Wide Receiver Breakouts for Fantasy Football: Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for D.J. Moore, DeAndre Hopkins, Darius Slayton, Nico Collins

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 13th 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.

All noteworthy changes in usage and production will be blended into the equation as we progress through the fantasy postseason. 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 13 Target Leaders

When folks wonder why every CB that faces @tae15adams says hes the best WR in football. Check the tape.

pic.twitter.com/G84nYbeFxw

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) December 4, 2022

10 different wide receivers have accumulated at least 100 targets from Weeks 1-13. That includes league leader Davante Adams, who has now captured 135 (11.3 per game) entering Week 14. Adam has also collected 11+ targets in five consecutive games while averaging 13.4 per game during that span.

Tyreek Hill is now second overall (129) after he secured 14 targets in Week 13. He has now assembled 12+ in seven different matchups. Stefon Diggs has accrued 128 targets, including 9+ in nine iifferent contests. Diggs has also averaged 11.0 per game since Week 9.

MVP @JJettas2#ProBowlVote

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ynxTgbUoeI

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 4, 2022

Justin Jefferson is next (127) after he accrued 11 during each of his last two outings. Jefferson has also eclipsed 10+ targets in eight different matchups.CeeDee Lamb has accumulated 111 targets, even though he has failed to exceed seven in two of his last three games. Lamb is also sixth among all wide receivers with a 30.8% target share from Weeks 1-13.

Michael Pittman Jr. has collected 107 targets including 9+ in seven different games. He has also averaged 8.9 targets per game from Weeks 1-13 although his average has dropped to 7.8 during his last four games. Diontae Johnson has accumulated 105 targets, after securing his third-highest weekly total of the season when Pittsburgh visited Atlanta (11).

Amari Cooper is next (102) after he eclipsed 9+ for a third consecutive week. Cooper has also been targeted 33 times during his last three games which are second only to Adams during that sequence. D.K. Metcalf has now accrued 100 targets while averaging 10.7 per game since Week 10.

That ties Metcalf with Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has now stockpiled 60 targets (10 per game) since Week 8. St. Brown’s target share of 32.8% during that span is also the league’s third highest. Christian Kirk has reached the periphery of 100 targets (99), which has been fueled by the 55 that he has accrued since Week 7 (9.2 per game). That places him 11th overall during those matchups.

Chris Godwin has now captured 10+ targets in six of his last seven matchups while averaging 11.3 per game during that span. That has propelled his overall total to 99. Chris Olave has now accumulated 98 targets while averaging 8.2 per game. However, his average has dropped to 6.5 per game since Week 10.

Terry McLaurin's season-long total has expanded to 98 as he continues to benefit from Washington’s transition to Taylor Heinicke under center. McLaurin has now averaged 9.0 per game during his last five contests. A.J. Brown has been targeted 96 times after he eclipsed 10+ in Week 13. It was the fourth time that Brown has reached double digits in his prolific first season as an Eagle, which will be examined further in the Five Things I Noticed section.

.@GarrettWilson_V GOING HERO MODE #ProBowlVote#NYJvsMIN on CBS pic.twitter.com/jgts5bj3oy

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 4, 2022

Garrett Wilson has now accumulated 94 targets, after collecting 23 targets since Week 12. That includes the career-high 15 that he received from Mike White in Week 13. Wilson has also secured a 27.7% target share with White spearheading the Jets’ aerial attack.

Jaylen Waddle has been targeted 90 times even though injuries (shoulder/leg) have limited him to just five in two of his last three games. Waddle’s 90 targets tie him with Tyler Lockett, who accumulated a season-high 12 when Seattle traveled to Los Angeles in Week 13.

Courtland Sutton has been targeted 89 times even though he was limited to just one target in Week 13. Sutton only played on 23 snaps when Denver visited Baltimore after he sustained a hamstring injury. Mike Evans has also accrued 89 targets, which includes a blend of four games with 10+ targets, and three others in which he has failed to exceed four.

D.J. Moore has accumulated a season total of 88 targets, even though he has failed to exceed six since Week 8. His numbers during a year in which Carolina has made multiple transitions under center will be discussed in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Week 13 Target Risers And Fallers 

15 different wide receivers were targeted at least 10 times during their matchups in Week 13. This group was spearheaded by Garrett Wilson who secured a career-high 15 when the Jets traveled to Minnesota. That was Wilson’s first double-digit total since Week 3, and his third of the season.

Keenan Allen attained a double-digit total for the first time this season when he garnered 14 targets from Justin Herbert. The 10-year veteran has averaged 9.7 per game since he returned to the Chargers’ lineup.

Deep pass to @cheetah for 6! #FinsUp

📺: #MIAvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/PMTJ1jGqFs pic.twitter.com/0FywJcMA42

— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2022

Tyreek Hill also captured 14 targets, which was the fourth time that he has collected 14+ during the year. It was also Hill’s highest total since Week 8. Chris Godwin has now collected 13 targets in two consecutive outings and has accomplished during three of his last six. Davante Adams’ 12 targets that he collected from Derek Carr continued his streak of five consecutive outings in which he has accrued 11+.

Amon-Ra St. Brown also accumulated 12 targets as the second-year receiver and has now eclipsed 10+ during four of his last six matchups. St.Brown was joined by Terry McLaurin whose 12 targets represented his highest weekly total since Week 7 of last season.

Drake London also tied his career high when he captured 12 targets from Marcus Mariota in Week 13. It was the second time that London has reached double digits, although he had not been targeted more than seven times during any of his 10 matchups from Weeks 3-12.

Answered right back. @TDLockett12 x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/e0eq9CltwE

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 4, 2022

Tyler Lockett eclipsed 10+ targets for the third time this season when he accumulated 12 during Seattle’s matchup in Week 13. However, it was the first time that he had attained double digits since Week 3.

Justin Jefferson was targeted 11 times by Kirk Cousins in Week 13 and has now secured 11+ during four of his last five matchups. Diontae Johnson also accrued 11 targets after he had averaged 6.8 per game from Weeks 8-12.

Joshua Palmer’s 11 targets represented his second-highest weekly total of the season. He has now reached double digits during four of his last six games while averaging 9.4 per game during that span.

A.J. Brown attained 10+ targets for the first time since Week 8. However, he has now secured 10+ in our different outings, after only reaching 10 targets during five of the 43 games that he played with the Titans.

Deebo Samuel also captured 10 targets in Week 13, which was the second time that he reached double digits this season. It was also the first time that he had eclipsed 10+ since Week 6. Samuel was joined by Nico Collins, who has now secured 10 targets in two of his last four games. Corey Davis also accrued 10 targets in Week 13, which was the first time that he had attained double digits since the Jets’ season opener.

Five different wide receivers were targeted nine times during their matchups in Week 13 –  Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, Brandon Aiyuk, Mack Hollins, and Jahan Dotson. Seven receivers collected eight targets during their Week 13 matchups Ja’Marr Chase, D.K. Metcalf, Christian Kirk, DeVonta Smith, Alec Pierce, Darius Slayton, and Demarcus Robinson.

Two rookies emerged atop this week’s list of weekly risers, as both Drake London and Jahan Dotson sustained week-to-week increases of +8. London averaged 9.5 targets per game in Weeks 1-2 which was fueled by his 12-target outing when Atlanta visited the Rams in Week 2. He averaged 5.0 targets per game from Weeks 3-12 and was targeted four times when the Falcons traveled to Washington in Week 12. However, the 12 targets that he stockpiled in Week 13 fueled his weekly increase.

Dotson had averaged 6.5 targets per game in Weeks 2-3 but was later sidelined by a hamstring issue from Weeks 5-9. He was only targeted four times in Weeks 10-12 before he received a career-high nine targets in Week 13. That propelled his weekly rise of +8.

The end zone angle of Taylor Heinicke’s fourth down completion to Curtis Samuel on Washington’s late TD drive is absurd. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6KEDYFoQcq

— Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) December 5, 2022

Dotson’s teammate Curtis Samuel failed to register a target in Week 12 and only averaged 2.8 per game from Weeks 8-12. However, he garnered seven targets in Week 13, which resulted in a weekly increase of +7.

That tied him with Keenan Allen, who had not exceeded eight targets during any of his four matchups prior to Week 13. However, Allen’s 14 targets in Week 13 were the most since Week 11 of the 2020 regular season.

The career-high 15 targets that were distributed to Garrett Wilson in Week 13 allowed him to join fellow first-year receivers London and Dotson in experiencing a significant rise in his week-to-week totals (+7).

Wilson’s teammate Corey Davis also attained a weekly increase of +7 after he reached double digits for the second time this season. Davis had averaged just 3.6 per game from Weeks 4-12.

Two wide receivers who established career-high target totals during their Week 12 matchups experienced sizable declines in their usage during Week 13. This includes DeAndre Carter, who secured the first double-digit target total of his career in Week 12, after failing to exceed eight during the first 70 games of his career and averaging 4.1 per game from Weeks 1-11. He was only targeted twice by Justin Herbert when the Chargers traveled to Las Vegas which fueled his decline of -8.

That tied him with Kendall Hinton who had established his own career high by capturing nine targets in Week 12. Hinton played on 77% of Denver’s offensive snaps in Week 13 but was still relegated to only one target.

Michael Pittman's four targets in Week 13 represented his lowest weekly total since Week 7 of 2021. It also occurred one week after he had collected 11 targets which resulted in his weekly drop of -7. That tied Pittman with Zay Jones, who had secured a career-high 14 targets in Week 12. Jones was targeted seven times when Jacksonville traveled to Detroit in Week 13, which reduced his week-to-week total by -7.

D.K. Metcalf had tied his career high in Week 12 when he accumulated 15 targets. He collected he was targeted eight times by Geno Smith in Week 13 which diminished his week-to-week results by -7.

Week 13 Air Yards

Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill are tied for the league lead with 1.524 air yards. Stefon Diggs is third overall (1,411), followed by Chris Olave (1,347), Justin Jefferson (1,278), Terry McLaurin (1,273), Amari Cooper (1,254), CeeDee Lamb (1,159), Jaylen Waddle (1,092), and D.K. Metcalf, who has accumulated 1,081 air yards.

Mike Evans is next (1,078), followed by A.J. Brown (1,073), D.J. Moore (1,049), Courtland Sutton (1,045), Gabriel Davis (1,042), and Diontae Johnson with 1,039 air yards. Tyler Lockett is next (972), followed by Allen Lazard (954), Tee Higgins (910), Mack Hollins (894), Christian Kirk (879), and Garrett Wilson (867).

George Pickens is next (849), followed by Drake London (809), Adam Thielen (802), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (802), DeVonta Smith (793), Marvin Jones (785), and Donovan Peoples-Jones, who has accumulated 780 air yards.

D.J. Moore leads all wide receivers in air yards share (45.7), followed by DeAndre Hopkins (44.6), Davante Adams (42.1), Justin Jefferson (41.9), Darius Slayton (41.8), A.J, Brown (40.8), Amari Cooper (40.3), and CeeDee Lamb, who has secured an air yards share of 40.2%.

Marquise Brown is next (39.3%), followed by Tyreek Hill (39.0%), Terry McLaurin (38.3%), Stefon Diggs (37.8%), Chris Olave (37.6%), D.K. Metcalf (37.4%), Mike Evans who has attained an air yards share of 36.3%. D.J. Chark is next (34.8%), followed by Ja’Marr Chase (34.7%), Tyler Lockett (33.6%), Allen Lazard (32.2%), Diontae Johnson (31.6%), and Tee Higgins who has secured in air yards share of 31.3%.

Week 13 Targets Per Route Run

Amon-Ra St. Brown has been targeted on 37.6% of his routes which leads all wide receivers. Tyreek Hill is second overall (36.3%), followed by Davante Adams (35.7%), Deebo Samuel (34.3%), DeAndre Hopkins (34.2%), CeeDee Lamb (33.3%), Keenan Allen (33.3%), Chris Olave (31.6%), Chris Godwin (31.4%), and Jauan Jennings. who has been targeted on 30.6% of his routes.

Jennings’ teammate Brandon Aiyuk is next (30%), followed by A.J. Brown (29.9%), Amari Cooper (29.3%), D.K. Metcalf (28.4%), Christian Watson (28.4%), Garrett Wilson (28.1%), Justin Jefferson (27.9%), Drake London (27.7%), Jakobi Meyers (27.6%), Nico Collins (27.2%), and Stefon Diggs, who has been targeted on 26.9% of his routes.

Tee Higgins is next (26.8%), followed by Terry McLaurin (26.1%), Demarcus Robinson (25.8%), Christian Kirk (25.7%), Darius Slayton (25.7%), and two receivers who have been targeted on 25.5% of their routes: Michael Pittman and Jaylen Waddle.

Week 13 Yards Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with an average of 3.88 yards per route run. Amon-Ra St. Brown is second overall (3.12), followed by Davante Adams (3.11), DeAndre Hopkins (3.1), A.J. Brown (2.96), Keenan Allen (2.93), Chris Olave (2.86), Christian Watson (2.84), Justin Jefferson (2.81), and Darius Slayton, who is averaging 2.8 yards per route run.

CeeDee Lamb is next (2.79), followed by Jaylen Waddle (2.75), Tee Higgins (2.72), Stefon Diggs (2.53), Brandon Aiyuk (2.52), Terry McLaurin (2.51), Jakobi Myers (2.44), Amari Cooper (2.39), Garrett Wilson (2.36), and Treylon Burks, who is averaging 2.33 yards per route run. Deebo Samuel and D.K. Metcalf are tied at 2.27, followed by Jauan Jennings (2.26), Tyler Lockett (2.25), JuJu Smith-Schuster (2.19), Jerry Jeudy (2.16), and two receivers who are averaging 2.15 yards per route run -  Christian Kirk, and Ja’Marr Chase.

Week 13 Red Zone Targets

Justin Jefferson captured two red zone targets when Minnesota hosted the Jets which improved his league-leading total to 22. D.K. Metcalf has now accumulated 10 red zone targets during his last four games, which has expanded his overall total to 21. That tied him with Stefon Diggs, who has accrued nine targets during that sequence.

Davante Adams and Christian Kirk are tied with 17 targets, followed by Garrett Wilson, (16), and two teams to players that have collected 15- Ja’Marr Chase, and Adam Thielen. Diontae Johnson is next (14) followed by three players, who have captured 13 targets: A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Zay Jones.

Jefferson also leads his position with 15 targets inside the 10-yard line. Diggs is second overall (11), followed by three receivers who are tied with 10: Adams, Kirk, and Wilson. Metcalf has accrued nine targets inside the 10, while Brown has been targeted eight times.

Kirk leads all wide receivers with eight targets inside the 5-yard line while Diggs has been targeted seven times. Adams and St. Brown have garnered six targets, while Chase and Courtland Sutton have accumulated five.

Week 13 Snap Counts

D.J. Moore leads all wide receivers with a snap share percentage of 96.8%. Michael Pittman and Justin Jefferson are tied for second overall at 96.1%. Marquise Brown is next (95.2%), followed by Davante Adams (94.9%), Mack Hollins (93.9%), Ja’Marr Chase (93.5%), Brandon Aiyuk (92.2%), Adam Thielen (92.1%), Diontae Johnson (91.1%), and Gabriel Davis, who has secured a snap share of 90.9%.

Allen Lazard is next (90.4%), followed by Terry McLaurin (90.3%0, DeVonta Smith (89.8%), Courtland Sutton (89.5%0, Donovan Peoples-Jones (89.2%), Christian Kirk (89.2%), DeAndre Hopkins (87.2%), and Zay Jones, who has secured a snap share of 87.1%.

Chase Claypool is next (86.3%), followed by CeeDee Lamb (86.2%), Josh Palmer (85.6%), Amari Cooper (84.2%), Mike Evans (83.9%), and Parris Campbell, who has attained a snap share of 83.6%.

Terry McLaurin leads all wide receivers in total offensive snaps (796), followed by Michael Pittman (769), Justin Jefferson (745), Donovan Peoples-Jones (721), DeVonta Smith (716), Adam Thielen (714), Diontae Johnson (714), Parris Campbell (709), Davante Adams (703), Mack Hollins (696), Brandon Aiyuk (694), and Amari Cooper who has accumulated 680 snaps.

Christian Kirk is next (675), followed by Courtland Sutton (674), Gabriel Davis (666), A.J, Brown (664), CeeDee Lamb (655), D.J. Moore (654), Curtis Samuel (654), Josh Palmer (634), Tyler Boyd (633), and Mike Evans who has accumulated 630 snaps.

Five Things I Noticed  

1. A.J. Brown was presented with the opportunity to operate against his former team when Philadelphia hosted Tennessee in Week 13. Even though the revenge narrative may not always emerge when players perform against their previous employers, Brown’s comments since he was jettisoned by the Titans indicated that he would be extremely motivated for the matchup.

Brown was contained in a cluster of fourth-year receivers who had expressed their desire for new contracts during the final year of their current deals. Those requests fueled different results for each receiver during the offseason. In Brown’s case, the Titans sent him to Philadelphia in exchange for the Eagles’ first-round selection during last April’s NFL Draft (18th overall), along with a third-round selection.

Brown had led Tennessee in targets, receptions, receiving yards, air yards, and receiving touchdowns during each of his three seasons with the Titans while averaging 6.9 targets, 4.3 receptions, and 69.7 receiving yards per game. He had also generated those numbers while operating within an attack that ranked 30th, 30th, and 31st in pass play percentage during his three seasons with the team. Ironically, the Eagles and Titans are currently 29th and 30th respectively in that category this season as both teams run the ball on over 50.6% of their offensive plays.

1st one incomplete...No problem. #ProBowlVote @1kalwaysopen_ #TENvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/3xk1oK8JXF

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 4, 2022

However, that has not precluded Brown from flourishing in his new environment. He is now sixth overall in receiving yards (950/79.2 per game) entering Week 14 and is ninth in air yards share (40.7%). He is also 12th in air yards (1,073), and 14th in both targets (96/8.0 per game), and receptions (61/5.1 per game).

Brown had also eclipsed 10+ targets in five of the 43 games that he played for the Titans but has already accomplished it four times this season with the Eagles. His target share increased steadily from 2019-2021 with Tennessee (19.8%/26.2%/27%) and he has garnered a career-high 28.6% share this season.

That includes his performance in Week 13 when Brown collected 10 targets, eight receptions, and 119 yards against his former team. It was his second-highest reception total of the season, while he also generated multiple touchdowns for the second time this year.

That's our A.J, that's our A.J#ProBowlVote @1kalwaysopen_
#TENvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/65Tkqyp8VJ

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 4, 2022

The Titans had used that aforementioned 18th overall selection to secure Treylon Burks, whose enticing combination of size, strength, and playmaking potential provided attributes that were also possessed by Brown.

Burks captured his first target in Week 13 which resulted in a 25-yard touchdown. Unfortunately, he also sustained a concussion on the play which prematurely ended his involvement in the matchup. This prevented him from sustaining his recent statistical surge since resurfacing in Tennessee's lineup during Week 10.

Holding on through the hit 💪 @TreylonBurks

📺: Watch #TENvsPHI on @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/YDGMgUYx93

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 4, 2022

Burk's rookie season had been temporarily interrupted as he contended with turf toe, which sidelined him from Weeks 5-9. However, he has added a downfield component to Tennessee’s aerial efforts that has not only expanded the capabilities of the passing attack, but can also create space for the Titans’ ground game, and for the team’s other receiving weaponry.

He was averaging 6.7 targets, 4.7 receptions, and 68.3 yards per game from Weeks 10-12. He had also soared to fifth overall with 181 receiving yards (81.5 per game) in Weeks 11-12, was targeted on 28.6% of his routes, and averaged 3.69 yards per route run.

Burks is capable of resuming his late-season statistical success upon his return, while Brown is an unquestioned WR1 entering the fantasy postseason.

2. When DeAndre Hopkins made his season debut for Arizona in Week 7, it provided his first opportunity to improve upon the career-low numbers that he experienced during 2021. Hopkins averaged 6.4 targets, 4.2 receptions, and 57.2 receiving yards last season after he had constructed averages that were significantly higher from 2015-2020 (10.5 targets/6.6 receptions/85.1 yards).

Hopkins had also been unavailable for seven of the Cardinals’ matchups last season (knee/MCL) but his numbers while he was operating as the team’s WR1, provided the primary source of concern entering 2022. He was also required to serve a six-game suspension at the onset of this season for the violation of the NFL's Performance Enhancing Drug policy before he could re-emerge to function as Kyler Murray’s primary receiving weapon.

The combination of his statistical descent during 2021 and the delayed launch of his 2022 season contributed to a prevailing hesitation in securing the 30-year-old Hopkins during draft season (ADP 96/WR41).

That @K1 to @DeAndreHopkins connection 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lwtb8npIXB

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 6, 2022

However, he has easily surpassed the expectations of his draft position while assembling a collection of impressive results since his return. He was fifth among all wide receivers with a 30.6% target share entering Arizona’s bye week, while his 64 targets placed him second behind only Davante Adams from Weeks 7-12. He is one of eight receivers who has eclipsed an average of 10+ per game (10.7), which has been fueled by his collection of 12+ targets during four of his six matchups.

Hopkins also leads all receivers with 49 receptions during that sequence which includes 10+ catches in three different matchups. He is also averaging 8.2 per game - which is the highest of his career. Hopkins is also third overall in receiving yards during that sequence (574), while his average of 95.7 yards per game is the second-highest of his career and his best average since 2018. He has also exceeded 100 yards twice while generating 87+ in five of his six games.

Even when he's covered. He's open.@DeAndreHopkins x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/pX0DfJkFxv

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 30, 2022

Hopkins is also fifth overall in targets per route run (34.2%), fourth in yards per route run (3.07). and second in air yards share (44.6%). Marquise Brown joined Hopkins on the field for the first time this season when he resurfaced for Arizona’s Week 12 matchup with the Chargers. Brown had led the Cardinals in multiple categories before he sustained a foot injury in Week 6 which resulted in his extended absence.

Hollywood Movie Magic 🎬@Primetime_jet x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/Fs1xjM3oMb

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 9, 2022

Brown's return provided the first opportunity to examine Murray’s distribution of targets while both of his top receiving options were running routes. Brown garnered a team-high eight targets in Week 12 (29.6% share), and also paced Arizona in receptions (6), red zone targets (2), routes run (36), and targets per route run (22.2%0. However, Hopkins led Arizona in receiving yards (87), air yards (104), and yards per route run (2.64), and scored his third touchdown of the season.

This spin move from @DeAndreHopkins 😱

📺: #LACvsAZ on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/zq8Igx8Ckq pic.twitter.com/gkxLRS6ZnQ

— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022

Hopkins and Brown will continue to operate as Murray’s top two receiving options when the Cardinals host New England, which will be followed by matchups with Denver, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta. Hopkins’s targets per game average will likely decline, as will the 10.7 per game average that was secured by Brown in Weeks 1-6. However, both receivers should be deployed in all lineups without hesitation.

3. D.J. Moore entered the 2022 regular season with a proven track record of sustaining highly favorable usage and production despite numerous substandard performances from a seemingly endless collection of quarterbacks during his tenure (Sam Darnold/Brandon Zylstra/P.J. Walker/Teddy Bridgewater/Kyle Allen/Will Grier).

He accumulated 416 targets (8.9 per game) from 2019-2021 which placed him fifth among all wide receivers. He was also 10th overall in receptions during that sequence (246/5.2 per game) and was fourth in receiving yards (3,525/75 per game).

This provided the rationale for believing that Moore would emerge among the league leaders once again this season. That conviction was also fueled by surging optimism that the arrival of Baker Mayfield represented an upgrade under center that would bring a welcome conclusion to the deficient play that had been prevalent during Moore’s previous seasons. All of which was indicated by Moore’s Round 3 ADP during the draft process (34/WR14).

Unfortunately, Mayfield’s presence did not deliver the intended outcome as his disappointing season only perpetuated the quarterback issues. Moore has operated with Mayfield, P. J. Walker, and Sam Darnold, as Mayfield started six games prior to his release while averaging 29.4 attempts, and 17 completions per game. He also ranked just 32nd in completion percentage (57.8%), averaged 187.6 yards per game, and built a touchdown to interception ratio of only 6:6. Mayfield also averaged 6.4 yards per attempt and 5.6 air yards per attempt.

P.J. Walker has been Carolina’s starter in five contests while averaging only 17.7 attempts, 10.5 completions, and 121.8 yards per game. He has completed 59.4% of his passes while manufacturing a 3:3 touchdown to interception ratio. Walker has also averaged 6.9 yards per attempt and 6.2 air yards per attempt.

Sam Darnold resurfaced under center when the Panthers hosted Denver in Week 12 and he connected on 11 of his 19 attempts (57.9%) while generating 164 yards and one touchdown. Darnold also averaged 8.6 yards per attempt and 9.7 air yards per attempt.

Moore averaged 7.0 targets, 3.3 receptions, and 36.8 yards per game during Mayfield’s starts, while averaging 8.0 targets, 4.54 receptions, and 56.2 yards per game during Walker’s starts. Moore also collected four of his six targets, while accumulating 103 yards and generating a touchdown with Darnold spearheading Carolina’s aerial attack in Week 12.

DJ's got it.

Yeah, he does 💫 pic.twitter.com/QW0p3JV8yZ

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 27, 2022

The usage and output that transpired with all three signal callers has relegated Moore to 22nd overall with 88 targets, while he has also secured a 27.5% target share. Moore has only attained a double-digit target total in three different matchups, after eclipsing 10 targets in 10 different contests last season.

Moore is also just 38th in receptions (44) and 31st in receiving yards (695). His per-game averages of 7.3 targets, 3.8 receptions, and 50.4 yards per game are well below his averages from 2019- 2021 (8.6 targets/5.2 receptions/75 yards). His 6.9 yards per target is also below the 8.9 that he attained prior to 2022. Moore does lead the league in air yards share (45.7%) and is 13th in air yards (1,049). He has also been targeted on 25.4% of his routes and is averaging 1.74 yards per route run.

It is understandable if Moore’s exceptional talent continues to compel fantasy managers to retain him, but the same obstacles that have suppressed his numbers throughout the season will remain intact.

4. Several wide receivers have recently been entrusted with more prominent roles within their offenses. This has fueled a rise in their usage and output while enabling them to emerge as previously unforeseen fantasy options. This certainly applies to Darius Slayton, who has revitalized his career by capitalizing on his opportunity to operate with an expanding role as the season has progressed

Following an offseason that included speculation that Slayton would be traded or released, he was limited to 18 snaps from Weeks 1-3 while failing to register a target. However, he has steadily secured an integral role in New York’s aerial efforts while presenting fantasy managers with a viable flex option as we approach the fantasy playoffs.

TO THE HOUSE! 🏠

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Eo7VfdVM37

— New York Giants (@Giants) November 13, 2022

Since Week 11, Slayton has averaged 8.0 targets, 4.7 receptions, and 79.7 yards per game. He is also sixth in receiving yards (239),  third in both air yards (338), and air yards share (47.1%), fourth in receptions to 20+ yards, 17th in routes run (71),  has been targeted on 33.8 of his routes and has averaged 3.37 yards per route run.

Sheeeeeesh 🤧

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/zCkgn2y8du

— New York Giants (@Giants) December 4, 2022

He has also averaged 11.5 points per game and can be deployed as a flex option during the Giants’ upcoming matchups (Philadelphia/Washington/ Minnesota/Indianapolis).

Nico Collins has also supplanted Brandin Cooks as the WR1 in Houston as Cooks has become increasingly disenchanted with the franchise.  

Collins attained a 14.9% target share from Weeks 1-9 and was averaging 5.0 targets, 3.0 receptions, and 50.8 yards per game during those contests. He was also running 24.8 routes per game, while being targets on 20.1% of those routes, and averaging 2.05 yards per route run.

Kyle Allen + Nico Collins linkup for six.

📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/qfCkeWwXZH

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 4, 2022

However, his target share has risen to 25.2% since Week 10, while he has soared to sixth among all wide receivers with 36 targets (9.0 per game). He has been targeted 10 times during two of the matchups during that span while eclipsing 9+ in three of those games.

Collins is also averaging 4.8 receptions per game while collecting 5+ in three of those contests. He also leads the Texans in targets, receptions, receiving yards (176/44 per game), air yards (333), air yards share (34%), and routes run (94), and has been targeted on 38.3% of his routes.

As the situation surrounding the disgruntled Cooks becomes more nebulous, Collins should continue to operate as Houston’s primary receiving option, within an offense that ranks fourth in pass play percentage (63%). He can also function as a flex option for fantasy managers during the Texans’ upcoming matchups (Dallas/Kansas City Tennessee/Jacksonville).

5. The surging target totals of Drake London and Jahan Dotson were mentioned in the Target Risers and Fallers section. This was a welcome development, as both talented newcomers had been operating with a level of usage that remained lower than fantasy managers would prefer.   

London began his rookie season by securing a 76.5% snap share, and a 33.3% target share in Weeks 1-2, while averaging 9.5 targets, 6.5 receptions, and 80 yards per game during that brief sequence. He was also targeted on 31.1% of his routes while averaging 2.62 yards per route run.

He had only averaged 5.0 targets per game from Weeks 3-12. That average dropped to 4.3 from Weeks 6-12, which included four games in which he failed to exceed four targets.

A career-high 95 yards for @DrakeLondon_ deserves all the #ProBowlVote RTs

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/zVVkJTdfQl

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 5, 2022

However, London captured a 50% target share when Atlanta hosted Pittsburgh in Week 13 while collecting 12 targets from Marcus Mariota. That tied his season high which had been established in Week 2. London also captured six receptions, which was his second-highest total of the season. He also accumulated a season-high 95 receiving yards, while attaining a 46.6% air yards share.

London has now secured a 28.7% target share from Weeks 1-13, which is 11th among all wide receivers. He has also been targeted on 27.7% of his routes while averaging 1.82 yards per route run. Despite Arthur Smith’s penchant for relying on Atlanta’s rushing attack,

London’s critical role in the Falcons’ aerial efforts should make him worthy of deployment as a WR3/4. Smith’s decision to elevated Desmond Ridder under center could also be beneficial for London if Ridder can locate him with greater accuracy than Mariota.

Dotson’s season had begun with promising numbers as he averaged 6.0 targets per game from Weeks 1-3 while vaulting to second overall with three touchdowns. He sustained a hamstring injury during Washington’s Week 4 matchup with NFC East rival Dallas and was sidelined from Weeks 5-9. Dotson re-emerged in Week 10 but was relegated to a 5.7% target share while averaging 1.3 targets, 0.7 receptions, and just 9.0 yards per game through Week 12.

This spin move by Jahan Dotson 😳 pic.twitter.com/IJNL13K6M7

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) December 4, 2022

However, his share improved to 22.5% in Week 13 while he established new season-highs in targets (9), and receptions (5), and secured his second-highest yardage total of the season (54).

He is now worthy of stashing on benches if your team is entering the fantasy postseason. However, Terry McLaurin is fourth among all wide receivers with a 31.6% target share since Week 7, which coincides with Taylor Heinicke’s insertion under center for the Commandeers. The favorable target total that Dotson received in Week 13 is unlikely to be replicated, which makes him a risky start.

Undrafted rookie Rashid Shaheed does not share the first-round pedigree of London, Dotson, or Shaheed’s teammate Chris Olave. However, his increasing involvement in the New Orleans passing attack should not be discounted, as he has delivered a level of explosiveness to the Saints' aerial efforts.

Andy Dalton letting it fly to @RashidShaheed 🎯

📺: #NOvsTB on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/61o9pQEjou pic.twitter.com/8JcmRESt6q

— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2022

Shaheed’s downfield presence supplies big play capabilities while creating space for Olave and Jarvis Landry to operate on their routes. He did not enter the field until Week 6, only attained a 14.7% snap share from Weeks 6-10, and was limited to six targets. He also averaged 20.6 yards and 7.5 routes per game during that sequence.

Shaheed’s snap share has surged to 54.3% since Week 11, while he has averaged 3.0 targets and 45.3 yards per game. He has also averaged 16.3 routes per game and 2.8 yards per route run. His 15.1 yards per target and 19.4 yards per reception also underscore the downfield presence that he is establishing on a gradual basis. Shaheed has become an intriguing roster addition in dynasty leagues, and can also be secured in season-long leagues that operate with deeper benches.

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