | 10 | 5 | -5 |
| Allen Robinson | 16 | 9 | -7 |
| Robby Anderson | 13 | 5 | -7 |
| Darius Slayton | 11 | 4 | -7 |
| Mike Evans | 9 | 2 | -7 |
| Chase Claypool | 11 | 4 | -7 |
| Jeff Smith | 11 | 4 | -7 |
| Stefon Diggs | 16 | 8 | -8 |
| Adam Thielen | 13 | 5 | -8 |
| Gabriel Davis | 9 | 1 | -8 |
.@JulioJones_11 has his first TD of the season! #RiseUpATL
?: #ATLvsMIN on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nrm6deI4Td pic.twitter.com/9PAtRKgjWF— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2020
D.J. Chark captured 14 targets during Jacksonville’s Week 6 matchup with Detroit, which was the highest total for any wide receiver during the week. It was also his first double-digit target total since Week 14 of last season. Chark was one of 13 different receivers who collected 10+ targets during the Week 6 matchups. Jamison Crowder continued his streak of double-digit targets in every game this season while also attaining the second-highest total for the week (13). Terry McLaurin’s 12 targets placed him third, while four receivers were all targeted 11 times during Week 6 -Will Fuller, D.J. Moore, A.J. Green, and Justin Jefferson.
Robert Woods was among the six receivers who captured 10 targets, as he was joined by Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Travis Fulgham, and two receivers who returned after being sidelined by injury - Julio Jones and Davante Adams. Robinson, Cooks, Kupp, and Keelan Cole all received nine targets while a group of eight receivers was targeted eight times - Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins, DeVante Parker, Tim Patrick, Marcus Johnson, Breshad Perriman, and Cincinnati teammates Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd.
Four different receivers experienced a week to week increase of +10 in their target totals. Both Devante Adams and Julio Jones had been sidelined during Week 5 and re-emerged to join the two other receivers who attained a weekly increase of +10 during their Week 6 matchups. They were joined by Chark who had been averaging five targets per game from Weeks 1-5. A.J. Green also experienced a surge of +10 by collecting 11 targets just one week after being targeted just once when the Bengals traveled to Baltimore.
Tim Patrick returned from his Week 5 bye and promptly captured eight targets in New England. That tied him with Breshad Perriman who easily established a new season-high by collecting his eight targets. Amari Cooper, D.J. Moore, and Justin Jefferson all attained a week to week increase of +6. They joined by Julian Edelman and Adam Humphries who did not perform in Week 5 but resurfaced to capture six targets in Week 6. The weekly totals for seven different receivers rose by +5 during their Week 6 matchups - Terry McLaurin, Robert Woods, DeVante Parker, Jerry Jeudy, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Indianapolis teammates Zack Pascal and Marcus Johnson.
Gabriel Davis established a career-high when he received nine targets in Week 5. However, Josh Allen only launched one pass in his direction during Buffalo's Week 6 matchup with Kansas City. The week to week decrease of -8 ties him with his teammate Stefon Diggs, and Adam Thielen. However, managers will not be concerned about the Week 6 results for either veteran.
Six different receivers experienced a week to week reduction of -7 -Allen Robinson, Robby Anderson, Darius Slayton, Chase Claypool, Jeff Smith, and Mike Evans - whose two targets in Week 6 tied his career-low.
Week 6 Air Yards
| Wide Receivers | Air Yards | Cmp AY | % AY | aDOT |
| Calvin Ridley | 836 | 453 | 39.5 | 14.9 |
| D.K. Metcalf | 717 | 374 | 44.5 | 17.5 |
| Adam Thielen | 696 | 358 | 43.3 | 14.5 |
| Marquise Brown | 673 | 275 | 45.8 | 16 |
| Allen Robinson | 665 | 343 | 32.8 | 10.2 |
| A.J. Green | 659 | 170 | 30.4 | 14.6 |
| Stefon Diggs | 637 | 420 | 35.1 | 11 |
| Will Fuller | 610 | 360 | 32.1 | 14.2 |
| Tyreek Hill | 580 | 259 | 34.6 | 15.3 |
| Amari Cooper | 569 | 273 | 26.6 | 8.8 |
| Terry McLaurin | 562 | 216 | 42.8 | 10 |
| Darius Slayton | 559 | 331 | 45 | 12.7 |
| D.J. Moore | 559 | 320 | 41.3 | 11.9 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 556 | 169 | 35.8 | 18.3 |
| Odell Beckham | 531 | 272 | 38.7 | 13.3 |
| Michael Gallup | 528 | 285 | 27.1 | 16 |
| Robby Anderson | 503 | 322 | 36.9 | 9.5 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 494 | 317 | 30.5 | 8 |
| Tim Patrick | 474 | 259 | 26.2 | 16.3 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 471 | 310 | 22.1 | 9.6 |
| Justin Jefferson | 469 | 351 | 27.6 | 13 |
| Tee Higgins | 467 | 227 | 25.3 | 13.2 |
| Brandin Cooks | 456 | 255 | 26.2 | 11.4 |
| Tyler Boyd | 448 | 301 | 21.4 | 9.3 |
| D.J. Chark | 431 | 219 | 24.1 | 12.7 |
| Jerry Jeudy | 429 | 188 | 24.7 | 13.8 |
| T.Y. Hilton | 424 | 180 | 27.6 | 11.8 |
| Keelan Cole | 420 | 261 | 24.9 | 11.1 |
| Keenan Allen | 410 | 201 | 31.1 | 8.7 |
| Darnell Mooney | 408 | 166 | 20.7 | 13.8 |
| John Hightower | 400 | 65 | 19.5 | 21.2 |
| Preston Williams | 398 | 181 | 24.9 | 14.4 |
| DeVante Parker | 389 | 282 | 25.2 | 9.6 |
| Mike Evans | 387 | 209 | 22.6 | 10.5 |
| Julian Edelman | 386 | 230 | 37 | 10.7 |
| Mike Williams | 379 | 167 | 27.7 | 17.2 |
| Christian Kirk | 378 | 124 | 24.2 | 16.4 |
| Scott Miller | 374 | 201 | 19.3 | 16.3 |
| Jamison Crowder | 367 | 189 | 23.1 | 8 |
| Julio Jones | 359 | 227 | 16.5 | 12 |
Calvin Ridley continues to lead all wide receivers in air yards after six weeks of game action (836). He is followed by D.K. Metcalf (717), Adam Thielen (696), Marquise Brown (673), Allen Robinson (665), A.J. Green (659), Stefon Diggs (637), and Will Fuller (610). No other wide receivers have eclipsed 600 yards entering Week 7. Tyreek Hill is next (580), followed by Amari Cooper (569), and Terry McLaurin (562), while Darius Slayton and D.J. Moore are tied at (559). Marquez Valdes-Scantling is next (556), followed by Odell Beckham (531), Michael Gallup (528), Robby Anderson (503), DeAndre Hopkins (494), Tim Patrick (474), CeeDee Lamb (471), and Justin Jefferson (469).
Marquise Brown has emerged as the new league leader in percentage share of air yards (45.8). Slayton is second overall (45.0), followed by Metcalf (44.5), Thielen (43.3), McLaurin (42.8), and Moore (41.4). No other receivers have obtained an average of at least 40%. Calvin Ridley is next (39.5), followed by Odell Beckham (38.7), Julian Edelman (37.0), Anderson (36.9), Valdes-Scantling (36.0), Diggs (35.1), and Hill (34.6).
John Hightower leads all wide receivers in targeted air yards (21.3), followed by Valdes- Scantling (18.4), Mike Williams (17.6), Michael Gallup (16.8), Marquise Brown (16.4), Metcalf, and Scott Miller in a tie at 16.3. Christian Kirk is next (16.1), followed by Tim Patrick (16), Andy Isabella (15.8), Ridley (15.4), Preston Williams (15.3), and Hill (15.1). No other wide receivers have attained an average of 15+. Thielen spearheads a group of four receivers that are averaging 14+ through Week 6.
Week 6 First Downs
| Wide Receivers | First Downs |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 31 |
| Calvin Ridley | 28 |
| Amari Cooper | 28 |
| Tyler Boyd | 27 |
| Terry McLaurin | 26 |
| Stefon Diggs | 25 |
| Robby Anderson | 24 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 24 |
| Allen Robinson | 23 |
| D. J. Moore | 23 |
| Adam Thielen | 22 |
| Justin Jefferson | 22 |
| Keenan Allen | 21 |
| Darius Slayton | 21 |
| DeVante Parker | 20 |
| Will Fuller | 20 |
| D.K. Metcalf | 19 |
| Cole Beasley | 19 |
| Tyreek Hill | 18 |
| Cooper Kupp | 18 |
| Marquise Brown | 18 |
| Keelan Cole | 18 |
| Tyler Lockett | 17 |
| Russell Gage | 17 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 17 |
| Mike Evans | 17 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | 17 |
| D.J. Chark | 17 |
| Laviska Shenault Jr. | 17 |
.@K1 to @DeAndreHopkins for 60 yards! #RedSea
?: #AZvsDAL on ESPN
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/vHTeaUAgV3 pic.twitter.com/PZFT3JDSRB— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2020
DeAndre Hopkins has maintained his league lead in first down receptions (31), while Calvin Ridley and Amari Cooper are tied for second (28). Tyler Boyd is next (27), followed by Terry McLaurin (26), Stefon Diggs (25), Robby Anderson (24). CeeDee Lamb (24), Allen Robinson (23), D.J. Moore (23), and Minnesota teammates Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson with 22. Keenan Allen and Darius Slayton are tied with 21 first downs, while DeVante Parker and Will Fuller each have 21 receptions for first downs. D.K. Metcalf and Cole Beasley are next (19), while four receivers are tied with 18 receptions for first downs - Tyreek Hill, Cooper Kupp, Marquise Brown, and Keelan Cole.
Jefferson collected six receptions for first downs in Week 6, while Cooper captured five. McLaurin accumulated four catches while a collection of receivers collected three first down receptions in Week 6.
Week 6 Red Zone Targets
| Wide Receivers | Inside 20 | Inside 10 | Inside 5 | Team % |
| Calvin Ridley | 8 | 4 | 2 | 26.67 |
| Adam Thielen | 8 | 4 | 2 | 38.1 |
| Darius Slayton | 8 | 5 | 2 | 28.57 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 8 | 4 | 2 | 26.67 |
| Russell Gage | 8 | 4 | 2 | 26.67 |
| D.J. Chark | 8 | 3 | 1 | 21.05 |
| Zach Pascal | 8 | 4 | 3 | 25 |
| N'Keal Harry | 8 | 4 | 2 | 40 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 7 | 3 | 1 | 33.33 |
| Robby Anderson | 6 | 2 | 1 | 26.09 |
| Stefon Diggs | 6 | 3 | 3 | 16.22 |
| Amari Cooper | 6 | 3 | 2 | 19.35 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 6 | 5 | 4 | 19.35 |
| Allen Robinson | 6 | 2 | 1 | 18.18 |
| Will Fuller | 6 | 2 | 1 | 26.09 |
| Tyreek Hill | 6 | 4 | 1 | 20 |
| Cole Beasley | 6 | 5 | 2 | 16.22 |
| Keenan Allen | 6 | 1 | 0 | 31.58 |
| Julio Jones | 6 | 2 | 1 | 20 |
| Odell Beckham | 6 | 5 | 4 | 33.33 |
| Mike Evans | 6 | 5 | 4 | 17.65 |
| Sammy Watkins | 6 | 5 | 2 | 20 |
| A.J. Brown | 6 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| DK Metcalf | 5 | 4 | 0 | 17.86 |
| Cooper Kupp | 5 | 2 | 1 | 22.73 |
| Tyler Lockett | 5 | 4 | 3 | 17.86 |
| Tee Higgins | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17.24 |
| Robert Woods | 5 | 1 | 0 | 22.73 |
| Travis Fulgham | 5 | 1 | 1 | 22.73 |
| Kenny Golladay | 5 | 2 | 0 | 16.13 |
| Preston Williams | 5 | 4 | 3 | 19.23 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 5 | 4 | 3 | 16.13 |
| Trent Taylor | 5 | 2 | 1 | 16.13 |
Entering Week 5, N’Keal Harry led all wide receivers with eight red zone targets. As we fast forward two weeks to the current leaderboard, Harry remains stagnant with his eight targets and is now tied with seven other receivers for the league lead - Calvin Ridley, Adam Thielen, Darius Slayton, Emmanuel Sanders, Russell Gage, D.J. Chark, and Zach Pascal. DeAndre Hopkins has collected seven targets, while 14 different receivers have been targeted six times inside the 20.
Five different receivers are tied for the league lead with five targets inside the 10 - Slayton, CeeDee Lamb, Cole Beasley, Odell Beckham, Mike Evans, and Sammy Watkins.
Lamb, Beckham, and Evans are tied for the league lead with four targets inside the five, while Pascal, Stefon Diggs, Brandon Aiyuk, Preston Williams, Tyler Lockett, and Tee Higgins, have all captured three targets in inside the five.
Julio Jones had only been targeted twice inside the red zone as he entered Week 6. But he registered more targets than any other wide receiver in Week 6 (4). Travis Fulgham, A.J. Brown, D.J. Chark, and Pascal all collected three targets inside the 20 during their Week 6 matchups.
Week 6 Snap Counts
| Wide Receivers | Week 6 Snaps | Total Snaps | Total Snap % |
| Michael Gallup | 72/80.9% | 417 | 89.84 |
| Amari Cooper | 79/88.7% | 392 | 81.51 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 48/77.4% | 380 | 93.26 |
| Terry McLaurin | 70/95.9% | 379 | 94.99 |
| Tyreek Hill | 67/91.8% | 370 | 86.82 |
| Robert Woods | 57/95% | 357 | 90.15 |
| Adam Thielen | 52/92.9% | 350 | 92.11 |
| Tyler Boyd | 57/78.1% | 348 | 77.85 |
| Calvin Ridley | 59/73.8% | 346 | 79.18 |
| Mike Evans | 51/78.5% | 344 | 83.7 |
| Cooper Kupp | 55/91.7% | 343 | 86.62 |
| D.J. Moore | 64/94.1% | 338 | 84.29 |
| Allen Robinson | 58/87.9% | 338 | 83.87 |
| Darius Slayton | 40.83.3% | 337 | 91.33 |
| Zach Pascal | 58/92.1% | 324 | 81.41 |
| Odell Beckham | 48/84.2% | 314 | 78.7 |
| Damiere Byrd | 55/96.5% | 312 | 92.58 |
| Stefon Diggs | 51/96.2% | 307 | 89.5 |
| D.K. Metcalf | BYE | 304 | 95.6 |
| DeVante Parker | 46.82.1% | 301 | 76.79 |
| Marvin Jones | 62/80.5% | 301 | 88.01 |
| Tyler Lockett | BYE | 300 | 94.34 |
| Robby Anderson | 59/86.8% | 299 | 74.56 |
| Kendrick Bourne | 41/56.2% | 299 | 72.93 |
| T.Y. Hilton | 59/93.7% | 298 | 74.87 |
| Brandin Cooks | 63/87.5% | 297 | 82.5 |
| A.J. Green | 58/79.5% | 296 | 66.22 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | 38/61.3% | 295 | 82.87 |
| Will Fuller | 66/91.7% | 292 | 81.11 |
| Keelan Cole | 48/75% | 292 | 73.37 |
| Jarvis Landry | 44/77.2% | 289 | 72.43 |
| Keenan Allen | BYE | 288 | 80.22 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 62.84.9% | 288 | 82.76 |
| Tee Higgins | 59/80.8% | 288 | 64.43 |
| Justin Jefferson | 50/89.3% | 287 | 75.53 |
| Marquise Brown | 62/84.9% | 284 | 76.14 |
| Dontrelle Inman | 66/90.4% | 280 | 70.18 |
| Tre'Quan Smith | BYE | 279 | 83.28 |
| Preston Williams | 40.71.4% | 275 | 70.15 |
| Chris Hogan | IR | 274 | 82.78 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 60/67.4% | 274 | 71.35 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 42/64.6% | 271 | 77.65 |
| Josh Reynolds | 50/83.3% | 270 | 68.18 |
| Russell Gage | 51/63.8% | 267 | 61.1 |
| D.J. Chark | 57/89.1% | 266 | 80.12 |
| N'Keal Harry | 51/89.5% | 266 | 78.93 |
| Greg Ward | 58/88.7% | 266 | 62.88 |
| Tim Patrick | 59/92.2% | 265 | 79.58 |
| Jalen Guyton | BYE | 264 | 73.54 |
| Demarcus Robinson | 69/94.5% | 263 | 62.32 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 53/84.1% | 259 | 76.4 |
Michael Gallup now leads all wide receivers with 417 offensive snaps. His teammate Amari Cooper is second (392), followed by DeAndre Hopkins (380), Terry McLaurin (379), Tyreek Hill (370), Robert Woods (357), Adam Thielen (350), and Tyler Boyd (348). Calvin Ridley is next (346), followed by Mike Evans (344), Cooper Kupp (343), and two receivers who are tied at 338 - Allen Robinson and D.J. Moore. Darius Slayton is next (337), followed by Zach Pascal (324), Odell Beckham (314), and Damiere Byrd (312). Stefon Diggs and D.K. Metcalf spearhead a group of seven additional receivers that have been involved in at least 300 offensive of snaps from Weeks 1-6.
Metcalf leads the position in offensive snap count percentage (95.6), followed by McLaurin (95.0), Metcalf‘s teammate Tyler Lockett (94.3), Hopkins (93.2), Damiere Byrd (92.6), and Thielen (92.1). Slayton is next (91.3), followed by Woods 90.2, Gallup 89.8, Diggs (89.5), Marvin Jones (88.0), and Tyreek Hill (86.8). Jamison Crowder, and Cooper Kupp, are among the group of 17 additional receivers that have performed on over 80% of their teams’ offensive snaps.
Cooper led all receivers in offensive snaps during Week 6 matchups (79). His teammate Gallup was second with 72. McLaurin was next (70), followed by Demarcus Robinson (69), and Hill (67), while Dontrelle Inman was tied with Will Fuller at 66. Julio Jones and D.J. Moore were next (64), while four receivers were tied with 63 snaps. Brandin Cooks, Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman, and A.J. Brown. Three receivers were next with 62 snaps - Brandon Aiyuk, Marquise Brown, and Marvin Jones. Deebo Samuel and Jeff Smith were next 60, while a group of five receivers was tied at 59 - Tee Higgins, T.Y. Hilton, Tim Patrick, Calvin Ridley, and Robby Anderson.
Damiere Byrd led the position in snap count percentage for Week 6 (96.5). McLaurin was second (95.9), followed by Woods (95), Robinson (94.6), Moore (94.1), Hilton (93.7), Thielen (92.9), and Tim Patrick 92.2. Zack Pascal was next 92.1, followed by Fuller 91.7, Kupp (91.7), Inman (90.4), and N’Keal Harry (89.5). Justin Jefferson was next (89.3), followed by D.J. Chark (89.1), Cooper (88.7), Crowder (88.7), and a collection of four additional receivers that were involved in at least 85% of their teams’ offensive snaps during Week 6.
Five Things I Noticed
1. The Vikings enter their Week 7 bye while contending with the uncomfortable reality of a 1-5 record.
The numerous shortcomings that have permeated the team include an overly generous defense (ranked 28th) that has surrendered 413.7 yards per game - which is 72 yards higher than the 341.6 that their 14th ranked unit allowed during 2019. The vulnerable nature of Minnesota’s defense has not compelled Mike Zimmer to completely abandon his penchant for the ground game.
But the Vikings have risen slightly to 25th in pass play percentage (53.1%), after ranking just 30th with a 50.9% percentage during 2019. The Vikings are also ranked 21st in passing (235 yards per game). This is slightly above last season when the Vikings were 23rd while averaging 220.2 yards per game. Kirk Cousins is also averaging 29.2 attempts per game, which is slightly below the 29.6 attempts per game average that he attained during 2019. However, Minnesota’s top two receiving weapons are also commandeering an even 50% of Cousins’ targets. This has enabled Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson to function as highly productive resources for their fantasy GMs regardless of their team’s deficiencies.
Most receiving yards in a game by a rookie since 2018:
Justin Jefferson (Wk 3) - 175
Justin Jefferson (Wk 6) - 166 pic.twitter.com/GS3inCFL24— PFF (@PFF) October 18, 2020
In Weeks 1-2, Jefferson averaged 3 targets, 2.5 receptions, and 35 yards per game. But the 21-year old rookie delivered a statistical explosion in Week 3 (7 receptions/175 yards/1 touchdown) that has fueled his meteoric rise toward weekly WR2 status. He accumulated more receiving yards than any other receiver in Week 6 (166) and also tied for first at his position in receptions (9). Jefferson also resides at WR1 in scoring from Weeks 3-6 and has averaged 7.5 targets, 5.8 receptions, and 117 yards per game during that span. If you extract the results of his matchup in Week 5 versus Seattle (5 targets/3 receptions/23 yards) he has averaged 8.3 targets, 6.7 receptions, and 149 yards per game.
Jefferson was outside the top 70 in receiving yards entering Week 3 but has soared to fifth overall (537) after stockpiling 166 yards during Minnesota’s matchup with Atlanta. He has also averaged at least 18.4 yards per reception and 15.1 yards per target during three of his last four contests, which has propelled him to the league lead in yards per target average (14.9), and fourth overall in yards per reception (19.2).
None of this diminishes the numbers that Adam Thielen has attained through six matchups, as he is currently WR3 in scoring. The seven-year veteran also leads the league with seven touchdowns and is fourth in percentage share of air yards (43.3%). Thielen is also 10th in targets (49), 14th in receiving yards (415), and third in air yards (696). Regardless of the frequency with which Zimmer is willing to rely on Cousins and the passing attack, Thielen and Jefferson will not be contending with formidable competition for targets. This should sustain their current status among the league leaders in a collection of categories.
2. DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf entered the NFL in 2019 after performing in a total of 21 games at Ole Miss.
Projections for his professional career contained a blend of excitement surrounding his unique blend of physical attributes that was offset by concerns regarding limitations in his experience, and his need for further development as a receiver. That contributed to Metcalf being just the ninth receiver to be selected during the NFL Draft.
Metcalf’s prospects for delivering a breakout season were discussed here last April. The rationale was based upon his exceptional combination of size, speed, and athleticism that would enable him to explode into high-end WR2 territory. He has accomplished that, while his accelerated progression as a receiver has propelled him to the periphery of WR1 status. This has also fueled Metcalf’s emergence as arguably the NFL’s premier deep threat. His usage and production have exceeded even the most optimistic expectations entering the regular season, which provides the incentive for reviewing his accomplishments after five contests.
.@dkm14 came up HUGE on 4th down ?
Watch #MINvsSEA: https://t.co/pPjgDawjby pic.twitter.com/eDmpvYkWgm
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 12, 2020
Metcalf entered Seattle’s Week 6 bye in a tie for 13th with 39 targets (7.8 per game). He was also second in air yards (717), third in percentage share of air yards (44.5), fifth in yards per target (12.7), and eighth in targeted air yards (16.3). Metcalf was also tied for 11th in first downs (19) and tied for fifth in targets inside the 10 (4). He had also joined teammate Tyler Lockett in placing among the top 10 in Football Outsiders’ Defense-Adjusted Yards Above Replacement ratings (DYAR) for wide receivers.
Seattle's restructured offensive approach has also been beneficial in his statistical surge as the Seahawks have climbed to 11th in pass play percentage (60.9%). This represents a significant change from 2019 when the aerial attack ranked just 27th (54.0%). Russell Wilson is assembling touchdowns at a historic rate, as his 19 touchdown passes are just one short of the all-time record for the first five regular-season games.
A team-high 24.2 share of Wilson’s targets is being distributed to Metcalf, who was WR4 in scoring entering his Week 6 bye. Metcalf’s aforementioned 12.7 yards per target average is nearly four yards higher than his average as a rookie (9.0). His 22.5 yards per reception average is exactly 7 yards higher than the 15.5 he attained in 2019. Metcalf has also added an additional 42.9 yards per game when contrasted with last season 2019 (99.2/56.3). At his current pace, Metcalf would collect 125 targets, capture 70 targets, and stockpile 1,587 yards.
Tyler Lockett is also constructing a highly productive season even though he has been surpassed by Metcalf in targets, first downs, air yards, targeted air yards, percentage share of air yards, and yards per target. Lockett does lead the Seahawks in receptions (30), while his 68.4 yards per game average is still the highest of his career, However, it is Metcalf that has become Seattle’s most explosive and productive receiver. That will remain intact regardless of whether Seattle eventually adds Antonio Brown.
3. Several wide receivers returned to game action following their collective receiving very from injuries.
Julio Jones was leading the league in receiving yards (157), was second in air yards, and included among the top five in targets (12), and receptions (9), after Week 1. However, a protracted hamstring issue had limited him to eight targets, six receptions, and 56 yards from Weeks 2-5. It also created trepidation for many managers regarding the potential of Jones’ to deliver substandard numbers due to the lingering impact of his injury in Week 6. But he tied for eighth among all receivers in targets (10), and was third in both receptions (8), and receiving yards (137). He also accumulated 71 air yards, while averaging 17.1 yards per reception and a season-high 13.7 yards per target.
Davante Adams also re-emerged for the first time since Week 2, following a recovery from his hamstring injury. He attained a double-digit target total for the second time this season by capturing a team-high 10, and his season-long average of 10 targets per game ties him for sixth among all receivers. He also paced Green Bay in receptions (6) and receiving yards (61) during Green Bay’s matchup in Tampa. He should continue to stockpile targets and supply favorable numbers to fantasy GMs while performing as the focal point of the Packers' aerial attack.
Breshad Perriman also resurfaced in Week 6 to deliver what was easily his most productive outing since signing his one year, 8 million-dollar deal with the Jets. Perriman had been limited it came to 76 snaps, seven targets, five receptions, and 29 yards entering New York’s AFC East matchup with Miami. But he established new season-highs in targets (8), receptions (4), and receiving yards (62). The 27-year old Perriman also averaged 15.5 yards per reception and 7.8 yards per target against Miami, after averaging 5.85 yards per reception, and 4.7 yards per target prior to the contests. The Jets desperately need another receiver beyond Jamison Crowder to perform reliably, while anyone who invested in Perriman during the offseason would be ecstatic if that would transpire.
A.J. Brown was involved in his second matchup since his reemergence from a knee issue that had forced his absence in Weeks 2-3. He has collected 12 of 16 targets for 138 yards and three touchdowns since his return. Brown finished ninth among overall among all receivers with a 50.3% percentage share of air yards in Week 5 and was also 13th in target share (33.3) during that matchup with Buffalo. He has also averaged 11.45 yards per reception and 8.55 yards per target since resurfacing in the lineup. Even with Corey Davis scheduled to also return this week, Brown has reestablished his WR1 status on the Titans and should provide managers with the WR2 that they had envisioned during their draft process.
4. Many fantasy GMs have constructed rosters that contain Dallas receivers Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, or Michael Gallup.
If you are among them, then you might have overcome your initial concerns regarding Dak Prescott season-ending ankle fracture, and shifted into renewed optimism regarding Andy Dalton's prospects of keeping your wide receivers productive as the season advances.
Of course, that was before Dalton's calamitous performance in Week 6. Dalton's unsightly efforts included two interceptions, a 4.9 yard per attempt average, and a quarterback rating of 38.7.
However, it will be beneficial to examine the target distribution and production for Dallas receiving weaponry during Dalton’s initial start under center. Cooper was second overall in targets (55) as he entered Week 6. He was also second in receptions (39/7.8 per game), fourth in first downs (23), seventh in receiving yards (433/84.8 per game), and ninth in air yards (510). Exceptional newcomer CeeDee Lamb was 10th in targets while averaging 8-per game. He was also ninth in receptions (29/5.8 per game), and seventh overall with an 86.6 yards per game average. Lamb was also 16th in yards per target (16.8), 21st in air yards (394), 10th in first downs (20), and tied for the league lead with five targets inside the 10. Gallup was tied for 35th in targets (5.6 per game). But he was also 13th in air yards (453), third in targeted air yards (17.4), and seventh in yards per target (12.4).
6️⃣ for @amaricooper9
? on @ESPN#DallasCowboys | #AZvsDAL pic.twitter.com/oyZa55zB2x
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) October 20, 2020
Despite Dalton's deficiencies, anyone with Cooper or Lamb on their rosters has reason to be satisfied with their receiver's production. Both players collected 10 targets, caught seven of those passes, and combined for 143 yards. Cooper overcame a slow statistical start to eventually collect a double-digit target total for the fourth time this season, and the third time in his last four matchups. He also generated his second touchdown and attained a yard-per-target average of 11 + for the third consecutive game.
Lamb's 10 targets created a streak in which he has now attained a double-digit total in two consecutive matchups. His yards per reception average (9.1) was significantly lower than the 15.5 that he had averaged from Weeks 2-5. He also registered the lowest yards per target average of the season (6.4) after entering the game with an average of 10.7.
Gallup was targeted six times which essentially matched his season average. However, he tied his season-low in receptions (2) while his 23 yards were 46 fewer than his average of 69.6 prior to the matchup. He also dropped from 13th to 16th in air yards, and from third to fourth in targeted air yards. The results of the Week 6 outing also diminished his season-long yard per game average by nearly eight yards (61.8). Any continued struggles by Dalton could be most impactful to Gallup, due to his downfield usage. However, if you have been dependent upon any member of this trio for your fantasy points, there is no reason to alter your plan after one matchup.
5. The focus will now shift toward two receivers that have been mentioned recently in this column but still do not appear to be garnering the level of attention that they deserve among fantasy GMs.
Tim Patrick has leapfrogged presumed lead receiver Jerry Jeudy by commandeering WR1 responsibilities in Denver.
Courtland Sutton was originally expected to function as the Broncos' top receiver, but a torn ACL abruptly terminated his season. First-round selection Jeudy was the logical candidate to absorb the majority of targets following Sutton’s injury.
But Patrick has now garnered more receptions (20/17), and assembled more yardage (310/266) than Jeudy, even though his role did not expand until Noah Fant and K.J. Hamler also encountered injuries. Patrick also leads the Broncos in target share since Week 4 (25%), while Jeudy is second at 14.3%. Patrick is also leading the team in percentage share of air yards (35.1%), while easily generating the most air yards during that span (214). He has also averaged a team-high 14.0 yards per target during that sequence and is tied for third among all receivers with five receptions of 20+ yards. Even after Fant and Hamler return, Patrick should still operate as Denver’s WR1 and will supply fantasy GMs with a viable WR3 option.
Travis Fulgham is first Eagle with TD in his first 3 games with team since @terrellowens 16 years ago
? @NFL
pic.twitter.com/Wik7gcnxk0— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 18, 2020
Travis Fulgham was included in last week’s review, and his career transformation continued in Week 6. The former sixth-round pick was originally selected by Detroit in 2019. However, he did not register a reception as a Lion. But he eventually landed on the Eagles’ practice squad and was signed to their active roster in early October. His stock has soared since Week 5, as his production during the past two matchups has cemented him as Philadelphia’s primary receiving option. His ability to capitalize on his recent surge in usage has been timely for the Eagles, whose conga line of injured receiving options has been expanded following Zach Ertz’s ankle injury.
Fulgham has been WR3 in scoring since Week 5 and is third among all receivers with 23 targets during his last two contests. He also leads all receivers in air yards (124), is second in receptions (16), and is also second in receiving yards (227) during that span. He has also captured a 36.1% target share while averaging a 30.5 percentage share of air yards since his Week 5 emergence. That easily exceeds the second-highest share of both John Hightower and Zach Ertz, who were tied at 16.7%. Fulgham’s ascension into Philadelphia’s WR1 responsibilities should continue for the foreseeable future, which provides managers with a legitimate WR3 for their rosters.
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