Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Week 14 Analysis

Phil Clark looks back at Week 14 targets, snaps, receptions trends for fantasy football WRs to find risers and fallers who are possible buy-lows or sell-highs.

Wide receivers are essential components toward your ultimate goal of securing league championships. If you are preparing for Week 15 matchups, an expanding collection of tools are available that can provide you with an extensive level of knowledge. Those results provide the foundation for this weekly statistical breakdown of the wide receiver position, which is designed to help you fulfill your championship aspirations.

This will be the 14th installment that examines game-specific data, including updated totals for targets, red-zone targets, snap counts, and a compilation of advanced statistics. The information that is contained in this weekly report will analyze how various receivers are being utilized, and how effectively they are capitalizing on their opportunities.

This week’s article will be functioning with 14 weeks of data, which bolsters the foundation from which the numbers that are generated in various categories can be evaluated. 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, NextGenStats, and Football Outsiders were all used as resources in compiling this data.

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Week 14 Target Leaders 

Michael Thomas has retained his league lead in targets for the season (147), followed by Julian Edelman (135), DeAndre Hopkins (133), D.J. Moore (121), then Tyler Boyd and Keenan Allen both with (119). Mike Evans owners may not enjoy reading that he is next with (118), followed by Allen Robinson (116), Jarvis Landy (115), Cooper Kupp (114), and Chris Godwin (113).

Julio Jones is next (109), followed by Odell Beckham (108), Robert Woods (107), D.J. Chark (106), John Brown (101), and Amari Cooper (100). No other wide receivers have reached 100 targets for the season through Week 14. Courtland Sutton (97), Jamison Crowder (93), Kenny Golladay (93), and Michael Gallup (92) spearhead a group of eight additional receivers that have collected 90 - 99 targets the season.

Thomas and Edelman have now collected 10+ targets in 10 different matchups. This separates that tandem from all other wide receivers as Hopkins, Moore, and Keenan Allen are next with seven different games of double-digit targets.

Edelman has the longest streak of consecutive games with 10+ targets (8), while Anderson is amazingly the only other wide receiver that has attained double-digit target totals in at least two consecutive games.

Since Week 11, Edelman has captured the most targets (45), followed closely by Thomas (44). Moore (42) is next, followed by Hopkins (41), Landry (38), Ridley (37), Anthony Miller (37), and four receivers that are tied with 36 - Michael Gallup, Chark 36, Robinson 36, and Woods 36. Devante Parker had accumulated 33 targets before being sidelined with a concussion, while John Brown and Dede Westbrook are the only other receivers that have eclipsed 30 targets during that four-game span.

Woods leads all receivers in target since Week 13 (27), followed by Edelman and Thomas with 23. Hopkins and Robby Anderson are tied for fourth (21), followed by Robinson (20), Cooper (19), Zach Pascal (19), Moore (18), Stefon Diggs (18), Landry (18), Miller (17), Gallup (17) and Darius Slayton (17).

Largest Weekly Changes

Thomas also delivered the highest target total of Week 14 (15). Hopkins placed second for the week (13), followed by Edelman (12), Anderson (11), Gallup (10), and Chark (10). Eight receivers accumulated nine targets during their Week 14 matchups - Woods, Godwin, Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders, Pascal, Christian Kirk, Greg Ward and Miami’s Isaiah Ford. A massive collection of 13 different wide receivers all attained eight targets in Week 14 - Julio Jones, Amendola, Sammy Watkins, Robinson, Allen Hurns, John Brown, Cooper, Tyreek Hill, Keke Coutee, Justin Watson, Golladay, Diontae Johnson, and Deebo Samuel.

Thomas also delivered the highest target total of Week 14 (15). Hopkins (13) targets placed in second for the week (13), followed by Edelman (12), Anderson (11), Gallup (10), and Chark (10). Seven receivers attained nine targets during the Week 14 matchups - Woods, Godwin, Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders, Pascal, Christian Kirk, and Miami’s Isiah Ford. A massive collection of 14 different wide receivers all attained eight targets in Week 14 - Julio Jones, Amendola, Sammy Watkins, Robinson, Allen Hurns, John Brown, Cooper, Tyreek Hill, Keke Coutee, Justin Watson, Golladay, Slayton, Diontae Johnson, and Deebo Samuel.

Thomas has now accumulated 564 targets since entering the league in 2016. His league-high total for the season was mentioned earlier, as was his collection of double-digit target totals in 10 different matchups this season. But even with his endless array of impressive statistics, Thomas’s 15 targets represented a season-high, while also matching the second-highest total of his career. It also expanded his previous weekly total by +7, which was the largest increase of the week.

Justin Watson had only received two targets throughout the entire season before he accumulated eight in Week 14. That resulted in a rise of +6, which represented the second-largest surge of the week. Watson’s potential role for both the Buccaneers and his potential owners will be examined in the 5 Things I Noticed section. The 13 targets that Hopkins captured in Week 14 matched his season-high, as he joined Chark, Sammy Watkins and Alex Erickson with weekly increases of +5,

Anthony Miller had averaged 11 targets-per-game from Weeks 11-13, but he was targeted just four times by Mitch Trubisky in Week 14. The decrease of -9 tied Miller with Woods for the largest decline for the week - among receivers that eluded injuries during their matchups. Woods' production against Seattle (98 yards/1 touchdown) should eliminate any concern regarding his reduced target total. Evans' diminished total was a byproduct of his hamstring injury, while Ridley (abdomen), Parker (concussion) and Jeffery (foot) also experienced issues that negatively impacted their usage.

Week 14 Yards-Per-Target Leaders

A.J. Brown’s 21.9 yards-per-target average in Week 14 propelled him to the overall league lead for the season (12.8). Stefon Diggs is second (12.0), followed by Mike Williams (11.7), Kenny Stills (10.9), Kenny Golladay (10.8), Chris Godwin (10.7), Amari Cooper (10.5), James Washington (10.5), Tyler Lockett (10.0), and Randall Cobb (10.0).

Mike Evans, Courtland Sutton, and Michael Gallup are all tied at 9.8 yards per target, followed by Michael Thomas (9.7), Deebo Samuel and Will Fuller with 9.6. D.K.Metcalf, Julio Jones, and Emmanuel Sanders are among the collection of 14 additional receivers that are averaging at least 9.0 yards per target.

Sanders entered Week 14 with an 8.3 yards-per-target average. But that number rose to 9.3 after he attained a season-high of 17.4 against Houston. John Brown’s yards-per-target average dropped from 9.5 to 9.0, after he registered a season-low 3.3 yards-per-target average in Week 14. Sutton’s overall average dropped from 10.1 to 9.7, after he managed just 4.9 yards-per-target in Week 14. His two lowest averages of the season have occurred during Denver’s last three matchups (3.4/4.9).

Week 14 Targeted Air Yards Leaders 

Mike Williams leads all wide receivers in targeted air yards with 17.1, followed by Marquez Valdes-Scantling (16.2), Robby Anderson (16.1), Kenny Golladay (16), Ted Ginn (15.5), Mike Evans (15.3), James Washington (15.2), and Curtis Samuel (15.1), followed by Brandon Cooks, and Chris Conley with (14.7).  Stefon Diggs is next with (14.6), followed by Terry McLaurin (14.5), Will Fuller (14,4), Tyrell Williams (14.1), Darius Slayton (13.9), Breshad Perriman (14), Demarcus Robinson (14), John Brown (13.7), DeVante Parker (13.6) completing the top 20.

Evans is currently leading all wide receivers in air yards (1,779), while second-place Golladay is 334 behind (1,445). Hopkins is third (1,417), followed by Julio Jones (1,388), John Brown (1,377), Samuel (1,355), Chark (1,355), Moore (1,346), Beckham (1,311), and Cooper (1,284), completing the top 10.

Allen Robinson is next (1,283), followed by Keenan Allen (1,282), Anderson (1,255), Parker (1,251), Ridley (1,242), Edelman (1,236), Marvin Jones (1,232), Mike Williams (1,216), Diggs (1,207), and Sutton (1,183) also included among the top 20. Boyd and Landry lead a group of nine other receivers that have exceeded 1,000 air yards for the season.

% Share Of  Team’s Air Yards Leaders

Courtland Sutton remains the league leader in percentage share of team’s air yards (43.5). Stefon Diggs is second (42.1), followed by Terry McLaurin (41.0), Michael Thomas (39.0), Robby Anderson (38.4), John Brown (38.2), Odell Beckham (38.0), Allen Robinson (37.8), DeAndre Hopkins (37.6), and D.J. Chark (37.2) completing the top 10.

Mike Evans is currently 11th (35.8), followed by Kenny Golladay (33.4), Curtis Samuel (33.3), Samuel’s teammate D.J. Moore (35.1), Julian Edelman (33.0), Emmanuel Sanders (32.7), Julio Jones (31.7), DeVante Parker (31.5), Jarvis Landry (31.5), and Tyrell Williams completing the top 20 with 31.1.

Allen Hurns now leads Miami with a percentage share of 11.1, among receivers that remain available from Miami's injury-depleted unit. James Washington 27.6 percentage share also leads all Steeler receivers, while Darius Slayton easily paces the Giants in this category (24.5). Slayton's numbers will be discussed further in the 5 Things I Noticed section.

Week 14 Red Zone Target Leaders

Julian Edelman has now captured 16 red zone targets during his last seven matchups, which has propelled him to a league-best 22 for the season. Michael Thomas is second with 20, followed by Mike Evans (17), and five different receivers that have collected 16 targets - Jarvis Landry, Cooper Kupp, Keenan Allen, Courtland Sutton, and Davante Adams. Allen Robinson and Tyler Lockett have been targeted 15 times, while Chris Godwin and Auden Tate have captured 14. Kenny Golladay, D.K. Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, and Marquise Brown have all been targeted 13 times during their first 13 matchups. DeAndre Hopkins, D.J. Moore, D.J. Chark, Terry McLaurin, and Larry Fitzgerald are next with 12, while Mike Williams and Jamison Crowder lead a collection of four receivers that have attained 11 red zone targets.

Golladay and Landry are now tied for the lead with 11 targets inside the 10-yard line, while Robinson and Godwin are the only other receivers that have eclipsed double-digits in that category (10). Edelman, Evans, Marvin Jones, and Fitzgerald are next with nine, followed by Thomas with eight. Kupp, Allen, Sutton, Tate, and McLaurin, have all collected seven targets, followed by T.Y. Hilton (6), and a group of 12 receivers that have been targeted five times inside the 10.

There have been many weeks in which one particular receiver has garnered the highest number of targets. But in Week 14, six different players were tied with three targets inside the 20 - Hopkins, Sutton, Christian Kirk, Diontae Johnson, Justin Watson, and Javon Wims. Nine different receivers captured two targets including Edelman, Robinson, Kupp, and Deebo Samuel.

Kupp has now collected five red seven targets since Week 12 after receiving only one from Weeks 8-11. Landry has failed to register a red zone target for two consecutive weeks, after accomplishing that feat in four consecutive matchups. Tyler Lockett accumulated 14 red zone targets from Weeks 3-9, but he has only captured one during his last four games.

Week 14 Snap Count Leaders

Chris Godwin has sustained his league lead in total offensive snaps at the wide receiver position (911). DeAndre Hopkins remains second overall (872), followed by Julian Edelman (865), Odell Beckham (850), D.J. Moore (849), Tyler Lockett (839), Marvin Jones (837), Jarvis Landry (830), Kenny Golladay (827), and John Brown (826).

Allen Robinson is 11th overall (814), followed by Mike Evans (810), Curtis Samuel (805), Tyler Boyd (804), Michael Thomas (804), Robert Woods (789), Courtland Sutton (775), Robby Anderson (763), Keenan Allen (761), and D.J. Chark also included among the top 20 in offensive snaps (756).

Hopkins continues to lead the position in snap count percentage (96.8), while Beckham is second (96.0). Godwin is next at (95.0), followed by Landry (93.7), Robinson (93.7), Sutton (93.0), Moore (92.5), Thomas (91.7), Lockett (90.7), and John Brown (90.4). Edelman and Marvin Jones are tied at 90.1, followed by Anderson (90.0), Boyd (89.5), Golladay (89.0), Curtis Samuel (87.7), Allen (87.3), Woods (86.8), McLaurin (86.8), and Fitzgerald (85.0) completing the top 20.

Hopkins, Marvin Jones, and Zach Pascal were the only three wide receivers that performed on 100% of their teams’ offensive snaps in Week 14. Moore (98.6), Woods (98.6), Edelman (98.5), Beasley (97.3), Brown (97.3), Robinson (97.3), and Thomas (97.2) were all involved in at least 97% of their teams’ snaps. Christian Kirk (96.7), Sutton (96.6), Kenny Stills (96.3), and Godwin (94.9), spearheaded a group of 13 additional receivers that played on at least 90% of their teams' snaps in Week 14.

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside had averaged a 22% snap count from Weeks 3-13, but he played on 90% of Philadelphia’s snaps in Week 14. Alex Erickson performed on 80% of Cincinnati’s snaps, which was his highest percentage since Week 7. Demaryius Thomas had been playing on 72.5% of the Jets’ offensive snaps from Weeks 4-13. But the 37% that he registered in Week 14 was his lowest percentage since Week 2.

Five Things I Noticed

1. If you selected Robert Woods or Cooper Kupp during your draft process, you have been subjected to various fluctuations in their usage and production throughout the season. However, their potential to deliver favorable results for their owners far exceeds the forecast for teammate Brandin Cooks, who has degenerated into a complete non-factor since Week 8 (2.3 targets-per-game/4 receptions/56 yards). 

Kupp’s results were outstanding initially, as he returned from a 2018 season that was unceremoniously derailed by ACL and MCL issues. He vaulted to the league lead in targets after Week 5 (63), was second to Michael Thomas in receptions (41), fourth in receiving yards (505), and tied for third overall in touchdowns (4). But Kupp’s 12.6 targets-per game average from Weeks 1-5 has plummeted to just 5.4 per game since Week 10.

Kupp’s 27 targets during that span resides a full 20 behind Woods, whose recent statistical surge has elevated him among the league leaders in recent weeks. Woods has accumulated the league’s fourth-highest target total since Week 10 (47) while averaging 11.8 per game during that sequence. He is also tied for second in receptions during that span (33) and fourth in receiving yardage (462). Woods owners had endured their own sequence of disappointment from Weeks 6-9 when he collected just 13 targets (4.3 per game) while managing seven receptions for 116 yards (38.6 per game).

While Woods has benefited from increased usage, owners can also be encouraged by the surge in Jared Goff’s proficiency during the Rams’ last three matchups. His 56.3 percentage from Weeks 5-10 has soared to 72.0 since Week 12, and his improved play is a favorable development for Woods in particular. If Goff can sustain his recent level of play, this will bolster the scoring potential for Woods and Kupp during upcoming matchups with the Cowboys and 49ers.

2. Terry McLaurin captured four of his seven targets in Week 14, while also generating 57 yards and his first touchdown since Week 6. But if you are a McLaurin owner, you might have been debating his viability as a starter prior to his Week 14 performance.

This would be understandable, due to McLaurin’s inconsistent usage and production since Dwayne Haskins began guiding Washington’s offense in Week 9.  In five games with Haskins leading the Redskins’ passing attack, McLaurin has collected 33 targets (6.6 per game) while amassing 18 receptions for 245 yards (49 yards-per-game). Prior to Week 14, his four previous yardage totals had included two games with 69+ yards, along with two contests in which he averaged only 23.5.

McLaurin owners had been presented with greater incentive to rely on the rookie when Case Keenum was spearheading Washington’s passing attack. From Weeks 1-3, McLaurin was 12^th overall with 257 receiving yards, 22^nd in targets (24/ 8 per game), 21^st in receptions (16), and was tied for fourth in touchdowns (3). His numbers during Keenum’s entire sequence under center (Weeks 1-8) also remained favorable for owners, as McLaurin received 46 targets (6.6 per game) captured 28 receptions, and was 22^nd overall in receiving yards (458 yards/65.4 per game). He was also tied for sixth overall in touchdowns (5) while capturing eight red zone targets that were distributed by Keenum.

But he has only received four red zone targets since Week 9, while McLaurin’s 9.6 yards-per-target average from Weeks 1-8 has also dropped to 7.98. If you exclude his 17.3 average in Week 11, then McLaurin’s average drops to 5.65 during his last five matchups. His numbers after Washington’s transition at quarterback might create apprehension about starting him during the Redskins'  remaining contests. However, his big-play ability remains intact, and he is operating as his team's primary receiving weapon. McLaurin will also be the recipient of an appealing Week 16 matchup with the Giants

3. If you own Darius Slayton, then you undoubtedly embraced his 154-yard, 2-touchdown performance in Week 14. The first-year receiver collected five of his eight targets, averaged a career-high 19.3 yards-per-target, and thrived during his first game with Eli Manning launching passes in his direction.

Slayton’s output propelled many of his owners into this week’s semi-final matchups, even though his ownership percentage remained below 30%. Slayton’s favorable results might not have been universally expected. However, his recent usage did provide an indication that the rookie would be presented with the opportunity to thrive against the Eagles.

Since Week 10, only five receivers have attained a higher targets-per-game average then Slayton's 9.8 - Michael Thomas, DeAndre Hopkins, Julian Edelman, D.J. Moore, and Robert Woods. Only 14 receivers have been targeted with greater frequency during that span (39) which becomes more impressive considering that the Giants’ Week 11 bye was nestled within that sequence. Slaton’s 25 receptions since Week 10 tie him for 13th, while his 386 yards place him 11th overall. The rookie is also tied for the lead in touchdowns during that period (4), while Slayton easily leads the Giants in every category that was mentioned. Sterling Shepard Is a distant second in targets (22), and receptions (12) during that span, while Golden Tate is second in yardage (139).

Slayton's vertical presence has elevated him to 18^th in targeted air yards (13.9). He also leads the Giants in percentage of team’s air yards (24.5), and also in team target share (14.1). Regardless of whether Manning remains under center again this week, or if Daniel Jones resurfaces from his high ankle sprain, Slayton has a legitimate opportunity to flourish during an enticing matchup with Miami.

4. The fantasy landscape can be altered significantly at any time. Suddenly losing a player that has functioned as an integral component within your roster throughout the season can be excruciating and undeniably unfair. Unfortunately, Mike Evans owners must now contend with this unwanted situation that presents a sudden obstacle in their path to a league championship.

Evans had entered Week 14 with the league’s fourth-highest target total (116), was 10th in receptions (66), and was third in receiving yards (1,096). He had also accrued the highest number of air yards throughout the season (1,779) and his absence creates an issue that cannot be understated. However, any Evans owners that are preparing for Week 15 matchups cannot allow themselves to become immersed in negative emotions about their situation. The best plan of action is to locate an alternative receiving option that could boost your scoring this week. 

That presents you with the opportunity to pursue one of Evans' teammates, Justin Watson. The 6‘3“, 215-pound Watson was an enticing late-round flyer who was identified as a sleeper candidate. But his potential did not translate into actual in-game opportunities prior to Week 14. Watson had only garnered two targets throughout the entire season, but his role expanded considerably when Evans was forced from the lineup. He collected six of his eight targets while assembling 59 yards and generating his first career touchdown. Now, he has suddenly skyrocketed to the threshold of relevance entering Week 2 of the fantasy postseason.

Former first-round pick Breshad Perriman also captured three of his five targets for 70 yards and a touchdown in Week 14, and should also receive an increased role. But the fourth-year receiver has failed to seize previous opportunities that have been presented during his career. Scott Miller also appears primed to return from the hamstring issue that has sidelined him since Week 12. But Watson is the more likely candidate to function as a Week 15 starting option, and the second-year receiver could escort his new owners into their league championship games.

5. In addition to Mike Evans’ season-ending hamstring issue, a collection of injuries to other wide receivers have also emerged as we approach semi-final matchups in Week 15.

This is problematic for any owners that are now forced to search for alternative options with the same immediacy that their starters were eliminated from their receiving arsenal. But the sudden of some wide receivers will also present opportunities for other players to thrive in newly expanded roles. Those receivers could help you this week if you are contending with the loss of a weekly starter.

Both DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson suffered concussions during Miami’s Week 14 encounter with the Jets. This will increase the responsibilities for Allen Hurns and Isaiah Ford if Parker and Wilson are unavailable this week. Hurns only performed on 21.3% of Miami’s offensive snaps from Weeks 1-9, while averaging 2.1 targets-per-game. But his snap count percentage has increased to  58.2% since Week 10. He has also averaged 6.3 targets per game since Week 11 while capturing 16 of his 25 targets for 196 yards and a touchdown. Hurns also battled through knee and ankle issues while performing in Week 14, and should be available this week.

Ford entered Week 14 with just six targets throughout the entire season. But he established career highs in targets (9), receptions (6), and receiving yards (92) during Miami’s matchup with the Jets. Ford is a former seventh-round pick (2017) and supplies an option in deeper leagues to anyone who has experienced multiple injuries at wide receiver.

Marvin Jones owners will encounter a greater degree of difficulty when searching for an alternative on the Lions’ roster, in the aftermath of Jones’ season-ending ankle injury. However, they can join Auden Tate owners in considering Tate's teammate Alex Erickson. Erickson was involved and 60% of Cincinnati’s offensive snaps in Week 14, which was his highest percentage since Week 7. He also captured five of his seven targets and should retain an expanded role due to Tate’s sprained MCL.

Marcus Johnson provides yet another possibility in deeper leagues, as his usage and production have risen since Week 10. He has been involved and 57% of Indy’s offensive snaps during that span, and is second to Zach Pascal among Colt receivers in targets (21), receptions (12), and receiving yards (207). Johnson joins Hurns, Ford, and Erickson as prospective options for anyone who did not commandeer a receiver from this week's waiver wires.

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