Wide Receiver Breakouts for Fantasy Football: Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Treylon Burks, Christian Kirk, Skyy Moore, Justin Watson

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 the fifth consecutive season.

This will be the 11th 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. That will bolster your efforts to determine which wide receivers should be in your lineups, and which are worthy of remaining on your rosters. Statistics from our player pages at RotoBaller were included during the compilation of data, while Pro Football Reference, NextGenStats, Rotowire, Rotoviz, PFF, and Football Outsiders were also used as resources in the creation of this report.

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Week 11 Target Leaders

Davante Adams. OT game winner. Enough said‼️

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/1n1icOBfwf

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 21, 2022

Davante Adams has accumulated a league-high 112 targets, including 44 (14.7 per game) during his last three games combined. Tyreek Hill is now second overall as he will return from Miami’s bye week with 106.

Justin Jefferson has collected 105 targets even though he was limited to a season-low five when Minnesota hosted Dallas in Week 11. Stefon Diggs is the only other wide receiver who has eclipsed 100 targets (104) after he also was relegated to a season-low five in Week 11.

Cooper Kupp is next (98) although his total will (unfortunately) remain stagnant during his extended absence. CeeDee Lamb has assembled 88 targets even though he ironically joined Jefferson, and Diggs in only collecting five when the Cowboys traveled to Minnesota.

Michael Pittman Jr. has accumulated 92 targets while averaging 9.3 per game since Week 6. Diontae Johnson is next (76), even though he has now failed to reach a double-digit total during four of his last five games. Johnson had also secured a 27.2% target share from Weeks 1-7, but his share has dropped to 18.3% since Week 8.

DALTON DEEP TO OLAVE - 53-YARD TD STRIKE!!!!#LARvsNO | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/OmWF2gwsk5

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 20, 2022

Chris Olave is now ninth overall with 83 targets, despite averaging 5.5 per game since Week 10. D.J. Moore has captured 82 targets despite failing to exceed six during his last three matchups. Moore is tied with Christian Kirk, whose overall total remained unchanged during Jacksonville’s bye week.

Amari Cooper has collected 81 targets, including 12 in three different matchups. Terry McLaurin’s season total has expanded to 80 targets including the 43 targets (8.6 per game) that he has stockpiled since Taylor Heinicke began spearheading Washington’s offense in Week 7.

A.J. Brown has also accrued 80 targets despite averaging 5.7 since Week 9. That ties Brown with Courtland Sutton, who has averaged 9.0 targets in Weeks 10-11, after averaging 5.3 per game in Weeks 6-8.

Amon-Ra St. Brown has captured 78 targets after attaining 8+ during each of his last four matchups. D.K. Metcalf (77), Mike Evans (76), and Jaylen Waddle (75) are also contained inside the top 20 as all three receivers re-emerge from their bye weeks. Ja’Marr Chase is next (74) even though he has failed to register a target since Week 7.

Chris Godwin has assembled 73 targets, which was fueled by the 46 (11.5 per game) that he captured from Weeks 6-9. Curtis Samuel has now been targeted 72 times although he has only averaged 3.5 per game since Week 8. Tee Higgins secured a double-digit target total for the second time this season when he collected a season-high 13 in Week 11. That improved his season total to 71.

It also ties Higgins with Tyler Lockett, who has failed to secure a double-digit total since Week 3. Garrett Wilson has also collected 71 targets, although he was relegated to a season-low in Week 11 (3). Wilson is followed by DeVonta Smith (70), who has collected 8+ during three of his last four matchups.

DeVonta Smith shadow realm pic.twitter.com/ltbp4n6nym

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 21, 2022

Eight different wide receivers have averaged at least 10 targets per game from Weeks 1- 11 DeAndre Hopkins (11.5), (Adams 11.2), Kupp (10.9), Marquise Brown (10.7), Hill (10.6), Chase (10.6), Jefferson (10.5), and Diggs (10.4).

Week 11 Target Risers And Fallers 

Nine different wide receivers secured at least 10 targets during their matchups in Week 11. That included Davante Adams (13) who has now eclipsed 10+ targets in six different contests, including each of his last three.

Boostin’ his stats 📈@teehiggins5 had a season-high game yesterday with 9 receptions and 148 yards

Next up: #CINvsTEN on CBS pic.twitter.com/yllI3HnFtb

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 21, 2022

Tee Higgins also collected 13 targets when Cincinnati traveled to Pittsburgh which was his highest weekly total since Week 16 of last season. It was easily his highest target total during Ja’Marr Chase’s three-game absence after Higgins averaged 7.0 per game in Weeks 8-9.

Wan'Dale Robinson had averaged just 3.6 targets per game from Weeks 1-10 and had failed to exceed four targets during four of his five previous games. However, he captured 13 targets, and secured a 32.5% target share, before he sustained a torn ACL in Week 11.

C🎯🎯P

📺: #CLEvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/87qsJz4i0i

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 20, 2022

Amari Cooper reached double-digits for the fifth time this season (12). However, it was also the first time that he had surpassed seven targets since Week 6. DeAndre Hopkins also collected 12 targets in Week 11 and has now captured 12+ during four of his five games since he resurfaced in Week 7.

Allen Lazard failed to secure a double-digit target total throughout the first 48 games of his career. He has now accomplished it twice during his last three matchups after he accrued 11 when Green Bay hosted Tennessee in Week 11.

Josh Palmer has now eclipsed 10+ targets in three of his last four outings after he was targeted 10 times by Justin Herbert when the Chargers hosted the Chiefs in Week 11. Darius Slayton secured his highest weekly target total since Week 5 of the 2020 regular season when he accumulated 10 in Week 12. Greg Dortch secured his second double-digit target total of the season when he captured 10 during Arizona's Week 11 matchup with San Francisco.

DeVonta Smith registered his highest weekly total since Week 5 when he collected nine targets from Jalen Hurts in Week 11. The second-year receiver has now attained a 27.2% target share since Week 5 while averaging 7.2 per game.

Mack Hollins secured his second-highest weekly total of the season when he captured nine targets in Week 12. He has now collected 8+ in four different outings during the season. He was joined by A.J. Green, whose nine targets in Week 11 easily surpassed his previous season high (5).

Another huge pickup for @Demarcus 🔥

Tune in on FOX! pic.twitter.com/OlT6kp3mCH

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 20, 2022

Demarcus Robinson collected all nine of his targets when Baltimore hosted Carolina in Week 12. That was his highest weekly total since Week 4 of the 2019 regular season. Amon-Ra St. Brown has now collected 8+ targets in seven of his nine matchups after capturing that total in Week 12.

Keenan Allen had only accumulated six targets while being limited to a total of 45 snaps from Weeks 1-10. However, he secured a season-high eight targets while operating on 44 snaps (68%) when the Chargers hosted Kansas City in Week 11.

Treylon Burks also commandeered a season-high eight targets during Tennessee’s Week 11 matchup with Green Bay. He has now emerged as a viable resource for fantasy managers, and his rise to relevance will be examined further in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Burks was joined by Alec Pierce, who also accrued eight targets in Week 11. It was his second-highest weekly total of the season, and it transpired after he had been limited to just two targets in Weeks 9 and 10.

Wan’Dale Robinson had only exceeded four targets in one contest from Weeks 1-10, during a season in which he has contended with knee issues. That includes his numbers in Week 10 when he was only targeted twice. However, Robinson easily surpassed his previous season high by capturing 13 targets in Week 11. That produced the largest weekly rise among all wide receivers (+11) before the unfortunate injury (ACL) that prematurely concluded his season. 

LIGHT 'EM UP 🔥@_GDortch x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/MSx73T0A2Q

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 22, 2022

Greg Dortch was limited to just two snaps (3% share) when Arizona visited the Rams in Week 10. However, he played on 66 snaps (93% share) after Rondale Moore (groin) was sidelined during the Cardinals' Week 11 matchup with San Francisco. Dortch also accumulated 10 targets which tied his career high.

Amari Cooper had only averaged 4.7 targets per game from Weeks 7-10 includes including the season-low three that he registered when Cleveland visited Miami in Week 10. He commandeered a 30.7% target share in Week 11, as the 12 targets that he expanded his Week-to-Week total by +9.

Allen Lazard’s career-high 11 targets in Week 12 were collected just one week after he had been relegated to the second lowest total target total of the season (4). That fueled his weekly rise of +7. It also tied him with A.J. Green, who had been relegated to just two targets in Week 10 before he accumulated a season-best nine in Week 11.  

Darius Slayton also established a season-high when he was targeted 10 times during the Giants’ Week 11 matchup with Detroit. That transpired just one week after he had been limited to four targets in Week 10, which boosted his week-to-week total by +6.

It is unique for three different wide receivers who are currently among the top six in targets to all experience double-digit declines in the same week. However, that has transpired with Justin Jefferson (-11), Stefon Diggs (-11), and CeeDee Lamb (-10).

All three receivers had combined for 47 targets during their matchups in Week 10, while finishing with the top three target total at their position (Jefferson and Diggs-16, Lamb-15). They all finished with just five targets during their contests in Week 11, which fueled their collective plunge in week-to-week totals.

Jefferson’s teammate K.J. Osborn secured a season-high 11 targets when Minnesota traveled to Buffalo in Week 10. However, during a day in which Kirk Cousins was limited to a season-low 23 passing attempts, Osborn only registered three targets when the Vikings hosted Dallas in Week 11.

Week 11 Air Yards

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with 1,251 air yards. Davante Adams is now second overall (1,242), followed by Chris Olave (1.216), Stefon Diggs (1,138), Terry McLaurin (1,074), Justin Jefferson (1,025), Amari Cooper (984), Courtland Sutton (954), Mike Evans (948), and CeeDee Lamb, who has accumulated 936 air yards.

D.J. Moore is next (908), followed by Gabriel Davis (885), D.K. Metcalf (867), A.J. Brown (865), Diontae Johnson (859), Allen Lazard (845), Jaylen Waddle (840), Tyler Lockett (793), and Mack Hollins who has assembled 777 air yards.

George Pickens has accumulated 750 yards, followed by Tee Higgins (734), Darnell Mooney (731), Christian Kirk (727), Donovan Peoples-Jones (721), and Mike Williams completing the list of 26 receivers who have eclipsed 700+ air yards entering Week 12.

DeAndre Hopkins leads all wide receivers with a 46.1% air yards share. D.J. Moore is second overall (43.0%), followed by his former teammate Robbie Anderson (32.7%, A.J. Brown (41.8%), Davante Adams (41.5%), Tyreek Hill (40.8%), Justin Jefferson (40.7%), Marquise Brown (40.5%), and CeeDee Lamb, who has secured a share of 40.2%.

Chris Olave is next (39.3%), followed by Amari Cooper (37.8%), Terry McLaurin (37.6%), D.K. Metcalf (37.2%), Darnell Mooney (36.8%), Stefon Diggs (36.6%), Darius Slayton (35.6%), Ja’Marr Chase (35.4%), Mike Evans (35.3%), Tyler Lockett (34.1%), and Allen Lazard, who has attained an air yards share of 34.0%.

Mike Williams is next (33.9%), followed by Jakobi Meyers (32.4%), Courtland Sutton (32.0%), Gabriel Davis (31.6%), Christian Kirk (31.2%), Marvin Jones (30.6%), and Tee Higgins, who has secured an air yards share of 30.2%.

Week 11 Targets Per Route Run

DeAndre Hopkins has now emerged as the new league leader in targets per route run (37.7%). Amon-Ra St. Brown is second (33.3%), followed by Davante Adams (33%), Tyreek Hill (32.9%), Deebo, Samuel (32.2%), CeeDee Lamb (31%), Chris Olave (29.7%), Jakobi Meyers (28.4%), A.J. Brown (28%), and  Brandon Aiyuk, who has been targeted on 27.4% of his routes.

Jauan Jennings is next (27%), followed by Stefon Diggs (26.7%), Amari Cooper (26.5%), Chris Godwin (26.4%), Tee Higgins (26%), Justin Jefferson (25.2%), and D.J. Moore,  who has been targeted on 25% of his routes. D.K. Metcalf and Scotty Miller are tied at 24.8%, followed by Mike Williams (24.7%), Drake London (24.3%), and two receivers who are tied at 23.8%: Mike Evans and Treylon Burks.

Week 11 Yards Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill continues to lead all wide receivers with an average of 3.57 yards per route run. DeAndre Hopkins is second overall (3.16), followed by Jaylen Waddle 2.78), A.J. Brown (2.74), Davante Adams (2.73), Chris Olave (2.72), Stefon Diggs (2.65), Justin Jefferson (2.82), and Tee Higgins (2.61).

Anon-Ra St. Brown is 10th overall (2.54), followed by CeeDee Lamb (2.5), Jakobi Meyers (2.5), Brandon Aiyuk (2.44), Darius Slayton (2.39), Amari Cooper (2.28), Terry McLaurin (2.22), Deebo Samuel (2.19), Randall Cobb (2.19), Tre’Quan Smith (2.18), Juju Smith-Schuster (2.15), and Devante Parker, who has averaged 2.13 yards per route run.

Terrace Marshall is next (2.11), followed by three receivers who are tied at 2.10: Mike Williams, Mike Evans, and Treylon Burks. Christian Watson is next (1.99), followed by Jauan Jennings (1.98), Christian Kirk (1.96), Donovan Peoples-Jones (1.96), Tyler Lockett (1.94), and Nelson Agholor, who is also averaging 1.94 yards per route run.

Week 11 Red Zone Targets

Justin Jefferson had accumulated seven red zone targets in Weeks 9-10 but failed to register a target in Week 11. However, this has not precluded him from maintaining his league lead with 19 overall entering Week 12.

Stefon Diggs and Davante Adams are tied for second with 16 targets, while D.K. Metcalf and Christian Kirk have collected 15. Allen, Robinson, and Ja’Marr Chase have assembled 14 targets, while A.J. Brown and Allen Lazard have accrued 12.

Five different receivers have captured 11 targets: Amari Cooper, Adam Thielen, Brandon Aiyuk, Diontae Johnson, and Drake London. Seven additional receivers have been targeted 10 times inside the 20: Chris Olave, Deebo Samuel, Mike Evans, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Garrett Wilson, Zay Jones, and Mecole Hardman.

Jefferson leads all wide receivers with 13 targets inside the 10-yard line, while Robinson has collected 12. Adams has accumulated nine targets, while Kirk and Chase have been targeted eight times.

Robinson has also assembled a league-high seven targets inside the 5-yard line, while Adams, Diggs, and Kirk have all accumulated six.

Week 11 Snap Counts

D.J. Moore leads all wide receivers with a 96.7% snap share from Weeks 1-11. Michael Pittman and Justin Jefferson are tied for second (96.1%), followed by Ja’Marr Chase (95.3%), Marquise Brown (94.9%), Davante Adams (94.1%), Mack Hollins (93.2%), Courtland Sutton (92.9%), and Adam Thielen, who has attained a snap share of 92.7%.

Gabriel Davis is next (92.3%), followed by Diontae Johnson (91.6%), Brandon Aiyuk (91.3%), Terry McLaurin (90.8%), Allen Robinson (90.8%), DeVonta Smith (90.0%), DeAndre Hopkins (89.9%), and Christian Kirk who has secured a snap share of 89.4%.

Allen Lazard is next (89.2%), followed by CeeDee Lamb (88.9%), Donovan Peoples-Jones (88.0%), Darnell Mooney (87.5%), and Zay Jones, who has attained a snap share of 87.2%.

Terry McLaurin leads all wide receivers with 672 offensive snaps. Michael Pittman is second overall (642), followed by Justin Jefferson (618), Parris Campbell (601), Courtland Sutton (598), Diontae Johnson (597), Adam Thielen (596), D.J. Moore (592), Donovan Peoples-Jones (591), and two receivers who are tied with 586 snaps – Darnell Mooney, and DeVonta Smith.

Christian Kirk has accumulated 573 snaps, followed by Davante Adams (569), Curtis Samuel (565), Mack Hollins (564), Amari Cooper (560), Brandon Aiyuk (554), CeeDee Lamb (554), and Allen Robinson, who has now played on 550 of the Rams’ offensive snaps. Gabriel Davis is next (542), followed by A.J. Brown (534), Tyler, Boyd (526), Zay Jones (519), and George Pickens, who has accumulated 513 offensive snaps.

Five Things I Noticed

1. Following the blockbuster trade that sent Tyreek Hill from Kansas City to Miami last March, there were legitimate questions surrounding the number of opportunities that would be available for both Hill and Jaylen Waddle to replicate their previous numbers. 

Hill had averaged 130 targets, 83.6 receptions, 1,213 yards, and 10 touchdowns during his final four seasons with the Chiefs (2018-2021) while averaging 8.7 targets/5.6 receptions/80.5 yards per game during that sequence. Waddle had established a new rookie record by stockpiling 104 receptions (6.5 per game) while becoming just the second newcomer to eclipse 100+. It was reasonable to doubt that Hill and Waddle could both generate WR1 output in a Miami offense that had been transformed during the offseason.

Another TD for the NFL's leading receiver @Cheetah

📺: #CLEvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/69z8ixgEIW pic.twitter.com/eRB5AyQ1gJ

— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2022

However, first-year head coach Mike McDaniel has effectively concocted an offensive strategy that has fueled Hill’s ascension to WR2 while Waddle has vaulted to WR6.

The Dolphins are currently ranked second in passing while averaging 293.8 yards per game. Miami had ranked 17th overall during 2021 while averaging 214.8 yards per game. Miami is also 11th in both pass play percentage (61.4%), and pass attempts per game (35.5).

Tua has been on a roll 👀 pic.twitter.com/saz7Fc4MGz

— PFF (@PFF) November 16, 2022

Tua Tagovailoa is leading the league in yards per attempt (9.1) and air yards per attempt (10.0), while his 283.1 yards per game average is fourth overall. He is also fifth overall with 18 touchdown passes even though he was sidelined in Weeks 5-6 while he remained in concussion protocol.

Tagovailoa had also generated 3+ touchdown passes in four different matchups while accomplishing it in three consecutive outings from Weeks 8-10. His performance has also vaulted him to the top overall ranking in the Football Outsiders’ DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average).

5th 100-yard receiving game of the season. The 🐆 is doing just fine as a 🐬@cheetah | @miamidolphins pic.twitter.com/1j8T9iACo1

— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2022

Hill entered Miami’s bye week as the league leader in targets (106/30.8% share). His average of 10.6 targets per game is a career-high and has been propelled by the six games in which he had captured 12+. Hill also leads the league with 81 receptions, while his 8.1 per game average has also established a career-high. He has also eclipsed 10 receptions in four different contests and has accumulated a league-best 20 receptions of 20+ yards.

Hill is also leading all wide receivers in air yards (1,251), and yards per route run (3.57), and is fourth in targets per route run (32.9%). Hill is also joined by Waddle among the top five in receiving yards (Hill 1148/114..8 per game), (Waddle 878/87.8  per game), and both receivers have combined for nine games of 100+ (Hill 5), (Waddle 4). Both teammates are also among the top six in yards before catch (Hill 798/Waddle 566).

The 1️⃣ to 1️⃣7️⃣ connection. 😎 @AlabamaFTBL

📺: Watch #MIAvsCHI on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/DRLm76rU9c

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 6, 2022

Waddle is 19th overall with 75 targets (7.5 per game/21.5% share). He is also third in yards per route run (2.78), fifth in touchdowns (6), 17th in air yards (840), and had been targeted on 23.6% of his 316 routes.

Anyone who has Hill or Waddle contained on their rosters can embrace the opportunity to lock both receivers into your lineups during your remaining matchups.

2. Christian Kirk had finished at WR58/WR38/ WR51/WR26 with Arizona from 2018-2021 while averaging 6.4 targets, 4.2 receptions, and 51.8 yards per game during his four seasons at the NFL level. The Jaguars were incentivized to seize Kirk during free agency, as first-year general manager Trent Baalke secured him with a four-year, $72 million deal.

While that contract fueled a substantial amount of scrutiny Kirk can be included among this year’s most pleasant surprises at the wide receiver position. He has also functioned proficiently as Jacksonville’s WR1 while operating in his first season with Trevor Lawrence.

The Jaguars’ signal caller was sixth overall with 348 attempts (34.8 per game), eighth in completions (227/22.7 per game and was also eighth with 2,334 yards (233.4 per game). Lawrence was also averaging 6.7 yards per attempt and 7.5 in intended air yards per attempt.

Trevor Lawrence connects with Christian Kirk for a @Jaguars TD before the half!

📺: #JAXvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/WuzICNVJEJ pic.twitter.com/0CVHqA1tuY

— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2022

Kirk's success with Lawrence guiding Jaguars' offense has enabled him to surpass his previous career highs in all most nearly all receiving categories. Kirk had risen to WR7 following Jacksonville’s Week 10 matchup in Kansas City while averaging 16.1 points per game. Kirk also tied his season-high by capturing 12 targets against the Chiefs which propelled him to eighth among all wide receivers with 82 targets (8.3 per game) from Weeks 1-10. He has now collected 9+ targets during six of his 10 matchups, while also securing a 26.0% target share.

Kirk is also 10th in receptions (52/5.2 per game) while accruing 6+ catches in six different contests. Kirk is also 13th in receiving yards (679), while his average of 67.9 per game has easily surpassed his previous career highs (57.8).

A career year.@Gatorade | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/AXlXXUL4Na

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) November 15, 2022

Kirk is also fourth in red zone targets (15), and third in touchdowns (7), which has already established new career bests in each category. He is also 24th in air yards (727) while securing a 31.7% air yard share.

.@Trevorlawrencee and @ckirk link up for their second TD of the day.#JAXvsKC on CBS pic.twitter.com/t8Qdx51ldw

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) November 13, 2022

Kirk had also ascended to sixth overall in routes run (347) prior to his bye week while operating from the slot on 81.5% of those routes. He has also been targeted on 23.6% of his routes while averaging 1.96 point yards per route run.

Zay Jones was second on the Jaguars in targets (65/7.2 per game/21.7%), receptions (47/5.2 per game), and receiving yards (417/46.3 per game). He was also second in routes run (309), and targets per route run (21.0%). Jones has also failed to exceed 42 yards in five of his nine matchups while only generating one touchdown. That should deter you from deploying him as anything beyond a WR4/flex.

However, Kirk has earned weekly WR2 status due to his favorable usage and output throughout the season, and he should continue to assemble the most prolific numbers of his career.

3. Treylon Burks was mentioned at the conclusion of last week's article. Now, his numbers since reemerging in the Titans’ lineup should be discussed again as he is primed to provide fantasy managers with a prospective WR3 option during the critical weeks that remain.

BIG PLAY BURKS @TreylonBurks

📺: Watch #TENvsGB on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/tSxlLHFjjB

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 18, 2022

Burks became the 18th overall selection during last April’s NFL draft after Tennessee traded A.J. Brown to Philadelphia for the opportunity to seize him. That infused the 6’2”, 225-pound Burks into an environment where his size, explosiveness, and versatility could quickly prove him into WR1 responsibilities for the Titans. However, he contended with health issues and a formidable learning curve during much of the offseason.

He did accumulate 118 snaps (59.5% share), and a 16% target share from Weeks 1-4, while accumulating 16 targets 4.0 per game, 10 receptions (2.5 per game), and 129 receiving yards (32.3 per game). He had also accumulated 195 air yards while attaining a 25.6% air yard share.

Burks was sidelined from Weeks 5-9 with a turf toe injury but resurfaced when Tennessee hosted Denver in Week 10. He has captured 14 targets from Ryan Tannehill during his last two games while securing a 22.2% target share. That ties him with Robert Woods for the team-high in each category. Burks also leads the Titans in air yards (119), air yards share (24,4%), and yards after catch (53) during those matchups, while his 135 receiving yards are second to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (147).

He tied his season-high by collecting six targets in Week 10, even though his reception and yardage totals were unexceptional (3/24). He was also targeted on 20% of his 30 routes following his extended absence.

His involvement expanded when the Titans traveled to Green Bay in Week 11, as Burks established a new season-high in targets (8), receptions (7), and receiving yards (113). He also assembled 99 air yards, and secured a 41.3% air yard share, while leading Tennessee in every category. Burks was also targeted on a league-high 38.1% of his routes, and also paced all receivers by averaging 5.29 yards per route run.

Burks sealing the victory! @TreylonBurks

📺: Watch postgame coverage on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/LbDnkiuXkt

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 18, 2022

Tennessee is currently third in run play percentage (53.4%) and will remain reliant on Derrick Henry as the foundation of the offense. However, Burks supplies Ryan Tannehill with a downfield presence that will garner the attention of opposing defenses, which will be beneficial to the Titans while keeping Burks involved as their primary receiving weapon.

He will not be contending with formidable competition for WR1 responsibilities. The 30-year-old Woods has averaged 5.0 targets, 3.0 receptions, and 33.5 yards per game from Weeks 1-11, while Westbrook-Ikhine’s erratic production has included two games where he has eclipsed 70 yards and five in which he has failed to exceed 28. All of which sustains Burks’ path to a productive closing sequence during his remaining matchups.

4. It appeared that Josh Palmer’s viability as a starter for fantasy managers appeared to be reaching a rapid conclusion when Keenan Allen and Mike Williams resurfaced from their extended absences in Week 11. Their collective return presented a legitimate rationale for dropping Palmer, even though he had averaged 10.0 targets, 7.3 receptions, and 69 yards per game from Weeks 6-10.

However, managers who eschewed the option of removing him from their rosters have renewed incentive to retain him following his performance in Week 11.

Palmer unexpectedly emerged as the Chargers' leader in targets (10/37% share), receptions (8), and receiving yards (106), while also generating multiple touchdowns for the first time in his career.

touchdown, palmer. @Flowercitysown | @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/jLn5ENBUSZ

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 21, 2022

Palmer has now secured a double-digit target total during three of his last four games while also collecting 8+ receptions in three matchups during that span.

Williams was returning to L.A.’s lineup following his protracted recovery from the high ankle sprain that had sidelined him since Week 7. Unfortunately, he only played on six snaps before reaggravating his injury.

That provided Palmer with an opportunity to secure a snap share of 90+ percent for the third consecutive week and Palmer capitalized on this opportunity to remain highly involved in the target distribution from Justin Herbert. Palmer also ran 33 routes, while Herbert targeted him on 33.3% of his routes, He also averaged 3.21 yards per route run,

GOIN' DEEEEEEEEEP@Flowercitysown | @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/7hgnyoPfJv

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 21, 2022

Allen also secured season highs in snap share (68%), targets (8), receptions (5), and receiving yards (94), as he resurfaced from the hamstring issue that has dramatically impacted his availability throughout the season.

The health of Williams should be monitored, but Palmer’s outing has provided a reminder that he is a viable starting option if Williams or Allen is unavailable.

Skyy Moore showing Derwin James a fresh pair of heels 😈

(📹 @NFL)

pic.twitter.com/h7CPx9IJZW

— Let’s Chat Chiefs (@LetsChatChiefs) November 21, 2022

Injuries also forced the Chiefs to restructure their receiving arsenal during the same matchup with the Chargers, while also clearing a path for
Justin Watson and Skyy Moore to deliver their most productive outings of the season.

Kadarius Toney sustained a hamstring issue after playing just 14 snaps and was unable to return for the AFC West showdown with Los Angeles. Toney’s unexpected departure depleted a receiving unit that was already operating without Juju Smith-Schuster (concussion), and Mecole Hardman (abdomen), but it also supplied Moore and Watson with the opportunity to thrive with their increased responsibilities.

Moore entered Week 11 with a 22.9% snap share from Weeks 1-10 while averaging just 1.6 targets, 0.8 receptions, and 11.8 yards per game. However, he operated with a 42% snap share in Week 11. while securing team highs in targets (6), and receptions (5). He was also targeted on 33.3% of his routes while averaging 3.5 yards per route run.

On 3rd & 17, #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes connects with receiver Justin Watson for 25 yards. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/eyhzTHEhCK

— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) November 21, 2022

Watson had only attained a 24.3% target share while averaging 1.7 targets/0.8 receptions/12.6 yards from Weeks 1-10, but he established a new season high in receptions (3), and established a new career-high in receiving yards (67). He also led the Chiefs in air yards (85), air yards share (26.3%), and with his 35 routes run.

The health of Smith-Schuster and Toney will impact the involvement of Watson and Moore during Sunday’s matchup with the Rams. Both receivers can supply short-term solutions for fantasy managers who are confronted by roster challenges if they are functioning with expanded roles once again.

Cooper Kupp Triple Crown Season:

👑 Catches - 145
👑 Yards - 1,947
👑 TDs - 16

Cooper Kupp’s 2021 season is one for the record books 👑 pic.twitter.com/ZEtvoAhehU

— PFF (@PFF) January 10, 2022

5. Cooper Kupp’s immeasurable importance to the Rams’ offense cannot be disputed nor can his accomplishments during a historic 2021 regular season. Kupp's ability to lead the league in targets (191/11.2 per game/32% share) receptions (145/8.5 per game), receiving yards (1,937/114.5 per game), and receiving touchdowns (16) also fueled his ADP during the 2022 draft season (3/WR1), which underscored the lofty regard that fantasy managers held for Kupp entering Week 1.

The Rams have now begun the exceedingly difficult task of attempting to progress through their remaining matchups without him, while fantasy managers who made the early-round investment in Kupp also were forced to adjust their Week 11 lineups amid the first week of his absence.

The Rams’ Week 11 matchup at New Orleans also provided the first opportunity to determine how effective their aerial attack would operate without its most critical weapon, while also supplying the first chance to determine if Los Angeles’ reconstructed receiving arsenal would provide fantasy managers with any legitimate starting options during Kupp’s extended absence.

Unfortunately, anyone who started any of the Rams’ wide receivers during their encounter with the Saints did not receive a high-quality performance. The Rams were also forced to contend with the other another obstacle during their visit to New Orleans when Matthew Stafford was forced to the sideline in the third quarter. This elevated second-year signal caller Bryce Perkins under center, as Perkins completed five of his 10 passes while generating 64 yards.

Tight end Tyler Higbee ultimately led the Rams with eight targets (29.6% share), while Allen Robinson and Van Jefferson tied for the lead among the team’s wide receivers in targets (5/19.5% share), while Robinson led the position in receptions (4), and receiving yards (47).

Stafford finds @AllenRobinson for the second TD of the game!

📺 @NFLonFOX | 🗳 https://t.co/tzj2dGifoV pic.twitter.com/A1TgLNiAeJ

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 20, 2022

Robinson did not experience a significant surge in his usage or output without Kupp in the lineup as he had been averaging 5.2 targets/3.2 receptions/32.4 yards per game entering Week 11. He did generate his third touchdown of the season, which propelled him to WR18 in PPR scoring (14.7 points).

Jefferson only managed modest numbers with his five targets (3 receptions/41 yards), but did edge Robinson for the team lead in air yards (65/61), and also in air yards share (23.4%.22.0%). Robinson ran 31 routes, was targeted on 16.1% of his routes, and averaged 1.52 yards per route run. Jefferson ran 30 routes, was targeted on 16.7% of his routes, and averaged 1.37 yards per route run.

Ben Skowronek attained an 84.4% snap share, but his numbers were underwhelming. The second-year receiver registered just one reception and an infinitesimal 4 yards with his four targets.

Stafford’s status should be monitored as the week progresses, as his presence is a necessity in any consideration of starting Robinson or Jefferson. Robinson can be deployed as a WR3 if Stafford is able to resurface while Jefferson has failed to supply any justification for utilizing him as anything beyond a WR4/flex. Skowronek should not be included in anyone’s lineups moving forward.

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