Wide Receiver Breakouts for Fantasy Football: Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Mike Evans, Davante Adams, Treylon Burks, Jerry Jeudy

Phil analyzes fantasy football wide receiver risers and fallers, looking at last week's targets and receptions to find Week 18 (2023) buy-lows or sell-highs.

We remain hopeful for promising news regarding Demar Hamlin as both he and his family continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. His situation unquestionably remains far more important than anything related to fantasy football.

With that in mind, some of you will be involved in Week 18 matchups that will determine your league champions. This column will proceed with the usual statistical breakdown of multiple categories involving wide receivers, which will be designed to help you fulfill your championship aspirations. This will be the 17th installment this season that will examine game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, targets per route run, red-zone targets, yards per route run, snap shares, and a compilation of other statistics.

This massive collection of data also supplies the foundation from which the numbers that are generated in various categories can be evaluated. This week’s article will bolster your efforts to determine which wide receivers should be in your Week 18 lineups. Pro Football Reference, PFF, NextGenStats, Rotowire, Rotoviz, and Football Outsiders were all used as resources in compiling this data. Good luck to everyone in your matchups.

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Week 17 Target Leaders

Justin Jefferson still leads all wide receivers with 179 targets entering Week 18 even though he was limited to just five in Week 17. That brought an abrupt conclusion to his streak of three consecutive weeks with 15+ while the timing of Jefferson’s statistical decline also caused consternation for fantasy managers who were competing for league championships.

Honestly, is Davante human?

📺 FOX | @tae15adams pic.twitter.com/BnU94F9WcI

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 2, 2023

Davante Adams is now second overall with 171 targets after he secured a double-digit target total for the first time since Week 13. Adams has also eclipsed 10+ targets in nine different matchups this season.

Tyreek Hill has collected 165 targets even though his per-game average in Weeks 16-17 (6.5) is well below his season-long average (10.3). CeeDee Lamb has risen to fourth overall (149), after securing his second-highest weekly total of the season (14). Lamb has also accumulated 25 targets during his last two outings.

Diontae Johnson is next with 137 targets even though he has been limited to seven in two consecutive games. He had been averaging 9.7 per game from Weeks 13-15 prior to his recent decline. Johnson is also tied with Amon-Ra St. Brown who collected 8+ targets in nine consecutive games before he was relegated to just five in Week 17.

Michael Pittman attained a double-digit target total for the fourth time this season in Week 15 (14) but has averaged 7.5 per game during his last two contests. His overall total has expanded to 136 as he operates amid a continual state of upheaval under center with Indianapolis.

ZOOM ZOOM#NOvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/BrpzW0iO1J

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 1, 2023

A.J. Brown has extended his career-best target total to 135 while also securing a 28.8% target share. Brown is tied with Chris Godwin, who has captured 8+ targets in 11 consecutive outings while averaging 10.5 per game during that span.

D.K. Metcalf has been targeted 133 times throughout the season although anyone who was depending on him in their Week 17 lineups is already aware that he was relegated to his lowest total since Week 7 (5). Garrett Wilson garnered a double-digit target total for the fourth time this season in Week 17 (11), which improved his overall total to 130.

Amari Cooper has now accrued 129 targets while averaging 8.1 per game. He had been averaging 8.5 per game from Weeks 1-12 but that average has dropped to 7.2 per game since Week 13 – which coincides with Deshaun Watson’s emergence under center. DeVonta Smith has now collected 128 targets, and he is tied for the league lead with 25 since Week 16.

Mike Evans propelled fantasy managers to league championships while capturing his first double-digit target total since Week 9 (12). That also expanded his season-long total to 127.

Christian Kirk (125) was 11th among all wide receivers with 55 targets from Weeks 9-15. However, the 9.2 per game average that he attained during that sequence has dropped to just 4.5 during his last two games.

Kirk’s teammate Zay Jones has now accumulated 115 targets. However. Jones has averaged just 4.5 targets per game since Week 16 after his average had soared to 10.8 from Weeks 10-14.

With Love,

DJ Moore 😘 pic.twitter.com/0TbRE60pXW

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 1, 2023

D.J. Moore reached a double-digit target total for the first time since Week 8 when he captured 10 targets from Sam Darnold in Week 17. That improved his overall total to 114 for the season. It also tied Moore with Terry McLaurin, who has failed to exceed six targets during each of his last three outings.

Jaylen Waddle has collected 112 targets even though he has only averaged 5.4 per game since Week 13. Tyler Lockett was limited to two targets in Week 17 while contending with hand and leg injuries. However, he has now captured 110 targets from Weeks 1-17.

Five different wide receivers are averaging at least 10.0 targets per game entering Week 18 - Jefferson (11.2), Chase (11.1), Adams (10.7), Hopkins (10.7), and Hill (10.3).

Week 17 Target Risers And Fallers 

Nine different wide receivers captured at least 10 targets during their matchups in Week 17. They were led by CeeDee Lamb, who collected 14 from Dak Prescott. Lamb's 34.2% target share also placed him fourth overall for the week.

DeVonta Smith has now captured 10+ targets in four different contests this season, while also accomplishing it in each of his last two games. Smith’s 13 targets also established a career-high.

Double down on 11! @THE2ERA

📺: #SFvsLV on FOX
📱: NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/OUB8NtCyYL

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 1, 2023

Brandon Aiyuk’s 12 targets in Week 17 represented his highest weekly total since Week 15 of his 2020 rookie season. It was the eighth time in his career that Aiyuk has eclipsed 10+ targets and the third time that he has accomplished it this season.

Mike Evans also garnered 12 targets, which was his second-highest weekly total of the season. Evans had reached double digits during three consecutive outings from Weeks 7-9 but had failed to accomplish it again until Week 17.

Davante Adams secured a double-digit total for the sixth time during his last nine matchups when he collected 11 targets from Jarrett Stidham in Week 17. He also attained the week’s third-highest target share (34.4%).

Garrett Wilson also accrued 11 targets, which was his first double-digit total since Week 13. He has now averaged 10.2 per game during his last five matchups and is third overall with 51 targets during that span.

D.J. Moore had only averaged 5.6 targets per game from Weeks 9-16 before he captured 10 targets in Week 17. That tied him with Greg Dortch whose 10 targets extended his unique collection of weekly totals. Dortch has now eclipsed 10+ targets in four different contests while failing to exceed one target in eight other matchups.

MIKE DUB... HOW?????@darealmike_dub | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/vsgXizztyN

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 1, 2023

Mike Williams reached double digits for the first time since Week 5. Williams had averaged 6.0 targets per game from Weeks 14-16 before securing his third-highest weekly total of the season.

Williams also registered a 13.3% target share in Week 16 and was only targeted four times - which was tied for his second-lowest total of the season. His target share rose to 32.3% in Week 17 which was the sixth highest among all wide receivers. His 10 targets also improved his week-to-week total by +6.

That also tied Williams with rookie Treylon Burks, whose eight targets matched the season high that was originally established in Week 11. The numbers that Burks has attained during his first season will be examined further in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Brandon Aiyuk‘s season-high 12 targets were collected one week after he had been targeted seven times by Brock Purdy. That automatically created his weekly increase of +5.

Aiyuk was joined by Marquez Valdes-Scantling who attained his highest weekly total since Week 5. Valdes-Scantling was targeted seven times by Patrick Mahomes, just one week after Valdes -Scantling had been limited to just two targets.

The five targets that Justin Jefferson registered in Week 17, tied his season low, while his sudden plunge in usage and output assuredly crushed the aspirations of many fantasy managers, who were at the periphery of capturing league championships. That target total also resulted in the largest decrease among all wide receivers (-11).

Keenan Allen had captured 14 targets during three of his four matchups from Weeks 13-16. He was limited to six targets in Week 17, which was his lowest weekly total since returning from a hamstring injury. It also fueled his week-to-week decline of -8.

Amon-Ra St. Brown stockpiled 73 targets from Weeks 10-16 which was the league’s third-highest total. He also averaged 10.4 targets per game during that span before he was relegated to his second-lowest target total of the season in Week 17. That resulted in his weekly decrease of -8.

Week 17 Air Yards

Tyreek Hill continues to lead all wide receivers in air yards and has now accumulated 2,027 from Weeks 1-17. Davante Adams is second overall (2,010), followed by Justin Jefferson (1,818), Mike Evans (1,651), A.J. Brown (1.598), Stefon Diggs (1.573), Amari Cooper (1,560), Chris Olave (1,531), CeeDee Lamb (1,487), D.K. Metcalf (1,475), and Terry McLaurin, who has accumulated 1,458 air yards.

D.J. Moore is next (1,417), followed by Diontae Johnson (1,396), Jaylen Waddle (1,381), Garrett Wilson (1,347), DeVonta Smith (1291), Gabriel Davis (1,253), Courtland Sutton (1,234), and Allen Lazard, who has secured 1,187 air yards. Mack Hollins is next (1,147), followed by Tyler Lockett (1,144), Marquise Brown (1,105), Christian Kirk (1,099), George Pickens (1,093), Ja’Marr Chase (1,071), Tee Higgins (1,069), Mike Williams (1,067), Drake London (1,060), Donovan-Peoples Jones (1,058), and Brandon Aiyuk, who has accumulated 1,033 yards.

D.J. Moore has sustained his league lead in air yards share (46.92%). DeAndre Hopkins is second overall (42.81%), followed by Davante Adams (41.12%), Amari Cooper (40.37%), Tyreek Hill (40.22%), Justin Jefferson (39.83%), A.J. Brown (39.4%), Kadarius Toney (37.37%), Ja’Marr Chase (37.923%, and CeeDee Lamb who has attained an air yards share of 36.88%.

Darius Slayton is next (36.86%), followed by Mike Evans (36.74%), D.K. Metcalf (36.74%), Chris Olave (36.19%), Marquise Brown (35.19%), Mike Williams (34.79%), Terry McLaurin (34.71%), and Stefon Diggs who has secured an air yards share of 36.76%. Diontae Johnson is next at 33.58%, followed by Drake London, (32.24%), Allen Lazard (32.21%), DeVonta Smith (31.83%), Nico Collins (31%), Tee Higgins (30.97%), Van Jefferson (30.85%), Brandon Aiyuk (30.81%), and D.J. Chark, who has attained an air yards share of 30.51%.

Week 17 Targets Per Route Run

DeAndre Hopkins has been targeted on 36.4% of his routes which leads all wide receivers. Tyreek Hill is second overall (34.9%), followed by Deebo Samuel (34.7%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (34.1%), Davante Adams (33.5%), Christian Watson (33.3%), Keenan Allen (33.2%), CeeDee Lamb (29.8%), Chris Olave (29.8%), Brandon Aiyuk (29%), and Drake London, who has been targeted on 28.9% of his routes.

A.J. Brown is next (28.8%), followed by Michael Pittman (28.1%), Chris Godwin (27.9%), Justin Jefferson (27.7%), Amari Cooper (27.3%), Nico Collins (27.2%), Jakobi Meyers (26.6%), and D.K. Metcalf, who has been targeted on 26% of his routes.

Allen Lazard is next (25.9%), followed by Ja’Marr Chase (25.8%), DeVonta Smith (25.7%), Mike Williams (25.3%), and Marquise Brown, who has been targeted on 25.2% of his routes.

Week 17 Yards Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with an average of 3.57 yards per route run. A.J. Brown is second (2.99), followed by Jaylen Waddle (2.83), Davante Adams (2.82), Christian Watson (2.82), Amon-Ra St. Brown (2.77), Keenan Allen (2.77), Chris Olave (2.74), Justin Jefferson (2.74), DeAndre Hopkins (2.72), and CeeDee Lamb, who is averaging 2.61 yards per route run.

Brandon Aiyuk is next (2.54), followed by Tee Higgins (2.52), Mike Williams (2.48), Terry McLaurin (2.37), Amari Cooper (2.35), Deebo Samuel, 2.34, Jakobi Meyers (2.31), DeVonta Smith (2.26), Stefon Diggs (2.24), and Mike Evans, who is averaging 2.16 yards per route run.

Darius Slayton is next (2.14), followed by DeVante Parker (2.11), Allen Lazard (2.06), Tyler Lockett (2.06), and Jerry Jeudy, who is averaging 2.05 yards per route run.

Week 17 Red Zone Targets

D.K. Metcalf was targeted three times in the red zone when Seattle hosted the Jets in Week 17. That expanded his season-long total to 27. It also tied him for the league lead with Justin Jefferson. Ja’Marr Chase is third overall (24), followed by two receivers who are tied at 22: Stefon Diggs and Christian Kirk.

Davante Adams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, have both been targeted 21 times, while Garrett Wilson and Adam Thielen have captured 19. Three receivers are tied with 17 targets inside the 20: Amari Cooper, Zay Jones, and Allen Lazard, while Diontae Johnson and Russell Gage have garnered 16. Four receivers have also accrued 15 targets inside the red zone entering Week 18 - A.J. Brown, Chris Godwin, Brandon Aiyuk, and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Jefferson also leads the league with 17 targets inside the 10-yard line while Diggs is second overall with 12. Adams has been targeted 11 times, while five different receivers have captured 10 targets inside the 10: Kirk, Metcalf, Wilson, Lazard, and Josh Reynolds.

Diggs and Kirk have collected eight targets inside the 5-yard line, followed by Adams (7), and three receivers who have been targeted six times - Lazard, Chase, and St. Brown.

Week 17 Snap Counts

D.J. Moore leads all wide receivers with a 96.6% snap share from Weeks 1-17. Michael Pittman is second overall (96.6%), followed by Justin Jefferson (95.0%), Davante Adams (94.8%), Ja’Marr Chase (93.6%), Mack Hollins (93.2%), Brandon Aiyuk (91.9%), Adam Thielen (91.6%), and Marquise Brown, who has secured a 91.5% snap share.

Gabriel Davis is next (91.2%), followed by DeVonta Smith (90.9%), Terry McLaurin (90.0%), Diontae Johnson (89.9%), Donovan Peoples-Jones (89.6%), Allen Lazard (89.5%), Courtland Sutton (88.2%), DeAndre Hopkins (88.2%), and Christian Kirk who has attained a snap share of (87.8%) entering Week 18.

Justin Jefferson leads all wide receivers in total offensive snaps (997), followed by Terry McLaurin (969), Adam Thielen (962), DeVonta Smith (960), Michael Pittman (951), Donovan Peoples-Jones (951), Diontae Johnson (936), Davante Adams (930), and CeeDee Lamb, who has performed on 915 of the Cowboys’ offensive snaps.

Mack Hollins is next (914), followed by Brandon Aiyuk (906), Christian Kirk (900), A.J. Brown (899), D.J. Moore (886), Mike Evans (882), Amari Cooper (877), Parris Campbell (876), and Zay Jones, who has accumulated 840 offensive snaps. Jones is followed by Gabriel Davis (835), Josh Palmer (817), Chris Godwin (808), Garrett Wilson (808), George Pickens (798), D.K. Metcalf (792), K.J. Osborn (781), and Allen Lazard, who has accumulated 777 snaps entering Week 18.

Five Things I Noticed  

1. A number of wide receivers delivered highly-productive performances during their Week 17 matchups at the most opportune time for anyone who was competing for a fantasy championship. There are several receivers who deserve a mention following their Week 17 output but the list of prolific performers will begin with 29-year-old Mike Evans.

HIM. pic.twitter.com/jOv6fSwsos

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 3, 2023

He had entered Week 17 with 115 targets (8.2 per game) which placed him 16th overall. He was also 19th in receiving yards (917/65.5 per game) and 21st in receptions (57/4.8 per game). Evans had also averaged 7.5 targets per game from Weeks 10-16 but was also averaging 3.8 receptions, and 50 receiving yards per game – during a sequence in which he only reached 60 yards during one of those contests. He had also failed to surpass 44 yards during three of those games.

Evans also did not generate a touchdown, which extended an unwanted streak that began in Week 4. However, any fantasy managers who had endured the lingering frustration that permeated that span was rewarded for their patience when Evans stockpiled outstanding numbers in Week 17.

.@TomBrady + @MikeEvans13_ = 6️⃣

📺: #CARvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/YOy0yr9Aoo

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 1, 2023

He captured 12 targets, which was his second-highest target total of the season. Evans also collected a season-high 10 receptions, which was also his highest weekly total since Week 16 of the 2020 regular season. He also eclipsed 200 receiving yards for the first since 2014 (207) and produced three touchdowns which brought an abrupt halt to the problematic dearth of scoring.

🏈 🏈
🏈 🏈
🏈 🏈
🏈 🏈
🏈 1️⃣3️⃣
🐐 pic.twitter.com/hYOwQQDy2Q

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 1, 2023

Evans soared to WR1 as the result of his production while he unsurprisingly led the league in receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in Week 17, and was second to CeeDee Lamb in receptions. Evans also paced the league in air yards (220), and air yards share (64.9%), and was sixth in yards after catch (48). Evans also attained season highs in yards before catch (159), yards per target (17.3), yards per reception (20.7). and aDOT (average depth of target - 18.3), was targeted on 28.6% of his routes and averaged 4.93 yards per route run.

MICHAEL LYNN EVANS III

📺: #CARvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/9t0gLXlMHT

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 1, 2023

The numbers that Evans assembled in Week 17 also elevated him to 15th overall in targets (127/8.5 per game), while he rose to 17th in receptions (77/5.1 per game) and vaulted from 19th to ninth in receiving yards (1,124/74.9 per game). He also ascended to fourth in air yards (1,651), and 12th in air yards share (36.7%).

The timing of Evans’ exceptional numbers in Week 17 was also fortuitous for patient fantasy managers who experienced the fulfillment of their championship aspirations.

2. Davante Adams was among the collection of wide receivers who joined Evans in providing a significant scoring boost for fantasy managers. He also accomplished it during a week in which there was trepidation among some fantasy managers regarding the prospects of utilizing him as a starter.

Adams was WR4 in PPR scoring entering Week 17. He was also second overall in targets (160/10.7 per game), fifth in receiving yards (1,290/86 per game), and was leading the league in receiving touchdowns (12). Despite his outstanding numbers, there was sizable concern surrounding an imminent transition under center in Las Vegas, which elevated Jarrett Stidham into the starting role for the Raiders.

Stidham would be making his first career start having only accumulated 116 snaps in three seasons at the NFL level. This did not elicit high expectations for Adams' ability to sustain his high level of productivity. However, Stidham targeted Adams 11 times when the Raiders hosted the 49ers. and Adams thrived with those opportunities. He collected seven receptions, generated 153 receiving yards, and produced two touchdowns during the matchup while vaulting to WR2 for the week.

Touchdown? Touchdown. 🤷

📺 FOX | @tae15adams pic.twitter.com/5Uwq49OiJI

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 1, 2023

It was the ninth time that Adams had eclipsed 10+ targets this season, while it was also the ninth game in which he has now captured 7+ receptions. It was also the second time that he exceeded 150 yards and the fifth time that he scored multiple touchdowns. Adams was also targeted on 32.4% of his routes while averaging 4.50 yards per route run.

OK @tae15adams OK 😳

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/rRFGWNoGCE

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 1, 2023

Adams’ Week 17 production has elevated him to second in targets (171/10.7 per game) second in air yards (2010), and third in receiving yards (1,443/90.2 per game) from Weeks 1-17. He has also solidified his league lead in receiving touchdowns (14).

Richie James operated with 36.8% snap share from Weeks 1-13 while averaging 3.2 targets, 2.6 receptions, and 25 receiving yards per game during those matchups. He was also WR77 at that point of the season before his four-game statistical surge culminated with favorable numbers in Week 17.

James secured an 83.0% snap share from Weeks 14-17 while rising to 15th in targets (32/8.0 per game), seventh in receptions (26/6.5 per game), and 18th in receiving yards (269/67.3 per game) during that four-game sequence. James also soared to WR 11, with output that was partially fueled by the critical numbers that he delivered for anyone who started him during their Week 17 matchups.

GIVE 😤 HIM 😤 SIX 😤

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/YH5xixnvEw

— New York Giants (@Giants) January 1, 2023

James captured a 30.4% target share in Week 17 which was ninth among all wide receivers. He also collected all seven of his targets, generated 76 receiving yards, accumulated 46 air yards, and led the Giants in every category. He also produced a touchdown for the second time in four weeks and vaulted to WR8 in scoring for Week 17.  Anyone who inserted him into their lineups as a WR4/flex in their efforts to capture league championships was rewarded for their decision.

3. Fantasy managers that secured Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for their rosters had benefitted significantly from their decisions throughout the regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs. However, they were also confronted by a sudden surge of apprehension entering the matchups of Week 17 due to the changing status of Tua Tagovailoa.

After news emerged that Tagovailoa had sustained a third concussion, anyone who has been dependent on Hill or Waddle was acutely aware that both receivers would not be operating with the Dolphins’ starting signal caller during Miami’s AFC East showdown with New England. This also created a potential obstacle that could negatively impact their championship aspirations as Tagovailoa’s latest health issue fueled a transition to Teddy Bridgewater under center.

TUA TO 🐆

📺: #GBvsMIA on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AwrcEGB7Ry pic.twitter.com/RixC1qEp5V

— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2022

Hill had entered Week 17 with the league’s second-highest target share (32.0%), while he was also third in targets (158/10.5 per game), second in receptions (113/7.5 per game), second in receiving yardage (1,632/108.8 per game). Hill was also the league leader in targets per route run (36.4%), yards per route run (3.76), air yards (1,893), and yards before catch (1,156), He was also second in first down receptions (72), third in yards after catch (476), and fourth in air yards share (40.1%).

JAYLEN WADDLE 84 YARDS TO THE CRIB 😳

(via @MiamiDolphins)pic.twitter.com/AWhAcVRt7v

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 25, 2022

Waddle was seventh overall in receiving yards entering Week 17 (1,260/84 per game) and was tied for fourth with eight touchdowns. He was also fourth in yards after catch (473), sixth in yards per route run (2.96), and 12th in air yards (1,331).

Bridgewater had previously completed 37 of his 60 passing attempts (61.7%) and generated 522 yards while guiding the Dolphins’ passing attack during Tagovailoa’s previous absence, even though he also sustained multiple health issues (concussion/elbow) in Week 5. Bridgewater's injuries during those performances had elevated rookie Skylar Thompson under center, and the same scenario occurred in Week 17. Bridgewater guided Miami's offense for 44 snaps before encountering a finger issue, while Thompson played on 27 snaps during the matchup.

.@Cheetah gets in! @MiamiDolphins even the score.

📺: #MIAvsNE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/b9AODMuLy1 pic.twitter.com/JMhRtOiSJb

— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2023

Hill ultimately led the Dolphins with a season-low 17.5% target share, as he collected seven targets during the contest. He also led Miami in receptions (4) and receiving yards (55),  was fourth among all wide receivers in air yards (134), and was 12th with an air yards share of 42.1%. Hill also ran 39 routes, was targeted on 17.9% of those routes and averaged 1.41 yards per route run.

23-yard completion to @D1__JW! 🐧

📺: #MIAvsNE @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/kFScBjtDFV

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 1, 2023

Waddle's 12.5% target share trailed Hill and Trent Sherfield's (15%), and Waddle was also third behind Hill and Sherfield in targets (5), air yards (50), and air yards share (15.7%). Waddle was second to Hill in receptions (3) and receiving yards (52). Waddle was also targeted on 13.2% of his routes, averaged 1.37 yards per route run, and finished WR37 for the week.

Hill finished at WR17 in Week 17, and he is now third overall in targets entering Week 18 (165/10.3 per game). Hill is also second in receptions (117/7.3 per game, second in receiving yards (1,687/105.4 per game), leads all wide receivers in air yards (2,027), is fifth in air yards share (40.2), second in targets per route run (34.9%), and leads the league in yards per route run (3.57).

This duo. 😍 @cheetah x @D1__JW pic.twitter.com/HPqKW9ihVE

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 25, 2022

Hill and Waddle have both played integral roles in the success of fantasy managers throughout the season and are locked in starters for anyone who is competing for a fantasy championship in Week 18.

4. Denver’s selection of Jerry Jeudy in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL draft automatically elevated expectations due to his status as the 15th overall pick. Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Tee Higgins were just three members of the 2020 class who were drafted after Jeudy but the numbers that they have assembled at the NFL level easily outpace the results that Jeudy has constructed as his third season nears a conclusion.

However, a late-season statistical surge has ignited renewed optimism that Jeudy can approach the level of production that had been envisioned when he entered the league.

Touchdown, @jerryjeudy. 🙌

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/CbjokCJp8q

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 11, 2022

Jeudy skyrocketed to WR3 from Weeks 14-16, while ascending to 15th among all wide receivers with a 26.2% target share. He also vaulted to 10th overall with 27 targets and was one of just 11 wide receivers who averaged at least 9.0 per game. Jeudy was also sixth overall with 21 receptions (7.0 per game) while collecting 6+ during each contest. Jeudy was also seventh with 266 receiving yards (88.7 per game), including a season-high 117 when Denver traveled to Los Angeles in Week 16.

.@jerryjeudy x2 🙌

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/gYYNA8LcQ5

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 11, 2022

Jeudy was also ninth in red zone targets (4), 17th in air yards (236), and second in touchdowns (3) during that sequence. Jeudy was also 11th overall in routes run during that three-game span (120), was targeted on 22.5% of those routes, and averaged 2.22 yards per route run.

Jeudy also led Denver with a 22.2% target share when the Broncos traveled to Kansas City in Week 17. He also collected a team-high eight targets and has now captured 8+ during four consecutive outings. Jeudy also accumulated seven receptions and has now secured 7+ during three of his last four games. He was limited to 38 receiving yards, which was his lowest total since Week 3. However, no Denver receiver exceeded 45 yards during the contest. Jeudy also ran 41 routes, was targeted on 19.5% of those routes and averaged 0.93 yards per route run while finishing at WR27 for the week.

Jeudy leads Denver with 78 targets (7.1 per game) since Week 4 and is pacing the Broncos in receptions (55/5.0 per game), and receiving yards (688/62.6 per game). He has also secured a team-high 21.9% target share during that sequence, while also pacing the Broncos in red zone targets (8), and receiving touchdowns (5).

COUNT ‘EM, @jerryjeudy #BudLightCelly x @budlight pic.twitter.com/jEoseenoJh

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 11, 2022

Jeudy is now second behind Courtland Sutton with 92 targets (6.7 per game) from Weeks 1-17 but has overtaken Sutton for the team lead in receptions (62/4.4 per game), receiving yards (818/58.4 per game), and yards after catch (364). He has emerged as Denver's WR1, while his recent numbers should be encouraging for anyone who has Jeudy contained on their rosters in dynasty leagues.

5, Treylon Burks’ overall numbers do not match the leaders from his 2022 rookie class, as he is ninth among first-year wide receivers in targets (47/4.7 per game), receptions (29/2.9 per game), and also in receiving yards (425/42.5 per game).

Multiple injuries (turf toe/concussion) have conspired to reduce Burks’ availability, as he was limited to 10 snaps in Week 13, and was sidelined completely during six other matchups.

However, he has also accumulated encouraging numbers during several sequences within his injury-shortened season and appears primed to reward fantasy managers who deploy him in Week 18. His recent results should also be reassuring for anyone who has secured him on their dynasty rosters.

Burks was the sixth wide receiver to be selected during last April’s NFL Draft when Tennessee seized him with the 18th overall pick. His enticing blend of size, explosiveness, and versatility presented the potential for the 6’2”, 225-pound Burks to operate as the Titans’ WR1 while seizing the role that had been previously performed by A.J. Brown – who had been jettisoned to Philadelphia in exchange for the aforementioned first-round draft pick.

Burks began the season by securing a team-high 20.8% target share in Weeks 1-2 while generating promising numbers in multiple categories. Burks also paced the Titans in targets (11), air yards (144), air yards share (29.3%), and yards after catch (45). He also generated a team-best 102 receiving yards, and averaged 3.4 yards per route run.

Treylon Burks is PFF’s highest graded rookie WR through two weeks 👀 pic.twitter.com/Jr5FZevxN6

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 22, 2022

Burks was also targeted on 36.7% of his routes which led all wide receivers who had run 30+ routes. He suffered a toe injury during Tennessee’s Week 4 matchup at Indianapolis, was placed on injured reserve and did not resurface in the Titans’ lineup until Week 10.

I’m ready for more Treylon Burks 💙#Titans pic.twitter.com/VyFRM1BCNK

— Wes on Broadway (@TitansStats) December 24, 2022

Burks led Tennessee in target share (23.0%) while accumulating 14 targets in Weeks 11-12. Burks also soared to fifth among all wide receivers with 181 receiving yards, was seventh in air yards (207), 13th in air yards share (39.7%),  fourth in yards per route run (3.69), and produced a league-high three receptions of 40+ yards.

He suffered a concussion on a helmet-to-helmet hit as he was securing a touchdown reception in Week 13 and was absent until the Titans hosted Houston in Week 16. He was negatively impacted by the shortcomings of Malik Willis under center during his return, but accrued more favorable results during Tennessee's matchup with Dallas in Week 17.

What Treylon Burks just did to stay in bounds defies all of the laws of physics in all of the dimensions and multiverses. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/42k9nil6or

— Frank J. Dyevoich, Esq. (@Fantasy_Giant) December 30, 2022

Burks tied his season-high by collecting eight targets while he also assembled his second-highest yardage total of the season when he faced the Cowboys (66). He also accumulated 122 air yards, attained a 36.8% air yards share, was targeted on 22.9% of his 35 routes, and averaged 1.89 yards per route run.

Burks can be utilized as a WR3 in Week 18 if he can overcome a groin injury that has emerged during the week. Dynasty managers can also anticipate the prospects of his breakout season in 2023.

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