Wide Receiver Breakouts for Fantasy Football: Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Josh Palmer, Rondale Moore, Terrace Marshall Jr., Garrett Wilson

You are already aware that wide receivers will play a critical role in the success of your teams. The undeniable volatility that exists with the running back position has also presented an increasing rationale for prioritizing wide receivers when you build your rosters – both at the onset of your drafts and as you manage your teams throughout the entire season. The numbers that are generated by all wide receivers provide the foundation for this weekly statistical breakdown of the position, which I will be constructing for the fifth consecutive season.

This will be the ninth 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.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
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• Kicker fantasy football rankings
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• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Week 9 Target Leaders

Ever see a @cheetah do flips?

📺: #MIAvsCHI on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/PrdJzxjse4 pic.twitter.com/65iW6lOCdw

— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2022

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers in targets for a third consecutive week as he has now collected an even 100 (11.1 per game) entering Week 10.  Cooper Kupp has collected 9+ targets in six of his eight matchups which has expanded his overall total to 93.

Davante Adams is third overall (85) after stockpiling 17 targets in two different contests. Justin Jefferson is next (84) after he captured 13 targets for the third time this season in Week 9. Stefon Diggs has now accumulated 83 targets while reaching double digits in five of his last seven games. Michael Pittman Jr. has secured 76 targets even though the six that he collected in Week 9 tied his season-low.

Pittman is tied with Diontae Johnson who has attained a 26.6% target share as he returns from Pittsburgh’s bye week. Ja’Marr Chase is next with 74 targets, even though he has been sidelined since Week 7.

CeeDee Lamb has accumulated 73 targets despite averaging 6.5 per game in Weeks 7-8. Chris Olave is next (72) as the talented rookie’s target share has now improved to 26.9%. Olave is followed by D.J. Moore  (71) even though Moore failed to reach double digits for a third consecutive game in Week 9.

Mike Evans leads all wide receivers with 37 targets since Week 7, which has propelled his overall total to 70. That ties in him with Christian Kirk, who has now collected 9+ targets in two of his last three matchups. Jaylen Waddle has also accrued 70 targets while averaging 7.8 per game since Week 6.

1 + 11 = ENDZONE#PHIvsHOU | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/EenypJSpUc

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 4, 2022

A.J. Brown has now accumulated 69 targets and is fifth overall with a 30.7% target share. D.K. Metcalf has now assembled 68 targets despite averaging 6.3 per game since Week 6.

Garrett Wilson has also secured 68 targets while averaging 8.0 per game during his last two contests. This is a promising development for fantasy managers as he had been averaging 4.3 per game from Weeks 5-7.

Amari Cooper has now accrued 66 targets and his favorable numbers will be examined further in the Five Things I Noticed section. Tyler Lockett has also accumulated 66 targets even though he has not reached a double-digit total since Week 3.

Lockett is joined by Curtis Samuel who has failed to exceed five targets during three of his last four matchups. Chris Godwin has now captured 10+ targets in four consecutive matchups which have launched his overall total to 65.

Terry McLaurin has now averaged 8.3 targets per game during Washington’s last three contests which elevated his overall total to 62. He is tied with Courtland Sutton who has only averaged 5.3 per game since Week 6.

Big #VictoryMonday mood 😤#BudLightCelly | @BudLight pic.twitter.com/jW9t8GdzSs

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 8, 2022

JuJu Smith-Schuster’s  12 targets in Week 9 represented his first double-digit target total since Week 16 of the 2020 regular season. He also joined 24 other wide receivers who have accumulated 60+ targets from Weeks 1- 9.

Mike Williams is next with 59 targets even though he has been sidelined since Week 7.  He is tied with Amon-Ra St. Brown who has averaged 9.5 targets per game since Week 8.

Tee Higgins has now averaged seven targets per game during Chase‘s absence which has expanded his overall total to 58. Adam Thielen has collected 7+ targets during seven consecutive matchups while accumulating 57 entering Week 10.

Chase Claypool has now averaged 7.2 targets per game since Week 5 after collecting six during his debut with Chicago. Claypool’s 56 targets tie him with Drake London who is eighth overall with a 29% target share since Week 1.

Zay Jones has now accumulated 55 targets even though he has failed to surpass five during three of his last four matchups. Brandon Aiyuk has also accrued 55 targets which have been fueled by the 22 that he accumulated in Weeks 6-7. Two wide receivers will be returning from their Week 9 byes having accumulated 54 targets: Jerry Jeudy, and Deebo Samuel.

Eight different wide receivers are now averaging 10+ targets per game entering Week 10: Kupp (11,5), Hill (11.1), Marquise Brown (10.7), Hopkins (10.7), Adams (10.6), Chas(10.6), Jefferson (10.5), and Diggs (10.4).

Week 9 Target Risers And Fallers 

Nine different wide receivers were targeted at least 10 times during their matchups in Week 9. The highest weekly total was secured by Davante Adams, as his 17 targets matched his season high which had been established during the Raiders’ season opener. Adams is currently fourth among all wide receivers with a 31.0% target share from Weeks 1-9.

Even when he's covered, he's uncovered.@KirkCousins8 @JJettas2

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/o2jrjHrIdm

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 6, 2022

Justin Jefferson collected 13 targets and has now accrued that exact total during three of his last five matchups. He has also captured 10+ in five different contests since Week 1.

Juju Smith-Schuster’s 12 targets represented his first double-digit total of the season after he entered Kansas City’s Week 9 matchup averaging 6.9 per game. He has now captured 8+ in six of his eight matchups. Mike Evans has now been targeted 11 times by Tom Brady in two consecutive games while reaching double digits for the third straight week (15/11/11).

Stefon Diggs vs Sauce Gardner 👀 pic.twitter.com/RWeipWJ9K3

— PFF (@PFF) November 6, 2022

Stefon Diggs secured a double-digit total for the fifth time this season when he captured 10 targets during Buffalo‘s AFC East matchup with the Jets. Allen Lazard had been averaging 6.8 per game entering Week 9 before he secured a career-high 10 in Week 9. He has now registered 8+ in four matchups this season.

Chris Godwin has accumulated 62 targets (10.3 per game) during his last six contests, after collecting 10 in Week 9. He has also reached double digits five times during that span. Rondale Moore also captured 10 targets for the second time in four weeks and he is now 12th overall with 30 targets (7.5 per game) during that four-game sequence.

Josh Palmer became the fifth wide receiver to accumulate 10 targets in Week 9. He also obtained a 23.3% target share while operating as the Chargers' WR1 and has now secured a double-digit total during each of his last two matchups. His numbers will be discussed further in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Cooper Kupp was targeted nine times by Matthew Stafford when the Rams traveled to Tampa Bay in Week 9 and has now registered 9+ during six of his eight matchups. Christian Kirk has captured 9+ targets in five different contests and is eighth among all wide receivers with 26 targets (8.7 per game) since Week 8.

Terry McLaurin‘s nine targets tied his season high and he has now accumulated 8+ during three consecutive games. Garrett Wilson’s nine targets represented his highest weekly total since Week 3 while his 37.5% target share was tied for the second among all wide receivers in Week 9. Chris Olave also collected nine targets in Week 9 and is now averaging 10.0 per game since Week 7.

Crispy route running by the rookie @chrisolave_ #Saints

📺: #BALvsNO on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/ItTaAQcu0C pic.twitter.com/XOWY40ejPK

— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2022

Mecole Hardman also accrued nine targets in Week 9 which was his highest weekly total since Kansas City’s regular-season finale in 2021. It was also the first time that he had exceeded six targets throughout the 2022 regular season. Amon-Ra St. Brown has now accumulated 9+ targets in five of his seven matchups while he also attained a 37.5% target share in Week 9.

Not only did Adams's 17 targets tie his season high as mentioned previously but those targets were also collected just one week after he was limited to a season-low five. That resulted in the largest week-to-week rise of any wide receiver (+12).

Scotty Miller was limited to four targets from Weeks 6-8 including the two that he registered in Week 8. However, he tied his season-high by accumulating eight targets in Week 9, which resulted in the second-highest increase of the week (+6).

Jefferson’s 13 targets in Week 9 were captured after he had accumulated eight during his previous matchup. That fueled his weekly increase of +5.

That's in fact a TD 🙌 @mulatto15

📺 » @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/ykzdFNTbcl

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 4, 2022

Chris Moore operated with a 63% snap share in Week 8 but was not targeted during Houston‘s matchup with Tennessee. However, his five targets in Week 9 tied for the team lead as the Texans functioned without Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins in the lineup. Moore’s involvement fueled a surge of +5 in his week-to-week totals.

Sammy Watkins was relegated to one target while being involved in 79% of Green Bay’s snaps in Week 8. His snap share only rose incrementally in Week 9 (81%) but he was targeted five times by Aaron Rodgers. That resulted in a weekly increase of +4.

DeAndre Hopkins returned from his extended absence in Week 7 and promptly stockpiled 27 targets in Weeks 7-8. That includes the 13 that he collected in Week 8. He was limited to five targets when Arizona hosted Seattle in Week 9 which ignited his weekly decline of -8.

Jakobi Meyers' was targeted 13 times in Week 8 which tied his season-high. He had also been targeted six times when New England hosted Indianapolis in Week 9 which resulted in a drop of -7.

DeVonta Smith was targeted eight times in Week 8 while securing a 26.7% target share. His snap share rose from 74% to 89% in Week 9 but he was relegated to just two targets. That diminished his week-to-week total by-6. That also tied Smith with Tyreek Hill whose three-game streak of capturing 13+ targets ended in Week 9.

D.J. Moore had accumulated 21 targets in Weeks 7-8 while he also accrued 11 targets in Week 8. He was limited to six targets in Week 9. This resulted in a reduction of -5.

Week 9 Air Yards

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers in air yards for a second consecutive week (1,171). Chris Olave is second overall (1,045) followed by Davante Adams (963), Stefon Diggs (955), Mike Evans (888), D.J. Moore (824), Amari Cooper (804), Terry McLaurin (780), Jaylen Waddle (775), D.K. Metcalf (771), and Diontae Johnson with 764 air yards entering Week 10.

CeeDee Lamb is next (762), followed by Courtland Sutton (753), A.J. Brown (749), Justin Jefferson (748), Tyler Lockett (740), and Cooper Kupp (710). Mike Williams is next (695), followed by Allen Lazard (673), Marquise Brown (669), Ja’Marr Chase (664), Gabriel Davis (648), Jerry Jeudy (638), Darnell Mooney (635), Christian Kirk (626), and Marvin Jones completing the list of 25 wide receivers who have accumulated 600+ air yards.

.@DeAndreHopkins has a touchdown in back-to-back weeks! 🙏

📺: #SEAvsAZ on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/kMZLWAYkDL pic.twitter.com/rebYVUOT5c

— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2022

DeAndre Hopkins has commandeered a 46.7% air yard share since his return to the Arizona Cardinals. A.J. Brown is next (44.6%), followed by D.J. Moore (44.1%), Robbie Anderson (42.7%), Tyreek Hill (41.4%), Davante Adams (41.1%), Chris Olave (40.9%), Marquise Brown (40.5%), and CeeDee Lamb who has attained an air yard share of 40.4%.

Justin Jefferson is next (39.9%), followed by Amari Cooper (39.8%), Cooper Kupp (38.6%), Darnell Mooney (38.4%), Darius Slayton (38.2%), Stefon Diggs (37.4%), Mike Williams (37.3%), D.K. Metcalf (37.1%), Mike Evans (36.7%), Tyler Lockett (35.6%), Ja’Marr Chase (35.4%), Allen Lazard (35.4%), Diontae Johnson (33.3%), and Terry McLaurin who has secured an air yard share of 33.0%.

Week 9 Targets Per Route Run

A 69-YARD TD?! YES PLEASE!

🔟 @CooperKupp | 📺 @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Vse4dCRGNU

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 6, 2022

Cooper Kupp continues to lead all wide receivers in targets per route run (37.7%) entering Week 10. Tyreek Hill remains second overall (34.0%), followed by Amon-Ra St. Brown (32.4%), Davante Adams (32.1%), CeeDee Lamb (31.9%), Chris Olave (31.7%), Jakobi Meyers (29.5%), Deebo Samuel (29%), Amari Cooper (28.7%), and DeAndre Hopkins, who has been targeted on 28.6% of his routes.

A.J. Brown is next (27.4%), followed by Stefon Diggs (27.1%), Drake London (26.7%), Chris Godwin (26.1%), D.J. Moore (25.8%), Brandon Aiyuk (25.3%), Justin Jefferson (25.1%), and Tee Higgins, completing the list of 18 wide receivers who have been targeted on at least 25% of the routes.

D.K. Metcalf is next (24.8%), followed by Mike Williams (24.6%), Marquise Brown (24.6%), Jaylen Waddle (24.5%), Garrett Wilson (24.5%), Mike Evans (24%), Scotty Miller (23.9%), and Courtland Sutton, who has been targeted on 23.8% of his routes.

Week 9 Yards Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill continues to lead all wide receivers with an average of 3.76 yards per route run. Cooper Kupp is second (3.29), followed by A.J. Brown (2.85), Jaylen Waddle (2.84), Stefon Diggs (2.8), Chris Olave (2.72), DeAndre Hopkins (2.66), Jakobi Meyers (2.6), Justin Jefferson (2.6), Davante Adams (2.48), and two receivers who are averaging 2.43 yards per route run: CeeDee Lamb, and Tee Higgins.

Amari Cooper is next (2.4), followed by Rashod Bateman (2.39), Brandon Aiyuk (2.23), Amon-Ra St. Brown (2.19), Tre’Quan Smith (2.18), Juju Smith-Schuster (2.16), and two receivers that are tied with an average of 2.11 - Mike Evans, and DeVante Parker. Deebo Samuel is next (2.08), followed by three receivers who are averaging 2.86 yards per route run: Mike Williams, Olamide Zacchaeus, and Randall Cobb.

Tyler Lockett, and Nico Collins, are averaging 2.05 yards per route run, followed by Darius Slayton (2.04), Allen Lazard (1.96), Donovan-Peoples-Jones (1.92), and two receivers that are tied with -1.89 yards per route run: Christian Kirk, and Jerry Jeudy.

Week 9 Red Zone Targets

He may look covered. But Justin Jefferson never is.

📺: #MINvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/rhDoPc9SFW pic.twitter.com/j3Q7GMUINJ

— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2022

Justin Jefferson was targeted three times in the red zone when Minnesota traveled to Washington in Week 9. That propelled him into the league lead with 15 red zone targets from Weeks 1-9.

Ja’Marr Chase and D.K. Metcalf have both been targeted 14 times, while Davante Adams and Allen Robinson have each collected 13. Stefon Diggs and Christian Kirk have captured 12 targets while Cooper Kupp, A.J. Brown, and Allen Lazard have been targeted 11 times. Five different receivers have accumulated 10 targets inside the 20: Mike Evans, Juju Smith-Schuster, Garrett Wilson, Adam Thielen, and Mecole Hardman.

Robinson leads all wide receivers with 11 targets inside the 10-yard line while Jefferson has been targeted 10 times. Five different receivers have collected seven targets - Adams, Chase, Kirk, Wilson, and Josh Reynolds.

Robinson has also accumulated the most targets inside the 5-yard line (seven). Adams is second overall (six) while Chase, Kirk, and Diggs have all been targeted five times inside the 5-yard line.

Week 9 Snap Counts

Cooper Kupp has maintained his lead among all wide receivers with a 98.8% snap share. Justin Jefferson is second overall (97.5%), followed by D.J. Moore (97.4%), DeAndre Hopkins (95.8%), Michael Pittman (95.8%), Ja’Marr Chase (95.3%), Marquise Brown (94.9%), Adam Thielen (94.1%), and Terry McLaurin, who has attained a share of 93.8%.

Davante Adams is next (93.7%), followed by Gabriel Davis (92.9%), Courtland Sutton (92.9%), Rondale Moore (92.3%), Mack Hollins (92.1%), CeeDee Lamb (91.9%), Brandon Ayuk (91.9%), Allen Robinson (91.5%), and Diontae Johnson, who has secured a snap share of 91.1%.

DeVonta Smith has been involved on 89.7% of Philadelphia’s offensive snaps, followed by Christian Kirk (89.0%), Mike Williams (88.7%), Darnell Mooney (88.1%), Allen Lazard (87.6%), and Donovan Peoples-Jones with a snap share of 86.7%.

Terry McLaurin now leads all wide receivers with 555 offensive snaps. Michael Pittman is second (524), followed by Christian Kirk (516), Parris Campbell (504), Justin Jefferson (497), DeVonta Smith (487), D.J. Moore (481), Darnell Mooney (481), Adam Thielen (480), Cooper Kupp (478) and three receivers that are tied with 473 snaps: Courtland Sutton, Tyler Boyd, and Curtis Samuel.

Donovan Peoples-Jones is next (470), followed by Zay Jones (461), Diontae Johnson (460), Mike Evans (453), Davante Adams (449), Amari Cooper (449), Ja’Marr Chase (447), Allen Robinson (443), A.J. Brown (442), and two receivers that are tied at 441 -  Brandon Aiyuk and Mack Hollins. CeeDee Lamb and Chase Claypool are next (436) followed by Mike Williams (430), Gabriel Davis (421), and Miami teammates Tyreek Hill (416) and Jaylen Waddle (414).

Five Things I Noticed

1. The blockbuster trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver ignited a skyrocketing wave of optimism regarding the numbers that Wilson and his most targeted receiving options would generate in the Broncos' reconstructed offense. The ADPs of Courtland Sutton (35/WR15), and Jerry Jeudy (64/WR28) also soared during draft season even though it was unclear which wide receiver might ultimately become the primary beneficiary of Wilson’s arrival. 

However, the Broncos have not generated numbers that bear resemblance to the lofty expectations that had been built during the offseason. Denver is 19th in passing yardage (220.5 per game) and the Broncos have plummeted to 30th in scoring offense (15.1 points per game).

Russell Wilson throws a costly interception to keep the Colts alive.
pic.twitter.com/7L1gN5XWgy

— 7️⃣7️⃣ WABC Sports (@77wabcsports) October 7, 2022

Wilson’s arrival has failed to provide the elixir that fueled Sutton’s rise into a consistent and prolific vertical weapon, nor did it provide the cure-all for Jeudy’s unfulfilled promise as a former-first-round draft selection.

Wilson is 19th overall in passing yardage (1694 yards/242 per game), 20th in passing attempts (228/32.6 per game) 23rd in completions (134/19.1 per game), and has plunged to 34th with a 58.8% completion percentage. Wilson is tied for fourth in intended air yards per attempt (9.0) but is 10th in completed air yards per attempt (3.8).

Sutton’s numbers were encouraging from Weeks 1-5 as he rose to 10th overall in targets (46/9.2 per game/28.2% share), ninth in receptions (29/5.8 per game), and sixth in receiving yards (417/69.5 per game). He was also third in air yards (568) and eighth in air yard share (39.8%) during those matchups.

Big 3rd down to @jerryjeudy.#DENvsJAX on ESPN+
Also available on NFL+ https://t.co/1hxHCYIRGv pic.twitter.com/YyX1SejXfl

— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2022

However, Jeudy leads Denver in each of those categories since Week 6 due to a combination of his rising numbers and the significant decline in Sutton's results. Jeudy is pacing the Broncos in targets (25/8.3 per game/28.7% share), receptions (16/5.3 per game) receiving yards (213/71 per game), air yards (283), and air yard share (28.7%) and is also 12th overall in yards after catch during that sequence.

Courtland Sutton 🔎❓ pic.twitter.com/yMKrZLSLEY

— Mojo Markets (@mojo) October 30, 2022

Sutton has been relegated to alarmingly low numbers during that three-game span which has dropped him below Jeudy in targets (16/5.3 per game/16.7% share), receptions (6/2.0 per game), receiving yards (50/16.7 per game), air yards (185), and air yards share (18.7%). Sutton has also failed to exceed 14 yards in two of his last three games while also averaging 3.4 yards per target during that span.

Tight end Greg Dulcich has emerged from a protracted hamstring injury in Week 6 to finish second behind Jeudy in targets (17/5.7 per game/17.7% share), receptions (12/4,0 per game), and receiving yards (182//60.7 per game).

Jeudy ran a team-high 213 routes during that three-game sequence, while also leading the Broncos in targets per route run (29.8%), and pacing Denver’s wide receivers in yards per route run (2.54). Sutton ran 74 routes during that span, was targeted on 21.6% of those routes, and averaged just 0.68 yards per route run.

As of this very moment, Jerry Jeudy has more fantasy points on the year than Courtland Sutton

Maybe I was too quick to take that L

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) October 30, 2022

Jeudy was also WR29 prior to Denver's bye week while Sutton was stationed at WR33. It is conceivable that the Broncos will resurface with a more efficient aerial attack on Sunday. However, it is unlikely that Jeudy or Sutton will function as dependable resources that can usher teams through the fantasy playoffs, as they appear destined to operate as WR3s.

2. Amari Cooper collected 429 targets (7.7 per game), 292 receptions (5.2 per game) 3,893 receiving yards (69.5 per game), and 27 touchdowns during his 56 games with the Cowboys.

However, Cooper’s numbers declined in multiple categories during 2021 when contrasted with his previous two seasons.  Cooper had finished at WR010/WR15 in 2019/2020 before dropping to WR27 last season.

His per-game averages in targets (6.9), receptions (4.5), and receiving yards (57.7) in 2021 were his lowest since 2017. His 18.7% target share was second on the Cowboys to CeeDee Lamb’s 21.0%, while also representing the lowest share of Cooper’s career.

Cooper emerged in a new environment last March after Dallas jettisoned the eight-year veteran to Cleveland. It initially appeared that Cooper would join a Browns offense that would be spearheaded by Baker Mayfield. He later seemed destined to operate with newly acquired Deshaun Watson as his signal caller.

Instead, Cooper has functioned in an aerial attack that has been guided by Jacoby Brissett, who is 17th in passing attempts (255/31.9 per game), 15th in completions (163/20.4 per game), and 11th among all quarterbacks in passing yardage (1,862/232.8 per game). Brissett is also 12th in yards per attempt (7.3), and 14th in air yards per attempt (7.0).

Absolutely insane catch by Amari Cooperpic.twitter.com/oXe26e2Ufz

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) November 1, 2022

Cooper has thrived as Cleveland’s unquestioned WR1 with Brissett under center while accumulating numbers that launched him to WR8 entering Cleveland’s bye week. Cooper has commandeered a 27.3% target share which is 13th among all wide receivers. He was also 11th overall in targets (66/8.3 per game), 14th in receptions (39/4.9 per game), 10th in receiving yards (553/69.1 per game), and eighth in red zone targets (10) from Weeks 1-8.

You can count the number of people on this planet who run better routes than Amari Cooper on one hand 💨 pic.twitter.com/wLApaZWEOf

— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) November 1, 2022

Cooper had also vaulted to fourth among all wide receivers in air yards (804), 12th in air yards share (39.8%), and seventh in yards before catch (436). He had also run 230 routes, was 10th in targets per route run (28.7%), and was averaging 2.4 yards per route run.

Cooper’s numbers have been assembled while he operates within an offense that ranks 26th in pass play percentage (50.6%). The Browns are also 21st in pass attempts per game (32), and 16th in passing yards per game (221.1 per game).

Donovan going 🆙

📺: #CINvsCLE on ESPN pic.twitter.com/0LEvKXijsS

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 1, 2022

Donovan Peoples-Jones has secured WR2 responsibilities for Cleveland and is currently second behind Cooper in multiple categories. He has attained a career-best 19.0% target share while accumulating 46 targets (5.8 per game), 30 receptions (3.8 per game), 471 receiving yards (52.1 per game), 502 air yards, and attaining an air yards share of 24.8%.

The Browns’ passing attack will undergo a significant transition in Week 13 when Watson emerges under center. Cooper’s numbers will be examined again once that transpires, but he can be considered a borderline WR1 with Brissett or Watson launching passes in his direction. Peoples-Jones is currently a low-end WR3/WR4 who is a strong candidate to become entrenched in WR3 territory with Watson spearheading Cleveland’s aerial attack.

3. Anyone who invested in Keenan Allen during draft season is already aware that he was selected as a borderline WR1 in Round 3 (ADP 32/WR13). Allen played on just 22 snaps before experiencing a hamstring issue that sidelined him during the Chargers’ season opener. He was unavailable until Week 7, then was limited to 23 snaps when Los Angeles hosted Seattle.

He was inactive in Week 9 when the Chargers returned from their bye week. The impact of Allen’s lingering health issue has combined with the continued absence of Mike Williams (ankle) to dramatically alter the roles of wide receivers who remained available for the Chargers’ Week 9 matchup in Atlanta.

let 'em know 🤧 pic.twitter.com/JbYcYASEXl

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 8, 2022

That included the ascension of Josh Palmer into responsibilities as the team’s WR1. Palmer had already collected 8+ targets during three different matchups from Weeks 2-6 and had entered the contest with a 16.3% target share. The second-year receiver has also accumulated 40 targets, 6.7 per game, 26 receptions (4.3 per game), and 240 receiving yards (40 per game) from Weeks 1-8.

Palmer was also third among L.A.’s wide receivers in air yard share (15.6%,) and air yards share (241). Palmer had also run 179 routes, been targeted on 22.4% of those routes, and averaged 1.34 yards per route run.

Palmer ultimately capitalized on his opportunity to operate as Herbert’s primary option at wide receiver during the Chargers’ matchup with the Falcons. Herbert distributed a team-high 10 targets to Palmer during the contest (23.3% share). Palmer collected eight of those targets and generated a career-high 106 yards while leading Los Angeles in each category.

Palmer also led the Chargers with a 91.3% snap share, while pacing the team in air yards (96), air yard share (39.8%), and yards after catch (27). He also led the team with 44 routes run, was targeted on 22.7% of those routes, and averaged 2.41 yards per route run.

While the status of Allen and Williams should be monitored, Palmer will continue to function as the team’s WR1 until either member of that tandem returns to the lineup. Palmer has now proven that he can maximize his opportunities, and should remain in all lineups while he is running routes with his current responsibilities.

He should also maintain an integral role within the aerial attack even after Allen and Williams have resurfaced and would retain WR2/high-end WR3 status if either Allen or Williams is unavailable during any of the Chargers’ remaining matchups.

4. Garrett Wilson was the second wide receiver to be selected during last April’s draft (10th overall) and he quickly demonstrated his ability to thrive at the professional level. Wilson soared to WR9 in PPR scoring during Weeks 2-3 and vaulted to fourth among all wide receivers with 25 targets during that two-game span. He also attained a 26.4% target share, was fifth overall in air yards (258), 12th in receptions (14/7 per game), and accumulated 162 yards (81 per game).

Joe Flacco had been spearheading the Jets' aerial attack during that sequence but the team transitioned to Zach Wilson in Week 4. That brought an immediate halt to Wilson's statistical surge, as his per-game averages plunged to 4.8 targets/2.5 receptions/25 yards from Weeks 4-7. His air yards also declined significantly (94), as did his yards after catch (54). Wilson was also just WR78 during that four-game span.

Garrett Wilson 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/Kv56rfcH8h

— Barstool Ohio State (@BarstoolOSU) October 30, 2022

However, Wilson's usage has risen sizably since Week 8 which has resuscitated his output. Wilson is 14th overall in targets (8.0 per game/27.6% share) and has ascended to fifth in receptions (14/7.0 per game). He is also fourth in receiving yards (207/103.5 per game), and third in yards after catch (89). He also finished at WR10 during those matchups.

#Jets WR Garrett Wilson is first among rookies in catches (42) & second in yards (521).

Three clips from Sunday:

1) Watch his release off the line.

2) Makes defender miss to get the 1st down.

3) He was out, but a slick one-handed grab.

A stud. pic.twitter.com/ZtGdUUBcW9

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 7, 2022

He also collected eight of his nine targets when the Jets hosted Buffalo in Week 9, while also eclipsing 90+ receiving yards for a second consecutive week. Wilson was also targeted on 30% of his routes and averaged a season-high 3.07 yards per route run.

Several factors have created a path for Wilson to accumulate favorable numbers. Corey Davis sustained a knee injury in Week 7 and has been sidelined during New York’s last two contests. He had been averaging 5.5 targets, 3.2 receptions, and a team-high 58.5 yards per game from Weeks 1-6, and was second on the team in routes run (194). He could re-emerge after New York’s bye and will join Wilson in operating as Zach Wilson's primary receiving weapons.

Elijah Moore was averaging 6.3 targets, 3.8 receptions, and 48 yards per game from Weeks 1-4, while also averaging 45.3 routes run during those matchups. He was limited to an 11-yard catch in Week 5, then failed to register a target in Week 6. Moore expressed his displeasure with his role and has been eviscerated from the offense since that occured (0 targets/9 routes run).

The torn ACL that ended Breece Hall’s season in Week 7 also expanded the Jets' reliance on their passing attack. Zach Wilson averaged just 19.5 attempts per game in Weeks 5-6 but has averaged 33 per game since Week 8.

.@GarrettWilson_V's release off the line 🤧#BUFvsNYJ on CBS pic.twitter.com/2dTAGBktWD

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 6, 2022

Wilson's immense talent remains unquestioned and his numbers with Zach Wilson under center during the Jets' last two games are encouraging. He should continue to capture a favorable target share while providing fantasy managers with a viable WR3 during his remaining matchups.

5. Terrace Marshall was the 10th wide receiver to be selected during the 2021 NFL draft (59th overall). His path to relevance has been far more protracted than other members of his rookie class who established their ability to deliver high-quality production at the NFL level last season (Ja’Marr Chase/Jaylen Waddle/Amon-Ra St. Brown) or have emerged as viable roster resources (DeVonta Smith/Rondale Moore/Josh Palmer).

Marshall completed a forgettable 2021 season with just 30 targets, 17 receptions, and 138 receiving yards. He also registered a 3.8% target share from Weeks 6-17 last season, while finishing with 10 targets, four receptions, and 31 yards.  This made it understandable that Marshall was not a consideration for fantasy managers during the 2022 draft season in anything beyond the deepest of leagues.

Marshall's second season progressed down a similar path as he entered Week 8 with just eight targets (9.8% share), six receptions, and 61 yards. However, his target share has soared to 24.2% since Week 8 while he has accumulated 15 targets, seven receptions, and 140 receiving yards. Marshall attained a 25.7% target share while collecting a career-high nine targets when Carolina traveled to Atlanta in Week 8. He also secured career bests in receiving yards (87), yards per reception (21.8), targets per route run (27.3%), and yards per route run (2.6) during that matchup.

Marshall also captured a 22.2% target share when the Panthers visited Cincinnati in Week 9. He also led the team in receiving yards (53) while accumulating 67 air yards, securing a 37.9% air yard share, and generating his first career touchdown.

First NFL TD for TMJ pic.twitter.com/jGA67erfzg

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 6, 2022

Marshall is now functioning as Carolina's unquestioned WR2 behind D.J. Moore and should continue to provide fantasy managers with a deployable flex option.

Rondale Moore was selected 10 spots before Marshall during the 2021 NFL Draft (49th overall). His numbers as a rookie were not as concerning as Marshall’s but they were largely uninspiring.

Moore finished seventh among first-year receivers in targets (64/4.6 per game), fifth in receptions (54/3.9 per game), and eighth in receiving yards (435/31.1 per game) during 2021. Moore was also just fourth among Arizona’s wide receivers in target share (14.3%) and finished at WR65. He also failed to reach a 50% snap share in 10 of his 14 matchups.

However, Moore has easily surpassed those numbers during his second season. That includes a snap share that has been sustained at 86% or higher in every contest and has eclipsed 90% in four different games.

Moore was sidelined in Weeks 1-3 due to a hamstring injury, but his target share has risen to 20.5%. He has also eclipsed 8+ targets in four of six matchups since he resurfaced and has secured 10+ in two different contests.

almost had him, gotta be quicker than that 😉@moore_rondale x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/QoNEpUmHPG

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 30, 2022

Moore has also vaulted to 12th overall with 30 targets (7.5 per game) since Week 6. He has also averaged 60.3 yards per game during that span, and 10th in yards after catch (246). Three of those games transpired after DeAndre Hopkins re-emerged from his suspension in Week 7, and Moore’s 19.1% target share is easily second behind Hopkins’ 30.5%.

Moore has also run 166 routes while being targeted on 18.1% percent of those routes and averaging 1.45 yards per route run during that four-game span. He has also emerged as a low-end WR3/flex option for fantasy managers.

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