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Your wide receivers remain essential components toward your primary goal of securing league championships. As this unique regular season continues to unfold, 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 fourth 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.
As the season progresses noteworthy changes in usage and production will be blended into the equation. That will bolster your efforts to determine which wide receivers should be in your lineups, and which are worthy of remaining on your rosters. Pro Football Reference, PFF, NextGenStats, Rotowire, Rotoviz, and Football Outsiders were all used as resources in compiling this data.
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 4 Target Leaders
Several prominent receivers were absent due to injuries (Michael Thomas/Davante Adams/Chris Godwin), while several others returned to their teams’ lineups (D.J. Chark/Jamison Crowder/Deebo Samuel). Other receivers encountered health issues during their matchups, or could not deliver their normal level of effectiveness while operating at less than 100% health. However, many receivers that remain unencumbered by any form of injuries are continuing to thrive.
Dak Prescott dropped a dime on this Amari Cooper TD
(Video: @nfl) pic.twitter.com/VrQAMCc0XJ
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 4, 2020
Amari Cooper has surged beyond Keenan Allen and DeAndre Hopkins to the league lead with 51 targets. Allen is now second (49), followed by Hopkins (46) and Allen Robinson (41). Calvin Ridley is fifth overall (4), followed by Terry McLaurin (39), and Stefon Diggs (35). The former Viking has also played an integral role in the sustained success of Buffalo’s passing attack which will be discussed In the 5 Things I Noticed section.
Tyler Boyd and Robby Anderson are tied with 34 targets, while Tyler Lockett and A.J. Green are directly behind them with 33. Anderson‘s teammate D.J. Moore has been targeted 32 times, followed by Adam Thielen (31) Julian Edelman (30), and Odell Beckham Jr. (30). DeVante Parker, Darius Slayton, Tyreek Hill, and newcomer CeeDee Lamb are tied with 29 targets, followed by four receivers that have captured 28 after four matchups - Jerry Jeudy, D.K. Metcalf, N'Keal Harry, and Cooper Kupp. Russell Gage and Sammy Watkins are tied with 27 targets, while five receivers are tied at 26 (Marquise Brown, Greg Ward, Isaiah Ford, Mike Evans, and Robert Woods).
Ridley, Cooper, and Allen are the only three wide receivers that have collected 10+ targets in three of their four matchups. Robinson, Hopkins, McLaurin, Anderson, Crowder, and Diontae Johnson have all accomplished it twice, as Crowder has managed that feat despite playing in only two matchups. Five receivers have been targeted 40+ times (Cooper/Allen/HopkinsRobinson/Ridley), while 15 receivers have collected at least 30. A total of 58 receivers have attained 20+ targets, including a group of six rookies – Lamb, Jeudy, Tee Higgins, Laviska Shenault, Justin Jefferson, and Darnell Mooney.
Two rookies have commandeered the top two spots in yards per target average. Justin Jefferson leads all wide receivers (17.4), followed by Gabriel Davis at 16.1. Seattle's David Moore is third (15.7), followed by teammate D.K. Metcalf (14.4), D.J. Chark (12.8), Will Fuller (12.5), Scott Miller (11.9), Randall Cobb (11.8), and Willie Snead completing the top 10 (11.7). Stefon Diggs and Michael Gallup are next (11.5) followed by Josh Reynolds (11.3), Robby Anderson (11.1), and a group of nine receivers that are averaging 10+ yards per target.
Largest Weekly Changes
| Wide Receivers | Week 3 | Week 4 | Total | Changes |
| Jamison Crowder | INJ | 10 | 23 | 10 |
| D.J. Chark | INJ | 9 | 16 | 9 |
| Isaiah Ford | 2 | 10 | 26 | 8 |
| Damiere Byrd | 3 | 10 | 22 | 7 |
| DeVante Parker | 5 | 12 | 29 | 7 |
| Terry McLaurin | 8 | 14 | 39 | 6 |
| Robby Anderson | 5 | 11 | 34 | 6 |
| Justin Watson | INJ | 6 | 11 | 5 |
| Adam Thielen | 5 | 10 | 31 | 5 |
| Chris Hogan | 3 | 8 | 23 | 5 |
| Christian Kirk | INJ | 5 | 14 | 5 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 4 | 8 | 25 | 4 |
| Julio Jones | INJ | 4 | 20 | 4 |
| Amari Cooper | 12 | 16 | 51 | 4 |
| Mike Evans | 4 | 8 | 26 | 4 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 5 | 9 | 22 | 4 |
| Darnell Mooney | 5 | 9 | 20 | 4 |
| Zach Pascal | 4 | 8 | 19 | 4 |
| John Brown | 2 | 5 | 23 | 3 |
| Tim Patrick | 4 | 7 | 21 | 3 |
| David Moore | 1 | 4 | 11 | 3 |
| Zay Jones | 3 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
| Olamide Zaccheaus | 6 | 9 | 16 | 3 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 12 | 9 | 46 | -3 |
| Allen Robinson | 13 | 10 | 41 | -3 |
| Cooper Kupp | 10 | 7 | 28 | -3 |
| Cole Beasley | 7 | 4 | 24 | -3 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 8 | 5 | 16 | -3 |
| Greg Ward | 11 | 7 | 26 | -4 |
| Michael Gallup | 9 | 5 | 24 | -4 |
| Chris Conley | 8 | 4 | 20 | -4 |
| Justin Jefferson | 9 | 5 | 20 | -4 |
| Tyler Boyd | 13 | 8 | 34 | -5 |
| Jerry Jeudy | 9 | 4 | 28 | -5 |
| Keenan Allen | 19 | 12 | 49 | -7 |
| Calvin Ridley | 13 | 5 | 40 | -8 |
| Tyler Lockett | 13 | 4 | 33 | -9 |
Cooper registered the highest target total among all wide receivers in Week 4 (16). It was also his highest weekly total since Week 7 of 2017 when he stockpiled 19 targets. It was the third time this season that he has collected at least 12 targets, and the 14th time in his career. Terry McLaurin’s 14 targets placed him second overall for the week, while also establishing a new career-high. He achieved a double-digit target total once during his highly productive rookie season, but he has now achieved it twice during his first four matchups of 2020.
Devante Parker tied with Allen by accumulating 12 targets during Week 4, followed by Robby Anderson (11) and five receivers that all collected 10 targets – Robinson, Adam Thielen, Jamison Crowder, Damiere Byrd, and Isaiah Ford. Six receivers also captured nine targets - (Hopkins, Chark, Emmanuel Sanders, Chicago’s Darnell Mooney, Atlanta's Olamide Zacchaeus, and Jeff Smith of the Jets. Odell Beckham, Mike Evans, and Kenny Golladay spearheaded a group of nine receivers that were targeted eight times during their Week 4 matchups.
What a catch by Jamison Crowder ?
(via @nyjets)pic.twitter.com/OhrpZetPWx
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) October 2, 2020
Several receivers resurfaced after being sidelined in Week 3 matchups, which created a surge in their week to week target totals. Jamison Crowder returned to collect a team-high 10 targets after being absent in Weeks 2 and 3 with his hamstring issue. D.J. Chark (chest) resurfaced after missing Jacksonville’s Week 3 matchup and led the Jaguars with nine targets. It was easily his highest total of the season after he only received a total of seven targets in Weeks 1 and 2 combined (3/4).
Two Dolphins collected a total of 22 targets as DeVante Parker overcame an ankle issue to capture a team-high 12. It also represented a week to week increase of +7. However, Ford’s weekly total rose by +8, after he captured a career-best 10 targets. He will be discussed further in the 5 Things I Noticed section as one of several enticing receivers that remain available on nearly all waiver wires. The weekly totals for Terry McLaurin, Robby Anderson improved by +6, while Adam Thielen, Chris Hogan, Justin Watson, Christian Kirk experienced increases of +5.
Tyler Lockett was averaging 9.7 targets per game entering Week 4, and was sixth overall with 29 targets. But Russell Wilson only launched four passes in his direction. This resulted in his lowest total since Week 13 of last season, while also creating the most significant week to week decline of -9. Calvin Ridley entered Week 4 in a tie for third with 35 targets and was the only receiver who had attained 10+ targets in each of his first three games. But a combination of his hamstring issue and excellent coverage from Green Bay's Jaire Alexander resulted in a season-low 5 targets. That also dropped his weekly total by -9.
Keenan Allen’s 12 targets were exceeded by just two receivers in Week 4. However, matching the career-high 19 targets that he attained in Week 3 was destined to be an arduous task, and his weekly total declined by-7. Tyler Boyd, joined Jerry Jeudy in experiencing a reduction of -5, while the weekly totals for Justin Jefferson, Greg Ward, Michael Gallup, and Chris Conley all declined by -4.
Week 4 Air Yards
| Wide Receivers | Air Yards | Comp AY | Team % AY | aDOT |
| Calvin Ridley | 667 | 305 | 38.9 | 17.6 |
| Adam Thielen | 486 | 247 | 46.1 | 15.7 |
| Amari Cooper | 477 | 264 | 29.9 | 9.5 |
| A.J. Green | 475 | 96 | 32.2 | 14.4 |
| Allen Robinson | 469 | 235 | 32.1 | 11.4 |
| DK Metcalf | 460 | 297 | 42.8 | 16.4 |
| Marquise Brown | 453 | 184 | 44.9 | 17.4 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 427 | 150 | 35.1 | 17.1 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | 422 | 196 | 44.4 | 14.6 |
| Keenan Allen | 418 | 173 | 38.9 | 8.5 |
| Michael Gallup | 396 | 216 | 24.9 | 17.2 |
| Stefon Diggs | 388 | 331 | 33.2 | 11.1 |
| D.J. Moore | 384 | 245 | 42.2 | 12 |
| Terry McLaurin | 375 | 176 | 37.7 | 9.6 |
| Tyreek Hill | 368 | 186 | 36.5 | 12.7 |
| Jerry Jeudy | 353 | 159 | 26.4 | 12.6 |
| Darius Slayton | 351 | 200 | 37.3 | 12.1 |
| DeSean Jackson | 348 | 105 | 29.3 | 17.4 |
| Scotty Miller | 336 | 195 | 27.3 | 16 |
| Julian Edelman | 336 | 228 | 40.3 | 11.2 |
| Tyler Lockett | 335 | 223 | 31.2 | 10.2 |
| Tee Higgins | 328 | 119 | 22.3 | 14.9 |
| John Brown | 315 | 153 | 27 | 13.7 |
| Robby Anderson | 311 | 189 | 34.1 | 8.9 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 307 | 212 | 30 | 6.7 |
| Tyler Boyd | 297 | 236 | 20.2 | 8.7 |
| Tim Patrick | 293 | 168 | 21.9 | 14 |
| Julio Jones | 288 | 155 | 16.8 | 13.7 |
| Anthony Miller | 287 | 119 | 19.7 | 15.1 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 283 | 206 | 17.8 | 8.8 |
| Will Fuller | 269 | 220 | 25.7 | 12.2 |
| T.Y. Hilton | 268 | 119 | 31.1 | 12.2 |
| Justin Jefferson | 266 | 218 | 25.2 | 13.3 |
| DeVante Parker | 264 | 214 | 26.5 | 9.1 |
| Darnell Mooney | 257 | 122 | 17.6 | 12.9 |
| Diontae Johnson | 252 | 82 | 31.6 | 9.7 |
| Damiere Byrd | 252 | 128 | 30.1 | 11.4 |
| Mike Evans | 247 | 164 | 20.1 | 9.5 |
| Brandin Cooks | 243 | 91 | 23.2 | 11.6 |
| Mike Williams | 243 | 85 | 22.6 | 17.4 |
| Kendrick Bourne | 240 | 127 | 27.4 | 10.9 |
| Chris Hogan | 227 | 63 | 23.6 | 9.9 |
| Danny Amendola | 222 | 94 | 19 | 10.1 |
| Chris Conley | 222 | 57 | 20.5 | 11.1 |
| Christian Kirk | 216 | 64 | 21.1 | 16.6 |
| Zach Pascal | 213 | 103 | 24.7 | 11.2 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 210 | 152 | 28.3 | 9.5 |
| Allen Lazard | 208 | 153 | 22 | 12.2 |
| DJ Chark | 208 | 168 | 19.2 | 13 |
| Dontrelle Inman | 206 | 79 | 20.7 | 9.8 |
| Cole Beasley | 203 | 178 | 17.4 | 8.5 |
| Jamison Crowder | 202 | 102 | 21 | 8.8 |
| Isaiah Ford | 200 | 108 | 20.1 | 7.7 |
Calvin Ridley was leading all wide receivers in air yards by 226 yards after Week 3, and still has accumulated 181 more yards than second place Adam Thielen. Amari Cooper is third (477), followed by A.J. Green (475), Allen Robinson (469), D.K. Metcalf (460), Marquise Brown (453), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (427), Odell Beckham (422), and Keenan Allen (418). No other wide receivers have eclipsed 400 yards through four matchups.
Marquise Brown gave Ronald Darby a nice shake at the top of this route, but Darby can't afford to lose track of the receiver. Allowed Brown to slip free and creates a big play for the Ravens pic.twitter.com/eTQjSrjhpJ
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) October 4, 2020
Brown led all wide receivers in air yards during Week 4 matchups (210). Damiere Byrd was second (146), followed by Beckham (135), Thielen (133), Cooper (129), Robinson (129), Terry McLaurin (127), and Tee Higgins (125). D.J. Chark was next (124), followed by Darnell Mooney (120), and Tampa Bay teammates Mike Evans and Scott Miller (116).
Brown also leads all wide receivers in targeted air yards (17.7), followed by Michael Gallup (17.4), Ridley (17.3), Christian Kirk (17.2), and Valdes-Scantling (17.2). DeSean Jackson is next (16.8), followed by Thielen (16.5), Miller (16.3), Mike Williams (16.2), Higgins (16.1), and Metcalf (16.0). 10 additional receivers have attained a percentage of 13+. including Justin Jefferson and Tim Patrick - who will be discussed in the 5 Things I Noticed section.
Thielen leads his position in percentage share of air yards (49.1). Beckham is second overall (45.3), followed by Brown (45.0), D.J. Moore (42.7), Ridley (41.2), and Metcalf (41.1). Keenan Allen is next, (40.2), followed by Julian Edelman (39.4), Terry McLaurin (39.2), Darius Slayton (37.9), Tyreek Hill (35.9), and Robby Anderson (35.4). Valdes-Scantling, Stefon Diggs, and Robinson spearhead a group of nine receivers that are averaging a percentage share of 30+
Week 4 First Downs
| Wide Receivers | First Downs |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 24 |
| Tyler Boyd | 23 |
| Amari Cooper | 22 |
| Terry McLaurin | 20 |
| Calvin Ridley | 19 |
| Keenan Allen | 19 |
| Stefon Diggs | 18 |
| Robby Anderson | 16 |
| Allen Robinson | 16 |
| Julian Edelman | 16 |
| Tyler Lockett | 15 |
| Cooper Kupp | 15 |
| D.J. Moore | 15 |
| DeVante Parker | 15 |
| Russell Gage | 15 |
| Tyreek Hill | 15 |
| Mike Evans | 14 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 14 |
| Justin Jefferson | 14 |
| Sammy Watkins | 14 |
| Corey Davis | 13 |
| D.K. Metcalf | 13 |
| D.J. Chark | 13 |
| Adam Thielen | 12 |
| Odell Beckham | 12 |
| Keelan Cole | 12 |
| Will Fuller | 12 |
| Darius Slayton | 12 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 12 |
| Cole Beasley | 12 |
Tyler Boyd ranks 6th in the NFL with 28 receptions. He has been such a consistent and reliable target for Joe Burrow so far. pic.twitter.com/LGCOGrcLU0
— Blake Jewell (@bjewell43_) October 5, 2020
DeAndre Hopkins continues to lead all wide receivers in first downs (24) followed by Tyler Boyd (23), Amari Cooper (22), and Terry McLaurin (20). Calvin Ridley and Keenan Allen are next (19), followed by Stefon Diggs (18) Robby Anderson (16), Allen Robinson (16), Julian Edelman, and a cluster of six receivers that have all accumulated 15 receptions for first downs - Tyler Lockett, DeVante Parker, Cooper Kupp, Russell Gage, Tyreek Hill, and D.J. Moore. Mike Evans, CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, and Sammy Watkins are next with 14, while D.K. Metcalf, D..J. Chark, and Corey Davis are tied with 13. Adam Thielen, Odell Beckham, and Will Fuller are among a collection of seven receivers that have registered 12 receptions, while a total of 17 additional receivers have caught 10+ receptions for first downs after four matchups.
Week 4 Red Zone Targets
| Wide Receivers | Inside 20 | Inside 10 | Inside 5 | Team % |
| N'Keal Harry | 8 | 4 | 2 | 40 |
| Calvin Ridley | 7 | 3 | 2 | 31.82 |
| Russell Gage | 7 | 3 | 1 | 31.82 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 6 | 2 | 1 | 35.29 |
| Darius Slayton | 6 | 4 | 2 | 27.27 |
| Stefon Diggs | 5 | 2 | 2 | 15.63 |
| Robby Anderson | 5 | 2 | 1 | 26.32 |
| Keenan Allen | 5 | 1 | 0 | 33.33 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 5 | 4 | 4 | 26.32 |
| Cole Beasley | 5 | 4 | 2 | 15.63 |
| Sammy Watkins | 5 | 4 | 2 | 25 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 5 | 3 | 2 | 20.83 |
| Zach Pascal | 5 | 3 | 2 | 25 |
| Amari Cooper | 4 | 1 | 0 | 21.05 |
| Allen Robinson | 4 | 1 | 0 | 16 |
| Tyler Lockett | 4 | 3 | 3 | 19.05 |
| Julian Edelman | 4 | 2 | 1 | 20 |
| Tyreek Hill | 4 | 3 | 1 | 20 |
| Adam Thielen | 4 | 1 | 0 | 50 |
| Mike Evans | 4 | 4 | 3 | 16.67 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 4 | 0 | 0 | 14.81 |
| Hunter Renfrow | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16.67 |
| John Brown | 4 | 2 | 1 | 12.5 |
| Tre'Quan Smith | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16.67 |
| David Moore | 4 | 1 | 0 | 19.05 |
| Tee Higgins | 4 | 2 | 2 | 14.81 |
| Anthony Miller | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 |
| Kenny Golladay | 4 | 1 | 0 | 18.18 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 4 | 3 | 2 | 15.38 |
| Chris Hogan | 4 | 2 | 1 | 36.36 |
| Preston Williams | 4 | 3 | 2 | 28.57 |
| Trent Taylor | 4 | 1 | 0 | 15.38 |
| Terry McLaurin | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Cooper Kupp | 3 | 0 | 0 | 21.43 |
| Will Fuller | 3 | 1 | 1 | 23.08 |
| Robert Woods | 3 | 0 | 0 | 21.43 |
| DJ Chark | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13.64 |
| Davante Adams | 3 | 2 | 2 | 11.11 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 3 | 2 | 0 | 23.08 |
| Chris Godwin | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12.5 |
| Marvin Jones | 3 | 1 | 1 | 13.64 |
| Adam Humphries | 3 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Chris Conley | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13.64 |
| Willie Snead | 3 | 1 | 0 | 17.65 |
All N’Keal Harry needed was Jarrett Stidham pic.twitter.com/3LQetxk0XO
— Fantasy Football Factory (@FFFpod) October 6, 2020
N’Keal Harry has captured the league lead with eight red zone targets, after collecting five during his last two matchups. Calvin Ridley and teammate Russell Gage are next with seven, while DeAndre Hopkins and Darius Slayton have each been targeted six times.
Rookie CeeDee Lamb is one of eight receivers that has captured five red zone targets. He is joined by Cole Beasley, Emmanuel Sanders, Zach Pascal, Stefon Diggs, Robby Anderson, Russell Gage, and Keenan Allen. A collection of 19 different wide receivers have all been targeted four times inside the 20.
Harry is also tied with five other receivers with four targets inside the 10. He is joined by CeeDee Lamb, Darius Slayton, Mike Evans, Cole Beasley, Sammy Watkins. Lamb leads all receivers with four targets inside the 5-yard line, while Evans and Tyler Lockett are next with three.
Lamb and Chris Hogan collected a league-high three red zone targets in Week 4. Amari Cooper, Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark, and Kenny Golladay, were among the 11 receivers that were targeted twice inside the 20 during their Week 4 matchups. Lamb led all receivers with his three targets inside the 10 and was joined by Harry as the only wide receivers to collect more than one target inside the 5.
Week 4 Snap Counts
| Wide Receivers | Week 4 Snaps | Total Snaps | Total Snap % |
| Michael Gallup | 67/82% | 281 | 88.36 |
| Keenan Allen | 50/94% | 276 | 95.83 |
| Amari Cooper | 63/77% | 271 | 85.22 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 54/95% | 267 | 95.02 |
| Damiere Byrd | 73/97% | 257 | 91.8 |
| Terry McLaurin | 64/90% | 255 | 93.75 |
| D.K. Metcalf | 55/87% | 252 | 95.45 |
| Tyler Lockett | 56/89% | 248 | 93.94 |
| Stefon Diggs | 56/92% | 247 | 91.14 |
| Tyler Boyd | 58/77% | 245 | 79.8 |
| Robert Woods | 54/95% | 241 | 89.93 |
| Tyreek Hill | 53/93% | 240 | 86.6 |
| Marvin Jones | 54/89% | 239 | 90.19 |
| Calvin Ridley | 46/64% | 239 | 81 |
| CeeDee Lamb | 62/76% | 238 | 74.84 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | 53/93% | 235 | 83.63 |
| Mike Evans | 54/71% | 233 | 84.73 |
| Darius Slayton | 66/97% | 233 | 92.09 |
| Cooper Kupp | 49/86% | 232 | 86.57 |
| Chris Hogan | 68/88% | 229 | 87.4 |
| Allen Robinson | 55/89% | 225 | 82.12 |
| D.J. Moore | 55/71% | 223 | 83.21 |
| Tre'Quan Smith | 62/89% | 220 | 84.94 |
| John Brown | 52/85% | 218 | 80.44 |
| Adam Thielen | 58/88% | 217 | 91.56 |
| Kendrick Bourne | 50/68% | 216 | 79.12 |
| Zach Pascal | 54/75% | 215 | 77.06 |
|
N'Keal Harry |
57/76% | 215 | 76.8 |
| A.J. Green | 53/71% | 210 | 68.4 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 61/97% | 206 | 74.6 |
| Tim Patrick | 53/76% | 206 | 76.58 |
| Odell Beckham | 58/77% | 203 | 75.46 |
| DeVante Parker | 57/80% | 202 | 75.09 |
| Jalen Guyton | 45/85% | 199 | 69.1 |
| Preston Williams | 43/61% | 195 | 72.49 |
| Robby Anderson | 44/57% | 193 | 72.01 |
| Julian Edelman | 46/61% | 191 | 68.2 |
| Jarvis Landry | 57/76% | 189 | 70.26 |
| Allen Lazard | INJ | 188 | 88.26 |
| Brandin Cooks | 51/94% | 186 | 80.87 |
| T.Y. Hilton | 54/75% | 186 | 66.67 |
| Keelan Cole | 50/74% | 184 | 71.04 |
| Dontrelle Inman | 57/80% | 183 | 67.28 |
| Jerry Jeudy | 48/69% | 182 | 67.66 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 51/73% | 179 | 69.11 |
| Will Fuller | 50/77% | 178 | 77.39 |
| Tee Higgins | 43/57% | 176 | 57 |
| Russell Gage | 47/67% | 176 | 60 |
Michael Gallup leads all wide receivers in offensive snaps (281). Keenan Allen is second (276), followed by Gallup's teammate Amari Cooper (271), DeAndre Hopkins (267), Damiere Byrd (257), Terry McLaurin (255), D.K. Metcalf (252), Tyler Lockett (248), Stefon Diggs (247), Tyler Boyd (245), and Robert Woods (241) completing the top 10.
Allen leads the position in snap count percentage (95.8). Metcalf is second (95.5), followed by Hopkins (95.0), New York Jet Jeff Smith (94.8) Lockett (94.0), McLaurin (93.8), and Slayton (92.1). Byrd is next (91.7), followed by Thielen (91,6), Thielen's former teammate Stefon Diggs (91.1), and Marvin Jones (90.2). No other wide receivers have eclipsed an offensive snap count of 90%.
Byrd and Smith tied for the lead offensive snaps during their Week 4 matchups (73). Smith’s teammate Chris Hogan was third (68), followed by Nelson Aguilar (67), Gallup (67), Slayton (66), and Zay Jones (66). Jamison Crowder was next (65), followed by McLaurin (64), rookie Brandon Aiyuk (64), and Cooper (63), while Tre' Quan Smith and CeeDee Lamb were tied at 62.
Byrd also was involved in the highest percentage of offensive snaps in Week 4 (97.3). Slayton was second (97.1), followed by Valdes-Scantling (96.8), Smith (94.8), Hopkins (94.7), and Woods (94.7). Allen (94.3), Brandin Cooks (93.9), Larry Fitzgerald (93.0), Hill (92.9), Diggs (91.8), Agholor (90.5), and McLaurin (90.1).
Five Things I Noticed
1. Buffalo’s passing attack has soared to second overall while averaging 316.3 yards per game. That is over 100 yards per game more than the Bills averaged during 2019 (201.8) when the team only ranked 26th. The potency of their passing game is even more significant when contrasted with 2018, as the Bills ranked just 31st while averaging only 174.6 yards per game. That was Josh Allen’s rookie season when he was operating with Zay Jones (102 targets/56 receptions/652 yards) and Robert Foster (44 targets/27 receptions/541 yards) as his most productive receivers.
General Manager Brandon Beane worked in coordination with head coach Sean McDermott to dramatically upgrade Allen’s weaponry by signing John Brown and Cole Beasley before the 2019 regular season. Beane and McDermott also provided Allen with his most dynamic option by extracting Stefon Diggs from Minnesota. The results have been outstanding, as Allen and the trio of receivers are performing proficiently, while the Bills deploy the pass on 61.1% of their offensive plays – which ranks 11th overall. The team was only 26th in that category just one year ago (54.3%).
Allen has already thrown for 1,326 yards, which places him second overall. He is also fourth in average completed air yards (7.9), while his completion percentage (70.9%) has risen sizably from his previous seasons (52.8%/58.8%). He has already exceeded his touchdown total from 2018 (10) and is steadily approaching his current career-high of 20 that was established last season. Diggs has made a fluid transition to the Bills while operating from the slot on 68.1% of the Bills’ offensive plays. He is currently tied for the league lead in receiving yards (403), yards before catch (334). and completed air yards (331), while he is also sixth among receivers in receptions (26), and is also seventh in both targets (35) and point per game scoring.
DIGGS GOES UP AND GETS IT.@stefondiggs | #BillsMafia
?: #BUFvsLV on CBS
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/024EzSafTB pic.twitter.com/oh8yplziSr— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2020
Diggs also leads the Bills in target share (24.3), and percentage share of air yards (33.2), although Brown is second at 27.0. Brown had paced the Bills in targets (115), receptions (72), and receiving yards (1,060) during 2019. But has dropped to third behind both Diggs and Beasley in targets (23) and yardage (194), and has fallen to fourth with 14 receptions. Beasley has collected 18 of 24 targets for 260 yards, while promising rookie Gabriel Davis has surged to the team lead in yards per reception (16.1) and yards per target (16.1). Anyone who was able to procure Diggs during Round 6 of their draft process should be ecstatic, as he should remain highly productive throughout the season. Brown should now be considered an inconsistent WR3, while Beasley is best reserved for the flex. However, Davis should be secured on all dynasty rosters this week.
2. During Sean McVay’s first three seasons as head coach of the Rams, Los Angeles ranked 25th (55.8%), 24th (56.7%), and eighth (62%), in pass play percentage. But the 2020 version of McVay’s aerial attack currently ranks just 30th overall (48.9%). This strategic approach has elevated the Rams to third in run play percentage (51.1%). It also represents a sizable change from last season when McVay’s Rams only deployed the ground game on 38.0% of their offensive plays, which ranked just 25th overall. LA's decreased reliance on the passing attack has reduced the number of passing attempts for Jared Goff, who launched a league-high 626 throws in 2019 (39.1 per game). He is currently 21st in attempts (122) while averaging almost nine fewer attempts per game (30.5). That places him on pace for 488 attempts which will result in fewer opportunities for Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp than they collected last season.
However, both players are unchallenged as the Rams' top two receiving weapons, which will sustain their productivity despite the reduction in their targets and snaps when compared last season. Kupp is leading Los Angeles in target share (23.9%), followed by Woods (22.2%). Those shares easily exceed the percentages for Josh Reynolds (10.3%) and Van Jefferson (8.5%). The Ram tight ends became the source for significant discussion during the off-season. However, Tyler Higbee is a distant third in team target share (12.8%) while Gerald Everett remains a complete non-factor at 4.3%. Kupp (17th) and Woods (18th) currently are adjacent in scoring, while Kupp is 18th overall in targets (28/7.0 per game). He is also averaging 5.8 receptions and 74.3 yards per game. Woods is currently 24th in targets (26/6.5 per game), while also averaging 4.8 receptions and 57 yards per game.
Kupp's averages in targets and receptions do not match the results from 2019 (8.4 targets/5.9 receptions per game). But his yardage per game is comparable to last season (72.6) and places him on pace for 1,189.
.@JaredGoff16 to @CooperKupp for 55 yards. Touchdown, @RamsNFL! #RamsHouse
?: #NYGvsLAR on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/024EzSafTB pic.twitter.com/K3vjTKC3D3— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2020
Woods averaged 9.3 targets, 6.0 reception, and 75.6 yards per game during 2019. His decline of 18.6 yards per game would also equate to 912 yards if it would be sustained over a 16-game period. That number would not match the result that GMs envisioned when they selected Woods. However, both Woods and Kupp are operating without a significant threat to their status as the most integral components within the restructured offense. That keeps them positioned firmly at WR2 status.
3. There was a reason for optimism regarding Philadelphia’s aerial attack during the offseason. The Eagles had ranked 11th in passing during 2019 (239.6 yards per game) while Carson Wentz overcame multiple injuries at wide receiver to finish at QB7. The team had also invested a first-round draft selection on Jalen Reagor, who would join a healthy DeSean Jackson in providing an explosive downfield element to the offense. But after four weeks, Philadelphia ranks 27th in passing (207.5 yards per game), Wentz is 16th in scoring. and he just operated with Greg Ward, Travis Fulgham, and fifth-round pick John Hightower as his primary wide receiving targets during the team’s Week 4 matchup in San Francisco.
Attention has been focused on the puzzling but consistent struggles of Wentz who is fourth overall in passing attempts (160) but is also 14th in completions (97), and just 28th in completion percentage 60.6. He has also constructed a nightmarish 4-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio, while also plunging to just 33rd in both Football Outsiders’ Defense-Adjusted Yards Above Replacement (DYAR) and also in Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA). But Ward has emerged as Philadelphia’s current WR1, after pacing the team in targets (18), receptions (12), and receiving yards (110) during the last two contests. That target total places him seventh overall among all receivers during that span, while his numbers during that two-game sequence have also propelled him to the team lead in each category after four weeks (26 targets/18 receptions/146 yards).
Hightower had performed on just 10% of Philadelphia's offensive snaps in Week 2, but he has averaged 82.5% during the team’s last two matchups (79%/86%). However, that percentage will decline significantly after Reagor, Jackson, and Alshon Jeffery have resurfaced. Reagor averaged 12 yards per target while providing a glimpse of his ability to function as a dynamic vertical weapon in Weeks 1-2. But his thumb injury will keep him cemented to the sideline until at least Week 7. The 33-year-old Jackson was leading Philadelphia's wide receivers in snaps (120) and snap count percentage (52.2) before a hamstring issue sidelined him in Week 4. But he still presents a mixture of health concerns with the occasional productive outing. Jeffery has yet to play a down following LisFranc surgery and has failed to demonstrate any reasonable form of reliability during the majority of his career. These factors could combine to warrant WR3/flex usage of Ward even after Jackson and Jeffery reemerge.
4. Many of you have been contending with uncomfortable roster decisions as a number of starting receivers have been sidelined by injuries. The absence of high-profile receivers has been particularly challenging when fantasy GMs attempt to locate alternative players for their lineups. However, there are also wide receivers that are experiencing a surge in usage and production as the result of the injuries. This elevates them into consideration as potential solutions to any difficult roster situations – even though several of these options may not be widely known.
Greg Ward has been mentioned in this section, and he is included in this collection of receivers that are rising in relevance. Tim Patrick was originally signed by Baltimore as an undrafted free agent in 2017. However, he did not enter the field until 2018. He averaged 7.5 targets and 60.5 yards per game from Weeks 13-17 before descending into irrelevance until Week 4. Patrick collected six of seven targets and generated a career-high 113 yards while averaging 18.8 yards per reception against the Jets. Injuries to K.J. Hamler and Noah Fant have combined with the absence of Courtland Sutton to create a path for Patrick to seize a consistent role in Denver’s depleted offense. He has the size (6’4”, 210-pound) and sufficient speed to operate efficiently on the perimeter while Jerry Jeudy functions predominantly in the slot.
Isaiah Ford is a seventh-round draft pick who entered 2020 with career totals of 36 targets, 24 receptions, and 244 yards. But he has overtaken Preston Williams as Miami’s WR2 and can provide a boost for anyone who is searching for flex options in deeper leagues. Ford is currently second on the Dolphins in targets (26) and target share (18.4) and is also third in receptions (15), receiving yards (151) air yards (200), and percentage share of air yards (20.1). Williams has caught just six of his 17 targets and has only manufactured 89 yards after four contests. He has also plunged to fifth in team target share 12.1, while Ford also attained a higher snap share than Williams in Week 4 (63% /61%).
Darnell Mooney cooked the DB and got UP ?
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/4MM5NeS6pa
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 4, 2020
Darnell Mooney was selected by Chicago in the fifth round of last April's Draft after he delivered a blazing 4.38 in the 40-yard dash during the NFL combine. His snap share has risen steadily from 34% during the Bears season opener to a season-high 74% in Week 4. That has improved his overall snap share to 58%, which is higher than the 52% of third-year receiver Anthony Miller. Mooney's target total has also elevated to the season season-high nine that he collected in Week 4 (3/3/5/9).
Mooney is now second only to Allen Robinson among Chicago wide receivers in targets (20), target share (13.0), receptions (13), and receiving yards (145). Miller has been a perpetual disappointment while Mooney's stock is on the rise. His current shoulder issue should be monitored, his prospects for delivering expanding target and yardage totals as the season progresses are legitimate.
5. The situation surrounding Atlanta’s trio of wide receivers has transformed dramatically after their seasons began with a promising sequence in September. Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Russell Gage were in a three-way tie for fifth in targets (12) following the Falcons’ season opener and were also tied for fourth with nine receptions. Jones was leading the NFL in receiving yards (157) while Ridley was fourth (130), and Gage was tied for sixth (114). Jones and Ridley were both among the top five in air yards, as they entered Week 2.
But the situation began to degenerate due to Jones’ protracted hamstring issue. He only caught two of his four targets in Week 2, then was sidelined during Atlanta’s Week 3 matchup with Chicago. However, Ridley did surge to the league lead in touchdowns (4), receiving yards (239), and first downs (16), and was fourth in targets (22) and third in receptions (16). Gage was eighth in targets (21), sixth in receptions (16), and third in first downs (12) while contributing to the team’s aerial attack from the slot.
But Gage encountered his own statistical decline in Week 3 when a concussion limited him to 12 snaps. Ridley was still able to commandeer a double-digit target total for the third consecutive week (13). He was the top point per game scorer, surged to the league lead in air yards (599), and was also second in receptions for first downs. Despite pregame concerns regarding the health of each receiver, Matt Ryan began the team’s Week 4 matchup with Jones, Ridley, and Gage in the lineup. However, the ever-changing outcomes for Falcon receivers shifted once again in Week 4, as Olamide Zaccheaus led the team in snap share (76%), targets (9), receptions (8), and receiving yards (86). Jones’ lingering hamstring issue prevented him from finishing the contest, while Ridley shockingly failed to garner any of his five targets.
Anyone with the Falcons’ primary receivers on their rosters has now been forced to remain flexible with their expectations. Ridley’s latest performance resulted in a drastic decline from his recent production and is likely an aberration. But it is uncertain how long Jones will be impacted by his injury. Anyone with Jones on their rosters can add Zaccheaus, as his role will temporarily expand.
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