Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Week 14 Analysis

Your wide receivers remain essential components toward your primary goal of securing league championships. As many of you prepare for your Week 15 matchups, an expanding assortment of tools is available that can provide you with an extensive level of knowledge regarding this critical position. Those results are contained in this weekly statistical breakdown of multiple categories, which is designed to help you fulfill your championship aspirations.

This will be the 14th installment that will examine game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, first downs, 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 massive collection of data supplies the foundation from which the numbers that are generated in various categories can be evaluated.

During these final weeks of the season, all 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 during your critical postseason matchups. Pro Football Reference, PFF, NextGenStats, Rotowire, Rotoviz, and Football Outsiders were all used as resources in compiling this data.

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Week 14 Target Leaders 

Wide Receivers	Targ/Game	YPT	Targets
Keenan Allen	11.1	6.8	144
Stefon Diggs	10.3	8.7	134
Allen Robinson	9.8	8	128
DeAndre Hopkins	9.8	9.1	127
Davante Adams	11	9.5	121
Tyreek Hill	9.2	9.7	119
Robby Anderson	8.8	8.7	114
Terry McLaurin	8.8	8.8	114
Diontae Johnson	9.4	6.1	113
Amari Cooper	8.6	8.4	112
Cooper Kupp	8.5	7.9	110
Calvin Ridley	9	9.5	108
Tyler Boyd	8.2	7.9	106
Robert Woods	8.2	7.5	106
D.K. Metcalf	8.2	11.1	106
Tyler Lockett	8.2	8.4	106
JuJu Smith-Schuster	7.8	6.5	101
Cole Beasley	7.1	9.1	92
Tee Higgins	7.1	8.5	92
Justin Jefferson	7.1	11.7	92
CeeDee Lamb	7.1	8.1	92
Adam Thielen	7.6	8.4	91
Marvin Jones	6.8	7.5	89
DeVante Parker	6.8	7.6	89
D.J. Moore	7.4	10.4	89
A.J. Green	6.8	4.8	88
Jarvis Landry	6.7	8.4	87
Mike Evans	6.6	7.8	86
Brandin Cooks	7.2	9.1	86
Jerry Jeudy	6.6	7.4	86
Michael Gallup	6.5	7.6	85
Russell Gage	6.5	7.2	84
Chase Claypool	6.5	7.9	84
D.J. Chark	7.5	7.2	82
Brandon Aiyuk	8.1	8.1	81
Marquise Brown	6.2	7.5	81
A.J. Brown	7.4	10.3	81
Darius Slayton	5.8	8.4	75
Keelan Cole	5.7	7.7	74
T.Y. Hilton	6.1	8.3	73
Corey Davis	6.6	11.4	73
Darnell Mooney	5.6	6.2	73
Curtis Samuel	6	8.1	72
Anthony Miller	5.4	6.4	70
Jamison Crowder	7.7	7.4	69
Greg Ward	5.2	5.5	68
Julio Jones	7.6	11.3	68
Tim Patrick	5.6	9.6	67
Damiere Byrd	5.2	8.4	67
Mike Williams	5.5	8.7	66
Christian Kirk	5.4	7.9	65
Nelson Agholor	4.9	9.9	64
Kendrick Bourne	5.3	7.8	63
Hunter Renfrow	4.8	9.4	63
Chris Godwin	7	9.3	63
Josh Reynolds	4.8	8.2	63
Sterling Shepard	6.8	6.8	61
Larry Fitzgerald	5.5	5.8	60

Keenan Allen leads all wide receivers with 144 targets entering Week 15. He is followed by Stefon Diggs (134), Allen Robinson (128), DeAndre Hopkins (127), and Davante Adams (121). Tyreek Hill is next (119), while Terry McLaurin and Robby Anderson are tied with (114). Diontae Johnson is next (113), while Amari Cooper completes the top 10 with 112 targets through Week 14. Cooper Kupp is next (110), followed by Calvin Ridley (108), and four receivers that are tied with 106 targets - D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Tyler Boyd, and Robert Woods. JuJu Smith-Schuster completes the list of 17 receivers that have eclipsed 100 targets for the season. Three rookies join Cole Beasley in a tie at 92 (CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins, and Justin Jefferson), while Jefferson’s teammate Adam Thielen has captured 91. No other wide receivers have reached a total of 90 targets for the season. D.J. Moore, DeVante Parker, and Marvin Jones are tied at 89 while spearheading a group of 15 additional receivers that have collected 80+.

RT to #ProBowlVote this man ?@Keenan13Allen | ?: FOX pic.twitter.com/8y1oMOpD86

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) December 13, 2020

Allen also leads the position with 51 targets since Week 11. Johnson is second overall with 48, followed by Hill (47), Woods (46), and both Adams and Ridley in a tie with 40. Hopkins is next (39), while Jefferson and Jones are tied with 38. Thomas has captured 37 targets during his last four matchups, while Nelson Agholor is next with 35. He is followed by Metcalf (34), while three receivers are tied with 33 targets during that span - Diggs, Parker, and Robinson. Kupp, Jarvis Landry, and Russell Gage are tied with 32 targets, while Smith-Schuster and Tee Higgins are tied with 31. Higgins’ teammate Boyd is part of yet another tie with Michael Gallup (30) which completes the list of 22 receivers that have been targeted 30+ times since Week 11.

First-year receiver Brandon Aiyuk leads his position in targets since Week 13 (25), while Hopkins and Diggs are tied for second with 24. Allen, Adams, and Ridley have all collected 22 targets, while Cole Beasley has captured 21. Four receivers are tied with 20 targets during that sequence - Robinson, Jones, Jefferson, and Agholor- while five receivers have all been targeted 19 times (Woods, Thomas, Johnson, Landry, and Rashard Higgins). Hill and T.Y. Hilton have each amassed 18 targets, while Smith-Schuster and Gallup are tied with 17. Four receivers have formed yet another tie at 16 (D.J. Chark, A.J. Brown, Metcalf, and Tee Higgins), while three additional receivers have been targeted 15 times - Thielen, Gage, and Corey Davis. That completes the list of 28 wide receivers that have been targeted 15+ times since Week 13.

Allen, Adams, and Diggs have maintained their status as the only three receivers that are averaging 10.0+ targets per game (Allen 11.1/Adams 11.0/ Diggs 10.3). Allen has collected at least 10 targets in four consecutive matchups while accomplishing it in a league-best 10 different games throughout the season. Adams and Johnson have been targeted 10+ times in eight different contests, while Diggs has received 10+ targets seven times.

 

Largest Weekly Changes

Wide Receivers	Week 13	Week 14	Changes
Robby Anderson	BYE	12	12
Keelan Cole	2	12	10
Curtis Samuel	BYE	9	9
Laviska Shenault	3	11	8
Mack Hollins	1	9	8
Brandon Aiyuk	9	16	7
Darius Slayton	1	8	7
Allen Robinson	7	13	6
A.J. Green	1	7	6
Tyron Johnson	1	7	6
Tyler Boyd	4	9	5
Mike Evans	BYE	5	5
Damiere Byrd	3	8	5
Lynn Bowden	4	9	5
Stefon Diggs	10	14	4
Marquez Valdes-Scantling	2	6	4
Tyreek Hill	11	7	-4
Amari Cooper	9	5	-4
Cooper Kupp	9	5	-4
Tyler Lockett	9	5	-4
Justin Jefferson	12	8	-4
Marvin Jones	12	8	-4
T.Y. Hilton	11	7	-4
Corey Davis	12	8	-4
Darnell Mooney	6	2	-4
Diontae Johnson	12	7	-5
Michael Gallup	11	6	-5
Van Jefferson	5	0	-5
DeVante Parker	8	2	-6
Keke Coutee	9	3	-6
CeeDee Lamb	9	2	-7
Adam Thielen	11	4	-7
Cam Sims	9	2	-7

Aiyuk has now been targeted at least 10 times in three of his last four matchups. That includes Week 14 when he captured the league’s highest weekly total (16). Diggs was second for the week with 14, which was also his second-highest weekly total during an exceptional season. Robinson was third after attaining 13 targets for the second time in three weeks. Three different receivers were targeted 12 times during their Week 14 matchups (Ridley, Anderson/Keelan Cole) while three other receivers were tied with 11 targets - Allen, Hopkins, and Laviska Shenault.

Adams, Beasley, and Rashard Higgins collected 10 targets while completing the list of 12 receivers that reached a double-digit target total during the matchups of Week 14. Boyd, Agholor, and Curtis Samuel were included in a collection of eight receivers that received nine targets during their contests.

Anderson returned from Carolina's bye week to capture 12 targets. It was the fifth time that he has been targeted at least 10 times during the season. However, it was also his first game with 10-plus targets since Week 9, and his rise of +12 was the largest of the week. 

That quick speed ? pic.twitter.com/ibHQ7rnR67

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 13, 2020

Keelan Cole had only registered two targets in Week 13. That was the third time during his last seven matchups that he had failed to surpass that number. However, he established a new season-high while collecting 12 targets in Week 14. That improved his weekly total by +10 which was the second-highest increase of the week.

Samuel joined teammate Anderson in capturing a favorable target total following the Panthers' bye. He was targeted nine times by Teddy Bridgewater and has now registered 9+ targets in three of his last five outings. Shenault was averaging 4.6 targets per game during the season and had only averaged 2.8 per game from Weeks 7-13. However, he accumulated a career-high 11 targets in Week 14 which fueled his week-to-week increase of +8. That tied him with Mack Hollins, who had entered Week 14 with just eight targets throughout the entire season - all of which had been attained from Weeks 9-13. But the fourth-year receiver also established a career-high with his 9 targets in Week 14.

Aiyuk continued his late-season statistical surge, as his league-best 16 targets in Week 14 also resulted in a weekly increase of +7. He was joined by Darius Slayton who had been relegated to a season-low one target in Week 13. However, Slayton was targeted eight times in Week 14 which was his highest total since Week 8. The weekly totals for Allen Robinson, A.J. Green, and Tyron Johnson all improved by +6 while Mike Evans, Tyler Boyd, Damiere Byrd, and Lynn Bowden Jr. achieved a weekly rise of +5.

Adam Thielen had been targeted 11 times in Week 13. But his usage dropped significantly in Week 14 (4) which resulted in the week's largest decline of -7. That tied him with Cam Sims who was targeted just two times after receiving a career-best nine targets in Week 13. CeeDee Lamb was also limited to two targets which established an unwanted season low. It also tied him with Thielen and Sims at -7.

Keke Coutee had easily attained a season-high when he collected nine targets in Week 13. However, he was targeted just three times for the second time in three matchups. This week to week decline of -6 with matched by DeVante Parker, while three different receivers experienced a drop of -5 - Michael Gallup, Van Jefferson, and Diontae Johnson.

 

Week 14 Air Yards

Wide Receivers	Air Yards	aDOT	% Air Yards
Calvin Ridley	1655	15.5	36.9
Tyreek Hill	1601	13.6	39.6
D.K. Metcalf	1474	14	40.1
Stefon Diggs	1291	9.7	34.9
Allen Robinson	1208	9.4	31
Jerry Jeudy	1203	14	30.1
A.J. Green	1175	13.4	30.1
Marvin Jones	1150	12.8	29
Justin Jefferson	1147	12.3	35.3
Adam Thielen	1131	12.4	34.8
D.J. Chark	1124	13.7	28.3
Davante Adams	1115	9.3	31.7
Terry McLaurin	1104	9.7	41.6
Tee Higgins	1097	11.9	28.1
D.J. Moore	1089	12.2	37.5
Chase Claypool	1089	12.8	30.4
Robby Anderson	1073	9.3	36.9
Mike Williams	1071	16.2	28.3
Marquise Brown	1050	14.4	41.3
Michael Gallup	1048	12.5	26.1
DeAndre Hopkins	1036	8.3	32.2
Tyler Lockett	1029	9.7	28
Mike Evans	1027	11.9	24.1
Keenan Allen	1013	7	26.8
Amari Cooper	1011	9.2	25.1
Marquez Valdes-Scantling	996	17.2	28.4
Darnell Mooney	984	13.5	25.3
Darius Slayton	982	12.9	33.4
CeeDee Lamb	935	9.7	23.2
Nelson Agholor	933	14.6	27.6
A.J. Brown	924	11.4	29.1
Will Fuller	917	12.2	25.7
Tim Patrick	915	13.7	22.9
Brandin Cooks	908	10.6	25.4
Tyler Boyd	872	8.2	22.4
DeVante Parker	862	9.7	26
Corey Davis	856	11.7	27
Keelan Cole	839	11.3	21.1
T.Y. Hilton	838	11.5	26.5
Diontae Johnson	805	7.1	22.4
Damiere Byrd	798	11.9	34.1
Julio Jones	790	11.4	17.6
Scotty Miller	768	17.1	18
Christian Kirk	761	12.1	23.7
Brandon Aiyuk	746	9.2	24.9
Josh Reynolds	744	11.8	25.8
Cole Beasley	720	7.8	19.5
Russell Gage	719	8.5	16
Travis Fulgham	716	11.9	17.8
Cooper Kupp	703	6.3	24.4
Robert Woods	699	6.7	24.3
Jarvis Landry	685	8.8	25.3
Anthony Miller	667	9.5	17.1
Henry Ruggs	664	17.5	19.6
Gabriel Davis	648	14.1	17.5
Jalen Guyton	647	16.2	17.1
Breshad Perriman	639	14.2	19.3

Calvin Ridley ?

?: #NOvsATL on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/nO8DOddpx2 pic.twitter.com/Ewyo8Cy24H

— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2020

Calvin Ridley has re-emerged as the league leader in air yards entering Week 15 (1,655). He is joined by Tyreek Hill (1,601) as the only two receivers that have surpassed 1,600 yards through Week 14. D.K. Metcalf is third overall (1,474), followed by Stefon Diggs (1,291), Allen Robinson (1,208), Jerry Jeudy (1,203), A.J. Green (1,175), Marvin Jones (1,150), and Justin Jefferson (1,147). Jefferson’s teammate Adam Thielen is next (1,131), followed by D.J. Chark (1,124), Davante Adams (1,115), and Terry McLaurin (1,104). Only those 13 receivers have eclipsed 1,100 yards entering this week’s matchups. Tee Higgins is next (1,097), while D.J. Moore and Chase Claypool are tied at 1,089. They are followed by Robby Anderson (1,073), Mike Williams (1,071), Marquise Brown (1,050), Michael Gallup (1,048), and DeAndre Hopkins (1,036). Tyler Lockett (1,029), Mike Evans (1,027), Keenan Allen (1,013), and Amari Cooper (1,011) complete the list of 25 wide receivers that have exceeded 1,000 air yards through Week 14.

McLaurin recaptured the league lead in percentage share of air yards after Week 11 and has sustained that lead entering Week 15 (41.6). He is followed by Marquise Brown (41.3), Metcalf (40.1), Hill (39.6), Moore (37.5), and two receivers that are tied at 36.9 - Ridley, and Anderson. Jefferson is next (35.3), followed by Diggs (34.9), Thielen (34.8),  Damiere Byrd (34.1), and Darius Slayton (33.4). Hopkins is next (32.2), followed by Adams (31.7), Robinson (31.0) Claypool (30.4), and two receivers that are tied at 30.1  - A.J. Green, and Jeudy. No other receivers are currently averaging a percentage share of 30+. A.J. Brown, (29.1), Marvin Jones (29.0), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (28.4), and Chark (28.3) are among the 21 additional receivers with a current percentage share of at least 25.1.

Valdes-Scantling continues to lead the league in targeted air yards (17.5), while Henry Ruggs is second overall for a second consecutive week (16.5). That ties Ruggs with Jaylen Guyton, while Scott Miller is next (16.2). Mike Williams (16.1), and Denzel Mims (16.0) are the only other receivers who have currently attained an average of 16+. Ridley is next (15.6), followed by Nelson Agholor (14.8), Breshad Perriman (14.7), Gabriel Davis (14.7), and three receivers that are tied at 14.4 - Metcalf, Jeudy, and Brown. Jalen Reagor is next (14.3) and his potential for improved numbers during the remaining weeks will be discussed in the 5 Things I Noticed section. Chark (14.0), Rashard Higgins (13.90, Darnell Mooney (13.8), Tyreek Hill (13.70, and A.J. Green (13.7) complete the top 20 in this category.

 

Week 14 First Downs

Wide Receivers	First Downs
DeAndre Hopkins	64
Keenan Allen	60
Davante Adams	58
D.K. Metcalf	55
Allen Robinson	54
Stefon Diggs	53
Tyreek Hill	50
Calvin Ridley	50
Amari Cooper	49
Cole Beasley	47
Tyler Lockett	47
Terry McLaurin	46
Justin Jefferson	44
Robby Anderson	44
Tee Higgins	44
Tyler Boyd	43
Corey Davis	43
Adam Thielen	43
D. J. Moore	42
Mike Evans	40
DeVante Parker	39
Jarvis Landry	39
A.J. Brown	39
Will Fuller	38
Diontae Johnson	38
Cooper Kupp	38
Robert Woods	38
CeeDee Lamb	37
Marvin Jones	37
JuJu Smith-Schuster	37
Brandin Cooks	36
Julio Jones	36
Russell Gage	36
Brandon Aiyuk	36
Darius Slayton	34
T.Y. Hilton	34

 

Get em, Hop. pic.twitter.com/LEHrydZca2

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 13, 2020

DeAndre Hopkins leads all wide receivers in first down receptions (64), followed by Keenan Allen with 60. Davante Adams is third overall (58), followed by D.K. Metcalf (55), Allen Robinson (54), Stefon Diggs (53), along with Calvin Ridley and Tyreek Hill in a tie at 50. Only those eight receivers have collected 50 receptions for first downs. Amari Cooper is next (49), while Tyler Lockett and Cole Beasley are tied with 47. Terry McLaurin has accumulated 46 receptions, while three receivers have accrued 44 - Justin Jefferson, Tee Higgins, and Robby Anderson. There is also a three-way tie at 43 (Adam Thielen, Tyler Boyd, Corey Davis), while D.J. Moore (42) and Mike Evans (40), complete the list of 20 wide receivers that have assembled at least 40 receptions for first downs entering Week 15.

 

Week 14 Red Zone Targets

Wide Receivers	Inside 20	Inside 10	Inside 5
Davante Adams	22	15	10
Mike Evans	18	14	8
JuJu Smith-Schuster	18	7	2
Tyreek Hill	17	11	5
Calvin Ridley	17	8	6
Adam Thielen	17	10	5
Keenan Allen	16	5	1
Allen Robinson	15	7	4
Tyler Boyd	15	7	3
Jarvis Landry	14	7	2
Russell Gage	14	7	3
D.K. Metcalf	13	9	3
DeAndre Hopkins	13	7	5
Cooper Kupp	13	5	4
Brandon Aiyuk	13	9	7
Nelson Agholor	13	8	2
Amari Cooper	12	6	5
Tyler Lockett	12	7	6
Marvin Jones	12	4	2
Emmanuel Sanders	12	6	2
David Moore	12	7	3
Stefon Diggs	11	5	4
Terry McLaurin	11	2	2
Robby Anderson	11	3	1
A.J. Brown	11	6	0
Julio Jones	11	2	1
CeeDee Lamb	11	8	6
Curtis Samuel	11	4	1
Zach Pascal	11	5	4
Michael Thomas	11	6	4
Diontae Johnson	10	3	1
DeVante Parker	10	7	7
Michael Gallup	10	2	2
D.J. Chark	10	3	1
Anthony Miller	10	4	3
Gabriel Davis	10	5	3
N'Keal Harry	10	5	3

Davante Adams continues to lead all wide receivers with 22 red zone targets. Mike Evans and JuJu Smith-Schuster are tied for second (18), while three receivers have collected 17 targets - Calvin Ridley, Tyreek Hill, and Adam Thielen. Keenan Allen has captured 16 red zone targets, while Allen Robinson and Tyler Boyd have attained 15. Jarvis Landry and Russell Gage are next (14), while five different receivers have collected 13 targets - D.K. Metcalf, DeAndre Hopkins, Cooper Kupp, Brandon Aiyuk, and Nelson Agholor.

Five additional receivers are tied with 12 targets (Amari Cooper, Tyler Lockett, Marvin Jones, Emmanuel Sanders, and David Moore), while nine different receivers have been targeted 11 times - Stefon Diggs, Terry McLaurin, Robby Anderson, A.J. Brown, Julio Jones, CeeDee Lamb, Curtis Samuel, Zach Pascal, and Michael Thomas. Diontae Johnson and DeVante Parker spearhead a group of seven receivers that have captured 10 targets inside the 20.

Adams also leads with 15 targets inside the 10-yard line while Evans is second overall (14). Hill is next (11), followed by Thielen (10) Metcalf (9), and Aiyuk (8). Four receivers have collected eight targets - Ridley, Agholor, Lamb, and Sammy Watkins, while 11 different receivers have been targeted 17 times inside the 10 - Smith-Schuster, Robinson, Boyd, Landry, Gage, Hopkins, Lockett, Moore, Parker, Tim Patrick, and Christian Kirk.

Adams also leads with 10 targets inside the 5-yard line while Evans is second yet again (8). Aiyuk and Parker are tied for third (7), while Ridley, Lamb, and Lockett have all been targeted six times. Six receivers have captured five targets - Hill, Thielen, Hopkins, Cooper, Green, and Higgins - while nine different receivers have captured four targets inside the 5-yard line.

 

Week 14 Snap Counts 

Wide Receivers	Week 14	Total Snaps	Total Snap %
DeAndre Hopkins	62/78.5%	856	92.24
Keenan Allen	57/78.1%	850	86.82
Michael Gallup	48/94.1%	829	88.66
Terry McLaurin	58/92.1%	821	93.72
D.K. Metcalf	46/63.0%	811	92.16
Stefon Diggs	70/93.3%	811	92.26
Robert Woods	49/77.8%	807	88.39
Marvin Jones	60/88.2%	781	89.46
Tyler Lockett	47/64.4%	775	88.07
Tyreek Hill	57/91.9%	774	87.56
Amari Cooper	42/82.3%	767	82.03
Jalen Guyton	61/83.6%	764	78.04
Damiere Byrd	52/88.1%	758	90.13
JuJu Smith-Schuster	57/100%	745	82.96
Cooper Kupp	39/61.9%	734	80.39
Allen Robinson	45/75%	734	85.35
Adam Thielen	71/89.9%	730	91.59
Mike Evans	39/76.5%	729	84.57
Darius Slayton	47/95.9%	724	86.5
Justin Jefferson	68/86.1%	698	80.23
Tyler Boyd	59/81.9%	694	77.03
Marquez Valdes-Scantling	47//70.2%	691	79.79
Tee Higgins	65/90.3%	682	75.69
Mike Williams	2/2.7%	681	73.54
A.J. Green	63/87.5%	679	75.36
D.J. Moore	COVID	672	87.5
Zach Pascal	41/67.2%	670	74.36
Marquise Brown	52/86.7%	664	81.07
Keelan Cole	61/85.9%	657	76.48
Christian Kirk	66/83.5%	655	75.9
Josh Reynolds	35/55.6%	655	71.74
DeVante Parker	27/32.5%	650	76.56
Robby Anderson	57/85.1%	648	77.6
Tre'Quan Smith	54/85.7%	648	73.47
Calvin Ridley	48/84.2%	645	76.24
Greg Ward	51/73.9%	633	70.02
Darnell Mooney	45/75%	630	73.26
Larry Fitzgerald	57/72.2%	628	79.49
Davante Adams	62/92.5%	627	84.62
Brandin Cooks	INJ	624	85.48
Jerry Jeudy	45/73.8%	624	73.07
Gabriel Davis	62/82.7%	619	70.42
Tim Patrick	50/82.0%	612	77.57
D.J. Chark	64/90.1%	612	84.07
Jarvis Landry	76/91.6%	608	71.19
Cole Beasley	61/81.3%	600	68.26
CeeDee Lamb	26/51.0%	600	64.17
Brandon Aiyuk	74/91.4%	596	85.51
A.J. Brown	37/56.1%	596	80.43
Russell Gage	41/71.9%	580	63.25
Will Fuller	SUSP	577	86.64
Nelson Agholor	45/66.2%	574	65.75
Demarcus Robinson	33/53.2%	573	64.82
Kendrick Bourne	72/88.9%	573	68.95
Diontae Johnson	28/49.1%	566	67.95
T.Y. Hilton	41/67.2%	562	67.47
Corey Davis	42/64.6%	561	76.12
Chase Claypool	38/66.7%	560	62.36
Michael Pittman	55/90.2%	546	76.9
Curtis Samuel	53/79.1%	518	67.54
Chris Godwin	44/86.3%	505	86.47
Henry Ruggs	41/60.3%	501	62.7

DeAndre Hopkins leads all wide receivers with 856 offensive snaps through Week 14. Keenan Allen has performed on 850 snaps, while Michael Gallup is third overall with 829. Terry McLaurin is next (821), while D.K. Metcalf and Stefon Diggs are tied at 811. Robert Woods is next (807), followed by Marvin Jones (781), Tyler Lockett (775), Tyreek Hill (774), Amari Cooper (767), Jalen Guyton (764), and Damiere Byrd (758). JuJu Smith-Schuster is next (745), followed by Cooper Kupp (734), Allen Robinson (734) Adam Thielen (730), Mike Evans (729), and Darius Slayton (724). Only those 19 receivers have surpassed 700 offensive snaps entering Week 15.

McLaurin leads in offensive snap count percentage (93.7), followed by Diggs (92.3), Hopkins (92.2), Metcalf (92.2), Thielen (91.6), Byrd (90.1), and Jones (89.5). Denzel Mims is next (89.0), followed by Gallup (88.7), Woods (88.4), Breshad Perriman (88.2), and Lockett (88.1). Hill (87.6), Moore, (87.5), and Allen (86.8) are also among the 31 receivers that have been involved in at least 80% of their teams’ offensive snaps.

Jarvis Landry led all wide receivers with 76 offensive snaps in Week 14. Brandon Aiyuk was second overall (74), followed by his teammate Kendrick Bourne (72), Thielen (71), Stefon Diggs (70), and Rashard Higgins (69). Justin Jefferson was next (68), followed by Christian Kirk (66), Tee Higgins (65), D.J. Chark (64), Green (63), and three receivers that were tied with 62 - Hopkins, Adams, and Gabriel Davis. Jaylen Guyton, Cole Beasley, and Keelan Cole all played on 61 snaps, while Marvin Jones was the only other wide receiver who was involved in at least 60 offensive snaps during the matchups of Week 14.

Perriman, Smith-Schuster, and Jakobi Meyers all performed on 100% of their teams’ offensive snaps in Week 14. Darius Slayton was fourth overall in snap count percentage (95.9), followed by Gallup (94.1), Cam Sims (93.7), Diggs (93.3), Adams (92.5), and McLaurin (92.1). Hill was next (91.9), followed by Landry (91.6), Aiyuk (91.4), Michael Thomas (90.5), and Tee Higgins (90.3). Michael Pittman (90.2), and Chark (90.1) were the only other wide receivers that performed on at least 90% of their teams’ offensive snaps in Week 14.

 

5 Things I Noticed

1.Minnesota is currently ranked sixth in rushing (146.9 yards per game), and fifth in run play percentage (47.6%) which is a byproduct of Mike Zimmer's steadfast commitment to the ground game. However, the Vikings have increased their reliance on the passing attack since Week 10.  Minnesota ranked 31st in pass play percentage entering Week 10 (48.9%), as Kirk Cousins was just 26th overall in passing attempts (209/26.1 per game), was tied for 24^th in completions (137/17.1 per game), and was averaging 231.9 yards per game. Cousins had also generated 15 touchdowns, along with 10 interceptions during his first eight contests.

But from Weeks 10-13, the Vikings rose to 20th in pass play percentage (58.1%).  Cousins also soared to fourth overall in both attempts (154/38.5 per game), and completions (109/27.2 per game). His touchdown to interception ratio improved significantly (11:2), while he also averaged 304.5 yards per game. This dramatically improved the overall production for Cousins' two dependable receiving weapons Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson.

The Justin Jefferson Show

RT to #ProBowlVote@JJettas2 pic.twitter.com/5b4Lnf71u7

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 16, 2020

Jefferson was tied for fifth among all receivers with 40 targets (10 per game) during those contests. He was also third overall in receiving yardage (412/103 per game), and touchdowns (4), eighth in receptions (27/6.8 per game), and second in air yards (495). Jefferson was also fifth in percentage share of air yards (44.2) and was ninth overall in target share (28.3).

Thielen joined Jefferson among the top 11 in target per game average (9.7). He also tied for the league lead with five touchdowns and was seventh overall in target share (28.4). This had vaulted both receivers among the top four in point per game scoring from Weeks 10-13, while Jefferson had arguably become the most proficient member of this year’s rookie receiving class.

However, the tandem experienced a decline in usage and production in Week 14. The Vikings generated 76 offensive plays during their matchup with Tampa Bay. They attained a 56.6% pass play percentage, as Cousins connected on 24 of his 37 passes. But his completion percentage (64.9%) was his lowest since Week 9, as was his yardage total (225).

Jefferson led the Vikings in targets during the matchup (8). However, his reception total (4) was the lowest since Week 11, while his 39 yards were the fewest since Week 8. His 9.75 yards per reception average was the third-lowest of the season, while his 4.88 yards per target average was his lowest since Week 5.

Thielen was relegated to four targets, which was his lowest total since Week 9. He was also limited to three receptions and 39 yards, which represented his lowest totals in both categories since Week 8. While the numbers were disappointing for both Jefferson and Thielen, managers should remain confident in both receivers. The Vikings will host Chicago and travel to New Orleans in their next two matchups, and Jefferson and Thielen should be in all lineups.

 

2. Some fantasy GMs have been confronted with a sudden decline in targets and output with receivers that they believed were unquestioned starters during their postseason matchups. That presents an uncomfortable situation when this transpires. But it is wise to remain realistic and adjust both your mindset and lineups as a result.

I was among the most vocal proponents of Diontae Johnson throughout the offseason. He also resides on several of my rosters that are currently competing for league championships. But his route running acumen and his ability to create space against overmatched defensive backs lose significance if he consistently drops the ball.

Diontae Johnson drops the first throw of the game. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/PXK05ntDgd

— That Blitz Guy (@ThatBlitzGuy) December 14, 2020

He added to his league lead in this undesirable category (12) with two more drops during Pittsburgh’s Week 14 matchup at Buffalo. That compelled Mike Tomlin to bench him throughout most of the first half, and the resulting snap share (49%) was his lowest this season during games in which he did not incur an injury. He was able to procure seven targets while he was on the field during the contest. But he was limited to just 40 yards which was his lowest yardage total during games in which he was unencumbered by injury. His overall numbers remain impressive, and he has still captured at least 10 targets in six of his last eight games. He should remain in lineups this week despite the potential for additional drops due to the blend of his immense talent and his standing as Pittsburgh's best wide receiver.

Johnson's teammate Chase Claypool would have been a likely beneficiary of any decline in Johnson's involvement throughout most of the season. However, he has recently experienced his own reduction in usage.  From Weeks 5-12, Claypool was involved on 68.9% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps. The rookie was also tied for ninth among all receivers in targets (65/8.1 per game), and vaulted to fourth overall in touchdowns (7) during that span. But during the Steelers’ last two matchups, Claypool’s snap share has decreased to 53.9%, while he has been relegated to averages of 5 targets, 2.5 receptions, and 26.5 yards per game. James Washington has attained a 65.6% snap share since Week 13, after averaging just 25.8% from Weeks 7-11. That should be a source of concern for anyone who was planning on starting Claypool this week.

Jerry Jeudy’s season-long numbers still keep him cemented near the leaders in multiple categories among members of his rookie class. But managers have been removed of all incentive to keep him in their lineups due to his recent usage and output. From Weeks 8-11, Jeudy was tied for third among all wide receivers with 40 targets. He was also 10th in receiving yards (303) and led the league with 604 air yards during that sequence. Jeudy was eighth overall in percentage share of air yards (41.3), and also paced the Broncos in target share during those four matchups (25.2). But his numbers have experienced a precipitous plunge since Week 12. His air yards per game average dropped from 151 to 37.7, while his percentage share of air yards (21.2) and target share (14.5) have also declined dramatically. His averages of 10 targets 4.5 receptions and 76 yards per game have plummeted to just 3.0 targets, 1.0 receptions, and 15.7 yards per game during his last three contests.

 

3. The numbers for several other receivers are more encouraging as these players are capitalizing on their usage, and delivering coveted fantasy points to their managers. Brandon Aiyuk was featured in last week's 5 Things I Noticed section. However, any review of ascending receivers would be incomplete if it did not include San Francisco's first-round pick. Aiyuk had already established himself as an exceptional member of this year's rookie class. But he has also soared into WR1 consideration on all playoff rosters.

Brandon Aiyuk is officially a PROBLEM in the NFL ✍ #49ers pic.twitter.com/kX86MZnfwe

— TheSFNiners (@TheSFNiners) December 13, 2020

The convergence of his talent and his massive opportunity to excel as the WR1 in Kyle Shanahan's offense continues to deliver a dream scenario to fantasy GMs at the most opportune time of the season. Aiyuk is WR4 in scoring since Week 13 while leading all wide receivers with 25 targets (8.6 per game) during that span. He is also fifth overall in both receptions (15) and receiving yards (214), ninth in target share (30.1), 11th in air yards (209), and eighth in percentage share of air yards (39.5). He also leads all receivers with 12.3 targets per game since Week 8 and his expanding list of favorable numbers is creating a runway for Aiyuk to become a league winner for managers.

Jarvis Landry averaged 5.7 targets, 3.8 receptions, and 47.1 yards per game from Weeks 1-11, even though he became Cleveland’s primary receiving option after Odell Beckham Jr..was sidelined in Week 6.  But since Week 12, Landry has accrued 30 targets (10 per game) which places him 12th among all receivers. He is tied for fourth in receptions (22/7.3 per game) and 10th in yardage (257/85.6 per game) during that span. His December surge has expanded his team lead in target share (24.6), air yards (685), and percentage share of air yards (25.3) for the season.

.@bakermayfield finds @CALLME_WOOD for SIX!

?: https://t.co/auJgZw1LIo pic.twitter.com/07k57zDseY

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 15, 2020

Landry's teammate Rashard Higgins has been operating as Cleveland's WR2 since Beckham's season-ending injury. However, that did not translate into notable usage and production throughout much of that sequence. From Weeks 6-11, Higgins averaged 3.8 targets, 2.3 receptions, and 50 yards per game. 110 of his 250 yards during that five-game span were also accrued during his Week 7 matchup with Cincinnati.

However, Higgins has collected 19 targets (9.5 per game) since Week 13. That ties him with Landry while also placing him 12th overall during that two-game sequence. He has also captured 12 receptions, generated 163 yards, and produced two touchdowns. Higgins is also 10th among all receivers in air yards (223) and leads Cleveland in percentage share of air yards (35.6) during that sequence. Higgins has evolved into a viable WR3/WR4 during the Browns' final two matchups against the Giants and Jets.

 

4. It had become increasingly uncomfortable to witness the performances of Carson Wentz as his season steadily unraveled. He was seventh among all quarterbacks in passing attempts (437/36.4 per game) but was only 17th in completions (251/21.5 per game), and an abysmal 32nd in completion percentage (57.4%). The fifth-year signal-caller was not solely responsible for the issues that had permeated Philadelphia's offense through Week 13. But dissecting reasons why the Eagles' attack had failed to reach expectations this season would require a separate column – or more.

Their passing attack had ranked 11th during 2019 while averaging 239.6 yards per game. But Philadelphia had plummeted to 28th entering Week 14 (202.6 yards per game). The paltry passing numbers were not a byproduct of a staunch commitment to the ground game, as Philadelphia was also third overall in pass play percentage (64.3%), and fifth since Week 11 (66.3%).

However, the decision to elevate second-round draft selection Jalen Hurts into the starting role ignited what had been an ineffective attack. Wentz was just QB20 in point per game scoring from Weeks 1-13. But Hurts finished at QB13 during his initial start. He connected on 17 of his 30 passes, generated 167 yards, and supplemented his aerial efforts by bolting for 106 yards on the ground. Hurts’ ability to operate effectively as a dual-threat signal-caller has infused energy into Philadelphia’s attack. It should also be beneficial for Jalen Reagor, who was selected before Jefferson, Aiyuk, and Tee Higgins (among others) in last April’s NFL Draft.

Jalen Reagor and Travis Fulgham high fiving on their crossing routes. pic.twitter.com/64sZOlaGL0

— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhiIIy) December 14, 2020

He had accumulated just 34 targets (4.9 per game), 20 receptions (2.9 per game), and 256 yards (36.6 per game) from Weeks 1-13, as a thumb injury limited him to seven games. However, the revitalization of Philadelphia’s offense was overdue and could propel Reagor to relevance as a WR3/WR4 during the fantasy postseason. He should lead Eagle wide receivers in yardage during the upcoming weeks while his home-run potential is unlocked with Hurts guiding the restructured attack.

The outlook is less favorable for Travis Fulgham, who ascended to third in PPR scoring from Weeks 5-7.  He also paced the Eagles in targets (34/8.8 per game), receptions (21/7 per game), and yardage (300/100 per game) during that sequence. He was also second among all wide receivers in both targets and receiving yards, and was also third in receptions. But from Weeks 10-13, Fulgham was just fourth on the Eagles in targets (16/4 per game), seventh in receptions (4/1 per game), and sixth in yardage (32/8 per game). This had already accelerated his exodus to a region outside the fantasy landscape even before he failed to register a target from Hurts in Week 14. That provides managers with a clear indication that Fulgham should not be contained on rosters during the postseason.

 

5. Indianapolis enters Week 15 with a ranking of eighth in passing (263.7 yards per game), while the Colts are just 22nd in pass play percentage (56.9%). Philip Rivers is 11th in passing attempts (454/34.9 per game), and 10th in completions (309/23.7 per game). From Weeks 1-6, Rivers was averaging 266.3 yards per game through the air, with a concerning 7:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. But since Week 8, Rivers has built a 13:3 ratio and is fifth in passing yardage (1.909/272.7 yards per game).  T.Y. Hilton and rookie Michael Pittman also recovered from their collective health issues during that sequence, which has enabled them to become Rivers’ top two receiving weapons during that six-game sequence. 

Pittman had been sidelined from Weeks 4-7 due to calf surgery and entered Week 9 with season-long totals of just 13 targets, 10 receptions, and 79 yards. However, he averaged 6.8 targets, 4.0 receptions, and 62.8 yards per game from Weeks 9-12, while leading the Colts in air yards (268) and target share (17.8) during that span. It appeared that he might emerge as the WR1 for Indianapolis. But instead, it is Hilton that has seized that role.

_0_ \0/ _0_ \0/#ProBowlVote x @TYHilton13#ProBowlVote x @TYHilton13#ProBowlVote x @TYHilton13

? CBS pic.twitter.com/JV5xqOMUb9

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 13, 2020

Hilton was sidelined with a groin injury in Week 9 and was averaging 5.6 targets, 3.1 receptions, and 35.9 yards per game. But since Week 10, Hilton has been the Colts' most productive receiving weapon. His averages have improved to 6.8 targets, 4.8 receptions, and 70.6 yards per game during those contests, as his rising usage and output were fueled when he collected a season-high 11 targets in Week 13. He also established new season highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (110) during that matchup with Houston.

It also represented his highest target total since Week 6 of 2019, and his highest reception total since Week 3 of last season. That vaulted Hilton to WR5 in scoring for the week. Hilton had not delivered a 100-yard performance since 2018 when he accomplished it five times. In Week 14, Hilton sustained his recent surge by easily leading the Colts in targets (7), receptions (5), and receiving yards (86). Hilton also generated multiple touchdowns for the first time since Week 1 of 2019. He has now exceeded 80 yards in three consecutive contests while accumulating 29 targets (7.3 per game), 20 receptions (5 per game), and 313 yards (78.3 per game) since Week 11. He has also generated four touchdowns after failing to score from Weeks 1-11. Hilton will be the beneficiary of yet another favorable matchup this Sunday versus the same Texans Defense that he shredded in Week 13.

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