Wide Receiver Breakouts for Fantasy Football: Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Michael Pittman, Calvin Ridley, Romeo Doubs, Michael Wilson

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 fourth 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.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Targets

Rookie Puka Nacua continues to lead the league in targets, as his overall total has expanded to 52 entering Week 5. The 177th overall selection during last April‘s NFL draft has now collected 10+ targets in three of his first NFL regular season games while vaulting to fourth overall with a 32.5% target share. Nacua has also established another rookie record by stockpiling 39 receptions during his first four games.

🐏 9 catches
🐏 163 receiving yards
🐏 1st NFL TD (game-winner)
🐏 Most catches for a player in his first 4 career games (39)@AsapPuka is unreal 😳 @ramsnfl pic.twitter.com/hnSHPTsSiw

— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2023

Davante Adams is now second overall with 50 targets, including a league-high 33 since Week 3. Adam has also garnered 9+ targets in 12 of his last 14 matchups. Justin Jefferson has now accumulated 47 targets, even though he failed to attain a double-digit total for the first time this season. He has still captured nine targets and has now secured 9+ during 15 of his last 21 games.

Keenan Allen had entered Week 4 with the league’s second-highest target total (32/13.0 per game). However, the five targets that he attained in Week 4 represented his lowest weekly total since Week 7 of last season. A.J. Brown has now accumulated 27 targets during his last two contests, which places him second only to Adams during that span. He has also surged to fifth overall with 43 from Weeks 1-4.

Ja’Marr Chase is next with 41 targets and has captured 9+ during three of his four matchups. He is now averaging 10.3 per game this season even though he is only 20th among all wide receivers with an average of 14.4 points per game. Tyreek Hill  was averaging 11.7 per game from Weeks 1- 3 before he was limited to a season-low five targets in Week 4. However, he still attained 40 targets and has secured a 30.1% share. 

Stefon Diggs: CONFIRMED DAWG.

📺: @CBS | @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/lyqTy1zYVx

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 1, 2023

Stefon Diggs has captured 39 targets after collecting seven for the second time this season in Week 4. Diggs has also averaged 12.5 per game during Buffalo’s other two matchups which has resulted in an overall average of 9.8 per game. Michael Pittman Jr. has also been targeted 39 times even though he was relegated to a season-low five when Indianapolis hosted the Rams in Week 4. The numbers that have been accumulated by Pittman, and his teammates Josh Downs and Alec Pierce will be examined further in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Chris Olave was tied for seventh overall with 32 targets (10.7 per game) entering Week 4 and had also secured double-digit totals during each of his first three matchups. However, he was only targeted six times by Derek Carr when New Orleans hosted NFC South rival Tampa Bay in Week 4. That dropped his per-game average this season to 9.5. Olave was also limited to just 4.00 yards per reception which easily exceeded his previous career low (10.4).

Garrett Wilson’s overall total expanded to 36 after he captured a season-high 14 in Week 4. It was also the first time this season that Wilson had collected a double-digit total, as he had been averaging 7.3 per game from Weeks 1-3. Tutu Atwell has accumulated 35 targets after capturing nine for the third consecutive week. Prior to Week 2, Atwell had only reached nine targets once during the previous 22 games of his career. 

Since week 2, #Jaguars Christian Kirk has 📈 — He has been the go-to guy there.

Among all pass catchers in the NFL since week 2 he ranks:

- 9th in target%: 28.3%
- 7th in rec.: 23
- 13th in rec. yds: 248pic.twitter.com/Muee2zHUud

— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) October 2, 2023

Christian Kirk has also captured 35 targets after he collected 12 from Trevor Lawrence in Week 3. That is the second double-digit total for Kirk during his last three matchups. Amon-Ra St. Brown has been targeted 34 times after he secured seven targets in Week 4. He has eclipsed 10+ targets once this season after accomplishing it eight times during 2022.

Adam Thielen has now garnered 22 targets during his last two contests, which has improved his overall total to 33. Thielen has also averaged 10.3 per game during his last three matchups, after averaging 3.6 during his previous five games. Romeo Doubs has also accumulated 33 targets after collecting a career-high 13 in Week 4. The second-year receiver has also captured 25 targets during his last two games which will be discussed further In the Five Things I Noticed section.

Target Risers And Fallers 

Puka Nacua led all wide receivers with 20 targets in Week 2, while Davante Adams and Keenan Allen matched that total in Week 3. No wide receivers replicated that number in Week 4, as Garrett Wilson registered a league-best 14 during the Jets’ matchup with Kansas City. That also elevated Wilson atop the list of 10 different receivers who eclipsed 10+ in Week 4.

GARRETT WILSON WOW pic.twitter.com/UsEjoBivKR

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) October 2, 2023

Garrett Wilson was one of 10 different receivers who collected at least 10 targets during their matchups in Week 4. It was the sixth time that Wilson has collected 10+ during the first 21 games of his career. Adams was one of three receivers who accumulated 13 targets in Week 4, which was the seventh time that he has reached that secured 13+ during his 21 games with the Raiders.

A.J. Brown also accrued 13 targets, while his 38.0% target share placed him third overall in Week 4. Brown has averaged 10.2 targets per game during his last 10 regular season matchups. Romeo Doubs also collected 13 targets and has now attained a double-digit total during each of his last two games. He had averaged 5.0 per game during the first 15 games of his career prior to that sequence.

Christian Kirk was targeted 12 times when the Jaguars faced the Falcons in London and has collected 12+ during two of his four matchups. He has also averaged just 4.5 per game during the other two contests.

Chris Godwin had averaged 6.3 targets per game in Weeks 1-3 but attained his first double-digit total of the season in Week 4 (11). It was also Godwin’s highest total since Week 13 of last season.

Puka Nacua accumulated 10 targets when the Rams traveled to Indianapolis as he attained a double-digit total for the third time during what has been an historic rookie season. He has also been targeted on 61.2% of his routes and has been the first read on 36.5% of his targets according to Fantasy Points Data.

Marquise Brown ranks 15th in the NFL in target share for WRs at 27%.

Did the same thing last year in games without DeAndre Hopkins.

Against all odds in this Cardinals offense, he is performing like a low-end WR2 with 14.5 points per game and the schedule improves.

— Dwain McFarland (@dwainmcfarland) October 2, 2023

Marquise Brown secured at least 10 targets during four of his first five matchups last season but did not accomplish it again during the year. However, he has now attained 10+ during two of his four matchups this season after collecting 10 in Week 4.

Terry McLaurin was targeted 10 times in Week 4 which was his first double-digit total of the season. He had been averaging 5.3 per game from Weeks 1-3, and 5.4 per game during his last seven previous matchups prior to Week 4.

Terrace Marshall was averaging 4.7 targets per game from Week 1-3 before he captured 10 targets in Week 4.  It was the first double-digit total of his career, and also his highest weekly total since Week 8 of last season.

Five different receivers registered week-to-week increases of +6 in Week 4. That includes Nico Collins, who had captured 9+ targets in three of his four contests this season. The exception occurred in Week 3 when he was limited to a season-low three. However, he was targeted nine times in Week 4, which fueled a weekly rise of +6.

That tied Collins with Chris Godwin, whose season-high 11 targets in Week 4 were collected after he had registered a season-low five in Week 3. That launched his increase of +6. Christian Kirk also attained a season-high (12) targets, just one week after he was targeted six times in Week 3.

Josh Reynolds WHAT A CATCH pic.twitter.com/uyjJtMSycP

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 29, 2023

Josh Reynolds failed to receive a target in Week 3, even though he accumulated 54 snaps. However, he was targeted six times in Week 4 which increased his week-to-week total by +6.  That tied him with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who was not targeted despite operating with an 81% snap share in Week 3. He garnered six targets when Tennessee hosted Cincinnati, which launched his weekly rise of +6.

Keenan Allen had averaged 11.9 targets per game during his last nine contests prior to his Week 4 matchup with the Raiders. However, Allen’s five-target outing in Week 4 transpired just one week after he had established a new career high with 20 in Week 3. That fueled this week’s largest decline of -15.

Deebo Samuel operated with an 87% snap share during San Francisco's Week 4 matchup with Arizona but did not register a target. That occurred one week after he captured 12 targets in Week 3, which resulted in his week-to-week decline of -12.

Josh Downs had procured a season-high 12 targets when Indianapolis visited Baltimore in Week 3. He was limited to three targets in Week 4, which resulted in a week-to-week drop of -9.

Jakobi Meyers has attained double-digit target totals in Weeks 1 and 3, including the season-high 12 that he received in Week 3. He was limited to just four targets despite operating with a 96% snap share in Week 4, which decreased his weekly total by -8.

D.J. Chark’s 11 targets in Week 3 were the most since Week 1 of 2021. He was only targeted three times in Week 4 which launched his decline of -8.

Air Yards 

Route running at its finest 🤌 pic.twitter.com/Ar2Spn72h1

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 3, 2023

Davante Adams leads all wide receivers with 563 air yards from Weeks 1-4. Justin Jefferson is second overall (557), followed by Tyreek Hill (548), A.J. Brown (540), and Chris Olave (512). Amari Cooper (504), Puka Nacua (465), Mike Evans (409), and Tutu Atwell (400), complete the list of nine wide receivers, who have eclipsed 400 air yards entering Week 5.

Davante Adams also leads his position in air yards share after four matchups (54%). Brandon Aiyuk is second (50.2%), followed by Tyreek Hill (48.5%), A.J. Brown (47.3%), Justin Jefferson (46.7%), Mike Evans (45.2%), Tee Higgins (42.9%), Chris Olave (42.6%), and D.J. Moore who secured an air yards share of 42.5%.

A.J. Brown generated a league-high 212 air yards in Week 4. D.J. Moore rose to second overall (166),  while Marquise Brown, Chris Olave, and Joshua Palmer all accumulated 145. Davante Adams was next (142), followed by Garrett Wilson (141), Brandon Aiyuk (128), Romeo Doubs (123), and Puka Nacua (119).

Brandin Aiyuk also led his position in air yards share during Week 4 (69.6%.). Justin Jefferson was second (68.9%), followed by Davante Adams (63.4%), Tyler Boyd (63.1%), A.J. Brown (60.0%), D.J. Moore (60.4%), Jerry Jeudy (53.3%), Joshua Palmer (53.1%), and Chris Olave, who attained an air yards share of 49.3%.

Routes Run

Justin Jefferson continues to lead the league in routes run (172), while Michael Pittman (166) remains second overall entering Week 5. Keenan Allen and Jahan Dotson are tied for third (164), followed by Alec Pierce (158), Josh Downs (155), K. J. Osborn (153), Terry McLaurin (152), D.J. Moore (147), and Christian Kirk, who has accumulated 142 routes from Weeks 1-4.

DeVonta Smith led his position with 48 routes run when Philadelphia hosted Washington in Week 4. Marquise Brown was second among all wide receivers in Week 4 (47), followed by Terry McLaurin (45), A.J. Brown (44), and three receivers who were tied at 42 - Pukua Nacua, Tutu Atwell, and Rondale Moore. Jakobi Meyers ran 41 routes, while three receivers accumulated 40 - Ja’Marr Chase, Curtis Samuel, and Samuel’s teammate Jahan Dotson.

Targets Per Route Run

Puka Nacua has been targeted on 40.9% of his routes which leads all wide receivers entering Week 5. A.J. Brown is second overall (39.4%), followed by Mike Evans (37.8%), and Chris Olave (37.3%).  Davante Adams is next (36.5%), followed by Tyreek Hill (35.4%), Stefon Diggs (34.8%), Tee Higgins (34.4%), Amari Cooper (33.3%), and two receivers who have been targeted on 31.1% of their routes - Ja’Marr Chase, and Michael Thomas.

Nico Collins was targeted on 42.9% of his routes in Week 4 which was the highest percentage among all wide receivers. Terrace Marshall soared to second overall (38.5%), followed by Justin Jefferson (37.5%), Garrett Wilson (35.9%), Christian Kirk (35.3%), and two receivers who were targeted on 35.1% of their routes (Davante Adams/Romeo Doubs).

Yards Per Route Run 

Brandon Aiyuk is averaging 4.85 yards per route run which is the highest average among all wide receivers who have run 40+ routes. Tyreek Hill is second overall (4.16), followed by Mike Evans (4.11), Puka Nacua (3.94), Nico Collins (3.82), A.J. Brown (3.8), Stefon Diggs (3.56), Justin Jefferson (3.16), and Chris Olave, completing the list of receivers who are averaging at least 3.00 yards per route run.

Brandon Aiyuk‘s average of 8.22 in Week 4 easily led his position. Nico Collins was second (8.00), followed by A.J. Brown (3.98), Puka Nacua (3.88), Stefon Diggs (3.87), Justin Jefferson (3.54), and D.J. Moore, who averaged 3.36 yards per route run in Week 4.

Red Zone Targets  

Davante Adams has surged into the league lead with 10 red zone targets after collecting five during the Raiders’ Week 4 matchup with the Chargers. Rookie Jayden Reed is second overall with nine, followed by six receivers, who have accumulated seven red zone targets - Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, Chris Godwin, Romeo Doubs, Courtland Sutton, and Tyler Lockett. Six different receivers have been targeted six times inside the 20 - Keenan Allen, Garrett Wilson, Jakobi Meyers, Rashee Rice, Tee Higgins, and Drake London.

All six of Meyers’ red zone targets have been collected inside the 10, which is the most among all wide receivers. Adams, Reed, and Hill have all captured five targets, while five receivers have been targeted four times - Doubs, Allen, London, CeeDee Lamb, and K. J. Osborn. Hill has accumulated a league-high four targets inside the 5-yard line while Justin Jefferson and Meyers have been targeted three times.

Adam’s aforementioned five targets inside the 20 led all wide receivers in Week 4. Jahan Dotson secured four red zone targets, while Diggs, Lamb, and Rice were targeted three times. Dotson also captured three targets inside the 10-yard line while Adams, Lamb, and DeAndre Hopkins were targeted twice.

Snaps

DeVonta Smith leads all wide receivers with 278 offensive snaps. Michael Pittman is second overall (261), followed by A.J. Brown (255), Donovan Peoples-Jones (254), and Alec Pierce (252).  Van Jefferson is next (252), followed by Puka Nacua (251), Adam Thielen (243), Tutu Atwell  (241), and Keenan Allen, who has accumulated 237 snaps.

Smith also leads the position with a 98.9% snap share from Weeks 1-4. Pittman is also second in this category (97.8%), followed by Justin Jefferson (97.1%), Ja’Marr Chase (96.2%), Alec Pierre (94.4%) and D.J. Moore (93.8%). Garrett Wilson is next (92.7%), followed by K.J. Osborn (91.7%), Davante Adams (91.3%), and A.J. Brown, who has attained a snap share of 90.8%.

Puka Nacua led all wide receivers with 74 snaps in Week 4, followed by Van Jefferson (67), DeVonta Smith (66), Jakobi Meyers (66), Darius Slayton (65), D.J. Moore (65), A.J. Brown (64), Amon-Ra St. Brown (64), and two receivers who accumulated 62 snaps -Marquise  Brown, and D.J. Chark.

Smith also led the position with a 98.5% snap share in Week 4. George Pickens was second overall (98.2%), followed by Zay Flowers (98.2%), Justin Jefferson (97.7%), Jakobi Meyers (95.7%), A.J. Brown (95.5%), Puka Nacua (94.9%), and Michael Pittman, who secured a snap share of 94.8% in Week 4.

Five Things I Noticed 

1. Green Bay entered Week 4 with a passing attack that had been reinvented by an offseason transformation under center, along with the influx of talent at wide receiver and tight end during the Packers' last two drafts.

Green Bay had invested a first-round draft selection on Jordan Love during the 2020 NFL Draft. Love finally surfaced as the Packers’ starting signal caller in Week 1 after spending his first three years as a spectator, while Aaron Rodgers sustained his long-standing role spearheading the team’s offense.

Love had connected on 51 of his 96 attempts (53.1%) while averaging 223.6 yards per game during the Packers’ first three matchups. He had also averaged 6.8 yards per attempt, and 7.8 air yards per attempt. Love had also distributed 67.4% of his passes to Green Bay’s wide receivers, which was the league’s ninth-highest percentage.

That did not include Christian Watson, who was expected to be the Packers’ most critical receiving weapon this season. Watson had suffered a hamstring injury during training camp and had not contributed to the team’s aerial efforts prior to their Week 4 matchup with NFC North rival Detroit.

Jayden Reed is gonna be a superstarpic.twitter.com/Bd1XcXidfA

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) September 24, 2023

Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed had operated as the Packers’ top two wide receivers during Watson’s absence while joining fast-emerging tight end Luke Musgrave as the top three weapons for Love during the team’s first three outings.

Doubs paced Green Bay’s wide receivers with 126 snaps (70.8% share) followed by rookies Dontayvion Wicks (108/60.7% share), and Jayden Reed (104/58.4%).

Romeo Doubs with an incredible deep fingertip catch yesterday. I was a fan of his as a prospect and he’s really impressed me in the NFL, especially to begin this season. pic.twitter.com/jIVd9SuGKr

— Ben Cummins (@BenCumminsFF) September 25, 2023

Doubs led the Packers with 83 routes, followed by Reed (75), and Wicks (64). Doubs and Reed paced the team in targets (20/21.1% share), while Reed had been targeted on a team-high 26.7% of his routes. Reed has also assembled the most receiving yards (148), followed by Doubs (129).

Christian Watson is back in the endzone 📍pic.twitter.com/bmPCfvuCUl

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 29, 2023

Love also launched 36 attempts when Green Bay hosted Detroit in Week 4. His 63.9% completion percentage was his highest this season, while he eclipsed 240 passing yards for the third time this year.

Love also operated for the first time this season with Watson, whose managed workload limited him to 24 snaps. Watson also ran 18 routes, while collecting two of his four targets. He also generated 25 yards and a touchdown during his return.

Doubs played on a team-high 47 snaps, while also leading all Packers in routes run (37). He also paced the team in targets (13). receptions (nine), and receiving yards (95), while establishing career-highs in each category. It was the second consecutive game in which Doubs has been targeted 12+ times by Love, and also his second straight matchup with 70+ yards. He averaged 2.57 yards per route run and was targeted on 35.1% of his routes, which placed him sixth among all wide receivers.

Reed was second on the Packers in snaps (38), and also in routes run (29). He also received five targets, garnered three receptions, and assembled 55 yards. That was the second consecutive game in which Reed has eclipsed 50 yards. He was also targeted on 17.2% of his routes and averaged 1.90  yards per route run - while operating from the slot on 70.2% of his routes.

Watson's big-play potential will reestablish him as a high-end WR3 option for fantasy managers. However, Doubs appears primed to lead the Packers in targets and receptions during his second season and has earned consideration as a viable WR3.  Reed's encouraging numbers entering Week 5 have elevated him into WR4 territory.

2. Members of this year’s rookie class have now completed the first four matchups of their NFL careers. An encouraging number of these first-year receivers have also delivered impressive results entering Week 5.

THE LEGEND OF PUKA NACUA GROWS!

WALK-OFF GAME-WINNER 😤 pic.twitter.com/WYRXJxx9vc

— PFF (@PFF) October 1, 2023

Puka Nacua was the 20th wide receiver to be selected during last April‘s NFL draft. However, he quickly ascended into the lead among all rookies in targets (52/13 per game), receptions (39/9.8 per game), and receiving yards (501/125.3 per game from Weeks 1-4. Zay Flowers is second among newcomers in targets (29/7.3 per game, receptions (24 /6.0 per game and third in receiving yards (244/61 per game).

Josh Downs is third overall in targets (27/6.8 per game), third in receptions (17/4.3 per game), and eighth in receiving yards (158/39.5  per game). Jayden Reed is fourth in targets (25/6.3 per game), eighth in receptions (12.0/3.0), and sixth in receiving yards (203/50.8 per game entering Week 5.

Rookie to rookie. @CJ7STROUD hits Tank Dell for a 68-yard TD!

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

— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2023

Tank Dell is fifth in targets (24/6.0 per game), fourth in receptions (16/4.0 per game), and second only to Nacua with 267 receiving yards (267/66.8 per game). Jordan Addison is sixth in targets (20/5.0 per game), sixth in receptions (13/3.3 per game), and seventh in receiving yards (185/46.3 per game).

Rashee Rice and Jonathan Mingo are tied for eighth in targets (19/4.8 per game), while Rice is tied with Addison for sixth in receptions (13/3.3 per game). Michael Wilson is 10th in targets (16/4.0 per game) and has risen to fifth in receptions (14/3.5 per game), and fifth in receiving yards (237/59.3 per game).

Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Quentin Johnston were the first two wide receivers to be drafted last April. However, Smith-Njigba is currently seventh with 20 targets (5.0 per game), tied for eighth in receptions (12.0/3.0 per game), and just 14th in receiving yards (62/15.5 per game). Johnston has been limited to 11 targets (2.8 per game), six receptions (1.5 per game), and 44 yards (11 per game) from Weeks 1-4.

Reed is second among all receivers with nine red zone targets. Rice is second among rookies (six), followed by Flowers (five), and two newcomers who have been targeted three times – Downs, and Dontayvion Wicks. Nacua also leads the rookie class with 464 air yards. Reed is second (333), followed by Dell (309), Wilson (267), Mims (247), Addison (243), and Mingo (229).

Nacua is also leading all first-year receivers with 251 snaps, which also places him seventh among all receivers. Flowers is second with 223, which has elevated him to 15th overall.  Downs is next (206), followed by Dell (179), Wilson (163) and Addison (154).

Downs is sixth among all receivers with 155 routes run, while easily pacing his 2023 class. Flowers is second (137), followed by Nacua (127), Addison (119),  Dell (114), and Reed (104).

Nacua also leads in targets per route run (40.9%), followed by Mingo (34.5%), Rice (29.7%), Mims (28,2%), Smith-Njigba (25%),  Reed (24%), Flowers (21.2%), and Dell (21.1%). Mims has averaged 6.21 yards per route run while being limited to 39 routes. Nacua leads the first-year receivers who have run 40+ routes (3.94), followed by Jalin Hyatt (2.36), Dell (2.34), Wilson (2,32), Rice (2,19), and Reed (1.95).

The numbers for this year's rookie class will be included in this section on a regular basis as the weeks advance. Those future results will also be compared to the numbers that were listed today. This will provide a path toward determining trends for each newcomer.

3. It is understandable if you have been avoiding members of Arizona’s offense. However, fourth-year signal caller Joshua Dobbs has exceeded expectations while spearheading the Cardinals’ aerial attack. Dobbs' recent performances have provided the rationale for trusting him to effectively locate Marquise Brown and promising rookie Michael Wilson while launching both receivers more securely into the fantasy landscape.

Prior to this season’s emergence under center in Arizona, Dobbs had been limited to 10 completions, and 45 passing yards during two seasons with Pittsburgh (2018-2020). He also started two games for Tennessee last season while completing 58.8% of his passes, and generating 411 yards through the air.

However, during his four starts with Arizona, Dobbs has completed 87 of his 123 attempts, while securing a career-high, 70.7% completion percentage. He has already established a career-high in passing yards (814) while performing sufficiently for fantasy managers to eliminate all previous hesitation with trusting Brown in their lineups. Dobbs’ recent connections with Wilson, have also elevated the promising rookie among this week’s wide receivers to seize from your waiver wires.

Joshua Dobbs to Marquise Brown Passing TD (2/2) pic.twitter.com/Bf0QjbLgUV

— NFL TD Videos (@NFLTDVideos2023) September 24, 2023

Since Week 2, Brown has accumulated 27 targets 9.0 per game which places in 13th among all wide receivers during that span. He is also 13th overall with 18 receptions 6.0 per game. Brown has also run 109  routes during that three-game span, has been targeted on 24.8% of those routes, and has averaged 1.94 yards per route run. Brown has also vaulted to 10th overall with 319 air yards and is 11th with a 43% air yards share.

Michael Wilson finished Sunday 7/7 for 76 yards and 2 TDs🔥

Is he your priority waiver add this week? pic.twitter.com/9a5eHSM2Ts

— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) October 3, 2023

Wilson’s overall numbers through the first four games of his career were included in the rookie update that appeared earlier in the section. Those results have also been fueled by his usage and output since Week 2. Wilson has also played on 111 snaps during that three-game sequence and has run 73 routes. He has captured all 12 of his targets from Dobbs while assembling 218 yards - which is 22nd overall. Wilson has also been targeted on 16.4% of his routes and is averaging 2.99 yards per route run.

Michael Wilson scored 26.6 PPR points against the San Francisco 49ers in his 4th career game

pic.twitter.com/w3J87HOczN

— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) October 1, 2023

Wilson also played on 48 snaps in Week 4. He ran 36 routes and established new season highs in targets (seven), receptions (seven), yards before catch (61), and red zone targets (two).

Dobbs' ability to connect with Brown should bolster confidence in deploying Brown as a reemerging WR3 in your lineups. Dobbs' distribution of targets to Wilson on an increasing basis also provides an opportunity for the 6’2”, 210-pound rookie to utilize his favorable combination of size, speed, and versatility. This will also accelerate his surge toward operating as a resource for fantasy managers as his rookie year progresses.

4. Anthony Richardson reemerged under center for Indianapolis in Week 4, following his recovery from a concussion. The fourth overall selection in last April’s NFL Draft had sustained the injury during the first half of the Colts' Week 2 matchup with division rival Houston, which had temporarily elevated Gardner Minshew into the starting role.

FIRST DOWNS. 😤

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/CrQ09fEzgg

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 10, 2023

Richardson had connected on 24 of his 37 attempts during his NFL debut while securing a completion percentage of 64.9%. He also generated 223 yards through the air, while averaging 6.0 yards per attempt. 53.8% of his targets were distributed to Indianapolis wide receivers, which ranked 26th overall during the week.

Michael Pittman collected a team-high 11 targets (28.2% share) during that matchup. He also led the Colts in targets per route run (23.9%), yards per route run (2.11), receptions (eight), and receiving yards (97). Pittman also finished second among all wide receivers with 46 routes. Alec Pierce (44) and rookie Josh Downs (43) finished seventh and eighth respectively in that same category.

Minshew completed 19 of his 23 attempts after Richardson was forced to the sideline in Week 2 (82.6%) while averaging 7.4 yards per attempt. His completion percentage dropped to 61.4% in Week 3, as did his 5.2 yards per attempt. Pittman and Pierce led all other receivers in snaps during that Week 3 matchup (Pittman 84/100%), Pierce (81/96.4%). However, Downs ran 51 routes and led Indianapolis in targets (12/27.9% share) and targets per route run (23.5%) during Minshew’s only full game as the Colts’ starter.

I still can't believe Michael Pittman Jr. held on that football.

Catch of the year. 💯 pic.twitter.com/ztuG4arLa9

— Indy SportsOne (@IndySportsOne) September 24, 2023

Pittman unsurprisingly paced the team in routes (57), receptions (nine) receiving yards (77), and yards after catch (39) in Week 3. Pierce accumulated the highest number of air yards (148), while also leading Indianapolis in air yards share (47.3%).

Unfortunately, Richardson‘s return in Week 4 did not fuel a productive outing for any of the Colt wide receivers. He only attempted 25 passes and was also limited to just 11 completions which resulted in a season-low 44% completion rate. 10 of Richardson's targets were distributed to his trio of wide receivers - (Pittman/five), (Downs/three), (Pierce/two).

Pittman played on 55 snaps and ran 26 routes. However, he was limited to just one reception, and 15 yards, which were his lowest totals since Week 15 of the 2021 regular season. They also represented significant declines from his averages from Weeks 1-3 (8.3 receptions/76.7 yards per game). Downs accumulated 43 snaps and ran 28 routes. He established new season lows in targets (three), and receptions (two), and was limited to 34 yards. The rookie was also targeted on 10.7% of his routes and averaged 1.21 yards per route run.

Pierce was involved in 52 snaps and ran 27 routes. He was targeted twice and recorded one reception which tied his season lows in each category. He also assembled 38 yards with his one reception. He was also targeted on 7.4% of his routes and averaged 1.41 yards per route run. Pittman has now been targeted on a team-high 23.5% of his routes, followed by Downs (17.4%), and Pierce (8.9%). Pittman also leads the Colts in yards per route run (1.48), followed by Downs (1.02), and Pierce (0.72).

Despite the underwhelming numbers in Week 4, Pittman remains a WR2 in your lineups. Downs is advancing toward becoming a high-end WR4 as his rookie season progresses. Pierce can be rostered but should not be deployed in any starting lineups.

5. Unfortunately, you are already aware that some wide receivers have failed to reach expectations to this point of the regular season.    

This applies to a collection of players although the spotlight will shift toward two receivers who operate in the AFC South. In the case of Calvin Ridley, favorable numbers that were assembled during Jacksonville’s season opener have diminished considerably.

Ridley’s prospects of recapturing the proficiency that he displayed while constructing his 2020 breakout had become a topic of debate following his reinstatement by the NFL, due to the potential impact of his lengthy absence.

Ridley promptly delivered a highly productive outing in Week 1, while finishing sixth in scoring (24.1 points). He also soared to seventh in target share (34.4%) during his long-awaited debut, while finishing seventh in receptions (eight), eighth in receiving yards (101), 12th in targets per route run (31.4%), and 13th in yards per route run (2.89).

Still thinking about how the Texans game could have been different if Calvin Ridley catches this touchdown.#Jaguars schemed him up on a linebacker, too.

Got to lock in and MAKE those plays on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/IVdhNLJUqz

— Andrew Gibson (@1010XLAG) September 28, 2023

Since that outing, his numbers have declined.  Ridley has averaged just 4.5 targets per game since Week 3. He has also averaged 1.5 receptions/39 yards per game, while his target share has plunged to 13%.

Through 24% of the season, Christian Kirk is leading the Jaguars in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. He’s also the highest-graded WR on the team, led in YPRR before today, and Trevor’s passer rating when targeting him was 110.6 (probably 📈). pic.twitter.com/Q69nfNfFVG

— Christian Williams (@CWilliamsNFL) October 1, 2023

Christian Kirk leads Ridley in each category during that same sequence, while doubling Ridley’s target share (26%/13%), and averaging 6.0 receptions/69 yards per game. Kirk has also been targeted on 23.4% of his routes and is averaging 1.79 yards per route run.

While Ridley’s decreased numbers are concerning, it is premature to dismiss his prospects of regaining his initial statistical momentum. It is recommended that anyone who has a Ridley contained on their rosters should operate with a larger sample size when determining whether he needs to be benched or sold.

Treylon Burks was included among this year’s viable breakout candidates,  following a rookie season that contained a blend of promising numbers, and a six-game absence due to multiple injuries (turf toe/concussion).

However, Burks has only exceeded 20 receiving yards during one of Tennessee’s matchups. He was limited to two catches and 18 yards during the season opener, despite operating with a 90% snap share and running 37 routes. Burks also secured a 75% snap share and accumulated six targets (25% share) in Week 3, but only registered one reception and five yards.

Treylon Burks (knee) ruled out for Week 4.

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 29, 2023

Burks was also contending with a knee injury that sidelined him when Tennessee hosted Cincinnati in Week 4. The issue was not related to the sprained LCL injury that he suffered in August. However, the list of health issues that have been sustained by Burks is concerning.

These injuries have also circumvented his ability to operate as a point producer for managers. Burks enters Week 5 having accumulated just 13 targets, six receptions, and 99 receiving yards this season. It is unclear when he will resurface, and it has become difficult to remain optimistic that he can become a reliable resource for fantasy managers.

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