Wide Receiver Risers, Fallers, Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Counts: 2023 Year In Review

Phil Clark looks back at the most important risers and fallers in targets, snaps, receptions, and trends for fantasy football wide receivers in 2023.

Congratulations to all fantasy managers whose tireless dedication toward winning league titles resulted in the fulfillment of your championship aspirations. For those of you who were unsuccessful in achieving the ultimate goal of capturing your leagues, your efforts should also be commended, as this does not diminish your non-stop flexibility that remained part of your ongoing commitment throughout the year.

Your wide receivers were essential components on every roster during 2023 and this column has been dedicated toward providing an extensive weekly collection of game-specific data surrounding the position -- including updated totals for targets, targets per route run, red zone targets, air yards, yards per route run, snap shares, and a compilation of additional statistics.

Now that a full season of matchups has been completed, we are in possession of all 2023 statistics that encompass each of the categories once again. That has supplied the foundation for this review, which can be essential in your planning for 2024. Pro Football Reference, PFF, NextGenStats, Rotowire, and Rotoviz were all used as resources in compiling this data for this season-long statistical breakdown of wide receivers during 2023.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Target Leaders

CeeDee Lamb finished his fourth season with a career-high 181 targets, which led all wide receivers. He also averaged 10.6 per game, while accumulating 10+ in 10 different matchups. He also accrued a league-best 77 targets from Weeks 13-18, while averaging 12.8 per game, and collecting 10+ in all of his matchups during that span.

TAE WITH THE TUDDIE #DENvsLV | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/cvRMrP6Jt8

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 7, 2024

Davante Adams finished second overall with 175 targets. He has now accumulated 169+ in three consecutive seasons and has accomplished it four times since 2018. He also collected 10+ in eight different matchups, including two contests in which he eclipsed 20+. Adams also captured 12+ in seven different contests.

Tyreek Hill secured 10+ targets in 11 different matchups, which propelled him to a career-best 171 during his second season with Miami. He also accrued 12+ seven times, including each of his last three games. He also accumulated 122 targets from Weeks 6-18, while averaging 11.1 per game during that span.

ok, G!!@GarrettWilson_V | #NYJvsNE on FOX pic.twitter.com/wrmE8xYIaN

— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 7, 2024

Garrett Wilson captured 168 targets, which was 119 more than any other wide receiver in the Jets’ arsenal of weaponry. Wilson attained double-digit target totals in nine different outings while eclipsing 9+ 10 times. He also accumulated a league-high 112 targets from Weeks 4-14, while averaging 11.2 per game during that span.

Amon-Ra St. Brown completed his third season with a career-high 163 targets while averaging 10.2 per game. He also secured double-digit totals in seven different matchups, while eclipsing 8+ 13 times. He also collected 11+ targets in six contests from Weeks 3-18, while averaging 10.6 per game during that span.

Puka Nacua led all rookies with 160 targets while garnering 10+ in six different matchups. He vaulted into the league lead with 82 targets from Weeks 1-7 while averaging 11.7 per game during that sequence. He averaged 7.8 per game from Weeks 8-18 but collected at least seven targets during 16 of his 17 matchups.

STEFON DIGGS WHAT A CATCH pic.twitter.com/GYGb0GlOHh

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) January 8, 2024

Stefon Diggs also finished with 160 targets, and his overall total was largely fueled by the league-high 102 that he accumulated from Weeks 1-10. Diggs also averaged 10.2 per game during those contests. However, his average dropped to 8.3 per game from Weeks 11-18 and diminished even further (6.7 per game) from Weeks 15-17.

A.J. Brown was second among all wide receivers with 152 targets from Weeks 1-17, while averaging 10.1 per game during those matchups. He was limited to five targets in Week 17, then sustained a knee injury after accumulating one target in Week 18. As a result, he completed his season with 158 targets (9.3 per game), which included 11 games with 9+.

Michael Pittman Jr.. completed the season with 156 targets, even though he averaged 6.0 per game from Weeks 15-18. Pittman Jr. had averaged 10.6 per game from Weeks 1-14, while collecting 11+ in nine different matchups. He also averaged 13.0 per game from Weeks 10-14.

Keenan Allen was leading the league with 150 targets entering Week 15, while also averaging a league-best 11.5 per game. His problematic heel affixed him to the sideline from Weeks 15-18. However, he still finished 10th overall from Weeks 1-18, while capturing 9+ targets in 12 of his 13 matchups.

Ja'Marr Chase completed his third season with a career-high 145 targets. He was averaging a league-high 13.6 targets per game from Weeks 3-8 while capturing 12+ in four of his five matchups during that span. He also averaged 10.7 per game from Weeks 3-13 before his average declined to just 5.3 from Weeks 14-18.

CHRIS OLAVE. You are insane 🤯

📺 @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/DhuvvklaSK

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 7, 2024

Chris Olave secured a career-best 138 targets, which included 9+ during eight of his first 11 matchups. Five of his six games with 10+ also transpired during that sequence before he averaged 7.0 per game from Weeks 13-18. He also failed to exceed six targets during three of his final four contests.

Adam Thielen completed his 10th season with 137 targets, which was his highest total since 2018. He garnered 10+ targets during six of his eight matchups from Weeks 3-11, which launched him to sixth overall during that sequence (86/10.8 per game). His usage was not sustained from Weeks 13-18, as his average decreased to 6.2 per game.

DeAndre Hopkins also collected 137 targets, which was his highest total since 2020. He secured double-digit target totals in six different matchups while capturing 12+ in three contests. However, those were interspersed with five games in which he did not surpass five targets.

Six different wide receivers averaged at least 10+targets per game from Weeks 1-18 -- Keenan Allen (11.5), Tyreek Hill (10.7), CeeDee Lamb (10.6), Davante Adams (10.3), Amon-Ra St. Brown (10.2), and Justin Jefferson (10.0).

Late-Season Target Leaders  

There is a percentage of leagues that determine their league champions during Week 18. However, most fantasy managers participated in leagues that completed their postseason in Week 17. That provided the opportunity to elude a myriad of factors -- including inactive players and managed workloads -- that can converge to eliminate roster options at a time that would be critical in any quest to capture a league title.

That creates the incentive for shifting the focus of this section from the usual review of risers and fallers to a breakdown of targets that were accrued during the final five weeks of the season. This will encompass the crucial matchups that transpired during the fantasy postseason of all leagues.

CeeDee Lamb’s league-high total of 181 targets from Weeks 1-18 included a six-game sequence from Weeks 13-18 in which he captured double-digit target totals in every matchup.

He accumulated a league-best 60 targets from Weeks 14-18 while averaging 12.0 per game during those contests. Lamb also led his position with 30 targets (15.0 per game) in Weeks 17-18.

Davante Adams was second overall with 57 targets from Weeks 14-18 while attaining a double-digit total in three of his games during that sequence. He also tied his career high while stockpiling 21 targets in Week 17.

Lawd have mercy 😍@Trevorlawrencee | @CalvinRidley1 pic.twitter.com/MqIa0E2gvt

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 7, 2024

Calvin Ridley's first season with Jacksonville will be classified as a disappointment during reviews of his numbers in 2023. However, he did accrue the third-highest target total from Weeks 14-18. He also averaged 10.4 per game and collected 9+ during four of his five matchups.

Amon-Ra St. Brown was fourth overall with 49 targets from Weeks 14-18 while accumulating 8+ in all five games during that span. He also attained double-digit target totals during two of his final three contests, while averaging 10.7 per game from Weeks 16-18.

Garrett Wilson was next with 48 targets, even though he failed to exceed five targets during two of the Jets’ final five matchups. However, Wilson also accrued 14+ in two other contests during that sequence.

Justin Jefferson was targeted three times in Week 14 before he sustained a chest injury that sidelined him for the remainder of that matchup. However, Jefferson accumulated at least 10 targets in four consecutive games from Weeks 15-18, which propelled him to sixth overall from Weeks 14-18 (47/9.4 per game).

Baker throws a touchdown to Chris Godwin pic.twitter.com/Crzv5wSViW

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) December 31, 2023

Chris Godwin was fourth among all wide receivers with 33 targets from Weeks 14-16, while averaging 11.0 per game. He only averaged 6.0 per game in Weeks 17-18, but still finished seventh overall in targets from Weeks 14- 18 (45/9.0 per game).

Tyreek Hill sustained an ankle injury in Week 14, which also sidelined him in Week 15. However, he accumulated 39 targets from Weeks 16-18, which propelled him to eighth overall from Weeks 14-18 (44/11 per game).

D.J. Moore attained four double-digit target totals throughout the regular season, including 10+  in Weeks 14 and 17.  He also eclipsed 8+ targets in three of his last five outings, while accruing 43 from Weeks 14-18.

Deandre Hopkins! pic.twitter.com/YkzBkSy6es

— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) January 7, 2024

DeAndre Hopkins was targeted at least nine times during eight of his matchups. That includes three of his five games from Weeks 14-18, which fueled his rise to 10th overall with 42 targets (8.4 per game).

Puka Nacua capitalized on the 160 targets that he accumulated from Weeks 1-18 by establishing new rookie records for receptions (105/6.2 per game) and receiving yards (1,486/87.4 per game).

That includes his usage and production from Weeks 14-18, when he captured 42 targets (8.4 per game), collected 28 receptions (5.6 per game), and assembled 457 yards (91.4 per game).

A.J. Brown was tied for second among wide receivers with 34 targets from Weeks 14-16. He was limited to five targets in Week 17, then was sidelined with his aforementioned knee injury after 12 snaps in Week 18. However, he still collected 40 targets during that five-game sequence.

Stefon Diggs secured double-digit target totals in seven different matchups from Weeks 1-13, but only accomplished it once from Weeks 14-18. He also averaged  7.0 per game during his last four matchups while accruing 28 during that span.

AMARI COOPER 75 YARD TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/TbVJU4RZWu

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) December 24, 2023

Amari Cooper flourished with Joe Flacco spearheading Cleveland’s aerial attack while accumulating a league-high 37 targets from Weeks 14-16. He also averaged 12.3 per game during that sequence while eclipsing 14+ twice. Cooper was inactive in Weeks 17-18 due to a troublesome heel. However, his connections with Flacco still elevated him to 15th overall with 37 targets from Weeks 14-18.

Six wide receivers averaged at least 10.0 targets per game from Weeks 14-18 -- Amari Cooper (12.3), CeeDee Lamb (12.0), Keenan Allen (12.0), Davante Adams (11.4), Tyreek Hill (11.0), and Calvin Ridley (10.4). Six additional receivers averaged 9.0 per game during that span -- Amon-Ra St. Brown (9.8), Garrett Wilson (9.6), Justin Jefferson (9.4), Rashee Rice (9.3), Chris Godwin (9.0), and Cooper Kupp (9.0).

Air Yards Leaders

DeAndre Hopkins emerged as the league leader in air yards following his matchup in Week 15 and sustained that position through Week 18. Hopkins accumulated 1,913 air yards, followed by Mike Evans  (1,889), Tyreek Hill (1,837), A.J. Brown (1,826), Amari Cooper (1,796), Davante Adams (1,783), Chris Olave (1,783), and Calvin Ridley, who accrued 1,761 yards from Weeks 1-18.

Garrett Wilson was next (1,720), followed by CeeDee Lamb (1,682), Stefon Diggs (1,672), D.K. Metcalf (1,538), DJ Moore (1,508), Terry McLaurin (1,477), and Keenan Allen, who completed the year with 1,463 air yards despite missing the Chargers’ final four matchups. Puka Nacua was next (1,436), followed by George Pickens (1,435), and Brandon Aiyuk, who accumulated 1,434 yards.

Tyreek Hill led all wide receivers with a 44.6% air yards share from Weeks 1-18. Garrett Wilson was second (44.5%), followed by Davante Adams (44.4%), DeAndre Hopkins (43.4%), DJ Moore (42.6%), A.J. Brown (40.9%), Justin Jefferson (40.8%), and Mike Evans, who secured an air yards share of 40.2%.

Two receivers were tied at 40% (DK Metcalf/George Pickens), followed by Amari Cooper (39.7%), Keenan Allen (39.6%), Brandon Aiyuk (39.5%), Chris Olave (39.3%), Diontae Johnson (38.8%), Tee Higgins (37.7%), Calvin Ridley (37.2%), and Jerry Jeudy, who registered an air yards share of 36.7%.

Route Leaders

Stefon Diggs accumulated 694 routes, which led all wide receivers from Weeks 1-18. Garrett Wilson was second overall (689), followed by Adam Thielen (662), Ja'Marr Chase (659), Terry McLaurin (659), McLaurin‘s teammate Jahan Dotson (655), CeeDee Lamb (641), Alec Pierre (638), and Calvin Ridley, who ran 624 routes.

DJ Moore was next (616), followed by DeVonta Smith (612), Michael Pittman Jr. (609), Josh Downs (601), A.J. Brown (593), Elijah Moore (593), Chris Godwin (591), and Tyler Lockett (587). Jordan Addison was next (584), followed by Mike Evans (587), Amon-Ra St. Brown (576), and Tyler Boyd, who accumulated 574 routes.

Targets Per Route Run Leaders

Tyreek Hill was targeted on 38.2% of his routes from Weeks 1-18, which led all wide receivers. Davante Adams was second overall (31.5%), followed by Jaylen Waddle (29.5%), Puka Nacua (29.1%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (28.3%), CeeDee Lamb (28.2%), Nico Collins (27.7%), Keenan Allen (27.2%), and DeAndre Hopkins, who was targeted on 27.1% of his routes.

A.J. Brown was next (26.6%), followed by Cooper Kupp (26.3%), Brandon Aiyuk (26.0%), Justin Jefferson (25.9%), Michael Pittman Jr. (25.6%), Chris Olave (25.1%), Tank Dell (24.5%), Garrett Wilson (24.4%), Amari Cooper (24.3%), and Deebo Samuel, who was targeted on 24.2% of his routes.

Yards Per Route Run Leaders 

Tyreek Hill averaged 4.02 yards per route run from Weeks 1-18, which led all wide receivers. Brandon Aiyuk was second overall (3.32), followed by Nico Collins (3.29), Jaylen Waddle (2.88), Justin Jefferson (2.78), CeeDee Lamb (2.73), Puka Nacua (2.71), Amon-Ra St. Brown (2.63), A.J. Brown (2.46), and Deebo Samuel, who averaged 2.42 yards per route run.

Amari Cooper was next (2.37), followed by Tank Dell (2.32), Keenan Allen (2.25), DJ Moore (2.21), Mike Evans (2.17), Dontayvion Wicks (2.13), and two receivers who averaged 2.11 yards per run -- George Pickens, and DK Metcalf. DeAndre Hopkins was next (2.09), followed by Rashee Rice (2.08) and Davante Adams, who averaged 2.06 yards per route run.

Red Zone Target Leaders 

CeeDee Lamb accumulated a league-high 32 red zone targets from Weeks 1-18. Davante Adams was second overall with 30, followed by Calvin Ridley (27), and two receivers who were tied at 25 -- Tyreek Hill and Amon-Ra St. Brown. DK Metcalf collected 24 targets, followed by Rashee Rice (23), Ja'Marr Chase (21), Michael Pittman Jr. (20), and two receivers who accrued 19 targets inside the 20 -- Cooper Kupp and Garrett Wilson.

Five different receivers were targeted 18 times -- (A.J.Brown/DeAndre Hopkins/Jordan Addison/Courtland Sutton/Romeo Doubs). Deebo Samuel and Jayden Reed collected 17 targets, while Nico Collins and Tampa Bay teammates Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were among the seven receivers who garnered 16 targets inside the red zone.

CeeDee Lamb also led all wide receivers with 17 targets inside the 10-yard line. Tyreek Hill was second (16), followed by Davante Adams (15), Calvin Ridley (13), and two receivers who tied with 12 targets inside the 10 -- Amon-Ra St. Brown and Rashee Rice. Three receivers collected 11 targets -- Garrett Wilson, Chris Godwin, and Keenan Allen, while three other receivers accumulated 10 targets -- DK Metcalf, Ja'Marr Chase, and DeAndre Hopkins.

CeeDee Lamb also led his position with 10 targets inside the 5-yard line. Tyreek Hill was second (nine), followed by Davante Adams, (seven), and two receivers who were targeted six times (Ja'Marr Chase/Mike Evans). Five different wide receivers completed the season with five targets inside the 5-yard line -- Rashee Rice, DK Metcalf, Calvin Ridley, Cooper Kupp, Jaylen Waddle, and Curtis Samuel.

Snap Count Leaders 

Alec Pierce accumulated 1,037 offensive snaps from Weeks 1-18, which led all wide receivers. DeVonta Smith was next (1,008), followed by Adam Thielen (998), DJ Moore (995), A.J. Brown (983), Amon-Ra St. Brown (973), Garrett Wilson (961), Puka Nacua (950), Calvin Ridley (943), and Michael Pittman Jr., who played on 942 snaps.

CeeDee Lamb was next (937), followed by Davante Adams (931), Gabe Davis (924), Stefon Diggs (908), and Terry McLaurin, who accumulated 903 snaps. George Pickens was next (889), followed by Jordan Addison (878), Jakobi Meyers (872), and two receivers who accrued 867 offensive snaps -- Jonathan Mingo and Jahan Dotson.

DeVonta Smith led all wide receivers with a 96.1% snap share from Weeks 1-18. Alec Pierce was second (94.8%), followed by Davante Adams (92.2%), Michael Pittman Jr. (91.8%), Cooper Kupp (90.8%), DJ Moore (90.7%), Garrett Wilson (90.7%), Adam Thielen (90.6%), and Jakobi Meyers, who secured a snap share of 89.8%.

Amon-Ra St. Brown was next (89.7%), followed by Keenan Allen (89.1%), A.J. Brown (88.2%), Jonathan Mingo (88.2%), Puka Nacua (86.8%), and Ja'Marr Chase, who attained a snap share of 86.7%. George Pickens was next (86.4%), followed by Terry McLaurin (85.0%), Calvin Ridley (84.7%), and Zay Flowers, who operated with an 84.4% snap share.

5 Things I Noticed

1. Six different wide receivers who were selected as WR1s during the 2023 draft season also completed the 2023 regular season among the top 12 in point-per-game scoring (PPR).  

That includes CeeDee Lamb, who was a first-round selection by fantasy managers for the first time in his career in 2023 (ADP 11/WR5). However, fantasy managers benefited significantly from that level of investment as Lamb cemented his place within the elite tier of wide receivers.

Single-season franchise record holder for catches and receiving yards ➡️ @_CeeDeeThree 👏 pic.twitter.com/dqDWSzLDeH

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 31, 2023

He also delivered the most prolific numbers of his career in 2023. Lamb accumulated a league-high 181 targets (10.6 per game) while collecting at least nine targets during each of his last 11 games. He also captured a league-best 139 targets during that sequence, while averaging 12.6 per game.

CeeDee Lamb BIIIIIIG STRETCH

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/UNgdqFQFxb

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 7, 2024

Lamb also paced the league with 135 receptions (7.9 per game), including 10+ in seven different contests, and 13 in each of his last two matchups. Lamb also vaulted to second overall with 1,749 yards (102.9 per game), which was propelled by eight games in which he accrued 100+. That also included the career-high 227 yards that he stockpiled in Week 17, which escorted many fantasy managers to league championships.

.@dak said GO LONG @_CeeDeeThree 🚀 pic.twitter.com/xuP9pBgndi

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 31, 2023

He also paced all wide receivers in yards after catch (695) and receptions of 20+ (29), while ascending to second in yards before catch (1,069). Lamb was also sixth in both targets per route run (28.2%) and yards per route run (2.73).

Lamb also averaged a league-high 23.7 points per game from Weeks 1-18, including a league-best 28.5 from Weeks 13-18. He will remain Dak Prescott’s top receiving weapon in the Cowboys’ aerial attack and should be a top-three selection during your 2024 drafts.

Tyreek Hill finished second behind Lamb in points per game scoring from Weeks 1-18 (23.5), while completing his second year in Miami with a league-high 1,799 receiving yards (112.4 per game).

.@cheetah makin' it look easyyyy

📺: #BUFvsMIA on @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/4xTRBxhkDC

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 8, 2024

He also paced all wide receivers in targets per route run (38.2%), yards per route run (4.02), receptions of 40+ (nine), and yards before catch (1,147), while tying with Mike Evans for the league lead in touchdowns (13).

Hill also rose to second in receptions (119/7.4 per game), while ascending to third in targets (171/10.7 per game/32% share), air yards (1837), and yards after catch (672), and fourth in red zone targets (25).

TYREEK HILL 78 YARD TOUCHDOWN 💨
pic.twitter.com/vZV1WBMRNm

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) December 3, 2023

Hill had been on pace to assemble 180 targets, 132 receptions, and 2,098 yards before he sustained an ankle injury in Week 14 that sidelined him in Week 15. He had also accumulated a league-high 1,481 receiving yards (123.4 per game) from Weeks 1-13, while pacing the league in targets per route run (38.4%), yards per route run (4.47), and yards after catch (615).

He also led the league in receptions of 20+ yards (nine), games of 100+ yards (eight), games with 150+ yards (five), and had also assembled a league-best 12 touchdowns.

Hill resurfaced to secure the league lead in targets per route run (41.9%), while finishing second in targets (39/13.0 per game) and air yards (461) from Weeks 16-18. There is no discernible reason to hesitate if you have an opportunity to secure him with a top-three selection in your drafts.

2. Three other wide receivers joined Lamb and Hill among the top eight in scoring during 2023, while providing consistent high-level production for their teams and for anyone who had them contained on their rosters.  

AMON-RA ST. BROWN, YOU ARE RIDICULOUS 😱 pic.twitter.com/ml8mzn5LKj

— PFF (@PFF) January 7, 2024

Amon-Ra St. Brown has commandeered his place among the unquestioned first-round selections during the 2024 draft process after rising to fourth in scoring during his third season (20.7 per game).

St. Brown also assembled career-best numbers in a collection of categories during 2023, including his rise to fifth in targets (163/10.2 per game). St. Brown also captured 9+ in 10 different matchups, while finishing second with 129 targets (10.8 per game) from Weeks 6-18.

St. Brown also finished eighth overall with a 29.7% target share and was fifth in targets per route run (29.8%). He also vaulted to second in receptions (119/7.4 per game), third in receiving yards (1,515/ 94.7 per game), eighth in yards before catch (847), and fifth in yards after catch (601).

St. Brown appears destined to continue operating as the primary receiving weapon within an ascending Detroit offense and should be one of the top six receivers selected during your drafts.

LET IT FLY 🚀 pic.twitter.com/AFIdqfxJRx

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 7, 2024

Nico Collins vaulted to seventh with an average of 17.4 points per game during his third season, while easily surpassing his previous career-highs in numerous categories. Houston's third-round selection during the 2021 NFL Draft had averaged 5.3 targets, 2.9 receptions, and 38.6 yards per game in 2021-2022, while also averaging 6.0/9.7 points per game during his first two seasons.

However, Collins averaged 7.3 targets, 5.3 receptions, and 86.5 yards per game from Weeks 1-18, while rising to eighth in receiving yards (1,297), ninth in yards after catch (549), and tying for seventh in touchdowns (eight). He also ascended to third with an average of 3.23 yards per route run, while finishing sixth in targets per route run (29.7%).

Nico Collins. Dude has been an absolute machine in this offense. Caught 9 of 12 targets for career-high 191 yards and a TD.

Collins burnt former #Texans CB Fabian Moreau to a crisp on this beauty from CJ Stroud. pic.twitter.com/w6PuPi8uAu

— Shaun Bijani (@ShaunBijani) December 4, 2023

Collins also soared to fifth in receiving yards from Weeks 11-18 (666/95.1 per game), fifth in receptions of 20+ yards (11), and seventh in receptions (44/6.3 per game). He also led all wide receivers with two games of 150+ yards during that sequence and was second in both yards per route run (3.81) and targets per route run (32.0%).

Collins should build upon his career-best numbers during his second season with C.J. Stroud spearheading Houston’s aerial attack.

A.J. Brown finished fifth with an average of 17.4 points per game while sustaining his presence among the unquestioned WR1s during his fifth season. He only played on 12 snaps before sustaining a knee injury in Week 18, which dramatically impacted his usage and output during Philadelphia’s regular-season finale.

However, Brown had risen to third in receiving yards entering Week 18 (1,447/90.4 per game). He was also fifth in both targets (157/9.8 per game) and fifth in receptions (105/7.8 per game), while securing career-highs in both categories.

HE'S LIKE THAT! @1kalwaysopen_ pic.twitter.com/bSZROHM0KP

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 5, 2023

Brown was also second in air yards (1,818), third in air yards share (43.7%), fourth in target share (31.6%), fourth with seven games of 100+ yards, ninth in targets per route run (26.8%), and ninth in yards per route run (2.47).

The steady degeneration of Philadelphia's season could fuel offseason changes. However, Brown's role as the Eagles WR1 should remain intact, as should his viability as a WR1 for fantasy managers.

3. Several veteran receivers delivered numbers that outperformed their offseason projections during 2023. This includes two receivers who rewarded fantasy managers by finishing among the top 11 in scoring while exceeding the expectations of their ADPs during draft season.

Mike Evans' 9️⃣2️⃣nd career receiving TD gives the @Buccaneers the lead!

📺: #TBvsGB on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/GwPPhASGzv

— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

Mike Evans remained available until Round 7 during the draft process (84/WR35). This was largely a byproduct of escalating concerns surrounding Tampa Bay’s transition from Tom Brady to either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask under center during the offseason.

However, Mayfield performed proficiently after he secured the starting role. His repeated connections with Evans also propelled the 10-year veteran to his highest target and yardage totals since 2019.

The gift that keeps on giving 🎁

📺: #JAXvsTB on CBS
🗳️: #ProBowlVote @MikeEvans13_ pic.twitter.com/01WmJkC09L

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 24, 2023

Evans operated with a 24.5% target share and was targeted on 23.5% of his routes. He also led all wide receivers with 13 touchdowns, finished second in air yards (1,889), was ninth in receiving yards (1,255/73.8 per game), and finished 15th in targets (136/8.0 per game),

Evans averaged 8.6 targets per game from Weeks 1-13 while collecting 8+ in nine of his 12 matchups, and eclipsing 10+ six times during that sequence. He also rose to eighth overall in receiving yards (1,012/84.3 per game), while exceeding 140+ in three contests.

Make that 2️⃣ for @MikeEvans13_ ‼️

📺: #JAXvsTB on CBS
🗳️: #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/7qz7zXjKeO

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 24, 2023

He was also second overall in three different categories during those contests -- air yards (1,474), receptions of 40+ (six), and touchdowns (10), while rising to eighth in yards per route run (2.61).

Evans will enter the 2024 offseason as an unrestricted free agent. However, he should minimally function as a high-end WR2 providing that he is operating in a favorable environment.

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

The Panthers have traded D.J. Moore and multiple first rounders for the No. 1 overall pick, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/ckH1wl1pxL

— PFF (@PFF) March 10, 2023

DJ Moore's transition into a new environment included his rise to ninth in scoring (16.9 per game), while he also established career highs in multiple categories during his first season with Chicago. Moore had been sent from the Panthers to the Bears along with four draft picks in exchange for the first overall selection during the 2023 NFL Draft.

This concluded Moore’s five-year tenure in Carolina, where he had finished seventh among all wide receivers in targets (534/8.3 per game) and receiving yards (4.413/69 per game), and 12th in receptions (309/4.8 per game) from 2019-2022.

.@justnfields with a DIME to @idjmoore 🤩

📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/NoIKvw5p2Y

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 10, 2023

Moore flourished while operating as Justin Fields’ primary receiving weapon. He finished sixth with a career-best 1,364 receiving yards (80.2 per game). He also eclipsed 100+ in five different matchups, which placed him seventh overall. That included a career-high 230 yards in Week 5 -- which was also the second-highest single-game total in franchise history.

He was also fifth in air yards share (42.6%), 10th in target share (28.8), 13th in air yards (1,508), and rose to 12th with a career-high 96 receptions (5.6 per game), including 8+ during five different contests. Moore also ascended to seventh with a career-best 540 yards after catch. Moore also tied for fourth overall with  25+ receptions of 20+ yards and also tied for seventh with a career-high eight touchdowns.

Go DJ, that's my DJ 😎

📺: #ATLvsCHI on CBS pic.twitter.com/3RH06ewzoI

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 31, 2023

Moore can be secured as a low-end WR1 if you are participating in early 2024 drafts. However, his status could conceivably be altered, as it is currently unclear whether Chicago will retain Fields or utilize their first-round selection on one of the top prospects in this year's NFL Draft.

4. The numbers that were assembled by members of this year’s rookie class were impressive. The production that was delivered by a cluster of newcomers also fueled favorable results for fantasy managers in their pursuit of league championships. Any review of first-year receivers should begin with Puka Nacua, who was the 20th receiver selected during the 2023 NFL draft (177th overall).

Puka Nacua Week 2

- 20 targets (15 in Wk 1)
- 15 catches, 147 yards (119 yds in Wk 1)
- 30.1 fantasy pts (21.9 in Wk 1)

Puka has been targeted on an insane 43% of routes. No one who has played 2 games is higher. Kid is a STAR!

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 17, 2023

However, he promptly tied for the league lead with 15 targets in Week 1, while operating with a 40.5% target share. He also collected double-digit target totals in five of his first seven matchups and ultimately eclipsed 8+ in 10 contests during his initial season.

PUKA NACUA IS INSANE
pic.twitter.com/WAKAx2Ao7R

— PFF (@PFF) December 31, 2023

He also finished sixth overall with 160 targets (9.4 per game) from Weeks 1-18, while securing a 28.8% target share. Nacua also finished third overall in both targets per route run (29.1%) and was fourth in receiving yards (1,486/87.4 per game).

Nacua was also fourth in both receptions of 20+ yards (25) and games of 100+ yards (seven), fifth in yards after catch (651), and he also finished seventh in yards per route run (2.71). He was also eighth in receptions (105/6.2 per game) and sixth with an average of 17.6 points per game.

2023 Catch of the Year vote!

Puka Nacua somehow gets both feet down with 2 defenders in his face! #RamsHouse

1 Like = 1 Vote pic.twitter.com/40vnLsqmef

— NFL UK (@NFLUK) December 29, 2023

Nacua’s outstanding numbers during his first season in Sean McVay’s aerial attack should incentivize you to select him as a low-end WR1 during your draft process.

Rashee Rice is a star in the making! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3uUXCchiS7

— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) January 1, 2024

Rashee Rice’s statistical surge from Weeks 12-17 vaulted him into WR1 territory for fantasy managers as he ascended to second in receptions (43/7.2 per game), fourth in both targets (56/9.3 per game) and receiving yards (518/86.3 per game), and eighth in points per game (18.5) during that sequence.

He was also 11th overall with a 27.3% target share and his numbers during those matchups propelled him to 102 targets (6.4 per game), 79 receptions (4.9 per game), and 938 receiving yards (58.6 per game) during his first season.

He also finished third in yards after catch (672) from Weeks 1-18, was targeted on 22.7% of his routes, and averaged 2.08 yards per route run. Rice enters 2024 as Kansas City’s WR1 and should minimally function as a WR2 for managers pending prospective offseason additions to the Chiefs’ receiving weaponry.

Jordan Addison justified his Round 1 selection by Minnesota while sustaining his presence as a weekly resource for fantasy managers. He also accomplished this despite a problematic situation under center after Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury in Week 8 (torn Achilles).

Four straight games with a touchdown for Jordan Addison 🔥
pic.twitter.com/zXrb5GPy43

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 29, 2023

Addison had accumulated 52 targets (6.5 per game), 36 receptions (4.5 per game), and 482 yards (60.3 per game) from Weeks 1-8 with Cousins spearheading Minnesota’s offense. Addison was also targeted on 20.6% of his routes while the tandem connected for seven touchdowns -- which placed Addison second overall during that span.

He ultimately collected 108 targets (6.4 per game), 70 receptions (4.1 per game), and 911 receiving yards (53.6 per game) after operating with Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and (briefly) Jaren Hall. Addison also ascended to fourth overall with 10 touchdowns from Weeks 1-18. He should minimally operate as a high-end WR3 for managers if the Vikings enter Week 1 with a proficient signal-caller.

Jayden Reed became a critical resource for the Green Bay Packers as his first season progressed, while also supplying fantasy managers with a valuable asset during their critical late-season matchups.

ANOTHER @JaydenReed5 TD! #GBvsMIN | #GoPackGo

📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/FT58FpKFbq

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 1, 2024

Reed accumulated 94 targets (5.9 per game), 64 receptions (4.0  per game), and 793 yards (49.6 per game). He also generated eight touchdowns, was targeted on 23.1% of his routes, and averaged 1.95 yards per route run.

Reed’s statistical ascension from Weeks 12-17 also fueled his rise into must-start status for fantasy managers. He rose to second in targets per route run (33.3%) during those matchups, while accumulating 39 targets (7.8 per game), 28 receptions (5.6 per game), and assembled 218 yards (43.6 per game) during that span. His encouraging results have cemented his status as a WR3 at the onset of the 2024 draft season.

Zay Flowers ascended to the top of Baltimore’s depth chart during his first season, while leading the Ravens in targets (108/6.8 per game/24% share), receptions (77/4.8 per game), and receiving yards (858/53.6 per game). He also paced the team in receptions of 20+ (12), air yards (903), and yards after catch (456), while leading the Ravens’ wide receivers with five touchdowns.

SEVENTY-FIVE YARD TOUCHDOWN FOR Zay Flowers!!!!!

Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/1rxQdgbKGf

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 31, 2023

Flowers quickly demonstrated his ability to thrive at the NFL level by rising to 16th overall with 48 targets (8.0 per game) from Weeks 1-6. He was also 12th in receptions (35/5.8 per game) while accumulating 367 yards (61.2 per game) and attaining a 30.2% air yards share during that sequence. His numbers were also second among rookies in each of those categories. Flowers can be targeted as a high-end WR3 during your draft process.

C.J. Stroud 🎯 Tank Dell

40-YARD TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/xbt06pF0OA

— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) November 19, 2023

Tank Dell sustained a fractured fibula in Week 13, which brought an abrupt conclusion to his promising rookie season. However, it does not diminish his performance with the Texans or his contributions to fantasy managers.

Dell accumulated 75 targets (6.8 per game), 47 receptions (4.3 per game), and 709 receiving yards (64.5 per game). He has also soared to the league lead in air yards (677) from Weeks 9-12, while rising to fourth among all wide receivers with 43 targets (10.8 per game). He was also third in receiving yards (369/92.3 per game) and sixth in receptions (25/6.3 per game) while assembling a league-high five touchdowns during that sequence.

Dell’s recovery should be monitored as the offseason advances. He will eventually join Nico Collins to form a highly productive tandem while operating with C.J. Stroud whenever Dell returns.

5. While the spotlight is primarily focused on wide receivers who were productive during 2023, you are already aware that some receivers assembled numbers that failed to match expectations.  In some cases, injuries impacted the availability of receivers, who had been selected as critical resources by fantasy managers. Other receivers remained on the field throughout the season, yet failed to deliver the results that had been anticipated. 

That applies to Drake London, who was selected as a WR2 during the 2023 draft process (ADP 56/WR 23). There was a burgeoning rationale for believing that London would reward Atlanta for their decision to seize him with the eighth overall pick during the 2022 NFL Draft. He had finished his rookie season with the league’s fourth-highest target share from Weeks 1-18 (30%), while rising to 26th in targets (117/6.9 per game). London also finished ninth in targets per route run (29.2%) and finished 11th in PFF’s grades for wide receivers.

London also soared to a league-high 33.0% target share from Weeks 15-18 after Desmond Ridder began spearheading the Falcons offense. London also vaulted to second in targets per route run (33.0%) and third in yards per route run (3.06) during those matchups.

Unfortunately, London’s role as Atlanta’s WR1 was largely neutralized by Arthur Smith’s extensive deployment of the Falcons' rushing attack, which ranked third in rushing attempts per game (30.7) and fourth in run play percentage (47.8%). London was also impacted by deficient quarterback play from Ridder and Taylor Heinicke throughout the season.

Desmond Ridder avoids what should have been another interception. If he leads it a little farther, there’s potential for a big gain there from Drake London.

— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) January 7, 2024

London finished 19th with a 23% target share, which placed him 19th among all wide receivers. However, he was also 44th overall in routes run (476), 21st in targets (110/6.9 per game), 30th in receptions (69/4.3 per game), and was also 30th in receiving yards (905/56.6 per game). 

Drake London leads the entire NFL in contested catches.

He has 15 on the year

Keep in mind he’s also missed a game this year #DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/JpQPiI414e

— 𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙚 (@ATLFalconsMuse) December 13, 2023

Those numbers only represented a slight increase in receptions and yardage, while his touchdown total diminished from four in 2022 to only two during his second season. He also experienced declines in targets per route run (23.1%), yards per route run (1.90), and yards after catch (188).

The Atlanta Falcons have dismissed Arthur Smith as the team’s head coach following a meeting tonight in Atlanta with Falcons Owner and Chairman, Arthur M. Blank, and the team’s CEO, Rich McKay https://t.co/Qrjuq4klH4

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 8, 2024

London did eclipse 11+ targets in two different contests and capitalized by collecting 9+ receptions and 125+ yards during those outings. He remains fully capable of easily surpassing his 2023 numbers during 2024, as Atlanta will transition from Arthur Smith and should also locate a more proficient quarterback.

Tee Higgins’ ADP placed him in Round 3 during the 2023 draft season (30/WR 15). He missed five games with multiple injuries (ribs/hamstring), while his per-game averages decreased in numerous categories.

He had accumulated 219 targets (7.3 per game), 148 receptions (4.9 per game), and 2,120 yards (70.7 per game), and also averaged 14.9/15.7 points per game during those two years.

However, Higgins averaged 6.3 targets/3.5 receptions/54.7 yards per game during 2023, while also averaging 11.5 points per game. He also registered career lows in target share (18%), targets per route run (19.4%), and yards per route run (1.68).

#Bengals WR Tee Higgins in inactive today vs. the Browns due to a hamstring injury. His season is over.

He is scheduled to be a free agent in March. pic.twitter.com/rCU0k8K86Y

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 7, 2024

Higgins is primed to enter free agency although he could ultimately remain with Cincinnati. He should be selected as a WR3  due to the combination of his unsettled status and his statistical decline.

Jerry Jeudy’s ADP was located in Round 6 during draft season (66/WR27), as fantasy managers secured him as a WR3. Unfortunately, Jeudy’s track record of assembling disappointing numbers continued in 2023.

Jeudy completed the season with 87 targets (6.4 per game), 54 receptions (3.4 per game), and 758 yards (47.4 per game). He also manufactured just two touchdowns and finished 56th among all wide receivers with an average of 8.9 points per game.

Jerry Jeudy needs just 321 yards today to reach the 1,000 yard mark on the season

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) January 7, 2024

Jeudy trailed teammate Courtland Sutton in each category, while his numbers also represented a decline from his results in 2022 (100 targets/6.7 per game), (67 receptions/4.5 per game), (972 yards/64.8 per game). Jeudy had also led the Broncos in receptions and receiving yards while generating a team-high six touchdowns.

Denver’s offense should undergo significant change during the offseason and Jeudy has devolved into a WR5 entering the 2024 draft season.