Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Week 12 Analysis

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 12th 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 should remain on your rosters during the fantasy postseason. Pro Football Reference, PFF, NextGenStats, Rotowire, Rotoviz, and Football Outsiders were all used as resources in compiling this data.

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Week 12 Target Leaders 

Keenan Allen td. rinse. repeat.@Keenan13Allen | ?: CBS pic.twitter.com/7YtdxELGA6

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) November 29, 2020

Keenan Allen leads all wide receivers in targets for a second consecutive week, after expanding his season total to 122. Stefon Diggs is second overall (110), followed by Allen Robinson (108), DeAndre Hopkins (103), Robby Anderson (102), Terry McLaurin (102), and Tyreek Hill (101). Those are the only seven receivers that have currently eclipsed 100 targets for the season. Davante Adams is next (99), followed by Amari Cooper (98), Cooper Kupp (96), Diontae Johnson (94), and Tyler Boyd (93). Tyler Lockett has collected 92 targets, followed by D.K. Metcalf (90), D.J. Moore (89), Robert Woods  (87), and Calvin Ridley (86). Mike Evans (81), CeeDee Lamb (81), and A..J. Green (80) complete the list of 21 receivers that have been targeted 80+ times through the matchups of Week 12.

Johnson has been targeted 50 times since Week 9, which is the highest total among all receivers during that four-game span. Allen and Hill are tied for second overall (47), followed by Adams (42), Chase Claypool (40), DeVante Parker (37), Anderson (35), Evans (35), JuJu Smith-Schuster (34), Woods (33), and McLaurin (33). Marvin Jones and Justin Jefferson are tied with 32, while five different receivers have all been targeted 31 times during that span - Robinson, Metcalf, Diggs, Jerry Jeudy, Chris Godwin, and Michael Thomas. Hopkins, Moore, and Jakobi Meyers have all captured 30 targets, while no other receivers have attained 30+ targets between Weeks 9-12.

Allen, Hill, and Johnson are currently tied for the most targets since Week 11 (29) while Woods is fourth overall (27), followed by Parker (23), and Moore (20). Godwin is next (19), while eight different receivers have collected 18 targets during that two-game span - Kupp, Evans, Metcalf, Thomas, Adams, Marvin Jones, Jefferson, and Ridley. Russell Gage, Tyler Boyd, and Claypool have been targeted 17 times while three receivers have all captured 16 targets - Anderson, McLaurin, and Antonio Brown. Hopkins, Curtis Samuel, and Tee Higgins spearhead the group of eight receivers that have been targeted 15 times during their last two contests.

Allen, Adams, and Diggs have sustained their status as the only three receivers that are averaging a target per game average of 10+. Allen has also reached a double-digit target total in five of his last six matchups. That increases his season-long total to eight games with 10+ targets which leads all wide receivers. Johnson has been targeted 10+ times in seven different contests, while Adams has accomplished it six times.

Largest Weekly Changes

All THREE touchdowns from @cheetah ?

?: #DENvsKC 12/6 on NBC pic.twitter.com/zhMpxkdu8m

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 30, 2020

Patrick Mahomes distributed 15 targets to Hill during Kansas City’s matchup with Tampa Bay. That enabled Hill to garner the largest target total in Week 12. Hill has now captured 63 targets since Week 7. That is the third-highest total among all wide receivers even though that sequence also encompasses the Chiefs’ Week 10 bye. The fact that Hill’s 15 targets did not even represent his highest total in November (18 in Week 9) underscores the degree to which Mahomes and Hill have combined to stockpile yardage and accumulate fantasy points in recent weeks.

DeVante Parker collected a season-high 14 targets against the Jets, which was the second-highest total of Week 12. It was just the second time that Parker has received 10+ targets the season and the first time that he has accomplished it since Week 4. Parker had averaged 5.3 targets per game from Weeks 8-10 when Tua Tagovailoa performed under center on every snap. Justin Jefferson captured a career-high 13 targets when the Panthers traveled to Minnesota, which was the third time that he has attained 10+ the season. Parker and Jefferson will both be discussed further in the 5 Things I Noticed section.

Allen Robinson x2⃣pic.twitter.com/FIGYGdKk6E

— PFF (@PFF) November 30, 2020

Robinson had accumulated 39 targets from Weeks 3-5 while averaging a league-high 13.0 per game during that span. But that average dropped to 7.3 per game from Weeks 6-11. Metcalf also captured 13 targets, which was his highest weekly total since Week 8 (15). He had averaged 6-per game from Weeks 9-11. Deebo Samuel tied Jefferson, Robinson, and Metcalf with 13 targets which was easily his highest weekly total of the season. He had entered San Francisco’s Week 12 matchup with just 22 targets throughout the entire season. Diontae Johnson also accrued 13 targets and has now collected 10+ in four consecutive games.

Marvin Jones established his own season-high with 12 targets on Thanksgiving Day. That elevated his season-long average to 6.3 per game after he had averaged 5.7 from Weeks 1-11. That weekly total tied him with Robert Woods, who has now accumulated 27 targets during the Rams last two matchups. Jarvis Landry tied his season-high by collecting 11 targets from Baker Mayfield, while Keenan Allen’s 10 targets completed the list of double-digit target totals during Week 12.

Both Robinson and Samuel returned from their byes in Week 11 to accumulate their 13 targets in Week 12. That automatically created a rise of +13 for both receivers, which was the largest increase of the week. Four different receivers attained a week to week increase of +9. This includes Landry, whose 11 targets were received just one week after he had only been targeted twice. Diggs, Darnell Mooney, and Golden Tate were all targeted nine times after they reemerged from their Week 11 byes.

.@DangeRussWilson: master of the ??? ball to @dkm14.

Watch #SEAvsPHI: https://t.co/hBwDTin5ta pic.twitter.com/LH5jyrjR1g

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 1, 2020

Metcalf and Jefferson both collected 13 targets after receiving five in Week 11. That resulted in a week to week improvement of +8. It also tied them with Sterling Shepard, who was targeted eight times following his bye week. Injuries to D.J. Chark (ribs) and Chris Conley (hip) elevated rookie Colin Johnson into an expanded role, and his career-high eight targets propelled him to a rise of +8. Hunter Renfrow +7, Marvin Jones (+6), Michael Pittman (+6), and Anthony Miller (+6) also achieved noteworthy week to week increases.

Antonio Brown’s target total had increased for three consecutive weeks after he resurfaced in Week 9 (5/8/13). But after attaining a season-high 13 in Week 11, Brown was only targeted three times during Tampa Bay‘s matchup with the Chiefs. That resulted in the largest week to week decrease among all receivers (-10). Allen’s latest double-digit target total of 10 was actually nine fewer than he collected in Week 11, while Kupp’s five targets in Week 12 represented a decline of -8. Both Russell Gage and Jerry Jeudy experienced a week to week reduction of -7, while four different receivers endured a weekly decrease of -6 -Tim Patrick, K.J. Hamler, A.J. Green, and Michael Thomas.

Week 12 Air Yards

All THREE touchdowns from @cheetah ?

?: #DENvsKC 12/6 on NBC pic.twitter.com/zhMpxkdu8m

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 30, 2020

Tyreek Hill now leads all wide receivers with 1,355 air yards. D.K. Metcalf is second overall (1,280), followed by Calvin Ridley (1,262), Jerry Jeudy (1,111), A.J. Green (1,108), and D.J. Moore (1,089). Stefon Diggs is next (1,045), followed by Allen Robinson (1,029), and Tee Higgins (1,003). No other receivers have eclipsed 1,000 air yards through the matchups of Week 12. Marquise Brown is next (996), followed by Terry McLaurin (990),  Robby Anderson (988), Adam Thielen (970), Mike Evans (964), Mike Williams (959), Tyler Lockett (947), Darnell Mooney (942), and Davante Adams (922). Amari Cooper (899), and Justin Jefferson (896), complete the list of top 20 receivers in accumulated air yards through Week 12.

McLaurin continues to lead his position in percentage share of air yards (44.7). Moore is second overall (40.8), followed by Brown (40.6), Metcalf (40.5), Hill (40.2), Anderson (36.9), Thielen (35.7), Diggs (35.1), Darius Slayton (34.5), and Damiere Byrd (33.8). Ridley is next (33.60, followed by Jefferson (33.0), Hopkins (31.2), Chase Claypool (31.2), Jeudy (30.9), and Adams (30.9). Green (30.8), Will Fuller (30.2), and Lockett (30.0) complete the list of wide receivers that are averaging a percentage share of 30+.

Henry Ruggs leads all wide receivers in targeted air yards (17.8), followed by Marvin Hall (17.5), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (17.3), Jalen Guyton (16.8), Mike Williams (16.6), and Denzel Mims (16.1). Only those six receivers have attained a percentage of 16+. Brown and Scott Miller are tied at 15.7, followed by Breshad Perriman (15.4), Ridley (14.9), Mooney (14.8), Metcalf (14.7), Jeudy (14.6), Gabriel Davis (14.5), and Green (14.2). Kenny Golladay (14.1), and Tim Patrick (14.1) are the only other receivers who are currently averaging 14+.

Week 12 First Downs

Keenan Allen leads all wide receivers with 53 receptions for first downs through 12 matchups. DeAndre Hopkins is second overall 52, followed by Davante Adams (48), D.K. Metcalf (45), Tyreek Hill (44), Terry McLaurin (43), and three receivers that are tied with 42 first down receptions - Allen Robinson, Amari Cooper, and D.J. Moore. Tyler Boyd is next (41), along with Calvin Ridley (41), and three receivers that are tied with 40 - Stefon Diggs, Robby Anderson, and Tyler Lockett. Mike Evans and Will Fuller have both collected 38 receptions, while Justin Jefferson, and DeVante Parker, are tied with 37. Cole Beasley, and Tee Higgins, have both captured 36 receptions for first downs, while Adam Thielen has attained 35. Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks are among the group of 14 additional receivers that have captured at least 30 receptions for first downs through Week 12.

Week 12 Red Zone Targets

Things you love to see: pic.twitter.com/5609rXSV5n

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) November 30, 2020

Mike Evans has now stockpiled 11 red zone targets during his last four matchups. This has vaulted him into a tie with Davante Adams for the league lead (18). Calvin Ridley is third overall (16), followed by Tyreek Hill (15) and Adam Thielen (15). Keenan Allen is next (13), while three receivers have all been targeted 12 times - Allen Robinson, Russell Gage, and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Seven different receivers have collected 11 red zone targets -Tyler Lockett, Tyler Boyd, D.K. Metcalf, CeeDee Lamb, Marvin Jones, Brandon Aiyuk, and Zach Pascal - while seven additional receivers have been targeted 10 times in the red zone through Week 12 – DeAndre Hopkins, Terry McLaurin, Cooper Kupp, Julio Jones, A..J. Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, and Michael Thomas.

Evans also leads his position with 14 targets inside the 10-yard line. Adams is second (11), while Hill and Thielen are tied with nine. Ridley, Metcalf, and Lamb have been targeted eight times, while Lockett and Aiyuk have collected seven targets inside the 10. Seven different receivers have captured six targets Robinson, A.J. Brown, Thomas, Moore, Christian Kirk, Sammy Watkins, and Randall Cobb while Hopkins and Higgins spearhead a group of 10 receivers that have been targeted five times inside the 10.

Evans also leads all wide receivers with eight targets inside the 5-yard line. Adams is second (7), followed by three receivers with six targets - Ridley, Lockett, and Lamb. Aiyuk and Higgins have been targeted five times, while Hill, Thielen, and Thomas are among the 10 receivers that have attained four targets inside the 5-yard line.

Week 12 Snap Counts

Allen now leads all wide receivers with 731 offensive snaps through 12 matchups. DeAndre Hopkins is second (730), followed by Michael Gallup (707), Robert Woods (696), D.K. Metcalf (695), Terry McLaurin (695), Mike Evans (690), Stefon Diggs (672), D.J. Moore (672), and Tyler Lockett (666) completing the top 10. Marvin Jones is next (657), followed by Amari Cooper (656), Tyreek Hill (656), Damiere Byrd (654), Cooper Kupp (641), Jalen Guyton (639), Allen Robinson (638), Darius Slayton (626), Mike Williams (620), and Tyler Boyd (611). No other receivers have eclipsed 600 offensive snaps through Week 12.

Metcalf has led all receivers in snap percentage for 11 of the 12 weeks that have been completed and he has maintained that lead entering Week 13 (94.6). McLaurin is second overall (93.8), followed by Hopkins (93,0), Diggs (91.9), Thielen (91.9), Damiere Byrd (91.5), Denzel Mims (90.9), Woods (90.7), Lockett (90.6), and Marvin Jones completing the top 10 (98.2). Gallup is next (87.8), followed by Allen (87.7), Moore (87.5), Robinson (87.3), Will Fuller (86.6), Hill (86.5), and Godwin (86.5). Brandin Cooks is next (85.7), Breshad Perriman (85.6), Darius Slayton (85.5), and Evans (85.1). No other receivers have performed on at least 85% of their teams’ offensive snaps through their Week 12 matchups.

Allen played on 78 offensive snaps in Week 12, which was the highest total among all wide receivers. Hopkins and Justin Jefferson were tied for second with 72 snaps, followed by Russell Gage (69), Marvin Jones (68), Hill (68), Mike Williams (67), DeVante Parker (67), and three receivers that were tied with 64 – Robinson, Michael Pittman, and Christian Kirk. Five different receivers performed on 63 snaps – Adams, Sterling Shepard, Deebo Samuel, Richie James, and Jalen Guyton. McLaurin and Woods were next (62), followed by Josh Reynolds, Keelan Cole (61), and three receivers who played on 60 of their teams’ offensive snaps – Diggs, Lockett, and Gabriel Davis.

Woods led all receivers in snap count percentage during Week 12, by performing in 100% of the Rams’ snaps against San Francisco. Jefferson was second (98.6), followed by Reynolds (98.4), Breshad Perriman (98.2), Hopkins (97.3), Diggs (96.7), Gabriel Davis (96.7), Denzel Mims (94.5), DeVante Parker (94.3), and Jakobi Meyers completing the top 10 with 94.3%. Robinson was next (94.1), followed by Allen (94.0), Keelan Cole (93.9), Tee Higgins (91.8), Chris Godwin (91.5), Moore (90.7), and Laviska Shenault (90.8). McLaurin (89.9), Evans (89.8), Lockett (89.6), and Adams (88.7), were among the group of 14 receivers that performed on at least 85% of their team’s offensive snaps in Week 12.

Five Things I Noticed

MORE THANKSGIVING TRICKERY!

HAVE A DAY, @DeshaunWatson + @Will_Fuller7!

?: #HOUvsDET on CBS
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/pj1AUrPEVE pic.twitter.com/feaJPlD6SX

— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2020  

 

1. We have become accustomed to unexpected developments throughout this challenging season and the six-game suspension of Will Fuller became yet another stunning announcement that will impact anyone who has considered Fuller, Brandin Cooks, or Deshaun Watson to be mainstays in their starting lineups. Entering Houston’s matchup in Week 5, Watson led the NFL in passing yards (1,451/290.2 yards per game). But his touchdown to interception ratio was just 9:5. However, he delivered 15 touchdown passes and has avoided tossing any interceptions during his last six matchups. This has resulted in an impressive 24:5 touchdown to interception ratio through Week 12. That has also propelled Houston to second in passing touchdown percentage (77.4).

Cooks and Fuller had been the beneficiaries of Watson’s aerial assault, as the two receivers had combined for 90 targets, 65 receptions, nearly 1,000 yards (967), and seven touchdowns from Week 6-12. Both receivers had also combined for a 46.4 target share (Cooks 23.2/Fuller 23.2), along with 967 air yards (Fuller 547/Cooks 420), and a 57.6 percentage share of air yards (Fuller 32.5/Cooks 25.1). Fuller was tied for fourth in receiving yardage during those contests as his surging total had been fueled by three-100-yard performances - including his season-high 171 yards during Houston’s Thanksgiving Day matchup in Detroit. That had also vaulted Fuller to sixth with a career-high eight touchdowns after capturing five of the touchdown passes that Watson has unleashed since Week 6.

Fuller had already established new career-highs in receptions (53), yardage (879), and 100-yard performances (5), and was on pace to accumulate 109 targets, collect 78 receptions, and 1,278 yards through Week 17. He also would have progressed through an entire 16 game-season for the first time in his career if he had eluded injuries during his five remaining matchups.

But Fuller’s season has reached an abrupt conclusion. This will clear a path for Cooks to operate as Watson’s primary receiving weapon during the Texans’ upcoming contests. It will also supply his managers with the opportunity to benefit from what should be an expanded role. Cooks was averaging an uninspiring 5.3 targets, 2.5 receptions, and 34.5 yards per game from Weeks 1-4. But he collected a season-high 12 targets in Week 5, which ignited the improvement in his usage and production.

During his last seven games, Cooks has averaged 8.1 targets, 6.0 receptions, and 83 yards per game. These numbers have elevated him to 23th overall in targets (78/7.1 per game), 18th in receiving yards (719/65.4 per game), and 22nd in receptions (52/4.7 per game).

Fuller’s absence should compel Watson to locate Cooks with even greater frequency, as he will not contend with a significant threat to his newfound WR1 responsibilities. Third-year receiver Keke Coutee is the most likely candidate to function as Watson’s WR2, while rookie Isaiah Coulter could also emerge as a factor. Cooks can be utilized as WR2/WR3s with the prospects of approaching high-end WR2 status.

2. If you selected Tyler Boyd or Tee Higgins during your draft process, then you have become accustomed to relying on their consistent production throughout the season. But their dependable weekly scoring has been interrupted due to Joe Burrow’s absence. Burrow had been averaging 40.4 attempts, 26.4 completions, and 268.8 yards per game, before experiencing his significant knee injury during Cincinnati’s Week 11 matchup with Washington. Ryan Finley could only manage a 30% completion percentage in relief of Burrow, which compelled the Bengals to elevate Brandon Allen into the starting role for the Bengals in Week 12.

Boyd and Higgins had entered the contest with a combined target share of 41.2. Boyd was 13th in point per game scoring, 11th in targets (87) fifth in receptions (69), and 16th in receiving yardage (710), while generating 8.7 targets, 6.9 receptions, and 71.0 yards per game averages. He was also tied for eighth in red zone targets (11) and was fourth in first down receptions (41).

Higgins entered Week 12 at WR27 in scoring. He was also ninth in air yards (949), 25th in targets (71/7.1 per game), 29th in receptions (43), and 23rd in receiving yards (642). Higgins was also 13th in targets and 15th yardage from Weeks 3-11, while he was seventh in receptions of 20+ yards during that span (10).  But the first full game with Allen resulted in a significant statistical plunge for Boyd, while only a one-yard touchdown prevented Higgins from experiencing a similar decline in his numbers. Allen completed just 17 of 29 passes for 136 yards and averaged just 4.7 yards per attempt.

Boyd received a team-high six targets. But that was his lowest total since Week 5. His three receptions established a new season-low, while his 15 yards were the fewest since Week 11 of 2019. Boyd managed to remain 11th in targets (92) and only dropped to sixth in receptions (72) and 17th in receiving yards (725). But his Week 12 usage and output should be alarming to his managers. Boyd had also been averaging 10 yards per reception and 8.2 yards per target with Burrow. But those averages plummeted to 5 yards per reception and just 2.5 yards per target during his first game with Allen.

Higgins also tied his season-low in targets (5). He did catch all five passes from Allen which enabled him to attain a reception total that slightly exceeded his season-long average. However, his 44 yards represented his lowest weekly total since Week 3. The first-year receiver had been averaging 14.0 yards per reception. But in Week 12 his average dropped to just 8.8.

It is an unfortunate development for managers that neither Boyd nor Higgins can provide the same output that they had accrued with Burrow. Both receivers are now matchup-based WR3/WR4 options at best, due to the production-inhibiting situation at quarterback.

Justin Jefferson’s route running is on another level. So crisp. pic.twitter.com/VzqptpXgcy

— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) November 29, 2020

3. Impressive performances and rising numbers have been prevalent for a number of rookies throughout the season, and this process continued in Week 12. Justin Jefferson was one of 10 receivers who were targeted at least 10 times during their Week 12 matchups. It was the second time in three weeks that he has captured 10+ targets, and he has accumulated 28 targets during that three-game span. That is vaulted him to seventh overall in that category, while he is also seventh in receptions 18 and second only to Tyreek Hill with 291 yards. He leads the league with a 12.8 yard per target average and is seventh overall in yardage from Weeks 1-12 (918) which leads all first-year receivers. He is second overall among newcomers in receptions (53) which is just one fewer than rookie leader CeeDee Lamb. But Jefferson is not the only newcomer who has delivered noteworthy numbers in recent weeks.

Denzel Mims is good. Pass it on.

(via @nyjets)pic.twitter.com/KJmpN3WZUD

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 29, 2020

Multiple hamstring injuries conspired to keep Denzel Mims affixed to the sidelines from Weeks 1-6. Since his NFL debut in Week 7, he has performed on 91% of the Jets' offensive snaps. That percentage has risen to 94.2. during New York's last four matchups. The second-round draft pick has collected 33 targets (6.6 per game) since emerging in late October, while also amassing 17 receptions and generating 284 yards (56.8 per game). Those numbers have been sufficient for Mims to seize the team lead in targets since his arrival.

Since Week 9, Mims is sixth among all receivers in air yards (433). He also leads the Jets in target share (30.8) during that four-week sequence and also leads New York in percentage share of air yards (44.6) - which is the sixth-highest percentage at his position. His aDOT (average depth of target) of 18.8 is also the highest among all wide receivers with over 10 targets during that span. He has also evolved into an intriguing WR3/flex option during the Jets’ matchup with Las Vegas on Sunday.

Fellow first-year receiver Michael Pittman has also resurfaced from health issues to commandeer an integral role for Indianapolis. He was placed on injured reserve following calf surgery in late September. But he has paced the Colts in multiple receiving categories since Week 9. Pittman has accumulated 27 targets (6.8 per game), while also accruing 16 receptions, and assembling 251 yards. He also leads Indianapolis in target share (17.28) and air yards (268) during that sequence. Pittman has also attained an 84% snap share during that span, while also averaging 15.0 yards per reception. He is functioning as the most proficient receiving weapon for Philip Rivers and can be started confidently as a WR3 moving forward.

4. Several veteran receivers have recently delivered encouraging results for any managers who have them contained on their rosters. However, other receivers have not been able to sustain the usage and output that they had attained earlier this season. DeVante Parker had failed to reach a double-digit target total in eight of his first nine matchups this season and was averaging 5.5 targets per game during those contests. But he has averaged 11.5 per game since Week 11, while his 23 targets place him fourth among all receivers during that two-game span. His season-high 14 targets in Week 12 also propelled him to eight receptions and a season-best 119 yards.

Uncle balled ?@DeVanteParker11 x @awscloud pic.twitter.com/hUwy0QAlQf

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 2, 2020

Parker is also seventh target share (33.3), fifth in receptions (14), and 10th in receiving yardage (180). while he is also seventh in air yards (234), and 13th in percentage share of air yards (40.7). Parker's ability to remain highly productive as Miami's WR1 is largely dependent on whether Ryan Fitzpatrick is under center for the Dolphins.

You might not initially gravitate toward the Jets when you are considering wide receivers that could become beneficial during your quest for fantasy championships. But Breshad Perriman has joined his teammate Mims in presenting managers with enticing numbers that should not be overlooked entering your critical Week 13 matchups. Since Week 9, Perriman has joined his rookie teammate Mims in attaining the highest level of usage and production among Jet wide receivers. Perriman has collected 19 targets during his last three matchups (6.3 per game) after he had accumulated just 17 targets and averaged 4.3 per game from Weeks 1-8. Perriman had also accrued just 11 receptions and produced 118 yards through Week 8. But since Week 9, he has collected 11 receptions, and leads the Jets in receiving yards (234), and receiving touchdowns (3). He is also ninth among all receivers in air yards (389) and is 19th in percentage share of air yards (35.5).

The recent statistical surges from both Perriman and Mims have vaulted them beyond Jamison Crowder - who had easily functioned as New York’s WR1 earlier this season. But he is now among a group of receivers that have experienced a massive decline in targets and output. From Weeks 1-6, Crowder led the NFL with an 11.5 target per game average and was among the top 14 in targets (46) and receptions (29) – even though he missed two of New York’s six matchups during that span. But since returning from his groin injury in Week 9,  Crowder has averaged just 3.7 targets, 2 receptions, and 24.3 yards per game, as Mims and Perriman have easily surpassed him in each category.

The recent results for Travis Fulgham and his managers have been equally concerning. He had become one of the season’s most compelling stories at the wide receiver position from Weeks 5-8, as he led the league in receiving yards during that span (378). He was also second overall in receptions (27) and was third among at his position with 41 targets. He was also sixth in touchdowns (3). But Fulgham’s ability to sustain those numbers has vanished with the same velocity with which he had soared into relevance earlier this season. Since Week 9, he has collected 14 targets (4.7 per game) and is third among Eagle wide receivers in receptions (4), and receiving yards (32). He was targeted only twice by Carson Wentz in Week 12 and registered just 16 yards - which was actually his highest yardage total since Week 8.

Amari Cooper says hello pic.twitter.com/s5ARrIsaxL

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) November 26, 2020

5. Amari Cooper was WR1 in scoring after Week 4. He was also leading the league in targets (51), was second in receptions (37), and was third in receiving yards (401). But Dak Prescott’s season-ending ankle injury required a transition under center, and the significant decline in efficiency at the quarterback position has created fluctuations in Cooper’s production.

Dallas led the league in pass play percentage while Prescott was guiding the attack (68.6), and fantasy GMs had been embracing Cooper’s usage and production while Prescott was under center. But they have experienced a full range of emotion since his early-season success. Andy Dalton has now started four games for Dallas since Prescott’s injury which began with underwhelming performances in Weeks 6-7. Dalton only registered a 1:3 touchdown to interception ratio and completed just 55.2% of his passes before suffering a concussion at Washington in Week 7.  Ben DiNucci (43 attempts/23 completions/53.5 completion %) and Garrett Gilbert (38 attempts/21 completions/55.3 completion %) were each given the opportunity to guide the offense while Dalton was unavailable in Weeks 8-9.

But Dalton's numbers have improved sizably since he resurfaced in Week 11. He has completed 47 of his 67 attempts (701%) while generating 418 yards and four touchdowns. This has been advantageous for Cooper, who had plunged to WR62 in scoring from Weeks 7-9, while he collected 18 targets, 13 receptions 152 yards.

.@AndyDalton14 going DEEP to @amaricooper9!

54-yard @DallasCowboys TD!

?: #WASvsDAL on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/t8ECNxwRaz pic.twitter.com/uJx0bZzLxz

— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2020

During his last two matchups following the reemergence of Dalton, Cooper has been targeted 15 times, collected 12 receptions, and generated 193 yards. That places him 11th overall in receptions during that two-game sequence, while he is also fifth overall in receiving yards. The improvement with his per-game averages in targets (6-7.5), receptions (4.3-6), and receiving yards (50.6-96.5) is significant, and the universal rise in numbers has revived Cooper's viability as a low-end WR1.

Lamb has not sustained the usage and output that he attained in Weeks 1-4 when the rookie was averaging 7.3 targets, 5.3 receptions, and 77.3 yards per game. He still collected 7.0 targets per game from Weeks 6-9, but Lamb experienced a decrease in receptions (3.8) and yardage per game (40.5). His averages in Weeks 11-12 remain below his early-season results, including a sizable drop in yards per game (6.5 targets/4.5 receptions/27.5 yards per game). The newcomer should now be considered a low-end WR3 only in favorable matchups.

Gallup was averaging 6 targets, 3.3 reception, and 68.8 yards per game with Prescott in the lineup. His targets rose slightly in Weeks 6-9 (6.8), and his receptions per game remained comparable (3.0). But his yardage plunged to 30.0. He has also averaged 6.5 targets and 4.0 receptions since Week 11, but his yardage average has plummeted to 35 per game.  This supplies your rationale for keeping Gallup out of all lineups.

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