Wide Receiver Breakouts for Fantasy Football: Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Amon-Ra St. Brown, D.K. Metcalf, Garrett Wilson, Michael Gallup

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 regular 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 12th 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 12 Target Leaders

Hey @tae15adams, how did you do that??

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/fzyyjylMe6

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 27, 2022

Davante Adams continues to lead all wide receivers in targets from Weeks 1-12, (123/11.2 per game) after collecting 11+ for a fourth consecutive week. He has also captured a league-high 55 targets (13.8 per game) since Week 9. Stefon Diggs is now second overall (119) after capturing 15+ targets during two of his last three matchups. Diggs has also eclipsed 10+ in seven different contests.

Justin Jefferson has accumulated 116 targets, including 45 during his last four outings. Tyreek Hill is next (115) even though he has failed to attain a double-digit target total since Week 8.

CeeDee Lamb has now eclipsed 100 targets for a third consecutive season after expanding his overall total to 104 entering Week 13. He has also collected 11+ during two of his last three games. Amari Cooper has now accrued 93 targets, including 12 during each of his last two matchups.

Michael Pittman Jr. is the sixth receiver who has accumulated 100+ targets (103), after attaining a double-digit total for the third time this season. Diontae Johnson is next (98) after capturing eight targets in Week 12, which was his highest weekly total since Week 7.

Amari Cooper has now accrued 93 targets, including 12 during each of his last two matchups. D.K. Metcalf has been targeted 92 times after he stockpiled a season-high 15 when Seattle hosted Las Vegas in Week 12.

Chris Olave continues to lead all members of his rookie class in targets (92) after he attained 9+ for the fifth time this season. Christian Kirk is next (91), with a total that has been fueled by the 30 that he has accumulated since Week 9 (10.0 per game).

Courtland Sutton has accumulated 88 targets and is ninth among all wide receivers with 26 (8.7 per game) since Week 10. D.J. Moore has also collected 88 targets even though he has failed to reach double digits since Week 8. That ties Moore with Amon-Ra St. Brown who is fifth overall with 48 targets (9.6 per game) since Week 8. St. Brown’s recent statistical surge will be examined in the Five Things I Noticed section.

#1Fo for 6️⃣

📺: #TBvsCLE on FOX pic.twitter.com/F2MUvgThIi

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) November 27, 2022

Chris Godwin has now eclipsed 10+ targets in five of his last six matchups while elevating his overall total to 86. A.J. Brown has also collected 86 targets even though he has averaged just 5.8 per game since Week 9. Terry McLaurin has also assembled 86 targets. He had been averaging 10.0 per game in Weeks 9-10 but that average has dropped to 6.5 per game since Week 11.

Mike Evans returned from Tampa Bay’s bye week to collect nine targets from Tom Brady which expanded his overall total to 85. That ties Evans with Jaylen Waddle who reached double digits for the third time this season in Week 12.

He puts the 'T' in Tennessee 😏#CINvsTEN | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/baxSvVX1su

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 27, 2022

Tee Higgins has now averaged 11.0 targets per game during his last two outings which have improved his overall total to 80 entering Week 13. Zay Jones captured a career-high 14 targets when Jacksonville hosted Baltimore in Week 12. He has now collected 10+ in four different matchups this season while his overall total has improved to 79.

DeVonta Smith has also accrued 79 targets after eclipsing 8+ in four of his last five games. That ties Smith with Garrett Wilson, who captured 8+ for the fifth time this season during his Week 12 matchup.

The seven targets that Tyler Lockett collected in Week 12 represented his highest total since Week 8. It also expanded his overall total to 78. Adam Thielen has now been targeted 77 times after he reached double digits for the first time this season in Week 12. Deebo Samuel has accumulated 76 targets even though he has not reached double digits since Week 6.

Seven different wide receivers have averaged at least 10 targets per game from Weeks 1- 12 - Adams (11.2), Diggs (10.8), Hopkins (10.7), Chase (10.6), Jefferson (10.5), Hill (10.5), and Marquise Brown (10.3).

Week 12 Target Risers And Fallers 

For the lead!

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/drwdkuCpjw

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 24, 2022

14 different wide receivers were targeted 10+ times during their matchups in Week 12. That includes the 15 targets that Stefon Diggs received from Josh Allen during Buffalo’s Thanksgiving Day matchup in Detroit, which was the seventh time that Diggs has secured at least 10 from Allen this season.

The 15 targets that D.K. Metcalf accumulated in Week 12 tied his career high, which had been established in Week 8 of the 2020 regular season. It was also the fourth game in which he has eclipsed 10+ this season. Zay Jones has now captured 10+ targets in two consecutive games along with three of his last five contests after he established a new career high with 14 in Week 12.

The 13 targets that Chris Godwin received from Tom Brady in Week 12 tied his season high. Godwin has also attained a double-digit total in six of his nine games this season. Amari Cooper has also captured 10+ in six different matchups. He has also secured 12+ in four different games, including each of his last two contests.

Davante Adams averaged 7.0 targets per game from Weeks 5-8 but that average has soared to a league-high 13.8 per game since Week 9. That includes the 11 targets that he accumulated when Las Vegas traveled to Seattle in Week 12.

JUST THROW IT TO JUSTIN JEFFERSON 🗣🗣
pic.twitter.com/8K6PJs6fHO

— PFF (@PFF) November 25, 2022

Justin Jefferson has now averaged 11.3 targets per game while attaining a 29.2% share during his last four matchups after he captured 11 in Week 12. CeeDee Lamb also assembled 11 targets during his Week 12 matchup and has now eclipsed 11+ in five different outings this season.

Michael Pittman also captured 11 targets during the Colts’ Week 12 matchup with Pittsburgh and has now eclipsed 9+ during five of his last seven matchups. Pittman has also attained a 28.2% target share during that span.

Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s 10 targets sustained his five-game streak of attaining 8+. The 10 targets that Jaylen Waddle received in Week 12 represented his first double-digit target total since Week 6. It was also the third time that he has eclipsed 10+ this season.

Adam Thielen had failed to reach double digits during his first 10 matchups this season before Kirk Cousins distributed 10 to the nine-year veteran on Thanksgiving Day. It was also the first time that Thielen had collected 10 targets since Week 11 of the 2021 regular season.

go ahead, deandre!! @DCarter_2 | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/smJYH7WStV

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 27, 2022

DeAndre Carter had never collected more than eight targets during the first 70 games of his career but he reached double digits for the first time in Week 12 (10). Isaiah McKenzie secured a double-digit total for just the second time in his career when he accrued 10 during the Bills matchup in Week 12. It was also his highest total since Week 16 of last season.

Diggs’ 15 targets in Week 12 quickly improved upon his uncharacteristically low target total in Week 11 (5). That also fueled his week-to-week surge of +10. Diggs' teammate McKenzie not only registered his highest target total of the season in Week 12 but his 10 targets were accumulated one week after he had been targeted just once in Week 11. That resulted in the second-highest weekly increase of +9.

Thielen’s first double-digit total of the season occurred immediately after he had been limited to a season-low three targets during Minnesota’s Week 11 matchup. That fueled his weekly increase of +7. He was joined by Carter, who had also registered three targets in Week, 11 prior to his career-best outing in Week 12.

Jefferson and Lamb both registered five targets during their Week 11 matchups, which destined them to double-digit declines when contrasted with their target totals from Week 10 (Jefferson -11), (Lamb -10). However, both receivers garnered 11 targets during their Week 12 matchups which improved their weekly totals by +6.

They were joined by Denver's Kendall Hinton, whose nine targets easily surpassed his previous career high (5). Hinton had been targeted three times during the Broncos' matchup in Week 11, which resulted in his weekly increase of +6.

Olamide Zaccheaus was targeted eight times by Marcus Mariota in Week 12 which established a season-high. It was the second-highest weekly total of his career and occurred after he had been relegated to two targets in Week 11. That propelled Zaccheaus to a weekly increase of +6.

Allen Lazard was included among last week's weekly risers after he captured a career-high 11 targets in Week 11. However, the three targets that he received from Aaron Rodgers in Week 12 automatically fueled a decline of -8.

A.J. Green also secured a new season high when he received nine targets in Week 11. He was only targeted twice when Arizona hosted the Chargers in Week 12 which dropped his weekly total by -7. Green's teammate DeAndre Hopkins has been targeted 12+ times during four of his six games since returning to Arizona’s lineup. He only collected six from Kyler Murray in Week 12, which resulted in a drop of -6. 

Week 12 Air Yards

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with 1,349 air yards. Chris Olave is currently a close second (1,347) followed by Davante Adams (1,337), Stefon Diggs (1.273), Amari Cooper (1.172), Terry McLaurin (1.142), Justin Jefferson (1.141), CeeDee Lamb (1,104), and Mike Evans with 1,078 air yards.

D..J. Moore has accumulated 1,049 yards, followed by Courtland Sutton (1.034), Jaylen Waddle (1,011), D.K. Metcalf (969), Gabriel Davis (946), Diontae Johnson (914), A.J. Brown (911), and Tyler Lockett, with 883 air yards.

Allen Lazard has now accrued 879 yards, followed by Tee Higgins (864), George Pickens (837), Mack Hollins (836), Christian Kirk (790), Marquise Brown (757), Donovan Peoples-Jones (756), Darnell Mooney (731), Adam Thielen (727), and Mike Williams (710).

D. J. Moore leads all wide receivers with a 45.7% air yards share. DeAndre Hopkins is second overall (44.6%), followed by Justin Jefferson (41.7%), CeeDee Lamb (41.3%), A.J. Brown (40.5%), Davante Adams (40.5%), Amari Cooper (39.5%), Marquise Brown (39.2%), Tyreek Hill (38.3%), and Terry McLaurin, who has attained a share of 37.99%.

Darius Slayton is next (37.85%), followed by Chris Olave (37.57%), D.K. Metcalf (36.9%), Stefon Diggs (36.7%), Darnell Mooney (36.8%), Mike Evans (36.3%), Ja’Marr Chase (35.4%), and Mike Williams who has secured an air yard share of 33.9%. Tyler Lockett is next (33.7%), followed by Allen Lazard (32.9%), Tee Higgins (32.3%), Van Jefferson (31.9%), and Jakobi Meyers, who has secured an air yards share of 31.88%.

Week 12 Targets Per Route Run

DeAndre Hopkins has been targeted on 34.2% of his routes which leads all wide receivers entering Week 13. Amon Ra St. Brown is second overall (33.1%), followed by Davante Adams (32.5%), Tyreek Hill (32.4%), CeeDee Lamb (31.2%), Deebo Samuel (30.3%), Chris Olave (29.7%), Jakobi Meyers (28.2%), Jauan Jennings (27.6%), and Chris Godwin, who has been targeted on 27.3% of his routes.

Stefon Diggs is next (27.1%), followed by A.J. Brown (26.8%), Amari Cooper (26.7%), Brandon Aiyuk (26.7%), D.K. Metcalf (26.1%), Justin Jefferson (25.5%), D.J. Moore (25.4%), Tee Higgins (25.2%), and Mike Williams, who has been targeted on 24.7% of his routes.

Michael Pittman is next (24.6%), followed by Marquise Brown (24.3%), Jaylen Waddle  (24.1%), Christian Watson (24.1%), Mike Evans (23.9%), and three receivers who have been targeted on 26.3% of their routes: Christian Kirk, Garrett Wilson, and Drake London.

Week 12 Yards Per Route Run 

Tyreek Hill has maintained his league lead in yards per route run (3.47), followed by DeAndre Hopkins  (3.07), Jaylen Waddle (2.73), Justin Jefferson (2.71), Amon-Ra St.  Brown (2.69), Chris Olave (2.65), Davante Adams (2.64), Tee Higgins (2.61), and Jakobi Meyers, who has secured an average of 2.6 yards per route run.

A.J. Brown is next (2.59), followed by CeeDee Lamb, (2.57), Stefon Diggs (2.53), Christian Watson (2.5), Darius Slayton (2.36), Brandon Aiyuk (2.35), Amari Cooper (2.28), Terry McLaurin (2.23), and DeVante Parker, who is averaging 2.2 yards per route run.

Tre’Quan Smith is averaging 2.18, followed by Treylon Burks (2.17), Mike Williams (2.1), Randall Cobb (2.09), Juju Smith-Schuster (2.08), Olamide Zacchaeus, 2.05, Deebo Samuel, (2.04), and two receivers who are averaging. 2.01 yards per route run: Jauan Jennings, and Nelson Agholor.

Week 12 Red Zone Targets 

Justin Jefferson leads all wide receivers with 20 red zone targets entering Week 13. Stefon Diggs has collected seven targets since Week 10 which has propelled his overall total to 19. That ties Diggs with D.K. Metcalf, while Davante Adams and Christian Kirk have been targeted 16 times.

Two wide receivers have accumulated 14 targets – Ja’Marr Chase, and Adam Thielen, while A.J. Brown has captured 13 targets inside the 20. Three receivers have accrued 12 targets; Brandon Aiyuk, Garrett Wilson, and Allen Lazard, while eight different receivers have been targeted 11 times in the red zone – (Chris Olave/Amari Cooper/ Mike Evans/Courtland Sutton/Zay Jones/Deebo Samuel/Diontae Johnson/Drake London).

Jefferson also leads the position with 14 targets inside the 10-yard line, followed by Diggs (10) and three receivers who have been targeted nine times – Adams, Kirk, and Wilson. Metcalf and Brown have also been targeted eight times inside the 10.

Diggs and Kirk have attained a league-high seven targets inside the 5-yard line, followed by Adams (6), and three receivers who have been targeted five times – Chase, Courtland Sutton, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Week 12 Snap Counts

D.J. Moore leads all wide receivers with a 96.8% snap share. Michael Pittman is second overall (96.4%), followed by Justin Jefferson (96.2%), Ja’Marr Chase (95.3%), Marquise Brown (95.2%), Davante Adams (94.7%), Mack Hollins (93.6%), Courtland Sutton (92.9%), Adam Thielen (92.7%), and Gabriel Davis who has attained a snap share of 91.4%.

Diontae Johnson has secured a 91.9% share, followed by Brandon Aiyuk (91.8%), DeVonta Smith (90.3%), Terry McLaurin (90.1%), Allen Lazard (90.0%), Christian Kirk (89.5%), and Donovan Peoples-Jones who has played on 88.8% of Cleveland’s offensive snaps.

Terry, McLaurin has played on 721 offensive snaps which leads all wide receivers. Michael Pittman is second (704), followed by Justin Jefferson (682), Donovan Peoples-Jones (663), Diontae Johnson (661), DeVonta Smith (659), Adam Thielen (657), Parris Campbell (655), D.J. Moore (654), and Courtland Sutton, who has been involved in 651 of Denver’s offensive snaps.

Davante Adams has played on 646 snaps, followed by teammate Mack Hollins (638), Amari Cooper (6310, Christian Kirk (628), Brandon Aiyuk (619), A.J., Brown (610), and Gabriel Davis (608). CeeDee Lamb is next (608), followed by Curtis Samuel (600), Tyler Boyd (575), Zay Jones (574), Mike Evans (568), Josh Palmer (566), and George Pickens, who has played on 565 offensive snaps.

Five Things I Noticed  

1.  Amon-Ra St. Brown’s season began with encouraging numbers, as he ascended to seventh among all wide receivers in targets from Weeks 1-3 (33/11 per game/28.5% share). St. Brown was also fourth in receptions (23/7.7 per game) and ninth in receiving yards (253/84.3 per game). He was sidelined by an ankle injury in Week 4, then limited to 10 snaps in Week 7 (concussion protocol).

Everyone eats‼️#BUFvsDET | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/0x0PKhYrIx

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 24, 2022

However, St. Brown has delivered an impressive statistical surge since his return in Week 8. He is fifth among all wide receivers with 48 targets (9.6 per game) while commandeering a 33.3% share. The second-year receiver has also eclipsed 10+ during three of his five matchups in that span and is second overall with 37 receptions (7.4 per game), and sixth with 441 receiving yards (88.2 per game).

WATCH: Yesterday against the Bills, @amonra_stbrown produced his 5th-career game with 100+ receiving yards. Take a look 👀

Up next: #DETvsJAX | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/w64ypcttyk

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 26, 2022

That includes the season-high 122 yards that he stockpiled when the Lions hosted Buffalo on Thanksgiving Day, which is the second game in which he has registered 119+ since Week 10. His favorable usage and production have also vaulted him to WR6 since Week 8, while St. Brown leads the league in yards after catch (197). He has also run 143 routes while being targeted by Jared Goff on 33.6% of his routes and averaging 3.08 yards per route run.

Goff has averaged 30.4 attempts and 20 completions per game during that sequence securing a 65.8% completion percentage. Goff has also averaged 7.2 yards per attempt while constructing a 6:1 touchdown to interception during that five-game span.

St. Brown’s connections with Goff have boosted his target share to 28.5% from Weeks 1-12, Josh Reynolds is second among Detroit’s wide receivers (17.6%), followed by Khalif Raymond (12.6%).

Reynolds was second among Detroit’s wide receivers with 42 targets (6.0 per game) from Weeks 1-8. He also averaged 3.7 receptions/51 yards per game during those contests but has failed to register a target since Week 9 while contending with a back injury.

Raymond has now secured a 17.4% target share while averaging 4.8 targets/3.3 receptions/33 receiving yards/30.3 air yards per game during Reynolds’ absence. This has propelled Raymond into second among Detroit’s wide receivers in targets (44), receptions (30), receiving yards (370),  routes run (246), and yards after catch (153) from Weeks 1-12.

Welcome back, @DJChark82!#BUFvsDET | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/flmfvPXXKX

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 24, 2022

D.J. Chark had attained a 76% snap share/16.7% target share from Weeks 1-3 before an ankle issue sidelined him until Week 11. Chark operated with a 73% snap share in Week 12 and was targeted five times by Goff. He could re-emerge as a flex option for managers during his remaining matchups.

Jameson Williams has also been designated to return from the non-football injury list and could make his debut when the Lions host Jacksonville on Sunday. Detroit’s first-round selection in last April’s NFL Draft could also become a viable resource for managers during the fantasy postseason.

However, neither Williams nor Chalk will not threaten St. Brown's status as the team’s primary receiving weapon. This will enable managers to continue the deployment of St. Brown as their WR1.

2. The Seahawks returned from their bye week to host the Raiders in Week 12 which resulted in another impressive performance by Geno Smith and Seattle’s ninth-ranked aerial attack, which is now averaging 235 yards per game. This represents a sizable improvement from the Seahawks' ranking of 23rd last season (201.9 per game).

Seattle had also ranked 20th in pass play percentage during 2021 (56.7%) and finished dead last in attempts per game (29.1). However, they have elevated to 18th in pass play percentage this season (58%) and are 22nd with an average of 32.2 attempts per game.

Geno Smith has dramatically altered the trajectory of his career during his ninth season and now enters Week 13 at sixth overall in passing yardage (2,802/254.7 per game) and eighth in completions (257/23.4 per game). He has already established new career highs with his 19 touchdown passes and also with his 72.8% completion percentage. He also needs just 244 additional yards to secure a new career high in that category.

.@GenoSmith3 with the perfect placement to @dkm14 pic.twitter.com/kqueGbxVlC

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 9, 2022

Smith has also distributed a team-high 92 targets (8.4 per game) to D.K. Metcalf, who has surged to 10th among all wide receivers. Metcalf has also secured a 26.7% target share while attaining a double-digit target total in four different matchups since Week 3.

Metcalf has also risen to 10th in receptions (59/5.4 per game) and is 19th in receiving yards 671/61 per game), 13th in air yards (969), and 15th in air yards share (36.9%). Metcalf has also been targeted on 26.1% of his routes and is tied for second in red zone targets (19).

Geno finding DK in the back. We're on the board!

📺 #NYGvsSEA on FOX pic.twitter.com/K9tSf0jJ4e

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 30, 2022

His per-game averages in targets (8.4), receptions (5.4), and receiving yards (61), have improved from last season (7.6 targets/4.4 receptions/56.9 yards). Those averages in targets and receptions are also the highest of his career, although his average in yardage remains behind the career-best 81.4 per game that he secured during 2020.

Anyone with Metcalf on their rosters would embrace a surge in his touchdown total, as he accumulated 22 in 2020-2021, but has only generated four this season.

Tyler Lockett has risen to WR13 in scoring, 12th in receptions (57/5.2 per game), and 16th in receiving yards (708/64.4 per game). He is also 16th overall in air yards (883). Lockett also leads Seattle in routes run (371), has been targeted by Smith on 21% of his routes, and is averaging 1.91 yards per route run.

To pass @DougBaldwinJr for 2nd all-time on our franchise touchdown leaderboard.

They don't call him @TDLockett12 for nothin'. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jkaJBQLxnD

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 15, 2022

Smith was able to sustain his proficiency when he faced Las Vegas while distributing 22  targets to Metcalf and Lockett. Metcalf's team-high 15 also tied his career-high. He also secured season-highs in target share of 40.5%, and receptions (11), while he also attained his second-highest yardage total of the year (90).

Metcalf also accumulated 102 air yards and secured an air yards share of 34.7%. He also ran 42 routes, was targeted on 35.7% of those routes, and averaged 2.14 yards per route run.

Responding back with @TDLockett12! pic.twitter.com/t7RA8wjS6M

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 27, 2022

Lockett was targeted seven times while accruing three receptions, and producing 67  receiving yards. Lockett also generated his sixth touchdown of the season which places him sixth overall. He also accumulated 90 air yards and attained an air yards share of 30.6%. He also ran 41 routes, was targeted on 17.1% of those routes and averaged 1.66 yards per route run.

Fantasy managers can confidently deploy Metcalf as a WR2 while Lockett can operate as a WR2/high-end WR3 during upcoming matchups.

3. The Jets hosted Chicago in Week 12 following a mid-week transition from Zach Wilson to Mike White under center. Wilson’s continued deficiencies had become a growing impediment, and his performances threatened to derail a promising season for a team that is capable of surging into the postseason.

Wilson’s numbers through the first 20 starts of his career have failed to match the expectations that are inherent for the second overall selection of an NFL Draft. His 55.6% completion percentage placed him 35th overall prior to his demotion while he was only 30th in completed air yards per attempt (3.1), 35th in touchdowns (4), and 34th in touchdown percentage (2.1%).

The Jets were initially successful in diminishing the impact of Wilson’s inadequacies through a heavy reliance on Breece Hall and their rushing attack from Weeks 4-7 (29.8 attempts per game). That average dropped to 24 per game from Weeks 8-11, and the Jets could not rely on Wilson to perform proficiently.

His deficiencies also delivered massive discomfort to fantasy managers who had invested in Garrett Wilson (ADP 147/WR58), and Elijah Moore (ADP 79/WR33).  Wilson had vaulted into a tie for seventh among all wide receivers with 33 targets (11 per game) from Weeks 1-3 while Joe Flacco was spearheading the Jets’ aerial attack.

He also ascended to WR9 during Weeks 2-3. However, he dropped to WR50 from Weeks 4-11, while averaging 5.4 targets, 3.7 receptions, and 45.6 yards per game. Wilson did lead New York with 318 routes run. However, his average of 1.60 yards per route run represented a drop from the 2.00 that he averaged from Weeks 1-3.

Moore was averaging 7.0 targets, 4.0 receptions, and 46.3 yards per game from Weeks 1-3, His usage plummeted to 1.8 targets per game from Weeks 4-10, including a microscopic 0.3 per game from Weeks 6-10. He was also inactive in Week 7 after he expressed frustration with his lack of involvement in the offense.

Moore was also limited to a total of 64 snaps from Weeks 8-11, while he only ran 81 routes during those contests. Davis had also been limited to 3.8 targets, 2.3 receptions, and 41 yards per game during that sequence.

The magnitude of Wilson’s substandard performances eventually compelled Richard Saleh to elevate White into the starting role in Week 12. White responded by completing 22 of his 28 passes (78.6%) while generating 315 yards and three touchdowns. White also averaged 11.3 yards per attempt/13.4 air yards per attempt, while his presence reignited the production of (Garrett) Wilson and Moore.

WE'RE BACK.

Vote @GarrettWilson_V for the @pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie Of The Week!! ➜ https://t.co/aYhbfyhZlL pic.twitter.com/dAbL47VLwB

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 29, 2022

Wilson garnered a team-high eight targets (28.6% target share) while collecting five receptions and accumulating his third-highest yardage total of the season (95). Wilson also generated his first touchdowns since Week 2, while registering two red zone targets, after being limited to just one from Weeks 4-11.

SO NICE THEY DID IT TWICE.@MikeWhiteQB + @GarrettWilson_V TOUCHDOWN#CHIvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/6WE6TR25NF

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 27, 2022

Wilson also ran 28 routes, was targeted by White on 28.6% of those routes, and also averaged 3.4 yards per route run. Patient managers who have been hoping that Wilson can still build upon the promising numbers that he delivered earlier this season will be rewarded if White is guiding the Jets’ aerial efforts.

DROP AN 🎱 IN THE CHAT

TOUCHDOWN @e_moore03!!#CHIvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/BXgx6njTnZ

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 27, 2022

White only targeted Moore twice, but he captured both targets while accumulating a season-high 64 yards, and producing his first touchdown of the season. Moore also ran 14 routes, was targeted on 14.3% of those routes and averaged 4.57  yards per route run. The one-game sample size provides the possibility that Moore can regain relevance if White remains New York’s starting signal caller.

Corey Davis also returned for his first snaps since encountering a knee issue in Week 7. Davis was targeted three times and collected one nine-yard reception, and could join Wilson and Moore as the recipient of favorable usage if White is distributing targets to New York’s receiving weaponry.

4. Michael Gallup’s protracted recovery from the torn ACL that he sustained last January kept him sidelined until the Cowboys’ Week 4 matchup with NFC East rival Washington. However, he has confiscated WR2 responsibilities for Dallas entering Week 13. 

Gallup operated with a 65.9% snap share but was limited to a 16.5% target share from Weeks 4-7. He also averaged 4.3 targets, 2.0 receptions, and 21.5 yards per game during that sequence. He also ran 92 routes, was targeted on 18.5% of those routes, and averaged 0.93 yards per route run.

Noah Brown had secured an 81.7% snap share and a 17.5 target share during those same matchups while averaging 4.5 targets, 2.5 receptions, and 31.5 yards per game. Brown also ran 92 routes (23 per game) from Weeks 4-7 while being targeted on 19.6% of those routes, and averaging 1.37 yards per route run.

Since Week 8, Gallup’s snap share has risen to 81.0%, while his target share has expanded to 19.7%. He has also averaged 6.3 targets, 4.0, receptions, and 47 yards per game during that span. Gallup has also run 116 routes (29 per game) during those four contests, while being targeted on 21.6% of his routes, and averaging 1.62 yards per route run.

Brown’s numbers universally declined from Weeks 8-12 as his snap share dropped to 61.4%, while his target share plummeted to just 4.95%. Brown also averaged just 1.7 targets, 0.75 receptions, and 11.3 yards per game. Brown also ran just 45 routes, was only targeted on 8.8% of those routes, and averaged just 0.79 yards per route run.

Michael Gallup up to 5 catches and 64 yards, both season highs for Cowboys WR returning from ACL tearpic.twitter.com/yYUiIs3x0o

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) November 24, 2022

Gallup also captured a 27.6% target share when Dallas hosted the Giants in Week 12, while he also established season highs in targets (8), receptions (5), and receiving yards (63).

Who needs ✌️ hands when you can just catch it with ☝️, right @_CeeDeeThree?

📺: @NFLonFOX | #NYGvsDAL pic.twitter.com/4PdyV4NRDa

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 25, 2022

CeeDee Lamb continues to operate proficiently as the Cowboys’ primary receiving option, as his 31.4% target share trails only Davante Adams. Lamb is also fifth overall with 104 targets (8.5 per game), fourth in air yards share (41.3%), sixth in receiving yards (857/77.9 per game), and eighth in both receptions (64/5.8 per game), and air yards (1,104).

While Lamb’s critical importance to fantasy managers is unquestioned, Gallup has now emerged as a prospective flex option who could elevate into WR3 territory as you advance into fantasy playoff matchups.

Zay Jones has also joined Gallup as a viable starting option for fantasy managers. Jones is one of just four receivers who are averaging 12+ targets per game since Week 10, as he joins Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, and D.K. Metcalf for that distinction.  Jones' 35.8% target share since Week 10 also leads his position.

CLUTCHHHHHH#BALvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/Jw3A0liLc6

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) November 27, 2022

Jones is also fourth overall with a 106.5 yards per game average during that sequence and is eighth in receptions (19/9.5 per game), and 10th in air yards share (42.4%). Jones has also run 79 routes while being targeted on 30.4% of those routes and averaging 2.7 yards per route run during that span. Jones also established new career highs in targets (14), receptions (11), and receiving yards (145) when Jackson hosted Baltimore in Week 12.

Zay Jones put on a clinic today 🙌

11/145/0 and a 2 Point Conversion pic.twitter.com/vkD4ai0qCu

— Underdog Fantasy (@UnderdogFantasy) November 27, 2022

Christian Kirk remains the WR1 for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars, but Jones can now operate as a high-end WR3 for fantasy managers who are searching for additional resources during upcoming matchups.

5. While several wide receivers have been the beneficiaries of encouraging usage in recent weeks, others have been negatively impacted by a decline in their opportunities. This applies to Curtis Samuel, who was one of just 13 receivers to average 10+ targets per game from Weeks 1-3. His average was fueled by a season-high 11 targets during Washington's season opener, and his 10-target outing when the Commanders hosted NFC East rival Philadelphia in Week 3. That also propelled him to a team-high 23.8% target share during that three-game span.

Samuel’s target share diminished to 21.9% and his per-game average dropped to 7.0 from Weeks 4- 7. He still attained 8+ targets during two of those four matchups, including Washington’s Week 7 matchup with Green Bay – which was also the first game during the Commandeers’ transition from Carson Wentz to Taylor Heinicke.

Samuel’s numbers have become far more problematic since Week 8, as his target share has plunged to 11.3%, while he has averaged only 2.8 per game. His share has almost evaporated completely since Week 11 (4.4%), as he has only averaged 1.8 targets with a total of just two targets during Washington’s last two contests. The substantial decline in his usage culminated in Week 12 when Samuel failed to register a target from Heinicke.

Samuel had operated with an 81.9% snap share from Weeks 1-7  but has diminished to 66.3% from Weeks 8-12. Samuel also ran an average of 46.3 routes per game from Weeks 1-3 and was targeted on 21.6% of those routes. He also averaged 1.30 yards per route run during his first three matchups. He averaged 34.5 routes run from Weeks 4-7 and was targeted on 20.3% of those routes. His average in yards per route run also declined to 1.15.

Samuel has run just 21.3 routes per game from Weeks 8-12 and has been targeted on 16.5% of those routes. He did average 1.80 yards per route run during that sequence. Since Week 11, Samuel has run 23 routes and was targeted on just 8.7% of those routes. His yards per route run also plummeted to 0.43.

Terry McLaurin’s target share easily trailed Samuel’s from Weeks 1-6 (22.2%/16.4%), while McLaurin was averaging 6.2 targets per game during that sequence. However, McLaurin’s share has risen to 33.1% since Week 8 while he is averaging 8.2 per game.

Jahan Dotson re-emerged in Week 10 following his four-game absence (hamstring). However, anyone who was anticipating a return to the usage and output that he secured in Weeks 1-3 (6.0 targets/3.0 receptions/36.3 yards/3 touchdowns) has been subjected to a 5.7% target share and microscopic averages of 1.3 targets/0.7 receptions/9.0 yards per game since his return. This underscores the need to avoid dependence on any Washington wide receiver, with the exception of McLaurin.

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