Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Week 6 Analysis

Wide receivers are essential components toward your ultimate goal of securing league championships. As the season unfolds, an expanding collection of tools are available that can provide you with an extensive level of knowledge. Those results provide the foundation for this weekly statistical breakdown of the wide receiver position, which is designed to help you fulfill your championship aspirations.

This will be the sixth installment that examines game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, red-zone targets, snap counts, and a compilation of advanced statistics. 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.

This week’s article will be functioning with six weeks of data, which bolsters the foundation from which the numbers that are generated in various categories can be evaluated. 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. Pro Football Reference, NextGenStats, Rotowire, and Football Outsiders were all used as resources in compiling this data.

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Week 6 Target Leaders  

Cooper Kupp averaged 12.6 targets per game and 14.6 per game during Weeks 3-5. But he only collected six during the Rams' Week 6 matchup with San Francisco. His overall total is still the highest among our wide receivers (69). He is followed by Michael Thomas (67), while Tyler Boyd (60), Keenan Allen 59, DeAndre Hopkins (56), and Julian Edelman (56). Tampa Bay teammates Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are next (55), followed by Odell Beckham Jr. (54), Julio Jones (53), Larry Fitzgerald (52), and Robert Woods (51). No other receivers have attained 50+ targets between Weeks 1-6.

Evans led all wide receivers in targets during Week 6 matchups (17) followed by Edelman (15), and a collection of five receivers with 12 - Thomas, Hopkins, Godwin, Alshon Jeffery, and Auden Tate. Beckham and Stefon Diggs were next (11), Followed by D.J. Moore, Mike Williams and Tyreek Hill with 10. While no other receivers were able to eclipse double-digits, Will Fuller, Julio Jones, Jamison Crowder, Kenny Golladay, and Golden Tate, all captured nine targets during Week 6.

Diggs attained collected a double-digit target total for the first time this season, after accomplishing it nine times during 2018. Tate led the Bengals in targets for the first time (12) and has now collected 34 since Week 3 (8.5-per-game). Michael Thomas and Mike Williams were the only two wide receivers who captured double-digit targets in both Weeks 5 and 6 (Thomas -13/12), (Williams -13/10).

Kupp, Thomas, and Boyd are the only three wide receivers that have eclipsed 10+ four times, while Allen, Edelman, and Beckham have accomplished it during three different matchups. Allen had accumulated a league-best 42 targets (14 per-game) after Week 3. But he has only averaged 5.6 since Week 4.

Largest Weekly Changes 

Evans owners are already aware that his target totals have fluctuated sizably throughout the season. He has now can collected  15+ targets in two contests (Weeks 3/6) but has also failed to exceed five targets twice (Weeks 1/5).  But after accruing a season-low three targets from Jameis Winston in Week 5, his league-best 17 in Week 6 resulted in the largest increase for any wide receiver (+14).

No other player was remotely close to Evans’ weekly surge. The second highest rise of +6 occurred with Edelman and Tate - who will be discussed further in the 5 Things I Noticed section. Beckham and Anderson were next with an increase of +5, followed by Hopkins, Jeffrey, and Agholor (+4), and Godwin (+3).

Kupp owners have already been rewarded for selecting him, and his array of statistical achievements since Week 1 were discussed in last week's article. But after obtaining a league-high 17 targets in Week 5, his Week 6 total plummeted sufficiently to result in the week's largest decrease -11. Michael Gallup, Fuller, and Boyd all experienced a decline of -7, followed by Diontae Johnson (-6) and Woods (-5).

Week 6 Yards-Per-Target Leaders

Stefon Diggs’ 12.4 yard-per-target average is the league’s highest among all receivers. He’s followed by Chris Godwin (12.0) D.J. Chark (12.0), A.J. Brown (11.9), and Amari Cooper (11.4). Tyler Lockett (11.1), Michael Gallup (10.8), Mecole Hartman (10.8), D.K. Metcalf (10.8), and Terry McLaurin (10.7), are also among the 17 receivers that have attained an average of 10+. Adam Thielen (9.6), Darius Slayton (9.5), and Will Fuller (9.3) join seven other receivers that are averaging 9+.

Diggs averaged 8.1 yards-per target from 2015-2018. But his current average is easily his career best. He has now exceeded 15 yards-per-target in three different contests including Minnesota's Week 6 matchup with Philadelphia (15.2), which propelled him to his overall lead.

Godwin has averaged at least 12.3 yards-per-target in four of his last five games, including 12.6 in Week 6 versus Carolina. Cooks’ average of 9.3 is his lowest since 2015. It is also one full yard below his 2018 average (10.3). Keenan Allen had averaged 9.8 yards-per-target in Weeks 1-4. But that average has plummeted to just 4.25 during his last two games.

McLaurin's average of 14.3 in Week 6 was his highest since Week 1 (17.9) after his average had dropped to 7.6 during Weeks 2-5.

Week 6 Targeted Air Yards Leaders 

Devante Parker continues to lead all wide receivers in targeted air yards (19.4), followed by Demarcus Robinson (17.3), Darius Slayton (16.8), Chris Conley (16.7), Terry McLaurin (16.4), and Stefon Diggs (16.1). No other receivers are averaging 16+ Kenny Golladay is next (15.9), followed by D.K. Metcalf (15.8), Mike Evans (15.7), and Mike Williams (15.3). Curtis Samuel (14.8), Robby Anderson (14.6), D.J. Chark (14.6),  Calvin Ridley (14.3), and Will Fuller (14), are among the other receivers that are contained inside the top 20.

Evans remains the league leader in air yards (829), which is 129 yards more than any other wide receiver. Will Fuller is second (700), followed by Julio Jones (671), Keenan Allen (652), Odell Beckham Jr. (642), Chris Godwin (637), Curtis Samuel (637), D.J. Chark (625), Terry McLaurin (619), and DeAndre Hopkins (609) completing the top 10. Mike Williams (608), Kenny Golladay (604), Stefon Diggs (577), Devante Parker (550), Calvin Ridley 544 and Amari Cooper 537 are among the other receivers that are currently inside the top 20.

% Share Of Team’s Air Yards Leaders

Diggs now leads all receivers in percentage share of teams air yards following his electrifying Week 6 performance (47. 42.) He is followed by Robby Anderson (45.25), Terry McLaurin (44.5), Courtland Sutton (43.01), Allen Robinson (42.73), Michael Thomas (42.42), Adam Thielen (40.76), D.J. Chark (39. 55), Kenny Golladay (38.53), and Curtis Samuel completing the top 10 (38.39.). The remaining receivers that comprise the 20 are - Tyrell Williams (37.85), Mike Evans (37.37), Will Fuller (36.54), and John Brown (36.21), Odell Beckham (35.79), Devante Parker (32.83), Emmanuel Sanders (32.51), Keenan Allen (32.33), Julio Jones (31.55), and Preston Williams (31.05). No other wide receivers have attained an average above 30%.

McLaurin's percentage (44.5) easily leads all first-year receivers. Preston Williams is a distant second at 31.05, while Marquise Brown (29.86), D.K. Metcalf (28.5), and Dinotae Johnson (20.85) are only other rookie that have attained a percentage of 20+. McLaurin is assembling outstanding numbers in numerous categories, which will be discussed further in the 5 Things I Noticed section.

Week 6 Red Zone Target Leaders 

Mike Evans now leads all receivers with 10 red zone targets, after collecting four in Week 6. Michael Thomas is second (9), along with Denver receivers Courtland Sutton and Emmanuel Sanders.  Thomas' total increased significantly after he accrued five targets during his matchup with Jacksonville. Sanders had led the leagues in this category from Weeks 1 -5 before Evans and Thomas achieved their sizable weekly totals.

Chris Godwin, Cooper Kupp, Keenan Allen, Kenny Golladay, and Auden Tate are all tied with eight targets, followed by Jarvis Landry, Larry Fitzgerald, D.K. Metcalf, Mike Williams, and T.Y. Hilton (7). A collection of 14 wide receivers are all tied with six red zone targets. - Julian Edelman, Tyler Lockett, Will Fuller, Terry McLaurin, Adam Thielen, Davante Adams, Marquise Brown, Curtis Samuel, Mecole Hardman, Sterling Shepard, Nelson Agholor, Tyrell Williams, Mike Williams, and Alshon Jeffery.

The five targets that were captured by Thomas represented the largest weekly increase. Evans's four targets resulted in the second-highest weekly rise. Thielen, DeAndre Hopkins, and Jaron Brown were all targeted three times in Week 6. Thomas has now captured seven red zone targets during his last two matchups, while Evans, Thielen, Fuller, and Tate have all collected five.

Fitzgerald leads all receivers with seven targets inside the 10, while Sanders, Godwin, Landry, Hilton, Golladay, and Mike Williams are all tied with five. Fitzgerald also leads with seven targets inside the five while no other receiver has collected more than three.

Week 6 Snap Count Leaders

Robert Woods leads all receivers in offensive snaps (420), followed by DeAndre Hopkins (414), Tyler Lockett (408), Chris Godwin (404), Will Fuller (404), Odell Beckham (386), Nelson Agholor (386), Mike Evans (384), Cooper Kupp (383), and Brandin Cooks 382. Nine other receivers have performed on at least 350 snaps - Julian Edelman (379), Jarvis Landry (375), Larry Fitzgerald (372), Michael Thomas 372, Keenan Allen (367), D.J. Moore (367), Tyler Boyd (362), Courtland Sutton (361), and Curtis Samuel 360).

Beckham leads all receivers in snap count percentage (97.2%), followed by Hopkins (97%), Woods (96.8%), Godwin (95.1%). Fuller (94.6%), Landry (94.5%), Thomas (93.9%), Lockett (93.6%), Robby Anderson (92.6%), and Allen Robinson (92.4%). Five other receivers have played on at least 90% other teams’ offensive snaps - Sutton (90.9%), Allen (90.6%), Evans (90.4%), Agholor (90.4%), and Moore (90%).

Woods was the only receiver to play on all on 100% of his team's offensive snaps in Week 6. Beckham nearly matched that percentage (99), followed by six receivers who played on 98% of their teams’ snaps - Darius Slayton, his teammate Golden Tate, Cooks, Boyd, Thomas, and Hopkins.

Amari Cooper had been averaging 87% of the Cowboys' offensive snaps prior to Week 6 but was limited to just three snaps (4%) due to his thigh injury. Tavon Austin (76/93%), and Cedric Wilson (50/61%) were the recipients of massive increases in their counts as a result. Austin has played on just 52 snaps before Week 6, while Wilson had been involved in just 20.

Five Things I Noticed 

1. During his first game action since Week 2, Sam Darnold resuscitated a Jet passing attack that had averaged a meager 109 yards through the air during Luke Falk's starts.  Robby Anderson had entered the contest averaging 5.25 targets, an anemic 2.75 receptions, and just 32.75 yards-per-game. But Darnold located Anderson eight times in Week 6, resulting in five receptions 125 yards and a 92-yard touchdown. Anderson's also procured a season-high 15.6. yards-per-target average after entering the contest at just 6.08. His potential to generate significant production as a downfield presence has been resurrected with Darnold launching passes in his direction. Darnold's return was also beneficial to Jamison Crowder, who led the league in targets after Week 1  (17). The former Redskin then proceeded to average just 4.65 per game, along with 2.75 receptions and 25 yards during that 3-game sequence. But Crowder collected six of his nine targets for 98 yards against the Cowboys. He also registered a season-high 10.89 yards per target, after averaging 5.25 per target from Weeks 1-5. If you own Anderson or Crowder or have stock in any other component within New York's aerial attack, it would be wise to lower your expectations in advance of this week's matchup with New England. However, the schedule will become more favorable, the bye week has already been completed, and the outlook for Anderson and Crowder has become far more promising.

2. After Week 4 Minnesota’s Adam Thielen had only accumulated 22 targets (5.5 per-game), accrued 13 receptions (3.3 per game), and assembled 179 yards (44.75 per-game). The numbers for his teammate Stefon Diggs were equally distressing after five games, during which Diggs had been targeted only 23 times (4.6 per-game), collected just 16 receptions (3.2 per game), and manufactured 253 yards (50.6 per game). His numbers would have been even more unsightly if you eliminate his 7-catch/108-yard performance in Week 4. But owners can now embrace renewed optimism after a significant surge in the usage and production of both receivers. Thielen captured 13 of 16 targets during Weeks 5-6 while generating 187 yards, and three touchdowns. He has also collected five of his six red zone targets during that two-game span. Diggs received a season-high 11 targets in Week 6, which propelled his statistical explosion during Minnesota’s matchup with Philadelphia (7 receptions/167 yards/3 touchdowns). It was his highest yardage total since Week 3 of 2017. Diggs is now third overall in average depth of target (aDOT) - (16.08), 13th in air yards (577), and 10th in completed air yards (322). Upcoming game scripts will often dictate a heavy reliance on Dalvin Cook. But the ability of Thielen and Diggs to flourish when they were targeted more frequently should sustain a higher level of involvement for both talented receivers as the season progresses.

3. After two weeks of the regular season, Marquise Brown and Terry McLaurin were generating the most prolific numbers among first-year receivers. Brown led rookies in targets (18), receptions (12), yardage (233), and yards-per-game average (116.5), while McLaurin was second in each of those categories (16 targets/10 receptions/187 yards/93.5 yards-per-game). Brown’s availability and output have been negatively impacted by an ankle issue, which has limited him to seven receptions and 44 yards since Week 4. But McLaurin has continued to flourish while ascending into the lead among newcomers most receiving categories. Despite being sidelined with a hamstring issue in Week 4, he has delivered two 100-yard performances, has accrued 408 yards, and has captured eight receptions of 20+. In addition to leading all rookies in those categories, he also paces first-year receivers in receptions (23), yards-per-game average (81.6) and touchdowns (5). McLaurin is now eighth overall in standard scoring, has ascended into third among all receivers in percentage share of team air yards (44.5). is fifth overall in targeted air yards (16.4). He has also captured six red zone targets and is firmly entrenched as Washington's WR1. He will continue accruing exceptional results if he can achieve sustained health during the remaining weeks of the season.

4. As Carolina receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel enter their Week 7 bye, owners can be encouraged by the results that have been delivered by both players. Moore is 13th among all receivers in targets (49), 11th in receptions (33), and 16th in receiving yards (425). He is also 21st n PPR scoring, which places him five slots ahead of Samuel. However, Samuel is at WR21 in standard scoring, while Moore is 26th. Samuel is also tied for sixth overall in air yards (637), 13th in targeted air yards (14.8), 10th in percentage share of team air yards (38.39), and 10th in average depth of target (aDOT) (14.6). In Week 6, Moore also attained a team-high target total for the first time with Kyle Allen under center (10). This continued a steady rise in his weekly totals during that four-game span (2/5/8/10). Samuel is pacing the team in team percentage of air yards (38.9%). Both receivers have played in 360+ snaps with Samuel operating in the slot during 42% of his plays, which has doubled Moore’s usage inside (21%). While it remains unclear how long Allen will guide Carolina’s attack, Moore and Samuel are unquestioned starters for their owners as we steadily advance toward the fantasy postseason.

5. Auden Tate did not surface upon the fantasy radar until Week 3. But the second-year has made an impact on the Bengals’ passing attack, while also forging his place among league leaders in multiple categories. The team-high 12 targets that he captured in Week 6 matched the season-long total for his 2018 rookie year. Tate only performed on 77/7.7% of Cincinnati's offensive snaps as a rookie, while catching just four passes for 35 yards. He did not enter the field in Week 1 and played on just 25 snaps in Week 2 before his usage expanded enormously. He has now surged to second on his team in receptions (19), and third in receiving yards (261) while collecting 18 of the 34 targets that were distributed since Week 3. He also led Cincinnati in receptions in two of the Bengals last two games including the team's Week 6 matchup in Baltimore (5 receptions/91 receptions). He has played on an average of 60 snaps during that span, and the 6’5” Tate has also commandeered a team-high eight red zone targets. which ties him for fifth overall. He has become a valuable component within Cincinnati's 12th ranked passing attack, and should remain highly involved even after A.J Green resurfaces.

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