Wide Receiver Sleepers, Risers, Breakouts for Fantasy Football - Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Week 16

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 15th installment that will examine game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, air yards, targets per route run, yards per route run, red zone targets, and snap counts. The information that is contained in this weekly report will analyze how various receivers are being utilized, and how effectively they are capitalizing on their opportunities.

All noteworthy changes in usage and production will be blended into the equation as we progress through the fantasy postseason. That will bolster your efforts to determine which wide receivers should be in your lineups, and which are worthy of remaining on your rosters. Statistics from our player pages at RotoBaller were included during the compilation of data, while Pro Football Reference, PFF, Rotowire, Fantasy Points Data, NextGenStats, and Rotoviz were also used as resources in the creation of this report.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Targets

BREAKING: #Chargers WR Keenan Allen ruled OUT for Thursday night matchup with #Raiders

Read more: https://t.co/4djWr778ZH pic.twitter.com/8Jk5KbEmP5

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 13, 2023

Keenan Allen has now led all wide receivers in targets since Weeks 11, after collecting 9+ during 12 of his 13 matchups. His overall total of 150 remained intact as he was sidelined in Week 15 with a heel injury. Allen has also averaged 11.8 per game since Week 6.

Michael Pittman Jr. captured 11+ targets during five of his six matchups from Weeks 8-14, which has propelled him to second among all wide receivers with 143 targets entering Week 15. Pittman Jr. also collected five targets from Gardner Minshew in Week 15 before he sustained a concussion.

CeeDee Lamb has risen to third overall with 141 targets, including 10+ during each of his last three matchups. Lamb has now accumulated a league-high 99 targets since Week 8 while capturing at least nine in all eight matchups during that span.

A.J. Brown has also captured 141 targets, after securing 10 in Week 15. Brown has now captured 10+ targets during each of his last three matchups and is second among all wide receivers with 36 targets since Week 13 (12.0 per game).

Garrett Wilson has accumulated 138 targets even though he was relegated to a season-low of four in Week 15. Wilson had assembled a league-high 112 targets from Weeks 4-14, while also averaging a league-best 11.2 per game.

16 ➡️ 17 FOR THE TD!!! #ProBowlVote + @jkbmyrs5 + @tae15adams pic.twitter.com/ILqcf8RJJ1

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 15, 2023

Davante Adams has now assembled 140 targets while attaining double-digit totals during four of his last five matchups. He has also averaged 11.0 per game since Week 10, after averaging 7.0 per game from Weeks 5-9.

Stefon Diggs has collected 137 targets, even though he was limited to five when Buffalo hosted Dallas in Week 15. That tied his season-low, which was originally established in Week 10. Diggs has still attained double-digit target totals in eight different matchups this season while reaching 12+ five times.

Puka Nacua has now accrued 135 targets after he was targeted eight times by Matthew Stafford in Week 15. Nacua has now secured weekly totals that range from seven to nine during each of his last seven contests. All five games in which he has captured 10+ targets occurred from Weeks 1-7.

Ja'Marr Chase had entered Week 15 with 128 targets, which included a season-low four in Week 14. He promptly matched that number in Week 15 when he sustained his shoulder injury. Chase had averaged 13.6 per game from Weeks 3-8 but has now failed to exceed six targets during four of his last six games. 

Tyreek Hill accumulated 132 targets from Weeks 1-14 before he was sidelined with his ankle issue in Week 15. Hill has attained double-digit totals in eight different matchups this season, while also reaching 9+ in 10 of his 13 matchups.

OMG ASB 🤯🤯🤯#DENvsDET |📺 NFL Network | #ProBowlVote | @amonra_stbrown pic.twitter.com/tnNmnRUloZ

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 17, 2023

Amon-Ra St. Brown has accumulated 131 targets after collecting nine in Week 15. St. Brown has now eclipsed 9+ during seven of his last nine matchups. He has also averaged 10.8 per game during that span.

Adam Thielen has accrued 120 targets after collecting seven in Week 15. Thielen has now averaged 5.8 per game since Week 12, after averaging 10.7 per game from Weeks 5-11.

DeAndre Hopkins has now accrued 116 targets, including 9+ during each of his last three outings. Hopkins has also vaulted into a tie for second overall with 33 targets since Week 13 while averaging 11.0 per game.

Chris Olave has also accumulated 116 targets even though he was inactive (ankle) when the Saints hosted the Giants in Week 15. Olave had collected 8+ targets during seven consecutive matchups from Weeks 6-13 before he was limited to five targets in Week 14.

Mike Evans has now accumulated 115 targets, even though he has failed to exceed six during each of his last two matchups. Evans had soared to third overall with 43 targets from Weeks 10-13 while averaging 10.8 per game during that span.

Joe Flacco hits Amari Cooper for a HUGE gain 🔥pic.twitter.com/YBnR7oUih8

— Browns Nation (@BrownsNationCP) December 17, 2023

Amari Cooper has now captured 113 targets. That includes the 22 that he has accrued during Joe Flacco’s last two games as Cleveland’s starting signal-caller. Cooper has also eclipsed 8+ targets during seven of his last 10 matchups.

Seven different wide receivers are averaging at least 10.0 targets per game: Keenan Allen (11.5), Michael Pittman Jr. (10.2), Tyreek Hill (10.2), CeeDee Lamb (10.1), Amon-Ra St. Brown (10.1), A.J. Brown (10.1), and Davante Adams (10.0).

Target Risers And Fallers

Eight different wide receivers were targeted at least 10 times during their matchups in Week 15. That includes Davante Adams, who collected 12 targets when the Raiders hosted the Chargers. It was the sixth time that Adams has eclipsed 12+ this season and the third time that he has accomplished it since Week 10. He has also averaged 11.0 per game since Week 14.

Terry McLaurin also captured 12 targets, which tied the season high that had been established in Week 8. It was the fifth time that McLaurin has secured a double-digit total this season, although he has also failed to exceed six targets in five different matchups.

Calvin Ridley also collected 12 targets when Jacksonville hosted Baltimore in Week 15. That was Ridley’s fourth double-digit outing this season although he has now eclipsed 12+ during each of his last two matchups.

Chris Godwin was also targeted 12 times in Week 15 and the seventh-year receiver has now averaged 11.5 per game since Week 14. Godwin’s recent numbers will be examined further in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Noah Brown secured a double-digit total for the first time in 74 career games when he was targeted 11 times by Case Keenum in Week 15. That was also Brown‘s highest weekly total since the 2022 season opener.

Justin Jefferson captured 12+ targets during each of his first three matchups this season while stockpiling a total of 38 entering Week 4. He reached double digits for the first time since that sequence when he was targeted 10 times by Nick Mullens in Week 15.

CeeDee Lamb collected 10 targets when Dallas traveled to Buffalo, and the fourth-year receiver has now eclipsed 10+ in seven different matchups this season. Lamb has also secured 13+ in five different contests, including four of his last eight.

Amon-Ra St. Brown was targeted nine times when Detroit hosted Denver in Week 15. He had averaged 7.0 per game from Weeks 13-14. However, St. Brown had also risen to seventh overall with 93 targets from Weeks 3-12, while averaging 11.6 per game during that sequence.

DeAndre Hopkins garnered nine targets in Week 15 and has now eclipsed 9+ in seven different outings since Week 1. Hopkins is also fifth among all wide receivers with 63 targets (9.0 per game) since Week 9.

An absolute masterpiece 🤩@Tua ➡️ @D1__JW ➡️ #ProBowlVote
📺: #NYJvsMIA on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/vN7dxkwFbX

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 17, 2023

Jaylen Waddle also captured nine targets in Week 15, which was his highest total since Week 8. Waddle collected eight targets in four consecutive matchups from Weeks 11-14 and has also eclipsed 8+ during eight of his last 10 contests.

Rashee Rice was also targeted nine times in Week 15. He has now collected 9+ during four straight matchups. Rice is also tied for fifth with 38 targets (9.5 per game) since Week 12.

Curtis Samuel also accrued nine targets in Week 15, which was the second-highest total of the season. Samuel has also eclipsed 9+ in two of his last three games while averaging 8.7 during that span.

CALL HIM CLUTCH ‼️ pic.twitter.com/LiKzQc8354

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 17, 2023

Noah Brown had failed to surpass five targets during four of his six matchups from Weeks 6-14. That included the five targets that he registered in Week 14. However, the career-best 11 targets that he garnered in Week 15 launched a rise of +6 in his week-to-week total.

Darius Slayton was targeted eight times in Week 15, which established a season high. It was also his highest total since Week 13 of the 2022 regular season. Slayton had also been limited to just two targets in Week 14, which resulted in an increase of +6.

Garrett Wilson was targeted 14 times in Week 14, which tied his season high. However, he was relegated to a season-low for targets in Week 15, which ignited a weekly decrease of -10.

Drake London played on 43 snaps and ran 18 routes in Week 15, but was only targeted three times by Desmond Ridder. That transpired one week after London had secured his second double-digit target total of the season. That resulted in a drop of -8.

Zay Flowers was targeted 10 times in Week 14, which was the fourth time that he had attained double digits during his rookie season. However, he was only targeted twice in Week 15, which fueled a decline of -8.

Air Yards

DeAndre Hopkins has emerged as the new league leader in air yards (1,745) entering Week 16. A.J. Brown is second overall (1656), followed by Mike Evans (1,613), Chris Olave (1,580), Amari Cooper (1,513), Garrett Wilson (1,508), Keenan Allen (1,463), and Davante Adams, who has accumulated 1,451 air yards. Calvin Ridley is next (1,421), followed by CeeDee Lamb (1,414), Tyreek Hill (1,376), and D.K. Metcalf, who has accrued 1,369 yards from Weeks 1-15.

A.J. Brown now leads all wide receivers with a 44.9% air yards share. Three receivers are tied for second with a share of 44.2% -- DeAndre Hopkins, Garrett Wilson, and Davante Adams. D.J. Moore is next (43.4%), followed by Tyreek Hill (42.8%), DK Metcalf (42.2%), Brandon Aiyuk (41.8%), and Chris Olave, who has attained an air yards share of 41.4%. Mike Evans is next (40.6%), followed by Tee Higgins (40.2%) and Diontae Johnson, who has secured an air yards share of 40.0%.

Terry McLaurin led all wide receivers with 230 air yards during his matchup in Week 15. DeAndre Hopkins was second overall (183), followed by Tee Higgins (167), Calvin Ridley (141), Darnell Mooney (141), George Pickens (140), and A.J. Brown, who accumulated 135 air yards in Week 15. Deebo Samuel was next (133), followed by Justin Jefferson (132) and two wide receivers who secured 128 yards during their matchups in Week 15 -- Zay Jones and DJ Moore.

Jaylen Waddle led all wide receivers with a 90.8% air yards share in Week 15. Terry McLaurin was second (67.8%), followed by Justin Jefferson (55%), George Pickens (54.9%), Tee Higgins (51.1%), Tyler Lockett (51.1%), DeAndre Hopkins (49.6%), Darius Slayton (47.3%), and Chris Godwin who secured an air yards share (43.6%). A.J. Brown was next (43.4%), followed by Noah Brown (42.6%) and Justin Watson, who attained an air yards share of 40.8%.

Routes

Ja'Marr Chase leads all wide receivers with 599 routes run from Weeks 1-15. Stefon Diggs is second overall (592), followed by Jahan Dotson (571) and three receivers who are tied with 567 routes -- Garrett Wilson, Terry McLaurin, and Adam Thielen. Keenan Allen and Michael Pittman Jr. are tied with 552, followed by Alec Pierce (539), Elijah Moore (532), DJ Moore (527), CeeDee Lamb (524), and DeVonta Smith, who has run 515 routes entering Week 16.

DJ Moore led all wide receivers with 50 routes run during his matchup in Week 15. Amari Cooper and Wan'Dale Robinson were tied for second with 47, followed by CeeDee Lamb (44) and two receivers who ran 43 routes -- Darius Slayton and Garrett Wilson. Elijah Moore and Darnell Mooney accumulated 42 routes, while Tee Higgins and Calvin Ridley finished their matchups with 41. Michael Wilson was next (40), followed by Justin Jefferson (39) and two receivers who ran 38 routes -- Rashee Rice and Romeo Doubs.

Targets Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill has been targeted on 37.2% of his routes, which leads all wide receivers entering Week 16. Davante Adams is second overall (30.8%), followed by Jaylen Waddle (29.7%), A.J. Brown (29.6%), Puka Nacua (29.2%), DeAndre Hopkins (28.2%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (27.8%), Keenan Allen (27.2%), and Nico Collins, who has been targeted on 27% of his routes. CeeDee Lamb is next (26.9%), followed by Cooper Kupp (26.4%), Brandon Aiyuk (26.1%), and Michael Pittman Jr., who has been targeted on 25.9% of his routes.

Jayden Reed was targeted on 44.4% of his routes in Week 15, which led all wide receivers. Jaylen Waddle was second overall (40.9%), followed by Chris Godwin (36.4%), Lynn Bowden (35.7%), Terry McLaurin (33.3%), Davante Adams (32.4%), Zay Jones (32%), Noah Brown (31.4%), and Rashod Bateman, who was targeted on 30% of his routes in Week 15. Calvin Ridley was next (29.3%), followed by Tre Tucker (28.6%), and Deebo Samuel (28%).

Yards Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill is averaging 4.34 yards per route run, which leads all wide receivers entering Week 16. Brandon Aiyuk is second overall (3.31), followed by Nico Collins (3.16), Jaylen Waddle (2.86), A.J. Brown (2.75), Deebo Samuel (2.72), and Justin Jefferson (2.67). Puka Nacua is next (2.51), followed by Amon-Ra St. Brown (2.49), CeeDee Lamb (2.49), DK Metcalf (2.35),  and Mike Evans (2.34), followed by two receivers who are averaging 2.25 yards per route run -- Keenan Allen and Cooper Kupp.

Jaylen Waddle led all wide receivers with an average of 6.45 yards per route run in Week 15. Chris Godwin was second (4.70), followed by Tre Tucker (4.21), Terry McLaurin (3.92), Joshua Palmer (3.77), Cooper Kupp (3.70), Amon-Ra St. Brown (3.29), Dontayvion Wicks (3.13), and Jordan Addison, who averaged 3.00 yards per route run. Jayden Reed was next (2.89), followed by Jerry Jeudy (2.85), Davante Adams (2.73), Chris Moore (2.60), and Rashee Rice, who averaged 2.39 yards per route run in Week 15.

Red Zone Targets

CeeDee Lamb leads all wide receivers with 24 red zone targets entering Week 16. Davante Adams and Rashee Rice are tied for second with 21 targets, while three wide receivers have collected 20 -- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Ja'Marr Chase, and Calvin Ridley.

Michael Pittman Jr. has captured 19 targets, while Tyreek Hill and D.K. Metcalf have accrued 18. Four different receivers have accumulated 17 targets -- A.J. Brown, Jordan Addison, Courtland Sutton, and Jayden Reed, while DeAndre Hopkins and Romeo Doubs have been targeted 16 times.

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with 13 targets inside the 10-yard line, while CeeDee Lamb and Keenan Allen have collected 11. Davante Adams, Rashee Rice, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Ja'Marr Chase have all captured 10 targets inside the 10. Tyreek Hill also leads his position with eight targets inside the 5-yard line, while CeeDee Lamb and Ja'Marr Chase have been targeted six times.

Curtis Samuel led all wide receivers with five red zone targets during his matchup in Week 15. Amon-Ra St. Brown was targeted four times, while Noah Brown and Rashee Rice garnered three. Curtis Samuel, Noah Brown, and Adam Thielen captured two targets inside the 10-yard line, while Samuel and Brown also collected two targets inside the 5-yard line.

Snaps

DeVonta Smith leads all wide receivers with 897 offensive snaps from Weeks 1-15. Alec Pierce is second overall (857), followed by A.J. Brown (855), Adam Thielen (848), D.J. Moore (846), Michael Pittman Jr. (833), Gabe Davis (800), and Puka Nacua, who has accumulated 797 snaps. Amon-Ra St. Brown played on 791 snaps, followed by Calvin Ridley (786), Zay Flowers (781), Amari Cooper (781), and Garrett Wilson, who played on 776 snaps entering Week 16.

DeVonta Smith also leads all wide receivers with a 96.7% snap share entering Week 16. Alec Pierce is second overall (94.1%), followed by DJ Moore (92.8%), A.J. Brown (92.1%), Garrett Wilson (91.9%), Davante Adams (91.7%), and Michael Pittman Jr., who has secured a snap share of 91.4%. Ja'Marr Chase is next (90.8%), followed by Adam Thielen (90.6%), Jakobi Meyers (99.1%), and Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has attained a snap share of 89.6% from Weeks 1-15.

Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua led all wide receivers with 73 snaps during their Week 15 matchup. Their teammate Demarcus Robinson was third during the week (69), followed by Philadelphia teammates A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith with 66. Justin Jefferson was next (64), followed by four receivers who played on 63 snaps -- Darnell Mooney, Alec Pierce, Amari Cooper, and Michael Wilson. DJ Moore was next (62), followed by Noah Brown (61), Jordan Addison (61), and four receivers who accumulated 60 snaps -- Adam Thielen, Xavier Hutchinson, Tee Higgins, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and CeeDee Lamb all played on 100% of their team’s offensive snaps in Week 15. Alec Pierce secured a 96.9% snap share, followed by A.J. Brown (95.7%), DeVonta Smith (95.7%), Justin Jefferson (95.5%), Adam Thielen (95.2%), Courtland Sutton (95.2%), and Darius Slayton, who attained a snap share of 95.1% in Week 15. Demarcus Robinson was next (94.5%), followed by Amari Cooper (93.8%) and Quentin Johnston, who secured a snap share of 93.7% in Week 15.

Five Things I Noticed

1. Anyone who has invested in one of the Rams' critical offensive resources is aware that significant injuries have impacted the Los Angeles offense at various times of the season. Matthew Stafford sustained a UCL sprain in his right thumb that fueled his exit from the team's Week 8 matchup and rendered him inactive in Week 9.

Cooper Kupp’s season had been had been delayed until Week 5 due to a hamstring injury. He also suffered an ankle injury in Week 11 that hampered his effectiveness. However, Stafford, Kupp, and Puka Nacua are currently unencumbered by injuries as many of your teams have advanced into the fantasy postseason.

Hard to find many quarterbacks that are playing better football than Matthew Stafford right now pic.twitter.com/vFLPe1TPBu

— Arjun Menon (@arjunmenon100) December 18, 2023

This has contributed to the surge in productivity for a Rams aerial attack that has emerged among the league's most potent units in recent weeks. The timing of this development has also been highly beneficial to fantasy managers.

Stafford has vaulted into a tie for third in scoring since Week 12 (22.4 points per game). The 15-year veteran is now sixth among all signal-callers in attempts (144) and completions (95) since Week 12. He is also fifth with 1,060 passing yards (265) per game, has constructed a 12:1 touchdown touchdown-to-interception ratio, and is distributing 68.4% of his passes to wide receivers.

PUKA NACUA 70 YARD TOUCHDOWN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/p6yGilQxqj

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) December 3, 2023

Nacua has now collected 32 targets (8.0 per game) since Week 12, along with 18 receptions (4.5 per game) and 266 receiving yards (66.5). Nacua has also been targeted on 26.4% of his routes, has accumulated 278 air yards, and has attained a 30.2% air yards share. Nacua is also eighth overall in yards after catch (139) and is averaging 2.20 yards per route run.

Kupp is ninth among all wide receivers with 26 targets (8.7 per game) since Week 13. He is also fourth overall with 22 receptions (7.3 per game) and is fourth with 265 receiving yards (88.3 per game). Kupp has also been targeted on 24.8% and is averaging 2.52 yards per route run.

Those numbers were partially fueled by the production generated in Week 15 when the Rams capitalized on their favorable matchup against an overmatched Washington pass defense.

During a game in which Kyren Williams and the Los Angeles ground game was extremely effective, Stafford still connected on 25 of his 33 passing attempts, while generating 258 yards and two touchdowns.

can we get a COOOOOOOOOP in the replies#ProBowlVote | @CooperKupp pic.twitter.com/meiTlc4n2h

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 18, 2023

Kupp and Nacua tied for the team lead with eight targets, while Kupp was tied for third among all wide receivers with eight receptions and was sixth with 111 receiving yards. Kupp also produced a touchdown for the third consecutive week, was fifth in yards per route run (3.70), and rose to fifth with 25.1 points in Week 15.

How do you let Cooper Kupp get this open 😭
pic.twitter.com/PjreVwqOw5

— PFF (@PFF) December 17, 2023

Nacua collected five receptions and generated 50 yards in Week 15. However, he has now captured 8+ targets during three of his last four outings. He also averaged 94.5 yards in Weeks 13-14, while rising to 10th with an average of 19 points per game during that span. Kupp and Nacua should be cemented into all lineups when the Rams host New Orleans in Week 16, then visit the Giants in Week 17.

2. Chris Godwin entered Week 14 averaging 7.1 targets, 4.4 receptions, and 50.5 yards per game. Those results remained below the numbers that he attained from 2019 to 2022 when Godwin averaged 8.6 targets, 6.4 receptions, and 78.2 yards per game. Godwin was also averaging 10.9 points per game, which was exactly 4.0 points below the average that he attained in 2022 (14.9).

Godwin was operating within a Tampa Bay aerial attack that at the time was averaging 220.4 yards per game. Baker Mayfield had performed capably during his first season under center with the Buccaneers. However, Mayfield’s penchant for locating Mike Evans had been well-chronicled this season as Evans was averaging 8.6 targets and 84.3 yards per game. Evans had also soared to second among all wide receivers with 10 touchdowns, was eighth in receptions of 20+ yards (17), and was second with six receptions of 40+ yards.

Evans was also eighth with an average of 18 points per game while securing his place at the periphery of WR1 status. Godwin was functioning as an unexciting WR3 entering Week 14. However, his numbers during Tampa Bay’s last two matchups should be encouraging to fantasy managers who had selected him in Round 6 (68/WR28) during the draft season.

Godwin had also attained double-digit target totals in just two of his 12 matchups from Weeks 1-13. He also failed to exceed seven targets in six consecutive contests from Weeks 8-13, while averaging 6.0 per game during that span. However, he has now accumulated 23 targets during his last two outings, including the 12 that he captured when Tampa Bay visited Green Bay in Week 15.

Have yourself a day, @CGtwelve_ https://t.co/CA5mlOkL5j pic.twitter.com/kccmkLlpi3

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 17, 2023

He also established a new season high when he collected 10 receptions in Week 15, which was his highest weekly total since Week 12 of 2022. He also stockpiled a season-high 155 yards during the matchup, which was his highest yardage total since Week 12 of 2019. He also secured season highs in yards per target (12.9), yards per reception (15.5), yards before catch (83), and yards after catch (72). Godwin also registered these numbers despite being listed as questionable with a knee issue prior to the matchup.

Godwin also vaulted to second among all wide receivers with his 23 targets in Weeks 14-15 (11.5 per game), while rising to third in receptions (15-7.5 per game) and third in receiving yards (208/104 per game). He has also been targeted on 33.8% of his routes while averaging 3.06 yards per route run.

LFB 👨‍🍳‼️@bakermayfield becomes the first visiting quarterback EVER with a perfect passer rating (158.3) at Lambeau Field. pic.twitter.com/NdAYBye0JB

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 17, 2023

Mayfield connected on 22 of his 28 passes while generating 381 yards and four touchdowns in Week 14. That included his connections with Evans, who collected four of his six targets, accrued 57 yards, and produced his 11th touchdown of the season.

Evans has averaged 6.0 targets, 2.5 receptions, and 32.5 yards per game in Weeks 14-15, which coincides with statistical ascension. Tampa Bay will host Jacksonville in Week 16 as Evans and Godwin can both be considered WR2s during that favorable matchup. The Buccaneers will remain at home while facing New Orleans in Week 17.

3. A collection of wide receivers delivered highly productive outings in Week 15, and their numbers were embraced by fantasy managers who benefited during their critical playoff matchups.

JORDAN ADDISON 🔥pic.twitter.com/9WrcCehL2M

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 16, 2023

Jordan Addison captured all six of his targets while generating his second-highest yardage total of the season (111) when Minnesota visited Cincinnati. It was the first time that Addison was able to eclipse 100+ yards since Week 7. He also produced multiple touchdowns for the second time during his stellar rookie season.

Addison also led all wide receivers with 29.1 points, while finishing ninth with an average of 3.00 yards per route run and seventh with 55 yards after catch.

The 🐧 in his natural habitat

RT to #ProBowlVote @D1__JW pic.twitter.com/RVseTAfCP9

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 17, 2023

Jaylen Waddle operated as Miami’s primary receiving weapon in Week 5 as Tyreek Hill was confined to spectator status when the Dolphins hosted the Jets. Waddle was targeted nine times by Tua Tagovailoa, which is his highest weekly total since Week 8. Waddle also garnered eight receptions, which tied his season best.

Waddle also eclipsed 100+ yards for the the third time this season, while assembling a season-high 142. That was also his highest yardage total since Week 16 of 2022.

Waddle also registered a season-high 15.8 yards per target, while his 17.8 yards per reception was the highest since Week 2. Waddle also led all wide receivers in yards per route run (6.45) and was second in targets per route run (40.9%).

Terry McLaurin was limited to a season-low three targets when Washington hosted Miami in Week 12. He also failed to register a reception during that contest, which was the first time that had occurred since Week 14 of the 2021 regular season. However, McLaurin’s numbers improved considerably when the Commanders returned from their bye week.

McLaurin was targeted 12 times in Week 15, which tied his season high. He also collected six receptions, which was his highest total since Week 7. McLaurin also eclipsed 100 yards for the first time since Week 13 of 2022, while stockpiling a career-high 141 yards.

Go up and get it, 17#ProBowlVote @TheTerry_25

📺 #WASvsLAR: CBS pic.twitter.com/PfvnLeWahe

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 17, 2023

McLaurin has now been targeted 10+ times during five different matchups this season, including two of his last three contests. He also generated his first touchdown since Week 8, while securing season highs in yards per target (11.75), yards per target (23.50), and aDOT (19.8).

Amari Cooper was averaging 6.6 targets per game from Weeks 9-13 while failing to exceed six targets during three of his five matchups during that span. However, Cooper is tied for fourth overall with 22 targets (11 per game) since Week 14.

JOE FLACCO. AMARI COOPER.

CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/518xexyOZI

— PFF (@PFF) December 17, 2023

Cooper is also 12th overall with 11 receptions (5.5 per game) and has vaulted to sixth with 186 yards (93 per game) during that two-game span. His yardage total was fueled by the 109 that he assembled in Week 15, which was the first time that he had eclipsed 100+ since Week 9.

Cooper has also secured a 25.3% target share while operating with Joe Flacco during those contests. He has also been targeted on 24.2% of his routes while averaging 2.04 yards per route run.

4. While it would have been optimal for all wide receivers to deliver favorable outings to fantasy managers during their Week 15 matchups, that scenario simply did not transpire.

Zay Flowers entered Week 15 averaging 6.9 targets, 4.9 receptions, and 51.8 yards per game. He had also eclipsed 10+ targets in four different matchups while securing at least five receptions in eight different contests. Flowers had also reached 60 receiving yards six different times throughout his rookie season.

Flowers also played on 59 snaps while securing an 84% snap share when Baltimore visited Jacksonville in Week 15. However, he was only targeted twice during the matchup, which represented his second-lowest total of the season.

Flowers was also limited to just one reception -- which tied his previous low. He also manufactured just seven receiving yards, which established a new season low.

Those results were unexpected considering the numbers that Flowers had assembled during the year. That includes his usage and output just one game earlier when Flowers had commandeered 10 targets, captured six receptions, and generated 60 yards when the Ravens hosted the Rams in Week 14.

Lamar Jackson had entered Week 15 averaging 29 attempts per game, but only launched 24 passes against the Jaguars. Todd Monken may be inclined to elevate Flowers’ involvement when the Ravens contend with San Francisco in Week 16.

Drake London went off for 172 receiving yards in Week 14. His 2.3% drop rate is one of the NFL’s best since 2022. An amazing talent that sadly isn’t used enough. pic.twitter.com/rwoWA5GNHQ

— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) December 11, 2023

Drake London was targeted 11 times in Week 14, which was his first double-digit target total since Week 6. His usage propelled him to his most prolific outing of the season as he established career highs in receptions (10) and receiving yards (172) while finishing second overall with 29.2 points.

Unfortunately, there was a distinct decline in London’s numbers during Atlanta’s Week 15 matchup with Carolina, which was discouraging for fantasy managers. He operated with an 85% snap share and ran 18 routes. Yet, he was only targeted three times, which was his lowest total since the Falcons' season opener. He was also limited to just two receptions while registering 24 yards.

London has been unable to exceed three receptions in six different matchups during the season while failing to surpass 31 yards five times. The inability to utilize Atlanta’s primary receiving weapon while capitalizing on London’s unquestioned talent is a deficiency within the strategic approach of Arthur Smith.

London’s disappointing numbers in Week 15 were also ill-timed for fantasy managers. This week’s matchup with Indianapolis isn’t daunting. Although the potential for London to be underutilized remains intact.

5. Unfortunately, there have also been numerous injuries to wide receivers this season that have altered the course of seasons for NFL franchises, and for the managers who had invested in the receivers who sustained those health issues.

Several additional injuries emerged during Week 15 that were also impactful to fantasy managers during their postseason matchups. 

Update on WR Ja'Marr Chase from Bengals coach Zac Taylor: pic.twitter.com/p1yC8ZQ3lH

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 17, 2023

That includes the shoulder issue sustained by Ja'Marr Chase during the Bengals' Week 15 matchup with Minnesota. Chase is contending with a sprained AC joint and appears destined to miss Cincinnati's visit to Pittsburgh on Saturday.

That would provide an opportunity for Tee Higgins to resuscitate what has been the most disappointing season of his career if that scenario develops.

Chase’s injury will also create another unexpected transition for the Bengals’ offense, which was previously transformed when Joe Burrow played his final snap of the season in Week 11.

That instantly elevated Jake Browning under center and he has now operated as the Bengals’ starter during each of the their last four matchups. Browning has now connected 98 of his 129 passing attempts (76%) during that sequence, while he has generated 1,180 yards (295 per game), averaged 9.1 yards per attempt, and accumulated six touchdowns during his four starts.

JA’MARR CHASE IS ALWAYS OPEN 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/bOSvTHVRG6

— PFF (@PFF) October 8, 2023

Chase was second among all wide receivers with 99 targets before the transition to Browning, while securing a league-high 11.0 per game. He was also averaging 7.7 receptions/91.2 yards per game, was second in yards after catch (382), and had attained an air yards share of 38.2%. Chase had also risen to eighth with an average of 20.1 points per game.

During Browning’s four starts, Chase has averaged 6.5 targets/5.5 receptions/80.8 yards per game. He has secured a 30.2% air yards share, was eighth in yards after catch (129), and is 20th with an average of 15.0 points per game.

Higgins averaged 7.3 targets, 3.9 receptions, and 46.9 yards per game with Burrow spearheading the offense (Weeks 1-10). He has also averaged 5.0 targets, 3.0 receptions, and 56.3 yards per game with Browning under center.

Those numbers are below the career-high averages that he secured in 2021 (7.9 targets/5.3 receptions/77.9 yards per game). His overall numbers have also been negatively impacted by his four-game absence while contending with health issues during his fourth season. A rib injury issue sidelined him in Week 5, while a hamstring issue made him unavailable in Weeks 9-11.

Browning completed 29 of his 42 attempts, while also accumulating 324 yards -- which was the second time that he has eclipsed 320+ during his last three games. Browning also targeted Higgins eight times in Week 15, which was the fifth time that Higgins had eclipsed 8+ this season. However, it was also just the second time that he had accomplished it since Week 3.

THIS CATCH 🤯#ProBowlVote x Tee Higgins pic.twitter.com/wrZeJlZe1U

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 16, 2023

Higgins also collected four receptions while accruing 61 receiving yards. It was the fifth time that Higgins had exceeded 60+ this season, which included both of his last outings. He also generated his first touchdowns since Week 2. Higgins is now positioned to operate as Browning's primary receiving weapon if Chase is unavailable when Cincinnati visits Pittsburgh in Week 16.

youtube_nfl]

More Fantasy Football Analysis