Wide Receiver Breakouts for Fantasy Football: Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Christian Watson, Mike Evans, Donovan Peoples-Jones, D.J. Chark

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 14th 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 14 Target Leaders

We say this every week.

But there are no words to describe how great @JJettas2 is.#ProBowlVote

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/TQPinBFqer

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 11, 2022

Justin Jefferson and Davante Adams have both accumulated a league-high 142 targets (10.9 per game) entering Week 15. That includes the 15 that Jefferson garnered in Week 14, which was his second-highest total of the season. Jefferson has also captured a league-best 37 targets (12.3 per game) during his last three matchups.

Adams had reached double-digit target totals in five consecutive games from Weeks 9-13 (67 targets/13.4 per game). However, he was limited to seven targets in Week 14 which tied his season low. Tyreek Hill has now accrued 139 targets, after collecting 24 during his last two games combined. Hill has also eclipsed 10+ targets in eight of his 13 contests.

Stefon Diggs is next (133) even though his last six games have included four outings with 9+ targets that have been interspersed with two other games in which he has only been targeted five times.

CeeDee Lamb has now collected 117 targets even though he has averaged 7.3 per game since Week 11 and 6.5 per game since Week 13. Diontae Johnson has been targeted 113 times, even though he has failed to reach 10 targets in five of his last six games after he had accomplished it during 17 of his previous 23 games.

Closing out the half with a @dkm14 score. 🙌

📺: #CARvsSEA on FOX | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/wgn1XzBHaQ

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 11, 2022

D.K. Metcalf has now captured 110 targets including 33 (11 per game) since Week 12. He has also secured a 30% target share during that span. Amon-Ra St. Brown has assembled 109 targets while capturing 8+ in each of his last seven games. He has also accumulated 69 targets (9.9 per game) during that sequence.

St. Brown is tied with Amari Cooper who had been targeted 12 times in Weeks 11-12 before averaging 8.0 per game in Weeks 13-14. Cooper’s numbers will be examined in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Chris Godwin has accumulated 108 targets while collecting 9+ during seven of his last eight matchups. He has also assembled a league-high 89 targets since Week 6 (11.1 per game). Michael Pittman will return from the Colts' bye week having already accrued 107 targets even though he was limited to a season-low four in Week 13.

Christian Kirk has now captured 64 targets since Week 7 while averaging 8.9 per game during that span. That has expanded his overall total to 106. A.J. Brown has now surpassed 100 targets for a third consecutive season while expanding his overall total to 102.

Garrett Wilson leads all rookies with 101 targets while averaging 10 per game during his last three matchups. He also completes the list of 14 receivers who have eclipsed 100 targets from Weeks 1-14.

Tyler Lockett has now accumulated 99 targets including 21 during Seattle’s last two matchups. He leads the Seahawks with a 28.8% target share during that two-game sequence which also places him ninth overall.

.@zayjones11 R U KIDDING #ProBowlVote | #JAXvsTEN on CBS/NFL+ pic.twitter.com/Cal96890IV

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 11, 2022

Four different receivers have all been targeted 98 times throughout the season. This includes Zay Jones, who has now eclipsed 10+ targets during three of his last four games. He has also collected 43 during that sequence while averaging 10.8 per game.

That ties Jones with two receivers, who will be returning from their week 14 byes Chris Olave, and Terry McLaurin. Mike Evans has also been targeted 98 times even though he has failed to reach double digits since Week 9. Evans has also averaged seven per game since Week 10.

The griddy is back 😏#ProBowlVote x #JaMarrChase#CLEvsCIN | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/ntoIxj78pu

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 11, 2022

Ja’Marr Chase has now accrued 97 targets, which has been propelled by the 10+ that he has secured during six of his nine matchups this season. DeVonta Smith has assembled 95 targets including 8+ during six of his last seven games.

Seven different wide receivers have averaged at least 10 targets per game from Weeks 1- 14: Adams (10.9), Jefferson (10.9), Chase (10.8), Hill (10.7), Hopkins (10.7), Diggs (10.2), and Marquise Brown (10.0).

Week 14 Target Risers And Fallers 

12 different wide receivers, collected at least 10 targets during their matchups in Week 14. That list was spearheaded by former college teammates Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase who were both targeted 15 times.

That represented Jefferson’s second-highest weekly total of the season, although he has now accumulated 71 targets, 11.8 per game during his last six contests. Chase also secured his second-highest weekly total of the year while soaring to a league-high 46.9% target share in Week 14.

"that catch"
"that pass"
🥺 pic.twitter.com/XY7zbs5NO7

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 12, 2022

Keenan Allen has now accrued 14 targets in two consecutive matchups after he had averaged just 5.3 per game from Weeks 1-12. Two receivers captured 12 targets during their Week 14 matchups, including Zay Jones. He has vaulted to sixth overall with 43 targets since Week 10 (10.8 per game) and he is fifth with a 31.4% target share during that sequence.

That ties Jones with Donovan Peoples-Jones whose 12 targets established a new career high. His numbers following Cleveland's transition to Deshaun Watson will be examined further in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Chris Moore also secured a new career-best target total when he garnered 11 during Houston’s Week 14 matchup with Dallas. Moore was launched into WR1 responsibilities for the Texans, and his 45.8% target share in Week 14 placed him second overall.

DeAndre Hopkins also captured 11 targets and has now eclipsed 11+ in five of the seven games that he has played since making his season debut in Week 7. That tied Hopkins with Juju Smith-Schuster who attained his highest weekly total since Week 9 (11).

Three wide receivers accumulated 10 targets in Week 14 including Tyreek Hill who has now collected 12+ targets in seven different contests, including four of his last eight. D.K. Metcalf has now captured at least 10 targets during two of his last three matchups after he was targeted 10 times in Week 14. He is also eighth among all wide receivers with 58 targets (9.7) per game since Week 8.

Mike White was able to hit Elijah Moore for 24 yards before this hard hit by Ed Oliver 🙏pic.twitter.com/OggcCwXmY9

— Jets Nation (@JetsNationCP) December 11, 2022

That tied Metcalf with Elijah Moore, who secured a double-digit target total for the first time since Week 13 of his 2021 rookie season. Moore has now averaged 8.0 targets per game since Week 13, after averaging a paltry 2.1 per game from Weeks 4-12. Nelson Agholor also captured 10 targets when New England traveled to Arizona which was his highest weekly total since Week 12 of the 2020 regular season.

Peoples-Jones’ career-best 12 targets also represented the second time that he had reached double digits this season. He has also failed to exceed three targets in three different matchups, including Week 13. That resulted in the largest weekly increase of +9.

Chris Moore had also been relegated to three targets in Week 13 before he accumulated his career-best target total in Week 14 (11). Moore’s ability to capitalize on his expanded role fueled his weekly rise of +8.

Ja’Marr Chase attained his second-highest weekly total of the season in Week 14 when he was targeted 15 times by Joe Burrow. He had also collected eight targets from Burrow in Week 13 which resulted in his weekly rise of +7. That tied Chase with JuJu Smith-Schuster, whose second double-digit target total of the season transpired one week after he was targeted four times by Patrick Mahomes.

Garrett Wilson’s 15 targets in Week 13 established a new career high. That total also positioned him for a week-to-week decline which occurred when he was targeted seven times by Mike White in Week 14. Brandon Aiyuk had been targeted nine times in Week 13, which was his third-highest weekly total of the season. However, he was relegated to three targets when San Francisco hosted Tampa Bay in Week 14, which resulted in his weekly reduction of -6.

Six different receivers experienced a weekly decline of -5. This included Davante Adams, whose seven-target outing in Week 14 represented the first time that he had failed to reach double digits since Week 9. It was also his second-lowest target total of the season, which produced his weekly drop of -5.

Josh Palmer’s 79% snap share in Week 14 was his lowest since Week 5, as the return of Mike Williams has combined with Keenan Allen’s re-emergence to impact Palmer’s usage. He also registered his lowest weekly target total since Week 5 (6) which diminished his week-to-week total by -5.

Darius Slayton had averaged 8.0 targets per game from Weeks 11-13, including the eight that he collected in Week 13. However, he was only targeted three times when the Giants hosted Philadelphia in Week 14. That launched his weekly drop of -5.

That tied Slayton with Mack Hollins, who registered his lowest weekly target total since Week 7 (4). Deebo Samuel’s similar decline was a byproduct of his MCL sprain, while Devin Duvernay was relegated to just one target for the third time during his last five matchups. He had collected six targets in Week, 13, which diminished his week-to-week total by -5.

Week 14 Air Yards

That 🐆 speed is tough to handle

📺: #MIAvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Fjz0sbDEsG pic.twitter.com/fQG9e76WYV

— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2022

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with 1,676 air yards entering Week 15. Davante Adams is second overall (1,658), followed by Justin Jefferson (1,508), Stefon Diggs (1,439), Chris Olave (1,419), Amari Cooper (1,319), Terry McLaurin (1,273), D.K. Metcalf (1,241), Mike Evans (1,219), and CeeDee Lamb who has accumulated 1,182 air yards.

Diontae Johnson is next (1,172), followed by A.J. Brown (1.152), Jaylen Waddle (1,145),  D.J. Moore (1,081), Gabriel Davis (1,071), Tyler Lockett (1,069), Courtland Sutton (1,045), and Donovan Peoples-Jones with 958 air yards.

Allen Lazard is next (954), followed by Garrett Wilson (953), Mack Hollins (929), George Pickens (919), and Christian Kirk who has accumulated 914 yards entering Week 15.

D.J. Moore leads all wide receivers with a 45.4% air yards share. DeAndre Hopkins is second (43.8%), followed by Davante Adams (43.5%), Justin Jefferson (43.0%), Tyreek Hill (39.8%), A.J. Brown (39.3%), Darius Slayton (39.2%), Amari Cooper (38.8%), Terry McLaurin (38.3%), and Marquise Brown, who has secured a share of 37.8%.

D.K. Metcalf is next (37.7%), followed by Chris Olave (37.3%), CeeDee Lamb (36.8%), Ja’Marr Chase (36.4%), Stefon Diggs (36.4%), Mike Williams (34.0%), Mike Evans (33.7%), D.J. Chark (33.6%), and Tyler Lockett, who has secured an air yards share of 32.5%.

Week 14 Targets Per Route Run

DeAndre Hopkins is being targeted on 40.1% of his routes which leads all wide receivers. Tyreek Hill is second overall (36.6%), followed by Amon-Ra St. Brown (36.1%), Davante Adams (35.3%), Deebo Samuel (34.7%), Chris Olave (31.6%), Keenan Allen (31.2%), and CeeDee Lamb (31.1%) completing the list of nine receivers who have been targeted on at least 30% of their routes.

Chris Godwin is next (29.9%), followed by Brandon Aiyuk (29.2%), Christian Watson (29.1%), A.J, Brown (28.7%), Justin Jefferson (28.6%), and D.K. Metcalf who has been targeted on 28.1% of his routes.

Amari Cooper is next to (27.8%), followed by Drake London (27.7%), Jakobi Meyers (27.6%), Nico Collins (27.2%), Marquise Brown (27%), Tee Higgins (26.8%), Demarcus Robinson (26.5%), and two receivers who are being targeted on 26.2% of their routes -  Ja’Marr Chase, and Nelson Agholor.

Week 14 Yards Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with an average of 3.84 yards per route run. DeAndre Hopkins is second (3.49), followed by Davante Adams (3.1), Justin Jefferson (3.02), Amon-Ra St. Brown (2.97), A.J. Brown (2.87), Chris Olave (2.86), Christian Watson (2.84), Tee Higgins (2.72), Jaylen Waddle (2.65), Darius Slayton (2.59), and two receivers who are averaging 2.56 yards per route run – CeeDee Lamb, and Brandon Aiyuk.

Keenan Allen is next (2.55), followed by Terry McLaurin (2.51), Jacobi Meyers (2.44), Stefon Diggs (2.43), Deebo, Samuel (2.34), Treylon Burks (2.33), Garrett Wilson (2.24), Amari Cooper (2.23), Mike Williams (2.23), and two receivers who are averaging 2.22 yards per route run – D.K. Metcalf and Ja’Marr Chase.

Week 14 Red Zone Targets

D.K. Metcalf has accumulated eight red zone targets during his last three matchups. This has propelled his overall total to 23 entering Week 15. That ties him for the league lead with Justin Jefferson, while Stefon Diggs is third overall with 21 targets. Christian Kirk is next (19), followed by two receivers who are tied with 18 red zone targets – Davante Adams, and Ja’Marr Chase.

Adam Thielen is next (17), followed by Garrett Wilson (16), Diontae Johnson (15), and three receivers who are tied with 14 targets – A.J. Brown, Amari Cooper, and Zay Jones. Two receivers have collected 13 targets (Chris Godwin/Isaiah McKenzie), while six receivers have been targeted 12 times: Mike Evans, Juju Smith-Schuster, Brandon Aiyuk, Allen Lazard, Deebo Samuel, and Drake London.

Jefferson also leads the position with 15 targets inside the 10-yard line. Diggs is second overall with 11, followed by three receivers who have been targeted 10 times - Kirk, Adams, and Garrett Wilson. Metcalf has garnered nine targets, while A. J. Brown, Chris Godwin, and Josh Reynolds have been targeted eight times.

Kirk has also captured a league-best eight targets inside the 5-yard line while Diggs has been targeted seven times. Adams and Amon-Ra St. Brown have accumulated six targets. while Chase, Reynolds, and Courtland Sutton have accrued five.

Week 14 Snap Counts

D.J. Moore leads all wide receivers with a 96.7% snap share. Michael Pittman is second at 96.1%, followed by Justin Jefferson (95.9%), Marquise Brown (95.2%), Davante Adams (95.0%), Mack Hollins (94.1%), Ja’Marr Chase (93.5%), Adam Thielen (92.2%), Diontae Johnson (91.3%), Brandon Aiyuk (91.0%), and Gabriel Davis, who has secured a 90.9% snap share.

Allen Lazard is next (90.4%), followed by Terry McLaurin (90.3%), Donovan Peoples-Jones (90.1%), Devonta Smith (89.9%), Courtland Sutton (89.5%), Christian Kirk (88.7%), CeeDee Lamb (87%), DeAndre Hopkins (86.9%), Zay Jones (86.3%), and Josh Palmer, who has attained a snap share of 84.9%.

Justin Jefferson leads the position with 803 offensive snaps, followed by Terry McLaurin with 796. Donovan Peoples-Jones is next (791), followed by DeVonta Smith (776), Michael, Pittman (769), Diontae Johnson (764), Davante Adams (759), Mack Hollins (752), Amari Cooper (740). Brandon Aiyuk (739), Christian Kirk (731), and two receivers who are tied with 723 snaps - D.J. Moore, and CeeDee Lamb.

A.J. Brown is next (720), followed by Gabriel Davis (715), Parris Campbell (709), Josh Palmer (674), and Zay Jones, who has played on 671 of Jacksonville’s offensive snaps.

Five Things I Noticed  

1. One of the most compelling matchups of Week 14 involved the NFC North showdown between Minnesota and Detroit. The game featured two of the top six wide receivers in scoring (Justin Jefferson WR1), (Amon-Ra St. Brown WR6), along with several other receivers who were positioned to capitalize on their favorable matchups.

Jefferson arrived in Detroit with the league’s sixth-highest target share (29.3%), while having already stockpiled 127 targets (10.6 per game). Jefferson was also tied for the league lead in red zone targets (21), and yards after catch (442), was second overall in receiving yards (1,277), second in routes run (455), fifth in air yards (1,278), and sixth in air yards share (41.9%).

St. Brown had commandeered a 28.7% target share entering Week 14 which placed him seventh overall. He was also ninth in targets from Weeks (100/9.1 per game) and had soared to fifth in receptions (76/6.9 per game).

He was also sixth in both yards after catch (394), first down receptions (47), and 13th in receiving yards (830/75.5 per game). St. Brown also led all wide receivers in targets per route entering Week 14 (37.6%) and was second in yards per route run (3.12).

D. J. Chark had also surfaced as a viable starting option for fantasy managers after re-emerging from a protracted ankle injury that had kept him sidelined since Week 3. After being limited to 11 snaps during his return in Week 11, Chark had averaged 5.5 targets/57 yards per game in Weeks 12-13, was 15th in air yards share (40.1%), and was also 20th in air yards (187).

Jefferson sustained his ongoing statistical success during the matchup while securing a 38.5% target share. He also captured a double-digit target total for the ninth time in 13 games this season, while his 15 targets also tied for the league lead among all wide receivers in Week 14. That has now propelled him to third  overall in target share from Weeks 1-14 (30.0%), while he is tied for the league lead with 142 targets (10.9 per game),

Justin Jefferson's week 14 stats...

• 11 catches
• 223 yards

A career-high and franchise record in receiving yards#Vikings pic.twitter.com/e05LnWBEAv

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) December 13, 2022

Jefferson also reached a double-digit total in receptions for the fourth time this season as his 11 catches were second highest at his position. This has elevated him to second overall with 99 receptions (7.6 per game) from Weeks 1-14

He surpassed 100 yards for the 22nd time in 46 career games when he stockpiled a career-high 223 against the Lions. It was also the eighth time that Jefferson had eclipsed 100 yards this season and the third time that he had attained 180+. He now leads all wide receivers with 1,500 yards (115.4 per game) entering Week 15. He is also pacing the league in yards after catch (498) and is third overall in air yards (1,508).

St. Brown was unable to match Jefferson’s usage and output, but he did garner 9+ targets for the sixth time in his last seven contests while securing a 25.7% target share. He also registered his lowest reception (six) and yardage totals (68) since Week 10. However, that is a testament to the impressive numbers that he has delivered in each category during that sequence.

.@JaredGoff16 dialing up another deep one!#MINvsDET | 📺 FOX | #ProBowlVote | @DJChark82 pic.twitter.com/d58UP6Dt3I

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 11, 2022

Chark attained a 20% target share while reaching his highest target total since Detroit’s season opener (7). Chark also collected a season-high six receptions while exceeding 90 receiving yards for a second consecutive week (94).

Chark also accumulated 65 air yards, while attaining a 26.1% air yards share. He is now a viable WR3 for fantasy managers though he must contend with the sturdy pass defense of the Jets this week.

Jameson Williams’ snap share increased from 11% during his debut in Week 13 to 19% during his second matchup. Even though he was limited to two targets and one reception, he maximized that opportunity by generating a 41-yard touchdown.

Jameson Williams’ 1st career catch is a TOUCHDOWN. 👏 @bigsgjamo

📺: #MINvsDET on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/RvZfbqafel pic.twitter.com/UxgqBFfI4g

— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2022

His involvement should only increase during the Lions’ upcoming contests, and he could become a resource for fantasy managers if Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson expand his role.

2. Christian Watson became the seventh wide receiver from the 2022 rookie class to be selected during the NFL draft when Green Bay secured him in Round 2 (34th overall). Watson registered a 29.9% snap share from Weeks 1-9, and was also limited to a 7.0% target share during that sequence which trailed teammates Allen Lazard (20.7%), Romeo Doubs (16.1%), Randall Cobb (12.4%), Sammy Watkins (10.6%), and Samori Toure (8.9%).

Watson also averaged 2.3 targets, 1.7 receptions, and 14.7 yards per game in those matchups, as his numbers were partially impacted by a hamstring injury. However, any fantasy managers who have Watson contained on their rosters have embraced the massive statistical surge that has transpired since Week 10.

Your NFC Offensive Rookie of the Month, Christian Watson! 🔥 @ChristianW2017 | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/tpApby5des

— GBP Daily (@GBPdaily) December 1, 2022

The 6’5”, 210-pound Watson has consistently demonstrated his ability to flourish as a downfield weapon during his last four matchups as he operates with an enticing blend of size and speed, while also exhibiting the ability to gain separation.

Watson has become an unquestioned WR2 while soaring to the team lead in target share (23.6%), targets (27/6.8 per game), receiving yards (313/78.3 per game), air yards (466), air yards share (44.1%), yards after catch (98), targets per route run (36%), and yards per route run (4.17).

Christian Watson with his 7th TD in 3.5 games 🤯 (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/pqZXQfd6v0

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

Watson has also generated touchdowns on a steady basis during that four-game span (7) while leading all wide receivers in that category. Watson was also fourth overall in air yards, fifth in air yards share, eighth in receiving yards, and 10th in yards after catch during those matchups as the Packers entered their bye week.

Watson had also skyrocketed to WR3 in scoring during that sequence, which was fueled by his propensity to locate the end zone. He has also infused a level of explosiveness into a Green Bay passing attack that ranks 16th while averaging 220.2 yards per game. That represents a decline of 33.7 yards per game when contrasted with last year's eighth-ranked unit that averaged 253.8 yards per game.

Christian Watson becoming BFFs with the end zone@ChristianW2017 @Packers pic.twitter.com/iZhtVkw6eN

— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2022

Watson has been joined by Lazard in functioning as the top two receiving options for Aaron Rodgers, since Watson’s statistical rise. Lazard is second on the Packers in virtually every major receiving category during Watson’s ascension, including his 21.8% target share.

He is also second behind Watson in targets (24/6.0 per game), receiving yards (193/48.3 per game), air yards (281), air yards share (26.6%), and yards after catch (193). He is also second in targets per route run (27.9%), and also with an average of 2.2 yards per route run.

Green Bay will host the Rams on Monday Night, while the Packers will travel to Miami in Week 16, and host the Vikings in Week 17. Anyone who has Watson contained on their rosters is already planning to deploy him as a high-end WR2 during each matchup.

3. Multiple teams have transitioned to new starting quarterbacks in recent weeks. Several of these transformations occurred as the result of injuries, (Baltimore, San Francisco, Arizona, Los Angeles Rams). However, the conversion that transpired in Cleveland was fueled by the return of Deshaun Watson following his suspension.

Watson made his debut as a Brown in Week 13 after Jacoby Brissett had spearheaded Cleveland’s offense during the team’s first 11 matchups. The 29-year-old Brissett exceeded expectations while guiding the Browns’ aerial attack, and his ability to locate Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones consistently helped both receivers exceed expectations in their usage and production which had also provided fantasy managers with viable resources for their rosters.

COOOOOOOP! 🗣

Amari Cooper scores his second touchdown in as many games! pic.twitter.com/w46CJVVqCQ

— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) September 23, 2022

Cooper vaulted to WR8 with Brissett as Cleveland’s starting signal caller, while he also captured a 26.6% percent target share during that sequence. Cooper was also ninth among all wide receivers with 93 targets (8.5 per game), 12th in both receptions (57/5.2 per game), and receiving yards (792/72 per game), fifth in air yards (1,172), seventh in air yards share (39.5%), and tied for third with seven touchdowns.

Donovan Peoples-Jones had elevated to WR44 while operating with Brissett, while he also secured an 18.6% target share. Peoples-Jones also collected 65 targets (5.9 per game), 42 receptions (3.8 per game), and 593 receiving yards 593/53.9 per game), after entering 2022 with career-highs of 4.1 targets, 2.4 receptions, and 42.6 yards per game.

this was ruled incomplete but it almost ended in disaster for Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/nmCNHITWPD

— alex (@highlghtheaven) December 4, 2022

Watson’s first matchup under center since January 2020 exhibited the downside of his extended absence from game action in Week 13. His unsightly performance included just 12 completions on 22 attempts, 131 yards zero touchdowns, and one interception.

Cooper secured a 42.9% target share while accumulating a team-high nine targets during Watson’s season debut. However, he only collected four receptions, while manufacturing 40 yards. He also led the Browns in air yards (82), and air yards share (42.9%). Peoples-Jones attained a 14.3% target share as he caught all three of his targets from Watson in Week 13. He also led the Browns with 44 receiving yards.

Watson performed more effectively when Cleveland visited Cincinnati in Week 14, as he connected on 26 of his 42 attempts. His completion percentage rose from 54.5% to 61.9%, while he produced one touchdown and tossed another interception. His yards per attempt also increased from 5.95 to 6.6, while his air yards per attempt also improved from 3.9 to 6.6.

Cooper was contending with a hip issue that had created uncertainty surrounding his ability to perform against the Bengals. This fueled his drop to an 18% target share, as he was targeted seven times by Watson. Cooper was also limited to just two receptions which was his second-lowest reception total of the season.

Cooper has now operated with a 26.7% target share during that sequence while averaging 8.0 targets, 3.0 receptions, and 41 yards per game. He has also run 44 routes, while being targeted on 36.4% of those routes, and has averaged 1.86 yards per route run.

Donovan holds on for the solid gain 😯

📺: #CLEvsCIN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/pFnaB1ROvY

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 11, 2022

While the timing of Cooper's injury was unfortunate for anyone with Cooper on their rosters, Peoples-Jones' numbers improved considerably in Week 14 as he became the beneficiary of expanded targeting from Watson. Peoples-Jones commandeered a 30.8% target share and accumulated a career-high 12 targets. He also established new career highs in receptions (8), and receiving yardage (114), and soared to second among all wide receivers in air yards share (61%).

Peoples-Jones has now averaged 7.5 targets, 5.5 receptions, and 79 yards per game since the transition to Watson. He has also run 47 routes, while being targeted on 31.9% of those routes, and has also averaged 3.36 yards per route run. He can be deployed minimally as a flex during Cleveland's next three matchups (Baltimore/New Orleans/Washington) and would ascend into high-end WR3 terrain if Cooper remains encumbered by his hip issue.

4. Chris Moore was not included on the list of wide receivers that fantasy managers would have expected to become a productive starter for their rosters during 2022. The prospects of depending on Moore during a must-win matchup in Week 14 would have also been inconceivable prior to the regular season.

CHRIS MOORE. ONE HAND.

📺 » FOX pic.twitter.com/Ez8bQjsoCD

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 11, 2022

However, Moore surpassed his previous season highs, while capturing 11 targets, collecting 10 receptions, and generating 124 yards when Houston traveled to Dallas in Week 14. The seventh-year receiver had entered the contest with career highs of eight targets, five receptions, and had only reached 100 yards once during 84 previous matchups in his career.

Moore had also entered 2022 with career averages of 1.5 targets, 0.9 receptions, and 10.1 receiving yards per game. However, more has been positioned to operate with the most integral role of his career in recent weeks. He also vaulted into responsibilities as the Texans' primary receiving option in Week 14 due to the collective absence of Nico Collins, and Brandin Cooks.

Moore attained an 80% snap share which was his highest one-game percentage since Week 7 of the 2017 regular season. He paced the Texans in each aforementioned category, while also leading the team in air yards (85%), air yards share (56.7%), and yards after catch (45). Moore was also targeted on 40.7% of his routes while averaging 4.59 yards per route run.

Since Week 9, Moore has secured an 18.7% target share, while collecting 35 targets (5.8 per game), 27 receptions (4.5 per game), and 310 receiving yards (51.7 per game).

Collins is contending with a foot injury, and his status should be monitored leading up to Houston's Week 15 matchup with Kansas City. Collins had been averaging 9.0 targets, 4.8 receptions, and 44 yards per game from Weeks 10-13. However, he may not reemerge for the Texans' encounter with the Chiefs.

Cooks remains disgruntled with the Texans’ organization and it is reasonable to expect his absence to continue. All of which sustains Moore’s importance to Houston’s aerial efforts. That also elevates him among viable roster additions, who can deliver critical fantasy points during upcoming matchups.

Moore is not the only wide receiver whose recent statistical surge was unexpected. Elijah Moore’s statistical descent during 2022 has been disheartening for anyone who eagerly seized him at his ADP during the draft season (79/WR34). He secured a 90.1% snap share while averaging 7.0 targets per game from Weeks 1-3 with Joe Flacco under center for the Jets.

However, his snap share dropped to 52.2% from Weeks 4-12 while his average plummeted to 2.1 targets per game during those contests. This was a byproduct of Zach Wilson’s deficiencies, while Moore also journeyed to Robert Saleh’s doghouse following his comments regarding his role in the offense.

Didn't show up in the box score. But huge role change for Elijah Moore yesterday. #Jets routes run on 59 Mike White dropbacks:

* Garrett Wilson 54
* Corey Davis 47
* Elijah Moore 45
* Denzel Mims 13
* Braxton Berrios 12

Elijah was in the slot on 42 of his 58 snaps.

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) December 5, 2022

However, Moore has reemerged as a prospective flex option after averaging 8.0 targets per game during his last two matchups. That includes his first double-digit target total since December of 2021 when he was targeted 10 times in Week 14. He also secured an 82% snap share, a team-high 22.7% target share, was targeted on 21.3% of his routes, and averaged 1.28 yards per route run.

Corey Davis sustained a head injury when operating against the Bills in Week 14. If Davis remains sidelined during Sunday’s enticing matchup with Detroit, then Moore’s path to another favorable target total would be cleared.

5. Fantasy managers have been presented with favorable numbers from a cluster of wide receivers who have been examined in the section, and several of these players are emerging as starting options at an opportune time. Unfortunately, there are several other wide receivers who had been considered every-week starters but their recent production has made it difficult to continue trusting them in your lineups. 

From Weeks 1-4 Mike Evans secured a team-high 18.8% target share while averaging 7.0 targets, 5.3 receptions, and 78.3 yards per game. He was also tied for third overall with three touchdowns, which propelled him to WR18 in PPR scoring.

Tom Brady ➡️ Mike Evans for Bucs first TD of the game

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/E9k9Hxm9eo

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 3, 2022

He also averaged 92 air yards per game and averaged an air yards share of 29.3% during that sequence. Evans was also targeted on 24.4% of his 86 routes, while he averaged 2.73 yards per route run.

Since Week 5 Evans has attained an 18.9% target shared and has been averaging 8.6 targets and 104.4 air yards per game. However, his per-game averages in receptions (4.8), and receiving yards (63.3) have declined, and he has also failed to generate another touchdown during his last nine games. Evans has also dropped to WR33 during that span.

Oh my God Mike Evans brutal TD drop 😮 pic.twitter.com/1BlLyparhz

— TimeoutSPORTS__ (@TimeoutSPORTS3) October 23, 2022

Since Week 10 Evans has averaged 7.0 targets, and 82.8 air yards per game, but his averages in receptions (3.8), and receiving yards (47) have dropped even further. He has failed to exceed 59 receiving during any of his last five contests, while his inability to generate a touchdown has continued. Evans’ catch rate has also diminished from 76.2% in Weeks 1-4 to 53.6% since Week 10. His yards per target have also decreased significantly (11.2/6.7) during those two sequences. while he has also plunged a WR60 – which has been an uncomfortable experience for anyone who invested in him at his ADP (26/WR9) during the draft process.

Chris Godwin has led the Buccaneers in targets (43/10.8 per game) since Week 10 during that sequence and is also sixth overall among all wide receivers in that category. Godwin is also sixth overall in receptions (31/7.8 per game) and has accumulated receiving yards (298 receiving yards (74.5 per game) in those matchups.

Tom Brady was leading the league in passing yardage from Weeks 4-9 (1,874) while averaging 312.3 per game. He has dropped to 16th overall with 1,038 yards since Week 10, while his average per game has decreased to 259.5 per game. Brady was also averaging 6.4 yards per attempt from Weeks 4-9 but that average has also diminished to 5.7 since Week 10.

It may be difficult for you to sit Evans when Tampa Bay hosts Cincinnati on Sunday.  However, you should be realistic with your expectations if you start him.  The Buccaneers' inefficiencies as a unit have contributed to his statistical plunge and should continue against the Bengals. This makes it unlikely that Evans will suddenly recapture his previous level of proficiency during the matchup.

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