Wide Receiver Breakouts for Fantasy Football: Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Keenan Allen, Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Chris Olave

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 a sixth consecutive season. This will be the third 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. Statistics from our player pages at RotoBaller were included during the compilation of data, while Pro Football Reference, PFF, Rotowire, Fantasy Points Data, NextGenStats, and Rotoviz were also used as resources in the creation of this report.

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• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
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• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
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• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Targets

Puka Nacua accumulated the league's high target total in Week 1 (15), and once again in Week 2 (20). That has enabled him to retain the overall lead for a third consecutive week even though he collected a season-low seven targets when the Rams traveled to Cincinnati in Week 3.

Despite being 31 years old, Keenan Allen has shown no signs of slowing down. One of best true route technicians the game has ever seen. pic.twitter.com/Z1j53zvI7m

— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) September 25, 2023

Keenan Allen is second overall with 39 targets entering Week 4. The 20 targets that he accumulated during the Chargers’ Week 3 matchup at Minnesota established a new career high. Allen had previously collected 19 targets in two different outings during his career and had eclipsed 17+ in six previous matchups.

Justin Jefferson is third with 38 targets, after accruing 13 for a second consecutive week. Jefferson has now garnered at least 13 targets in five of his last eight regular-season matchups. Davante Adams is now fourth overall with 37 targets after he matched Allen’s total of 20 during his Week 3 matchup. That was the second-highest weekly total of his career while falling just short of the 21 targets that he stockpiled in Week 10 of the 2015 regular season.

Tyreek Hill WAS WIDE OPEN 🐬

Touchdown Dolphins

🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/1Ww0ZbWULt

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 24, 2023

Tyreek Hill's overall total has risen to 35 as he has now secured double-digit totals in 11 different matchups since he arrived in Miami. Hill's production will be examined further in the Five Things I Noticed section. Michael Pittman Jr.’s 34 targets have been assembled through consistent weekly totals of 11/12/11 after he had averaged 8.8 targets per game during 2022.

Chris Olave has now accumulated 32 targets by accruing at least 10 in all three of his matchups this season. He has also eclipsed 10+ in four consecutive regular season games. Stefon Diggs has also captured 32 targets while collecting at least 12 during two of his last three games. Diggs' 30.2% target share easily leads Buffalo’s wide receivers as Gabe Davis is a distant second (13.6%).

Ja'Marr Chase's target total has also expanded to 32 after he captured 15 when Cincinnati hosted the Rams in Week 3. That was Chase's first double-digit total of the season after he had attained 10+ during seven of his final eight matchups in 2022. A.J. Brown secured a season-high 14 targets in Week 3 and has now accumulated 30 entering Week 4. He has now reached double-digits in eight of his 19 games as an Eagle.

Deebo Samuel MY GOD!!! pic.twitter.com/X7wuTKEBF7

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 22, 2023

Deebo Samuel‘s season-high 12 targets fueled his rise into 11th overall as he has now accumulated 28 overall heading into Week 4. Mike Evans has also captured 28 targets after he collected 10 in Week 3. He has now accrued 10+ in three of his last four regular-season contests.  Amon-Ra St. Brown has now been targeted 27 times as he established a season-high (11) in Week 3. It was also the 11th  time that St. Brown has reached that total during 36 career games.

Four different receivers have collected 26 targets entering Week 4. Michael Thomas is a member of that group after he accrued nine targets for a second consecutive week. He has also accumulated 8+ in three consecutive outings for the first time since 2019. Calvin Ridley has also assembled 26 targets. However, his weekly totals have slowly declined since he secured a season-high 11 in Week 1 (11/8/7).

Tutu Atwell's 26 targets have been accumulated as he collected 8+ targets during each of his three matchups. He had only attained eight targets once in 21 career games prior to this season. Ridley, Thomas, and Atwell are currently tied with Mike Williams, who unfortunately sustained a torn ACL that will prevent him from expanding his total this season.

Seven different wide receivers have accumulated 25 targets during their first three matchups. That includes Adam Thielen, who is fifth among all wide receivers with 23 targets since Week 2. Rookie Zay Flowers has now attained a double-digit target total in two of the first three games in his career after he was targeted 10 times by Lamar Jackson in Week 3.

Amari Cooper has also secured 25 targets including 8+ during each of his last two outings. Cooper is also tied with his teammate Elijah Moore, who had only reached a total of nine targets in four of his 27 games with the Jets before accomplishing in each of his last two with Cleveland. Robert Woods has also accumulated 25 targets entering Week 4 even though the six targets that he collected in Week 3 established a season low.

Woods is tied with DeAndre Hopkins, who has averaged six targets per game in Weeks 2-3 after procuring a season-high 13 during the Titans’ season opener. Kendrick Bourne completes the list of wide receivers who have already attained 25 targets even though he was limited to a season-low five when New England visited the Jets in Week 3.

11 different wide receivers are already averaging at least 10.0 targets per game entering Week 4 - Nacua (14.0), Allen (13.0), Jefferson (12.7), Adams (12.3), Hill (11.7), Pittman (11.3), Jakobi Meyers (11.0), Chase (10.7), Diggs (10.7), Olave (10.7), and A.J. Brown (10.).

Target Risers And Fallers 

19 different wide receivers, collected at least 10 targets in Week 3. That includes the two players who stockpiled 20 during their matchups. Keenan Allen’s career-high 20 targets represented his highest weekly total since Week 11 of 2020. Allen has also attained a double-digit total during six of his last nine matchups while eclipsing 9+ during eight of those games.

Davante Adams also secured 20 targets when Las Vegas hosted the Steelers in Week 3. It was the 10th time that Adams has collected at least 10 targets in 20 games since he was traded to the Raiders.

Ja'Marr Chase last night:

12 REC
141 YDS

26.1 FANTASY POINTS

Back?pic.twitter.com/AKNlpRpql0

— The FFPC (@FFPC) September 26, 2023

Ja'Marr Chase's 15 targets were collected after he had averaged 8.5 per game in Weeks 1-2. It was also the third time that he had captured 15+ during 32 career games. Adam Thielen’s 14 targets in Week 3 represented his highest one-game total since Week 3 of 2018. A.J. Brown has now collected 14+ targets three times in his career after accomplishing it in Week 3. It was also his highest weekly total since Week 15 of last season.

Justin Jefferson’s 13 targets sustained his streak of at least 12 during every 2023 matchup. He has also eclipsed 12+ during 18 of his first 53 games at the NFL level. Stefon Diggs' 12 targets contributed to the 10.5 per game average that he attained during his last four regular-season matchups. That is an increase of 4.3 per game over his 6.2 average during his four previous games. Deebo Samuel has now secured 12+ targets in four regular season contests during his career after reaching that total during San Francisco’s Week 3 matchup with the Giants.

Amon-Ra St. Brown had collected 10+ targets during six of his nine matchups from Weeks 8-16 season. However, he had failed to reach double digits in four consecutive matchups until he was targeted 11 times in Week 3.

Josh Downs is taking over the No. 2 role for the Colts.

Best day yet.

84% route participation
29% target share
21% air yard share
13.7 fantasy points

WR5 with upside.

— Dwain McFarland (@dwainmcfarland) September 24, 2023

Josh Downs easily established a new career high when he accumulated 12 targets during the Colts’ Week 3 matchup in Baltimore. His first double-digit total also increased his per-game average from 6.0 to 8.0. Jakobi Meyers had collected 10 targets during the Raiders' season opener before concussion protocol kept him sidelined in Week 2. He re-emerged to capture 12 targets in Week 3, which was his highest total since Week 8 of 2022.

Adams was targeted eight times in Week 2 which was his lowest target total since Week 14 of last season. The 20 targets that he captured in Week 3 launched a week-to-week rise of +12. Allen’s 20 targets were generated one week after he had been targeted 10 times by Justin Herbert. That fueled his weekly increase of +10.

Romeo Doubs had been targeted eight times in Weeks 1 and 2 combined before he captured 12 targets when Green Bay hosted New Orleans in Week 3. That was the first double-digit total of his career which launched a week-to-week rise of +9.

The career-best target total that was procured by Downs in Week 3 transpired one week after he had been relegated to a season-low five. That increased his weekly total by +7. That also tied Downs with Chase, whose season-high 15 targets also fueled an increase of +7.

Nacua's accumulation of 35 targets during his first two games was impressive, but would also be difficult to sustain. He had stockpiled 20 targets in Week 2, but his seven targets in Week 3 resulted in a week-to-week decline of -13. The sizable fluctuations in Christian Kirk's target totals (3/14/6) have now resulted in a weekly rise of +11 and this week's drop of -8.

Air Yards 

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with 475 air yards entering Week 4. Justin Jefferson is second (453), followed by Davante Adams (421), Mike Evans (398), Amari Cooper (390), Chris Olave (367), A.J. Brown (342), Kendrick Bourne (339), Keenan Allen (319), and Allen’s teammate Mike Williams, who had attained 300 air yards before sustaining his season-ending injury (ACL).

10th catch of the night for @Tae15adams#PITvsLV | 📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/j3KUwWGNiC

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 25, 2023

Davante Adams accumulated a league-high 241 air yards in Week 3. D.J. Chark was second overall (181), followed by Cooper (160), Jefferson (154), Tank Dell (150), Alec Pierce (148), and two receivers were tied with 144 yards - Jakobi Meyers, and Romeo Doubs.

Adams is leading the position in air yards share (51.5%), followed by Evans (51.4%), Hill (50.5%), Jefferson (43.5%), Tee Higgins (43%), Brown (42.8%), Cooper (42.4%), Brandon Aiyuk (41.6%), and Olave, who attained a share of 40.5%.

Hill soared to a 67.9% air yards share during Miami’s matchup with Denver in Week 3. Cooper was second in Week 3 (64.8%), followed by Marquise Brown (63.8%), Dell (58.8%), Adams (45.5%), Pierce (47.3%), Stefon Diggs (46.7%), and Treylon Burks, who secured an air yards share of 46.5%.

Routes Run

When Justin Jefferson separates on this rep look how much space he creates🤣
Thought this was also a GREAT EX of what we talk about a lot on Big Blue Banter: A QB leading a WR to a spot with his throw rather than throwing to a spot that forces WR to stop, adjust, etc.#Vikings pic.twitter.com/nsb1y9vb07

— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) September 27, 2023

Justin Jefferson remains the league leader in routes run (148), while Michael Pittman is currently second overall (140). K.J. Osborn is next (133), followed by Keenan Allen (131), Alec Pierce (131), Pierce’s teammate Josh Downs (127), Jahan Dotson (124), Zay Flowers (109), and three receivers that have run 108 routes - CeeDee Lamb, Christian Kirk, and D.J. Moore. Terry McLaurin and Tyler Lockett are tied at 107, followed by Jordan Addison (105), Robert Woods (104), and Calvin Ridley (103).

Pittman ran more routes than any other wide receiver in Week 3 (57). Jefferson was second (55), followed by Pierce (54), D.J. Chark 54, Adam Thielen 53, Downs (51), Osborn (51), and Davante Adams, who ran 48 routes when Las Vegas hosted Pittsburgh in Week 3.

Targets Per Route Run 

OROY candidate Puka Nacua with an outrageous one-handed snag! pic.twitter.com/EKx0Fk4Ja1

— NFL UK (@NFLUK) September 26, 2023

Puka Nacua leads all wide receivers in targets per route run entering Week 4 (49.4%). Chris Olave is second overall (47.1%), followed by A.J. Brown (46.2%), Mike Evans (45.2%), Amari Cooper (44.6%), Tyreek Hill (42.7%), Stefon Diggs (39.5%), Elijah Moore (39.1%), and Michael Thomas, who has been targeted on 38.8% of his routes.

Hill led all wide receivers in targets per route run during their Week 3 matchups (52.4%). Keenan Allen was second overall (46.5%), followed by Davante Adams (41.7%), Stefon Diggs  (34.3%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (34.3%), Deebo Samuel (33.3%), Rondale Moore (31.6%), and two receivers who were targeted on 31.4% of their routes (Chris Olave/Courtland Sutton). Jakobi Meyers, Treylon Burks, and Romeo Doubs were all targeted on 30% of their routes.

Yards Per Route Run  

On another note, it's pretty remarkable how quickly Marvin Mims has gone from a rookie buried on the depth chart to the #Broncos' best WR.pic.twitter.com/Wk977euk19

— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) September 25, 2023

Marvin Mims has averaged 7.5 yards per route run from Weeks 1-2. He has run 26 routes which is fewer than the other leaders who will be listed here. However, his average is noteworthy as we enter Week 4.

Tyreek Hill is averaging 5.02 yards per route run, followed by Mike Evans (4.79), Chris Olave (4.44), Amari Cooper (4.34), Puka Nacua (3.98), A..J. Brown (3.68), Brandon Aiyuk (3.58), Stefon Diggs (3.44), and two receivers who are averaging 3.22 - Davante Adams, and George Pickens.

Hill led all receivers with an average of 7.48 yards per route run during Miami’s Week 3 matchup with Denver. Mims was second overall (6.64), followed by Tank Dell (6.04), Keenan Allen (5.00), Michael Wilson (4.30), Davante Adams (3.58), Deebo Samuel (3.58), D.K. Metcalf (3.50), and Amari Cooper, who averaged 3.41 yards per route run.

Red Zone Targets  

Three wide receivers are tied for the league lead with seven red zone targets entering Week 4 - Tyreek Hill, Tyler Lockett, and Jayden Reed. Eight different receivers have accumulated five targets (Davante Adams/Calvin Ridley/Zay Flowers/Jakobi Meyers/Michael Thomas/Romeo Doubs/Courtland Sutton/Zay Jones). 12 receivers have been targeted four times, including Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Chris Olave, and Brandon Aiyuk.

Hill and Meyers lead the position with five targets inside the 10, while teammates Reed and Doubs have been targeted four times. Hill has also accumulated a league-high four targets inside the five while eight receivers have been targeted twice.

Reed and A. J. Brown both collected four targets inside the 20 during their Week 3 matchups, while six receivers were targeted three times (Justin Jefferson/Davante Adams/Deebo Samuel/Romeo Doubs/Mike Evans/Brandin Cooks).

Snap Counts

DeVonta Smith leads all wide receivers with 212 snaps entering Week 4. Michael Pittman is second overall (206), followed by Pittman‘s teammate Alec Pierce (200), Donovan Peoples-Jones (195), A.J., Brown (191), Justin Jefferson (190), Keenan Allen (189), Van Jefferson (185), K.J. Osborn (183) and Adam Thielen, who has accumulated 182 snaps.

Smith is also leading the position with a snap share of 99.1% from Weeks 1-3. Pittman is second once again (98.6%), followed by Jefferson (96.9%), Ja’Marr Chase (96.8%), Pierre (95.7%), D.J. Moore (94.2%), Adams (93.8%), Osborn (3.4%), and Garrett Wilson, who has played on 92.6% of the Jets' offensive snaps.

Pittman also led all wide receivers with 84 snaps in Week 3. Pierce was second (81), followed by Smith (77), Jefferson, (73), Osborn (73), Chase (71,) D.J. Chark (70), Josh Downs (67), Zay Flowers (67), Adams (66), and Brown, who played on 64 snaps.

Pittman also played on 100% of the Colts' offensive snaps in Week 3, while D.J. Moore also secured a snap count percentage of 100%. Smith was third (98.7%), followed by Adams (98.5%). Wilson and teammate Allen Lazard both played on 96.7% of the Jets' offensive snaps, followed by Pierce (96.4%), Marquise, Brown (96.2%), and Puka Nacua, who secured a snap share of 96.2%.

Five Things I Noticed

1. Tyreek Hill and  Davante Adams were both involved in blockbuster trades during the 2022 offseason. Each receiver was sent into a new environment amid questions surrounding their ability to thrive without having the opportunity to operate with Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers.

Both receivers quickly dispelled any lingering doubts last season and have remained embedded within the elite tier at their position entering Week 4. They also continued to function as reliable point producers for fantasy managers, as Hill and Adams also combined for 31 targets, 22 receptions 329 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in Week 3. Anyone who has either receiver on their roster received a substantial scoring boost as both receivers finished among the top four in scoring.

TYREEK HILL WAS WIDE OPEN 🐬

Touchdown Dolphins

🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/1Ww0ZbWULt

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) September 24, 2023

Hill also led all wide receivers in air yards share (67.9%) and was sixth in yards after catch (51). He also led all wide receivers in targets per route run (52,4%), and yards per route run (7.48).

Tyreek Hill with his third touchdown in two games 🐆🔥

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/9xNuNr4GN6

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 18, 2023

Hill has now captured 11+ targets in two of his three games this season, while also surpassing 150 yards in both contests. He is currently second overall in receiving yards (412/137.3 per game), fifth with 35 targets (11.7 per game), and fifth in receptions (25/8.3 per game). Hill also leads the league in air yards (475), and yards before catch (296), and is third in air yards share (50.5%).

He has also run 82 routes, is sixth in targets per route run (42.7%), and leads all receivers who have accumulated 30+ routes in yards per route run (5.02).

Jaylen Waddle was sidelined in Week 3 (concussion protocol). However, Hill has consistently assembled high-end WR1 output with Waddle in the lineup and remains among the elite tier of receivers.

ON A 4th AND 1!#PITvsLV | 📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/DMoDqsA4xy

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 25, 2023

Adams tied for the league lead with 20 targets while finishing second in both receptions (13) and receiving yards (172). It was the second-highest total of targets and receptions in the six-time Pro Bowler’s career, while it was also his sixth-highest yardage total. Adams also stockpiled a league-high 241 air yards, and was fifth in air yards share (54.3%), He was also targeted on 41.7% of his routes while averaging 3.58 yards per route run.

Raiders wasting NO time today

Davante Adams First Touchdown +1050 ✅
pic.twitter.com/k94E9C7uYz

— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) September 17, 2023

Adams now leads the league in target share (39.4%), and air yards share (51.5%), and is fourth with 37 targets (12.3 per game). He is also fourth in receptions 25/8.3 per game), fifth in receiving yards (322/107.3 per game), third in air yards (421), and third in yards before catch (265). He has also run 100 routes, is 11th in targets per route run  (37%), and is 10th in yards per route run (3.22)

Jimmy Garoppolo is also in concussion protocol, and Brian Hoyer or Aiden O’Connell would elevate under center if Garoppolo is unable to guide the Las Vegas aerial attack. This is clearly not a favorable development. However, Adams will still confiscate a massive target share if the Raider offense undergoes a transition.

2. Hill and Adams were not the only veterans who assembled outstanding numbers in Week 3. Keenan Allen also constructed a highly productive outing, which was fueled by the career-best 20 targets that he stockpiled when the Chargers traveled to Minnesota.

Fantasy managers who invested in the 31-year-old Allen at the conclusion of Round 3 during their drafts (36/WR17), had already been rewarded for their confidence in the five-time Pro-Bowler in Weeks 1-2 when Allen ascended into the top 10 in targets (19/9.5 per game), receptions (14/7 per game), and receiving yards (187/93.5 per game).

Keenan Allen is in the record books 📚 pic.twitter.com/cWtvpSsnSn

— PFF (@PFF) September 26, 2023

Allen is averaging a league-high 30.3 points per game. That includes his Week 3 eruption in which Allen accumulated 45.3 points. Allen had also entered Week 3 averaging 10.9 targets and 89.9 yards per game during his previous eight regular season matchups. Allen’s role as Justin Herbert’s primary receiving weapon had positioned him to accrue significant numbers against the Vikings. However, the statistical explosion that transpired in Minnesota extended beyond expectations.

The 20 targets that were collected from Herbert vaulted Allen into a tie with Adams for the league lead in Week 3. That also provided a pathway for Allen to also pace the league in receptions (18), and receiving yards (215), while establishing career-highs in each category.

NFL players with 40+ pass yards and 200+ receiving yards in the same game:

- Keenan Allen #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/7pjm78r131

— Chargers Central (@BoltCentral) September 26, 2023

Allen also led all wide receivers in yards after catch (105), secured a 35.7% air yards share, was targeted on 46.5% of his routes, and averaged 5.00 yards per route run. He also launched a 49-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams.

KEENAN ALLEN TOUCHDOWN PASS TO MIKE WILLIAMS!

📺: #LACvsMIN on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UQdQ05hqXN pic.twitter.com/IVqZX7j6UX

— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2023

He now enters Week 4 with the league lead in receptions (32/10.7 per game). Allen is also second in targets (39/13 per game), second in yards after catch (169), and third in receiving yards (402/134 per game). He has also been targeted on 29.8% of his routes and is averaging 3.07 yards per route run.

Allen’s importance to the Chargers’ offense was already unquestioned. The unfortunate season-ending injury (torn ACL) that was suffered by Williams will sustain the frequent connections between Herbert and Allen. Third-year receiver Joshua Palmer will now elevate into WR2 responsibilities, while first-round draft selection Quentin Johnston’s ascension into an ongoing role could also accelerate.

Palmer was effective while temporarily functioning as the Chargers' WR1 in 2022 as Allen (hamstring), and Williams (ankle), contended with protracted injuries. He finished inside the top 15 among all wide receivers with 58 targets 9.7 per game and 40 receptions (6.7 per game) from Weeks 6-13. He was also targeted on 34.9% of his routes while averaging 2.58 yards per route run during that sequence.

Johnson has yet to deliver numbers that match the most productive members of his rookie class. He has played on 48 snaps while collecting five of his eight targets and generating 26 yards. Neither Palmer nor Johnson will preclude Allen from continuing to benefit from a massive target share while operating as a high-end WR1 for managers.

3. The numbers that Chris Olave accumulated prior to sustaining a hamstring injury in 2022 were impressive. They also contributed to the enthusiasm surrounding Olave’s prospects for vaulting to the periphery of WR1 production during his second season.

Olave soared to the league lead with 1,309 air yards, and fifth in air yards share (39.8%) from Weeks 2-12. He was also fifth in targets per route run (31.9%), eighth in targets (89/8.9 per game/25.7% share), and ninth in receiving yards (781/78.1 per game). Olave also led his rookie class in every category entering Week 13.

Olave’s troublesome hamstring impacted his availability and his effectiveness following that sequence. However. fantasy managers displayed their passion for seizing Olave during draft season, as his ADP steadily rose to the threshold of Round 2 (25/WR13). He had assembled his numbers while operating with Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton under center but would have the opportunity to run routes with Derek Carr spearheading New Orleans’ aerial attack.

CHRIS OLAVE JUST NEEDED ONE ✋#SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/0l4ISAT6Ve

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 19, 2023

Olave would be operating within a receiving arsenal that also included promising second-year receiver Rashid Shaheed, who had averaged 2.8 targets/2.3 receptions/40.7 yards per game in 2022. Michael Thomas was also primed to resurface into the receiving arsenal after being limited to 10 matchups since 2019.

The optimism regarding Olave's potential to build upon his promising rookie season has been justified as he enters Week 4. He is currently eighth overall with a 31.6% target share, has collected 10+ targets during all three of his matchups, and is averaging 10.7 per game.

Olave is also sixth in both air yards (367), and receiving yards (302/100.7 per game), eighth in receptions (22/7.3 per game), and eighth in yards after catch (110). He is also second in targets per route run (47.1%), and fourth in yards per route run (4.44).

ONE-HAND OLAVE WOW.

📺: #NOvsGB on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UQdQ05hqXN pic.twitter.com/a64klSSZeY

— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2023

That includes Olave's usage and productivity when New Orleans traveled to Green Bay in Week 3. He led the Saints in snaps (48), routes (35), targets (11), receptions (eight), receiving yards (104), and air yards (94).  It was his fourth consecutive regular season game with 10+ targets, while he has also eclipsed 100+ yards during two of his last three. Olave was also targeted on 31.4% of his routes and averaged 2.97 yards per route run.

Thomas is consistently second on the Saints behind Olave in nearly every receiving category. That includes targets (26/8.7 per game/25.5% share) after he has captured 8+ during each of his three contests. Thomas is also directly behind Olave in receptions (18/6.0 per game), receiving yards (166/55.3 per game), air yards (195), and air yards share (21.5%). Thomas has also been targeted on 38.8% of his routes and is averaging 2.48 yards per route run.

Carr sustained an AC joint sprain in the third quarter of New Orleans' Week 3 encounter with the Packers that could result in a multiple-game absence. Jameis Winston will spearhead the Saints' offense while Carr is unavailable, and Winston’s track record suggests that he will not be hesitant to capitalize on Olave's ability to operate as an effective downfield weapon.

4. Deshaun Watson resurfaced from his suspension in Week 13 during the 2022 regular season and began guiding Cleveland’s attack upon his return. However, he failed to replicate the level of proficiency that he had delivered prior to his lengthy absence. Watson averaged 28.3 attempts per game during six games as Cleveland’s signal-caller (Weeks 13-18). He also established career lows in completion percentage (58.2%), yards per attempt (6.5), and air yards per attempt (6.0), while his QB rating plunged to 40.4.

The transition from Jacoby Brissett to Watson also impacted Amari Cooper, who had risen to WR8 and generated seven touchdowns from Weeks 1-12, with Brissett under center. Cooper was also fifth in air yards (1,172), ninth in targets (93/8.5 per game/26.6% share), 11th in targets per route run (26.7%), and 12th in both receptions (57/5.2 per game) and receiving yards (792/72 per game) during that sequence.

However, Cooper’s averages dropped to 6.5 targets/3.5 receptions/61.3 yards per game and he plunged to 22nd in air yards while Watson was spearheading the offense.

There was reason to retain confidence in Watson’s prospects for improvement during 2023. However, the numbers entering Week 3 were becoming disconcerting for a quarterback who was signed to a fully guaranteed five-year $230 million contract. He had only completed 38 of his 69 attempts (55.1%)  while averaging 5.6 yards per attempt, and 4.9 air yards per attempt. Cleveland was also ranked just 26th in passing yards per game (177).

However, Watson’s numbers improved in multiple categories when the Browns hosted Tennessee in Week 3. He connected on 27 of his 33 attempts which resulted in an 81.8% completion percentage. That was the first time that he had exceeded 65.5% since his return. He also generated 289 yards which was his highest total with the Browns. He also exceeded his previous averages in yards per attempt (8.8), and air yards per attempt (9.8).

This throw by Deshaun Watson was money! S/O to Amari Cooper for beating soft press/shoe coverage to win vertical.

Watson played a strong game and looked more like himself in week 3! #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/wd1IZhf6fM

— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) September 27, 2023

Cooper became the primary beneficiary in Watson's performance as he collected seven of his eight targets, and generated 116 receiving yards. That was the second-highest yardage total for Cooper since he arrived in Cleveland and the highest since Week 8 of last season. Cooper also accumulated 59 snaps, while running a team-high 35 routes. It was also targeted on 23.5% of those routes and averaged 3.41 yards per route run.

Elijah Moore led the Browns in targets (nine) and receptions (nine) while accumulating a season-high 49 yards. However, his 5.44 yards per reception was well below the 13.2 that he attained during Weeks 1-2. Moore was also involved on 50 snaps, ran 34 routes, was targeted on 25% of those routes, and averaged 1.36 yards per route run.

Amari Cooper is WIDE OPEN for the TD 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PcoRkkRFio

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 24, 2023

Cooper is now fourth overall with 390 air yards from Weeks 1-3, He is also tied with Moore in targets (25/8.3 per game) and leads Cleveland in receptions (17/5.7 per game) and receiving yards (243/81 per game). Cooper is also pacing the Browns in air yards share (42.4%), is fifth overall in targets per route run (44.6%), and is also fifth in yards per route run (4.34).

Cooper had been contending with multiple health issues (shoulder/groin) but should continue to provide managers with high-end WR2 production. Moore has an opportunity to resurrect his career while operating as a WR4.

5. One of the most intriguing tasks during the offseason involved projecting the potential distribution of targets from Daniel Jones to the Giants' restructured arsenal of wide receivers. This contained a plethora of possibilities as the situation was lacking in clarity.

Richie James departed during the team’s offseason renovation. Former Raider Darren Waller was infused into the equation at tight end, while the Giants also entered Week 1 with a reconstructed collection of wide receivers (Darius Slayton/Isaiah Hodgins/Parris Campbell/Jalin Hyatt/Wan’Dale Robinson/Sterling Shepard).

After three matchups, none of the Giants' wide receivers have generated exceptional numbers. However, there has been a consistency in their usage. New York has also been confronted by two elite defenses (Dallas/San Francisco). This has dramatically impacted Jones’ numbers while reducing the proficiency of New York’s offense. Jones now appears destined to be a matchup-based starting option this season and may not fulfill the expectations of those who selected him at QB13 during the draft season.

Daniel Jones has his 4th interception of the season; this one bounces off Darren Waller and up into the air and to Talanoa Hufanga.

3 of the 4 INT’s for Jones in 3 games so far have been balls off receivers.pic.twitter.com/4Owpm2jmjS

— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) September 22, 2023

This was demonstrated during a horrendous outing in Week 1, as Jones only competed 15 of his 28 attempts and manufactured just 104 yards through the air. He also completed the game with a 32.4 QB rating, while averaging a paltry 3.7 yards per attempt, and 0.50 air yards per attempt.

12 of Jones’ 15 completions were collected by three Giant wide receivers, as Slayton garnered a team-high five targets (17.2% share), followed by Campbell (four/13.8% share), and Hodgins (three/10.3% share). Slayton led the unit with 45 snaps, while Campbell accumulated the highest number of routes (35).

Daniel Jones week 2 highlights🤩 pic.twitter.com/zO7LRQkBcf

— toney🎀 (@TurboToney) September 19, 2023

Jones only registered 62 passing yards during the first half in Week 2, before he connected on 17 of his 21 throws, and generated 259 yards during the second half. His completion percentage rose from 53.6% in Week 1 to 70.3%. Jones’ yards per attempt also improved from 3.71 to 8.68, as did his air yards per attempt (0.59/8.54). Slayton led the receivers with 100 snaps after New York’s first two games, followed by Hodgins (90), and Campbell (87). Hyatt was a distant fourth with 36. Campbell had accumulated a team-high 74 routes, while Slayton was second (68), followed by Hodgins (52) and Hyatt (29).

Slayton also led the unit in targets (11), receptions (six), air yards (171), and targets per route run (16.2). Hyatt paced all receivers in receiving yards (89), which was fueled by his two catches of 58/31 yards in Arizona.

Jones only manufactured 137 yards despite launching 32 attempts in Week 3. Slayton led Giant wide receivers with 39 snaps, while Hodgins accumulated 31, and Campbell registered 19. Slayton also ran 30 routes, which exceeded the totals of Hodgins (22), and Campbell (14). Robinson ran nine routes in his season debut following his recovery from a torn ACL.

One of the few positives for the Giants offense this season has been Darius Slayton.

Yes his numbers at 9 catches for 109 yards are far from elite.

But he has caught everything thrown his way, improved as a route runner, tallied 5 first down receptions, and showed yac ability. pic.twitter.com/4qixiThhlV

— Tommy (@TommyG105) September 23, 2023

Slayton now leads Giant receivers with 139 snaps from Weeks 1-3. He has also secured team-highs in routes (98), targets (17/17.2% share), receptions (nine) receiving yards (109), air yards (244), and air yards share (36.5%).  He has also been targeted on 17.3% of his routes while averaging 1.11 yards per route run.

Slayton can be considered as a WR4/WR5 and is the only Giant wide receiver who warrants consideration as a starter. Robinson’s five targets despite being limited to 10 snaps are intriguing and could indicate that a significant rise in his involvement is imminent.

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