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Wide Receiver Snap Counts and Target Trends - Week 9 Analysis

Phil Clark looks back at Week 9 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. As the season unfolds, 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 ninth 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 nine weeks of data, which bolsters 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, NextGenStats, Rotowire, and Football Outsiders were all used as resources in compiling this data.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Week 9 Target Leaders  

Wide Receivers Total Targets Targets-Per-Game Yards-Per-Target
DeAndre Hopkins 92 10.2 7.2
Julian Edelman 90 10 7.4
Michael Thomas 89 11.1 9.8
Cooper Kupp 87 10.9 9.1
Keenan Allen 84 9.3 7.8
Tyler Boyd 83 10.4 6.5
Mike Evans 83 10.4 10.1
Julio Jones 74 9.3 9.6
Chris Godwin 72 9 10.6
Tyler Lockett 72 8 10.7
Allen Robinson 71 8.9 7.5
D.J. Chark 70 7.8 9.9
Courtland Sutton 68 7.5 10.2
D.J. Moore 68 8.5 8.3
Odell Beckham 67 8.4 8.6
Jarvis Landry 67 8.4 8.3
Larry Fitzgerald 63 7 7.7
Kenny Golladay 62 7.8 10.3
Mohamed Sanu 61 6.8 6.8
Robert Woods 60 7.5 7.9
Curtis Samuel 60 7.5 6.8
John Brown 60 7.5 10.1
Preston Williams 60 7.5 7.1
Jamison Crowder 59 7.4 6.9
Emmanuel Sanders 58 6.4 8.7
Marvin Jones 57 7.1 9.4
Amari Cooper 57 7.1 12.3
Sammy Watkins 56 8 8.4
Dede Westbrook 55 6.9 7
Alshon Jeffery 55 6.9 6.4
Cole Beasley 55 6.9 6.1
Auden Tate 54 7.7 7.2
Mike Williams 54 6.8 10
Nelson Agholor 54 6 5.2
D.K. Metcalf 54 6 9.7
Christian Kirk 53 8.8 6.2
Stefon Diggs 53 5.9 13.1
Terry McLaurin 52 6.5 9.6
Devante Parker 52 6.5 7.7
Calvin Ridley 51 6.4 8.7
JuJu Smith-Schuster 51 6.4 9
Will Fuller 49 7 9.2
Robby Anderson 47 5.9 7.3
Davante Adams 47 9.4 8.9
T.Y. Hilton 46 7.7 7.8
Michael Gallup 46 7.7 9.9
Chris Conley 46 5.1 10

DeAndre Hopkins’ 92 targets exceed the total of all other wide receivers, while Julian Edelman has vaulted into second overall (90). No other receiver has attained 90+ targets, although five other players have collected 80+ - Michael Thomas (89), Cooper Kupp (87), Keenan Allen (84), Mike Evans (83), and Tyler Boyd (83). Julio Jones (74), Tyler Lockett (72), Chris Godwin (72), Allen Robinson (71), and D.J. Chark (70), complete the list of 12 receivers that have captured at least 70 targets through Week 9.

Lockett’s 72 targets have already surpassed his previous career-best which had been established in 2018 (70). That is just one of his numbers that will be examined further in the 5 Things I Noticed Section.

Edelman also leads all wide receivers with 49 targets over the past four weeks. He is followed by Hopkins (48), and Evans (45) as the only receivers who have collected 40+. Lockett (36), Golden Tate (36), Thomas (34), Marvin Jones (33), D.J. Chark (33), and Tyreek Hill (32) lead a group of 14 receivers that have attained 30+.

The 28 targets that Mike Evans has stockpiled during his last two matchups have raised his target-per-game average by exactly two yards (8.4/10.4). That is also the highest two-week total at his position. That was followed by Hopkins and Lockett (24), Landry (23), Edelman (22), Chark (21), D.J. Moore (19) and Mohamed Sanu (19).

Hopkins, Edelman, and Thomas have all registered 11+ targets in four consecutive contests, while Evans and Landry have received 10+ in two straight games. Thomas and Edelman have both collected 10+ targets in six different matchups, while Hopkins, Kupp, Allen, and Boyd have accomplished it five times.

 

Largest Weekly Changes 

Wide Receivers Total Targets  Week 8 Targets Week 9 Targets Weekly Changes
Tyler Lockett 72 6 18 12
Mohamed Sanu 61 5 14 9
Marvin Jones 57 5 10 5
Mike Evans 83 12 16 4
Jamison Crowder 59 5 9 4
Emmanuel Sanders 58 5 9 4
Nelson Agholor 54 4 8 4
D.K. Metcalf 54 5 9 4
A.J. Brown 41 3 7 4
Zach Pascal 27 2 6 4
Jarvis Landry 67 10 13 3
Courtland Sutton 68 6 8 2
Preston Williams 60 7 9 2
Sammy Watkins 56 8 10 2
Alshon Jeffery 55 6 8 2
Chris Godwin 72 8 9 1
D.J. Moore 68 9 10 1
Odell Beckham 67 7 6 -1
Kenny Golladay 62 8 7 -1
John Brown 60 8 7 -1
Corey Davis 45 6 5 -1
DeAndre Hopkins 92 13 11 -2
Allen Robinson 71 7 5 -2
Mike Williams 54 6 4 -2
DeVante Parker 52 8 6 -2
Robby Anderson 47 6 4 -2
Adam Humphries 41 6 4 -2
D.J. Chark 70 12 9 -3
Stefon Diggs 53 7 4 -3
Danny Amendola 44 8 5 -3
JuJu Smith-Schuster 51 9 5 -4
Golden Tate 42 10 6 -4
Curtis Samuel 60 11 6 -5
Cole Beasley 55 7 2 -5
Keenan Allen 84 10 4 -6
Christian Kirk 53 11 5 -6

Exactly 10 receivers were targeted at least 10 times in Week 9, while several of those players established or tied their career highs in the process. Lockett performed in 63 games from 2015 to 2018 yet never reached a double-digit target total. But he has now accomplished it three times this season, including the career-best 18 that he attained in Week 9.

That was the largest weekly total among all wide receivers, followed by Mike Evans (16), Mohamed Sanu (14), Jarvis Landry (13), Davante Adams (11), Julian Edelman (11), DeAndre Hopkins (11), and Marvin Jones, Sammy Watkins and D.J. Moore with 10.

Lockett’s 18 targets represented a substantial rise from his Week 8 total (+12), which resulted in the largest increase of the week. Sanu was second with a surge of +9, following his season-best total of 14. Marvin Jones’ weekly totals have fluctuated significantly during his last four matchups (5/13/5/10), which includes this week’s third-largest rise +5. A collection of seven receivers were next with increases of +4 - Jamison Crowder, Emmanuel Sanders, Nelson AgholorD.K. Metcalf, A.J. Brown, and Zach Pascal.

Just one week after Christian Kirk eclipsed double-digits for the third time this season (11), Kirk received a season-low five targets in Week 9. That tied him with Keenan Allen for the largest decline of the week (-6), after Allen was limited to a season-low four targets. Allen's usage and production will be examined in the 5 Things I Noticed section.

Curtis Samuel and Cole Beasley both experienced a drop of -5, while the weekly totals for Golden Tate and JuJu Smith-Schuster decreased by -4. Stefon Diggs, D.J. Chark, and Danny Amendola all registered declines of -3.

Sanu's 14 targets extended his season total to 61. If he were to continue at his current 6.8 per-game average, then the eight-year veteran would surpass his career-high of 96. However, he should encounter competition for targets from N'Keal Harry, who should become increasingly involved in the upcoming weeks.

Tyreek Hill has now accumulated 32 targets since his Week 6 return (10/5/9/8). His current 7.0 per-game average is nearly two targets fewer than the career-best 8.6 that he attained during 2018.

 

Week 9 Yards-Per-Target Leaders

Stefon Diggs leads all receivers in yards-per-target 13.4 followed by Kenny Stills 13.1. Amari Cooper is the only other receiver who is exceeded 12 (12.4), while Zach Pascal (11.9), Mecole Hardman (11.7), and Hardman's teammate Tyreek Hill 11.4 are all averaging 11+. Tyler Lockett (10.7) spearheads a group of 11 receivers that are averaging at least 10 yards per target -  Chris Godwin,  A.J. Brown, Tyrell Williams, Kenny Golladay, Keelan Cole, Courtland Sutton, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mike Evans, John Brown, and Chris Conley.

Pascal's 11.9 average has been constructed with an average of  10.3  or more in four different contests. That includes the 12.7 yard-per-target average that he attained in Week 9. Lockett has averaged at least 12.8 yards-per-target in five different contests, which has propelled him to the overall 10.7 average.  Emmanuel Sanders registered a season-worst 5.0 yards-per-target average in Week 8. But in Week 9, Sanders’ averaged a season-best 12.4 per-target.

Kenny Golladay leads all receivers in average depth of target (aDOT) among players that have been targeted 40+ times (16.4). Curtis Samuel is second (15.5), followed by Chris Conley (15.3), Stefon Diggs (15.4), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (15.1), (15), Tyrell Williams (15), Mike Williams (14.8), Robby Anderson (14.5), and DeVante Parker (14.3).

 

Week 9 Targeted Air Yards Leaders 

Kenny Golladay now leads all wide receivers in targeted air yards (17), followed by Darius Slayton (16.7), James Washington (16.6), Mike Evans (15.8), Tyreek Hill (15.8), Curtis Samuel (15.7), Chris Conley (15.4), Mike Williams (15.2), and Robby Anderson (15). Nine receivers are averaging a percentage of 14+ - Stefon Diggs (14.9), Tyrell Williams (14.9), Ted Ginn (14.7), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (14.7), DeVante Parker (14.6), Demarcus Robinson (14.5), John Brown (14.5), Brandin Cooks (14.4), Preston Williams (14.3), and D.K. Metcalf (14.2).

Evans leads the league in air yards (1,268), followed by Golladay (1,017), Keenan Allen (1,010), Samuel (944), DeAndre Hopkins (932), Julio Jones (927), D.J. Chark (912), Preston Williams (875), John Brown (846), Courtland Sutton (825), and Stefon Diggs (816) completing the top 10. Chris Godwin, Amari Cooper, and Marvin Jones are among the 12 additional receivers that have accumulated 700+ through nine weeks.

 

% Share Of Team’s Air Yards Leaders

Courtland Sutton has emerged as the new leader in percentage share of the team’s air yards (44.1). This is not particularly surprising considering the dearth of competition for targets that now exists on the Broncos. Stefon Diggs is second (43.7), followed by Allen Robinson (41.4), Mike Evans (40.75), Terry McLaurin (40.2), Michael Thomas (40.1), Robby Anderson (39.75), John Brown (39.3), Curtis Samuel (38.43), D.J. Chark (37.11), DeAndre Hopkins (35.08), Keenan Allen (35.1), Julio Jones (34.81), Odell Beckham (34.0), and Preston Willians (33.07).

As Cincinnati returns to game action in Week 10, Tyler Boyd leads the Bengals in this category (29.7). He is followed closely by Auden Tate (25.4) while Alex Erickson is third (15.0). We still await the return of A. J. Green which would alter the composition of these percentages. Marquez Valdes-Scantling currently leads the Packers 25.4 while Davante Adams is second 20.5. But Adams will capture a higher percentage as the weeks progress.

Among Kansas City wide receivers, Demarcus Robinson’19.4 percentage is slightly beyond Tyreek Hill’s 18.5, and Sammy Watkins’ 17.8. Travis Kelce leads the Chiefs at 23.8. Keenan Allen leads the Chargers with a 35.1% share, while Mike Williams is second (27.2). Their recent usage and production will be discussed further in the 5 Things I Noticed section.

 

Week 9 Red Zone Target Leaders 

Wide Receiver Total Red Zone Targets  Week 8 Red Zone Targets Week 9 Red Zone Targets Largest Weekly Changes Targets Inside 10 
Julian Edelman 18 5 4 -1 7
Mike Evans 15 3 2 -1 7
Tyler Lockett 14 0 5 5 5
Michael Thomas 13 2 BYE BYE 5
Auden Tate 13 4 BYE BYE 7
D.K. Metcalf 12 2 1 -1 4
Courtland Sutton 11 1 0 -1 4
Emmanuel Sanders 11 1 1 0 7
Marvin Jones 11 1 1 0 6
Kenny Golladay 11 1 2 1 9
Keenan Allen 10 0 0 0 4
Cooper Kupp 10 0 BYE BYE 4
Mike Williams 10 2 0 -2 5
D.J. Chark 10 3 1 -2 4
Jarvis Landry 10 0 3 3 7
Preston Williams 10 0 3 3 3
Chris Godwin 9 1 0 -1 6
Allen Robinson 9 1 0 -1 5
Deebo Samuel 9 2 2 0 3
DeAndre Hopkins 9 1 1 0 4
T.Y. Hilton 8 1 BYE -1 BYE
Larry Fitzgerald 8 1 0 -1 7
Terry McLaurin 8 2 0 -2 6
Curtis Samuel 8 0 2 2 3
Alshon Jeffery 7 0 0 0 4
Geronimo Allison 7 1 0 -1 3
Jamison Crowder 7 0 4 4 1
Mohamed Sanu 7 0 2 2 3

Julian Edelman leads all receivers with 18 red zone targets. This is the second consecutive week in which Edelman has paced his position, after collecting 12 during his last three matchups. Mike Evans is second overall (15), followed by Tyler Lockett (14), Michael Thomas (13), Arden Tate (13), D.K. Metcalf (12), and four receivers that have captured 11 red zone targets - Courtland Sutton, Kenny Golladay, Golladay‘s teammate Marvin Jones, and Sutton‘s former teammate Emmanuel Sanders.

Six other receivers have attained 10 red zone targets - Cooper Kupp, D.J. Chark, Keenan Allen, Jarvis Landry, Mike Williams, and Preston Williams - even though he has experienced the unfortunate knee injury. Chris Godwin and DeAndre Hopkins lead a group of four receivers that have been targeted nine times through Week 9.

Tyler Lockett led all receivers in red zone targets during Week 9 by capturing five during the Seahawks' matchup with Tampa Bay. Edelman and Jamison Crowder were both targeted four times during their contests, while Jarvis Landry, Preston Williams, and Golden Tate attained three. Mike Evans and Kenny Golladay led a collection of 12 receivers that were targeted twice.

Golladay has now led all receivers with nine targets inside the 10 for two consecutive weeks. Evans, Edelman, Landry, Larry Fitzgerald, Arden Tate, and Sanders have all collected seven targets, while Godwin, Marvin Jones, Terry McLaurin, and T.Y. Hilton have been targeted six times. 

 

Week 9 Snap Count Leaders

Wide Receivers Week 9 Snaps Week 9    Snap % Total Snaps Total Snap %
DeAndre Hopkins 70 100% 629 97.52
Tyler Lockett 69 92% 604 93.79
Julian Edelman 67 100% 585 88.37
Nelson Agholor 69 88.70% 577 88.77
Chris Godwin 76 96.20% 562 95.74
Robert Woods BYE BYE 540 94.08
Courtland Sutton 47 94% 540 91.99
Odell Beckham 71 94.70% 529 97.24
Mike Evans 68 86% 528 89.95
Keenan Allen 63 87% 520 88.89
Larry Fitzgerald 54 94.70% 513 84.93
Michael Thomas BYE BYE 513 93.27
D.K. Metcalf 71 94.70% 513 79.66
Jarvis Landry 71 94.70% 512 94.12
Tyler Boyd BYE BYE 508 90.55
D.J. Moore 67 94.30% 498 90.88
Mohamed Sanu 67 100% 494 40.33
Marvin Jones 63 88.80% 493 88.19
Cooper Kupp BYE BYE 492 85.71
Chris Conley 59 88.30% 491 77.69
D.J. Chark 64 95.50% 489 77.37
Allen Robinson 43 95.50% 484 92.72
John Brown 54 87% 483 87.66
Emmanuel Sanders 70 94.60% 483 41.46
Kenny Golladay 58 81.70% 481 86.05
Curtis Samuel 53 74.70% 474 86.5
Corey Davis 58 77.30% 469 78.3
Robby Anderson 67 95.70% 467 92.66
Stefon Diggs 63 88.70% 463 77.04
Demarcus Robinson 24 40% 457 78.39
Marquez Valdes-Scantling 37 68.50% 454 75.17
Brandin Cooks BYE BYE 446 77.7
DeVante Parker 57 82.60% 440 85.6
Mike Williams 65 91.50% 439 75.04
Terry McLaurin 51 100% 439 84.59
Julio Jones BYE BYE 422 74.96
Alshon Jeffery 70 79.50% 420 64.62
Amari Cooper 61 85.90% 416 73.89
JuJu Smith-Schuster 47 74.60% 415 83.33
Phillip Dorsett 66 98.50% 413 62.39
Preston Williams 51 73.10% 412 80.16
Calvin Ridley BYE BYE 411 73
Auden Tate BYE BYE 411 73.26
Jamison Crowder 59 84.20% 410 81.35
Will Fuller INJ INJ 407 63.1
Paul Richardson 242 47% 397 76.49
Willie Snead 42 60% 394 65.78
Dede Westbrook INJ INJ 391 61.87
Mack Hollins 42 47% 379 58.31
Sammy Watkins 54 90% 376 64.49
Trey Quinn 31 61% 372 71.68
Daesean Hamilton 32 64% 372 63.37
Michael Gallup 65 91.60% 365 64.83
Geronimo Allison 35 64.80% 365 60.43

Two wide receivers have performed on 600+ snaps, as DeAndre Hopkins leads the league with 629, followed by Tyler Lockett with 604. Julian Edelman is next (585), followed by Nelson Agholor (577), Chris Godwin (562), Robert Woods (540), Courtland Sutton (540), Odell Beckham (529), Mike Evans (528) and Keenan Allen (520) completing the top 10.

Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Thomas, and D.K. Metcalf are next (513), followed by Jarvis Landry (512) and Tyler Boyd (508). No other wide receivers have played on 500+ snaps.

Hopkins also leads his position in offensive snap percentage (97.5), followed by Beckham (97.2), Godwin (95.7), Landry (94.1), Woods (94.1), Lockett (93.8), Thomas (93.2), Allen Robinson (92.7), Robby Anderson (92.6), Sutton (92.0), Moore (90.9), and Boyd (90.6).

Five different receivers performed on 100% of their teams' offensive snaps in Week 9 - Hopkins, Edelman, Sanu, Tyreek Hill, and Terry McLaurin. Phillip Dorsett was next (98.5), followed by Christian Kirk (96.5), Godwin (96.2), Anderson (95.7), Robinson (95.6), Chark (95.5), Larry Fitzgerald (94.7), Cleveland teammates Beckham and Landry (94.7), and D.K. Metcalf (94.7).

After averaging 28.6 snaps from Weeks 1-3, Zach Pascal has averaged 52 during his last five contests. That number rose to 62 in Weeks 8/9. Demarcus Robinson played on at least 91% of Kansas City’s snaps from Weeks 2-5, but that percentage has steadily declined. Each of his last three counts established new season lows, including the 40% that he attained in Week 9.

 

Five Things I Noticed

1, Josh Gordon’s impending debut with the Seahawks could potentially transpire this week. At age 28, Gordon still possesses enough talent to boost the already burgeoning capabilities of Seattle’s ninth-ranked passing attack.

The Seahawks have already generated a league-high 22 touchdowns through the air, and Gordon will blend favorably with Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf to enhance Russell Wilson’s already potent arsenal of receiving weaponry. But even though the addition of Gordon will be beneficial for the Seahawks, he will not alter Lockett’s role as Seattle’s WR1, nor should his presence negatively impact Metcalf. Lockett is in the process of ascending into the league’s select group of elite receivers. His 72 targets have already surpassed his previous career-best, which was mentioned in the weekly target leader section (2018-70). Lockett is currently fourth overall with a career-high 59 receptions and is also fourth in receiving yards (767). His 85.2 yard-per-game average is seventh overall and is 25 yards higher than his previous best (60.3).

Metcalf also continues to assemble encouraging numbers during his first season, as he leads the Seahawks in average depth of target (aDOT) (14.0) and is second in team’s percentage of air yards (27.7). Metcalf is also second to Lockett in targets (54), receptions (29), and receiving yards (525). While Gordon’s last highly productive season occurred in 2013, he did collect 41 of 71 targets for 737 yards in 2018. If he can remain on the field, the attention that opposing defense must divert toward accounting for Gordon will create additional space for Lockett and Metcalf. This will enable Seattle’s trio of primary receiving options to create enormous headaches for their opponents.

2. 24-year-old Zach Pascal did not register his first target until Week 3. However, the second-year receiver has now received 6+ in three of his last five matchups. That includes the team-high 6 that he attained in Week 9 against the Steelers.

Pascal has also accumulated 72+ yards during three of his last five contests, including the 76 that he accrued against Pittsburgh. That has elevated what had been a paltry 1.0 target-per-game average entering Week 4, to a 4.8 average during that his last five games. T.Y. Hilton‘s troublesome calf injury forced him to miss the Colts’ Week 9 matchup, and appears destined to sideline him for multiple weeks. This has vaulted Pascal into WR1 responsibilities with Indianapolis. Despite his limited involvement earlier this season, Pascal is second on the Colts with 321 receiving yards and should capture the team lead after this week’s matchup with Miami.

He leads Indy in both yards-per reception (16.9) and yards-per-target (11.9.), as the Colts have deployed him almost evenly in the slot (51%) and outside (49%). Pascal has also garnered opportunities near the goal line, as four of his red zone targets have been distributed since Week 7. Jacoby Brissett’s availability is a factor when determining Pascal’s value, although there is currently optimism that Brissett can emerge under center this week against the Dolphins. However, even if Brian Hoyer guides the offense, that should not deter you from considering Pascal as a viable WR3 option. While there is potential for Devin Funchess to resurface in Week 11, Pascal should retain favorable usage and output for the foreseeable future.

3. When the Jaguars return from their Week 10 bye, Nick Foles will recapture the role of Jacksonville’s starter. But as we await his reemergence under center, we can breakdown how Gardner Minshew distributed targets while he spearheaded the aerial attack.

D.J. Chark’s 70 targets lead the Jaguars, followed by Dede Westbrook (55), Chris Conley (46), and Keelan Cole (12). However, when you focus on the numbers from Weeks 7-9, the disparity between Jacksonville’s receiving weaponry diminishes considerably. Chark accumulated 26 targets, including 21 during the past two matchups (5/12/9). But Chris Conley and Keelan Cole became factors within the Jaguar passing attack while Westbrook has contended with neck and shoulder issues. Conley captured 21 targets, which has been built by accruing seven targets in three consecutive games. Cole has also attained 10 targets, including a team-high six in Week 9.

Cole only performed on 53 snaps from Weeks 1-6. But he has accumulated 46 snaps during Jacksonville‘s last two matchups. He has also collected eight of his 10 targets during that sequence while assembling 94 yards and two touchdowns - including his team-best 80 yards in Week 9. When the Jacksonville passing attack reappears in Week 11, Chark should resume WR1 usage and production. Even though Westbrook could resurface in the lineup, that does not diminish the rationale for targeting Conley and Cole from your waiver wires, as they currently have a combined ownership percentage of 19%. Cole is a viable addition in deeper leagues, as he could emerge as a productive resource in the upcoming weeks.

4. As we entered Week 4, Keenan Allen had a stranglehold on the league lead in targets (42), and his season total was a full nine targets higher than second-place Michael Thomas.

Allen had also captured 29 of those passes while stockpiling 404 yards (134.6 per-game) during that sequence. Allen was clearly on a blistering pace, that would have equated to 192 targets, 136 receptions, and 1,808 yards. He was also fourth overall in percentage share of team’s air yards (45.92) and was tied for third with seven red zone targets. Unfortunately for Allen owners, the Chargers have played five more contests since that time, and those highly embraceable early-season averages have been eviscerated.

Since Week 4, what had been a 9.6 target-per-game average has dropped to 7 per-game, while that stellar yards-per-game average has also plummeted by an amazing 92.5 yards to just 42.1 from Weeks 5-9. Allen has also been targeted just three times in the red zone since Week 5, after accumulating seven from Weeks 1-3. As Allen was assembling outstanding numbers during those initial three games, Mike Williams was third in each of those categories - (15 targets/8 receptions/157 yards). But since Week 5, Williams has procured more targets than Allen (38/37), while also accumulating more receptions (21/20), and receiving yards (373/205).

William has also accrued more air yards (584/476) and has attained seven of his 10 red zone targets. Allen should deliver several high quality performances as the year progresses, including this week’s matchup with Oakland. But as Williams continues his statistical ascension, a return to the usage and output that Allen experienced in September is unlikely.

5. If you invested a late first-round or early second-round draft pick on JuJu Smith-Schuster, you were anticipating a highly productive season.

That optimism was based upon his outstanding 2018 numbers, when Smith-Schuster finished fourth among all receivers in targets (166), fifth in receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,426), and 10th with 18 receptions of 20+ yards. He also eclipsed 100 yards in eight different contests, finished 12th in air yards (1,445), and was second only to Davante Adams with 29 red zone targets. But the script has changed this season due to a convergence of universally unfavorable factors.

His 10.4 target-per-game average from 2018 has dropped to just 6.4 this season. He is currently 40th in targets (51), 30th in receptions (33), 30th in receiving yards (459), and has only been targeted five times in the red zone. He has also failed to exceed 16 yards in three of his last five matchups, and is on pace to collect 66 receptions, and accumulate 920 yards. That is certainly not a level of usage and output that owners signed up for, and there is limited rationale that indicates a statistical resurgence is looming.

Ben Roethlisberger will not be under center this season. Antonio Brown will not attract the attention of opposing coordinators, nor will he garner coverage from multiple defenders that open space for Smith-Schuster to run his routes. The Steelers will need to build an offensive strategy that is predicated on the strengths and limitations of Mason Rudolph. This will include consistent targeting of their running backs (James Conner 4,4 per-game/Jaylen Samuels 4,7 per-game). That will result in more matchups that will perpetuate the discouragement of Smith-Schuster owners.

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Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Wan'Dale Robinson

Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
Joe Flacco

Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP