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Wide Receiver Trends Banner - NFL, Air Yards, Targets

Wide Receiver Sleepers, Risers, Fantasy Football Breakouts - Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends Analysis For Week 5

by Kevin Tompkins

Targets are paramount when it comes to evaluating pass-catchers for fantasy football. There are no air yards, receiving yards, receptions, or touchdowns without first earning a target. There’s a reason the biggest and most consistent target-earners are among the top fantasy point scorers: they can be relied on by not just their team’s offense to earn targets and produce on those targets.

We’ll take a weekly team-by-team look into these target earners and separate the wheat from the chaff. To properly lead into what we’ll be looking at this season, we’ll have to establish a baseline of the most important things we’re looking at with targets and other receiving metrics that paint the full picture for who we should be rostering, who we should be adding, and who we can drop.

Everything we’ll discuss in this season’s WR Targets, Air Yards, and Snaps trends analysis article will be some of the best statistics and metrics correlating with fantasy football production. Think of targets as a page in a coloring book, representing the outline yet to be colored. Coloring on that page adds context and flavor to that page. That’s what we’ll do with targets — adding more context than just some target totals and box score stats.

Note: As the season progresses, noteworthy changes in usage and production will be blended into the equation. Statistics from our player pages at RotoBaller were included during the compilation of data, while Pro Football Reference, PFF, Fantasy Points Data, NFELO, NFL NextGenStats, RotoViz, ESPN Stats and Info, SumerSports, and Nathan Jahnke's Immediate Fantasy Football Takeaways article for that particular week were also used as resources in the creation of this article.

 

Important Links

We're also providing a full table with statistics for each week HERE.

 

Largest Target Share % Increases From Week 3 To Week 4

Name Pos. Team WK 3 Target Share WK 4 Target Share Diff (+/-)
D'Andre Swift RB CHI 6.4% 31.8% 25.4%
Travis Kelce TE KC 13.2% 37.5% 24.3%
Olamide Zaccheaus WR WAS 0.0% 20.0% 20.0%
Justice Hill RB BAL 13.3% 33.3% 20.0%
Deebo Samuel Sr. WR SF 0.0% 19.2% 19.2%
Xavier Legette WR CAR 5.9% 25.0% 19.1%
Mike Evans WR TB 10.0% 28.9% 18.9%
Jakobi Meyers WR LV 23.7% 41.7% 18.0%
Nico Collins WR HOU 22.0% 39.5% 17.5%
Rhamondre Stevenson RB NE 0.0% 17.2% 17.2%
Tyreek Hill WR MIA 17.9% 35.0% 17.1%
Tee Higgins WR CIN 15.8% 32.1% 16.4%
Ja'Lynn Polk WR NE 8.3% 24.1% 15.8%
CeeDee Lamb WR DAL 15.2% 30.8% 15.6%
Jordan Whittington WR LAR 13.0% 28.6% 15.5%

Kelce was needed big time when Rashee Rice went down with his knee injury, that's going to help the elite tight end discourse going around. Mike Evans coming off of Patrick Surtain II's coverage last week to this week explains that massive hike. Injuries have certainly explained some other jumps, like Xavier Legette, Jakobi Meyers, and Jordan Whittington, who are finding new opportunity with their teams in the wake of players like Adam Thielen, Davante Adams, and Cooper Kupp/Puka Nacua being out.

 

Largest Target Share % Decreases From Week 3 To Week 4

Name Pos. Team WK 3 Target Share WK 4 Target Share Diff (+/-)
Rashee Rice WR KC 36.8% 0.0% -36.8%
Demario Douglas WR NE 37.5% 10.3% -27.2%
Rashod Bateman WR BAL 26.7% 5.6% -21.1%
Jauan Jennings WR SF 40.0% 23.1% -16.9%
Lil'Jordan Humphrey WR DEN 21.2% 4.3% -16.9%
Jayden Reed WR GB 31.6% 16.0% -15.6%
Zay Flowers WR BAL 26.7% 11.1% -15.6%
Andrei Iosivas WR CIN 18.4% 3.6% -14.8%
Noah Fant TE SEA 18.2% 3.8% -14.3%
Brandon Aiyuk WR SF 33.3% 19.2% -14.1%
Darnell Mooney WR ATL 29.6% 15.6% -14.0%
Tyler Johnson WR LAR 17.4% 3.6% -13.8%
James Cook RB BUF 17.2% 3.6% -13.7%
Calvin Austin III WR PIT 16.7% 3.6% -13.1%
Zach Ertz TE WAS 22.7% 10.0% -12.7%

Let's pour one out for our boy, Rashee Rice, who can hopefully get some good news regarding his knee. Jauan Jennings certainly felt a returning Deebo Samuel coming in the target share, as did Andrei Iosivas with Tee Higgins getting back into rhythm. Tyler Johnson straight up got bodied by Jordan Whittington and his routes cratered to 13%, so it's hard to maintain even a modest target share when you're not running routes. A lot of these players on this list are the victim of nature regression, but Jayden Reed sticks out because the Packers went from a meager pass volume with Malik Willis to a returning Jordan Love who threw over 50 passes in Week 4.

 

Arizona Cardinals

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Marvin Harrison Jr. WR 6 5 45 1 32.0% 100.0% 91.5% 8.0 26.1% 29.4% 21.4% 1.61 15.5 25
Greg Dortch WR 5 4 38 0 10.0% 96.4% 72.9% 3.0 21.7% 17.6% 18.5% 1.41 7.8 54
Michael Wilson WR 7 3 38 0 56.0% 92.9% 84.7% 12.0 30.4% 35.3% 26.9% 1.46 4.8 71
Chris Moore WR 3.6% 10.2% 0.0 111
Zach Pascal WR 3.6% 10.2% 0.0 111
Elijah Higgins TE 3 2 12 0 4.6% 89.3% 67.8% 2.3 13.0% 11.8% 12.0% 0.48 3.2 38
Tip Reiman TE 14.3% 42.4% 0.0 53
James Conner RB 1 1 9 0 -2.0% 42.9% 57.6% -3.0 4.3% 5.9% 8.3% 0.75 18.3 14
Trey Benson RB 7.1% 18.6% 5.0 49
Emari Demercado RB 1 1 0 0 -0.7% 32.1% 23.7% -1.0 4.3% 0.0% 11.1% 0.00 3.4 53

Cardinals Notes From Week 4:

The Cardinals put up an absolute dud that was expected to go over the 50.5 point total – the highest over/under of the week -- but not with the Commanders scoring 42 of those points. Kyler Murray only had 22 pass attempts in Week 4 to 32 rush attempts, as the Cardinals skewed very run-focused with James Conner’s 18 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown as well as Trey Benson’s nine carries when the game was getting further and further out of hand.

Conner’s 58% snaps ran lower than any other game this season based on the game script, but he’s a locked-in workhorse you don’t need to worry about.

No Trey McBride in Week 4 and the passing game felt that. Marvin Harrison caught the lone receiving touchdown from Murray to kick off the scoring as Harrison added 5-45 on six targets the lead the team in receptions and yardage. Besides Harrison, it was middling production from Michael Wilson (seven targets, 3-38) and Greg Dortch, who caught all four targets for 38 yards.

 

Atlanta Falcons

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Drake London WR 12 6 64 0 53.3% 100.0% 98.2% 12.8 37.5% 50.0% 35.3% 1.88 12.4 33
Darnell Mooney WR 5 3 56 0 33.8% 94.1% 96.4% 19.5 15.6% 25.0% 15.6% 1.75 8.6 48
Ray-Ray McCloud III WR 6 6 52 0 10.2% 88.2% 98.2% 4.9 18.8% 10.0% 20.0% 1.73 11.2 40
KhaDarel Hodge WR 5.9% 5.4% 0.0 111
Kyle Pitts TE 3 0 0 0 6.6% 64.7% 67.9% 6.3 9.4% 15.0% 13.6% 0.00 0.0 53
Charlie Woerner TE 20.6% 30.4% 0.0 53
Bijan Robinson RB 4 4 46 0 -1.4% 58.8% 64.3% -1.0 12.5% 0.0% 20.0% 2.30 11.4 26
Tyler Allgeier RB 2 2 20 0 -2.4% 35.3% 37.5% -3.5 6.3% 0.0% 16.7% 1.67 10.0 32

Falcons Notes From Week 4:

The Falcons kept this one close with the Saints and it was pretty much the same story with the wide receivers: condensed routes. The trio of Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud all ran routes on at least 88% of Kirk Cousins’ dropbacks and consolidated targets as well. Between the three, they all combined for 72% of the Falcons’ targets. London’s 12 targets as well as his 6-64 line led the team, doubling up McCloud’s six targets; of which he caught all for 52 yards.

If you’re on the fence about McCloud sustaining this production, you shouldn’t be anymore. This feels like the role Rondale Moore was signed for until he hurt himself and now, the Falcons slotted in a shifty punt returner as a “good enough” option to play that role in the offense. That said, with bye weeks now here starting in Week 5, McCloud is a solidly projectable flex play that we’ll never have to worry about routes with.

I want this to be a safe space for Kyle Pitts (three targets, no receptions) because I want to give him the benefit of the doubt so badly. I find it difficult to believe that a 21-year-old tight end who put up 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie could now suddenly be a bad NFL player.

It's possible the strain of circumstance for the past 3 ¼ seasons has broken him, which hey, it’s certainly possible. Pitts went from the final season in Atlanta of Matt Ryan to Arthur Smith and Marcus Mariota, to Desmond Ridder and now to a new regime with Kirk Cousins. While it’s easy to throw your hands up and say, “that’s the NFL”, we’ve seen plenty of tight ends take multiple seasons to lock in and just “get it.”

Players like Eric Ebron and Jared Cook were athletic tight ends that took a new locale (or two or three) to get comfortable and produce consistently. In Ebron’s case, he was also a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft that had some lofty expectations with the Detroit Lions. Unlike Ebron, Pitts produced in a massive way and then “JuJu Smith-Schuster’d”, putting up his best season early. Is that Pitts’ fate? It’s too early to hit the post-mortem stage for Pitts, but the trust in your tight end slot is clearly just gone.

Bijan Robinson now must worry about Tyler Allgeier being a factor in this offense as Allgeier got one less opportunity and six more total yards (80) than Robinson did (74). Allgeier ran more routes (12) than he had in his previous three games combined (9), while earning a season-high in snaps at 38%. With this kind of utilization, Allgeier is borderline startable during the bye weeks. As for Robinson, obviously you must start him and he’s going to be an RB1 in most weeks, but you can’t say you like this development in the run game behind him.

 

Baltimore Ravens

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Zay Flowers WR 2 1 10 0 17.4% 80.0% 68.4% 11.0 11.1% 9.1% 12.5% 0.63 2.0 92
Rashod Bateman WR 1 1 23 0 16.6% 70.0% 64.9% 21.0 5.6% 0.0% 7.1% 1.64 3.3 78
Nelson Agholor WR 3 2 10 0 22.9% 45.0% 50.9% 9.7 16.7% 18.2% 33.3% 1.11 3.0 81
Tylan Wallace WR 25.0% 17.5% 0.0 111
Mark Andrews TE 1 0 0 0 8.7% 45.0% 45.6% 11.0 5.6% 9.1% 11.1% 0.00 0.0 53
Isaiah Likely TE 2 1 26 0 22.9% 60.0% 54.4% 14.5 11.1% 18.2% 16.7% 2.17 3.6 31
Charlie Kolar TE 15.0% 33.3% 0.0 53
Derrick Henry RB 3 3 10 1 0.7% 30.0% 64.9% 0.3 16.7% 18.2% 50.0% 1.67 35.9 1
Justice Hill RB 6 6 78 1 10.9% 55.0% 35.1% 2.3 33.3% 27.3% 54.5% 7.09 21.6 8
Patrick Ricard FB 40.0% 61.4% 0.0 5

Ravens Notes From Week 4:

The beginning, middle, and end of Sunday Night Football was dominated by the re-coronation of the king, Derrick Henry. Henry ate the Buffalo Bills for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with 199 yards rushing plus a touchdown, and adding three receptions for 10 yards plus another touchdown receiving.

As we surely all expected, Justice Hill led the Ravens in all things receiving, catching all six targets for 78 yards and a touchdown while chipping in with 18 yards rushing. He’s the closest thing to the old PPR-back archetype, and that has solid value in your flex in a pinch. We can’t expect this specific production weekly as Hill finished as fantasy’s RB8 in Week 4, but he saw 55% routes per dropback, so we can’t turn our noses up at it.

Everybody in fantasy land is abandoning ship as the Mark Andrews boat is leaking water at an alarming rate. Only one catchless target and just 45% routes lead people to believe that his tightrope ankle surgery and offseason car accident may have hampered him more than let on. We talked about the trust that’s eroded with Pitts and that’s certainly the case here with Andrews as well. He can’t be in lineups anymore, at least not until he’s consistently seeing 70%+ routes, which he’s not. His last three games in routes per dropback are: 76%, 34%, and Week 4’s 45%.

There were just 19 pass attempts (18 by Lamar Jackson), so considering Hill had 6-of-14 receptions and 6-of-18 targets, there wasn’t much to go around for everybody else. No wide receiver or tight end had more than two receptions or 26 receiving yards, so players like Zay Flowers (two targets, 1-18) and Isaiah Likely (two targets, 1-26) really suffered.

 

Buffalo Bills

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Curtis Samuel WR 3 2 8 0 3.6% 37.8% 37.3% 3.5 10.7% 6.3% 21.4% 0.57 3.5 77
Khalil Shakir WR 5 4 62 0 16.5% 75.7% 59.3% 9.6 17.9% 18.8% 17.9% 2.21 10.2 45
Keon Coleman WR 4 3 51 0 27.3% 73.0% 72.9% 19.8 14.3% 18.8% 14.8% 1.89 8.1 51
Mack Hollins WR 6 1 5 0 27.9% 78.4% 61.0% 13.5 21.4% 25.0% 20.7% 0.17 1.5 104
Marquez Valdes-Scantling WR 1 0 0 0 7.2% 32.4% 42.4% 21.0 3.6% 0.0% 8.3% 0.00 0.0 111
Dalton Kincaid TE 7 5 47 0 16.1% 59.5% 62.7% 6.7 25.0% 25.0% 31.8% 2.14 9.7 11
Dawson Knox TE 1 1 0 0 0.0% 35.1% 45.8% 0.0 3.6% 6.3% 7.7% 0.00 1.0 48
Quintin Morris TE 5.4% 13.6% 0.0 53
James Cook RB 1 1 9 0 1.4% 62.2% 55.9% 4.0 3.6% 0.0% 4.3% 0.39 5.8 45
Ray Davis RB 8.1% 16.9% 1.1 66
Ty Johnson RB 18.9% 18.6% 6.3 42

Bills Notes From Week 4:

For the Bills, who got their doors blown off by the Ravens at home, the routes weren’t at their usual numbers on account of the game script. It wasn’t quite a lost cause, but it wasn’t a fruitful game for anybody really. Dalton Kincaid led the team with seven targets and 5-47, but only ran routes on 60% of Josh Allen’s dropbacks. It’s very concerning considering the thesis and step up we all hoped he would take in Year 2. Seeing the team jettison Stefon Diggs and letting Gabe Davis go in free agency really should have been more of a signal that the Bills would lean so much into the run and passing off those runs.

Khalil Shakir’s five targets were third on the team, but he was a bit more efficient with the second-most receptions (4) and a team high in receiving yards (62) on 76% routes. He’s probably the only receiver outside of Kincaid that you could even remotely trust in fantasy lineups at this point.

The game script wasn’t even great for the receivers, so it was way worse for the backs. Cook only saw nine carries but his 56% snaps and 62% routes were fine considering the blowout. Cook did cede the Bills’ lone touchdown on the night to annoying barnacle Ty Johnson.

 

Carolina Panthers

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Diontae Johnson WR 13 7 83 1 58.2% 88.1% 82.9% 13.6 32.5% 42.9% 35.1% 2.24 21.3 10
Xavier Legette WR 10 6 66 1 26.4% 88.1% 87.1% 8.0 25.0% 32.1% 27.0% 1.78 19.6 13
Jonathan Mingo WR 5 3 24 0 4.6% 90.5% 80.0% 2.8 12.5% 10.7% 13.2% 0.63 5.4 66
David Moore WR 11.9% 12.9% 0.0 111
Jalen Coker WR 1 0 0 0 9.6% 9.5% 10.0% 29.0 2.5% 3.6% 25.0% 0.00 0.0 111
Tommy Tremble TE 78.6% 87.1% 0.0 53
Ja'Tavion Sanders TE 2 2 16 0 0.3% 21.4% 28.6% 0.5 5.0% 3.6% 22.2% 1.78 3.6 31
Feleipe Franks TE 1 0 0 0 4.6% 2.4% 1.4% 14.0 2.5% 0.0% 100.0% 0.00 0.0 53
Chuba Hubbard RB 4 4 17 0 0.7% 61.9% 74.3% 0.5 10.0% 0.0% 15.4% 0.65 22.1 7
Miles Sanders RB 4 3 14 0 -4.3% 28.6% 31.4% -3.3 10.0% 7.1% 33.3% 1.17 7.6 39

Panthers Notes From Week 4:

Week 2 of the Andy Dalton experience, and despite the loss to the Bengals 34-24, they’re going to be in games as long as Dalton is starting. Dionte Johnson had the third-most air yards of the week and still had 13 targets (7-83) with a touchdown. Obviously with those air yards, the aDOT was at a robust 13.6 yards. Combine that kind of downfield work with the ability to earn targets (35% TPRR) and we’re cooking with something GREAT here, like WR1-level stuff going forward.

The thesis for Johnson in the fifth and sixth round of drafts was a step up from Bryce Young, and while we didn’t get that exact outcome, it was directionally accurate as we’re getting vastly improved quarterback play with Dalton instead. That was a long-winded way of saying that we’re getting what we intended and probably getting the better version of it, which we didn’t see coming.

Without Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette is getting a serious shot at being the second fiddle to Johnson, as he got a robust workload (88% routes per dropback) and really consolidated targets (10) with Johnson’s 13. Legette’s 6-66-1 line came with a touchdown from eight yards out coming across the formation where Dalton had to fit a throw with a defender right on him; something you couldn’t expect with Young with any sort of regularity.

Besides Jonathan Mingo’s 91% of routes and being the regular “big slot” at 74% of snaps in that alignment, Mingo didn’t do much besides five targets and a 3-24 performance. He has nowhere near the target-earning capabilities that Johnson and Legette have and will lag further and further behind in most weeks.

With talk that Jonathon Brooks won’t begin his ramp-up toward coming off of injured reserve, Chuba Hubbard has looked fantastic. He’s going to be hard to get away from in both a real-life and a fantasy aspect. Hubbard took an even larger chunk of work in Week 4 than he has in previous weeks and parlayed that into his second-straight 100-yard rushing game and top-seven fantasy scoring week among running backs. He even chipped in with four targets as well, so continue starting Hubbard while this offense environment continues to be fruitful.

 

Chicago Bears

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
DJ Moore WR 6 3 22 1 48.8% 100.0% 91.7% 13.0 27.3% 42.9% 23.1% 0.85 11.2 40
Keenan Allen WR 3 3 19 0 4.3% 84.6% 68.3% 2.3 13.6% 14.3% 13.6% 0.86 4.9 70
Rome Odunze WR 3 1 10 0 31.9% 88.5% 78.3% 17.0 13.6% 7.1% 13.0% 0.43 2.0 92
Cole Kmet TE 3 3 34 0 13.7% 76.9% 90.0% 7.3 13.6% 14.3% 15.0% 1.70 6.4 20
Gerald Everett TE 15.4% 33.3% 0.0 53
Marcedes Lewis TE 3.8% 31.7% 0.0 53
D'Andre Swift RB 7 7 72 0 1.3% 61.5% 63.3% 0.3 31.8% 21.4% 43.8% 4.50 29.5 3
Roschon Johnson RB 23.1% 36.7% 8.6 36

Bears Notes From Week 4:

The stone FUNNIEST thing I’ve heard this season came from the great Stealing Bananas podcast on Sunday night with Ben Gretch and Shawn Siegele, where the only way to explain what the Bears and Shane Waldron did by deploying D’Andre Swift as much as they did was with a “revenge game against his own team.” Swift had by far his best game of his Bears’ career, with 93 yards on the ground and a touchdown, plus catching all seven targets for 72 yards. Despite that, we still have some barking to do at Waldron for:

As Roschon Johnson took two red-zone carries (one for a touchdown) and Swift took one and Khalil Herbert played zero snaps. Befuddling.

On the receiving end of things, Only DJ Moore earned more than three targets with six, for 3-22 and a touchdown in the third quarter. A returning Keenan Allen, Cole Kmet, and Rome Odunze earned three targets each just so the Bears could get the ball into the hands of the running back with the lowest rush yards over expected (RYOE) in the league entering Week 4. Somehow, it worked, but it doesn’t diminish the fact that this offense is 100% aimless due to Waldron’s machinations

 

Cincinnati Bengals

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Ja'Marr Chase WR 5 3 85 1 28.8% 93.9% 79.1% 9.6 17.9% 21.1% 16.1% 2.74 17.5 19
Tee Higgins WR 9 6 60 0 59.9% 84.8% 64.2% 11.1 32.1% 36.8% 32.1% 2.14 12.0 36
Andrei Iosivas WR 1 1 29 0 14.4% 78.8% 76.1% 24.0 3.6% 5.3% 3.8% 1.12 3.9 75
Jermaine Burton WR 6.1% 6.0% 0.0 111
Charlie Jones WR 6.1% 4.5% 0.0 111
Mike Gesicki TE 1 1 -9 0 1.2% 54.5% 32.8% 2.0 3.6% 5.3% 5.6% -0.50 0.1 52
Drew Sample TE 1 1 0 0 -0.6% 18.2% 56.7% -1.0 3.6% 5.3% 16.7% 0.00 1.0 48
Erick All Jr. TE 4 4 28 0 1.9% 30.3% 59.7% 0.8 14.3% 15.8% 40.0% 2.80 6.8 19
Zack Moss RB 4 4 27 1 -5.5% 48.5% 59.7% -2.3 14.3% 5.3% 25.0% 1.69 17.8 16
Chase Brown RB 3 2 12 0 0.0% 33.3% 40.3% 0.0 10.7% 5.3% 27.3% 1.09 23.2 6

Bengals Notes From Week 4:

The Bengals Bengal’ed, and while that sounds bad, it’s not. It’s just that the offense with its health back in check got back to doing what they do best: consolidate targets to the weapons that truly matter: Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Both combined for exactly half of the targets and provided most of the punch in the passing game.

Chase hit for a 63-yard touchdown where Chase looked like a superstar (when doesn’t he?) but had an otherwise leaner day with 3-85 on five targets. Higgins was the volume earner with a team-leading nine targets and 6-60. It was nice to get Higgins back in a groove for a second-consecutive game over 85% of routes per dropback.

Let me just tell you, the feeling I got when seeing Chase Brown get increased utilization is like seeing your slot machine hit “7 7 7” on the dials. Sam Sherman made a really good point about the Zack Moss/Brown backfield and when he’s not creating charts comparing bad receivers to Tee Higgins:

Brown’s two touchdowns and 92 total yards were one of the big highlights of Week 4, and he did get a bit more work than he’s gotten from Weeks 1-3, but Moss is still around and is still productive, with 51 rushing yards, plus catching all four targets for 27 yards and a touchdown.

Moss is going to be the better “real-life” NFL player that picks up pass protection snaps and performs admirably in all facets as a “jack-of-all-trades” player who does enough in fantasy to matter. Brown is volatile and his production can win you a week, but is an Antonio Gibson-type pass blocker (BAD). You're still starting Moss and tossing Brown in your flex for the spike week potential, but you have to know what to expect with Brown since the ceiling and floor are farther than we'd like.

 

Cleveland Browns

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Amari Cooper WR 8 4 35 0 49.8% 95.2% 93.2% 12.1 25.0% 28.6% 20.0% 0.88 7.5 57
Jerry Jeudy WR 9 6 72 0 50.1% 92.9% 86.4% 10.8 28.1% 33.3% 23.1% 1.85 13.2 30
Elijah Moore WR 1 1 11 0 5.7% 73.8% 72.9% 11.0 3.1% 4.8% 3.2% 0.35 2.1 89
Cedric Tillman WR 11.9% 15.3% 0.0 111
James Proche II WR 1 1 3 0 -0.5% 7.1% 5.1% -1.0 3.1% 0.0% 33.3% 1.00 1.3 106
Jordan Akins TE 2 1 10 0 4.1% 40.5% 47.5% 4.0 6.3% 4.8% 11.8% 0.59 2.0 41
Blake Whiteheart TE 3 3 13 1 7.3% 26.2% 35.6% 4.7 9.4% 4.8% 27.3% 1.18 10.3 10
Geoff Swaim TE 21.4% 40.7% 0.0 53
Jerome Ford RB 7 7 27 0 -13.3% 90.5% 78.0% -3.7 21.9% 19.0% 18.4% 0.71 15.5 17
D'Onta Foreman RB 1 1 5 0 -3.1% 11.9% 22.0% -6.0 3.1% 4.8% 20.0% 1.00 1.7 64

Browns Notes From Week 4:

The Browns are so gross to write about, but alas, I’m contractually obligated to. Jerry Jeudy led the gang in all receiving stats with a 6-72 line on nine targets and 93% routes. The utilization is pretty fine for a flex option. Amari Cooper really should have led the Browns in everything had a massive 82-yard touchdown not get wiped off the board due to a holding call. That left Cooper to an uninspiring and inefficient 4-35 line on eight targets.

Things have been condensed to Cooper and Jeudy as the Browns are minus David Njoku and for fantasy purposes, that’s not a bad thing. The bad thing is Deshaun Watson, who doesn’t even look like an NFL quarterback at this point. We’re counting down the days until Jameis Winston can pass-volume the crap out of this offense to fantasy glory. Until then, starting Cooper (and even Jeudy due to volatility) feels like eating your vegetables. It never feels satisfying but you just have to do it because they’re there on your plate.

As for Jerome Ford, he’s been pretty solid and staying on the field a ton. He had almost as many targets (7) as the rest of the non-Cooper and Jeudy pass-catchers did (8). Ford’s 85 total yards and 17 opportunities are nice to see out your RB2/flex spot. Nick Chubb’s practice window opened up and is practicing for the first time since his 2023 multi-ligament tear in Week 2. For Ford’s managers, you knew this going on. For Chubb’s managers, keep your eyes peeled, but it’s likely going to be a couple weeks before he gets back on the field in game action.

 

Dallas Cowboys

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
CeeDee Lamb WR 8 7 98 1 39.4% 89.3% 83.9% 7.1 30.8% 31.8% 32.0% 3.92 23.6 4
Brandin Cooks WR 4 1 16 0 28.6% 92.9% 82.1% 10.3 15.4% 18.2% 15.4% 0.62 2.6 85
Jalen Tolbert WR 3 3 24 0 13.1% 78.6% 71.4% 6.3 11.5% 13.6% 13.6% 1.09 5.4 66
Jalen Brooks WR 10.7% 14.3% 0.0 111
KaVontae Turpin WR 7.1% 10.7% 0.0 111
Jake Ferguson TE 7 7 49 0 14.1% 85.7% 73.2% 2.9 26.9% 22.7% 29.2% 2.04 11.9 7
Luke Schoonmaker TE 17.9% 33.9% 0.0 53
Brevyn Spann-Ford TE 0.0% 8.9% 0.0 53
Ezekiel Elliott RB 1 1 5 0 1.4% 7.1% 17.9% 2.0 3.8% 4.5% 50.0% 2.50 3.4 53
Rico Dowdle RB 1 1 15 1 -2.8% 42.9% 44.6% -4.0 3.8% 4.5% 8.3% 1.25 13.1 22
Deuce Vaughn RB 0.0% 7.1% 0.0 71
Hunter Luepke FB 2 2 14 0 6.2% 46.4% 51.8% 4.5 7.7% 4.5% 15.4% 1.08 4.2 1

Cowboys Notes From Week 4:

In a game where the Giants continue to build the plane out of Malik Nabers, I’m surprised the Cowboys haven’t done the same thing with CeeDee Lamb. I mean, Lamb led Dallas in everything on Thursday Night Football with eight targets, 7-98, and a touchdown in the second quarter. In addition, Lamb also worked some out of the backfield with three carries. That should tell you the state of their backfield at its current composition.

Besides a solid game from tight end Jake Ferguson where he compiled a bunch of receptions (7) at a low 2.9-yard aDOT, no other Cowboy amassed more than three receptions or 24 yards receiving.

Rico Dowdle had his best game of the season with a 15-yard receiving touchdown and 46 rushing yards on 11 carries, but he was still out-snapped by fullback Hunter Luepke. As somebody who lives in North Dakota, I am not obligated to slander Luepke for this, but to celebrate him. That said, the Cowboys are one backfield acquisition away from throwing this all into sheer chaos. Until then, we’ll live with… whatever this backfield is.

 

Denver Broncos

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Courtland Sutton WR 8 3 60 1 62.4% 92.3% 78.7% 17.6 34.8% 50.0% 33.3% 2.50 15.0 28
Josh Reynolds WR 2 0 0 0 8.0% 50.0% 42.6% 9.0 8.7% 6.3% 15.4% 0.00 0.0 111
Marvin Mims Jr. WR 3.8% 16.4% 0.0 111
Troy Franklin WR 4 2 -2 0 26.6% 34.6% 31.1% 15.0 17.4% 25.0% 44.4% -0.22 1.8 97
Lil'Jordan Humphrey WR 1 0 0 0 8.9% 80.8% 68.9% 20.0 4.3% 0.0% 4.8% 0.00 0.0 111
Adam Trautman TE 15.4% 45.9% 0.0 53
Greg Dulcich TE 61.5% 39.3% 0.0 53
Nate Adkins TE 1 1 0 0 0.0% 26.9% 45.9% 0.0 4.3% 6.3% 14.3% 0.00 1.0 48
Javonte Williams RB 3 2 3 0 1.3% 42.3% 57.4% 1.0 13.0% 0.0% 27.3% 0.27 10.0 32
Jaleel McLaughlin RB 1 1 0 0 -3.1% 26.9% 34.4% -7.0 4.3% 6.3% 14.3% 0.00 5.6 46
Tyler Badie RB 2 2 -4 0 -3.1% 11.5% 8.2% -3.5 8.7% 6.3% 66.7% -1.33 -0.4 78
Michael Burton FB 1 1 3 0 -0.9% 11.5% 21.3% -2.0 4.3% 0.0% 33.3% 1.00 1.3 4

Broncos Notes From Week 4:

Courtland Sutton went 3-60 for a touchdown. Everybody else combined for nine catches for ZERO yards. No, that’s not a typo. The conditions for this game related to Bo Nix and passing were objectionable to be nice about it.

The backs were fine though, as Javonte Williams (16-77, 57% snaps) and Jaleel McLaughlin (9-46, 34% snaps) found some running lanes and were most of the offense besides Sutton. It was miserable.

 

Detroit Lions

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Amon-Ra St. Brown WR 6 6 45 1 41.5% 86.4% 88.5% 5.3 33.3% 41.7% 31.6% 2.37 22.8 7
Jameson Williams WR 2 2 80 1 32.6% 100.0% 96.2% 12.5 11.1% 16.7% 9.1% 3.64 16.0 23
Kalif Raymond WR 1 1 9 0 -5.2% 13.6% 11.5% -4.0 5.6% 8.3% 33.3% 3.00 1.9 95
Tim Patrick WR 2 2 52 0 28.7% 50.0% 40.4% 11.0 11.1% 8.3% 18.2% 4.73 7.2 58
Sam LaPorta TE 4 4 53 0 -6.8% 86.4% 88.5% -1.3 22.2% 16.7% 21.1% 2.79 9.3 12
Brock Wright TE 2 2 13 0 7.8% 22.7% 53.8% 3.0 11.1% 8.3% 40.0% 2.60 3.3 36
Parker Hesse TE 9.1% 13.5% 0.0 53
Jahmyr Gibbs RB 31.8% 55.8% 19.8 11
David Montgomery RB 1 1 40 0 1.3% 36.4% 40.4% 1.0 5.6% 0.0% 12.5% 5.00 15.0 19
Craig Reynolds RB 0.0% 3.8% 0.0 71

Lions Notes From Week 4:

In the fun Monday Night Football game of the two games, the Lions got out ahead at halftime by two scores, but the Seahawks kept pushing and pushing which made this it pretty enjoyable and fantasy friendly.

Jared Goff was a perfect 18-of-18 passing and caught a touchdown from Amon-Ra St. Brown (not a typo!), then returned the favor by hitting St. Brown (six targets, 6-45) for a touchdown the traditional way in the fourth quarter.

Jameson Williams (2-80) caught a 70-yard touchdown but only had one target the rest of the way, a catch for 10 yards. Sam LaPorta was around and caught all four targets for 53 yards. Elite tight end continues to be down bad.

Both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are rock stars. It was more of a Gibbs game though even with the Seahawks pushing them, as Gibbs put up 78 rushing yards and two scores. Monty was perfectly fine with 40 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus a hilariously fun 40-yard catch where he put a guy down, had the strength to shake off tackles and then crossed field for a lot more.

 

Green Bay Packers

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Jayden Reed WR 8 7 139 1 15.7% 80.4% 77.6% 10.9 16.0% 19.4% 17.8% 3.09 27.1 2
Romeo Doubs WR 8 4 39 0 16.7% 91.1% 85.5% 11.6 16.0% 19.4% 15.7% 0.76 7.9 53
Christian Watson WR 1 0 0 0 2.5% 8.9% 11.8% 14.0 2.0% 2.8% 20.0% 0.00 0.0 111
Dontayvion Wicks WR 13 5 78 2 38.6% 80.4% 76.3% 16.5 26.0% 30.6% 28.9% 1.73 24.8 3
Bo Melton WR 3 1 28 0 18.2% 10.7% 14.5% 33.7 6.0% 5.6% 50.0% 4.67 3.8 76
Malik Heath WR 2 2 12 0 1.3% 10.7% 13.2% 3.5 4.0% 5.6% 33.3% 2.00 3.2 79
Tucker Kraft TE 7 6 53 1 4.3% 85.7% 85.5% 3.4 14.0% 11.1% 14.6% 1.10 17.3 1
Luke Musgrave TE 3 3 13 0 1.6% 30.4% 32.9% 3.0 6.0% 2.8% 17.6% 0.76 4.3 28
Ben Sims TE 1.8% 2.6% 0.0 53
Josh Jacobs RB 5 4 27 0 1.1% 46.4% 60.5% 1.2 10.0% 2.8% 19.2% 1.04 11.8 25
Emanuel Wilson RB 21.4% 39.5% 2.7 58

Packers Notes From Week 4:

In a furious comeback attempt by the Packers with the returning Jordan Love, the passing volume was absolutely nuts as Love had 56 dropbacks – second-most in Week 4 – and was distributing to his best players repeatedly. Christian Warson (one target) left the game early with the high-ankle sprain after just 12% snaps, and Dontayvion Wicks took the brunt of the workload to great success.

Wicks led all pass-catchers in Week 4 with 215 air yards and led the Packers in targets with 13 on a relatively inefficient 5-78 day, but scored twice. He also had Packers’ fans fuming about a couple of drops eh had, but it’s extremely telling (and bullish, honestly) that Love and the Packers kept targeting Wicks despite some of the missed opportunities. It seems all too frequently that players will get pulled when they encounter some struggle in high-leverage situations. But if the 2-2 Packers are to have sustained success this season, Wicks is going to be a big part of that.

News has come out from the team that Watson will not be placed on injured reserve with his high-ankle sprain, but with Wicks knocking on the doorstep anyway and looking for any opportunity, it’s hard to put the genie back in the bottle after his Week 4 performance. I’m not saying Watson outright lost his job by getting injured, but it’s how these things happen, usually through nobody’s fault but because of circumstances, good or bad.

Aside from Wicks, Jayden Reed has really come into his own with a team-leading (and massively efficient) 7-139 line on eight targets and a touchdown. A Packers offense with Reed and Wicks at the lead with Romeo Doubs (eight targets, 4-39) and Tucker Kraft (seven targets, 6-53-1) also contributing is going to be a lethal passing game for opposing defenses to stop.

The Packers didn’t need to run much here with just 19 rush attempts – mostly in the earlier portions of the game before the Packers went down 21-0. Josh Jacobs was more involved than he’s been this season in the receiving game with five targets and 4-27 to go along with his 51 rushing yards on just nine carries.

 

Houston Texans

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Nico Collins WR 15 12 151 1 50.3% 97.8% 84.0% 10.4 39.5% 50.0% 33.3% 3.36 33.1 1
Stefon Diggs WR 9 5 69 0 22.1% 87.0% 82.7% 7.6 23.7% 20.8% 22.5% 1.73 18.5 15
Robert Woods WR 3 1 10 0 11.9% 78.3% 72.0% 12.3 7.9% 0.0% 8.3% 0.28 2.0 92
Xavier Hutchinson WR 4.3% 17.3% 0.0 111
John Metchie WR 1 1 7 0 -1.0% 6.5% 12.0% -3.0 2.6% 4.2% 33.3% 2.33 1.7 100
Steven Sims WR 0.0% 2.7% -2.0 152
Dalton Schultz TE 4 3 34 0 10.8% 73.9% 86.7% 8.4 10.5% 12.5% 11.8% 1.00 6.4 20
Cade Stover TE 1 1 27 0 4.5% 21.7% 32.0% 14.0 2.6% 4.2% 10.0% 2.70 3.7 30
Dare Ogunbowale RB 4 4 47 1 3.0% 47.8% 38.7% 2.3 10.5% 4.2% 18.2% 2.14 15.4 18
Cam Akers RB 23.9% 40.0% 5.3 48
J.J. Taylor RB 1 0 0 0 -1.6% 17.4% 21.3% -5.0 2.6% 4.2% 12.5% 0.00 1.8 63
British Brooks FB 4.3% 8.0% 0.0 5

Texans Notes From Week 4:

The Texans (in terms of their preseason hype and promise) and the Jaguars (in terms of their utter hopelessness as a franchise through three games) met in the middle for a somewhat spirited affair, but the Texans won out here thanks to typical Jacksonville ineptitude.

No Tank Dell or Joe Mixon (again), so production was consolidated to Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins, who is looking like the next Julio Jones (shoutout Sam Sherman) out there. Collins led everything for the Texans with 15 targets, a 12-151-1 line, a 40% target share, and 3.36 yards per route run. Collins right up there with the best of the best wide receivers. Diggs’ solid line (nine targets, 5-69) paired with Collins represents 63% of Houston’s targets in Week 4.

No Mixon again meant that Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale split the rushing and receiving side that would both normally go to Mixon. Ogunbowale scored a receiving touchdown in addition to catching all four targets for 47 yards, while Akers put up 53 yards on 13 carries. Nothing too special, but starting even one player from this backfield that’s dividing multiple pieces of one workload seems pretty desperate.

 

Indianapolis Colts

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Michael Pittman Jr. WR 9 6 113 0 37.3% 81.8% 87.9% 13.2 33.3% 36.4% 33.3% 4.19 17.3 20
Josh Downs WR 9 8 82 1 19.8% 69.7% 62.1% 7.0 33.3% 40.9% 39.1% 3.57 22.2 8
Adonai Mitchell WR 3 0 0 0 21.0% 27.3% 19.7% 22.3 11.1% 9.1% 33.3% 0.00 1.0 109
Alec Pierce WR 2 1 9 0 19.1% 78.8% 83.3% 30.5 7.4% 9.1% 7.7% 0.35 1.9 95
Ashton Dulin WR 9.1% 16.7% 0.0 111
Kylen Granson TE 33.3% 30.3% 0.0 53
Mo Alie-Cox TE 30.3% 47.0% 0.0 53
Drew Ogletree TE 1 1 15 1 1.6% 15.2% 36.4% 5.0 3.7% 0.0% 20.0% 3.00 8.5 15
Will Mallory TE 24.2% 16.7% 0.0 53
Jonathan Taylor RB 3 3 20 0 1.2% 51.5% 72.7% 1.3 11.1% 4.5% 17.6% 1.18 19.8 11
Trey Sermon RB 27.3% 25.8% 0.8 68
Tyler Goodson RB 0.0% 1.5% 0.0 71

Colts Notes From Week 4:

With Anthony Richardson lost for the game with a hip injury in the first quarter, the Colts turned to the ageless Joe Flacco and Flacco’s presence turned around the pass-catching fortunes of Michael Pittman and Josh Downs.

Where Richardson isn’t a volume passer by any stretch and is reliant on the deep ball (highest quarterback aDOT (12.9 yards) in the NFL entering Week 4), Flacco knows how to distribute the ball. Both Pittman (nine targets, 6-113) and Downs (nine targets, 8-82-1) teamed up for a 66% chunk of the Colts’ passing volume, with Alec Pierce getting back to the cardio (two targets, 1-9, 79% routes) routes that we’ve grown accustomed to.

Jonathan Taylor was his normal self with 108 total yards and a rushing touchdown, but didn’t come out unscathed as he picked up a “mild” high-ankle sprain. It’s still up in the air whether Taylor plays in Week 5, but Trey Sermon would be the next man up if Taylor does miss the upcoming week.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Christian Kirk WR 12 7 61 1 44.1% 82.9% 77.6% 14.8 37.5% 40.7% 41.4% 2.10 19.1 14
Gabe Davis WR 5 1 -2 0 19.1% 85.7% 79.3% 15.4 15.6% 11.1% 16.7% -0.07 0.8 110
Brian Thomas Jr. WR 9 6 86 1 34.2% 77.1% 75.9% 15.3 28.1% 33.3% 33.3% 3.19 21.9 9
Parker Washington WR 28.6% 24.1% 0.0 111
Tim Jones WR 5.7% 8.6% 0.0 111
Devin Duvernay WR 14.3% 10.3% 0.0 111
Luke Farrell TE 1 0 0 0 0.7% 20.0% 46.6% 3.0 3.1% 3.7% 14.3% 0.00 0.0 53
Brenton Strange TE 3 3 19 0 3.0% 54.3% 72.4% 4.0 9.4% 7.4% 15.8% 1.00 4.9 25
Travis Etienne RB 2 1 10 0 -1.2% 40.0% 51.7% -2.5 6.3% 3.7% 14.3% 0.71 7.0 41
Tank Bigsby RB 14.3% 29.3% 9.0 35
D'Ernest Johnson RB 14.3% 20.7% 0.0 71

Jaguars Notes From Week 4:

The 0-4 Jaguars seem good enough to run into a couple of wins here and there, but the long-term viability of Trevor Lawrence has started to come into question little by little. For fantasy, the passing game has shrunk to Brian Thomas Jr. and Christian Kirk, who are producing pretty well over the last couple of games. Thomas and Kirk have combined for 66% of the team’s targets and are both looking like solid fantasy WR3 options with the upside for more in Thomas’ future.

Both Thomas (nine targets, 6-86-1) and Kirk (12 targets, 7-61-1) caught touchdowns and are putting the entire passing game on their able backs with Thomas looking like a future star at times. Only Brenton Strange (3-19) caught more than one pass amongst the rest of the pass-catchers in Evan Engram’s place, but Strange’s routes have shrunk to 54% from a Week 2 high of 72%.

Tank Bigsby had a huge 58-yard run that capped off his efficient 90-yard day on the ground on just seven carries, with Travis Etienne (50 yards rushing, two targets, 3-10 yards) seeing his snaps slip a little bit, but he did leave the game for a stretch due to a reported shoulder injury, but he came back.

 

Kansas City Chiefs

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Xavier Worthy WR 3 3 73 1 31.5% 85.3% 72.6% 21.0 12.5% 20.0% 10.3% 2.52 16.3 22
Justin Watson WR 3 2 27 0 15.0% 73.5% 69.4% 10.0 12.5% 6.7% 12.0% 1.08 4.7 72
Skyy Moore WR 1 0 0 0 1.0% 11.8% 21.0% 2.0 4.2% 6.7% 25.0% 0.00 0.0 111
Mecole Hardman WR 20.6% 16.1% 0.0 111
JuJu Smith-Schuster WR 52.9% 51.6% 0.0 111
Travis Kelce TE 9 7 89 0 40.0% 97.1% 87.1% 8.9 37.5% 46.7% 27.3% 2.70 15.9 3
Noah Gray TE 4 4 40 0 11.6% 35.3% 51.6% 5.8 16.7% 13.3% 33.3% 3.33 8.0 16
Jared Wiley TE 5.9% 16.1% 0.0 53
Samaje Perine RB 44.1% 40.3% 7.4 40
Carson Steele RB 2 1 0 0 2.5% 11.8% 17.7% 2.5 8.3% 0.0% 50.0% 0.00 -0.4 78
Kareem Hunt RB 2 2 16 0 -1.5% 32.4% 45.2% -1.5 8.3% 6.7% 18.2% 1.45 10.5 28

Chiefs Notes From Week 4:

I write about 32 teams every week (minus the teams during bye weeks) and I left Chiefs for last because I didn’t know what I wanted to say about Rashee Rice even though I’ve had thoughts upon thoughts over the past few days.
It’s really optimistic that we haven’t gotten any definitive news about Rice’s knee injury yet and it’s Wednesday night as of this writing. 100 times out of 100, if it’s a torn ligament on Sunday, we hear about it Monday morning. It’s a cut and dry thing. It could still be that for sure. We just don’t know. But that’s the thing: even the doctors don’t know.

Dr. Edwin Porras (go follow him, he’s one of the most knowledgeable experts in the fantasy football space) goes at length in this thread as well as an attached video on YouTube about what we know right now about Rice. His medical opinion (as of now) is that this injury is NOT season-ending. That could change as we get more information, but all we can do as fantasy managers is hold and wait for more news.

Don’t drop Rice.

As for the actual game, with Rice out, Travis Kelce had a team-leading nine targets as well as seven receptions for 89 yards in a vintage performance that the Chiefs will need much more of without Rice in the lineup for right now. We love Xavier Worthy (three targets, 3-73-1), but it’s going to be an adjustment for him if he’s the top wide receiver to see top coverage from cornerbacks. Still, seeing him catch a touchdown at least helped to soften the blow just a little bit.

Who else could step up in the interim for Rice? Well, the name that comes to mind immediately is JuJu Smith-Schuster (no targets, 53% routes), who was running routes close to the same depth with the same skill set as Rice, where he caught a touchdown in Week 3 on a Rice-style route. I’d trust him a bit before Skyy Moore (one target, no stats), who hasn’t proved anything in the NFL. I’d also trust Smith-Schuster over Justin Watson (three targets, 2-27) who has been productive in spurts but has not earned targets at a significant rate.

For the run game, Carson Steele literally fumbled away his opportunity and the team seemed to get away from using him for most of the game. The Chiefs went to Kareem Hunt (14 carries, 69 yards; three targets, 2-16), who put together a solid outing and is looking like the realistic early-down and goal-line option with Samaje Perine (five carries, 14 yards plus a goal-line touchdown) taking long down and distance plus two-minute drill work.

 

Las Vegas Raiders

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Jakobi Meyers WR 10 5 49 0 51.9% 100.0% 96.6% 9.8 41.7% 45.0% 38.5% 1.88 9.9 47
Tre Tucker WR 6 5 41 0 18.4% 96.2% 84.7% 5.8 25.0% 30.0% 24.0% 1.64 15.4 26
DJ Turner WR 1 0 0 0 20.7% 50.0% 42.4% 39.0 4.2% 5.0% 7.7% 0.00 7.8 54
Tyreik McAllister WR 3.8% 6.8% 1.1 108
Alex Bachman WR 0.0% 1.7% 0.0 111
Brock Bowers TE 3 2 19 0 10.0% 80.8% 81.4% 6.3 12.5% 5.0% 14.3% 0.90 5.1 23
Harrison Bryant TE 2 2 21 0 2.1% 46.2% 76.3% 2.0 8.3% 10.0% 16.7% 1.75 4.1 29
John Samuel Shenker TE 0.0% 8.5% 0.0 53
Alexander Mattison RB 1 0 0 0 0.0% 30.8% 35.6% 0.0 4.2% 5.0% 12.5% 0.00 6.0 43
Zamir White RB 1 0 0 0 -3.2% 30.8% 59.3% -6.0 4.2% 0.0% 12.5% 0.00 3.0 57

Raiders Notes From Week 4:

With the likelihood of a Davante Adams trade increasing by the hour it seems, we got a glimpse of what that Adams-less future holds for the Raiders, at least in 2024. Jakobi Meyers (10 targets, 5-49) and Tre Tucker (six targets, 5-41, rushing touchdown) consolidated routes as the two wide receivers, with tight ends Brock Bowers (three targets, 2-19) and Harrison Bryant (two targets, 2-21) on the field together in what will be the Raiders’ base set going forward.

We’re hoping Bowers would just leapfrog over everybody in this offense, but it’s so underwhelming that most of the options here may just suffer from inconsistency. Meyers seems fine moving forward as a low-end WR3, Bowers should be fine as a spike-week TE1, and Tucker as a matchup-dependent flex. Still, the Raiders’ ship seems rudderless at this point.

The Raiders gave a bunch of rushing attempts to four non-running backs but Zamir White is still very much bad. He’s looking like the black hole (no pun intended) of the running back dead zone with a sub-3.0 YPC. Alexander Mattison isn’t much better but his five carries for 60 yards seemed like a breath of fresh air. It’s not a backfield you want to target, to put it in simple terms.

 

Los Angeles Chargers

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Joshua Palmer WR 4 3 36 0 19.4% 82.8% 78.6% 9.3 15.4% 19.0% 16.7% 1.50 6.6 61
Ladd McConkey WR 7 5 67 1 28.2% 86.2% 76.8% 7.7 26.9% 33.3% 28.0% 2.68 17.7 18
Quentin Johnston WR 5 1 9 0 44.9% 82.8% 76.8% 17.2 19.2% 23.8% 20.8% 0.38 2.3 87
Simi Fehoko WR 17.2% 21.4% 0.0 111
Hayden Hurst TE 3 1 6 0 4.2% 62.1% 62.5% 2.7 11.5% 9.5% 16.7% 0.33 1.6 42
Will Dissly TE 2 2 24 0 -1.6% 27.6% 35.7% -1.5 7.7% 4.8% 25.0% 3.00 4.4 27
Stone Smartt TE 0.0% 1.8% 0.0 53
Eric Tomlinson TE 6.9% 12.5% 0.0 53
J.K. Dobbins RB 4 3 30 0 3.8% 48.3% 71.4% 1.8 15.4% 9.5% 28.6% 2.14 9.2 34
Gus Edwards RB 13.8% 25.0% 1.9 62
Hassan Haskins RB 0.0% 3.6% 0.0 71
Scott Matlock FB 1 1 7 0 1.0% 3.4% 10.7% 2.0 3.8% 0.0% 100.0% 7.00 1.7 3

Chargers Notes From Week 4:

In a low-volume passing game with a hobbled Justin Herbert, the only thing that matters consistently is Ladd McConkey with a team-leading seven targets and 5-67 line with a touchdown. McConkey’s averaged six targets per game this season and has eclipsed 85% routes of better in his last two games. He’s ramping up to some solid low-end WR3 usage going forward in fantasy, but you’ll have to wait a week to use him again as the Chargers are on bye in Week 5.

The other two 80%+ routes per dropback guys were Joshua Palmer (four targets, 3-36) and Quentin Johnson (five targets, 1-9) but were not impressive in the slightest.

The rushing tandem of J.K. Dobbins (14 carries, 32 yards) and Gus Edwards (6-19) just hasn’t worked over the past couple of weeks. Do they go get somebody? Give Kimani Vidal some work? Head coach Jim Harbaugh has a little while during the bye week to figure that out.

 

Los Angeles Rams

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Demarcus Robinson WR 3 2 37 0 24.0% 87.5% 85.2% 17.7 10.7% 10.0% 10.7% 1.32 5.7 64
Tutu Atwell WR 6 4 82 0 40.7% 90.6% 90.2% 15.0 21.4% 25.0% 20.7% 2.83 12.2 34
Jordan Whittington WR 8 6 62 0 26.8% 96.9% 96.7% 7.4 28.6% 20.0% 25.8% 2.00 12.2 34
Tyler Johnson WR 1 0 0 0 2.3% 12.5% 16.4% 5.0 3.6% 0.0% 25.0% 0.00 0.0 111
Xavier Smith WR 6.3% 3.3% 0.0 111
Colby Parkinson TE 6 4 33 0 13.6% 81.3% 86.9% 5.0 21.4% 25.0% 23.1% 1.27 7.3 17
Hunter Long TE 6.3% 21.3% 0.0 53
Kyren Williams RB 4 4 10 0 -7.2% 62.5% 78.7% -4.0 14.3% 20.0% 20.0% 0.50 20.4 9
Ronnie Rivers RB 6.3% 21.3% 2.6 60

Rams Notes From Week 4:

The Rams sort of shuffled some deck chairs on the Titanic in Week 4, but Jordan Whittington may come out the supreme victor here amongst these pass-catchers as he got a huge bump in routes up to 97% and earning a team-leading eight targets with a 6-62 line. Whittington may not be THE answer, but he can a part of an answer to a larger question when/if Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua return. It bodes well for him in the long term but should be a nice flex option for fantasy managers going forward.

As a result, Tyler Johnson took a massive hit down to 13% routes and can be dropped in all formats as the Rams deploy their 11 personnel and rarely sub anybody out unless injury strikes either Whittington, Tutu Atwell, or Demarcus Robinson. Atwell was a deep threat (six targets, 4-82) at a 15-yard aDOT and Robinson (2-37) was running some cardio for the most part at 88% routes per dropback.

Kyren Williams continued his stranglehold over the backfield with 104 total yards a touchdown, rewarding those intrepid drafters who selected him amidst the counterbalance of Blake Corum rising up draft boards from August until just before Week 1 started.

 

Miami Dolphins

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Tyreek Hill WR 7 4 23 0 75.9% 75.0% 72.9% 18.1 35.0% 38.9% 33.3% 1.10 8.2 50
Jaylen Waddle WR 6 4 36 0 20.5% 78.6% 72.9% 5.7 30.0% 33.3% 27.3% 1.64 7.6 56
Braxton Berrios WR 46.4% 23.7% 0.0 111
Malik Washington WR 1 1 8 0 2.4% 25.0% 23.7% 4.0 5.0% 5.6% 14.3% 1.14 1.8 97
Dee Eskridge WR 25.0% 27.1% 0.0 111
Jonnu Smith TE 42.9% 40.7% 0.0 53
Durham Smythe TE 10.7% 30.5% 0.0 53
Julian Hill TE 14.3% 50.8% 0.0 53
Tanner Conner TE 2 2 15 0 6.0% 7.1% 3.4% 5.0 10.0% 5.6% 100.0% 7.50 3.5 34
De'Von Achane RB 3 3 14 0 -3.6% 67.9% 72.9% -2.0 15.0% 16.7% 15.8% 0.74 5.9 44
Jaylen Wright RB 1 0 0 0 -1.2% 53.6% 47.5% -2.0 5.0% 0.0% 6.7% 0.00 3.2 55
Jeff Wilson Jr. RB 0.0% 3.4% 0.0 71
Alec Ingold FB 14.3% 30.5% 0.0 5

Dolphins Notes From Week 4:

The Monday Night Football game between the Titans and Dolphins felt like a parody. When they show a football game the way it was meant to be played, and then show this game as the polar opposite. It was not great for the Miami Dolphins, who look like a decrepit shell of what they used to be now that they’re on their third quarterback of the season, Tyler Huntley.

Huntley only threw for 96 yards and completed just 14 passes, eight of those to Jaylen Waddle (six targets, 4-36) and Tyreek Hill (seven targets, 4-23).

Luckily, we had De’Von Achane to save us, right? RIGHT?

10 carries, 15 yards, -28 RYOE. Three receptions, 14 yards. At least his utilization (68% routes, 73% snaps) was strong.

It was u-g-l-y. I wish I had an alibi.

 

Minnesota Vikings

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Justin Jefferson WR 8 6 85 1 39.6% 97.0% 89.7% 13.0 30.8% 30.0% 25.0% 2.66 20.5 11
Jordan Addison 12 3 3 72 1 27.7% 84.8% 66.2% 24.3 11.5% 20.0% 10.7% 2.57 22.9 1
Jalen Nailor WR 2 1 31 0 9.5% 36.4% 20.6% 12.5 7.7% 10.0% 16.7% 2.58 2.1 89
Brandon Powell WR 2 0 0 0 12.2% 39.4% 33.8% 16.0 7.7% 10.0% 15.4% 0.00 0.0 111
Trent Sherfield Sr. WR 1 1 8 0 2.7% 9.1% 32.4% 7.0 3.8% 5.0% 33.3% 2.67 1.8 97
Johnny Mundt TE 2 2 15 0 3.0% 60.6% 60.3% 4.0 7.7% 0.0% 10.0% 0.75 3.5 34
Josh Oliver TE 2 2 10 1 -1.1% 42.4% 67.6% -1.5 7.7% 5.0% 14.3% 0.71 9.0 14
Robert Tonyan TE 9.1% 10.3% 0.0 53
Aaron Jones RB 5 4 46 0 8.0% 63.6% 82.4% 4.2 19.2% 15.0% 23.8% 2.19 17.9 15
Ty Chandler RB 1 1 8 0 -1.5% 12.1% 11.8% -4.0 3.8% 5.0% 25.0% 2.00 2.3 61
C.J. Ham FB 12.1% 25.0% 0.0 5

Vikings Notes From Week 4:

Sam Darnold keeps Sam Darnold’ing (that a good thing in 2024, who would’ve thought?) and the Vikings on the strength of three touchdowns and an Aaron Jones revenge game narrative looked like the better team for three quarters against the Packers before staving off a frenzied comeback attempt.

Justin Jefferson is pretty good (eight targets, 6-83-1) and in Jordan Addison’s first game action since Week 1, he asserted himself in a massive way with a 3-72-1 line and a seven-yard rushing touchdown on top of that.

In what is atypical of the Vikings compared to previous seasons with the third wide receiver spot, a combo of Jalen Nailor (two targets, 1-31, 36% routes), Brandon Powell (two targets, no stats, 39% routes), and Trent Sherfield Sr. (one targets, 1-8, 9% routes) essentially split up that role. Of course, that could change in a week, but if gives some serious pause to starting Nailor even as a flex option. For Addison, Darnold looking like the MVP of the entire league right now solidifies a healthy Addison as a high-end WR3 with WR2 upside going forward.

The Vikings tried like hell in the fourth quarter to get Jones a touchdown in front of his old fans at Lambeau, but it was not to be. Jones had to settle for 139 total yards. Jones saw a lot more utilization than in previous weeks as it looked like Ty Chandler (12% snaps) was de-emphasized to game more opportunity for Jones.

 

New England Patriots

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Demario Douglas WR 3 3 13 0 3.7% 69.2% 59.4% 2.0 10.3% 13.0% 11.1% 0.48 4.3 73
Ja'Lynn Polk WR 7 3 30 0 65.8% 87.2% 82.8% 15.4 24.1% 30.4% 20.6% 0.88 6.0 62
K.J. Osborn WR 4 1 3 0 11.0% 66.7% 65.6% 4.5 13.8% 17.4% 15.4% 0.12 1.3 106
Tyquan Thornton WR 1 0 0 0 10.4% 15.4% 20.3% 17.0 3.4% 4.3% 16.7% 0.00 0.0 111
Kayshon Boutte WR 1 1 11 0 2.4% 23.1% 23.4% 4.0 3.4% 4.3% 11.1% 1.22 2.1 89
Hunter Henry TE 2 2 12 0 6.7% 74.4% 78.1% 5.5 6.9% 4.3% 6.9% 0.41 3.2 38
Austin Hooper TE 2 2 13 1 3.7% 43.6% 59.4% 3.0 6.9% 0.0% 11.8% 0.76 9.3 12
Rhamondre Stevenson RB 5 4 19 0 -12.2% 46.2% 54.7% -4.0 17.2% 21.7% 27.8% 1.06 8.2 37
Antonio Gibson RB 4 3 67 0 8.5% 30.8% 34.4% 3.5 13.8% 4.3% 33.3% 5.58 10.9 27
JaMycal Hasty RB 15.4% 15.6% 1.5 65

Patriots Notes From Week 4:

The Patriots are still trotting out Jacoby Brissett and we’ll see for how long, but Ja’Lynn Polk led the Patriots in targets (7) and air yards (108) while jumping up from 49% to a season-high 87% in routes. Other than that, DeMario Douglas (three targets, 3-13), K.J. Osborn (four targets, 1-3), and Hunter Henry (two targets, 2-12) were wholly uninspiring as the lead route-runners after Polk.

Another game, another fumble for Rhamondre Stevenson and the chatter is that head coach Jerod Mayo is considering installing Antonio Gibson (6-12 rushing; four targets, 3-67 receiving) as the starting running back following Stevenson’s fumbling issues. Both are going to essentially split the backfield, so I’m honestly not sure it’s going to matter a ton with this particular offense.

 

New Orleans Saints

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Chris Olave WR 10 8 87 0 36.4% 89.7% 78.4% 7.5 27.8% 31.8% 28.6% 2.49 16.7 21
Rashid Shaheed WR 11 8 83 0 57.7% 94.9% 77.0% 10.8 30.6% 40.9% 29.7% 2.24 15.7 24
Cedrick Wilson Jr. WR 10.3% 18.9% 0.0 111
Bub Means WR 5.1% 8.1% 0.0 111
Mason Tipton WR 1 1 6 0 2.4% 56.4% 39.2% 5.0 2.8% 4.5% 4.5% 0.27 1.6 101
Juwan Johnson TE 3 2 13 0 1.5% 69.2% 67.6% 1.0 8.3% 4.5% 11.1% 0.48 3.3 36
Taysom Hill TE 10.3% 20.3% 14.4 5
Foster Moreau TE 17.9% 56.8% 0.0 53
Alvin Kamara RB 9 7 42 0 4.4% 69.2% 82.4% 1.0 25.0% 18.2% 33.3% 1.56 24.9 4
Jamaal Williams RB 2 2 8 0 -2.4% 12.8% 14.9% -2.5 5.6% 0.0% 40.0% 1.60 3.9 51
Adam Prentice FB 7.7% 32.4% 0.0 5

Saints Notes From Week 4:

With targets incredibly condensed in a close game in Atlanta, the Saints relied on their top players with Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Alvin Kamara hoarding 83% of the targets in Week 4. Interestingly, both Olave (10 targets, 8-87, 7.5-yard aDOT) and Shaheed (11 targets, 8-83, 10.8-yard aDOT) worked at much shorter aDOT ranges than they normally do. Perhaps that’s to solve the problem of there being no middle of the field or short-to-intermediate range guy available to the team since Michael Thomas or even Juwan Johnson, who has yet to run a consistent number of routes this season.

The Olave stuff is more interesting to me because he’s always been perceived as a “good-not-great” receiver who relies on deep shots and in turn, is inconsistent. Getting the shorter stuff in combination with deeper targets completes that Stefon Diggs-to-Buffalo or DJ Moore-to-Chicago arc if that does remain a part of Olave’s game, where Diggs and Moore needed to combine targets at short, intermediate, and deep levels to round out how he can win against defenses. Not to say Shaheed getting shorter targets isn’t noteworthy, but it’s working to beat the “solely a deep threat” allegations.

Even with Taysom Hill arriving, taking two rushing touchdowns, and leaving with a rib injury, Kamara still had an awesome day with nine targets and a 7-42 line receiving, plus 77 yards rushing a touchdown, Kamara is benefitting hugely from there being literally nothing in terms of running backs to spell him, so he’s getting EVERYTHING. He’s been a sneaky winner of the old running back sweepstakes with Saquon Barkley, Aaron Jones, and Derrick Henry.

 

New York Giants

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Malik Nabers WR 15 12 115 0 41.9% 92.7% 89.7% 10.3 39.5% 45.2% 39.5% 3.03 23.1 6
Wan'Dale Robinson WR 14 11 71 0 20.1% 82.9% 66.2% 5.3 36.8% 32.3% 41.2% 2.09 18.1 17
Darius Slayton WR 5 3 56 0 25.2% 90.2% 83.8% 18.6 13.2% 12.9% 13.5% 1.51 8.6 48
Jalin Hyatt WR 1 0 0 0 14.4% 22.0% 19.1% 53.0 2.6% 3.2% 11.1% 0.00 0.0 111
Daniel Bellinger TE 9.8% 17.6% 0.0 53
Theo Johnson TE 1 1 6 0 1.4% 65.9% 70.6% 5.0 2.6% 0.0% 3.7% 0.22 1.6 42
Chris Manhertz TE 12.2% 42.6% 0.0 53
Devin Singletary RB 1 1 14 0 -1.1% 56.1% 69.1% -4.0 2.6% 3.2% 4.3% 0.61 4.8 50
Tyrone Tracy Jr. RB 1 1 19 0 -1.9% 22.0% 23.5% -7.0 2.6% 3.2% 11.1% 2.11 3.1 56
Eric Gray RB 4.9% 7.4% 0.1 70
Jakob Johnson FB 0.0% 10.3% 0.0 5

Giants Notes From Week 4:

The Giants had a grand ol’ time kicking a bunch of field goals and losing by five points to the Cowboys on Thursday night. All you need to know is that Malik Nabers through four weeks has been nothing short of dominant, leading the NFL in targets, receptions, WOPR, and most importantly, fantasy points among wide receivers. Nabers added 12 catches for 115 yards on 15 targets, proving that even when defenses know he’s get the ball, he’s still producing.

Also producing is Wan’Dale Robinson, the king of PPR scams, with 11 catches for 71 yards on 14 targets. Nabers and Robinson combined for 76% of the targets for the Giants as they were incredibly condensed to these two pass-catchers. Darius Slayton earned five targets and a 3-56 line, but everybody else combined for just four targets, three receptions, and 39 receiving yards.

Devin Singletary is fine in a way that you know he’s going to be the preferred option at running back for the Giants, but not in a way where you feel confident in his ability to produce consistent as anything more than a flex option. Singletary also has missed practice on Wednesday with a groin strain, which could unlock some more touches for Tyrone Tracy if Singletary can’t go or is active but limited.

 

New York Jets

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Garrett Wilson WR 8 5 41 0 18.2% 98.0% 95.9% 7.1 20.0% 21.9% 16.0% 0.82 7.1 59
Mike Williams WR 5 4 67 0 25.3% 66.7% 58.1% 15.8 12.5% 12.5% 14.7% 1.97 10.7 44
Xavier Gipson WR 4 1 6 0 14.1% 19.6% 18.9% 11.0 10.0% 12.5% 40.0% 0.60 1.6 101
Allen Lazard WR 8 5 58 0 16.6% 92.2% 87.8% 6.5 20.0% 21.9% 17.0% 1.23 10.8 43
Tyler Conklin TE 8 4 17 0 20.0% 90.2% 91.9% 7.8 20.0% 15.6% 17.4% 0.37 5.7 22
Jeremy Ruckert TE 2 2 10 0 -0.3% 19.6% 32.4% -0.5 5.0% 3.1% 20.0% 1.00 3.0 40
Breece Hall RB 4 2 14 0 6.1% 52.9% 68.9% 4.8 10.0% 9.4% 14.8% 0.52 3.8 52
Braelon Allen RB 1 1 12 0 0.0% 25.5% 36.5% 0.0 2.5% 3.1% 7.7% 0.92 5.6 46

Jets Notes From Week 4:

The Denver Broncos couldn’t move the ball through the air, but Aaron Rodgers could, which really sheds light on just how behind the eight-ball and limited Bo Nix is for Denver. Both teams played in the same gross environment, so where Nix couldn’t make anything happen, Rodgers and his wealth of experience found a way to make it work despite losing the football game.

Nothing really that eye-popping happened for the Jets though, as targets were spread out evenly among the top options. Garrett Wilson (5-41), Allen Lazard (5-58), and Tyler Conklin (4-17) all earned eight targets apiece, yet Mike Williams led the Jets in receiving yards with a 4-67 day on five targets.

Breece Hall’s afternoon was atrocious, with 10 carries for just four yards on the ground and two receptions for 14 yards through the air. Braelon Allen wasn’t much better with 34 yards on the ground and one catch for 12 yards. Considering the conditions both backs were working with, I’m throwing out this game when trying to assess anything long term.

 

Philadelphia Eagles

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Jahan Dotson WR 4 2 11 0 11.6% 94.6% 86.0% 7.8 14.3% 17.6% 11.4% 0.31 3.1 80
Johnny Wilson WR 2 0 0 0 6.0% 48.6% 56.1% 8.0 7.1% 11.8% 11.1% 0.00 0.0 111
Parris Campbell WR 4 4 17 1 7.5% 78.4% 84.2% 5.0 14.3% 17.6% 13.8% 0.59 11.7 38
John Ross WR 2 1 6 0 17.5% 27.0% 21.1% 23.5 7.1% 5.9% 20.0% 0.60 1.6 101
Dallas Goedert TE 8 7 62 0 25.4% 56.8% 63.2% 8.5 28.6% 29.4% 38.1% 2.95 13.2 6
Grant Calcaterra TE 2 1 26 0 14.2% 48.6% 47.4% 19.0 7.1% 11.8% 11.1% 1.44 3.6 31
Jack Stoll TE 2 1 4 0 3.0% 27.0% 38.6% 4.0 7.1% 5.9% 20.0% 0.40 1.4 46
Saquon Barkley RB 3 2 32 0 14.9% 43.2% 56.1% 13.3 10.7% 0.0% 18.8% 2.00 13.6 21
Kenneth Gainwell RB 1 0 0 0 0.0% 24.3% 43.9% 0.0 3.6% 0.0% 11.1% 0.00 0.9 67
Will Shipley RB 2.7% 1.8% 0.0 71

Eagles Notes From Week 4:

With no A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith, it’s incredibly bleak out there in the Eagles’ pass-catching streets outside of Dallas Goedert, who led the group with eight targets, seven receptions and 62 yards receiving. The corpse of Parris Campbell (four targets, 4-17) scored a touchdown and somebody apparently unearthed John Ross, who ran routes on 27% of Jalen Hurts’ dropbacks? He even earned two targets?

I REALLY hope I just made this all up and this was a fever dream.

Not even Saquon Barkley was safe, as it was a 24-0 blowout into the middle of the second quarter. Barkley still put up 116 total yards but exited the game early into the second half when the rout was on, as evidenced by the 56% snap share, a season low.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
George Pickens WR 10 7 113 0 62.1% 90.5% 85.7% 13.8 35.7% 47.1% 26.3% 2.97 16.3 21
Van Jefferson WR 2 2 21 0 10.5% 83.3% 85.7% 11.7 7.1% 11.8% 5.7% 0.60 4.1 74
Calvin Austin III WR 1 1 17 0 6.7% 57.1% 55.7% 15.0 3.6% 5.9% 4.2% 0.71 2.7 83
Scotty Miller WR 9.5% 12.9% 0.0 111
Pat Freiermuth TE 6 5 57 1 18.9% 81.0% 75.7% 7.0 21.4% 23.5% 17.6% 1.68 16.7 2
Darnell Washington TE 2 2 31 0 1.8% 38.1% 57.1% 2.0 7.1% 5.9% 12.5% 1.94 5.1 23
Connor Heyward TE 21.4% 25.7% 0.0 53
Najee Harris RB 5 3 54 0 -3.1% 64.3% 68.6% -1.4 17.9% 5.9% 18.5% 2.00 10.3 31
Cordarrelle Patterson RB 2 2 19 0 3.1% 7.1% 12.9% 3.5 7.1% 0.0% 66.7% 6.33 8.2 37
Aaron Shampklin RB 21.4% 18.6% 0.5 69

Steelers Notes From Week 4:

In a game where Justin Fields obliterated the quarterback scoring thanks to 312 yards passing and 55 rushing yards with two rushing touchdowns, we got some solid volume out of an Arthur Smith offense.

(Didn’t think I’d be typing that sentence, but it’s a crazy and turbulent NFL season full of chaos, and we’re only entering Week 5. Buckle up!)

George Pickens was electric with a team-leading 10 targets and 7-113 line and 62% air yards. He dominated everything for the Steelers but fumbled within the five-yard line in a weird play where it looked like he just tossed the ball to the Colts’ defender.

Pat Freiermuth had a solid 5-57 game on six targets, including a touchdown with just under four minutes left in the game that got the Steelers within a field goal. Pickens and Freiermuth ate up roughly 57% of the targets for Pittsburgh, no other Steeler had more than three receptions.

Fields was the star and led Pittsburgh in the rushing categories, but in another week without Jaylen Warren, Najee Harris was an abject bust with just 19 rushing yards on 13 carries, as he took 69% of the snaps and 64% of the routes in the backfield. One could argue that Week 4’s disappointing backfield output was pretty bullish for Warren when he eventually returns to the lineup.

I’m definitely NOT bag defending for Warren. You can’t prove it.

 

San Francisco 49ers

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Deebo Samuel Sr. WR 5 3 58 0 16.3% 83.3% 76.2% 12.4 19.2% 22.2% 20.0% 2.32 10.2 45
Brandon Aiyuk WR 5 2 48 0 24.1% 90.0% 79.4% 18.4 19.2% 16.7% 18.5% 1.78 6.8 60
Jauan Jennings WR 6 3 88 0 23.9% 66.7% 57.1% 15.2 23.1% 33.3% 30.0% 4.40 11.8 37
Chris Conley WR 2 0 0 0 15.7% 6.7% 7.9% 30.0 7.7% 11.1% 100.0% 0.00 0.0 111
Jacob Cowing WR 6.7% 6.3% 0.0 111
George Kittle TE 4 4 45 1 12.4% 83.3% 93.7% 11.8 15.4% 11.1% 16.0% 1.80 14.5 4
Eric Saubert TE 13.3% 28.6% 0.0 53
Jake Tonges TE 3.3% 7.9% 0.0 53
Jordan Mason RB 3 2 37 0 6.3% 56.7% 74.6% 8.0 11.5% 5.6% 17.6% 2.18 24.0 5
Isaac Guerendo RB 10.0% 7.9% -2.0 80
Kyle Juszczyk FB 1 1 12 0 1.3% 60.0% 60.3% 5.0 3.8% 0.0% 5.6% 0.67 2.2 2

49ers Notes From Week 4:

The 49ers dispatched the Patriots pretty easily with Brock Purdy only needing 27 passes attempts with an efficient 288 passing yards. Jauan Jennings paced the 49ers with 88 receiving yards, but his routes dropped precipitously from 90% last week to 57%. That’s because Deebo Samuel (five targets, 3-58; 2-14 rushing) was back in the lineup. Brandon Aiyuk (five targets, 2-48) is still apparently in preseason mode as we enter Week 5.

George Kittle (4-45-1) snatched three bodies on this touchdown. Just amazing.

With the 49ers dominating this game and the outcome never in doubt, Jordan Mason pounded away for 5.1 YPC as the workhorse on 75% snaps. We have no idea what the situation with Christian McCaffrey is but continue to ride Mason as a low-end RB1 as long as you possibly can. He’s been one of the biggest difference makers outside of Malik Nabers, Nico Collins, and Jayden Daniels in fantasy this season.

 

Seattle Seahawks

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
DK Metcalf WR 12 7 104 0 42.9% 86.9% 82.2% 12.3 23.1% 25.0% 22.6% 1.96 15.4 26
Tyler Lockett WR 8 5 61 0 18.8% 82.0% 71.1% 8.1 15.4% 16.7% 16.0% 1.22 11.1 42
Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR 12 8 51 0 25.5% 93.4% 84.4% 7.3 23.1% 22.2% 21.1% 0.89 13.1 31
Jake Bobo WR 3 3 30 0 6.7% 21.3% 30.0% 7.7 5.8% 5.6% 23.1% 2.31 6.0 62
Laviska Shenault Jr. WR 1 1 18 0 -0.3% 1.6% 1.1% -1.0 1.9% 2.8% 100.0% 18.00 2.8 82
Noah Fant TE 2 2 26 0 6.4% 59.0% 56.7% 11.0 3.8% 5.6% 5.6% 0.72 4.6 26
Pharaoh Brown TE 2 1 3 0 1.2% 16.4% 31.1% 2.0 3.8% 5.6% 20.0% 0.30 1.3 47
AJ Barner TE 2 2 27 1 1.2% 31.1% 38.9% 2.0 3.8% 5.6% 10.5% 1.42 10.7 9
Kenneth Walker III RB 5 4 36 0 -1.5% 52.5% 58.9% -1.0 9.6% 8.3% 15.6% 1.13 33.6 2
Zach Charbonnet RB 5 5 39 0 -0.9% 31.1% 42.2% -0.6 9.6% 2.8% 26.3% 2.05 10.4 29

Seahawks Notes From Week 4:

In the other half of the GOOD Monday Night Football game matchup, DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett combined for 62% of the team’s targets and were aggressive in trying to make a game of it against the Lions up until the final whistle.

Geno Smith and the Seahawks had 56 pass attempts – the most in Week 4, which allowed for Metcalf (7-104) and Smith-Njigba (8-51) to each collect 12 targets apiece. Lockett (5-61) was solid as well with nine targets. No other non-running back earned more than three targets, which means it’s getting increasingly hard to trust ancillary players like Noah Fant (two targets, 2-26). Especially with rookie tight end AJ Barner catching a touchdown on his second-highest routes per dropback of the season at 39%.

We talk about the dead zone for running backs and how it’s a breeding ground for trap running backs, but Kenneth Walker III looked like a bonafide superstar in Week 4, with 116 total yards and three rushing touchdowns. Walker took a lot of the work in the beginning of the game, but ended up ceding a bunch of work as the Seahawks were in catch-up mode, which ended Walker at 59% snaps to Zach Charbonnet’s 42%.

Both backs earned five targets and Charbonnet was solid in the receiving game, catching all of his targets for 39 yards, including one mid-play from Smith-Njigba, which shows offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb is totally in his bag and we need to be here for it.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Mike Evans WR 13 8 94 1 48.3% 86.3% 76.6% 12.1 28.9% 32.4% 29.5% 2.14 23.4 5
Chris Godwin WR 9 6 69 0 10.8% 90.2% 85.7% 3.9 20.0% 26.5% 19.6% 1.50 12.9 32
Trey Palmer WR 3 3 26 1 2.8% 17.6% 14.3% 3.0 6.7% 2.9% 33.3% 2.89 11.6 39
Kameron Johnson WR 1 0 0 0 1.8% 23.5% 32.5% 6.0 2.2% 2.9% 8.3% 0.00 0.0 111
Sterling Shepard WR 5 3 51 0 26.6% 64.7% 64.9% 17.3 11.1% 14.7% 15.2% 1.55 8.1 51
Cade Otton TE 8 6 52 0 12.5% 84.3% 94.8% 5.1 17.8% 8.8% 18.6% 1.21 11.2 8
Payne Durham TE 3.9% 19.5% 0.0 53
Ko Kieft TE 2.0% 3.9% 0.0 53
Rachaad White RB 3 2 35 0 -1.6% 47.1% 58.4% -1.7 6.7% 8.8% 12.5% 1.46 10.4 29
Bucky Irving RB 2 1 6 0 -1.2% 39.2% 41.6% -2.0 4.4% 2.9% 10.0% 0.30 12.5 23
Sean Tucker RB 1 1 14 0 0.0% 5.9% 7.8% 0.0 2.2% 0.0% 33.3% 4.67 2.7 58

Buccaneers Notes From Week 4:

After two subpar games in a row, Mike Evans put together his best game of the season with a team-leading 13 targets and 8-94-1 line as the Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield poured it on against the Eagles. Evans, Chris Godwin (nine targets. 6-69), and Cade Otton (eight targets, 6-52) dominated the targets for the Bucs with 66% of the team’s total. With no Jalen McMillan, the team looked to veteran Sterling Shepard (five targets, 3-51) who was solid in his first extended action since the middle of last season.

We got our first game where Bucky Irving went toe to toe with Rachaad White for running back supremacy, and well, both backs came out ahead in different areas, so it looks like a draw in the first round. White still led Irving in snaps (58% to 42%) and routes (47% to 39%), but both had matching 10 carry, 49-yard lines. Irving though, got a rushing touchdown while White earned three targets and a 2-35 line. It’s pretty even, but Irving can certainly be started in the flex now that he’s getting more and more work.

 

Tennessee Titans

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
DeAndre Hopkins WR 4 2 31 0 48.0% 56.5% 32.3% 12.0 23.5% 23.1% 30.8% 2.38 5.1 68
Calvin Ridley WR 2 1 5 0 4.0% 91.3% 58.5% 2.0 11.8% 15.4% 9.5% 0.24 2.5 86
Tyler Boyd WR 2 2 31 0 20.0% 73.9% 49.2% 10.0 11.8% 15.4% 11.8% 1.82 5.1 68
Treylon Burks WR 1 1 13 0 13.0% 39.1% 53.8% 13.0 5.9% 0.0% 11.1% 1.44 2.3 87
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine WR 13.0% 26.2% 0.0 111
Chigoziem Okonkwo TE 3 1 5 0 17.1% 73.9% 50.8% 5.7 17.6% 23.1% 17.6% 0.29 1.5 44
Josh Whyle TE 1 1 5 0 5.0% 13.0% 53.8% 5.0 5.9% 7.7% 33.3% 1.67 1.5 44
Nick Vannett TE 8.7% 49.2% 0.0 53
Tony Pollard RB 2 2 20 0 -4.0% 52.2% 60.0% -2.0 11.8% 7.7% 16.7% 1.67 18.8 13
Tyjae Spears RB 2 2 0 0 -3.0% 17.4% 41.5% -1.5 11.8% 7.7% 50.0% 0.00 11.9 24

Titans Notes From Week 4:

We went from Will Levis to Mason Rudolph so quickly into this game that we got whiplash, and the whiplash may have been the most exciting thing related to the Tennessee Titans that happened in Week 4. DeAndre Hopkins “led” the Titans in targets with four, and Hopkins and Boyd tied for team leads in receptions and yards with matching two catch, 31-yard lines. Calvin Ridley had one catch for five yards. Just one big collective YIKES.

At least Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears put this offense on their shoulders as both scored rushing touchdowns. Pollard was solid with 108 total yards on 22 carries, catching both targets for 20 yards as well. Pollard’s role has been incredibly stable with at least 60% snaps and over half of the routes in the last three games, so there’s sneaky three-down upside here, even with the presence of Spears.

 

Washington Commanders

Name Pos Targets Rec. Rec. Yards TD Air Yards % Route % Snap % aDOT Target Share % First Read Target % TPRR YPRR PPR FPTS PPR Finish
Terry McLaurin WR 10 7 52 1 61.1% 80.6% 70.4% 10.8 33.3% 45.0% 34.5% 1.79 18.2 16
Dyami Brown WR 1 1 4 0 2.3% 25.0% 23.9% 4.0 3.3% 5.9% 11.1% 0.44 1.4 105
Luke McCaffrey WR 1 1 17 0 7.4% 47.2% 43.7% 13.0 3.3% 0.0% 5.9% 1.00 2.7 83
Olamide Zaccheaus WR 6 6 85 0 9.5% 30.6% 25.4% 2.8 20.0% 29.4% 54.5% 7.73 14.5 29
Noah Brown WR 4 3 26 0 17.0% 72.2% 67.6% 7.5 13.3% 17.6% 15.4% 1.00 5.6 65
Zach Ertz TE 3 3 22 0 8.5% 86.1% 67.6% 5.0 10.0% 0.0% 9.7% 0.71 7.2 18
Ben Sinnott TE 22.2% 42.3% 0.0 53
John Bates TE 1 1 0 0 1.1% 30.6% 56.3% 2.0 3.3% 0.0% 9.1% 0.00 1.0 48
Brian Robinson Jr. RB 3 3 12 0 -4.6% 52.8% 63.4% -2.7 10.0% 11.8% 15.8% 0.63 14.3 20
Jeremy McNichols RB 1 1 6 0 -2.3% 36.1% 36.6% -4.0 3.3% 0.0% 7.7% 0.46 20.4 9

Commanders Notes From Week 4:

I know I said Sam Darnold was the league MVP, but Jayden Daniels is right there. He’s the talk of the league and has been a revelation for fantasy football. The best part? He’s starting to bring players with him and provide some credence to the “a rising tide lifts all boats” saying.

Terry McLaurin has touchdowns in consecutive weeks and led the Commanders in targets (10) and receptions with seven to go with 52 receiving yards. What the Commanders truly need is some more receiving talent outside of McLaurin, but until then, you’re going to get outliers like Olamide Zaccheaus’ 6-85 on six targets (on a 2.8-yard aDOT!?) on just 30% routes per dropback. Sorry, that 55% TPRR and 7.73 YPRR is probably not going to stick.

With no Austin Ekeler due to a concussion, Brian Robinson has put up double-digit fantasy points in all four games this season and looks pretty solid with Daniels to play off of. The Commanders are on such a high that they unearthed and dusted off Jeremy McNichols, who last played an NFL snap in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans, and let him run ragged on the Cardinals to the tune of 68 yards rushing and TWO touchdowns.

To reiterate, we want pieces of this offense, but the only one that’s worth keeping in the passing game is McLaurin and possibly Zach Ertz (three targets, 3-22) in a streaming role at tight end. We just wish there was more talent to draw attention off of McLaurin, but Daniels has everybody’s attention in the league currently.



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