Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Week 8 Analysis

Wide receivers rely on targets and high snap counts for fantasy football value. Phil Clark's Week 8 target and reception trends for 2020 WRs to find risers and fallers who are possible buy-low or sell-high candidates.

Your wide receivers remain essential components toward your primary 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 regarding this critical position. Those results provide the foundation for this weekly statistical breakdown of the wide receiver position, which I will be constructing for a fourth consecutive season.

This is the eighth weekly installment that will examine game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, first downs, red-zone targets, snap counts, and a blend of advanced statistics. The information that is contained in this report will analyze how various receivers are being utilized, and how effectively they are capitalizing on their opportunities. It is also designed to help with your roster decisions throughout the year.

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 newly designed 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 8 Target Leaders

Need a Kupp for those treats? 😏 @CooperKupp

📺 @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/fW2FVVZZR6

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 31, 2021

Cooper Kupp has led all wide receivers in total targets during four of the past five weeks, and currently remains tied for the league lead entering Week 9. Kupp had also reached double digits during each of his first seven games before collecting nine targets during the Rams’ Week 8 matchup with Houston.

.@cheetah gets us on the board first ☑️

📺: #NYGvsKC on ESPN pic.twitter.com/3F5Fxezyh5

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 2, 2021

However, Tyreek Hill has now vaulted into a tie with Kupp after commandeering a season-high 18 targets from Patrick Mahomes when Kansas City hosted the Giants. Hill has now captured 12+ targets in five different contests and has accomplished it four times since Week 4.

D.J. Moore is third behind Kupp and Hill (81), which has been fueled by his double-digit target total in five of his last seven contests. Terry McLaurin is next (76), after collecting 7+ targets in seven consecutive outings. Davante Adams is fifth overall (73) despite his absence during Green Bay‘s Week 8 matchup in Arizona (reserve/COVID-19). His overall total has been bolstered by the 45 targets that he assembled in Weeks 3-5.

Deebo Samuel has now accrued 9+ targets in five consecutive games which has propelled his season-long total to 72. Brandin Cooks is next (70) despite averaging 7.6 targets per game since Week 4. Chris Godwin is tied with two other wide receivers at 69, after accumulating 11+ targets in three of his last four games. He is joined by rookie Jaylen Waddle who has stockpiled 33 targets since Week 6. Keenan Allen has also collected 69 targets, after reaching double-digits for the first time since Week 4.

Jakobi Meyers has assembled 68 targets, even though he has failed to reach 10+ since Week 4. Stefon Diggs is next (65) while averaging 7.7 targets per game since Week 5. That ties him with Michael Pittman, who had averaged 4.7 targets per game from Weeks 5-7, before establishing a new career-high in Week 8 (15).

💨 @Juiceup__3

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Oz9NhRljY7

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 31, 2021

Diontae Johnson is next with 63 targets after he accumulated exactly 13 for the third time in four matchups. That ties him with Mike Evans, who has now been limited to four targets during two of his last three matchups. Justin Jefferson has also assembled 63 targets, although his four targets in Week 8 represented his lowest weekly total since Week 9 of his 2020 rookie season.  Courtland Sutton is next (62), after averaging 12.5 targets per game in Weeks 5-6, and just 4.5 per game since Week 7.

Mike Williams has collected 61 targets, after being relegated to five in two consecutive outings.  Ja’Marr Chase has averaged 8.8 per game since Week 5, which has propelled his season total to 60. He has assembled impressive results in a number of categories, and his stellar rookie season will be discussed further in the 5 Things I Noticed section.

Adam Thielen has now accumulated 59 targets, which includes the 22 that he has accrued during his last two games. Thielen had been limited to just three targets in Week 5 prior to his two-game surge. He is now tied with Robert Woods, whose nine targets in Week 8 were the most since Week 5, He had also been averaging 5.5 per game in Weeks 6-7. Tyler Lockett is next (58) after he reached a double-digit total for the third time this season. CeeDee Lamb has now accumulated 57 targets, including 19 during his last two games. That ties him with Marquise Brown, who had captured a career-high 14 targets prior to Baltimore’s Week 8 bye.

Four receivers are tied with 56 targets, including two players who were targeted 13 times in Week 8 – Amari Cooper, and Cole Beasley. They are joined by D.K. Metcalf, who has averaged 6.0 targets per game with Geno Smith operating as Seattle’s starting signal-caller. DeVonta Smith has also accrued 56 targets, after collecting 9+ during three of his last five games.

Week 8 Weekly Changes  

Hill had attained a 26.0% target share entering Week 8, which placed him 12th overall. His share increased significantly in Week 8 (41%) which was second only to Tyler Lockett (59.1%). Hill’s enormous level of opportunity also equated to the league-best 18 targets that he stockpiled in Week 8.

Michael Pittman Jr: WR1 😤😤
pic.twitter.com/DT4tE9etwv

— PFF (@PFF) October 31, 2021

Pittman did not reach a double-digit target total throughout his 2020 rookie season. However, he has collected 12+ during three different matchups this year. That includes the career-best 15 that he accrued in Week 8, which propelled Pittman to the second-highest total of the week. Johnson was one of four different wide receivers who captured 13 targets in Week 8, which tied his season-high. He has now been targeted 12+ times in four of his six contests. Beasley has now received 13 targets in three different games this season, while Amari Cooper’s 13 targets were the most since he stockpiled 17 during the Cowboys’ season opener.

Godwin captured 12 targets when Tampa Bay visited New Orleans and has now collected 11+ in four different matchups. That tied him with Waddle, who has now accrued 12+ during three of his last six games. Jamal Agnew was targeted 24 times during his four seasons with Detroit, but he has assembled 26 during his first year in Jacksonville, including 25 during his last three games.

HERBO ⚡️ SLAY @keenan13allen | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/tkCwTRJCzC

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 31, 2021

Allen has now accumulated 11+ targets in four different contests, after accomplishing it in Week 8. That tied him with A.J. Brown, who established a new season-high with his 11 targets. He was joined by Parker, whose 11 targets also represented his highest weekly total of the season. Jarvis Landry has now assembled 18 targets since returning from his knee injury in Week 7. That includes his season-high 10 targets during Cleveland’s AFC North matchup with Pittsburgh.

Pittman’s 15 targets were accumulated exactly one week after he had been limited to only four. That resulted in the largest week-to-week increase among all wide receivers (+11). Lockett had averaged 5.0 targets per game during his last two outings, including in season-low three in Week 7. However, the season-high 13 targets that he captured in Week propelled him to a rise of +10. Hill procured his highest weekly total since Week 9 of 2020 and was also his 10th game with 10+ targets during his last 15 regular-season games. It was also an increase of +9 when contrasted with his total from Week 7 (9).

Brandon Aiyuk's disappointing season continued in Week 7 when he was only targeted once. However, Aiyuk received a season-high seven targets from Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 8, which produced a weekly increase of +6. That tied him with third-year receiver Juwann Winfree who collected his first six targets of the season for Green Bay in Week 8.

Cooper had only averaged 5.2 targets per game from Weeks 2-7, but his 13 targets in Week 8 fueled a rise of +5. That tied him with rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose five targets were distributed just one week after he played on 43 of Detroit's offensive snaps without collecting a target.

This is tough, Tee Higgins 😮

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

— ESPN (@espn) October 31, 2021

Tee Higgins established a new career-high when he accrued 15 targets during Cincinnati's AFC North matchup with Baltimore in Week 7. However, he was only targeted six times by Joe Burrow in Week 8, which resulted in the largest weekly decline of -9. Robby Anderson collected 38 targets from Weeks 4- 7 while averaging 9.5 per game, but he was only targeted once by Sam Darnold when Carolina faced Atlanta in Week 8. That ignited a weekly drop of -8. Khalif Raymond had accumulated 15 targets in Weeks 6-7 but was only targeted once when the Lions hosted Philadelphia in Week 8.

Raymond’s decline of -7 was matched by DeAndre Hopkins, who was limited to 15 offensive snaps in Week 8. That was the result of his hamstring issue, although his last four weekly target totals have fluctuated significantly (9/4/9/2). Darius Slayton also experienced a weekly decline of -7, after being relegated to two targets in Week 8. DeVonta Smith had collected 9+ targets during three of his previous four matchups. However, he was limited to a season-low three targets in Week 8, which produced his weekly decline of -6. He was joined by Mike Evans, who was targeted 10 times in Week 7, before being limited to just four in Week 8. The weekly totals for Russell Gage and Freddie Swain decreased by -6. after both receivers failed to receive target in Week 8.

Week 8 Air Yards

Facing 3rd and 3 Teddy Bridgwater chucks a long check down to Courtland Sutton.

Broncos first down! pic.twitter.com/owUmtpwDEj

— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) October 31, 2021

Courtland Sutton continues to lead the league in air yards while becoming the first receiver to eclipse 1,000 for the season (1,006). Terry McLaurin is second overall (947), followed by Mike Evans (925), Marquise Brown (908), Tyreek Hill (894), D.J. Moore (889), and Davante Adams (857). Cooper Kupp is next (848), followed by Brandin Cooks (837), Ja’Marr Chase (789), Emmanuel Sanders (781), and DeVonta Smith (766).

Justin Jefferson has accumulated 745 yards, followed by Stefon Diggs (739), Mike Williams (725), and Michael Pittman (713). Tyler Lockett is next (699), followed by A.J. Brown (673), Amari Cooper (667), Nelson Agholor (657), Marvin Jones (643), D.K. Metcalf (632), and Jakobi Meyers with 631.

Cooks leads all wide receivers in percentage share of air yards (45.29%), followed by McLaurin (45.27%), Adams (43.5%), Sutton (42.1%), Lockett (41.4%), Jefferson (41.2%), and A.J. Brown (41.0%). Ridley is next (40.7%), followed by Chase (40.1%), Johnson (40.0%), Moore (39.7%), Smith (38.6%), and DeVante Parker (38.6%).

Metcalf is tied with Mooney at 37.4%, followed by Marquise Brown (36.9%), Claypool (35.4%), Samuel (35.1%), Williams (34.8%), and Kupp (34.7%). Pittman is next 34.5, followed by Hill (33.5%), Higgins (33.2%), Sanders (33.2%), Corey Davis (32.0%), Cooper (31.7%), Evans (31.5%), Diggs (31.4%), and Allen Robinson (30.8%).

Sanders leads all receivers in targeted air yards (18.3), while Sutton and Agholor are tied for second (16.3). Marquise Brown is next (16), followed by Evans (14.7), Bryan Edwards (14.1), Smith 14.1, Quez Watkins (14.0), Beckham (13.9), and Golladay (13.8). Four different receivers are tied at 13.7 – Chase, Corey Davis, Van Jefferson, and Darius Slayton - followed by Marquez Callaway (13.3), Julio Jones (13.1), McLaurin (13.0), and four receivers that are tied at 12.9 (Robby Anderson/Sammy Watkins/Christian Kirk/ Marvin Jones). Three receivers are tied at 12.4 (Antonio Brown/Parker/A.J. Brown) while Lockett and Cooper are among the six additional receivers that are averaging 12+.

Week 8 First Downs

Tyreek Hill has emerged as the league leader in first down receptions (43) after collecting nine in Week 8. Cooper Kupp is second overall (41), followed by three receivers that are tied with 35 – Chris Godwin, Davante Adams, and D.J. Moore. Five receivers are tied with 29 receptions -Deebo Samuel, Mike Evans, CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, and Robert Woods, while a whopping nine receivers are tied with 27 catches (Keenan Allen/Michael Pittman/Justin Jefferson/Terry McLaurin/Stefon Diggs/Courtland Sutton/D.K .Metcalf/Ja’Marr Chase/DeAndre Hopkins).

Waddle takes it for 19 and a fresh set of downs. #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/Xa8ScxImdp

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 24, 2021

Jaylen Waddle has accrued 26 receptions, while Brandin Cooks and Adam Thielen are tied with 25. Four receivers have assembled 23 catches (A.J. Brown/Mike Williams/Christian Kirk/Tim Patrick), while Diontae Johnson and Marquise Brown have collected 22. Five different receivers are tied with 21 receptions (Jakobi Meyers/Tyler Lockett/Tyler Boyd/DeVonta Smith/Emmanuel Sanders) while Antonio Brown has amassed 20 catches. That completes the list of 34 wide receivers who have accumulated 20+ first down receptions from Weeks 1-8.

Week 8 Red Zone Targets 

Cooper Kupp leads all wide receivers with 20 red zone targets. Chris Godwin is second (16), followed by Robert Woods (14) and four receivers that are tied with 12 – Tyreek Hill, Mike Evans, Stefon Diggs, and Keenan Allen. Davante Adams is tied with Calvin Ridley at 11, while Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins have both collected 10.

Six different receivers have accrued nine red zone targets (Michael Pittman/Courtland Sutton/A.J. Green/Sterling Shepard/Zach Pascal/ Randall Cobb), while five additional receivers have captured eight targets (D.K. Metcalf/Mike Williams/Adam Thielen/Jaylen Waddle/Mecole Hardman). Deebo Samuel/D.J. Moore, and Justin Jefferson, are among the eight wide receivers that have collected seven red zone targets.

Kupp also leads the position with 10 targets inside the 10-yard line. Pittman and Randall Cobb are tied for second (8), while four receivers have accumulated seven targets – Woods, Evans, Green, and Pascal. Godwin and Hopkins have accrued six targets, while five receivers have been targeted five times inside the 10-yard line (Hill/Allen/Ridley/Thielen/Moore).

Kupp has also collected the most targets inside the 5-yard line (7). Cobb is next (6),  followed by three receivers that are tied with 4 (Woods/Evans/Hopkins). Seven different receivers have been targeted three times inside the 5-yard line (Green/Godwin/Ridley/Thielen/Sutton/Waddle /Marvin Jones).

Week 8 Snap Counts

Feed Chris Godwin 🎯 pic.twitter.com/8OGAp3OmWE

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 31, 2021

Chris Godwin has sustained his lead in offensive snaps (486), while D.J. Moore is now second among all wide receivers with 469.  Terry McLaurin is third overall (467), followed by Adam Thielen (463), Michael Pittman (462), Mike Evans (460), Robert Woods (452), and Jakobi Meyers with 451. Cooper Kupp is next (448), followed by Robby Anderson (440), A.J. Green (438), Zach Pascal (438), DeAndre Hopkins (434), Tyreek Hill (428), and Devonta Smith (422). Courtland Sutton has been involved on 420 of Denver’s offensive snaps, while Justin Jefferson has accumulated 417. Tim Patrick is next (416), followed by Jaylen Waddle (415), Darnell Mooney (410), CeeDee Lamb (410), Ja’Marr Chase (407), and Brandin Cooks (407). Allen Robinson and Keenan Allen are tied at 405, followed by Marvin Jones (403), and Amari Cooper (401). That completes the list of 27 wide receivers who have accrued at least 400 snaps entering Week 9.

Thielen has retained his leadership in snap count percentage (96.5%), followed by McLaurin (93.0%), Pittman (91.9%), Woods (91.1%), Kupp (90.3%), Jones (90.2%), Godwin (89.7%), and Allen (89.2%). Johnson is next (88.6%), followed by Cooks (88.3%), Meyers (88.3%), Smith (87.4%), Ridley (87.1%), Pascal (87.1%), Jefferson (86.9%), and Chase (86.8%). Moore is next (85.9%), followed by Mooney (85.8%), Sutton (85.6%), Adams (84.9%), Evans (84.9%), Tim Patrick (84.7%) and Allen Robinson (84.7%). Hopkins, Samuel, and CeeDee Lamb are among the 11 additional receivers who have attained a snap count percentage of 80+.

Five Things I Noticed

1. Tyreek Hill has accumulated 52 targets since Week 5, which is the highest total among all wide receivers during that four-week span. Cooper Kupp is second overall with 44 targets since Week 5, while Chris Godwin and Jaylen Waddle are tied for third (39). D.J. Moore and Terry McLaurin are next with 38 targets, while A.J. Brown and Chase have both collected 35. Three different receivers have accumulated 34 targets - Tee Higgins, Courtland Sutton, and Robert Woods.

12 catches. 142 yards. @TDLockett12 is the @CaesarsSports Star of the Week! pic.twitter.com/kNm8Pw4ABP

— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2021

Lockett is next (33) followed by Cooks 31, and four receivers that are tied at 29 – Samuel, Pittman, Marquise Brown, and Mecole Hardman. Johnson, Adams, and Anderson are tied with 28 targets, while Cooper, Meyers, and Darnell Mooney have all accrued 27. Jefferson, Evans, and Mike Williams have all collected 26 targets while Thielen, Allen, Lamb, Smith, and Jamal Agnew have captured 25 targets since Week 5.

Hill has also collected the most receptions from Weeks 5-8 (34), followed by Kupp (33), Godwin (28), A.J. Brown (28), and three receivers that are tied with 23 - Waddle, Cooks, and Woods. Three additional receivers are also tied with 22 receptions – Woods, Sutton, and Pittman, while yet another trio of receivers have all collected 21 receptions – Adams, Chase, and Lockett. Moore has captured 20 receptions, followed by four receivers who are tied with 19 (CeeDee Lamb/D.K. Metcalf/Adam Thielen/Tee Higgins).

Kupp has assembled the highest yardage total since Week 5 (493), followed by Chase (489), A.J. Brown (417), Adams (371), Godwin (364), Lamb (345), Samuel (329), and Sutton (322). Pittman is next (315), followed by Metcalf (295), Woods (286), Hill (282), and Evans (264). DeAndre Hopkins is next (261), followed by Kadarius Toney (251), Moore (247), Lockett (246), Thielen (244). Johnson (241), Marquise Brown (240), and Cooper (237). Higgins is next ((235), followed by Hardman (229), Jefferson (225), McLaurin (219), Antonio Brown (217), and Cooks (216).

terry mclaurin
scary terry
scarrance terrance

don't matter what you call him...
...the man is a BALLER pic.twitter.com/kl5GWSylgc

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) October 24, 2021

McLaurin leads all wide receivers in air yards since Week 5 (522), followed by Sutton (513), Kupp (465), Marquise Brown (463), Evans (454), Moore (452), Chase (433), and Cooper (406). Hill is next (397), followed by Lockett (387), A.J. Brown (384), Higgins (384), Adams (368), and Mike Williams (367). Emmanuel Sanders is next (364), followed by Hopkins (332), Pittman (329), Mooney (328), Agholor (318), Cooks (318), Jefferson (317), Smith (306), Godwin (303), and Allen Robinson (303). Waddle is next (299), followed by Johnson (291), Marvin Jones (284), Anderson (283), Van Jefferson (278 and Christian Kirk (274).

Adams leads in percentage share of air yards during the same four-week sequence (52.4%), followed by A.J. Brown (48.3%), Lockett (47.8), McLaurin (45.1%), Sutton (44.8%), Marquise Brown (43.3%), Johnson (43.2%), and Moore (41.7%). Jarvis Landry is next (40.0%), followed by Darius Slayton (39.7%), Jefferson (39.2%), Mike Williams (39.0%), Chase (38.3%), Sanders (37.7%), Kupp (36.3%), and Donovan-Peoples Jones 36.1. Parker is next (35.9%), followed by Mooney (35.1%), Cooks (34.0%), Higgins (33.9%), Cooper 33.8%). Evans (33.4%), Samuel (33.1%), and Hopkins (32.7%).

2. When Cincinnati invested the fifth overall selection on Ja'Marr Chase during last April’s NFL Draft, excitement regarding the potential production for the Bengals’ talented trio of wide receivers  – Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd – was offset by uncertainty surrounding the prospective target distribution for Joe Burrow’s burgeoning arsenal of weaponry. 

Another Sunday. Another Ja'Marr Chase touchdown! #RuleTheJungle @Real10jayy__

📺: #CINvsNYJ on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/WkHtRK4U7R

— NFL (@NFL) October 31, 2021

Chase is constructing an exceptional rookie season, and his ability to provide the Bengals with an electrifying weapon has vaulted him into responsibilities as Burrow’s WR1. There are promising aspects to Higgins’ second season, although his two-game absence in Weeks 3-4 (shoulder) has impacted his numbers. Anyone with Boyd contained on their rosters is already aware that his numbers have declined in multiple categories as he shares opportunities with Chase and Higgins.

Chase is currently WR3 in scoring, 19th in targets (60), after capturing 9+ targets during four of his last five matchups. He has also been averaging 8.8 targets per game since Week 4 while collecting 44 targets during that five-game span. That has elevated his average to 7.5 per game from Weeks 1-8.

He had also been averaging 6.0 receptions per game from Weeks 4-7 and had also soared to second overall in receiving yards entering Week 8 (754/107.7 per game). He then experienced his lowest reception total since Week 2 when Cincinnati visited New York (3), while he also manufactured a season-low 32 yards versus the Jets. However, he is still 23rd in receptions (38/4.8 per game) and is third overall in yardage behind only Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel (786/98.3 per game). Chase has also eclipsed 150 yards twice since Week 5 and exploded for 201 when the Bengals faced Baltimore in Week 7.

Ja’Marr Chase: 7️⃣ receiving TDs this season

All other rookie WRs combined: 7️⃣ pic.twitter.com/ux8UUd3ESG

— PFF (@PFF) November 1, 2021

Chase also leads all receivers in yards per reception (20.7), and yards per target (13.3). He is also third in yards before catch (495), fifth in yards after catch (289), ninth in percentage share of air yards (40.1%), and 10th in air yards (789), Chase’s seven touchdowns also place him fourth overall, and he should continue to operate as a high-end WR1 for fantasy managers as the season progresses.

Higgins currently leads the Bengals in target share (25.7%), and targets per game (8.2), while his per-game averages in receptions (4.8)  and yardage (58.8) both exceed his averages during 2020 (4.2/56.8). Higgins has experienced a decline in yards per target (8.4/7.2) yards per reception (13.6/12.2), and aDOT (11.5/10.7), when contrasted with his 2020 rookie season, as a byproduct of Chase’s downfield usage. Higgins can still supply high-end WR3 numbers if he eludes further injury.

Boyd’s 22.0% target share places him behind both Chase and Higgins His 6.6 targets per game average is also the lowest since 2017 after he had averaged 7.7/9.3/7.4 per game from 2018-2020. His averages in receptions per game (4.6), and yards per game (49.8) are also his lowest since 2017, as Boyd has failed to exceed four catches or surpass 39 yards in five different contests. He should remain limited to low-end WR3 status during the upcoming weeks due to the continued presence of Chase and Higgins.

3. Several wide receivers accumulated numbers in Week 8 that are worthy of mention. That includes Elijah Moore and Jamison Crowder,  who benefitted from diminished competition for targets and improved play from their quarterback. The absence of Corey Davis (hip) created the need for New York to reshape the distribution of targets. It was also the Jets' first full game with Mike White spearheading the team's aerial efforts.

Moore had averaged 5.2 targets per game from Weeks 1-7  but had only managed averages of 1.8 receptions and 15.8 yards per game. That includes his performance in Week 7, when Moore accrued six targets, but only captured one of those passes, and manufactured a paltry 13 yards. His catch rate had also degenerated to only 28.3% after that outing.

Elijah Moore is here to stay!!!

* 31-of-78 snaps
* 21 routes on 45 White attempts
* 6 targets for a 13.3% share
* 1-4 rushing
* 6-67 receiving pic.twitter.com/wkR35zDN2D

— Cody Carpentier™ (@CarpentierNFL) November 2, 2021

However, Moore gathered all six of his targets during the Jets’ Week 8 matchup with Cincinnati, which easily propelled him to season-highs in receptions, receiving yardage (67), and catch rate (100%).

Crowder accrued nine targets during the same Week 8 matchup, and also established new season highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (84). The seven-year veteran had been unavailable from Weeks 1-3 due to a combination of issues (COVID-19/groin), then had averaged four catches and 27 yards in Weeks 5-7. However, Crowder is now averaging 7.5 targets, 5.8 receptions, and 58.8 yards per game as he enters Week 9.

Highest % of uncatchable targets this season

1. Elijah Moore - 47%
2. Robby Anderson - 44%
3. Odell Beckham Jr. - 41%

— Jarad Evans (@PFF_Jarad) November 1, 2021

Both receivers benefitted from the surprising performance from White, who completed 82% of his passes while averaging 9.0 yards per attempt, and 8.3 air yards per attempt. White’s efforts elevated the entire New York in Week 8, while Zach Wilson was sidelined during the matchup (knee).

Wilson’s learning curve has not been beneficial to Moore, as Wilson is just 33rd in completion percentage (57.5%), second overall in bad throw percentage, and is ranked 32nd in the Football Outsiders’ DVOA, (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average). The Jets have undertaken a major investment in Wilson, and are going to insert him under center when he is fully recovered from his knee injury. However, Moore and Crowder should operate with White for at least one more week and can function as WR3/flex options for fantasy managers who are dealing with sizable lineup issues.

4, Only seven wide receivers accumulated more targets than Robby Anderson in 2020, (136/8.5 per game25.9% share), and Anderson capitalized on his opportunities by finishing eighth in receptions (95/5.9 per game) and 13th in receiving yardage (1,096/68.5 per game). He also attained a 69.9% catch rate, as those career-best numbers underscored the degree to which Anderson flourished during his first year with Carolina.

All optimism that Anderson would build upon last season’s results appeared justified entering the 2021 regular season. Particularly since Anderson would be reunited with Sam Darnold, as Anderson had averaged 6.3 targets, 3.4 receptions, and 51 yards per game with Darnold during 2018-2019. Unfortunately,  Anderson’s first eight matchups have been a nightmarish experience for anyone who selected him in Round 6 during draft season (ADP72/WR29).

Anderson only averaged 3.7 targets per game from Weeks 1-3, while he also failed to exceed three targets twice during that three-game span (3/6/2). He also averaged 1.7 receptions and 20.6 yards per game. while being limited to one catch during two of those three matchups.

Anderson’s target share rose to 25.3% from Weeks 4-7, while he also averaged 9.5 targets per game. However, the increase in opportunities only fueled a modest rise in his receptions (3.3 per game), while his yardage only rose to 25.3 per game. Anderson’s 43.3% catch rate from Weeks 1-3 also dropped to 33.7% from Weeks 4-8.

Instead of Robby Anderson doing zero with a lot of targets, he’s just got zero targets.

— Pat Thorman (@Pat_Thorman) October 31, 2021

The statistical malaise continued in Week 8, as Anderson did not register a target until the second quarter and failed to collect the only pass that was launched by Darnold. D.J. Moore led the Panthers in targets during the matchup (8/33.3% share), which continued his streak of leading all Carolina wide receivers in that category during every contest this season. Moore has now accrued 8+ targets in seven of the Panthers’ eight games and has now ascended into third among all wide receivers with 81 targets (10.1 per game) entering Week 9.

Anderson's one-target outing dropped his target share to 18.1%. It also delivered compelling evidence that the rationale for fantasy managers to continue exercising patience has been eviscerated. It is alarming that the significant rise in his targets from Weeks 4-7, did not ignite his reception and yardage totals. His matchup with Atlanta in Week 8 was also favorable, yet the contest only delivered another installment of disastrous results.

Deficiencies in the performances from both Anderson and Darnold have combined to derail Anderson's 2021 season. You should avoid placing trust in Anderson and the current state of his role within Carolina's aerial attack.

pic.twitter.com/q7OOoAKkdV

— Calvin Ridley (@CalvinRidley1) October 31, 2021

5. Calvin Ridley's announcement that he would be stepping away from football has resulted in steadfast support from the fantasy community. The impact that his absence will have on fantasy managers who had selected him as their WR1 should also be addressed, as it is uncertain when he might return. 

Ridley assembled the most prolific numbers of his career during 2020 while rising among the league’s leaders in multiple categories. He surged to WR4 in scoring and stockpiled 250 more air yards than any other wide receiver (2,018). Ridley also led the league in yards before catch (1,099), finished seventh in targets (143/9.6 per game), fourth in receiving yards (1,374/91.6 per game), sixth in first downs (65), eighth in touchdowns (9), 11th in receptions (90/6.0 per game), and 13th in yards per reception (15.3).

He appeared destined to build upon his numbers this season and was a strong candidate to finish as the league leader in targets and receiving yards. Ridley’s prospects seemed even more favorable following the exodus of Julio Jones to Tennessee, as Ridley’s usage and output elevated further during the seven games in which Jones was sidelined during 2020 (11.2 targets/7.1 receptions/109.3 yards per game).

Ridley’s 2021 numbers ultimately provided an assortment of encouraging target totals, that were mixed with consistent declines in his yardage. Ridley was 19th in targets entering Week 8, which was partially a byproduct of his Week 5 absence and Atlanta’s Week 6 bye. However, he had also accumulated 10+ targets during each of his last four matchups, while his 10.4 targets per game average tied him for third overall. It also represented an increase from his 9.5 per game average during 2020, while his 26.5% target share more than doubled the share of Atlanta's second-leading wide receiver (Russell Gage/12.5%).

However, his yards per game average (56.2) had diminished significantly when contrasted with last season (91.6). Ridley’s numbers also dropped in yards per receptions (15.3/9.1), yards per target (9.6/5.4), yards before catch per reception (12.2/6.1), and aDOT (14.3/10.0). Ridley eclipsed 100 yards in eight different games during 2020, which was the highest total among all wide receivers, but he has yet to exceed 80 yards during any of his 2021 matchups.

Kyle Pitts unsurprisingly tied for the team lead in targets during the Falcons’ Week 8 matchup with NFC rival Carolina (6/22.2% share). However,  Matt Ryan’s distribution of targets to his wide receivers was less predictable. Tajee Sharpe tied Pitts for the team lead, while also tying with Gage in snap share (67.9%). Olamide Zaccheaus was limited to only one target while performing on 39.6% of Atlanta’s offensive snaps. Gage had appeared to be a logical candidate to receive a boost in usage. However, he did not register a target, despite his 67.9% snap share. Sharpe has surpassed Gage as the preferred option for any fantasy managers who are considering members of the Falcons' reconstructed receiving arsenal. However, although there is no wide receiver from Atlanta that can function as a true replacement for Ridley.