Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Risers and Fallers for Week 4 (2022)

Phil analyzes fantasy football wide receiver risers and fallers, looking at last week's targets and receptions to find Week 4 (2022) buy-lows or sell-highs.

You are already aware that wide receivers will play a critical role in the success of your 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 the fifth consecutive season.

This will be the third 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. 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, NextGenStats, Rotowire, Rotoviz, PFF, and Football Outsiders were also used as resources in the creation of this report.

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Week 3 Target Leaders

It has become customary to see Cooper Kupp’s name atop the list of leaders in targets since he constructed his exceptional numbers during the 2021 regular season. That included 14 games of 10+ last season, while he also extended his unrelenting streak of double-digit target totals into the first two weeks of this regular season. However, Kupp was targeted six times when the Rams hosted Arizona in Week 3, and is now tied for the overall league with Stefon Diggs, and Ja’Marr Chase (35).

WRs with the most targets without a drop this season…

Marquise Brown - 33
Stefon Diggs - 33 pic.twitter.com/YStp21HGeT

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) September 27, 2022

Diggs has now attained a double-digit target total in each of his last two matchups and has also collected 9+ during six straight regular-season games dating back to last season. Chase has accumulated 10+ targets in four of his last six games, while also accomplishing it twice during the Bengals’ first three matchups this season.

Marquise Brown is next with 34 targets, which includes the 28 that he has accrued in Weeks 2-3. That is the most among all wide receivers during that two-game span. That ties him with Davante Adams, who led all receivers with 17 targets in Week 1, but has averaged 8.5 per game during the Raiders' last two contests. CeeDee Lamb has also accumulated 24 targets, after collecting 11+ in all three of his matchups this season.

8️⃣8️⃣ doing 8️⃣8️⃣ things 👀 @dak & @DezBryant are feeling this @_CeeDeeThree TD grab!#DALvsNYG | 📺: @ABC + @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/ujvSC9l4op

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) September 27, 2022

Diontae Johnson has collected 33 targets and has also garnered a double-digit after eclipsing 10+ during each of his first three matchups this season. That includes the 11 targets that he collected in Week 3.

Johnson is tied with the Amon-Ra St. Brown whose impressive streak of eight consecutive games with 10+ targets ended in Week 3. St. Brown’s numbers will be examined further in the Five Things I Noticed section.

Garrett Wilson is next with 32 targets, after accumulating 24 during his last two games. A. J. Brown has averaged 10.3 targets per game during his first three games with Philadelphia while assembling a season total of 31. He is followed by Curtis Samuel (30) who has attained 9+ targets during his first three matchups of the season.

That ties Samuel with Jaylen Waddle, whose 30 targets were assembled primarily through his league-best total of 19 during Miami’s Week 2 matchup with Baltimore. Waddle and Samuel also complete the list of 12 receivers who have eclipsed 30 targets entering Week 4.

Chris Olave has now collected 13 targets in two consecutive outings which have expanded his season total to 29. That ties him with three receivers who registered their lowest totals of the season in Week 3.

Tyreek Hill was surprisingly limited to just four targets after averaging 12.5 during his first two games of the season. Brandin Cooks also experienced his lowest weekly total of the season (7) after averaging 11 in his first two games. Anyone who invested an early first-round draft selection on Justin Jefferson is already aware that he was limited to just six targets when Minnesota hosted Detroit.

Russ and Sutton doing work at the end of the quarter 👀

📺: #SFvsDEN on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/2rt05DqkHW pic.twitter.com/cvJXuEdBJq

— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2022

Courtland Sutton has now captured 28 targets after attaining a double-digit total in Weeks 2 and 3. That is the first time that he has eclipsed 10+ in two consecutive outings since Weeks 5-6 of 2021.

Christian Kirk has accrued 27 targets while attaining a team-high 26.2% target share with Jacksonville. That ties him with Amari Cooper, who has averaged 10.5 targets per game since Week 2.

Tyler Lockett has now collected 26 targets after being relegated to only for during Seattle's season opener. He has also captured 11 targets in two consecutive games, which ended a streak of nine straight games in which he failed to reach double digits.

Drake London has now been targeted 25 times during his first three games which were fueled primarily by the 12 that he collected in Week 2.

13 different receivers are averaging at least 10 targets per game entering Week 4. Nine of those receivers are currently averaging 11+ - Diggs (11.7), Kupp (11.7), Chase (11.7), Marquise Brown (11.3), Adams (11.3), Lamb (11.3), Johnson (11.0), St. Brown (11.0), and Pittman (11.0). 

Week 3 Target Risers And Fallers 

23 different wide receivers were targeted at least 10 times during their matchups in Week 3. Marquise Brown commandeered a league-best 17 targets, which also established a new career high. He has now attained double digits in 11 different matchups during his career while reaching 10+ in nine games since Week 1 of 2021.

Chris Olave tied the career-high that he had secured in Week 2 when he accrued 13 targets for the second consecutive week. He also exceeded a 32% target share for the second straight game (32.5%-32.9%). Russell Gage also captured 13 targets from Tom Brady, while no other Buccaneer exceeded six during Tampa Bay’s matchup with the Packers. It was also the third time in Gage’s career that he has accumulated 13 targets, which also remains his career high.

ANSWERING BACK!

📺: #ATLvsSEA on FOX pic.twitter.com/yxFGw0VOcD

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 25, 2022

D.K. Metcalf collected 12 targets after he had averaged 6.5 per game in Weeks 1-2. It was also Metcalf’s highest weekly total since Week 15 of 2021. It also tied Metcalf with DeVonta Smith, whose weekly totals have risen steadily during the Eagles’ first three games (4/7/12). Smith's 12 targets also led Philadelphia, as did his 35.3% share. CeeDee Lamb also garnered 12 targets during the Cowboys' Week 3 matchup with the Giants, which established a season-high. It was also Lamb's highest total since Week 13 of 2021.

Stefon Diggs was among the five receivers who collected 11 targets in Week 3. He has accumulated 26 targets during his last two contests, which is second only to Marquise Brown during that sequence.

That tied Diggs with Diontae Johnson who has now captured 10+ targets in 15 of his last 19 regular season matchups. Johnson has also garnered a 32.4% target share, which places him sixth overall.

Amari Cooper’s first touchdown as a member of the #Browns ! Dart from Jacoby Brissett. pic.twitter.com/gAJeLPMrA8

— GridironHeroics (@GridironHeroics) September 23, 2022

Amari Cooper has now accumulated 21 targets during his last two matchups, which should eviscerate any lingering concerns from his six-target outing during Cleveland's season opener.

Tyler Lockett also collected 11 targets from Geno Smith and has now attained a target share of 32.8% since Week 2. Zay Jones also accrued 11 targets when Jacksonville traveled to Los Angeles, while he also captured a team-high 29.7% target share. It was the fourth time in Jone's career that he has eclipsed 10 targets and the third time since Week 10 of 2018.

DeVante Parker was among the 12 receivers who were targeted 10 times in Week 3  after being limited to a 6.3% target share in Weeks 1-2. Curtis Samuel also reached double digits for the second time in three games by collecting 10 targets in Week 3. He is also averaging 10.0 per game since Week 1.

TOUCHDOWN A.J. BROWN
pic.twitter.com/ANnwIjHGW5

— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) September 25, 2022

A.J. Brown was targeted 10+ times in just five of his 43 games as a Tennessee Titan, but he has now reached double digits in two of his first three games with Philadelphia. Sterling Shepard also emerged among the collection of receivers who accrued 10 targets. He had also reached double-digits in each of his last two outings, before sustaining a torn ACL when the Giants hosted Dallas.

Davante Adams captured 10+ targets in eight different matchups last season and has now accomplished it in two of his first three games with the Raiders. Courtland Sutton’s 10 targets led the Broncos in Week 3, while his target share exceeded 31% share for the second consecutive game.

Teammates Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore were both targeted 10 times by Joe Flacco in Week 3. It was the second consecutive game in which Wilson has reached double digits, while Moore had been averaging 6.0 per game prior to Week 3.

Ja’Marr Chase’s 10 targets represented the seventh time in his career that he has attained double digits. Josh Reynolds reached 10+ for the first time since Week 16 of 2020, while Mack Hollins and Greg Dortch accomplished it for the first time in their careers.

Jakobi Meyers was sidelined in Week 3 (knee), which was a factor in the sudden rise in Parker’s target total. His 10 targets were accumulated one week after he had been limited to just two, which resulted in the largest week-to-week increase of +8. Gage’s 13 targets were accumulated one week after he had been targeted six times, which resulted in a rise of +7.

Trevor extends the play. Connects with Zay Jones for the touchdown. Jaguars up 13-0 pic.twitter.com/yEpJroFsf5

— Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) September 25, 2022

That tied Gage with Zay Jones, who captured 11 targets just only week after he was limited to just four. Josh Reynolds matched their surge of +7 when he collected 10 targets in Week 3.

Marquise Brown had collected 11 targets in Week 2, but the league-best 17 targets that he stockpiled in Week 3  expanded his weekly total by +6. That tied him with Metcalf, whose season-high 12 targets had doubled his Week 2 total. Greg Dortch’s first career double-digit total also fueled his rise of +6.

K.J. Osborn had averaged 3.0 per game in Weeks 1-2, but his season-high total (8) also extended his week-to-week total by +6. Elijah Moore, JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVonta Smith, and rookies George Pickens and Romeo Doubs all registered weekly increases of +5.

Jaylen Waddle’s career-high 19 targets were difficult to replicate, and his six targets during Miami’s matchup with Buffalo resulted in the largest weekly decline of -13. The week-to-week drop for Waddle’s teammate Tyreek Hill was similar (-9) after Hill's Week 2 total (13) was followed by his four-target outing in Week 3.

Cooper Kupp’s six targets in Week 3 represented his lowest weekly total since Week 15 of 2020. That launched his weekly decline of -8. However, he is still tied for the league lead with Lamb in target share (34.7%) from Weeks 1-3. Drake London quickly secured the first double-digit target total of his career in Week 2, but his week-to-week total diminished by -6. That tied him with Justin Jefferson, who matched London’s Week 3 total of six.

Week 3 Air Yards

Chris Olave is HIM! pic.twitter.com/teb2P4Qiyj

— PFF NO Saints (@PFF_Saints) September 25, 2022

Chris Olave continues to lead all wide receivers in air yards (536). Diontae Johnson is second overall (368), followed by Courtland Sutton (354), CeeDee Lamb (338), and three receivers who are tied at 335: Jaylen Waddle, A.J. Brown, and Marquise Brown. Davante Adams is next (334), followed by Terry McLaurin (330),  D.J. Chark (328), Cooper Kupp (326), Stefon Diggs (320), Garrett Wilson (318), and Wilson’s teammate Corey Davis with 313 yards.

Elijah Moore is directly behind his teammate with 292 yards, followed by DeVante Parker (291), Ja’Marr Chase (289), DeVonta Smith (284), Amari Cooper (283), and two receivers tied who are tied at 281 – Rashod Bateman, and Tyreek Hill. Drake London is next (272), followed by Brandin Cooks (271), Tyler Lockett (270), Marvin Jones (258), and Mike Williams (257) completing the list of wide receivers who have accumulated 250+ air yards.

Amari Cooper leads his position with a 50.3% share of air yards. Cooper Kupp is second (46.1%), followed by Courtland Sutton (45.9%), CeeDee Lamb (42.9%), Sterling Shepard (42.3%), Jaylen Waddle (41.8%), A.J. Brown (41.7%), Chris Olave (41.6%), and Marquise Brown (40.0%). Sterling Shepard is next (39.9%), followed by Allen Lazard (38.9%), Diontae Johnson (38.7%), Brandon Aiyuk (38.2%), and Tyler Lockett with a share of 37.6%.

Stefon Diggs is next (37.3%), followed by Marvin Jones (36.7%), Davante Adams (35.9%), DeVonta Smith (35.3%), Tyreek Hill (35.1%), and Ja’Marr Chase who has attained a share of 34.5%. Brandin Cooks is next (34.4%), followed by Jakobi Meyers (34.3%), Drake London (34.2%), Justin Jefferson (33.8%), Michael Pittman (33.6%), Darnell Mooney (33.6%), and Robbie Anderson with a share of 33.3%.

Week 3 Targets Per Route Run

This was a massive fourth-down catch by CeeDee Lamb.

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/2olavIMy9u

— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) September 27, 2022

CeeDee Lamb leads all wide receivers in targets per route run with a percentage of 43.6% among players who have run 50+ routes. Jaylen Waddle is next (34.9%), followed by two receivers who are tied at 32.4%: Cooper Kupp, and Amon Ra St. Brown. Noah Brown is next (31.8%), followed by Tyreek Hill (31.5%), Drake London (30.9%), Jakobi Meyers (30.6%), Garrett Wilson (29.9%), Richie James (29.8%), Stefon Diggs (29.4%), and A.J. Brown - who has been targeted on 29.2% of his routes.

Amari Cooper and Diontae Johnson have been targeted on 28.4% of their routes, followed by Tyler Lockett (27.7%), Brandin Cooks (27.1%), Chris Olave (26.6%), Christian Kirk (26.5%), and two receivers who are tied at 25.9%:  Deebo Samuel, and Russell Gage. Davante Adams is next (25.8%), followed by Zay Jones (25%), Jarvis Landry (24.7%), Courtland Sutton (24.6%), Brandon Aiyuk (24.4%), D.K. Metcalf (24%), Marquise Brown (23.9%), and Justin Jefferson, who has been targeted on 23.6% of his routes.

Week 3 Yards Per Route Run

Jaylen Waddle running Corner & Corner/Post pic.twitter.com/7ocifxh2wK

— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) September 28, 2022

Jaylen Waddle leads all wide receivers with an average of 3.98 yards per route run, while his teammate Tyreek Hill is second overall (3.45). Noah Brown is next (3.23), followed by Rashod Bateman (3.05), A.J. Brown (2.92), Stefon Diggs (2.89), Drake London (2.64), Christian Kirk (2.62), Cooper Kupp (2.59), Richie James (2.56), and Courtland Sutton with an average of 2.55.

Amon Ra-St. Brown is next at 2.48, followed by Chris Olave (2.46), CeeDee Lamb (2.45), Jakobi Meyers (2.42), Nelson Agholor (2.32), Amari Cooper (2.31), and two receivers who are tied at 2.24: Tyler Lockett, and Devin Duvernay. Tee Higgins is next (2.20) while Mack Hollins (2.11), Jarvis Landry (2.09), DeVonta Smith (2.09), Treylon Burks (2.02), Olamide Zacchaeus (2.02), Garrett Wilson (2.00), and Justin Jefferson (2.00) complete the list of 28 receivers who have attained an average of 2.0+.

Week 3 Red Zone Targets

Double-teamed? No problem for @tae15adams 😏

Touchdown!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/IMgtRpXOTp

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 25, 2022

Davante Adams captured five red zone targets during the Raiders' Week 3 matchup with Tennessee. That has vaulted him into the league lead with 10 targets from Weeks 1-3. Last week’s overall leader Garrett Wilson is now second with nine targets, followed by Ja’Marr Chase (8), and two receivers tied with seven targets (Stefon Diggs/Christian Kirk).

D.K. Metcalf also collected five targets inside the 20 when Seattle hosted Atlanta, which propelled his overall total to six. That ties him with four other receivers: Justin Jefferson, Cooper Kupp, Zay Jones, and Allen Robinson. Four receivers have collected five targets inside the 20: Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown, Adam Thielen, and Mack Hollins.

Wilson leads the position with seven targets inside the 10-yard line, while Adams and Chase have both been targeted six times. Four receivers have accumulated five targets inside the 10: Kirk, Diggs, Jefferson, and Brown.

Adams leads all wide receivers with six targets inside the 5-yard line, while four different receivers have been targeted four times: Chase, Diggs, Kirk, and Robinson.

Week 3 Snap Counts

Cooper Kupp leads all wide receivers with a 100% snap share. D.J. Moore is second overall (98.2%), followed by Davante Adams (97.3%), Adam Thielen (96.8%), Justin Jefferson (96.8%), Gabe Davis (96.2%), Michael Pittman (96.2%), and CeeDee Lamb with a snap share of 95.7%. Ja’Marr Chase is next (94.7%), followed by DeVonta Smith (94.2%), Marquise Brown (94.1%), Allen Robinson (93.7%), Chase Claypool (92.5%), Brandon Aiyuk (91.5%), Robbie Anderson (91.4%), and Darnell Mooney with a snap share of 91.2%

Courtland Sutton is next (91.0%), followed by Jahan Dotson (98.7%), Christian Kirk (90.7%), DeVante Parker (90.2%), Mack Hollins (90.1%), and Elijah Moore (90.1%), completing the list of 22 wide receivers who have been involved in at least 90% of their team’s offensive snaps.

Chase leads all receivers with 215 offensive snaps. Marquise Brown is the only other receiver who has eclipsed 200 (209). Elijah Moore is next (199), followed by Smith (196), Dotson (196), McLaurin (191), and Kirk (185). Teammates Thielen and  Jefferson are tied at 181, followed by Greg Dortch (180), and two receivers who are tied at 177: Adams, and Mike Williams.

Two receivers are also tied at 176 (Lamb/A.J. Brown), while Donovan Peoples-Jones has played on 175 offensive snaps. Kupp and  Boyd have been involved on 174 snaps, followed by Aiyuk (173), Curtis Samuel (173), Corey Davis (172), Josh Palmer (171), Amari Cooper (170), and two players who are tied at 166: St. Brown, and Parris Campbell.

Five Things I Noticed  

1. The offseason transformation of Miami’s offense included the advent of Mike McDaniel as the Dolphin's new head coach. It also involved the infusion of Tyreek Hill into the wide receiving arsenal, after the Dolphins jettisoned five draft picks to Kansas City in exchange for the opportunity to deploy Hill with second-year receiver Jaylen Waddle – who became just the second rookie in NFL history to eclipse 100+ receptions in 2021. 

TUA TO TYREEK

5 Touchdown GAME

“the most accurate QB in football”
-Tyreek Hill pic.twitter.com/Gi0lIJjDK3

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 18, 2022

The results for this reconstructed attack after two matchups were exceptional, as the Dolphins skyrocketed into the league lead in passing offense entering Week 3 (351.5 yards per game).

The numbers that were generated by Hill and Waddle were also embraced by anyone who had included them on their rosters. Both receivers were among the top five in scoring while each player was averaging over 28 points per game (Hill - 30.0, Waddle - 28.9).

The tandem had also soared among the league leaders in targets, as Hill was tied for second (25/12.5 per game/30.9% share), and Waddle was tied for fourth overall (24/12 per game/29.6% share). Hill was also second in targets per route run (35.7%), while Waddle was sixth (34.3%).

Hill was also leading the league with 284 receiving yards (142 per game), while Waddle was third overall (240/120 per game). Hill had also commandeered the overall lead in yards per route run (4.06), while Waddle was fourth (3.43).

Both players were also among the top six in air yards (Hill - 247), (Waddle - 232), while Hill was also 12th in yards per target (11.7). Waddle was 16th in yards per reception (16.0), and also eighth in red zone targets (4).

Miami’s Week 3 matchup with AFC rival Buffalo was arguably the most intriguing matchup of Week 3, as the Dolphins’ high-octane aerial attack would be confronted by a Bills defense that was only permitting 149 yards per game through the air.

THAT @AlabamaFTBL CONNECTION 🔥

📺: Watch #BUFvsMIA on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Ti7PYG9PnO

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 25, 2022

Hill and Waddle were unable to replicate their stellar numbers for a third consecutive week, as Miami was limited to 171 passing yards – which was less than half of the Dolphins' previous per game average. That dropped Miami’s overall average to 291.3, which was a drop f over 60 yards per game.

Tua Tagovailoa only attempted 18 passes, after he had averaged 41.5 during Miami’s first two matchups. Waddle led the Dolphins in target share (30%), although he was limited to six targets. He had entered the game averaging 12 per game this season, although that was fueled primarily when Tagovailoa targeted him 19 times.

Waddle also led Miami in receptions (four) receiving yards (102), and air yards (103), and attained a team-high 57.5% share of air yards. He also ran 16 routes, was targeted on 37.5% percent of those routes, and averaged 6.38 yards per route run when he lined up against the Bills.

Hill’s target share dropped to a season-low 20%. He was also relegated to four targets after he had averaged 12.5 per game during his first two matchups as a Dolphin. His diminished usage restricted him to just two receptions, 32 receiving yards, and 34 air yards.

Hill’s share of 40.8% air yards in Weeks 1-2 also plummeted to 18.99 versus Buffalo. He also ran 18 routes, was targeted on 18.2% percent of those routes, and averaged 1.50 yards per route run.

Fantasy managers should not be forced to contend with similar results on a frequent basis this season, as Hill and Waddle should consistently be among the lead leaders in numerous categories during the majority of their matchups.

2. Amon-Ra St. Brown was the 17th wide receiver to be selected during the 2021 NFL Draft, and the list of receivers who were chosen before him includes Tutu Atwell, D’Wayne Eskridge, Dyami Brown, Terrace Marshall Jr., Anthony Schwartz, and Dez Fitzpatrick.

St. Brown’s rookie season started with uninspiring results from Weeks 1-12, as he averaged 4.7 targets, 3.5 receptions, and 32 yards per game. St. Brown’s target share was 15.8% during that sequence, while he was being targeted on 19.5% of his routes, and was averaging 1.32 yards per route run.

Drafting Amon-Ra St. Brown to be your WR3 pic.twitter.com/rVE6Iq2lZm

— Frank J. Dyevoich, Esq. (@Fantasy_Giant) September 19, 2022

However, it is hardly a secret that the statistical eruption St. Brown delivered during his final six games of 2021 catapulted him firmly onto the fantasy landscape. He skyrocketed to WR2 in scoring during that span and was being targeted on 33.2% of his routes.

He also vaulted to second overall in targets (67) while averaging 11.2 per game during that sequence. St. Brown also launched to third in target share (33.5%), second in receptions (51/8.5 per game), second in both receiving yards (560/93.3 per game), and touchdowns (five), and was ninth in yards per route run (2.77) during those matchups.

There were divergent opinions surrounding St. Brown’s ability to sustain that level of proficiency during his second season, which was underscored by his Round 5 ADP during the draft process. However, anyone who invested in St. Brown has benefitted substantially from that decision.

St. Brown had captured 10+ targets in eight consecutive matchups entering Week 3.  He was also third overall in target share (33.8%), fourth among all receivers in targets per route run (35.3%), 15th with an average of 2.65 yards per route run, and was also eighth in red zone targets (3).

St. Brown was also fourth among all wide receivers in both targets (24/12 per game and receptions (17/8.5 per game), was 10th in receiving yards (180/90 per game), eighth in yards after catch (87), and was tied for second with three touchdowns.

Amon-Ra St. Brown is slicing and dicing 👀

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/fRqJZ2Y6Ba

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 25, 2022

However, St. Brown was contending with an ankle issue during the Lions’ Week 3 matchup with NFC North rival Minnesota, which impeded his ability to sustain his recent numbers. He was unable to extend the streak of consecutive games with 10+ targets, although he still collected nine versus the Vikings. St. Brown also registered six receptions and generated 73 receiving yards. He was third behind D.J. Chark and Josh Reynolds in air yards (45), and also with his 12.9% share of air yards. St. Brown was also targeted on 26.5% of his routes and averaged 1.69 yards per route run.

His role as Detroit’s WR1 was also unchallenged, although Reynolds is in the process of leapfrogging Chark as the preferred roster option for fantasy managers. Reynolds has surpassed Chark in target share (18.3/14.1%) during the Lions’ last two games, and also leads Chark in receptions (9/3) and receiving yards (134/46).

That includes Reynolds’ team-high 27% share in Week 3. He also paced the Lions in receiving yards (96), air yards (172), and with his 49.3% share of air yards. Reynolds has now run 96 routes, has been targeted on 16.7% of his routes, and has averaged 2.91 yards per route run.

Give the ball to Amon-Ra St. Brown on every down
pic.twitter.com/sGPWUpSONR

— Barstool Detroit (@BSMotorCity) September 18, 2022

St. Brown is still sixth among all wide receivers with 33 targets (11.0 per game) entering Detroit’s Week 4 matchup with Seattle. He is also fourth in receptions (23/7.7 per game) and ninth in receiving yards (253/84.3). He is also tied for fourth targets per route run (32.4%), and 12th in yards per route run (2,48).  He also resides at WR3 and remains a highly-productive WR1 for fantasy managers.

3. The Steelers have now completed their first three matchups with Mitchell Trubisky under center. The numbers have been largely underwhelming in multiple categories. However, the unsettled transition from Ben Roethlisberger to Trubisky has not encumbered Diontae Johnson from sustaining encouraging usage and accumulating favorable results.

Johnson has captured a double-digit target during each of his first three matchups this season. He has also garnered a 32.4% target share, which places him fifth overall. Johnson is also second in air yards (368) and 11th with a 38.7% share of air yards.

Been trying to process this Diontae Johnson catch since Week 1 🤯

(via @NFL) | @steelers | @Juiceup__3 pic.twitter.com/oEiHxtpLmS

— NFL On Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) September 24, 2022

Johnson has also been targeted on 28.4% of his routes while averaging 1.69 yards per route run. His 5.9 yards per target and 9.3 yards per reception are the highest of his career after he entered the regular season with averages of 6.9/11.0 respectively.

Johnson has remained a reliable resource for fantasy managers even as he operates in a passing attack that is ranked 28th (182.7 yards per game). Pittsburgh is also averaging 34.3 attempts per game, which is 17th overall, after averaging 39.1 attempts per game during 2021.

At least we can still have a Diontae Johnson Monday appreciation post: #Steelers pic.twitter.com/RlC5UQpxJj

— YinzerCrazy.com ⚫️🟡 (@yinzercrazyshow) September 19, 2022

Trubisky has completed 62 of his 103 passing attempts and is 26th completion percentage (60.2%). He has only generated two touchdown passes, while ranking 32nd in yards per attempt (5.5), 32nd in air yards per attempt (5.5), sixth in intended air yards (951), and 14th in completed air yards (394).

Trubisky’s continued deficiencies should eventually compel Mike Tomlin to elevate Kenny Pickett into the starting role. This would be justifiable given Trubisky’s performance, along with the Steelers' first-round investment in Pickett.

Whether the infusion of Pickett under center would provide the elixir that would boost the productivity of Chase Claypool and George Pickens is uncertain. Claypool’s third season has been a continuation of the statistical malaise that characterized his numbers during 2021, while further eviscerating the optimism that emerged following his promising rookie season: (109 targets/6.8 per game, 1,438 air yards, nine touchdowns).

He is currently third behind Johnson and Pat Freiermuth in targets (18/6.0 per game), and receiving yards (79/26.3 per game), even though he leads the Steelers in snap share (92.5%). He has run 79 routes, has also been targeted on 15.8% of those routes, and is averaging 0.69 yards per route run. Claypool’s 4.4 yards per target and 7.2 yards per reception also dwell well below his career averages entering 2022 (8.1/14.4).

Pickens possesses the attributes to operate as an explosive and prolific weapon, but that potential is currently being squelched. He has been targeted 12 times (4.0 per game) while collecting only five receptions, and just 75 yards. Pickens has accumulated 228 air yards and is second behind Johnson with a 24.0% share of air yards. His aDOT is 17.5, while he has been targeted on 11.5% of his routes, and averaged 0.63 yards per route run.

If you are among the fantasy managers who are relying on Johnson, you can remain confident that he will commandeer targets and remain productive regardless of which Steeler quarterback is guiding the attack.

4. Many of the wide receivers who were selected within the first six rounds during the draft season have rewarded fantasy managers for their decisions. Unfortunately, there are several other receivers whose usage and output have become nightmarish for anyone who invested in them at that point in their drafts. It is difficult to launch this topic without examining Darnell Mooney, who was drafted as a mid-range WR3. Not only has he failed to reach that expectation, but the deficiencies that surround him in his environment have rendered him unusable in any lineups.

Mooney entered the regular season firmly atop a Chicago depth chart that contained Velus Jones Jr., Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, and N’Keal Harry He also possessed a favorable blend of explosiveness and route running capabilities that seemingly had positioned him to surpass the expectations of his ADP (68/WR30).

Darnell Mooney still on the field an hour after the game, practicing. He said his team has to be able to depend on him and he’s upset about his drops today. Bears starting receiver was targeted 6 times for 2 catches and 23 yards #BearsVsTexans #bears @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/EP0jaXlbfh

— Jackie Kostek (@JackieKostek) September 25, 2022

Mooney easily leads Chicago with a 91.4% snap share and has also garnered a 25% target share during the Bears' first three matchups. Unfortunately, he is operating within an offense that is dead last in passing attempts per game (15), as the Bears are averaging 11 attempts per game fewer than any other team. Justin Fields is 32nd overall in attempts (45) and has only registered 23 completions passes through three contests.

Mooney now enters Week 4 with meager numbers that are both inexplicable and alarming. He is currently WR114, is outside the top 100 in targets, and is beyond the top 200 in receiving yards. He has only collected four receptions from Weeks 1-3, and also trails St. Brown in receiving yards (77/27) Mooney has assembled a team-high 143 air yards, which places him just 64th overall. He has been targeted on 15.3% of his 72 routes and has averaged 0.38 yards per route run.

Mooney’s numbers during Chicago’s Week 3 matchup with Houston were also anemic – even though he was functioning with a 93.7% snap share. He easily led the Bears in target share (37,5%) but was only targeted six times by Fields – who only launched 17 attempts and connected on just eight of those passes. He also finished with just 3.8 yards per target, which was actually his highest of the season (2.67/-2,00/3,68). He also registered a 33,3% catch rate for the second time in three games, which dropped his season-long percentage to 36.4%

Mooney’s numbers have been consistently infinitesimal. The shortcomings within Chicago’s attack and the restricted efforts to deploy weapons in the Bears’ receiving arsenal also do not provide any promise that his usage and output will surge anytime soon. There is no rationale for inserting him into starting lineups and anyone who is contending with a short bench can drop him.

5. D.J. Moore’s numbers have not been as catastrophic as Mooney’s, although the unfavorable results have been highly problematic for fantasy managers. There was a sizable reason for optimism that the arrival of Baker Mayfield might provide the perfect element that would propel Moore to career-best numbers in his fifth season.

This rationale was bolstered by Moore’s exceptional track record of overcoming deficient quarterback play during his tenure with Carolina. Moore had finished fifth among all wide receivers in targets from 2019-2021 (416/8.9 per game), fourth in receiving yards (3,525/75 per game), and 10 in receptions during that span (246/5.2 per game).

This enthusiasm also launched Moore’s ADP into Round 3 during draft season, as he was being selected as a high-end WR2. However, the results have been discouraging for anyone who made that investment as the Panthers prepare for their Week 4 matchup with Arizona.

Moore is second among all wide receivers with a 99.3% snap share, but is languishing at WR61. He is also tied for 42nd in targets (18/6.0 per game), 68th in receptions (7/2.3 per game), 80th in receiving yards (88/29.3 per game), and 53rd in air yards– all of which would have been incomprehensible prior to the regular season.

Moore’s 38.9% catch rate dwells far below his average from 2018-2021 (61.1%). His 4.9 yards per target is also well below the 8.9 that he registered during his previous four seasons. He is also 46th in routes run (88), has been targeted on 19.8% of his routes, and has averaged 0.97 yards per route run.

Moore also entered Week 3 averaging 6.0 targets, 3.0 receptions, and 43 yards per game - all well below his career averages (7.9 targets/4.8 receptions/68.5 yards). He was trailing Robbie Anderson in targets (13/12), receptions (8/6 receiving yards (134/86), and also in yards after catch (62/21), targets per route run (20.6%/19.4%), and with his average in yards per route run (2.13/1.39).

Moore attained another favorable snap share (98.3%) when Carolina hosted New Orleans in Week 3, and also led the Panthers in target share (25%). However, his production remained concerning as he only collected one of his six targets, and was relegated to the second-lowest yardage total of his career (2).

Carolina now enters Week 4 tied for 29th in pass attempts per game (27), while the Panthers are 25th in pass play percentage (55.2%). Mayfield is 30th in completions (42/14 per game), and just 31st in completion percentage (51.9%). He is also averaging 183 yards per game, which places him 29th overall. Mayfield is also 24th in intended air yards per attempt (6.7) and 31st in completed air yards per attempt (2.4).

However, Moore has eluded the encumbrances of inefficiency under center throughout his career and remains capable of accomplishing that once again with Mayfield guiding Carolina's aerial attack. That should supply the motivation to remain patient, as Moore still retains the ability to become a resource this season.

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