Wide Receiver Sleepers, Risers, Breakouts for Fantasy Football - Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Week 14

You are already aware that wide receivers will play a critical role in the success of your fantasy football teams. The undeniable volatility that exists with the running back position has also presented an increasing rationale for prioritizing wide receivers when you build your rosters -- both at the onset of your drafts and as you manage your teams throughout the entire season.

The numbers that are generated by all wide receivers provide the foundation for this weekly statistical breakdown of the position, which I will be constructing for a sixth consecutive season. This will be the 13th installment that will examine game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, air yards, targets per route run, yards per route run, red zone targets, and snap counts. The information that is contained in this weekly report will analyze how various receivers are being utilized, and how effectively they are capitalizing on their opportunities.

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, Rotowire, Fantasy Points Data, NextGenStats, and Rotoviz were also used as resources in the creation of this report.

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Targets

Keenan Allen has been targeted 138 times from Weeks 1-13 and now leads all wide receivers in this category for a third consecutive week. He has captured 9+ targets in eight consecutive matchups and is also pacing his position with 94 targets and 11.8 per game since Week 6.

DAWG (emphasis on the W)

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/c7Tvmt97Cx

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 3, 2023

Michael Pittman Jr. is now tied for second overall with 127 targets after he eclipsed 12+ for a third consecutive outing. He has also accumulated 11+ targets in eight different games this season. Pittman is averaging 13.7 targets per game since Week 10, which is second among all wide receivers.

Tyreek Hill has also accumulated 127 targets, including seven in Week 13. That brought a conclusion to his streak of six consecutive games with 10+ targets. However, he has still reached double digits in eight of his 12 matchups this season.

Ja'Marr Chase has now accumulated 124 targets after eclipsing 12+ for the fifth time this season in Week 13. Chase had averaged 13.6 targets per game from Weeks 3-8 but that average had decreased to 6.8 per game from Weeks 9-12.

CeeDee Lamb has now accumulated 121 targets, including 14+ in four of his last six matchups. That has propelled him to a total of 79 targets during that sequence, along with an average of 13.2 targets per game. Those numbers include the career-high 17 targets that were distributed from Dak Prescott when the Cowboys hosted Seattle in Week 13.

Stefon Diggs will return from Buffalo's bye week with a season-long total of 121 targets. He has reached double digits in seven different matchups, including the 11 targets that he attained in Week 12.

Need a first down? Just call @GarrettWilson_V.#ATLvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/sDbtdaeCsn

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 3, 2023

Garrett Wilson's overall total has now expanded to 120 even though the seven targets that he registered in Week 13 represented his lowest weekly total since Week 5. Wilson led all wide receivers with 91 targets from Weeks 4-12 while averaging 11.4 per game during that sequence.

Puka Nacua has now collected 118 targets from Weeks 1-13 even though he has averaged 7.2 per game since Week 8. Nacua’s recent numbers will be examined further in the Five Things I Noticed section, as will the results for Nacua’s teammate Cooper Kupp.

Davante Adams will reemerge from the Raiders' bye week with 118 targets even though he has failed to exceed seven during three of his last five matchups. Adams has also captured 12+ targets five times during the season, which has propelled him to his overall total.

A.J. Brown has also accrued 118 targets, including the 13 that he captured in Week 13. Brown has now eclipsed 9+ targets eight times during the season and has averaged 11.0 per game since Week 12.

There is a house in New Orleans...
They call the Rising Sun ☀️#DETvsNO 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/sBxtKOczn0

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 3, 2023

Amon-Ra St. Brown has now accrued 114 targets despite being limited to just six in Week 13. St. Brown had eclipsed 9+ targets during six consecutive outings from Weeks 6-12 while averaging a league-best 12.3 per game during that span.

CHRIS. OLAVE. 🔥
pic.twitter.com/8dzkfwps7x

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 3, 2023

Chris Olave‘s target total has expanded to 111 as he has now collected 8+ in 10 different matchups this season, including each of his last seven.

Adam Thielen has collected 106 targets even though he has averaged 4.5 targets per game since Week 12. He had averaged 10.7 per game from Weeks 5-11 while rising to seventh overall with 64 targets during that sequence.

Mike Evans has now captured 103 targets this season after capturing 10+ during three of his last four matchups. Evans has also reached double digits six times and is third among all receivers with 43 targets (10.8 per game) since Week 10.

Marquise Brown has now accumulated 101 targets even though he has now failed to exceed five targets during three of his last four matchups. Brown was also contending with a heel issue before Arizona’s Week 13 matchup at Pittsburgh.

Terry McLaurin frustrated after a 3 target, 0 reception preformance 😬 pic.twitter.com/fU4PzjZ0Ll

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 3, 2023

Terry McLaurin completes the list of 16 wide receivers who have reached 100 targets from Weeks 1-13. McLaurin had averaged 9.0 targets per game in Weeks 11-12 but was relegated to a season-low three in Week 13. That was also his lowest weekly total since Week 14 of 2021.

Nine different wide receivers are averaging at least 10.0 targets per game from Weeks 1-13 -- Keenan Allen (11.5), Tyreek Hill (10.6), Michael Pittman Jr. (10.6), Justin Jefferson (10.6), Amon-Ra St. Brown (10.4), Ja'Marr Chase (10.3), CeeDee Lamb (10.1), Stefon Diggs (10.1), and Garrett Wilson, who is averaging 10.0 targets per game.

Target Risers And Fallers

11 different wide receivers were targeted 10+ times during their matchups in Week 13. That includes the aforementioned 17 targets that were captured by CeeDee Lamb, who extended his streak of six consecutive games in which he has accumulated 9+. He has also eclipsed 13+ in five different matchups this season after accomplishing that in four games during his first three seasons combined in 2020-2022.

Michael Pittman Jr. collected 16 targets in Week 13, which established a new season high. He has also accumulated at least 13 targets during four of his last seven matchups while reaching double digits five times during that span.

A.J. Brown’s 13 targets in Week 13 represented his highest weekly total since Week 7. It was also the fifth time that he has eclipsed 13+ this season. However, it was also the first time that he had accomplished that since Week 7.

This catch 🤯 pic.twitter.com/g8J1DsbM9Z

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 5, 2023

Ja'Marr Chase collected 12 targets during Cincinnati's Week 13 matchup in Jacksonville. That was the fifth time that he has secured a double-digit total this season but also the first since Week 8.

Mike Evans captured 12 targets in Week 13, which was the second time in his last three matchups that he has secured that total. Evans is also seventh overall with 72 targets (9.0 per game) since Week 6.

Elijah Moore also accumulated 12 targets in Week 13, which established a season-high. It was also his highest weekly total since Week 13 of his 2021 rookie season, and the first time that he had attained a double-digit total since Week 14 of last season.

🧘‍♂️🧘‍♂️🧘‍♂️

Send @DeAndreHopkins to the Pro Bowl » https://t.co/M6tlEVcH9I

📺: Watch #INDvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Rra6i5mfwm

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 3, 2023

DeAndre Hopkins has now eclipsed 11+ targets in four different matchups this season after he captured 12 during Tennessee’s matchup with Indianapolis in Week 13. That was Hopkins’ first double-digit total since Week 9.

Nico Collins has now accumulated 11+ targets in three of his matchups this season. He has also accomplished that twice during his last three games after securing a career-high 12 targets in Week 12.

DeVonta Smith touchdown pic.twitter.com/zfSvhyGOuB

— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) December 4, 2023

DeVonta Smith was targeted 11 times by Jalen Hurts in Week 13. That tied his season high that was established in Week 6 and Smith has now eclipsed 10+ targets in three different games this season.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba was also targeted 11 times in Week 13, which easily surpassed his previous season high of seven. Smith-Njigba had also averaged 4.7 targets per game from Weeks 10-12 before he secured his new season high.

Jonathan Mingo had entered Week 13 with a season-high of eight targets and was averaging 5.6 per game from Weeks 8-12. However, Mingo captured 10 targets in Week 13, which easily established a new season high.

CeeDee Lamb has only failed to reach 10 targets twice during his last six matchups. That includes Week 12 when he was targeted nine times. He procured a career-high 17 targets in Week 13, which resulted in a week-to-week increase of +8.

Huge third down conversion for the Seahawks in the 4th quarter.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba quietly having a nice game.

Let’s go Seattle! pic.twitter.com/wEE9Ya0MUw

— DIE-HARD 🦅 Fans (@Eaglesfans9) December 1, 2023

Jaxon Smith-Njigba had failed to exceed five targets during six of his 11 matchups from Weeks 1-12. That includes Week 12 when he was limited to three targets. However, the season-best 11 targets that Smith-Njigba captured in Week 13 launched a weekly increase of +8.

🧘‍♂️🧘‍♂️🧘‍♂️

Send @DeAndreHopkins to the Pro Bowl » https://t.co/M6tlEVcH9I

📺: Watch #INDvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Rra6i5mfwm

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 3, 2023

DeAndre Hopkins was targeted 12 times in Week 13, which was his highest weekly total since Tennessee’s season opener. It also occurred one week after he had been limited to just five targets, which launched his week-to-week rise of +7.

Terry McLaurin had captured 8+ targets during six of his seven matchups from Weeks 6-12. That included the 11 targets that he secured in Week 12. He was limited to his lowest weekly total of the season in Week 13 (three), which launched a weekly decline of -8.

Josh Downs secured a season-high 13 targets in Week 12, which was his second double-digit total of the year. However, he was only targeted three times in Week 13, which resulted in a weekly drop of -8.

During a week in which Keenan Allen was contending with a quad issue, he still operated with an 89% snap share when the Chargers traveled to New England in Week 13. He was also targeted nine times during the matchup. However, he had stockpiled 16 targets in Week 12, which fueled his week-to-week decline of -7.

Air Yards

Chris Olave leads all wide receivers with 1,523 yards entering Week 14. Mike Evans is now second overall (1,474), followed by DeAndre Hopkins (1,397), A.J. Brown (1,375), Keenan Allen (1,329), Tyreek Hill (1,312), and Garrett Wilson, who has accumulated 1,300 yards from Weeks 1-13. Davante Adams is next (1.292), followed by Amari Cooper (1,235), CeeDee Lamb (1,227), D.K. Metcalf (1,199), and Stefon Diggs, who returns from his bye week with 1,197 yards.

Garrett Wilson leads all wide receivers with a 45.2% air yards share from Weeks 1- 13. Davante Adams is second (44.9%), followed by D.J. Moore (44.8%), A.J. Brown (44.6%), Tyreek Hill (44%), Brandon Aiyuk (43.1%), DK Metcalf (43%), and DeAndre Hopkins, who has secured an air yards share of 42.9%. Mike Evans is next (42.4%), followed by Courtland Sutton (42%), Chris Olave (41.2%), and George Pickens, who has attained an air yards share of 40.3%.

Elijah Moore led all wide receivers with 244 air yards in Week 13. Courtland Sutton was second overall (214), followed by Mike Evans (202), DeAndre Hopkins (184), Chris Olave (144), Nico Collins (143), and DeVante Parker, who accrued 142 yards in Week 13. Alec Pierce was next (138), followed by Marquez Valdes-Scantling (130), CeeDee Lamb (125), DeVonta Smith (117), and Cedric Tillman, who accumulated 112 air yards in Week 13.

Mike Evans led all wide receivers with a 69.4% yards share in Week 13. Courtland Sutton was second overall (67.9%), followed by DeAndre Hopkins (62.6%), Chris Olave (56.9%), CeeDee Lamb (53.2%), Nico Collins (52.4%), DeVante Parker (52.2%), and Tyreek Hill, who secured an air yards share of 51.7% in Week 13. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was next (51%), followed by Elijah Moore (50.1%), Jaylen Waddle (43.1%), and Alec Pierce, who secured an air yards share of 42.3%.

Routes

Jahan Dotson leads all wide receivers with 536 routes run from Weeks 1-13. Dotson‘s teammate Terry McLaurin is second overall (531), followed by Stefon Diggs (529), Adam Thielen (504), Keenan Allen (503), Michael Pittman Jr. (497), and Ja'Marr Chase, who has accumulated 488 routes. DeVonta Smith is next (487), followed by Garrett Wilson (485), Alec Pierce (462), Elijah Moore (452), Marquise Brown (449), and A.J. Brown, who has run 446 routes entering Week 14.

DeVonta Smith ran 53 routes during his matchup in Week 13, which was the highest total among all wide receivers. Michael Pittman Jr. was second overall (51), followed by A.J. Brown (49), Alec Pierce (47), and two receivers who ran 45 routes -- CeeDee Lamb and Cedric Tillman. Three receivers were tied at 42 (Keenan Allen/Josh Downs/Van Jefferson), while four different receivers accumulated 41 routes -- DeAndre Hopkins, Garrett Wilson, Tyler Lockett, and Brandin Cooks. Quez Watkins was the only other wide receiver who eclipsed 40+ routes in Week 13.

Targets Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers in targets per route run (38.4%) from Weeks 1-13. Davante Adams is second overall (30.8%), followed by Puka Nacua (30.1%), Jaylen Waddle (29.5%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (28.6%), DeAndre Hopkins (28%), and CeeDee Lamb, who has been targeted on 27.5% of his routes. Keenan Allen is next (27.4%), followed by Nico Collins (26.9%), Cooper Kupp (26.7%), Mike Evans (26.6%), A.J. Brown (26.5%), and Brandon Aiyuk, who has been targeted on 25.8% of his routes.

Jaylen Waddle was targeted on 42.1% of his routes during Week 13, which led all wide receivers. His teammate Tyreek Hill was second overall (41.2%), followed by Nico Collins (38.7%), CeeDee Lamb (37.8%), Mike Evans (37.5%), Puka Nacua (36.8%), and two receivers who were targeted on 33.3% of their routes -- Amari Cooper and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Michael Pittman Jr. was next (31.4%), followed by Jonathan Mingo (31.3%) and two receivers who were targeted on 31% of their routes (Christian Watson/DeVante Parker).

Yards Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with an average of 4.5 yards per route run from Weeks 1-13. Brandon Aiyuk is second (3.3), followed by Nico Collins (3.1), CeeDee Lamb (2.7), and five receivers who are averaging 2.6 yards per route run -- Jaylen Waddle, Puka Nacua, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Mike Evans. Noah Brown and Deebo Samuel have averaged 2.5 followed by three receivers who are averaging 2.3 yards per route run -- Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, and DeAndre Hopkins.

Tyreek Hill led all wide receivers with an average of 9.24 yards per route run in Week 13. Nico Collins was second (6.2), followed by Puka Nacua (5.5), Mike Evans (5.1), Chris Olave (4.3), Deebo Samuel (4.0), D.J. Chark (4.0), DK Metcalf (3.5), and George Pickens, who averaged 3.2 yards per route run. Demarcus Robinson was next (2.9), followed by Dontayvion Wicks (2.8), Jaylen Waddle (2.7), CeeDee Lamb (2.6), and Romeo Doubs (2.6).

Red Zone Targets

CeeDee Lamb collected six red zone targets in Week 13, which expanded his season-long total to 23. Three different wide receivers are tied with 19 targets inside the 20 -- Ja’Marr Chase, Michael Pittman Jr., and Davante Adams. DK Metcalf has accumulated 18 targets, while Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown have accrued 17. Jordan Addison and Courtland Sutton have been targeted 16 times.

Three receivers have accumulated 15 targets (Amon-Ra St. Brown/Stefon Diggs/Calvin Ridley), while five receivers have been targeted 14 times inside the 20 (Keenan Allen/Nico Collins/Chris Godwin/Rashee Rice/Romeo Doubs).

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with 12 targets inside the 10, while CeeDee Lamb and Keenan Allen have been targeted 11 times. Ja'Marr Chase has collected 10 targets, while four receivers have accumulated nine -- Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Chris Godwin, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Tyreek Hill leads the league with seven targets inside the 5, while CeeDee Lamb and Ja'Marr Chase have been targeted six times.

CeeDee Lamb’s aforementioned six targets in Week 13 tied him with A.J. Brown for the league lead. Four wide receivers were targeted three times -- Nico Collins, DK Metcalf, Calvin Ridley, and Christian Watson. Collins accumulated a league-high three targets inside the 10 and joined three other receivers in collecting two targets inside the 5 (DK Metcalf/Michael Pittman Jr./Alec Pierce).

Snaps

DeVonta Smith leads all wide receivers with 783 offensive snaps from Weeks 1-13. Michael Pittman Jr. is second overall (762), followed by A.J. Brown (742), Alec Pierre (740), DJ Moore (724), Adam Thielen (723), Terry McLaurin (720), Marquise Brown (708), and Jahan Dotson, who has accumulated 704 offensive snaps entering Week 14. Gabe Davis is next (694), followed by Keenan Allen (682), Ja'Marr Chase (678), Stefon Diggs (677), Amon-Ra St. Brown (675), and Garrett Wilson, who has played on 665 offensive snaps.

DeVonta Smith also leads his position with a 97.3% snap share from Weeks 1-13. Michael Pittman Jr. is second (97.0%), followed by Alec Pierce (94.2%), DJ Moore (93.3%), Ja'Marr Chase (93%), Garrett Wilson (92.4%), A.J. Brown (92.2%), and Davante Adams, who has attained a snap share of 92.0%. Adam Thielen is next (91.1%), followed by Jakobi Meyers (89.7%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (89.3%), Gabe Davis (89%), and Keenan Allen, who has secured a snap share of 88.6% entering Week 14.

CeeDee Lamb led all wide receivers with 74 offensive snaps in Week 13. Teammate Brandin Cooks was second overall (72), followed by two receivers who accumulated 69 snaps, Ja'Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was next  (68), followed by three receivers who accrued 67 snaps in Garrett Wilson, Alec Pierce, and Jonathan Mingo. Michael Pittman Jr. was next (65), followed by Cedric Tillman (64), Zay Jones (63), and two receivers who accumulated 62 snaps -- Adam Thielen and DeAndre Hopkins.

Garrett Wilson and DeVonta Smith both played on 100% of their team's offensive snaps in Week 13. Alec Pierce secured a 98.5% snap share, followed by Cooper Kupp (98.4%), Jonathan Mingo (97.1%), Ja'Marr Chase (95.8%), Michael Pittman Jr. (95.6%), and CeeDee Lamb, who secured a 93.7% snap share in Week 13. Cedric Tillman was next (92.8%), followed by Zay Jones (92.7%), JuJu Smith-Schuster (91.9%), Brandin Cooks (91.1%), and DK Metcalf, who attained a snap share of 90.6% in Week 13.

Five Things I Noticed

1. The recent statistical surge that has been assembled by the Dallas Cowboys offense has also resulted in a collection of outstanding numbers by Dak Prescott. This has provided a legitimate case for consideration as the league’s MVP.

Prescott’s exceptional numbers have also provided a positive impact on CeeDee Lamb’s usage and production, as he has also assembled a series of eye-opening results.

Prescott has now completed 156 of his 221 passing attempts from Weeks 8-13. His completion percentage of 70.6 places him third among all quarterbacks during that span. Prescott has also accumulated a league-best 1,901 yards while averaging 316.8 yards per game during his last six games.

Dak Prescott & CeeDee Lamb (15-yd TD)

The touchdown pass was Prescott's 15th TD targeting a vertical route since Week 8. No other QB has more than 11 vertical route TDs all season.

📺: https://t.co/1OMRlplD2C pic.twitter.com/uyvD0SLyjD

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 1, 2023

Prescott has eclipsed 300+ yards in four of the six contests during that sequence while surpassing 350 yards twice and generating 404 yards when Dallas hosted the Giants in Week 10. He has also completed 29 passes of 20+ yards. Prescott has also constructed a 20:2 touchdown to interception ratio during those six contests while averaging 8.6 yards per attempt.

Prescott’s noteworthy sequence of performances has also been highly beneficial to Lamb, who has now stockpiled a league-high 79 targets since Week 8 while averaging 13.2 per game during that span. That includes the career-high 17 targets that he collected when the Cowboys hosted Seattle in Week 13.

Your serving of Lamb on Turkey Day 💿🐑

📺: CBS & NFL+ → https://t.co/yLMhJNTZjs pic.twitter.com/wjKFL2CKuG

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 24, 2023

As mentioned previously, Lamb has also eclipsed 13+ in five different matchups this season after accomplishing that in four games during his first three seasons combined (2020-2022). He is tied for the league lead with 56 receptions (8.3 per game) since Week 8, which includes a league-high 13 receptions of 20+. Lamb is also pacing the league with 707 receiving yards (117.8 per game), has eclipsed 100+ yards during four of his six matchups, and has surpassed 150+ three times.

Fourth straight game with a TD for @_CeeDeeThree 🤧 pic.twitter.com/Tocly7y83L

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 1, 2023

Fantasy managers have also benefited significantly from the numbers that have been amassed by Lamb and Prescott. The statistical surge that has been delivered by the Cowboys’ offense has also elevated Brandin Cooks as a tangible starting option for anyone who is attempting to navigate late-season and postseason matchups.

Cooks’ numbers in Week 13 sustained a recent four-game span in which he has averaged 18.3 points per game. He has secured a 14.7% target share since Week 10 while accumulating 23 targets (5.8 per game), collecting 20 receptions (5.0 per game), and assembling 332 receiving yards (83 per game).

Dak Prescott ➡️ Brandin Cooks 🧑‍🍳🏈

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/kpWdTQ37DE

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 1, 2023

That includes Cooks' usage and output in Week 13 when he collected all four of his targets (10% share) and generated a touchdown for the third time in his last four games.

Cooks’ recent ascension into a consistent WR2 role for Dallas has also elevated him into weekly WR3 status for managers as you proceed through your remaining matchups. Lamb is primed to sustain his status as a top-tier receiver while supplying managers with high-end WR1 output.

2. The offseason trade that sent DJ Moore from Carolina to Chicago will remain a source of scrutiny with the progression of time. However, the Panthers’ decision to jettison Moore and four draft picks in exchange for the opportunity to draft Bryce Young appears destined to become an increasingly dubious decision.

Bears acquire WR DJ Moore, 2023 No. 9 overall pick, 2023 second-round pick, 2024 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick in trade with Panthers. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/JAkVa0sWhD

— NFL (@NFL) March 10, 2023

Moore’s exodus ended his five-year tenure with 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.

Moore was instantly infused into a Chicago passing attack that had finished 32nd in pass play percentage (43.8%) and attempts per game (22.2) during 2022. However, the trade positioned Moore to function as the Bears’ unquestioned WR1, while collecting targets from Justin Fields.

Chicago is ranked 24th in passing (185.6 yards per game) after finishing dead last with an average of 130.5 per game in 2022. The Bears are also 29th in pass play percentage (51.6%) and 27th in attempts per game (30.4).

Fields has secured career highs in completion percentage (64.4%) and also with his average of 198.4 yards per game. Fields was sidelined from Weeks 7-10 with a thumb injury, which had vaulted rookie Tyson Bagent under center during that four-game sequence.

The DJ Moore x Justin Fields duo has been on fire this season pic.twitter.com/lCebKDAGf4

— PFF (@PFF) December 1, 2023

Moore enters Week 14 with a 27.5% target share, which places him 13th among wide receivers. He is also 18th with 93 targets (7.8 per game) and has been targeted on 21.1% of his routes. Moore is also ninth in receiving yards (1,003) while averaging a career-high 83.6 per game. He has also eclipsed 100+ yards in four different contests, including the 114 that he accrued when the Bears traveled to Minnesota in Week 12.

Hell of a response by Justin Fields after fumbling twice. He hit DJ Moore for a big gain to setup the GW field goal. #Bears pic.twitter.com/szZai1iqf1

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) November 28, 2023

Moore also stockpiled 230 yards in Week 8, which was the second-highest total in franchise history. He is currently third in yards after catch (455), fourth in air yards share (44.8%), fifth in yards per target (14.8), 14th in receptions (70/5.8 per game), and 15th in yards per route run (2.55). Moore has also assembled six touchdowns, which is just one short of the career high that he attained in 2022.

A first down and Moore for the @ChicagoBears

📺: #CHIvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/pD1NaN7QaE

— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023

No other member of Chicago’s receiving arsenal is accumulating numbers that approach Moore’s usage and output. Cole Kmet is second on the Bears with a 19.7% share (68 targets/5.7 per game) and is also second in receptions (68/4.7 per game) and receiving yards (482/40.2 per game). Darnell Mooney is third with an 11.9% share (42 targets/3.5 per game) and is also third in receptions (25/2.1 per game) and receiving yards (351/29.3 per game).

Moore is also averaging 17 points per game, which places him 11th overall. That includes his average in Weeks 12-13 when he eclipsed 22 points during each outing (22.5/22.4). Moore will sustain his role as Fields' most targeted option while providing fantasy managers with an unquestioned WR2 throughout their remaining matchups.

3. Fantasy managers who were awaiting the return of Cooper Kupp as we approached Week 1 were forced to exercise continued patience as a problematic hamstring delayed Kupp’s season debut until Week 5. These managers were initially rewarded for their perseverance as the 30-year-old Kupp temporarily recaptured the level of excellence that he had displayed during his historic 2021 season.

Cooper Kupp's ranks among WRs since his Week 5 debut:

22 targets (4th)
15 receptions (4th)
266 receiving yards (4th)pic.twitter.com/0R0jQjiyoO

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) October 16, 2023

Kupp quickly commandeered a 38.9% target share from Weeks 5-6, which was third among all wide receivers. He also vaulted to fourth in targets (21/10.5 per game), receptions (15/7.5 per game), and receiving yards (266/133 per game), and was fifth with four receptions of 20+ during those matchups. Kupp was also fourth in targets per route run (35%) and second in yards per route run (4.43) during that sequence.

Unfortunately, the ride became far more turbulent for managers since Kupp delivered those favorable results. His target share has declined to 20.7% from Weeks 7-13, while he is averaging 6.3 targets per game. His per-game average in receptions has also decreased to 3.0, while his average in yards per game has plummeted to 26.8.

#Rams didn't list Cooper Kupp (ankle) on final injury report ahead of Week 12. But he still seems off.

Kupp played 59-of-64 snaps. Ran 34 routes on 34 Stafford dropbacks. But earned just 5 targets for a 15% share.

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) November 27, 2023

Kupp sustained a sprained ankle when Los Angeles hosted Seattle in Week 11. That contributed to a further decline in Weeks 11-12, as his per-game averages dropped even further (3.0 targets/2.0 receptions/14.5 yards).

Kupp did lead the Rams with eight targets when Los Angeles hosted Cleveland in Week 13, which was his highest total since Week 8. He also paced Los Angeles with six receptions, which was his highest total since Week 6. However, Kupp was limited to 39 yards and has now failed to reach 40 yards in five of his last six games. He has also averaged just 27.7 yards per game during that span. Fortunately for managers, he did deliver his first touchdown since Week 6.

COOPER KUPP FANTASY MANAGERS REJOICE! 🙌
pic.twitter.com/c7cKlcLSeg

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) December 4, 2023

Kupp has also been limited to two receptions of 20+ since Week 7, while accumulating 290 air yards and 67 yards after the catch. He has been targeted on 23.6% of his routes since Week 7 but is averaging only 1.03 yards per route run.

Nacua accrued seven targets in Week 13 and gathered four receptions. However, he easily led Los Angeles with 105 receiving yards and has now eclipsed 100+ in five different contests -- even though that was the first time that he has accomplished it since Week 7. Nacua also registered season highs in aDOT (14.7), yards per target (15.0), and yards per reception (26.3), and generated his second touchdown since Week 11.

Nacua was targeted on 36.8% of his routes in Week 13, which placed him sixth overall, and was third in yards per route run (5.53 ). He is also pacing Los Angeles in targets per route run (29.3%), yards per route run (2.6), air yards (442), air yards share (35%), and yards after the catch (217) since Week 7. Fantasy managers can continue to utilize Nacua as a WR2 during their remaining matchups.

Cooper Kupp: 15.9 PPR Points yesterday

Kupp's first game with 10+ PPR Points and a TD since week 6 😳 pic.twitter.com/oOo6mUozol

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 4, 2023

Kupp is also averaging 7.2 points per game since Week 7, which places him just 60th overall. His disconcerting numbers should continue while his troublesome ankle impacts his performance. He should be deployed as a WR3 until there is discernible evidence that he has regained 100% health.

4. Mike Evans accumulated 162 yards during Tampa Bay’s Week 13 matchup with NFC South rival Carolina. That enabled him to surpass 1,000 yards for a 10th consecutive season, which extended his historic streak. This has added to what is already a stellar resume that has been constructed by Evans since his 2014 rookie season.

Mike Evans just recorded his 10th straight season with 1,000+ receiving yards.

Only Jerry Rice has more in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/7GHwcT3p63

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 4, 2023

The former first-round pick has now stockpiled a league-high 11,437 yards (78.8 per game) since 2014. He has also accumulated 1,289 targets (8.6 per game) and 744 receptions (5.0 per game) during that span.

However, his accomplishments this season are also impressive as they have easily surpassed the expectations of his Round 7 ADP during draft season (84/WR35) when fantasy managers selected him as a low-end WR3. This was a byproduct of offseason concerns surrounding the Buccaneers’ transition from Tom Brady to either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask.

Mayfield commandeered the starting role in late August and has performed above expectations during his sixth season. Mayfield is currently 14th among all signal-callers with 2,790 yards (232.5 per game). Mayfield has also completed 260 of his 409 passes (63.6%). 25.9% of Mayfield’s targets have been distributed to Evans, who easily leads the team.

Mike Evans making plays pic.twitter.com/EN6S4s7HUj

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 28, 2023

Evans has also accumulated 121 targets (8.6 per game) -- which places him 14th overall. Evans was targeted 12 times by Mayfield in Week 13, which was the second time that Evans has secured that total during his last three matchups. He has also attained the double-digit target total in three of his last four games while accomplishing it six times throughout the regular season. He has also captured 8+ in nine of his 12 contests.

Evans is also 16th among all wide receivers with 61 receptions (5.1 per game) after collecting a season-high seven in Week 13. Evans had accrued six targets during five different matchups before establishing the new season high.

MIKE EVANS GOES 75 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 💨
pic.twitter.com/QV5Uga33WK

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 3, 2023

Evans’ 1,012 yards from Weeks 1-13 have elevated him to seventh overall. His season-long total has been bolstered by three games with 140+. Evans is also second overall with 10 touchdowns, which is the fifth time in his career that he has achieved a double-digit total.

Evans is also second overall with 1,474 air yards from Weeks 1-13, ninth in both air yards share (42.4%) and yards per route run (2.61), and 11th in targets per route run (26.6%). His 84.3 yards per game average is the highest since 2019, as is his 9.8 yards per target and 14.7 aDOT.

Anyone who drafted Chris Godwin one round earlier than Evans during draft season (ADP 67/WR28) is painfully aware that Godwin’s results do not compare favorably to Evans’. Godwin’s numbers have also declined in multiple categories when contrasted with previous seasons.

Godwin had led the Buccaneers in target share during 2022, but he currently trails Evans this season (25.9%/21.9%). Godwin’s average of 4.4 receptions per game is well below last season’s average (6.9) and is his lowest since 2018. His average of 50.5 yards per game is also his lowest since 2017, while his 7.1 yards per target has established a career low and he has been limited to one touchdown.

Mayfield's propensity to locate Evans should continue during Tampa Bay's remaining matchups, which should enable Evans to sustain WR1 output. Godwin should only be deployed as a low-end WR3.

5. The spotlight in this section will shift from prominent wide receivers to two players who have yet to materialize as trustworthy starting options. However, both receivers could still become resources for fantasy managers, provided that they can build upon the promising results that they delivered in recent weeks.

That includes Jameson Williams, who is gradually progressing down a path toward securing a more integral role within Detroit’s aerial attack. Williams operated with a 47% snap share and ran 14 routes during his season debut in Week 5. He also collected two of his three targets during that matchup but only manufactured two yards. William generated 53 yards and a touchdown in Week 6; however, he was limited to just nine routes and a 23% snap share.

Williams’ snap share rose to 44.7% from Weeks 7-10, while he averaged 17.7 routes per game. The WR also accumulated just four catches and 34 yards during those matchups. However, Williams' snap share improved to 62.4% from Weeks 11-12, while he averaged 44 snaps per game and assembled 95 yards during those contests. He also secured a 57% share in Week 13 and generated a touchdown.

Jameson Williams! You can’t teach that pic.twitter.com/siBzSTc4Ht

— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) December 3, 2023

Williams still trailed Josh Reynolds in routes from Weeks 11-13 (82/70) as Reynolds operated with a 67.3% snap share. Reynolds only manufactured 48 yards on four receptions during that three-game sequence. However, Williams' prospects of functioning as a WR3/flex for managers are dependent upon a decline in involvement for Reynolds.

Detroit invested the 12th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft on Williams, whose blazing speed provides home run potential on every play. The Lions now appear closer to supplying him with more opportunities to display his big-play capabilities. That will need to transpire in order for Williams to emerge as a starting option for managers.

If you are among the managers who have dismissed Elijah Moore’s prospects of ever functioning as a trustworthy starting option, that is understandable. However, the third-year receiver has now rekindled his chemistry with Joe Flacco, who distributed a team-high 12 targets to Moore during Cleveland’s Week 13 three matchup at Los Angeles.

What a catch by Elijah Moore! pic.twitter.com/tHMUDEQFBf

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 3, 2023

That tied Moore’s career-high, which was established in Week 13 of his 2021 rookie season. Moore also generated 83 yards, which was his highest weekly total since Week 11 of 2021.

Amari Cooper had sustained a concussion during the second quarter of the contest, which elevated Moore into WR1 responsibilities, and he benefited from his previous experience with Flacco during their tenure with the Jets.

Moore had accumulated 21 targets, 12 receptions, and 139 yards while operating with Flacco from Weeks 1-3 in 2022, and also accrued 11 targets, eight receptions, and a career-best 141 yards in Week 11 of 2021 with Flacco under center. Moore also led all wide receivers with 244 air yards in Week 13 and was 10th in air yards share (50.1%).

Cooper’s status should be monitored as the week advances. However, Moore appears destined to sustain an expanded role when the Browns host Jacksonville on Sunday. His outlook improves even further if Flacco is spearheading Cleveland’s offense once again.

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