Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Week 13 Analysis

Your wide receivers remain essential components toward your primary goal of securing league championships. As many of you prepare for your Week 14 matchups, 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 13th 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.

During these final weeks of the season, all noteworthy changes in usage and production will be blended into the equation. That will bolster your efforts to determine which wide receivers should be in your lineups, and which are worthy of remaining on your rosters during your critical postseason matchups. Pro Football Reference, PFF, NextGenStats, Rotowire, Rotoviz, and Football Outsiders were all used as resources in compiling this data.

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Week 13 Target Leaders 

Keenan Allen has maintained his league lead in targets (133) while Stefon Diggs is second overall (121), and DeAndre Hopkins is next with 116. Allen Robinson has emerged in fourth (115), followed by Tyreek Hill (111), Davante Adams (111), and Terry McLaurin (108). Amari Cooper is next (107), followed by Diontae Johnson  (106), while Cooper Kupp (105), and Robby Anderson (102), and Tyler Lockett (101) complete the list of 12 receivers that have eclipsed 100 targets entering Week 14. Robert Woods and D.K. Metcalf are tied with 98, while Tyler Boyd has been targeted 97 times. He is followed by Calvin Ridley (96), JuJu Smith-Schuster (94). and CeeDee Lamb (90). No other receivers have surpassed 90 targets through the matchups of Week 13. Adam Thielen, Brandin Cooks, and rookies Justin Jefferson and Tee Higgins are among the group of 11 additional receivers who have been targeted 80+ times at this point of the regular season.

The @Steelers are on the board! Big Ben to Diontae Johnson for the TD.

#HereWeGo

?: #WASvsPIT on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/aauV5qKucT pic.twitter.com/1UoyIpsCq3

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2020

Johnson leads all wide receivers with 52 targets since Week 10. Allen is second overall during that four-week span (47), followed by Woods (44), Adams (42), and three receivers that are tied with 40 targets - Hopkins, Marvin Jones, and Jefferson. Hill has been targeted 39 times, followed by Parker (38), Smith-Schuster (37), Michael Thomas (36), Kupp (34), and four receivers that are tied with 31- Lockett, Higgins, McLaurin, and Claypool. Three additional receivers are tied with 30 targets since Week 10 - Diggs, Metcalf, and Nelson Agholor, while four receivers have also captured 29 targets - Adam Thielen, Mike Evans, Boyd, and Robinson. Four other receivers are tied with 28 (Calvin Ridley, Jarvis Landry, Corey Davis, and Cole Beasley). T.Y. Hilton, and D.J. Moore, have collected 27 targets, while Brandin Cooks, Marquise Brown, and Mike Williams have attained 26. Three additional receivers complete the list of 34 receivers that have been targeted 25+ times since Week 10 - Russell Gage, Pittman, and Godwin.

Johnson, Hill, and Jefferson have each been targeted 25 times since Week 12 which is the highest total among all wide receivers during that two-week span. Marvin Jones is fourth overall (24), followed by Woods (23), DeVante Parker (22), Deebo Samuel (22), and four receivers that have been targeted 21 times - Adams, Allen, Metcalf, and Landry. Hopkins, Robinson, and Diggs have all attained 20 targets, while Ridley, Smith-Schuster, and Michael Gallup have captured 19. Agholor, Cooper, and Thomas have been targeted 17 times followed by Hilton (16) and five receivers that are tied with 15 targets during that span - McLaurin, Davis, Beasley, Hunter Renfrow, and Darnell Mooney. Rookie receivers Collin Johnson and Pittman are included among a group of five receivers that have been targeted 14 times.

Allen, Adams, and Diggs are the only three receivers that are averaging 10+ targets per game, and that trio has maintained their double-digit averages since Week 9. Allen has collected 10+ targets in nine different matchups, which leads all receivers. Johnson has received at least 10 targets in eight matchups, Adams has been targeted 10+ times in seven contests, and Diggs has now captured at least 10 targets in six games.

Largest Weekly Changes

DeAndre Hopkins led all wide receivers in targets (13) during the matchups of Week 13. It was the fifth time that he has captured 10+plus targets throughout the season. However, it was just the third time since Week 7. Five different receivers were targeted 12 times, including rookie Justin Jefferson. It was the third time that the first-year receiver has attained 10+ during his last four matchups, while he has averaged 10 targets per game during that span.

Just put it near him.#ProBowlVote x @DeAndreHopkins pic.twitter.com/TSdZ9Z9ptY

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 6, 2020

He was joined by Davante Adams, who has now received 10+ targets in six of his last eight games. Corey Davis also collected 12 targets during Tennessee's matchup with Cleveland, which established a new season-high. Marvin Jones also captured 12 targets, as the eighth-year receiver joins Jefferson in accumulating 40 targets since Week 10. Diontae Johnson joined the other four receivers in attaining 12 targets, which has extended his streak to five consecutive games with 10+.

A whopping nine different receivers were targeted 11 times during their matchups. This grouping included Keenan Allen, whose 11 targets represented the sixth time in seven matchups that he has collected 10+. 31-year old T.Y. Hilton and Nelson Agholor both established new season highs. They were joined by Adam Thielen, who has been targeted 11 times in two straight outings, and Michael Thomas, who has accumulated 29 targets since Week 11.

Robert Woods also captured 11 targets, and he has now vaulted to fourth among all receivers with 38 since Week 11. Stefon Diggs has eclipsed 10 targets in four of his last six contests after attaining 11 in Week 13, while his teammate Cole Beasley has received 10+ targets in three of his last six matchups. Julio Jones, his teammate Calvin Ridley, and Jarvis Landry all collected 10 targets while completing the list of 20 receivers who received 10+ targets in Week 13.

Thielen was on the reserve/COVID-19 list during Minnesota's matchup in Week 12. But he resurfaced to collect 11 targets in Week 13. That resulted in a week to week increase of +11. Julio Jones returned from his lingering hamstring issue to collect 10 targets during Atlanta‘s matchup with New Orleans, which provided the second-highest increase of the week (+10). Corey Davis had only been targeted three times in Week 12 but the 12 targets that he attained in Week 13 improved his week-to-week total by +9.

Cam Sims had only been targeted 16 times from Weeks 1-12. But he captured a career-high nine during Washington’s matchup in Pittsburgh. Sims’ week-to-week rise of +9 was shared by Brandon Aiyuk, whose opportunity to become a significant factor during his remaining matchups will be examined in the 5 Things I Noticed section.

Cam Sims with ONE HAND. #WashingtonFootball

?: #WASvsPIT on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/aauV5qKucT pic.twitter.com/koSbn42lYc

— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2020

D.J. Chark re-emerged from his rib issue to capture seven targets, while Rashard Higgins also experienced a rise of +7 after collecting the second-highest target total of his career (9). Chad Hansen had not been targeted during an NFL game since 2017. But he was called up from Houston’s practice squad on Saturday, collected seven targets on Sunday, and immediately joined Chark and Higgins with an increase of +7.

Those three receivers were joined by Cole Beasley, whose 11 targets were registered one week after he collected four targets from Josh Allen in Week 12. T.Y. Hilton's season-high 11 targets in Week 13 propelled him to a total of 22 targets (7.3 per game) during his last three matchups. His weekly increase of +6 tied him with Hopkins, and Hopkins’ former teammate Keke Coutee.

DeVante Parker’s season-high 14 targets in Week 12 was promptly followed by his eight-target outing in Week 13. That was partially a byproduct of his ejection during Miami’s matchup with Cincinnati, while the re-emergence of Tua Tagovailoa under center also impacted Parker’s usage. His weekly decrease of -6 was shared by Jalen Reagor and Robinson, who was able to collect all seven of his targets amid the week-to-week decline. Seven different receivers experienced a weekly reduction of -5. That includes Hill and Metcalf who still combined for 18 targets during their matchups. Claypool and Golden Tate were both targeted four times in Week 13 after receiving nine targets in Week 12, while Denzell Mims and Damiere Byrd were both limited to three targets just one week after being targeted eight times.

Week 13 Air Yards

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with 1,464 air yards, while Calvin Ridley is second with 1,444. No other receivers have eclipsed 1,400 yards entering Week 14. D.K. Metcalf is third overall (1,383), followed by Jerry Jeudy (1,167), A.J. Green (1,115), Stefon Diggs (1,114), Allen Robinson (1,105), and D.J. Moore (1,089). Adam Thielen is next (1,085), followed by Tee Higgins (1,074), Mike Williams (1,071), Justin Jefferson (1,052), and Terry McLaurin (1,052)). Marvin Jones (1,032), Davante Adams (1,029), Chase Claypool (1,017), and Tyler Lockett (1,004) complete the list of 17 receivers that have accumulated over 1.000 air yards to this point of the season. D.J. Chark (996), Marquise Brown (996), and Robby Anderson (988) are among the collection of 10 additional receivers that have accrued 900+ air yards.

McLaurin leads the position in percentage share of air yards for a third consecutive week (42.5), followed by Moore (40.8), Brown (40.6), and Metcalf (40.1). Hill is next (38.9), followed by Anderson (37.0), Thielen (36.1), Jefferson (35.0), Ridley (34.7), and Damiere Byrd completing the top 10 at 34.4. Diggs is next (34.32), followed by Darius Slayton (32.8), Adams (31.1), Hopkins (30.8), Jeudy (30.5), and Chase Claypool (30.3), Mike Williams (30.1). Green (29.7), Robinson (29.4), and Lockett (29.1) are also included among the top 20 wide receivers in percentage share of air yards entering Week 14.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling leads all wide receivers in targeted air yards (18.4). Henry Ruggs is currently second overall (17.7), followed by Jalen Guyton (16.2), Mike Williams (16.1), and Denzell Mims (16.0). No other wide receivers have attained an average of 16+. Scott Miller is next (15.7), followed by Breshad Perriman (15.3), Ridley (15.2), Nelson Agholor (14.9), Marquise Brown (14.8), and Jerry Jeudy (14.7). Metcalf is next at 14.6, followed by Gabriel Davis (14.5), Jaylen Reagor (14.3), Darnell Mooney (14.2), and A.J. Green (14.1) which completes the list of 16 receivers that are averaging 14+ targeted air yards through Week 13.

Week 13 First Downs

DeAndre Hopkins has leapfrogged last week's leader Keenan Allen to accumulate the most receptions for first downs (57). Allen and Davante Adams are tied for second overall in this category (55), followed by D.K. Metcalf with 50. Tyreek Hill is next (47), followed by Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, and Allen Robinson with 46. Calvin Ridley and Cole Beasley have both attained 45 receptions for first downs, while Terry McLaurin is next with 44.

Tyler Lockett has collected 43 first down receptions, while four different receivers have accrued 42 - Tyler Boyd, Justin Jefferson, Corey Davis, and D.J. Moore. Robby Anderson, Adam Thielen, and Tee Higgins have all accumulated 40 first down receptions which completes the list of 19 receivers that have received 40+ entering Week 14.

Week 13 Red Zone Targets

Davante Adams leads all wide receivers with 22 red zone targets, after accumulating seven during his last two contests. Mike Evans is second overall with 18, followed by Tyreek Hill and Calvin Ridley in a tie at 17. Adam Thielen and JuJu Smith-Schuster have both captured 16 targets inside the 20, followed by Jarvis Landry and Russell Gage with 14. Keenan Allen and Brandon Aiyuk are next (13), while four receivers are tied with 12 red zone targets - DeAndre Hopkins, Allen Robinson, Tyler Lockett, and Tyler Boyd.

Death, taxes, Davante Adams scoring a touchdown on Sunday pic.twitter.com/uifMAPvjc3

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 6, 2020

10 different receivers have been targeted 11 times inside the 20 - DK Metcalf, Cooper Kupp, Julio Jones, A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, Marvin Jones, Emmanuel Sanders, Zach Pascal, Michael Thomas, and David Moore. Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson, Nelson Agholor, N'Keal Harry, and Anthony Miller complete the list of 28 wide receivers that have attained at least 10 red zone targets during the season.

Adams also leads his position in targets inside the 10 (15), followed closely by Evans with 14. Hill is next (11), followed by Thielen (10), Aiyuk (9), and three receivers that are tied with eight targets inside the 10 - Metcalf, Ridley, and Lamb. Four different receivers have been targeted seven times -Lockett, Parker, Landry, Gage, and Sammy Watkins while Robinson, Brown, and Chase Claypool are among the group of 11 receivers that captured six targets inside the 10-yard line.

Adams also leads his position with 10 targets inside the five-yard line, while Evans is second once again (8). Aiyuk and Parker are tied for third overall (7)   while Ridley, Lamb, and Lockett have attained six targets inside the 5-yard line.

Week 13 Snap Counts

DeAndre Hopkins leads all receivers in offensive snaps through Week 13 (794), while Keenan Allen is second with just one fewer snap. Michael Gallup is third overall (781), followed by D.K. Metcalf (765), Terry McLaurin (763), Robert Woods (758), Stefon Diggs (741), Tyler Lockett (728), and Marvin Jones (721).  Tyreek Hill is next (717), followed by Damiere Byrd (706), Jalen Guyton (703), Cooper Kupp (695), Mike Evans (690), Allen Robinson (689), and JuJu Smith-Schuster (688). Mike Williams (679), Darius Slayton (677), D.J. Moore (672), and Adam Thielen (659) complete the top 20 in total offensive snaps through Week 13.

Metcalf has maintained his lead among all receivers in offensive snap percentage (94.8). McLaurin is second (93.9), followed by Hopkins (93.5), Diggs (91.2), Thielen (91.8), Byrd (90.3), and Lockett (90.2). Marvin Jones is next (89.6), followed by Woods (89.2), Denzel Mims (89.0), Gallup (87.8), Allen (87.5), Moore (87.5), Hill (87.2), and Breshad Perriman (86.9). Chris Godwin (86.5), Robinson (86.1), Darius Slayton (85.9). Brandin Cooks (85.5), and Mike Evans complete the list of receivers that have been involved in at least 85 percent of their team’s offensive snaps.

Thielen performed on 83 offensive snaps during Minnesota’s matchup with Jacksonville, which was the most of any wide receiver in Week 13. His teammate Justin Jefferson was second overall (82), followed by Gallup (74). Gabriel Davis (71), Metcalf (70), Diggs (69), Cooper (69), McLaurin (68), and three receivers that were tied with 64 – Hopkins, Guyton, and Marvin Jones.

Four different receivers were tied with 63 snaps - Julio Jones, his teammate Calvin Ridley, Tre’Quan Smith, and Henry Ruggs. Six receivers played on 62 snaps - Allen, Woods, Lockett, A.J. Brown, Chark, and Cam Sims, while Hill and Smith-Schuster each were involved on 61 snaps. Christian Kirk was the only other receiver who performed on 60+ offensive snaps in Week 13.

Hopkins played on 100% of Arizona’s offensive snaps in Week 13, which led all wide receivers. Davis was involved in 97.2 of Buffalo’s snaps, followed by Metcalf (97.2), Hill (95.3), Perriman (95.2), and Deebo Samuel (95.1). Diggs was next (94.5), followed by McLaurin (94.4), Marvin Jones (94.1), Julio Jones (94.0), Ridley (94.0), and Kirk (93.8). Thielen (91.2), Slayton (91.1), Tee Higgins (90.4), and Jefferson (90.1) were the only other receivers who were involved in at least 90 percent of their teams’ offensive snaps during their Week 13 matchups.

Five Things I Noticed

1. Fantasy GMs who selected D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, or Curtis Samuel during their draft process did so with the belief that their receiver would function as a productive roster component within a Carolina offense that was undergoing a sizable offseason transformation. 

Fortunately, this has occurred through the team's 11 matchups. The Panthers' 14th ranked passing attack is averaging 248.4 yards per game, while all three receivers were among the top 25 in points per game scoring (PPR) entering the team's Week 13 bye. 

Moore was positioned at WR18 in point per game scoring entering Week 13. He has interspersed several highly productive outings with sequences that caused consternation with his managers. This includes Weeks 3-5 when he averaged 3.3 receptions per game, along with Weeks 7-9 when that average became even more concerning (2.7 per game).

Samuel has delivered results that have surpassed expectations while vaulting to WR11 in PPR scoring from Weeks 9-12. He was also tied for eighth with 25 receptions while accumulating 29 targets (7.3 per game) and generating 255 yards during that sequence. He also joined Moore and Anderson among the top 25 in points per game scoring (WR24).

Samuel also eclipsed 100 yards receiving yards for the first time in his career in Week 9 (105) and has sustained his productivity regardless of whether Teddy Bridgewater or P.J. Walker has been under center. Managers that are benefiting from Samuel's improved numbers as a receiver are also aware that he is just 13 yards away from establishing a career-high in rushing yards and has tied his career-best with two rushing touchdowns. He has lined up in the slot on 68% of his offensive plays this season and Matt Rhule and Joe Brady have earned sizable credit for unearthing the most effective way to utilize Samuel at the NFL level.

? launched pic.twitter.com/fgdkj3dflN

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 29, 2020

They are also to be commended for the usage of Anderson as he continues to construct his career-best numbers, and for also concocting an aerial attack that has kept Anderson, Moore, and Samuel productive and relevant for their managers. Anderson was WR21 in scoring prior to Carolina’s bye and remains 88 yards away from eclipsing 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. He has already established a new career-high in receptions (75) and has exceeded 100 targets (102).

Anderson might also be the only member of this trio who is available when the Panthers host the Broncos. Moore has been contending with an ankle issue while both Moore and Samuel have also been placed on the reserve/COVID 19 list. Carolina will also travel to Green Bay and Washington in Weeks 15-16, and the trio of receivers should remain in all lineups whenever they are active.

2. Two prominent receivers had not been available during their teams’ recent matchups prior to Week 13. This had been problematic for fantasy GMs who had selected these players with the intent of utilizing them as their WR1s or high-end WR2s. However, one of these high-profile players resurfaced in Week 13 (Julio Jones) while anyone with Kenny Golladay on their rosters was forced to keep him affixed to their benches for yet another week.

Jones’ protracted hamstring issue has impacted his availability and his proficiency throughout the season. This has been an enormous concern for anyone who desperately needed him in their quest to enter the fantasy postseason. That issue had already sidelined the 31-year old Jones in Weeks 3, 5, and 12, while also neutralizing his effectiveness in four additional contests (Weeks 2/4/9/11). However, Jones led the league in receiving yards from Weeks 6-8 (371/123.7 per game), was third overall in targets (29/9.7 per game), second in receptions (23/7.7 per game). and was also fifth in air yards (307).

The impact of Jones’s absence has also been a consistent factor for Matt Ryan, whose numbers have been quashed whenever his elite receiver is unavailable. Ryan has now averaged 278 yards per game and generated 15 touchdowns with Jones in the lineup, while those numbers drop to 216 yards per game and three touchdowns when Jones has been absent. But anyone who had been awaiting the re-emergence of a healthy and productive Jones was able to embrace his return in Week 13, as he collected his fourth double-digit target total of the season (10). Jones also assembled his highest reception (6) and yardage (94) totals since Week 8.

❄➡✈ for 35 yards!

?: FOX | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/gOnzpIIEZS

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 6, 2020

The Week 13 results were less favorable if you have been awaiting the return of Golladay. His absence has been more extensive than the three missed games that have been registered by Jones. Golladay accumulated 28 targets, 20 receptions, and 338 yards from Weeks 3-7, including two consecutive games of 100+ yards in Weeks 6-7. But he has not recorded a reception since that brief statistical eruption and has now been sidelined for seven of Detroit’s 12 contests.  The fourth-year receiver has also been cemented to the sideline since Week 8 (hip) and the timetable for his return is unclear.

However, his absence has created an opportunity for Marvin Jones to accumulate the fourth highest target total since Week 10 (40). He also leads the team in targets (51/8.5 per game), receptions (32/5.3 per game), and receiving yards (393/65.5 per game) since Week 8, and leads the Lions in target share (20.5), air yards (463), and percentage share of air yards (33.8) during those contests. Fifth-round draft selection Quintez Cephus could emerge as the Lions' WR2 (behind Jones) during the team's remaining matchups and will be discussed in the rookie section that appears below.

3. During a season that will be remembered for its relentless flow of unforeseen developments, the impressive performances from rookie receivers remain one of the year's most consistent storylines.

The accomplishments of Justin Jefferson have become increasingly prominent and the newcomer delivered noteworthy numbers once again in Week 13. He has now stockpiled 40 targets during Minnesota's last four contests, including 25 targets since Week 12. He has averaged 10 targets, 6.8 receptions, and 103 yards per game during that sequence while also generating four touchdowns. That places him among the top five in targets, yardage, and touchdowns during that span.

This route from Justin Jefferson is a work of art ? @JJettas2 @Vikings

? #JAXvsMIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/JlcnohbXOl

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 6, 2020

He is third overall in receiving yardage for the season while already surpassing 1.000 yards (1,039). He is now tied for second in targets among all first-year receivers (84), easily leads in receiving yards, and is second to Chase Claypool in touchdowns (7). He is 13th overall in air yards (1,052) and eighth in percentage share of air yards (35.0).

Collin Johnson does not share the draft pedigree or the notoriety that has been earned this season by Jefferson. But Jacksonville's fifth-round pick has now accrued a team-high 14 targets while attaining a 67% snap share since Week 12. He also leads the Jaguars in targets, receptions, (8), and receiving yards (162) during those contests. It is conceivable that Johnson will fade back to irrelevance as he functions within a receiving unit that is comprised of D.J. Chark, Keelan Cole, fellow first-year receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., and Chris Conley. However, it is worth monitoring Johnson's progress during the remaining weeks.

Gabriel Davis has averaged a 97% snap share in four games that John Brown has been unavailable this season which is significantly higher than his 55% share when Brown has been running routes for Buffalo. That includes Weeks 12-13 when Davis played on 97% of the Bills’ snaps. He has collected six of his eight targets during those contests while assembling 147 yards and two touchdowns. He has also established his ability to provide Josh Allen with a reliable third option behind Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley whenever Brown is unavailable.

Cephus was also selected in the fifth round of last April's draft, and promptly attained his season-high in targets during Detroit's season opener (10). He was only targeted eight times between Weeks 3-12 while manufacturing just 77 yards. and performing on 29.5% of the Lions offensive snaps. However, Detroit's decision to jettison Marvin Hall should elevate Cephus into an expanded role. He collected four targets in Week 13, while his snap share rose to 46%. It would not be surprising if Matthew Stafford locates him with greater frequency during the weeks that remain.

4. There is one more member of the 2020 rookie class whose recent usage and output warrant an entire section being devoted to his encouraging numbers. Brandon Aiyuk is constructing an excellent season within a San Francisco offense that has endured a barrage of injuries and COVID absences, and Aiyuk is now primed to become an integral component for anyone who is attempting to capture their leagues’ championship.

?@THE2ERA back in the desert scoring touchdowns. #BUFvsSF: https://t.co/FTkRquLADk pic.twitter.com/6mgblcACiA

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 8, 2020

Aiyuk returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list to garner nine targets in Week 13. That expanded his total to 33 over his last three matchups. He is also leading the 49ers in targets from Weeks 1-13 (65/7.2 per game) despite missing three contests during the year. He has also collected a team-high 40 receptions (4.4 per game), and also paces San Francisco in receiving yards (541/60.1 per game). Aiyuk also leads the 49ers in target share (15.6), air yards (644), and percentage share of air yards (23.5). Since Week 7, Aiyuk is also sixth among all wide receivers in target share (29.8) and ninth in percentage share of air yards (39.6).

Despite suggestions that Garoppolo might return before the season has concluded it is unlikely that this would transpire in time to benefit anyone who is deploying Aiyuk in their starting lineups during the fantasy postseason. However, having Nick Mullins under center has not been an obstacle that has deterred Aiyuk from accumulating favorable usage and production. Mullins appeared in relief of Garoppolo in Weeks 2 and 8 while operating as the 49ers’ signal-caller when Aiyuk was active in Weeks 3, 4, 10, and 13.

During those four complete games with Mullins, Aiyuk has accumulated 36 targets (9 per game) 19 receptions (4.8 per game), and 258 yards (64.3 per game). Aiyuk has eclipsed 70 yards in three of those four contests while averaging 85 yards per game. He has also been extremely proficient during his last two outings with Mullins (Weeks 10-13), while capturing 23 targets, collecting 12 receptions, and exploding for 170 yards. When you extract his performance in Week 4, Aiyuk has averaged 10.3 targets, 5.6 receptions, and 80 yards per game while operating with Mullins.

Deebo Samuel joined Aiyuk in capturing a team-high nine targets during the 49ers’ matchup with Buffalo, which was just the fifth game this season in which both receivers have both in the lineup. Samuel also collected six receptions and 73 yards and has now accumulated 22 targets, 17 receptions, and 206 yards since returning from his hamstring issue in Week 12. His presence will be beneficial for San Francisco and for any managers that have been anticipating his return. But Aiyuk is exceptionally talented and will remain an essential component in Kyle Shanahan’s weekly game strategy through the fantasy postseason.  This elevates him into WR2 territory, for San Francisco’s upcoming matchups with Washington, Dallas, and Arizona.

5. The Giants performed without Daniel Jones under center for the first time this season when they hosted traveled to Seattle in Week 13. Jones had completed 228 of 361 passes (63.2%) generated 2,335 yards (212.3 per game) while assembling an 8:9 touchdown to interception ratio prior to his hamstring injury. His health issue emerged as New York was in the process of winning three consecutive games, as Jones connected on 60 of the 89 passes that he launched during those contests.

Sterling Shepard captured the highest target share among Giant wide receivers from Weeks 9-12 (25.0) while leading the unit in targets (22), receptions (19), and receiving yards (150). Golden Tate was second in target share (18.4), while Darius Slayton trailed Shepard and Tate at (15.0). Slayton's diminished share underscored the general decline in his numbers following the encouraging results that he delivered earlier this season.

Slayton was leading the team in targets from Weeks 1-12 (66/6.0 per game), and also paced New York in receiving yards (584). However, Shepard had been sidelined from Weeks 3-6 with a toe issue, which enabled Slayton to easily lead the Giants in targets (29/7.3 per game) target share (25.0), receptions (16), and receiving yards (271) during that four-game span. Slayton also led the league in percentage share of air yards (48.2) and was also ninth among all receivers in air yards (404).

Sterling Shepard has 41 catches on 50 targets this season. His 82% catch percentage is a career high. The #Giants offense has performed noticeably better with #87 in the lineup since returning from IR.

Here are some Shepard highlights from this season: pic.twitter.com/UKU1tLdYOg

— David Solow (@GiantsAlliance) December 2, 2020

But since Shepard resurfaced in Week 7, his 7.7 targets per game average has doubled Slayton's (3.8). Shepard easily leads the team in targets (46), receptions (34), and yardage (305). Slayton's per-game averages from Week 7-13 decreases sizably from his averages while Shepard was absent - 7.3- 3.8 targets, 4.0-2.3 receptions 67.8-32 yards.

The Giants also ranked 17th in pass play percentage (58.2%) entering Week 13. However, New York utilized the ground game extensively during their matchup with the Seahawks, and their pass percentage plummeted to 43.6% in Week 13 – which ranked just 29^th overall. This minimized the responsibilities of Colt McCoy, who has ascended into the role of the temporary starter during Jones’ absence. McCoy only completed 13 of his 22 passing attempts (59.1%), as 10 of McCoy’s targets were distributed to Shepard (6), Tate (4), and Slayton (1). He also averaged 4.8 yards per attempt. which placed constraints on the output of all three receivers.

Jones could easily return this week when New York hosts Arizona, and anyone with Shepard on their rosters can start him with confidence on Sunday. Slayton's usage is too erratic and Tate’s production is too sporadic for managers to risk trusting either player during the postseason.

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