RADIO
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 fifth 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.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Week 5 Target Leaders
.@CooperKupp COULD. GO. ALL. THE. WAY.
📺 @NFLonFOX | 📲 https://t.co/4beUdmlymg pic.twitter.com/wbn9dBebUJ
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 9, 2022
Cooper Kupp has now collected 10+ targets during 18 of his last 22 regular season games. He has also accumulated 29 targets since Week 4, which has propelled him to the overall lead entering Week 6 (64).
Marquise Brown has now captured 10+ targets in four consecutive outings while rising to second overall behind Kupp (55). That ties Brown with Justin Jefferson, who is second overall with 26 targets since Week 4. Davante Adams has collected 54 targets and is currently fifth overall with a 31.2% target share.
Ja’Marr Chase reached 12 targets for the second time this season, which elevated his season-long total to 53. He is followed by Stefon Diggs, who has now captured 11+ during three of his last four games. Three different receivers have been targeted 50 times. This includes CeeDee Lamb whose 35.0% target share leads all wide receivers. He will be discussed further in the Five Things I Noticed section.
That ties Lamb with Tyreek Hill who is averaging 10.0 per game, but just 8.3 per game since Week 3. Diontae Johnson has also captured 50 targets while reaching 10+ during four of his last five games. Courtland Sutton has now accumulated 46 targets, which has been fueled by the 39 (9.8 per game) that he has captured since Week 2.
Curtis Samuel was averaging 10.0 targets per game entering Week 4 but has averaged 7.5 per game during his last two matchups. His 45 targets tie him with A.J. Brown who has been targeted seven times by Jalen Hurts during each of Philadelphia’s last two matchups.
Mike Williams got 🆙 🙌
(via @chargers)pic.twitter.com/zsLwcfksOE
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 9, 2022
Mike Williams has established a season-high during two consecutive games while accruing 24 targets during that span. That has launched his overall total to 44. Amari Cooper has collected 10+ targets in three of his last four matchups which have elevated his overall total to 43. That ties him with D.K. Metcalf, who has attained a 34% target share since Week 4.
Metcalf and Cooper are tied with Garrett Wilson who averaged 12.5 per game in Weeks 2-3 but has been relegated to an average of 5.0 per game during two games with Zach Wilson under center.
Brandin Cooks has been targeted 42 times, after accumulating 22 in Weeks 1-2 while also failing to exceed seven targets during any of his last three games. Chris Olave has also captured 42 targets with a total that has been fueled by the 26 that he accumulated in Weeks 2-3.
Tyler Lockett collected 11 targets from Geno Smith in two consecutive outings (Weeks 2-3) but has averaged 7.0 per game during Seattle’s last two games. Amon-Ra St. Brown has now accumulated 39 targets even though he has recently been contending with his ankle issue. Jaylen Waddle has collected 38 targets after failing to exceed five targets in three of his five matchups. That includes the career-low three that he registered when Miami visited the Jets in Week 5.
DeVonta Smith has also accrued 38 targets after collecting 27 during his last three contests. D.J. Moore has now captured 8+ targets in each of his last two matchups after failing to exceed 6.0 from Weeks 1-3. That ties Moore with Deebo Samuel whose weekly target totals have ranged from 6.0-9.0.
Michael Pittman Jr. has accumulated 36 targets but has failed to reach double digits since the Colts’ season opener. Adam Thielen has captured 35 targets while averaging 7.8 per game since Week 2. Josh Reynolds has attained a double-digit target total in two of his last three games which has propelled his overall total to 34.
Terry McLaurin has collected 33 targets while failing to reach a double-digit target total during any of Washington’s first five matchups. Zay Jones has accumulated 32 targets while averaging 8+ during three of his first four games. Russell Gage has collected 31 targets as his total has been fueled by the 13 that he accumulated in Week 3. That ties him with Marquez Valdes-Scantling who captured a season-high eight targets in Week 5.
Donovan Peoples-Jones has also accumulated 31 targets while averaging 8.0 per game since Week 4. Marvin Jones captured his first double-digit target total of the season in Week 5, which launched him into the group of 36 receivers who have been targeted 30+ times entering Week 6.
Nine different receivers are averaging at least 10.0 targets per game while four of those averages are in excess of 11+: Kupp 12.8, Marquise Brown 11.0, Jefferson 11.0, Adams (10.8), Chase (10.6), Diggs (10.4), Hill (10.0), Lamb (10.0), and Johnson (10.0).
Week 5 Target Risers And Fallers
| Wide Receiver | 4 | 5 | Changes |
| Marvin Jones | 1 | 11 | +10 |
| Diontae Johnson | 4 | 13 | +9 |
| Randall Cobb | 4 | 13 | +9 |
| Amari Cooper | 4 | 12 | +8 |
| DeVonta Smith | 4 | 11 | ++7 |
| Chase Claypool | 2 | 9 | +7 |
| Ja'Marr Chase | 6 | 12 | +6 |
| Stefon Diggs | 6 | 11 | +5 |
| Joshua Palmer | 1 | 6 | +5 |
| Ben Skowronek | 3 | 8 | +5 |
| Darius Slayton | 2 | 7 | +5 |
| Courtland Sutton | 7 | 11 | +4 |
| Robert Woods | 4 | 8 | +4 |
| KhaDarel Hodge | 1 | 5 | +4 |
| Jerry Jeudy | 5 | 8 | +3 |
| Alec Pierce | 6 | 9 | +3 |
| K.J. Osborn | 2 | 5 | +3 |
| Gabe Davis | 3 | 6 | +3 |
| Shi Smith | 2 | 5 | +3 |
| Rondale Moore | 5 | 8 | +3 |
| DJ Moore | 11 | 8 | -3 |
| Romeo Doubs | 8 | 5 | -3 |
| Nelson Agholor | 4 | 1 | -3 |
| Noah Brown | 6 | 2 | -4 |
| Chris Godwin | 10 | 6 | -4 |
| Trent Sherfield | 6 | 2 | -4 |
| Davante Adams | 13 | 7 | -6 |
| Christian Kirk | 9 | 3 | -6 |
| Tyreek Hill | 14 | 7 | -7 |
| Cooper Kupp | 19 | 10 | -9 |
Justin Jefferson had seven catches and 91 yards in the first quarter.
Our quick analysis: that's really good. pic.twitter.com/O46fQamLb0
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 9, 2022
13 different receivers collected at least 10 targets during their matchups in Week 5. This includes four receivers who were targeted 13 times during their outings. Justin Jefferson has now collected 13 in each of his last two games while reaching double digits in four of his first five games this season. Diontae Johnson’s 13 targets established a new season high, as he also registered his highest weekly total since Week 17 of the 2021 regular season.
Mike Williams was also targeted 13 times in Week 5. He has now captured 10+ targets in four of his last six regular season games, while also averaging 12.0 per game since Week 4. Randall Cobb was averaging 3.0 targets per game entering Week 5 before he collected 13 from Aaron Rodgers in Week 5. That was Cobb’s first double-digit total since Week 7 of the 2020 regular season.
Ja’Marr Chase’s 12 targets represent his highest weekly total since Cincinnati’s season opener. He has now attained 10+ in three of his five games while averaging 7.5 per game during his other two matchups. Amari Cooper has eclipsed 10+ targets in three of his first five games as a Cleveland Brown while averaging just 5.0 per game in his two other contests this season.
Stefon Diggs captured 11 targets in Week 5 and has now accrued 9+ in seven of his last eight regular-season matchups. Courtland Sutton has now reached a double-digit target total in three of his last four matchups, including the 11 that he attained in Week 5.
37 yards - Marvin Jones over route pic.twitter.com/wC9NWgOTGB
— Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) October 9, 2022
Marvin Jones also accumulated 11 targets during Jacksonville’s matchup with Houston after he entered Week 5 averaging just 4.8 per game. It was also Jones’ highest weekly total since Week 16 of 2021. DeVonta Smith has now accumulated 11 targets in two of his last three games after receiving 11 from Jalen Hurts in Week 5.
Cooper Kupp has reached double digits during four of his five matchups, including the 10 that he collected during the Rams’ Week 5 matchup. Marquise Brown is now tied with Kupp for the overall lead in targets from Weeks 2-5 (49) after he collected 10 from Kyler Murray in Week 5. That tied Brown with Josh Reynolds, who has now averaged 9.3 per game since Week 3.
Marvin Jones was only targeted once during the Jaguars' Week 4 matchup in Philadelphia. That relegated him to a career-low. However, his double-digit total and week five propelled him to a week-to-week increase of +10.
Johnson was only targeted for times during Pittsburgh’s matchup with the Jets in Week 4. That fueled rampant speculation regarding his usage with Kenny Pickett guiding the Steelers’ aerial attack. However, Johnson’s 13 targets in Week 5 resulted in a weekly increase of +9. His target total should also reduce concerns surrounding his continued involvement in the distribution of targets.
Randall Cobb's going bonkers. @rcobb18
📺: #NYGvsGB on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/miBTGIf2La pic.twitter.com/4CTaRDOate
— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2022
That tied Johnson with Randall Cobb after the 32-year-old receiver registered his largest weekly total since Week 15 of the 2017 regular season. Cooper’s week-to-week surge of 8+ occurred just one week after he had sustained a weekly decline of -7 – which underscores the fluctuation of his weekly target totals since Week 3 (11/4/12).
DeVonta Smith finished 10th among all wide receivers with a 32.4% target share in Week 5. The 11 targets that he collected from Jalen Hurts also fueled his weekly rise of +7. That tied Smith with Chase Claypool, whose 9.0 targets represented his highest weekly total since Week 17 of last season.
Even though Kupp was one of just 13 wide receivers to eclipse 10+ targets in Week 5, his weekly total still resulted in a decline of -9. That was the result of the league-high 19 targets that Kupp had stockpiled in Week 4. Hill finished second overall with 14 targets in Week 4 which created the path for his week-to-week reduction of -7.
Christian Kirk entered Week 5 averaging 9.0 targets per game and he had accumulated 9+ during three of his first four games with the Jaguars. However, he was limited to just three targets in Week 5 which resulted in his weekly drop of -6. That tied Kirk with Davante Adams, who registered seven targets for the second time in five games.
Chris Godwin accumulated 10 targets when he re-emerged in the Buccaneers’ receiving arsenal during Week 4. However, he was targeted six times by Tom Brady when Tampa Bay hosted Atlanta in Week 5. That created his weekly reduction of -4.
That tied Godwin with Noah Brown, who had been averaging 6.8 targets per game from Weeks 1-4 but was relegated to just two targets when Dallas visited the Rams in Week 5. Trent Sherfield attained a 63% snap share in Week 4 when he was targeted six times. His snap share rose to 66% in Week 5, but he was relegated to just two targets. That fueled his weekly drop of -4.
Week 5 Air Yards
| Wide Receiver | Air Yards |
| Chris Olave | 744 |
| Davante Adams | 592 |
| Courtland Sutton | 568 |
| Diontae Johnson | 562 |
| Stefon Diggs | 528 |
| Tyler Lockett | 527 |
| Marquise Brown | 518 |
| Cooper Kupp | 517 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 501 |
| Mike Williams | 496 |
| Tyreek Hill | 485 |
| D.K. Metcalf | 478 |
| Terry McLaurin | 476 |
| A.J. Brown | 473 |
| Corey Davis | 458 |
| Ja'Marr Chase | 450 |
| Amari Cooper | 447 |
| Justin Jefferson | 445 |
| Josh Reynolds | 436 |
| George Pickens | 430 |
| Elijah Moore | 415 |
| Jaylen Waddle | 399 |
| Marvin Jones | 395 |
| Drake London | 392 |
| Mack Hollins | 391 |
| Nico Collins | 389 |
| Garrett Wilson | 383 |
| Mike Evans | 381 |
| D.J. Moore | 381 |
| Christian Kirk | 371 |
| Jerry Jeudy | 355 |
| DeVonta Smith | 353 |
| Darnell Mooney | 350 |
| Brandin Cooks | 343 |
| Marquez-Valdes-Scantling | 336 |
| Gabriel Davis | 334 |
| Jahan Dotson | 330 |
| Allen Lazard | 330 |
| D.J. Chark | 328 |
New Orleans Saints:
Jameis Winston: 1st in aDOT, bottom 5 in sack rate, turnover worthy plays
Alvin Kamara: 6th in YPRR, below average in all rushing metrics
Chris Olave: 1st in aDOT & Air Yards
Michael Thomas: 18% air yards share pic.twitter.com/0mbo9wuuKd
— Zoltan (@DynastyZoltanFF) October 11, 2022
Chris Olave leads all wide receivers in air yards for a fourth consecutive week (744). Davante Adams is now second overall (592), followed by Courtland Sutton (568), Diontae Johnson (562), Stefon Diggs (528), Tyler Lockett (527), Marquise Brown (518), Cooper Kupp (517), and CeeDee Lamb (501) completing the list of nine receivers who have accumulated 500+ air yards.
Mike Williams is next (496), followed by Tyreek Hill (485), D.K. Metcalf (478), Terry McLaurin (476), A.J. Brown (473), Corey Davis (458), Ja’Marr Chase (450), Amari Cooper (447), and Justin Jefferson - who has now assembled 445 air yards.
Josh Reynolds is next (436), followed by George Pickens (430), Elijah Moore (415), Jaylen Waddle (399), Marvin Jones (395), Drake London (392), Mack Hollins (391), Nico Collins (389), Garrett Wilson (383), Mike Evans (381), D.J. Moore (381), and Christian Kirk with 371 air yards.
| Wide Receiver | Air Yards % |
| Darnell Mooney | 44.25 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 44.06 |
| A.J. Brown | 43.43 |
| Chris Olave | 41.04 |
| Davante Adams | 39.9 |
| Courtland Sutton | 39.75 |
| Tyler Lockett | 39.56 |
| Jakobi Meyers | 39.48 |
| Marquise Brown | 39.48 |
| Cooper Kupp | 39.44 |
| Mike Williams | 39.27 |
| Amari Cooper | 39.21 |
| Justin Jefferson | 39.14 |
| Allen Lazard | 36.59 |
| D.K. Metcalf | 35.89 |
| Diontae Johnson | 35.15 |
| D.J. Moore | 35.12 |
| Scott Miller | 34.93 |
| Ja'Marr Chase | 34.75 |
| Tyreek Hill | 34.57 |
| D.J. Chark | 34.45 |
| Stefon Diggs | 33.78 |
| Drake London | 32.86 |
| Nico Collins | 32.83 |
| DeVonta Smith | 32.42 |
| Marvin Jones | 31.85 |
| Rashod Bateman | 30.13 |
| Christian Kirk | 29.92 |
| Mike Evans | 29.74 |
| Robbie Anderson | 29.59 |
| Brandin Cooks | 28.95 |
| Jaylen Waddle | 28.44 |
| Terry McLaurin | 28.28 |
| Corey Davis | 28.05 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 28 |
| DeVante Parker | 27.56 |
| Donovan Peoples-Jones | 27.37 |
| Josh Reynolds | 26.91 |
| George Pickens | 26.89 |
| Gabriel Davis | 26.66 |
Darnell Mooney leads all receivers with a 44.3% share of air yards. Lamb is second (44.1%), followed by A.J. Brown (43.4%), Olave (41.0%), Adams (39.9%), Sutton (39.8%), Lockett (39.6%), Marquise Brown (39.5%), Jakobi Meyers (39.5%), and Kupp with an air yard share of 39.4%.
Mike Williams is next (39.3%), followed by Cooper (39.2%), Jefferson (39.1%), Lazard (36.6%), Metcalf (35.9%), Diontae Johnson (35.2%), Moore (35.1%), Ja’Marr Chase (34.8%), and Hill with a 34.6% share of air yards. DJ Chark is next (34.5%), followed by Diggs (33.8%), London (32.9%), Collins (32.8%), Smith (32.4%), and Marvin Jones with an air yards share of 31.9%.
Week 5 Targets Per Route Run
| Wide Receiver | Routes | TPRR% |
| Cooper Kupp | 150 | 42.7 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 131 | 38.2 |
| Deebo Samuel | 109 | 33.9 |
| Tyreek Hill | 151 | 33.1 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 119 | 32.8 |
| Jakobi Meyers | 83 | 32.5 |
| Davante Adams | 171 | 31.6 |
| Drake London | 124 | 31.5 |
| Jauan Jennings | 59 | 28.8 |
| Hunter Renfrow | 70 | 28.6 |
| Noah Brown | 102 | 28.4 |
| Chris Olave | 151 | 27.8 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 127 | 27.6 |
| Stefon Diggs | 194 | 26.8 |
| A.J. Brown | 169 | 26.6 |
| Amari Cooper | 163 | 26.4 |
| Garrett Wilson | 163 | 26.4 |
| Tyler Lockett | 152 | 26.3 |
| DK Metcalf | 165 | 26.1 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 104 | 26 |
| Justin Jefferson | 213 | 25.8 |
| Brandin Cooks | 163 | 25.8 |
| Jaylen Waddle | 149 | 25.5 |
| Marquise Brown | 218 | 25.2 |
| Courtland Sutton | 186 | 24.7 |
| Chris Godwin | 77 | 24.7 |
| Scotty Miller | 82 | 24.4 |
| Tee Higgins | 117 | 23.9 |
| Richie James | 92 | 23.9 |
| Zay Jones | 135 | 23.7 |
| Randall Cobb | 107 | 23.4 |
| Mike Evans | 125 | 23.2 |
| Rashod Bateman | 95 | 23.2 |
| Diontae Johnson | 217 | 23 |
| Robert Woods | 122 | 23 |
| Ja'Marr Chase | 232 | 22.8 |
| Christian Kirk | 173 | 22.5 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 139 | 22.3 |
| Mike Williams | 198 | 22.2 |
| Michael Thomas | 99 | 22.2 |
| Tre'Quan Smith | 50 | 22 |
| DJ Moore | 170 | 21.8 |
| Allen Lazard | 115 | 21.7 |
| Russell Gage | 143 | 21.7 |
| Jarvis Landry | 98 | 21.4 |
| Treylon Burks | 75 | 21.3 |
| Donovan Peoples-Jones | 148 | 20.9 |
| Alec Pierce | 106 | 20.8 |
| Christian Watson | 53 | 20.8 |
| DeVonta Smith | 184 | 20.7 |
| Curtis Samuel | 218 | 20.6 |
| Romeo Doubs | 141 | 20.6 |
| Nico Collins | 133 | 20.3 |
Cooper Kupp has been targeted on 42.7% of his routes which sustains his league lead in this category. CeeDee Lamb is second overall (38.2%), followed by Deebo Samuel (33.9%), Tyreek Hill (33.1%), Amon-Ra St. Brown (32.8%), Jakobi Meyers (32.5%), Davante Adams (31.6%), and Drake London (31.5%) completing the list of eight receivers who been targeted on at least 30% of their routes.
Jauan Jennings is next (28.8%), followed by Hunter Renfrow (28.6%), Noah Brown (28.4%), Chris Olave (27.8%), Juju Smith-Schuster (27.6%), Stefon Diggs (26.8%), A.J. Brown (26.6%), and two receivers that have been targeted on 26.4% of their routes: Amari Cooper, and Garrett Wilson.
Seattle teammates Tyler Lockett (26.3%), and D.K. Metcalf (26.1%), are next, followed by Brandon Aiyuk (26%), Justin Jefferson (25.8%), Brandin Cooks (25.8%), Jaylen Waddle (25.5%), Marquise Brown (25.2), and two receivers that have been targeted on 24.7% of their routes: Courtland Sutton, and Chris Godwin.
Week 5 Yards Per Route Run
| Wide Receiver | Routes | YPRR |
| Cooper Kupp | 150 | 3.51 |
| Tyreek Hill | 151 | 3.47 |
| Jakobi Meyers | 83 | 3.14 |
| Noah Brown | 102 | 2.74 |
| Jaylen Waddle | 149 | 2.71 |
| Tee Higgins | 117 | 2.69 |
| Tyler Lockett | 152 | 2.67 |
| Stefon Diggs | 194 | 2.62 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 131 | 2.6 |
| Chris Olave | 151 | 2.58 |
| A.J. Brown | 169 | 2.58 |
| Justin Jefferson | 213 | 2.57 |
| Rashod Bateman | 95 | 2.56 |
| Mike Evans | 125 | 2.53 |
| Deebo Samuel | 109 | 2.44 |
| Davante Adams | 171 | 2.42 |
| Jauan Jennings | 59 | 2.34 |
| Randall Cobb | 107 | 2.33 |
| Olamide Zaccheaus | 92 | 2.32 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 119 | 2.28 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 104 | 2.28 |
| D.K.Metcalf | 165 | 2.25 |
| Nelson Agholor | 100 | 2.25 |
| Courtland Sutton | 186 | 2.24 |
| Drake London | 124 | 2.15 |
| Kendrick Bourne | 65 | 2.14 |
| Alec Pierce | 106 | 2.09 |
| Devin Duvernay | 108 | 2.09 |
| Nico Collins | 133 | 2.05 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 127 | 2.02 |
| Chris Godwin | 77 | 2.01 |
| Mike Williams | 198 | 1.98 |
| Josh Reynolds | 171 | 1.96 |
| Christian Kirk | 173 | 1.95 |
| DeVonta Smith | 184 | 1.92 |
| Marquise Brown | 218 | 1.91 |
| Amari Cooper | 163 | 1.87 |
| Richie James | 92 | 1.86 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 139 | 1.86 |
| Allen Lazard | 115 | 1.82 |
| Gabe Davis | 174 | 1.78 |
| Mack Hollins | 154 | 1.77 |
| Garrett Wilson | 163 | 1.73 |
| Michael Thomas | 99 | 1.73 |
| Treylon Burks | 75 | 1.72 |
| Jarvis Landry | 98 | 1.71 |
| Corey Davis | 177 | 1.69 |
| Robert Woods | 122 | 1.67 |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | 83 | 1.66 |
| DeVante Parker | 120 | 1.58 |
| Michael Pittman | 184 | 1.54 |
| Jerry Jeudy | 153 | 1.54 |
| Terry McLaurin | 213 | 1.53 |
| Romeo Doubs | 141 | 1.51 |
Cooper Kupp also leads all wide receivers in yards per route run (3.51), followed closely by Tyreek Hill (3.47). Jakobi Meyers is third overall (3.14), followed by Noah Brown (2.74), Jaylen Waddle (2.71), Tee Higgins (2.69), Tyler Lockett (2.67), Stefon Diggs (2.62), CeeDee Lamb (2.60), and two receivers that are averaging 2.58 yards per route run – Chris Olave, and A.J. Brown. Justin Jefferson is next (2.57), followed by Rashod Bateman (2.56), Mike Evans (2.53), Deebo Samuel (2.44), Davante Adams (2.42), Jauan Jennings (2.34), Randall Cobb (2.33), and Olamide Zaccheaus (2.32).
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Brandon Aiyuk are averaging 2.28 yards per route run, followed by D.K. Metcalf (2.25), Nelson Agholor (2.25), Courtland Sutton (2.24), Drake London (2.15), Kendrick Bourne (2.14), Alec Pierce (2.09), Devin Duvernay (2.09), Nico Collins (2.05), Juju Smith-Schuster (2.02), and Chris Godwin (2.01) completing the list of 31 wide receivers who are averaging at least 2.0 yards per route run.
Week 5 Red Zone Targets
| Wide Receiver | Inside 20 | Inside 10 | Inside 5 |
| Davante Adams | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| Justin Jefferson | 11 | 7 | 2 |
| Ja'Marr Chase | 11 | 6 | 4 |
| Stefon Diggs | 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Courtland Sutton | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| Garrett Wilson | 9 | 7 | 3 |
| Cooper Kupp | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| Christian Kirk | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Josh Reynolds | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Adam Thielen | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| Allen Robinson | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| A.J. Brown | 7 | 6 | 3 |
| D.K. Metcalf | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Zay Jones | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Amari Cooper | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Noah Brown | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Marquise Brown | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Mike Williams | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Olave | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Mack Hollins | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Deebo Samuel | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Jerry Jeudy | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Romeo Doubs | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Allen Lazard | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Isaiah McKenzie | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Jaylen Waddle | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Terry McLaurin | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Evans | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Michael Pittman | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Curtis Samuel | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Drake London | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Brandin Cooks | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Devin Duvernay | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Joshua Palmer | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Trent Sherfield | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Davante Adams continues to lead all wide receivers with 13 red zone targets. Justin Jefferson has accumulated five targets inside the 20 during his last two matchups which have launched him to second overall (11). That also ties Jefferson with his former college teammate Ja’Marr Chase. Stefon Diggs is the only other receiver who has been targeted 10+ times entering Week 6.
Courtland Sutton and Garrett Wilson have collected nine targets inside the 20, while a group of five receivers has accrued eight targets (Cooper Kupp/Christian Kirk/Josh Reynolds/Adam Thielen/Allen Robinson).
Three receivers have accumulated seven targets (A.J. Brown/D.K. Metcalf/Zay Jones) while three additional receivers have been targeted six times: Amari Cooper/Amon-Ra St. Brown/Noah Brown.
Adams, Jefferson, and Wilson have all garnered seven targets inside the 10-yard line, while four receivers have been targeted six times (Chase/Reynolds/ Robinson/A.J. Brown).
Adams easily leads all wide receivers with six targets inside the 5-yard line, while five receivers have been targeted four times (Diggs/Chase/Reynolds/ Sutton/Kirk).
Week 5 Snap Counts
| Wide Receiver | Week 5 | Total Snaps | Total Snap % |
| Cooper Kupp | 62/98.4% | 309 | 99.68 |
| Justin Jefferson | 74/100% | 318 | 97.25 |
| Davante Adams | 56/100% | 303 | 97.12 |
| Adam Thielen | 71/96% | 316 | 96.64 |
| D.J. Moore | 60/92.3% | 269 | 96.42 |
| Michael Pittman | 73/100% | 282 | 95.59 |
| Ja'Marr Chase | 59/100% | 333 | 95.42 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 49/92.5% | 279 | 94.9 |
| Marquise Brown | 66/97.1% | 341 | 94.72 |
| Gabriel Davis | 45/80.4% | 249 | 93.61 |
| DeVonta Smith | 70/98.6% | 332 | 93.26 |
| Allen Robinson | 52/82.5% | 287 | 92.58 |
| Christian Kirk | 70/95.9% | 299 | 92.57 |
| Mack Hollins | 53/94.6% | 288 | 92.31 |
| Courtland Sutton | 66/93% | 292 | 91.82 |
| Terry McLaurin | 57/98.3% | 316 | 91.59 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 53/86.9% | 271 | 90.64 |
| Darnell Mooney | 44/93.6% | 241 | 90.6 |
| Allen Lazard | 57/93.4% | 233 | 90.31 |
| Mike Williams | 58/84.1% | 298 | 89.49 |
| Diontae Johnson | 67/93.1% | 273 | 89.22 |
| Robbie Anderson | 49/75.4% | 247 | 88.53 |
| Chase Claypool | 66/91.7% | 270 | 88.24 |
| Rondale Moore | 62/91.2% | 121 | 87.68 |
| Ben Skowronek | 55/87.3% | 270 | 87.1 |
| D.K. Metcalf | 46/95.8% | 239 | 86.59 |
| Elijah Moore | 37/66.1% | 296 | 86.05 |
| Brandin Cooks | 43/76.8% | 246 | 84.25 |
| Tyler Lockett | 46/95.8% | 232 | 84.06 |
| Donovan Peoples-Jones | 57/85.1% | 292 | 83.91 |
| DeVante Parker | 28/50% | 249 | 83.84 |
| Jakobi Meyers | 45/80.4% | 147 | 83.52 |
| Amari Cooper | 58/86.6% | 289 | 83.05 |
| Marvin Jones | 63/86% | 268 | 82.97 |
| Jahan Dotson | INJ | 238 | 82.93 |
| A.J. Brown | 53/74.7% | 294 | 82.58 |
| Curtis Samuel | 52/89.6% | 282 | 81.74 |
| Josh Reynolds | 58/90.6% | 271 | 81.63 |
| Noah Brown | 41/77.4% | 240 | 81.63 |
| Parris Campbell | 93.20% | 276 | 80.47 |
| Deebo Samuel | 49/80.3% | 238 | 79.6 |
| Tyler Boyd | 58/98.3% | 277 | 79.37 |
| Equanimeous St. Brown | 29/61.7% | 211 | 79.32 |
| K.J. Osborn | 63/85.1% | 255 | 77.98 |
| Joshua Palmer | 50/72.5% | 259 | 77.78 |
Cooper Kupp continues to lead all wide receivers with a 99.7% snap count percentage. Justin Jefferson is second overall (97.3%), followed by Davante Adams (97.1%), Adam Thielen (96.6%), D.J. Moore (96.4%), Michael Pittman (95.6%), Ja’Marr Chase (95.4%), CeeDee Lamb (94.9%), Marquise Brown (94.7%), Gabriel Davis (93.6%), and DeVonta Smith who has played on 93.3% of Philadelphia’s offensive snaps.
Allen Robinson is next (92.6%), followed by Christian Kirk (92.6%), Mack Hollins (92.3%), Courtland Sutton (91.8%), Terry McLaurin (91.6%), Brandon Aiyuk (90.6%), Darnell Mooney (90.6%), Allen Lazard (98.3%), and Mike Williams (89.5%). Diontae Johnson is next (89.2%), followed by Robbie Anderson (88.5%), Chase Claypool (88.2%), Rondale Moore (87.7%), Ben Skowronek (87.1%), D.K. Metcalf (86.6%), Elijah Moore (86.1%), and Brandin Cooks with a snap share of 84.3%.
Marquise Brown leads all wide receivers with 341 offensive snaps. Ja’Marr Chase is second (333), followed by DeVonta Smith (332), Justin Jefferson (318), Terry McLaurin (316), Adam Thielen (316), Cooper Kupp (309), Davante Adams (303), Christian Kirk (299), Mike Williams (298), Elijah Moore (296), A.J. Brown (294), Donovan Peoples-Jones (292), and Courtland Sutton, who has also accumulated 292 offensive snaps.
Amari Cooper is next (289), followed by Mack Hollins (288), Allen Robinson (287), Curtis Samuel (282), Michael Pittman (282), CeeDee Lamb (279), Tyler Boyd (277), Parris Campbell (276), Diontae Johnson (273), Brandon Aiyuk (271), Josh Reynolds (271), and two receivers who are tied with 270 snaps - Chase Claypool, and Ben Skowronek.
Five Things I Noticed
1. The outlooks for Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy became a frequent topic within the scope of offseason fantasy analysis, even though there was sizable uncertainty regarding which receiver might become the primary beneficiary of Russell Wilson’s arrival in Denver.
This was a byproduct of the Broncos’ decision to jettison a collection of two first-round selections, two second-round selections, a fifth-round round pick, and three players to Seattle in a blockbuster trade. This was done with the expectation that Wilson’s presence was the elixir that would elevate Sutton’s proficiency as a downfield weapon, and propel Jeudy toward validation of his first-round pedigree.
Broncos -3.5 bettors look away pic.twitter.com/pfwyoW9pwZ
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) October 7, 2022
Unfortunately for anyone who has invested in Sutton or Jeudy, Russell Wilson’s deficiencies during Denver's first five outings cannot be dismissed, nor does it appear that the Broncos' aerial attack will operate at anything remotely resembling the optimistic expectations that had been prevalent prior to the regular season.
Wilson’s QB rating (54.7) is easily the lowest of his 11-year-career. His career-low 59.4% completion percentage represents the first time that he has failed to connect in at least 61% of his attempts. His 2.4% touchdown rate has also established a new career low. His 4:3 touchdown interception ratio should also be alarming for anyone who was planning to rely on Wilson’s proficiency in his new environment.
Courtland Sutton stealing this ball away for his fantasy managers 😤
pic.twitter.com/ruTwBENOdg— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) October 7, 2022
There is a proverbial silver lining for those of you who have Sutton contained on your rosters, as he is constructing a highly productive season amid what has been largely a disappointing five-game sequence for the Broncos’ aerial attack.
Sutton easily leads Denver with a 28.2 target share and has now collected 10+ targets during three of his last four games. That has elevated him to a team-high 46 targets (9.2 per game), while he is also pacing the Broncos in receptions (29/5.8 per game) receiving yards (417/83.4 per game), air yards (568) and air yard share (39.8%). Sutton also leads the team in routes run (186), and targets per route run (24.7%) and is averaging a team-high 2.24 yards per route run.
Sutton’s current target share (28.2%) has surpassed his previous career-high, while his 9.2 targets per-game average also exceeds his previous career-best (7.8). His averages in receptions (5.8), and receiving yards (83.4) are also the highest of his career, while Sutton’s 63% catch rate also eclipsed his average from 2018-2021 (54.3%).
Jeudy’s numbers are less encouraging as we recalibrate expectations for Denver’s offense. He is second behind Sutton in every category previously listed while attaining a 17.8% target share entering Week 6. He has been targeted 29 times by Wilson (5.8 per game) while accumulating just 14 receptions and averaging a career-low 2.8 per game.
He has also assembled 236 receiving yards (47.2 per game). However, 102 of these yards were generated during the season opener, which was primarily comprised of a 67-yard touchdown reception. If you extract his yardage from Week 1, Jeudy has only averaged a concerning 33.5 yards per game.
JERRY JEUDY 67 YARD TOUCHDOWN!!!
+110 Anytime TD Scorer ✅pic.twitter.com/Si0LtA7tdi
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) September 13, 2022
Jeudy also trails Sutton in air yards (355), and air yard share (24.8%). Jeudy has also run 153 routes, has been targeted on 19% of his routes run and has averaged 1.54 yards per route run.
Sutton is currently WR12 while averaging 15.4 points per game. His ability to function as a WR1 despite the inadequacies that have plagued Denver’s offense bodes well of his prospects of minimally operating as a WR2 during upcoming matchups.
Jeudy’s outlook is less promising, as he is averaging 9.9 points per game (WR43). He is best deployed as a mid-range WR3 in the weeks ahead.
2. Buffalo’s passing attack entered Week 5 averaging 297 yards per game – which ranked second behind only the Chargers. The Bills were also fifth in scoring offense (29.8 points per game) and also in Football Outsiders’ DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average).
Stefon Diggs had eluded health issues through Week 4, while surging among the top three in receptions (31/7.8 per game), receiving yards (406/101.5 per game), yards before catch (302), and receiving touchdowns (4). However, injuries that were sustained by several other Buffalo receivers created uncertainty surrounding their status while threatening to deplete what had been a deep, and capable arsenal of options for Allen.
Gabe Davis is STILL a touchdown machine!
The first TD of the 2022 NFL season ✅ @gabedavis13_ @JoshAllenQB
📺: #BUFvsLAR on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LlxLdqcZb3 pic.twitter.com/DaW8ftyciz— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2022
This included Gabriel Davis, who delivered a promising performance during Buffalo's season opener (4 receptions/98 receiving yards). He had been contending with a troublesome ankle which had sidelined him during the Bills’ Week 2 matchup with Tennessee. Davis returned to lead Buffalo’s wide receivers in snap share (96.8%) during Week 3-4 but only averaged 4.5 targets per game. His 9.9% target share also trailed Diggs (18.7%) and Isaiah McKenzie (16.5%) Davis was also limited to just four receptions and 50 receiving yards during those matchups.
Jamison Crowder had also been placed on injured reserve after he sustained a broken ankle during the Bills’ Week 4 matchup in Baltimore. His absence positioned Isaiah McKenzie to vault into an expanded role as McKenzie and Crowder had previously been deployed in a rotation from the slot (Crowder 32.9% snap share), (McKenzie 47.7% share).
However, McKenzie had suffered a concussion in Week 4 and remained in protocol during the Bills’ Week 5 matchup. This vaulted rookie Khalil Shakir into relevance as he ascended into responsibilities as Allen’s option in the slot.
Shakir was Buffalo’s fifth-round selection (148th overall) during last April’s NFL draft. He had emerged as an intriguing roster addition in deeper leagues during August, after generating 151 receiving yards during the Bills’ three preseason matchups. He also appeared capable of thriving if he was elevated into a role within the Bills’ receiving arsenal.
Allen ultimately generated 424 yards and four touchdowns in Week 5, which launched Buffalo's yards per game average to a league-best 324. Davis and Shakir both delivered highly-productive outings in Week 5, as Davis erupted for 171 yards and two touchdowns – despite being limited to three receptions.
98 YARDS! 🤯
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/P3rA4gbxYl
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 9, 2022
His yardage total led all wide receivers, while he also paced the Bills with an 83.9% snap share, air yards (159), and air yards share (35.2%), and paced all wide receivers with an average of 5.70 yards per route run.
GABRIEL DAVIS CANNOT BE STOPPED!
(via @BuffaloBills)pic.twitter.com/iVWo4mp5qh
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 9, 2022
Shakir operated with a 70% snap share while collecting three of his five targets assembling 75 receiving yards and scoring his first career touchdown.
1st career touchdown for Khalil Shakir. 4th TD pass for @JoshAllenQB! 🔥
📺: #PITvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/5bVODjrAl5 pic.twitter.com/OoRr0ANaw0— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2022
Diggs continued his unquestioned status as Allen’s primary weapon while leading Buffalo in targets (11/30.6% share), and receptions (8.0) in Week 5. He is now sixth among all wide receivers in targets (52/10.4 per game), third in receptions (39/7.8 per game), fourth in receiving yards (508/101.6 per game), and has generated a league-best five receiving touchdowns.
.@stefondiggs wanted in on the fun!
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/VmhH87pGtD
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 9, 2022
Diggs is currently among the top five in air yards (528), yards before catch (336), and red zone targets (11). Diggs is also 10th overall in routes (194), 14th in targets per route run (26.8%), and eighth in yards per route run (2.62).
Diggs will remain entrenched within the league’s elite tier of receivers. Davis can operate as a WR2 for fantasy managers even though there will be inconsistency in his output. Shakir possesses the talent to operate as a flex option whenever he is entrusted with a sizable snap share.
3. Fantasy managers who selected CeeDee Lamb during Round 2 of their drafts (18/WR6) were confronted with several unwanted developments during the Cowboys’ season opener. Dak Prescott only spearheaded the Dallas offense for a total of 53 snaps before he suffered a thumb injury. That vaulted Cooper Rush into the starting role and Lamb completed the Week 1 matchup with just two receptions and just 29 receiving yards while also finishing at a concerning WR75.
However, Lamb was also targeted 11 times during the opener, while attaining a team-high 26.8% snap share. He also finished sixth overall with 46 routes run and was targeted on 23.9% of his routes. Lamb’s numbers from Weeks 2-5 have been easier for fantasy managers to embrace. Not only has his usage remained at the anticipated level when Prescott was projected as the every-week starter, but Lamb’s output was also been beneficial despite the transition to Rush under center.
COOPER RUSH TO CEEDEE LAMB TOUCHDOWN!!!!
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/BxIk3QpA7b
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) October 2, 2022
Rush was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cowboys in 2017, and has now guided the Dallas aerial efforts during four consecutive games since Prescott’s Week 1 departure. His presence has not deterred Lamb from fulfilling the expectations of his ADP.
Rush has also targeted Lamb with sufficient frequency for Lamb to secure a league-best 34.2% share. He is also seventh overall with 50 targets (10.0 per game), while he has also been targeted on 45.9% of his routes – which is second overall. Lamb is also ninth in yards per route run (2.6), seventh in air yards (501), third in air yards share (44.1%), 11th in receptions (29/5.6 per game), and 16th in receiving yards (341/68.2 per game).
Noah Brown is second overall among Dallas wide receivers in targets (29/5.8 per game/20.3% share). However, Brown was averaging 6.8 per game (21.3% share) from Weeks 1-4 but was only targeted twice during the Cowboys’ Week 5 matchup versus the Rams. Brown attained 76% snap share during the contest, although that represented his season-low.
Michael Gallup resurfaced in Week 4, following his lengthy recovery from the torn ACL that he sustained in January. He also surpassed Brown as the Cowboys’ WR2 during the team’s matchup in Week 5.
Michael. Gallup. 😮 @michael13gallup
📺: #DALvsLAR on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/dCuo7DIlNd pic.twitter.com/TW45KuZUKj— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2022
Gallup’s 31.3% target share was a distant second to Lamb’s 50% in Week 5, but it also surpassed Brown’s 12.5% share. Gallup was also second in targets (5.0), receptions (4.0), and receiving yards (44).
The timeline for Prescott’s return is unclear, but Lamb should continue to stockpile targets as the Cowboys’ WR1 regardless of who is under center. Gallup should continue to operate as the team’s WR2, and should quickly evolve into a WR3/flex for fantasy managers.
4. Deebo Samuel was selected as a WR1 during draft season (22/WR7), and the fourth-year receiver is currently WR17 in scoring entering Week 6. The outlook for Brandon Aiyuk was comparatively tempered during the draft process as his ADP placed him in Round 8 (93/WR40). However, his current production closely resembles those expectations as he is WR45 in scoring.
Samuel and Aiyuk continue to function as the top two options in a San Francisco offense that currently ranks just 28th in passing attempts per game (27.6), and 27th in pass play percentage. Kyle Shanahan’s reliance on his rushing attack has elevated the 49ers to sixth in both run play percentage (59.8%), and rushing attempts per game (30.4).
Both receivers have also operated during three complete games with Jimmy Garoppolo spearheading the 49ers’ offense. Garoppolo had surfaced under center during the first quarter of San Francisco’s Week 2 matchup with Seattle when Trey Lance sustained multiple injuries to his right ankle.
Samuel had led the team with seven targets during Lance’s only full game under center while capturing a 30.8% target share. He was also targeted on 23.3% of his routes. However, Samuel was limited to two receptions, and 14 receiving yards – which was the third-lowest yardage total of his career. Samuel also averaged just 0.47 yards per route run during the contest. Brandon Aiyuk was targeted three times by Lance while being limited to a 7.7% share. Aiyuk was also targeted on just 10.3% of his routes while averaging 1.38 yards per route run.
The three full games in which Garappolo has guided San Francisco’s aerial attack provide an opportunity of the season to examine his distribution of targets to Samuel and Aiyuk without Lance involved in the equation.
Garoppolo is just 22nd in both passing attempts (86/28.7 per game), and completions (52/17.3 per game) during that sequence. This places constraints on the opportunities that are available for Samuel and Aiyuk.
Both receivers have combined for 40 targets during that three-game span as Samuel leads the 49ers in that category (24/8.0 per game/28.6% share). Samuel also leads San Francisco in receptions (13/4.3 per game), receiving yards (208/per game) red zone targets (five), and yards after catch (144). He has also generated two touchdowns.
Deebo Samuel. The human cheat code. Can’t be stopped. Won’t be stopped. pic.twitter.com/Ags31J5ZU6
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 4, 2022
Samuel has also run 109 routes while being targeted by Garoppolo on 42.9% of his routes – which places him third overall. He is also third with his average of 2.44 yards per route run.
Aiyuk has been relegated to 16 targets (5.3 per game) since Week 3 while failing to exceed four during each of his last two games. That is also limited to his totals in receptions (10/3.3 per game), and receiving yards (134/44.7 per game). Aiyuk does lead the 49ers in air yards (171), and air yards share (28.3%). He has also run 104 routes, while being targeted on 29% of his routes, and averaging 2.44 yards per route run.
This throw from #49ers Jimmy Garoppolo to Brandon Aiyuk 👀🪡 pic.twitter.com/PlwlAs2Uxe
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) October 9, 2022
Samuel easily leads all wide receivers in rushing yardage (125/21 per game), which provides a boost to his overall scoring. It also preserves his place among the WR1s for fantasy managers. Aiyuk is best deployed as a WR4/flex option due to the limitations in his opportunities.
5. The numbers that have been delivered by several wide other wide receivers in Week 5 were also noteworthy. That includes Jakobi Meyers, who re-emerged on Week 5 following a two-game absence and re-established his WR1 status with the Patriots.
Take a bow @jkbmyrs5!
📺: #DETvsNE on @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/KUbcndB8I6
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 9, 2022
Meyers’ commandeered the third-highest target share among all wide receivers (38.1%) when New England hosted Detroit. He was also third overall in air yards share (56.7%) and sixth in receiving yards (111). Meyers also finished second among all wide receivers in targets per route run (38.1%) and also with his average of 5.29 yards per route run.
Meyers had been dealing with a protracted knee issue that had been sustained prior to New England’s season opener. He had been listed as questionable entering the Patriots’ Week 1 matchup at Miami, but vaulted to 12th among all wide receivers with a 29.7% target share, and was 10th in receptions (13/6.5 per game) entering Week 3.
Targets were distributed primarily to DeVante Parker (23.1% share), Kendrick Bourne (15.4% share), and Nelson Agholor (13.5%) during Meyers’ two-game absence.
However, Meyers now leads New England in targets (27/9.0 per game), receptions (20/6.7 per game), receiving yards (261/87 per game), and air yards (306), even though he was sidelined during the Patriots’ matchups in Weeks 3-4. Meyers is also fourth among all wide receivers with a 31.8% target share and is 10th overall with his 39.5% share of air yards.
Meyers will continue to operate as New England’s primary receiving weapon regardless of whether Zappe or Mac Jones is spearheading the Patriots’ aerial attack. He can also be deployed as a WR3 by fantasy managers due to his integral role with the team.
Alec Pierce was selected by the Colts during Round 2 of last April’s NFL Draft, and his usage and output had been limited prior to Week 5. His 10.7% target share trailed Michael Pittman (23.1%) and Ashton Dulin (11.3%), as Pierce only collected 13 targets (4.3 per game).
Pierce also trailed both receivers in receiving yards (141/47 per game) and was fourth behind Pittman, Dulin, and Parris Campbell in receptions (7/2.3 per game). Pierce was also third in routes run (71), targets per route run (18.3%), and was second with an average of 1.99 yards per route run.
What a catch by Alec Pierce 😳 (via @SourceIndiana) pic.twitter.com/VqSzgmbcBx
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) October 7, 2022
However, he secured season-highs in multiple categories when the Colts traveled to Denver in Week 5. The rookie led the team in target share (25.0%), while collecting nine targets, and also pacing Indianapolis in receptions (8), receiving yards (81), and air yards (73). Pierce was also targeted on a team-high 25.7% of his routes and led the Colts with an average of 2.31 yards per route run.
Dulin has been placed on injured reserve as he contends with a foot injury, while Campbell has been consistently ineffective since he arrived in 2019 (3.4 targets/2.2 receptions/23.7 yards per game). Those factors should preserve a pathway for Pierce to operate as the Colts' WR2 behind Pittman. That will also elevate Pierce among your viable flex options if that transpires, as he can supply a solution to rosters that roster challenges that have resulted from bye weeks, injuries, and substandard output.
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