Wide Receiver Sleepers, Risers, Breakouts for Fantasy Football - Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Week 9

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 eighth installment that will examine game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, air yards, targets per route run, yards per route run, red-zone targets, and snap counts. The information that is contained in this weekly report will analyze how various receivers are being utilized, and how effectively they are capitalizing on their opportunities.

As the season progresses noteworthy changes in usage and production will be blended into the equation. Statistics from our player pages at RotoBaller were included during the compilation of data, while Pro Football Reference, PFF, Rotowire, Fantasy Points Data, NextGenStats, and Rotoviz were also used as resources in the creation of this report.

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Targets

Stefon Diggs has emerged as the league leader in targets for the first time this season. He has now accumulated 90 from Weeks 1-8 after capturing 12+ for the fifth time in eight games. He has also secured double-digit totals during six of his matchups, including each of his last four.

Puka Nacua is second overall with 89 targets. The rookie has collected 10+ in five different outings, although he has also failed to exceed seven during two of his last three games. Tyreek Hill is now third with 87 targets after capturing 13 in Week 8. It is the third time that Hill has eclipsed 13+ this season and the third consecutive week in which he has attained 10+.

Ja'Marr Flippin' Chase.#CINatSF | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/bQtUoO4ttI

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 29, 2023

Ja'Marr Chase has now assembled 85 targets after garnering 12 in Week 8. Chase has now accumulated 44 targets during his last three games while averaging 14.7 per game during that span. A.J. Brown has accrued 83 targets while securing 8+ during seven of his eight matchups this season. Brown's exceptional numbers will be examined in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Michael Pittman Jr.’s season total has expanded to 78 after he collected 13+ for the second time in three weeks. He has also captured 10+ in five different matchups. Davante Adams has also accumulated 78 targets after he collected seven in Week 8. Adams had been averaging 12.5 per game entering Week 5 but that average has dropped to 9.8.

Chris Olave has been targeted 77 times while reaching 9+ in six of his eight games. He has also averaged 11.3 per game since Week 6. Amon-Ra St. Brown has also assembled 77 targets, after collecting 9+ during four of his last five games. St. Brown is also averaging 12.4 per game since Week 3.

Keenan Allen is averaging 10.0 targets per game during his last three matchups, while also averaging 10.6 per game from Weeks 1-8. Allen has also accumulated 74 targets entering Week 9.

Adam Thielen has now captured 70 targets, including 59 during his last five contests. He is also averaging 11.8 per game during that sequence. Marquise Brown has now collected at least nine targets during five of his last seven matchups. That has expanded his overall total to 69. Brown has also eclipsed 10+ during four different matchups.

.@GarrettWilson_V's body control is crazy.#NYJvsNYG on CBS pic.twitter.com/NCxqjXZ83a

— New York Jets (Thomas Morstead Fan Account) (@nyjets) October 29, 2023

Garrett Wilson has also captured 68 targets after he reached double digits for the third time this season in Week 8. He is also averaging 11.5 per game since Week 4. Terry McLaurin did not attain a double-digit this season until Week 4. However, he has now accomplished it three times during his last five games after securing 12 targets in Week 8. That improved his overall total to 63.

Michael Thomas has captured 61 targets entering Week 9 while collecting 7+ in seven of his eight matchups this season. That ties Thomas with Zay Flowers, who has been targeted at least seven times during five of his matchups.

Christian Kirk has now collected 60 targets even though he has averaged 5.7 per game since Week 6. Kirk had averaged 10.0 per game from Weeks 2-5.
Kirk’s teammate Calvin Ridley is next with 58 targets after he secured 10 in Week 8. It was the first time that Ridley reached double digits since the Jaguars’ season opener.

Amari Cooper has also accumulated 58 targets while collecting 8+ during five of his seven matchups. The 10-year veteran is also averaging 9.0 per game since Week 6. Drake London has now accumulated 57 targets while securing 7+ during five consecutive outings. London is also averaging 8.4 per game during that sequence.

D. J. Moore said get off me. 😤 #DaBears

📺: NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/fk7mYB5cH8

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 30, 2023

D.J. Moore’s season total has also expanded to 57. He had been averaging 9.0 per game from Weeks 4-7. However, the six targets that he received in Week 8 represented his lowest weekly total since Week 3.

DeVonta Smith has also accumulated 57 targets after he collected seven from Jalen Hurts in Week 8. Smith had been limited to just five targets in four of his last six matchups prior to Week 8. Jakobi Meyers has also collected 57 targets despite being limited to just one in Week 8.

Nine different wide receivers are averaging at least 10.0 targets per game entering Week 9 - Ja’Marr Chase (12.1), Stefon Diggs (11.3),  Puka Nacua (11.1), Amon-Ra St. Brown (11.0), Tyreek Hill (10.9), Keenan Allen (10.6), Justin Jefferson (10.6), A.J. Brown (10.4), and Adam Thielen, who is averaging 10.0 per game.

Target Risers And Fallers

18 different wide receivers, collected at least 10 targets during their matchups in Week 8. That includes a trio of receivers who were targeted 14 times. CeeDee Lamb had not secured a double-digit target since Week 2 while averaging 6.3 targets per game from Weeks 3-7. However, the 14 targets that he attained in Week 8 established a new season high. It was also his highest weekly total since Week 17 of last season.

Cowabunga, DK.

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/k1QzAn9I25

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 29, 2023

D.K. Metcalf was averaging 6.4 per game from Weeks 1-7 and had failed to reach double digits since Week 14 of 2022. The 14 targets that he collected in Week 8 brought a conclusion to that streak, as Metcalf captured his highest weekly total since Week 12 of last season.

Diontae Johnson had only played on 27 snaps from Weeks 1-6 as the result of his hamstring injury. He was targeted six times in Week 7 before he garnered 14 in Week 8. That was Johnson’s highest weekly total since Week 17 of the 2021 regular season.

Tyreek Hill was one of three receivers who accumulated 13 targets in Week 8, as he reached double digits for the fifth time this season. Hill has also captured at least nine targets during seven of his eight matchups this year.

Went for 3 points, got 7 instead.

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/VgFglRxp33

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 29, 2023

Michael Pittman also accrued 13 targets in Week 8 and has now collected 11+ in five of his eight matchups. He has also failed to exceed seven targets during the three other contests. However, his current average of 9.8 per game is the highest of his career.

Garrett Wilson also accumulated 13 targets in Week 8, which was his second-highest total of the season. He has now accrued at least 12 targets, in three of his last four matchups.

Ja’Marr Chase returned from Cincinnati’s Week 7 bye to collect 12 targets. He is second among all receivers with 68 targets since Week 3 while averaging a league-high 13.6 per game during that span. Stefon Diggs also captured 12 targets in Week 8 and has now accumulated a league-high 51 targets since Week 5. He has also averaged 12.8 per game during that sequence.

TERRY MCLAURIN OVER JAMES BRADBERRY
pic.twitter.com/RLpClGD9hD

— PFF (@PFF) October 29, 2023

The 12 targets that were collected by Terry McLaurin in Week 8 established a season-high. He is tied for ninth among all wide receivers with 37 targets 9.3 per game since Week 5. Jaylen Waddle also secured a season high when he garnered 12 targets from Tua Tagovailoa in Week 8. Waddle has now captured 9+ targets in three of his last four matchups.

Gabe Davis entered Week 8 averaging 5.0 targets per game, while failing to exceed four targets during four of his seven matchups. However, he accumulated a season-high 12 targets when Buffalo hosted Tampa Bay in Week 8. Amari Cooper captured a season-high 11 targets in Week 8, which was his second double-digit total of the season. It was also his first since Week 2. Adam Thielen was also targeted 11 times in Week 8 and has now captured 11+ in four of his last five outings.

The 14 targets that Diontae Johnson captured in Week 8 were accumulated just one week after he accrued six targets in Week 7. That fueled his week-to-week rise of +8. Michael Pittman was limited to a season-low five targets in Week 7 before he procured 13 targets in Week 8. That resulted in his week-to-week increase of +8.

Josh Allen (19) to Gabe Davis (5)
Buffalo Bills
4 Yards
pic.twitter.com/IuWGuVftdJ

— NFL TD Videos (@NFLTDsVideos) October 27, 2023

The season-high 12 targets that were attained by Gabe Davis were registered just one week after he had been limited to five. That launched his weekly increase of +7.

Jakobi Meyers collected a season-high 13 targets in Week 8, which was his fourth double-digit total of the season. He was relegated to just one target in Week 8, which launched a descent of -12 in his week-to-week totals.

Jauan Jennings captured a career-high nine targets in Week 7. However, he failed to register a target despite playing in 50 snaps in Week 8. That resulted in a week-to-week drop of -9. Amon-Ra St. Brown’s nine targets in Week 8 were collected just one week after he had stockpiled a career-high 19 in Week 7. That launched his weekly decline of -10.

The outstanding numbers that were accumulated by A.J. Brown in Week 8 were assembled as he captured eight targets. He had been targeted 15 times by Jalen Hurts in Week 7. That fueled a week-to-week decline of -7 - even though that did not deter him from another exceptional performance. Chris Olave had established a season-high when he captured 15 targets in Week 7. He was targeted nine times in Week 8 which resulted in a week-to-week decline of -6.

Air Yards

A.J. Brown leads all wide receivers with 1,053 air yards entering Week 9. Chris Olave is second with 1,020, followed by Stefon Diggs (992), Tyreek Hill (965), Amari Cooper (854), Puka Nacua (803), Marquise Brown (793), DeAndre Hopkins (763), George Pickens (762), and Brandon Aiyuk, who has accumulated 750 air yards from Weeks 1-8. Calvin Ridley is next (740), followed by Garrett Wilson (739), Keenan Allen (730), and Mike Evans, who has assembled 721 air yards.

Brandon Aiyuk leads the position with a 48.9% air yards share. Garrett Wilson is second (48%), followed by A.J. Brown (47.5%), Tyreek Hill (47.1%), Stefon Diggs (44.8%), and Amari Cooper (44.6%). George Pickens is next (43.6%), followed by DeAndre Hopkins (42.2%), Jerry Jeudy (41.8%), and D.K. Metcalf, who has secured an air yards share of 41.4%. Ja’Marr Chase is next (41.1%), followed by D.J. Moore (40.8%), Davante Adams (40.8%), and Calvin Ridley who has attained an air yards share of 40.3%.

Routes 

Michael Pittman Jr. leads all wide receivers with 339 routes run from Weeks 1-8. Jahan Dotson is second overall (328), followed by Dotson’s teammate Terry McLaurin (327), Josh Downs (315), Alec Pierce (306), Stefon Diggs (298), DeVonta Smith (295), Zay Flowers (288), and D.J. Moore, who has accumulated 287 routes entering Week 9. Marquise Brown is next (283), followed by Christian Kirk (274), Chris Olave (273), Ja’Marr Chase (271), and Calvin Ridley, who has accumulated 267 routes from Weeks 1-8.

Van Jefferson ran 76 routes in Week 9, which was the highest total among all wide receivers. Stefon Diggs accumulated 54 routes, followed by Terry McLaurin (53), Diontae Johnson (51), Jahan Dotson (48), and three receivers, who accumulated 47 - DeVonta Smith, Jayden Reed and Michael Pittman. George Pickens was next (46), followed by Adam Thielen (45), Josh Downs (44), Wan’Dale Robinson (44), and three receivers who ran 43 routes in Week 8 - Tyreek Hill, Alec Pierce, and Trey Palmer.

Targets Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill has now been targeted on 38.5% of his routes which is the highest percentage among all wide receivers. Davante Adams resides directly behind him at 38.4%, followed by Brandon Aiyuk (36.6%) Puka Nacua (35.6%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (34.2%), Jakobi Meyers (32%), and three receivers who have been targeted on 31.4% of their routes - Ja’Marr Chase, A. J. Brown, and Cooper Kupp. Keenan Allen is next (31.1%), followed by Stefon Diggs (30.2%), Garrett Wilson (29.8%), Amari Cooper (29.7%), Tee Higgins (29.2%), and Jaylen Waddle, who has been targeted on 28.8% of his routes entering Week 9.

CeeDee Lamb was targeted on 41.2% of his routes in Week 8, which was the highest percentage among all wide receivers during their matchups. D.K. Metcalf attained a percentage of 40%, followed by Jamison Crowder (36.8%), Amari Cooper (35.5%), Ja’Marr Chase (34.3%), and two receivers who were targeted on 33.3% of their routes - Cooper Kupp, and Chris Olave. Calvin Ridley was next (32.3%), followed by Michael Thomas (31.8%), Garrett Wilson (31%), Jaylen Waddle (30.8%), and Tyreek Hill, who was targeted on 30.2% of his routes.

Yards Per Route Run 

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with an average of 4.49 yards per route run from Weeks 1-8. Brandon Aiyuk is second (4.37), followed by A.J. Brown (3.56), Puka Nacua (3.18), CeeDee Lamb (3.17), Nico Collins (3.10), Amon-Ra St. Brown (2.96), Marvin Mims (2.83), and two receivers that are tied with average of 2.70 yards per route run - Keenan Allen, and DeAndre Hopkins. Davante Adams is next (2.66), followed by Mike Evans (2.63), and two receivers who are tied with an average of 2.61 yards per route - Jaylen Waddle, and Cooper Kupp.

Rashid Shaheed averaged 9.56 yards per route run in Week 8, which led all wide receivers. DeAndre Hopkins was second (5.82), followed by Jamison Crowder (5.00), CeeDee Lamb (4.65), A.J. Brown (3.42), Brandon Aiyuk (3.41), Jaylen Waddle (3.10), Michael Thomas (3.09) and Khalil Shakir, who averaged 2.88 yards per route run. Amari Cooper was next (2,87), followed by Ja’Marr Chase (2.86), Noah Brown (2.71), K.J. Osborn (2.68), and Calvin Ridley (2.68).

Red Zone Targets  

Davante Adams leads all wide receivers with 16 red zone targets, even though he did not register a target inside the 20 during his Week 8 matchup. Michael Pittman is second overall with 14, including the four that he collected in Week 8. Two receivers have been targeted 13 times (Tyreek Hill/Ja’Marr Chase), while five receivers have captured 12 targets - Stefon Diggs, Jordan Addison, Garrett Wilson, D.K. Metcalf, and Romeo Doubs.

Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Tyreek Hill have secured a league-high nine targets inside the 10-yard line, while Romeo Dobbs and Keenan Allen have been targeted seven times. Five receivers have accumulated six targets inside the 10 - Jordan Addison, Drake London, Chris Godwin, Jayden Reed, and Jaylen Waddle.

Teammates Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have secured a league-high five targets inside the five. Nine different receivers have been targeted three times, including Jakobi Meyers, Ja’Marr Chase, Adam Thielen, and Marquise Brown.

D.K. Metcalf captured a league-high five red zone targets in Week 8, while Tyreek Hill and Michael Pittman were targeted four times. Hill also led the league with three targets inside the 10 while Marquise Brown, Romeo, Dobbs, and Christian Watson were targeted twice.

Snaps

DeVonta Smith leads all wide receivers with 544 offensive snaps entering Week 9. Michael Pittman is second overall (528), followed by A.J. Brown (514), Alec Pierce (497), Puka Nacua (4700, D.J. Moore (463), Marquise Brown (460) K.J. Osborn (450), Chris Olave (449), and Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has accumulated 444 snaps from Weeks 1-8.

Gabe Davis is next (442), followed by Darius Slayton (438), Tutu Atwell (438), Michael Thomas (436), and three receivers who have played on 435 snaps - Calvin Ridley, Drake London, and Zay Flowers.

Cooper Kupp leads all wide receivers with a 98.7% snap share since he resurfaced in the Rams lineup. Michael Pittman is second overall (98.3%), followed by DeVonta Smith (97.5%), Ja’Marr Chase (94.2%), and Alec Pierce (92.6%).

A.J. Brown is next (92.1%), followed by D.J. Moore (92.1%), Jakobi Meyers (91.8%), and Puka Nacua, who has attained a snap share of 91.1%. Marquise Brown is next (90.2%), followed by Davante Adams (90.1%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (90.1%), and Garrett Wilson, who has secured a snap share of 90.0%.

Amon-Ra St. Brown led all wide receivers with 75 snaps in Week 8. Darius Slayton was second (69), followed by four receivers who accumulated 67 snaps Marquise Brown, Stefon Diggs, Josh Reynolds, and Gabe Davis. Michael Pittman accrued 66 snaps, followed by Terry McLaurin (65), Jordan Addison (65), Alec Pierre (63), Donovan Peoples-Jones (62), Michael Wilson (62), and two receivers who played on 61 snaps - Elijah Moore, and A.J. Brown.

Cooper Kupp played on 100% of the Rams’ offensive snaps in Week 9. Darius Slayton with second overall with a 98.6% snap share. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis were next (98.5%), followed by Michael Pittman (98.5%), A.J. Brown (98.4%), Jonathan Mingo (98.3%), Jakobi Meyers (97.8%), DeVonta Smith (96.8%), and Adam Thielen, who secured a snap share of 96.7% in Week 8.

Five Things I Noticed

1. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith entered Week 1 having already proven that they could thrive as a highly-productive tandem while operating as Jalen Hurts’ top two receiving weapons. Brown’s list of accomplishments during his first season with the Eagles included finishing eighth in points-per-game scoring (17.6), while securing career-highs in targets 145 (8.5 per game), receiving yards (1,496/88 per game), air yards (1,754), air yards share (41.2%), and yards after catch (586).

Smith had finished 13th in targets (136/8.0 per game), eighth in receiving yards (1,196/70.4 per game), and ninth in receptions (95/5.6 per game) in 2022. Smith had also delivered a late-season surge (Weeks 14-17), as he soared to third in targets 41/10.3 per game/30.6% share), and receiving yards (418/104.5 per game), while leading the league in receptions of 20+ (8), and games of 100+ (3).

One away from breaking a record held by Megatron. A.J. Brown is on a tear 🔥@1kalwaysopen_ | @Eagles pic.twitter.com/a8keW8aoPC

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2023

Brown's extensive usage and prolific output had been sustained entering Week 8, as he was third among all wide receivers with 75 targets (10.7 per game). That included four games in which he has eclipsed 10+. Brown was also fourth in receptions (52/7.4 per game), had vaulted to second in receiving yards (809/115.6 per game), and had stockpiled 125+ in five consecutive games from Weeks 3-7.

Smith’s numbers did not compare as favorably to the promising results that he attained last season. as he was 39th with an average of 11.3 points per game. He was also averaging 6.7 per game from Weeks 2-7 while failing to exceed five targets in four of his six matchups. His averages had also dropped in receptions per game (5.6/4.6), yards per game (70.4/54.7), yards per reception (12.6/12.0), yards per target (8.8/7.7), and yards after catch (495/83).

Brown continued to assemble exceptional results during Philadelphia’s Week 8 matchup with NFC East rival, Washington. Brown collected a team-high eight targets from Hurts, which expanded his overall total to 83 (10.4 per game). Brown also collected all eight of his targets and has now eclipsed 8+ in five of his last six outings. He also accumulated the league's third-highest yardage total in Week 8 (130) and established an NFL record by attaining 125+ for a sixth consecutive game.

AJ Brown's last 6 games:

9 catches, 131 yards
9 catches, 175 yards, 2 TDs
6 catches, 127 yards
7 catches, 131 yards
10 catches, 137 yards, TD
8 catches, 129 yards, 2 TDs

First player in NFL history with 125+ receiving yards in 6 straight games pic.twitter.com/rLkyb54gIA

— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023

Brown also paced the Eagles in air yards (101), and air yards share (38.5%), was targeted on 21.1% of his 38 routes, and was fifth overall with an average of 3.42 yards per route run. He also generated two touchdowns for the second time in his last five games.

This angle of the AJ Brown TD is just absurd. No words.pic.twitter.com/8MFczIDOeL https://t.co/5k1K3BJH1p

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 29, 2023

Anyone with Smith contained on their rosters can be encouraged by the rise in his usage and production in Week 8. He captured seven targets, which was the second time that he had secured 7+ since  Week 4. He also garnered seven receptions, which tied his season-high. Smith also accumulated 99 yards, which was his second-highest total of the season. He also produced his second touchdown of the year, and his first since Week 2.

Let's talk about that 6 for 6 special, @DeVontaSmith_6 🤌 pic.twitter.com/Z39p0jdXkk

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 29, 2023

Smith also accrued 63 air yards, attained a 24% air yards share, was targeted on 14.9% of his 47 routes, and averaged 2.11 yards per route run. Fantasy managers can continue to embrace Brown's production while deploying him as a WR1 in their lineups Smith should remain cemented as a WR2 during upcoming matchups.

2. The details surrounding Minnesota’s evolving situation at quarterback shifted on multiple occasions following the Vikings’ Week 8 encounter with Green Bay. This also fueled a significant change in Jordan Addison's outlook during his upcoming matchups each time the status of Minnesota’s starting signal caller was altered.

The torn Achilles that was sustained by Kirk Cousins was an unfortunate development that ended his season. His injury also appeared to destine all Minnesota wide receivers for a significant decline in effectiveness at quarterback. That altered expectations for fantasy managers, including anyone who had been benefitting from Addison's surging output as he progressed through his rookie season.

Addison was immediately placed into a favorable environment when he was selected by Minnesota during last April’s NFL Draft. The former Biletnikoff Award winner was expected to secure a sizable role as the Vikings’ WR2 while functioning in a passing attack that included Justin Jefferson.

Addison operated behind Jefferson and K.J. Osborn at the onset of the season, as his 154 snaps trailed Jefferson (233), and K.J. Osborn from Weeks 1-4. . Addison also averaged 5.0 targets, 3.3 receptions, and 46.3 yards per game, while being targeted on 16.8% of his routes, and averaging 1.55 yards per route run. Addison also generated two touchdowns during that span.

JORDAN ADDISON COMING THRU FOR MANAGERS 😤pic.twitter.com/1jrbKrL1H7

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 15, 2023

Addison’s importance to Minnesota’s aerial efforts increased substantially when Jefferson suffered a hamstring issue in Week 5. Jefferson played on 51 snaps during the Vikings’ matchup with Kansas City before sustaining the injury in the third quarter. Addison promptly transitioned into an expanded role after that occurred.

JORDAN ADDISON COOKS JAIRE ALEXANDER pic.twitter.com/aZKYKyGB57

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) October 29, 2023

Addison experienced his first full game operating as the Vikings' WR1 in Week 6.  He averaged 56.5 snaps per game in Weeks 7-8 while averaging 9.0 targets, 7.0 receptions, and 102.5 yards per game. Addison also rose to third overall in receiving yards (205/102.5 per game), fifth in receptions (14/7.0 per game), and third in receptions of 20+ yards (three).

He was also targeted on 22.2% of his 36 routes while averaging 2.28 yards per route run. Addison also tied for the league lead with three touchdowns and was second with an average of 26.4 points per game.

Jordan Addison’s stats this season…

• 36 catches
• 482 receiving yards
• 7 TDs pic.twitter.com/BZF0RmwG8Q

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) November 1, 2023

It initially appeared that Addison's production might plummet when the Vikings appeared primed for a transition to Jaren Hall spearheading the offense. However, the arrival of Joshua Dobbs should sustain Addison’s viability as a starting option for managers, whenever Dobbs secures the starting role. Addison's numbers will still be impacted by Cousins' absence, as he could descend into high-end WR3 output. However, that is an outcome that easily exceeds what would have transpired if Minnesota had not traded for Dobbs.

3. In addition to the season-long numbers that have been included throughout this article, it can be beneficial to review the results in a collection of categories during the last four weeks.

Stefon Diggs leads all wide receivers with 51 targets since Week 5 while capturing at least 11 in all four of his matchups. Tyreek Hill is second overall with 47, followed by Ja’Marr Chase (44), Amon-Ra St. Brown (43), A.J. Brown (40), Michael Pittman (39), Chris Olave (39), Cooper Kupp (38), and five different receivers who have accumulated 37 targets since Week 5- Marquise Brown, Terry McLaurin, Jaylen Waddle, Puka Nacua, and Adam Thielen.

Drake London has collected 35 targets, followed by D.J. Moore (33), and four receivers who have accrued 32 - Garrett Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk, Jordan Addison, and Zay Flowers. Jakobi Meyers (31), Calvin Ridley (30), K.J. Osborn (30), and Keenan Allen (30), complete the list of 23 wide receivers who have accumulated 30+ targets since Week 5.

Michael Pittman leads all wide receivers with 267 offensive snaps since Week 5. DeVonta Smith is second overall (266), followed by A.J. Brown (259), Alec Pierce (245), Chris Olave (244), Marquise Brown (242), D.J. Moore (236), and Darius Slayton, who has played on 234 snaps during that four-week span. Gabe Davis and Michael Thomas have both accumulated 231 snaps, followed by K.J. Osborn (230), and Cooper Kupp (227).

Michael Pittman also leads the position with a 98.9% snap share during that sequence. Cooper Kupp is next (98.7%), followed by  DeVonta Smith (96.0%), Puka Nacua (95.2%), Jakobi Meyers (94.9%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (93.7%), Gabe Davis (93.5%), and A.J. Brown, who has attained a snap share of 93.5% since Week 5.  Ja’Marr Chase is next (91.8%), followed by Stefon Diggs (91.5%), Alec Pierce (90.7%), and Brandon Aiyuk, who has secured a snap share of 90.5% during his last four matchups.

Stefon Diggs leads all wide receivers with 186 routes run from Weeks 5-8. Terry McLaurin is second overall (175), followed by Michael Pittman (173),  DeVonta Smith (173), Chris Olave (171), Jahan Dotson (164), Josh Downs (160), A.J. Brown (155), and Zay Flowers who accumulated 151 routes from Weeks 5-8. Alec Pierce is next (148), followed by Marquise Brown (147), Michael Thomas (146), Gabe Davis (145), Michael Wilson (141), and three receivers who ran 140 routes from Weeks 5-8 - D.J. Moore, Van Jefferson, and Wan’Dale Robinson.

Amon-Ra St. Brown was targeted on 44.3% of his routes from Weeks 5-8, which was the highest percentage among all wide receivers. CeeDee Lamb was second (42.6%), followed by Jakobi Meyers (42.5%), Davante Adams (42.4%), Brandon Aiyuk (42.1%), Tyreek Hill (41.6%), Keenan Allen (40.5%), Jaylen Waddle (35.9%), and two receivers who were targeted on 31.7% of their routes - Ja’Marr, Chase, and Jordan Addison.

CeeDee Lamb leads all wide receivers with an average of 5.31 yards per route run from Weeks 5-8. Tyreek Hill is second (4.81), followed by Brandon Aiyuk (3.95), Amon-Ra St. Brown (3.44), A.J. Brown (3.39), DeAndre Hopkins (3.35), Joshua Palmer (3.24), Jordan Addison (2.94), Keenan Allen (2.82), and Jakobi Meyers, who averaged 2.81 yards per route run.

4. When DeAndre Hopkins signed a two-year contract with Tennessee in late July, he promptly vaulted stop the Titans’ depth chart. He was joining a Tennessee aerial attack that had ranked just 28th in pass play percentage (50.9%) and 30th in yardage (171.4 yards during 2022.

The Titans had entered Week 8 ranked 23rd in pass play percentage (54.5%) and 30th in yardage (173.2). Ryan Tannehill had also manufactured just two touchdown passes in six games while accumulating six interceptions and attaining a 62% completion rate.

Tannehill also sustained a high ankle sprain, which forced him to the sideline for Tennessee’s Week 8 matchup with Atlanta. That elevated the Titans’ second-round draft selection Will Levis under center for his NFL debut.

First NFL TD pass for @will_levis and first Titans TD catch for @DeAndreHopkins!

📺: Watch #ATLvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/rya3lHnon2

— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) October 29, 2023

A dramatic reduction in expectations for a passing attack that had been consistently substandard from Weeks 1-7 seemed logical prior to the game. However, Levis eviscerated all expectations, beginning with a 47-yard connection with Hopkins in the first quarter.  The tandem ultimately combined for 128 yards and three touchdowns which provided a significant scoring boost to managers who had deployed Hopkins in their lineups throughout the season.

What's better than one @DeAndreHopkins touchdown? Two @DeAndreHopkins touchdowns!

📺: Watch #ATLvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/L3OZatkEty

— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) October 29, 2023

Hopkins had entered Week 8 averaging 7.8 targets, 4.5 receptions, and 62.7 yards per game. If you extract the season-high 140 yards that he attained in Week 5 from the equation, Hopkins was averaging 47.2 per game. The 31-year-old Hopkins had also failed to exceed 8.0 fantasy points in three different matchups and had yet to generate a touchdown during his first six games with the Titans.

VINTAGE DEANDRE HOPKINS

THREE TDS TODAY
pic.twitter.com/9Fz7Qk9tQ1

— PFF (@PFF) October 29, 2023

Hopkins also erupted for 34.8 points during his performance against Atlanta, which was fueled by his statistical explosion. It was the first time that Hopkins had delivered a multiple-touchdown performance since Week 6 of 2021. It was also his first three-touchdown outing since Week 5 of 2017, and just the second of his career.

Levis distributed a team-high six targets to Hopkins, which was the fifth time this season that he has eclipsed 6+. He has now collected at least four receptions in five different matchups while surpassing 100 yards twice. Hopkins' numbers in Week 8 also vaulted him to eighth in air yards (763), and ninth in air yards share (42.2%) from Weeks 1-8. Hopkins was also targeted on 28.3% of his 31 routes as he soared to second overall in yards per route run (5.82) during Week 8.

It will be difficult for Hopkins to consistently replicate the numbers that he assembled against the Falcons. However, the infusion of Levis under center presents Hopkins with an opportunity to function with a signal caller who can maximize his capabilities. That will elevate Hopkins' prospects of delivering more highly productive outings when Levis is guiding the Titans' passing attack.

5. Despite their track record of production and reliability that Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have delivered during their careers, both receivers remained available until Round 6 during the draft season. The location of their ADPs was largely fueled by Tampa Bay’s impending transition to either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask under center.

The Baker Mayfield experience is going well in Tampa pic.twitter.com/y9APE1p483

— trey wingo (@wingoz) October 22, 2023

However, Mayfield’s performance since securing the starting role has surpassed expectations. He has completed 158 of his 246 attempts while attaining a career-high 64.2% completion percentage.

Mayfield is also 17th among all signal callers with an average of 228.6 yards per game. He is also distributing 67.8% of his targets to Tampa Bay’s wide receivers, which is the fifth-highest percentage in the league.

Godwin leads the Buccaneers’ wide receivers in snaps (340), routes run (218), targets (56/8.0 per game), and receptions (38/5.4 per game). He has been targeted on 25.7% of his routes and is averaging 2.07 yards per route run.

Evans has played on 303 snaps and has run 193 routes. He has also accumulated 55 targets (7.9 per game), and leads Tampa Bay in receiving yards (507/72.4 per game), air yards (721), air yards share (38%), targets per route run (28.5%), and yards per route run (2.63). Evans is also tied for fifth with five touchdowns and is 13th with an average of 16.2 points entering Week 9.

Mayfield attempted 42 passes in Week 8, which tied his season high. He completed 25 of his passes (59.5%) while generating multiple touchdowns for the third time this season. His 5.6 yards per attempt established a season-low, as did his 2.2 completed air yards per attempt.

Evans and Godwin both played on 57 snaps and ran 41 routes in Week 8. Godwin paced the Buccaneers in targets (seven), which was the fourth consecutive week in which he has secured 7+. He has now averaged 9.3 per game since Week 4 after averaging 6.3 per game from Weeks 1-3.

1️⃣4️⃣ for 6️⃣

📺: #TBvsBUF on Prime Video pic.twitter.com/OTQ0jQcuFW

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 27, 2023

Godwin also paced the team with five receptions, and he has now attained 5+ during six of his seven matchups. He also accrued a team-high 54 receiving yards (54) and has now accumulated 311 (77.8 per game) during his last four matchups. Godwin also accrued 105 air yards, attained a 33.2% air yards share, was targeted on 17.1% of his routes, and averaged 1.32 yards per route run. He also generated his first touchdown of the season.

WE AIN'T DONE

📺: #TBvsBUF on Prime Video pic.twitter.com/yYqvXPTSET

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 27, 2023

Evans collected six targets and is now averaging 8.0 per game since Week 6. He tied his season-low with three receptions and registered a season-low 39 receiving yards. However, Evans did secure his fifth touchdown of the season. He also accrued 94 air yards, secured a 29.7% air yards share, was targeted on 14.6% of his 41 routes, and averaged 0.95 yards per route run.

Mayfield has demonstrated the ability to target his top two receiving weapons with sufficient frequency for Evans to deliver WR2 output during the remainder of Tampa Bay's schedule. Managers can deploy Godwin as a WR3.

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