Wide Receiver Sleepers, Risers, Breakouts for Fantasy Football - Targets, Air Yards, Snaps Trends for Week 18

Congratulations to all of you who are playing for a fantasy championship. Your wide receivers remain essential components toward your primary goal of capturing your league's title, and an expanding assortment of tools is available that can provide you with an extensive level of knowledge regarding this critical position.

This column will proceed with the usual statistical breakdown of multiple categories involving wide receivers, which will be designed to help fulfill the championship aspirations of anyone who is involved in Week 18 matchups that will determine their league champions. This will be the 17th installment this season that will examine game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, targets per route run, red zone targets, yards per route run, snap shares, and a compilation of other statistics.

This massive collection of data also supplies the foundation from which the numbers that are generated in various categories can be evaluated. This week’s article will bolster your efforts to determine which wide receivers should be in your Week 18 lineups. Pro Football Reference, PFF, NextGenStats, Rotowire, and Rotoviz were all used as resources in compiling this data. Good luck to everyone in your matchups.

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Targets

CeeDee Lamb has accumulated 168 targets after stockpiling 17 in Week 17. That tied Lamb’s career-high, which was established in Week 13. He has now accrued 10+ targets in nine different matchups, including each of his last five. Lamb has also amassed 64 targets (12.8 per game) since Week 13.

Davante Adams is second with 167 targets after he stockpiled 21 when the Raiders traveled to Indianapolis in Week 17. It was the third time in his career that Adams has eclipsed 20+ and the second time he has accomplished that this season. He has also secured double-digit totals in eight different matchups this season.

Had them chasing shadows 😵‍💫

Another @GarrettWilson_V masterpiece on Sunday 🎨 pic.twitter.com/jfAZpnvxFa

— New York Jets UK (@NYJetsinUK) December 27, 2023

Garrett Wilson has now accumulated 163 targets after collecting 10 from Trevor Siemian in Week 17. Wilson has now secured a double-digit total in two consecutive games and has accomplished it in nine of his last 13 matchups. He has also assembled 141 (10.8 per game) since Week 4, which places him second among all wide receivers.

Tyreek Hill has now secured 158 targets, including 10+ during 10 different matchups, including eight of his last 10. Hill has also accumulated 26 targets in Weeks 16-17 after returning from a one-game absence in Week 15.

A.J. Brown has now captured 157 targets even though he was relegated to just five in Week 17. That was Brown’s second-lowest weekly total of the season as he was limited to four targets in Week 11. However, those two outings were sandwiched between a five-game sequence from Weeks 12-16 in which Brown averaged a league-high 11.2 per game.

Most receiving yards among 1st & 2nd year players:

Puka Nacua: 1,445 💪 pic.twitter.com/EqhFgz0goA

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) January 2, 2024

Puka Nacua has accumulated 154 targets after he collected eight from Matthew Stafford in Week 17. Nacua has now eclipsed 8+ targets during each of his last four matchups and is averaging 9.0 per game during that span. He has also collected 8+ during 10 different contests throughout his rookie season.

Amon-Ra St. Brown has collected 153 targets after Jared Goff distributed eight to the third-year receiver in Week 17. St. Brown has eclipsed 8+ targets in 12 of his 15 matchups this season. He has also captured 11+ six times.

Stefon Diggs has accrued 152 targets even though he has averaged 6.7 per game since Week 15. Diggs had averaged 11.3 per game from Weeks 1-8, which vaulted him atop the league lead with 90 targets during that sequence.

Insane catch by Keenan Allen.

He’s now over 10,000 receiving yards in his career. #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/LxH4KybNkg

— Chargers Central (@BoltCentral) November 7, 2023

Keenan Allen led the league in targets from Weeks 11-15 and is currently tied for ninth with 150 -- even though he has now missed three consecutive matchups with a problematic heel. Allen has also eclipsed 9+ targets in 12 of his 13 matchups, including nine straight games from Weeks 6-14. He was also averaging 13.4 per game from Weeks 10-14.

Michael Pittman Jr. has expanded his overall total to 150 after he was targeted seven times in Week 17. Pittman Jr. was returning from a one-game absence after he was sidelined with a concussion in Week 16. Pittman Jr. has collected 11+ targets in nine different matchups this season, including a four-game span in Weeks 10-14.

Ja'Marr Chase has now captured 139 targets after he garnered seven in Week 17. Chase was fourth among all wide receivers with 124 targets (10.3 per game) entering Week 14. However, his shoulder injury has contributed to his average of 5.0 per game since Week 14.

Chris Olave has now collected 135 targets, even though he was limited to six in Week 17. Olave attained a double-digit total for the sixth time this season when he captured 13 targets in Week 16. However, he has averaged 6.3 per game during his three other matchups since Week 13.

Adam Thielen is next with 134 targets, including the six that he registered in Week 17. Thielen had been averaging 10.6 per game from Weeks 2-11, but has averaged 6.8 per game since Week 13.

Go DJ, that's my DJ 😎

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

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 31, 2023

D.J. Moore’s overall total has increased to 130 after he was targeted 13 times by Justin Fields in Week 17. That tied Moore’s season-high, which was originally established in Week 12. It was also the third time in Moore’s last five games in which he has attained a double-digit total.

Mike Evans has accrued 128 targets, even though he was limited to just four in Week 17. Evans has now averaged 6.3 per game since Week 14 after he had averaged 8.6 per game from Weeks 1-13.

Amari Cooper had averaged 12.3 targets per game from Weeks 14-16. However, his problematic heel sidelined him during Cleveland’s Week 17 matchup with the Jets. That prevented him from building upon his recent momentum, while also precluding him from expanding his season-long total of 128 targets.

Seven different wide receivers are averaging at least 10.0 targets per game -- Keenan Allen (11.5), CeeDee Lamb (10.5), Tyreek Hill (10.5), Davante Adams (10.4), Garrett Wilson (10.2), Amon-Ra St. Brown (10.2), and Michael Pittman Jr., who is averaging 10.0 targets per game.

Target Risers And Fallers

Nine different wide receivers collected 10+ targets in Week 17. That includes Davante Adams, who captured a league-high 21. That tied his career high, which was established in Week 10 of the 2015 regular season. It was the seventh time this season that he has eclipsed 12+. Adams also leads all wide receivers with 49 targets (12.3) per game since Week 14.

FEED CEEDEE LAMB EARLY AND OFTEN
pic.twitter.com/hGgUsynY8S

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 31, 2023

CeeDee Lamb’s 17 targets placed him second among all wide receivers in Week 17. It was the fourth time this season that Lamb has secured the highest weekly total. He has now eclipsed 9+ targets in 10 straight games while accumulating 126 (12.6 per game) during that sequence.

DJ Moore was targeted 13 times in Week 17, which was the fourth time this season that he had garnered 10+. It was also the third time since Week 12 that he has secured a double-digit total. Moore has accumulated 50 targets during that five-game span (Weeks 12-17) while averaging 10.0 per game.

Tyreek Hill captured 12 targets in Week 17, which was the sixth time that he has eclipsed 12+ this season. He has also accumulated 99 targets since Week 7, which placed him fifth overall during that span. He has also averaged 11.0 per game during those contests.

Garrett Wilson was targeted 10 times in Week 17 and is now third overall with 43 targets (10.8 per game) since Week 14. Wilson has also collected 8+ targets in nine of his last 11 matchups since Week 6 while averaging 10.9 per game during those contests.

Record-breaking catch for @DrakeLondon_!

📺 CBS | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/CKSf1Hp22o

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2023

Drake London secured a double-digit target total for the third time this season when he collected 10 in Week 17. It was also the second time since Week 14 that he has eclipsed 10+, as London has captured 28 (7.0 per game) during that four-game span. He had averaged 5.8 per game from Weeks 8-13.

Jakobi Meyers eclipsed 10+ targets in four of his first six matchups while accumulating 56 (9.3 per game) during that sequence. He failed to reach double digits from Weeks 8-16 before capturing 10 in Week 17.

Justin Jefferson has now attained 10+ targets in six of his nine matchups this season, after securing 10 for the third consecutive in Week 17. He has also accrued 12+ targets for three straight weeks at the onset of the season (Weeks 1-3).

Demarcus Robinson only registered 10 targets from Weeks 1-13. However, he has now collected 10 targets in two of his last four contests after accomplishing it in Week 17.

Davante Adams had been limited to six targets in Week 17, which was his third lowest total of the season. However, he was targeted 21 times in Week 17, which fueled a week-to-week rise of +15.

CeeDee Lamb’s 17 targets in Week 17 extended his streak to five consecutive games with 10+. Those targets were also collected just one week after he accumulated 10 targets in Week 16. That resulted in a rise of +7. The 13 targets that DJ Moore attained in Week 17 tied his season high. He had been limited to six targets in Week 16, which launched his weekly rise of +7.

SEVENTY-FIVE YARD TOUCHDOWN FOR ZAY FLOWERS!!!!!

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

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 31, 2023

Zay Flowers has secured double-digit target totals during two of his last four matchups, but has also failed to exceed three targets in his other two outings. His 13 targets in Week 16 established a season-high. However, his three targets in Week 17 also ensured a drop of -10.

K.J. Osborn was targeted seven times in Week 16, which was the second time in three weeks that he had secured that total. However, he failed to register a target in Week 17 despite attaining a 63% snap share. That resulted in his week-to-week decrease of -7.

Josh Downs had collected nine targets in Week 16, which was his highest total since Week 12. He was limited to two targets in Week 17 even though he operated with a 62% snap share. That fueled his weekly decline of -7.

Air Yards

DeAndre Hopkins has now led the league in air yards for three consecutive weeks (1,852). A.J. Brown is second overall (1,818), followed by Amari Cooper (1,796), Mike Evans (1,758), Davante Adams (1.743), Chris Olave (1,740), and Garrett Wilson, who has accumulated 1,661 yards. Tyreek Hill is next (1,648), followed by CeeDee Lamb (1,623), Calvin Ridley (1,607), Stefon Diggs (1,567), and D.K. Metcalf, who has accumulated 1,496 air yards entering Week 18.

Davante Adams leads the league with a 45.8% air yards share entering Week 18. Garrett Wilson is second overall (44.6%), followed by A.J. Brown (43.7%) and two receivers who have secured an air yards share of 43.3% -- DeAndre Hopkins, and DJ Moore. Tyreek Hill is next (43.2%), followed by Brandon Aiyuk (41%), George Pickens (40.7%), DK Metcalf (40.5%), Chris Olave (40.1%), and Justin Jefferson, who has attained an air yards share of 39.8%. Amari Cooper is next (39.7%), followed by Keenan Allen (39.6%) and Mike Evans (39.4%).

Davante Adams led all wide receivers with 224 air yards in Week 17. Brandin Cooks was next (163), followed by DJ Moore (148), Jayden Reed (136), D.J. Chark (136), CeeDee Lamb (132), Justin Jefferson (120), Bo Melton (117), Darius Slayton (115), George Pickens (113), and Drake London (113).

George Pickens led all receivers with a 64.9% air yards share. in Week 17. DJ Moore was second (62.4%), followed by Davante Adams (58.2%), D.J. Chark (57.1%), Brandon Aiyuk (55.2%), Demarcus Robinson (55.1%), Justin Jefferson (53.6%), Garrett Wilson (53.6%), Tyreek Hill (44.6%), and Brandin Cooks (44,5%).

Routes

Garrett Wilson has accumulated 670 routes, which leads all wide receivers from Weeks 1-17. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen are tied for second overall (643), followed by Ja'Marr Chase (638), Terry McLaurin (630), McLaurin’s teammate Jahan Dotson (625), DeVonta Smith (612), Alec Pierce (611), and CeeDee Lamb, who has run 605 routes entering Week 18. Elijah Moore is next (591), followed by DJ Moore (590), A.J. Brown (586), and Calvin Ridley, who has accumulated 585 routes.

Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson tied for the league lead with 48 routes run during their matchups in Week 17. Darius Slayton was next (46), followed by Slayton's teammate Wan'Dale Robinson (45), Jakobi Meyers (44), Jason Brownlee (42), and two receivers who accumulated 41 routes -- CeeDee Lamb and Jalin Hyatt. Justin Jefferson was next (40), followed by Ja'Marr Chase (39), Jonathan Mingo (39), and three receivers who accumulated 38 routes -- Brandin Cooks, Adam Thielen, and Keelan Doss.

Targets Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill has been targeted on 37.2% of his routes, which leads all wide receivers entering Week 18. Davante Adams has risen to second overall (32%), followed by Jaylen Waddle (29.5%), Puka Nacua (29%) Amon-Ra St. Brown (28%), CeeDee Lamb (27.8%), and two receivers who have been targeted on 27.2% of their routes -- Nico Collins, and Keenan Allen. A.J. Brown is next (26.8%), followed by DeAndre Hopkins (26.5%), Cooper Kupp (26.3%), Michael Pittman Jr. (26%), and Chris Olave, who has been targeted on 25.7% of his routes.

Jayden Reed was targeted on 44.4% of his routes in Week 17, which led all wide receivers. Davante Adams was second overall (43.8%), followed by CeeDee Lamb (41.5%), Bo Melton (37.5%), DJ Moore (37.1%), Brandon Aiyuk (36.4%), and George Pickens, who was targeted on 36% of his routes. Nico Collins was next (34.8%), followed by Tyreek Hill (34.3%), Demarcus Robinson (30.3%), Elijah Moore (30%), and Michael Pittman Jr., who was targeted on 28% of his routes in Week 17.

Yards Per Route Run

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with an average of 4.04 yards per route run from Weeks 1-17. Brandon Aiyuk is second overall (3.33), followed by Nico Collins (3.00), Jaylen Waddle (2.88), CeeDee Lamb (2.73), Puka Nacua (2.72), Justin Jefferson (2.62), Amon-Ra St. Brown (2.51), and A.J. Brown, who is averaging 2.47 yards per route run. Deebo Samuel is next (2.40), followed by Amari Cooper (2.37), Mike Evans (2.31), Keenan Allen (2.25), and two receivers who are averaging 2.2 yards per route run -- DJ Moore and George Pickens.

Zay Flowers led all wide receivers with an average of 7.57 yards per route run in Week 17. CeeDee Lamb was second overall (5.54), followed by George Pickens (5.24), Brandon Aiyuk (5.18), Jayden Reed (4.94), Jameson Williams (4.93), DJ Moore (4.54), and Bo Melton, who averaged 4.38 yards per route run. Lil'Jordan Humphrey was next (4.31), followed by Rashee Rice (3.85), Nico Collins (3.48), Puka Nacua (3.28), and DK Metcalf, who averaged 3.12 yards per route run.

Red Zone Targets

CeeDee Lamb and Davante Adams are tied for the league lead with 27 red zone targets from Weeks 1-17. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Calvin Ridley have been targeted 24 times while three receivers have 23 targets -- Tyreek Hill, DK Metcalf, and Rashee Rice. Ja'Marr Chase has collected 21 targets, while Michael Pittman Jr. has been targeted 20 times.

Tyreek Hill leads all wide receivers with 15 targets inside the 10-yard line, while CeeDee Lamb has been targeted 14 times. Davante Adams is next (13) while Rashee Rice and Amon-Ra St. Brown have captured 12 targets inside the 10. Tyreek Hill and CeeDee Lamb have both accrued a league-high eight targets inside the 5-yard line while Ja'Marr Chase and Mike Evans have been targeted six times.

Davante Adams is a TD merchant pic.twitter.com/3dLeeCO38s

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 31, 2023

Davante Adams and Deebo Samuel were both targeted five times in the red zone during their matchups in Week 17. Justin Jefferson garnered four targets, while Tyreek Hill and Cedric Tillman were targeted three times. Adams and Jefferson led all wide receivers with three targets inside the 10-yard line, while Adams, DK Metcalf, and Michael Wilson accumulated two targets inside the five.

Snaps

DeVonta Smith has played on 1,008 snaps, which leads all wide receivers from Weeks 1-17. Alec Pierce is second overall (977), followed by A.J. Brown (971), DJ Moore (954), Adam Thielen (952), Amon-Ra St. Brown (933), Garrett Wilson (924), Puka Nacua (923), and Calvin Ridley (887). Michael Pittman Jr. is next (880), followed by CeeDee Lamb (878), Davante Adams (869), Jonathan Mingo (867), and Zay Flowers, who has accumulated 860 snaps entering Week 17.

DeVonta Smith also leads all wide receivers with a 96.1% snap share from Weeks 1-17. Alec Pierce is next (94.7%), followed by Garrett Wilson (92.7%), A.J. Brown (92.6%), Davante Adams (92.1%), Michael Pittman Jr. (91.3%), DJ Moore (90.8%), and Cooper Kupp, who has secured a 90.8% snap share entering Week 18. Amon-Ra St. Brown is next (90.7%), followed by Adam Thielen (90.6%), Jakobi Meyers (89.9%), Puka Nacua (89.4%), and  Ja’Marr Chase (989.4%), who has attained an 89.1% snap share entering Week 18.

Davante Adams led all wide receivers with 72 snaps during his matchup in Week 17. Adams’ teammate Jakobi Meyers was second overall (79), followed by Garrett Wilson (67), Amon-Ra St. Brown (66), Jason Brownlee (66), Michael Wilson (63), Gabe Davis (62), and two receivers who had played on 60 snaps -- Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.  Three wide receivers were tied with 59 snaps -- CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, and Greg Dortch, while DJ Moore and Alex Erickson accumulated 58.

Justin Jefferson played on 100% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps in Week 17. Garrett Wilson was next (98.5%), followed by Cooper Kupp (98.4%), Puka Nacua (98.4%), Alec Pierce (98.1%), Jonathan Mingo (98/1%), Davante Adams (97.3%), and Jason Brownlee, who secured a 97.1% snap share. DK Metcalf was next (95.9%), followed by Amon-Ra St. Brown (95.7%), CeeDee Lamb (95.2%), Cedric Tillman (94.8%), Jakobi Meyers (94.6%), and Demario Douglas, who attained a snap share of 94.3% in Week 17.

Things I Noticed

1.CeeDee Lamb had already justified the optimism of fantasy managers who seized him in Round 1 during draft season (ADP 11/WR5) well before his statistical eruption in Week 17. However, the exceptional numbers that he assembled when Dallas hosted Detroit provided the ultimate reward for managers who were competing for league championships.

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

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 31, 2023

Lamb stockpiled 17 targets for the second time in five weeks while also extending his streak to five consecutive games with 10+. Lamb also secured a league-high 45.9% target share and finished third overall in targets per route run (41.5%) in Week 17.  He also collected a career-high 13 receptions during the Cowboys’ matchup with Detroit. That was the sixth time that Lamb has captured 11+ catches this season, while he also collected three catches of 20+.  

Lamb also established a career-high with 227 receiving yards. That eviscerated his previous best, which he had secured in Week 9 (191). He also assembled a league-high 125 yards after catch, vaulted to second in yards per route run (5.54), and was sixth with 132 air yards. Lamb also registered 13.4 yards per target and 17.5 yards per reception when Dallas hosted the Lions.

CeeDee Lamb was MONEY during the fantasy playoffs

Week 15: 18.6 PPR Points
Week 16: 25.2 PPR Points
Week 17: 40.2 PPR Points 🏆 pic.twitter.com/pAnBQs8yJu

— The League Winners (@FFLeagueWinners) January 3, 2024

He also stockpiled 40.2 points in Week 17, which led all wide receivers. That propelled Lamb to an average of 23 points per game from Weeks 1-17, which is second only to Tyreek Hill.

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

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 31, 2023

Lamb has also secured the league lead with a career-high 168 targets (10.5 per game), which includes nine games in which he has eclipsed 10+. He has also secured 9+ targets in 10 different matchups, including each of his last nine (Weeks 8-17). He has also captured a league-best 122 receptions (7.6 per game), which has also established a career-high.

Here’s 10 straight minutes of CeeDee Lamb terrorizing the NFL in his historic 2023 campaign.

Enjoy‼️ pic.twitter.com/dzqhKnJZE0

— Outl✭w (@OutlawCowboyNFL) December 31, 2023

Lamb has also ascended into second with 1,651 receiving yards, which has secured yet another career-best total.  That includes eight games in which he has surpassed 100 yards, while he has also exceeded 150+ in four different contests. Lamb is also second overall in yards after catch (656), fifth in yards per route run (2.73), sixth in targets per route run (27.8%), and ninth in air yards (1,623).

Lamb's role as the primary receiving weapon for Dak Prescott and his ability to thrive in that capacity have embedded him within the elite tier of receivers. The results that he delivered for the Cowboys and grateful fantasy managers have also justified his selection inside the top three in 2024 drafts.

2. Davante Adams has progressed through his second season with Las Vegas as the Raiders’ most critical receiving weapon. His integral role within the team’s aerial attack was expected entering the regular season. However, the in-season transition from Josh McDaniels to Bo Hardegree as the architect of the offense was not.

The elevation of Aidan O'Connell under center was also unforeseen, although Adams has remained a resource for fantasy managers despite the transformations that have occurred.

Adams entered Week 17 averaging 9.7 targets per game. He had eclipsed 10+ targets in seven different matchups during the season while securing 13+ four times.

Adams had also failed to exceed six targets in three different contests, including the Raiders’ Week 16 matchup in Kansas City. He had also been limited to one reception while registering a season-low four receiving yards and generating an anemic 1.4 fantasy points in Week 16. Those numbers were hardly advantageous for fantasy managers.

However, all understandable concerns surrounding Adams' prospects for delivering favorable production in Week 17 were eviscerated after he captured a season-high 21 targets during the Raiders' matchup with Indianapolis. That also tied his career high, which had originally been established in Week 10 of the 2015 regular season. Adams was also second overall in target share during Week 17 (45.7%) and was second in targets per route run (43.8%). 

Adams also maximized his opportunities by collecting 13 receptions, which tied his season-high. It was also the second game in which he had exceeded eight catches throughout the regular season. Adams also eclipsed 100+ yards for the third time in 2023, while generating his second-highest total of the season (126).

TOUCHDOWN DAVANTE ADAMS!!!!#LVvsIND | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/x8jgsflarf

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 31, 2023

Adams also generated two touchdowns, which was the first time that he had assembled multiple touchdowns since Week 3. He also accumulated a league-high 224 air yards, while rising to third in air yards share (58.2%). Adams also averaged 2.63 yards per route run and assembled 113 yards before catch. Adams also vaulted to second in scoring behind CeeDee Lamb with 37.6 points in Week 17.

THAT'S TWO ON THE DAY FOR TAE!!!#LVvsIND | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/2ROaQFR1lb

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 31, 2023

Adams now leads the league in target share (33.2%) and air yards share (45.8%) from Weeks 1-17. He is also second overall in targets (168/10.5 per game), fifth in air yards (1,743), and 10th in receptions (98/6.1 per game). He is also second in targets per route run (32%) while averaging 2.10 yards per route run.

Adams’ output in Week 17 also helped propel some fantasy managers to league championships. There will be speculation surrounding the potential for Las Vegas to trade Adams into another environment during the offseason. However, the Raiders could retain the six-time Pro-Bowler as a vital weapon within an offense that will be restructured with a new quarterback. The 31-year-old Adams should minimally function as a WR2 wherever he operates in 2024.

3. Several other wide receivers have resurfaced during the fantasy postseason after being sidelined with injuries. Their returns created an opportunity for each receiver to operate with integral roles in their offenses, while also supplying fantasy managers with critical fantasy points during their Week 17 matchups. 

#Texans rookie CJ Stroud gets his first career touchdown pass to Nico Collins! pic.twitter.com/ystaIkdfqD

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 17, 2023

That includes Nico Collins, whose numbers have soared during his third season while operating with C.J. Stroud. Collins had averaged 5.3 targets, 2.9 receptions, and 38.6 yards per game during 2021-2022, but is now averaging 7.1 targets/5.1 receptions/78.7 yards per game as he enters Week 18. 

Collins had also secured a 23.5% target share while averaging 7.7 targets per game from Weeks 1-13. He also captured at least nine targets in six of his 11 matchups during that span.

Collins had also ascended to 10th among all wide receivers with 991 receiving yards and was seventh overall with an average of 90.1 per game. He also vaulted to fifth overall with 432 yards after the catch, while accumulating 946 yards and attaining a 29.7% air share. He had also been targeted on 26.9% of his routes and was third among all wide receivers with an average of 3.14 yards per route run from Weeks 1-13.

Nico Collins touchdown!#ProBlue | NFL Sunday Ticket On YouTube https://t.co/kyh1whRido pic.twitter.com/8HSHGYPxwd

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 1, 2023

Collins also rose to third among wide receivers with 20 receptions of 20+ yards, while eclipsing 100 yards in four different contests and exceeding 160 twice.

A problematic calf sidelined Collins in Week 10. However, Collins reemerged to stockpile 32 targets (10.7 per game) from Weeks 11-13 -- which placed him fourth among all wide receivers. He also collected 9+ targets in all three of his matchups during that sequence while eclipsing 11+ twice.

He was also fourth in targets per route run (33%), third in yards per route run (3.71), and fourth in yards after catch (143). Collins was also third overall with 23 receptions (7.7 per game) and second only to Tyreek Hill with 360 yards (120 per game) during that three-game span.

Davis Mills connects with Nico Collins for the TD pic.twitter.com/tofPXOhzfK

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 24, 2023

Collins’ troublesome calf also forced his absence in Week 15. He reemerged in Week 16, although his numbers were uninspiring (six targets/four receptions/18 receiving yards) as he operated with Davis Mills and Case Keenum. However, he did generate a touchdown.

Stroud returned from a two-game absence when the Texans hosted Tennessee in Week 17. He distributed a team-high eight targets to Collins, which was the seventh time that Collins had secured 8+ targets this season, but the first time that he had accomplished it since Week 13.

Collins also attained a 25.8% target share and rose to eighth in targets per route run (34.8%) in Week 17. He also collected a team-best seven receptions, which was the sixth time that he has eclipsed 7+. Collins also accumulated a team-high 80 receiving yards, which was the seventh time he has accrued 80+.

Collins also finished eighth in yards per route run (3.48) and attained a 33.1% air yards share. He also generated 15.7 points and is now 15th overall with an average of 16.1 points per game since Week 1. He should enter the 2024 draft season as a high-end WR2.

4. Five wide receivers were selected before Jayden Reed during the 2023 NFL draft, including Quentin Johnston, and Jonathan Mingo. However, Reed has commandeered his place among the most productive members of his talented rookie class.

Reed has now risen to third among first-year receivers with 39 targets (7.8 per game) since Week 12, even though he was sidelined with multiple injuries (toe/chest) in Week 16. Reed is also third among rookies with 28 receptions (5.6 per game) and assembled 218 yards (43.6 per game) during that sequence.

.@jordan3love ➡️ @JaydenReed5 for the TD!#GBvsMIN | #GoPackGo

📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/8QRr5RCyv7

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

Reed had accumulated a team-high 51 targets (6.4 per game) from Weeks 8-15. He also led the Packers with an 18.3% target share and was targeted on 23.1% of his routes.

Reed also secured team highs in receiving yards (361/45.1 per game) and receptions (38/4.8 per game), while securing five receptions of 20+ yards and generating three touchdowns.

Reed’s usage surged even further from Weeks 12-15, as he attained a 22.3% target share and was third among all wide receivers in targets per route run (31.3%). Reed also led the Packers in targets (31/7.8 per game), while eclipsing 8+ in three of his four matchups during that span.

He also paced the Green Bay with 22 receptions (5.5 per game), while assembling 129 receiving yards (32.3 per game). Reed also led all wide receivers with 100 rushing yards from Weeks 11-15, while generating two rushing touchdowns during that sequence.

Reed also returned from his aforementioned health issues to deliver favorable numbers during the Packers’ Week 17 matchup with NFC North rival Minnesota. He captured eight targets and has now eclipsed 8+ in three consecutive matchups. He has also accomplished it during four of his last five games. Reed secured a 23.5% target share and led all wide receivers in targets per route run in Week 17 (44.4%).

ANOTHER @JaydenReed5 TD! #GBvsMIN | #GoPackGo

📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/FT58FpKFbq

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

Reed also collected six receptions and has now attained 6+ in three straight games. He also generated a season-high 89 receiving yards, rose to fifth overall in yards per route run (4.94), and was fourth in air yards (136) in Week 17. He also generated two touchdowns and has now produced three during his last two matchups.

Reed is also averaging 17 points per game since Week 12, which places him fourth among all wide receivers. His encouraging results throughout his rookie year should compel you to select him as a WR3 during the 2024 draft season.

Capping off a 91-yard drive!

BO MELTON WITH THE TD.#GBvsMIN | #GoPackGo

📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/WFLmaTFDRD

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

It should be noted that rookie Bo Melton led the Packers in targets (nine) and receiving yards (105) in Week 17. Melton was selected by Seattle in Round 7 of the 2022 NFL Draft, but had entered Week 16 with 20 snaps, two targets, and seven receiving yards during his career. However, he has now accumulated 15 targets, 10 receptions, 149 yards, and a touchdown since Week 16.

5. Rashee Rice’s rise to WR1 status has been accomplished through a steady ascension in his numbers during his rookie season. This has been a rewarding experience for patient fantasy managers who selected him in Round 16 of their draft process (186/WR65).

Rice had operated with a 12.6% target share from Weeks 1-11, which led all Kansas City wide receivers. He was also targeted on 20.7% of his routes and averaged 4.6 targets/3.6 receptions/42 yards per game from Weeks 1-11. He also rose to 13th in yards after catch (299), while averaging 1.89 yards per route run. However, Rice also averaged 10.2 points per game during those contests and generated four touchdowns.

Rashee Rice since week 12:

517 receiving yards (4th)
366 yards after the catch (1st)
3 REC TDs

📈 pic.twitter.com/JiDlc6viBs

— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) January 2, 2024

Rice also entered Week 17 in a position to sustain the encouraging usage that he experienced from Weeks 12-16. His target share had ascended to 28.2%, while he was targeted on 25.6% of his routes. Rice had also collected 9+ targets in all five matchups during that span, while also eclipsing 10+ three times. He had propelled him to third overall with 50 targets (10 per game) during those contests.

Rice also led all wide receivers with 38 receptions (7.6 per game), while capturing 8+ in three different games. He was also ninth with 391 receiving yards (78.2 per game), which was fueled by three games of 70+.

Rice had also assembled a league-high 295 yards after catch, while his air yards share had improved to 21.2%. He had also generated three touchdowns and rose to eighth in scoring (18.6 per game) during that span.

RASHEE RICE
pic.twitter.com/gi0qs6rcgx

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) December 31, 2023

Rice also registered six targets when the Chiefs hosted Cincinnati in Week 17. That was his lowest total since Week 11, although it still led Kansas City’s wide receivers. He also attained a 20.7% target share and was targeted on 18.2% of his routes. Rice also collected five receptions, which was also his lowest total since Week 11.

However, Rice accumulated 127 yards, which established a new career-high. It was the second time that he has eclipsed 100+ and the first time since Week 12 he also registered season-highs in yards per target (21.2), yards per reception (25.4), and yards after catch (89). Rice also finished third with 90 yards after catch, while rising to eighth in yards per route run (3.85) in Week 17.

Rice is positioned to build upon this season's favorable numbers in 2024, depending upon how extensively the Chiefs bolster their weaponry at wide receiver during the offseason.