Targets and Touches will only have players’ six most recent games, regardless if they were active or on a bye. The data will be in descending order of games played.
All targets and touches data is compiled from Pro Football Reference. Air yards data is sourced via Josh Hermsmeyer’s AirYards.com. Cornerback and routes run data is sourced via Pro Football Focus. The AFC will be released on Tuesdays, while the NFC is published on Wednesday.
The goal of these articles is to give you an idea of what the usage looks like for each player within their offenses, allowing you to spot any positive or negative trends regarding how a player is being used, and most importantly — letting the numbers tell the story.
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Baltimore Ravens
Targets: Michael Crabtree (3, 6, 4, 4, 1, 4), John Brown (1, 7, 4, 6, 3, 6), Willie Snead (8, 0, 3, 7, 6, 0), Kenneth Dixon (X, X, 1, 1, 1, 3)
Air Yards: John Brown (14, 70, 102, 63, 37, 96), Michael Crabtree (38, 72, 28, 43, 9, 39), Willie Snead (58, 0, 19, 73, 48, 0), Kenneth Dixon (X, X, 3, 4, -4, -5)
Receiving Yards: John Brown (23, 25, 0, 23, 9, 27), Michael Crabtree (7, 21, 36, 31, 0, 20), Willie Snead (51, 0, 8, 61, 58, 0), Kenneth Dixon (X, X, 6, 21, 2, 20)
Carries: Gus Edwards (17, 23, 21, 16, 19, 14), Lamar Jackson (27, 11, 17, 13, 18, 13), Kenneth Dixon (X, X, 8, 8, 11, 8)
RZ Targets: John Brown (0, 2, 0, 1, 0, 0), Michael Crabtree (0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 2), Willie Snead (2, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0)
RZ Carries: Gus Edwards1 (2, 5, 0, 3, 3, 1), Lamar Jackson (6, 1, 3, 4, 2, 2), Kenneth Dixon (X, X, 0, 1, 1, 2)
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CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Brandon Carr (1-32, 4-76, 4-27, 3-30, 0-0, 5-41), Marlon Humphrey (X, X, X, 3-29, 2-13, 3-20), Jimmy Smith (2-10, 2-20, 5-46, 8-63, 3-96, 1-17)
Observations: Kenneth Dixon has actually out-snapped Gus Edwards 68 to 56 the past two weeks, but the latter has still dominated in opportunity with 34 touches to Dixon’s 22. Edwards’ snap rate has declined in every outing since Dixon returned in Week 13, though, painting an early picture of what we should expect from this backfield should the Ravens make the tournament. He’s a thin option on Sunday since every player at his position is going, but take a mental note of Mark Andrews’ recent usage, too. The third-round rookie has run the most routes among Baltimore’s tight ends in every game the past four weeks, setting himself up to be an enticing postseason small-slate DFS option if the Ravens do sneak in. Andrews has exploded for plays of 74, 68, 30, 29, 21, 21, and 20 yards despite his limited role in the first half of the year.
Buffalo Bills
Targets: Zay Jones (BYE, 0, 9, 9, 6, 9), Robert Foster (BYE, 3, 4, 8, 5, 7), Isaiah McKenzie (BYE, 3, 4, 7, 7, 8), LeSean McCoy (BYE, 1, 4, 1, X, 3), Chris Ivory (BYE, 0, 0, 1, X, X)
Air Yards: Zay Jones (BYE, 15, 151, 127, 138, 147), Robert Foster (BYE, 50, 142, 91, 123, 148), Isaiah McKenzie (BYE, 4, 77, 74, 40, 99), LeSean McCoy (BYE, -5, -6, -8, X, -8), Chris Ivory (BYE, 0, 0, -3, X, X)
Receiving Yards: Zay Jones (BYE, 0, 67, 22, 11, 67), Robert Foster (BYE, 94, 27, 104, 108, 52), Isaiah McKenzie (BYE, 11, 46, 47, 53, 8), LeSean McCoy (BYE, 7, 12, 0, X, 10), Chris Ivory (BYE, 0, 0, 0, X, X)
Carries: LeSean McCoy (BYE, 17, 15, 2, X, 6), Josh Allen (BYE, 13, 9, 9, 9, 5), Chris Ivory (BYE, 3, 6, 12, X, X)
RZ Targets: Zay Jones (BYE, 0, 1, 3, 0, 1), Robert Foster (BYE, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0), LeSean McCoy (BYE, 0, 1, 0, X, 0), Isaiah McKenzie (BYE, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0)
RZ Carries: Josh Allen (BYE, 3, 0, 1, 3, 0), LeSean McCoy (BYE, 3, 2, 1, X, 1), Chris Ivory (BYE, 0, 1, 1, X, X)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Tre’Davious White (BYE, 0-0, 3-15, 3-51-1, 6-90, 0-0), Levi Wallace (BYE, 1-29, 2-11, 2-10, 2-28-1, 1-4)
Observations: Even with backup Chris Ivory (shoulder) out, LeSean McCoy was peculiarly benched for the first play against the Patriots and finished with merely nine touches on 31 snaps (50.8%). Keith Ford “started” and got a similar number of snaps (30) and touches (9). Despite their juicy on-paper matchup against Miami’s defense this Sunday, neither can be trusted (especially if Ivory is back). The Dolphins have, however, been diced for the seventh-most rushing yards (288) by opposing quarterbacks, setting the stage for one final opportunity to take advantage of Josh Allen’s rushing upside in 2018. He can even be stacked with Robert Foster, who accrued a team-high 148 air yards and was just fingertips away from finishing with two touchdowns and 100-plus yards rather than the 4/52 the box score shows.
Cincinnati Bengals
Targets: Tyler Boyd (11, 8, 8, 6, 5, X), Joe Mixon (3, 7, 2, 6, 4, 2), Giovani Bernard (4, 1, 8, 2, 2, 2), John Ross (7, 7, 3, 4, 5, 5), C.J. Uzomah (5, 13, 7, 3, 5, 5)
Air Yards: Tyler Boyd (142, 65, 95, 104, 91, X), John Ross (96, 115, 46, 6, 94, 23), C.J. Uzomah (53, 60, 16, 23, 62, 33), Giovani Bernard (0, 7, -6, 5, 0, -1), Joe Mixon (-1, 6, -4, -13, 11, -1)
Receiving Yards: Joe Mixon (38, 66, 13, 27, 1, 10), Tyler Boyd (71, 85, 97, 52, 38, X), Giovani Bernard (20, 12, 32, 13, 25, 0), C.J. Uzomah (41, 39, 33, 37, 27, 49), John Ross (27, 31, 13, 11, 6, 3)
Carries: Joe Mixon (12, 14, 12, 26, 27, 17), Giovani Bernard (2, 1, 5, 3, 6, 0)
RZ Targets: John Ross (0, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1), Joe Mixon (0, 2, 0, 0, 1, 0), Tyler Boyd (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0), C.J. Uzomah (1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1), Giovani Bernard (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)
RZ Carries: Joe Mixon (2, 0, 0, 4, 7, 1), Giovani Bernard (0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: William Jackson (0-0, 2-13, 2-34, 2-9, 0-0, 3-48-1), Dre Kirkpatrick (0-0, X, 2-20, X, 2-20, 0-0), Darqueze Dennard (3-25, 1-14, 1-14, 2-28, 6-82, 4-32)
Observations: No observations.
Cleveland Browns
Targets: Jarvis Landry (BYE, 5, 9, 4, 8, 8), David Njoku (BYE, 5, 6, 4, 5, 4), Rashard Higgins (BYE, 3, 4, 3, 3, 7), Duke Johnson (BYE, 2, 3, 0, 5, 6), Antonio Callaway (BYE, 5, 6, 1, 7, 1), Nick Chubb (BYE, 3, 3, 6, 1, 3), Breshad Perriman (BYE, 1, 2, 2, 2, 4)
Air Yards: Jarvis Landry (BYE, 42, 146, 118, 71, 133), David Njoku (BYE, 21, 58, 49, 69, 31), Rashard Higgins (BYE, 42, 57, 34, 44, 33), Antonio Callaway (BYE, 100, 65, -2, 42, 39), Duke Johnson (BYE, 27, 11, 0, 15, 19), Nick Chubb (BYE, 9, -6, 26, 7, -5), Breshad Perriman (BYE, 4, 56, 68, 57, 96)
Receiving Yards: Jarvis Landry (BYE, 30, 103, 57, 37, 47), David Njoku (BYE, 63, 8, 35, 30, 73), Rashard Higgins (BYE, 24, 62, 19, 30, 60), Antonio Callaway (BYE, 62, 84, 0, 35, 0), Duke Johnson (BYE, 23, 12, 0, 25, 54), Nick Chubb (BYE, 44, 41, 17, 0, 3), Breshad Perriman (BYE, 6, 26, 81, 31, 76)
Carries: Nick Chubb (BYE, 28, 9, 13, 20, 19), Duke Johnson (BYE, 2, 0, 2, 4, 2)
RZ Targets: Jarvis Landry (BYE, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1), Antonio Callaway (BYE, 2, 0, 0, 1, 0), Duke Johnson (BYE, 1, 0, 0, 0, 2), Rashard Higgins (BYE, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1), David Njoku (BYE, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1), Nick Chubb (BYE, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0), Breshad Perriman (BYE, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1)
RZ Carries: Nick Chubb (BYE, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4), Duke Johnson (BYE, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Denzel Ward (BYE, 3-23, 1-2, X, X, 3-35), T.J. Carrie (BYE, 4-26, 4-55, 3-42, 4-55, 1-28), Briean Boddy-Calhoun (BYE, 4-32, 4-20, 3-33, 7-36, 1-7)
Observations: Breshad Perriman saw his highest target total since Week 9 (when OC Freddie Kitchens was first promoted), but note that his role didn’t change. He stayed running the fourth-most routes (23) for Cleveland behind Jarvis Landry (36), Antonio Callaway (31), and Rashard Higgins (28). You’re on your own choosing any of them against Baltimore’s secondary, which is one of only three units to have allowed single-digit touchdowns to opposing wideouts this year.
Denver Broncos
Targets: Courtland Sutton (6, 4, 7, 6, 6, 10), Phillip Lindsay (5, 0, 1, 7, 6, 2), Devontae Booker (1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 5), Matt LaCosse (2, 4, 1, 1, 6, X), Tim Patrick (1, 0, 0, 10, 8, 5), DaeSean Hamilton (2, 2, 0, 7, 12, 9)
Air Yards: Courtland Sutton (72, 31, 97, 46, 61, 172), Phillip Lindsay (-10, 0, -2, 6, -2, -3), Devontae Booker (3, 13, 13, 0, 11, 12), Matt LaCosse (-3, 35, -2, -1, 28, X), Tim Patrick (5, 0, 0, 106, 59, 67), DaeSean Hamilton (9, 22, 0, 41, 125, 82)
Receiving Yards: Courtland Sutton (78, 14, 85, 14, 42, 65), Phillip Lindsay (27, 0, 2, 21, 20, 11), Devontae Booker (4, 6, 38, 11, 17, 21), Matt LaCosse (9, 34, 0, 3, 43, X), Tim Patrick (0, 0, 0, 85, 65, 44), DaeSean Hamilton (4, 13, 0, 47, 46, 40)
Carries: Phillip Lindsay (11, 14, 19, 14, 14, 10), Royce Freeman (7, 6, 12, 6, 4, 7), Devontae Booker (0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 3)
RZ Targets: Devontae Booker (0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1), Courtland Sutton (0, 0, 0, 3, 0, 2), Phillip Lindsay (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0), Matt LaCosse (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, X), DaeSean Hamilton (0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1)
RZ Carries: Phillip Lindsay (4, 1, 1, 3, 3, 1), Royce Freeman (5, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0), Devontae Booker (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Isaac Yiadom (X, 2-32, 1-11, 5-31-1, X, 3-27), Bradley Roby (1-19, 9-167-1, 2-32-1, 2-24, 3-36, 1-3), Tramaine Brock (1-29, 2-4, X, X, 3-48-1, 4-48)
Observations: The Broncos had nine whole days to rest, which was clearly enough time for Courtland Sutton’s ailing quad to heal. In what was technically his first fully healthy game since Emmanuel Sanders (Achilles’, IR) went down, Sutton amassed team-highs in targets (10), air yards (172), and routes run (39). DaeSean Hamilton kept his high floor anyhow, seeing nine targets on an equivalent amount of routes. Both unfortunately finish against a Chargers buzzsaw-unit that’s limited opposing wideouts to the seventh-fewest fantasy points on the year. DFSers are better off pivoting towards Royce Freeman (or Devontae Booker in PPR formats) as cheap volume-based cash game options in place of Phillip Lindsay (hand, out). Booker has the higher floor given that he’s doubled up Freeman on routes (198 to 96) and catches (33 to 6) this year, but the latter will remain soaking up fruitful early-down/goal line reps.
Houston Texans
Targets: DeAndre Hopkins (6, 6, 12, 10, 11, 12), Lamar Miller (5, 1, 1, 6, 0, X), Keke Coutee (9, 2, X, X, X, X), Alfred Blue (0, 1, 0, 1, 2, 5), DeAndre Carter (0, 1, 6, 1, 3, 7), D’Onta Foreman (X, X, X, X, X, 2)
Air Yards: DeAndre Hopkins (58, 117, 116, 101, 157, 133), Lamar Miller (-6, -2, 1, -8, 0, X), Keke Coutee (50, 8, X, X, X, X), Alfred Blue (0, 2, 0, 3, 6, 14), DeAndre Carter (0, 14, 1, -7, 20, 44), D’Onta Foreman (X, X, X, X, X, 18)
Receiving Yards: DeAndre Hopkins (56, 74, 91, 36, 170, 104), Lamar Miller (22, 5, 12, 19, 0, X), Keke Coutee (77, 14, X, X, X, X), Alfred Blue (0, 13, 0, 0, 9, 26), DeAndre Carter (0, 14, 32, 0, 55, 61), D’Onta Foreman (X, X, X, X, X, 28)
Carries: Lamar Miller (20, 12, 19, 14, 3, X), Deshaun Watson (3, 9, 7, 5, 4, 8), Alfred Blue (8, 13, 13, 6, 9, 4), D’Onta Foreman (X, X, X, X, X, 7)
RZ Targets: DeAndre Hopkins (1, 0, 0, 4, 2, 1), Alfred Blue (0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0), Keke Coutee (2, 0, X, X, X, X), Lamar Miller (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, X)
RZ Carries: Lamar Miller (3, 1, 1, 2, 2, X), Deshaun Watson (0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 3), Alfred Blue (0, 0, 1, 2, 1, 0), D’Onta Foreman (X, X, X, X, X, 1)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Jonathan Joseph (2-8, 3-88-1, 1-7, 2-48, 4-22, 3-27), Kareem Jackson (4-68, 0-0, 5-67, 9-87, 3-25, 2-17), Deante Burton (X, X, X, X, X, 5-55)
Observations: Alfred Blue had previously buoyed Lamar Miller’s absences into touch counts of 28, 25, and 14 in the last three seasons, but D’Onta Foreman’s 2018 debut mucked that up. Blue mustered eight touches on 34 snaps (52.3%) in a 1B timeshare with Foreman (31, 47.7%), who scored the only touchdown between the two. Miller is reportedly “trending upwards” this week, making this backfield an easy stay-away across all formats. UDFA Vyncint Smith stood out with an impressive catch that hit pay dirt, but his 24 routes still paled in comparison to former UDFA DeAndre Carter’s 40 once Demaryius Thomas (Achilles’, IR) was carted off. Carter’s strictly a WR4/DFS floor-play if Keke Coutee (hamstring, infinitely questionable) remains out.
Indianapolis Colts
Targets: Eric Ebron (0, 7, 16, 8, 3, 5), T.Y. Hilton (9, 10, 13, 12, 8, 8), Nyheim Hines (3, 2, 9, 5, 6, 5), Marlon Mack (2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3)
Air Yards: T.Y. Hilton (110, 119, 109, 154, 142, 100), Eric Ebron (0, 53, 75, 67, 36, 77), Nyheim Hines (19, -3, 6, 46, 14, 34), Marlon Mack (3, 1, 2, 15, 0, 3)
Receiving Yards: Eric Ebron (0, 45, 81, 65, 8, 28), T.Y. Hilton (155, 185, 77, 199, 85, 138), Nyheim Hines (20, 22, 50, 16, 45, 41), Marlon Mack (8, 11, 6, 0, 10, 4)
Carries: Marlon Mack (16, 15, 8, 14, 27, 12), Nyheim Hines (5, 9, 4, 3, 6, 2)
RZ Targets: Eric Ebron (1, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0), T.Y. Hilton (1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0), Nyheim Hines (0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 2), Marlon Mack (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)
RZ Carries: Marlon Mack (3, 1, 0, 1, 7, 4), Nyheim Hines (2, 3, 0, 1, 1, 1)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Kenny Moore II (10-83-1, 3-9, 7-55, 4-22, 0-0, 4-36), Pierre Desir (3-44, 3-83-1, 2-8, 1-10, 4-37, 4-79), Quincy Wilson (2-24, 0-0, 3-29, 0-0, 3-24, 1-17)
Observations: With Eric Ebron still in the league’s concussion protocol, the Colts could be down to just blocking TEs Ryan Hewitt and Mo Alie-Cox, as well as recent returnee Erik Swoope. Swoope was actually with the team earlier this year, so he’s familiar with coach Frank Reich’s offensive scheme. Rather than putting your blind faith into a season-long journeyman fresh off the practice squad, though, Marlon Mack (and Nyheim Hines to a lesser extent) are the correct pivots since Indy’s collective tight end strength will suddenly become run-blocking rather than route-running (as it was with Jack Doyle and Ebron healthy). Sunday night is essentially a win-and-in for both the Colts and Titans, so expect Indianapolis to use any means necessary to move on another week.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Targets: Dede Westbrook (4, 4, 5, 10, 5, 8), Donte Moncrief (2, 4, 4, 10, 2, 4), T.J. Yeldon (3, 4, 8, 1, 3, X), Leonard Fournette (2, 3, X, 3, 4, 5)
Air Yards: Donte Moncrief (27, 44, 30, 142, 63, 23), Dede Westbrook (59, 77, 70, 105, 30, 36), T.J. Yeldon (-3, 10, 5, 1, -1, X), Leonard Fournette (11, -12, X, -1, -6, 14)
Receiving Yards: Dede Westbrook (19, 44, 25, 88, 21, 45), Donte Moncrief (11, 29, 40, 47, 0, 43), T.J. Yeldon (9, 17, 49, 10, 5, X), Leonard Fournette (46, 13, X, 5, 18, 28)
Carries: Leonard Fournette (28, 18, X, 14, 11, 18), T.J. Yeldon (5, 3, 8, 1, 3, X), Carlos Hyde (8, 10, 13, 0, X, 8)
RZ Targets: Dede Westbrook (0, 1, 0, 2, 0, 2), Leonard Fournette (0, 0, X, 0, 0, 1), T.J. Yeldon (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, X), Donte Moncrief (0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0)
RZ Carries: Leonard Fournette (2, 4, X, 4, 0, 3), T.J. Yeldon (0, 0, 1, 0, 0, X), Carlos Hyde (0, 2, 2, 0, X, 0)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Jalen Ramsey (8-158-1, 1-32, 5-54, 2-21, 2-20, 3-32), D.J. Hayden (7-52, 1-6, 6-48, 3-16, 4-18, 2-14), A.J. Bouye (4-58, 1-19, 6-34, 4-45, 0-0, 2-12)
Observations: Fantasy players (including myself) should’ve known something was amiss the moment T.J. Yeldon was healthy scratched. With only Carlos Hyde and Dave Williams — two players with limited skills — left to soak up touches behind Leonard Fournette, the latter handled 18 carries and 100% of the team’s backfield targets (5) on 49-of-67 snaps (73%). Hyde got eight carries but inevitably ran only 13 routes (and got zero targets) to Fournette’s 21. Jacksonville’s inactives will obviously need to be monitored in Week 17 as a second absence for Yeldon (the team’s only pass-catching back) would likely mean another full-blown outing for Fournette to finish the year strong.
Kansas City Chiefs
Targets: Tyreek Hill (14, BYE, 6, 14, 7, 9), Travis Kelce (15, BYE, 13, 9, 9, 9), Sammy Watkins (1, BYE, X, X, X, X), Spencer Ware (0, BYE, 1, 5, X, X), Chris Conley (8, BYE, 7, 3, 3, 5), Damien Williams (0, BYE, 2, 5, 6, 7)
Air Yards: Tyreek Hill (200, BYE, 128, 119, 92, 145), Travis Kelce (126, BYE, 113, 82, 79, 120), Sammy Watkins (-1, BYE, X, X, X, X), Spencer Ware (0, BYE, 14, -8, X, X), Chris Conley (51, BYE, 67, 20, 19, 64), Damien Williams (0, BYE, -5, 1, -11, -26)
Receiving Yards: Tyreek Hill (215, BYE, 13, 139, 46, 74), Sammy Watkins (4, BYE, X, X, X, X), Travis Kelce (127, BYE, 168, 77, 61, 54), Spencer Ware (0, BYE, 5, 54, X, X), Chris Conley (74, BYE, 25, 13, 19, 54), Damien Williams (0, BYE, 7, 16, 74, 37)
Carries: Damien Williams (0, BYE, 5, 8, 10, 13), Patrick Mahomes (4, 6, BYE, 9, 2, 3), Spencer Ware (0, BYE, 14, 15, X, X)
RZ Targets: Travis Kelce (2, BYE, 3, 2, 1, 2), Sammy Watkins (0, BYE, X, X, X, X), Tyreek Hill (0, BYE, 1, 2, 2, 0), Spencer Ware (0, BYE, 0, 0, X, X), Chris Conley (2, BYE, 1, 2, 1, 0), Damien Williams (0, BYE, 1, 2, 0, 2)
RZ Carries: Patrick Mahomes (3, BYE, 0, 0, 1, 1), Spencer Ware (0, BYE, 3, 1, X, X), Damien Williams (0, BYE, 0, 2, 6, 0)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Steven Nelson (3-52, BYE, 5-52-1, 3-32-1, 5-74-1, 5-78-1), Orlando Scandrick (6-76-2, BYE, 4-46, 3-40, 3-15-1, 0-0), Kendall Fuller (3-49, BYE, 7-40, 4-28, 6-96, 0-0), Charvarius Ward (X, X, X, X, X, 5-110)
Observations: Charcandrick West got involved on 19 snaps (31.1%) Sunday night, but Damien Williams still ultimately led this backfield with 20 touches on an impervious 39 snaps (64%). Time will tell if Spencer Ware steps right back in to his previous role, but it’s held true so far that Andy Reid prefers to utilize a 70-30 timeshare between two backs. Williams is still the play if Ware remains out since Oakland’s allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing runners. With the Chiefs going all-out to win and potentially clinch the AFC’s coveted No. 1 seed, it remains the nut-spot for Travis Kelce against Raiders coverage LB Tahir Whitehead, who’s been washed for an absurd seven touchdowns on 50 targets (a 14% TD rate!) this year.
Los Angeles Chargers
Targets: Keenan Allen (12, 7, 19, 9, 0, 8), Melvin Gordon (6, 2, X, X, X, 3), Mike Williams (3, 4, 3, 6, 7, 3), Austin Ekeler (2, 11, 8, 5, X, X), Tyrell Williams (6, 0, 2, 3, 12, 2), Travis Benjamin (3, 3, 2, 1, 3, 3)
Air Yards: Keenan Allen (73, 44, 157, 93, 0, 66), Mike Williams (48, 22, 50, 82, 77, 63), Tyrell Williams (57, 0, 14, 7, 132, 13), Travis Benjamin (125, 41, 33, 3, 69, 63), Austin Ekeler (-5, -5, -18, 41, X, X), Melvin Gordon (-6, -17, X, X, X, -4)
Receiving Yards: Keenan Allen (89, 72, 148, 78, 0, 58), Melvin Gordon (87, 5, X, X, X, 13), Austin Ekeler (40, 68, 22, 28, X, X), Mike Williams (56, 25, 52, 45, 76, 7), Tyrell Williams (22, 0, 14, 14, 71, 12), Travis Benjamin (0, 47, 44, 11, 57, 11)
Carries: Melvin Gordon (18, 10, X, X, X, 12), Austin Ekeler (6, 5, 13, 15, X, X), Justin Jackson (0, 7, 8, 7, 16, 1)
RZ Targets: Melvin Gordon (0, 1, X, X, X, 0), Austin Ekeler (0, 0, 0, 1, X, X), Keenan Allen (2, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0), Tyrell Williams (0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0), Mike Williams (0, 2, 0, 1, 4, 0), Travis Benjamin (0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0),
RZ Carries: Melvin Gordon (2, X, X, X, 3, 0), Austin Ekeler (0, 2, 1, 2, X, X), Justin Jackson (1, 1, 0, 0, 3, 0)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Desmond King II (3-47, 2-15, 8-59, 2-5, 5-63-1, 1-8), Casey Hayward Jr. (2-69, 1-9, 4-84, 2-33, 1-3, 2-18), Michael Davis (2-6, 3-36-1, 2-19, 3-35, 3-24, 0-0)
Observations: With Austin Ekeler (neck) inactive, Justin Jackson figured to have his role decreased since he profiles similarly on the ground to Melvin Gordon. That wasn’t the case at all as the rookie simply took Ekeler’s typical third-down/two-minute role, accumulating a team-high 10 targets on 15 routes run. Gordon returned at full speed, getting 15 touches on 42 snaps (66.7%). Ekeler is expected back this week, but Jackson’s role is worth noting for DFS playoff slates in the event either back ahead of him misses time. Mike Williams (1/7) returned to boom/bust prominency with Keenan Allen back in the lineup, running the third-most routes (28) for the Chargers. Allen remains the only high-floor option among Los Angeles’ receiving corps moving forward.
Miami Dolphins
Targets: Kenny Stills (BYE, 4, 6, 9, 3, 2), Kenyan Drake (BYE, 6, 4, 1, 3, 5), Danny Amendola (BYE, 1, X, 1, 8, 3), DeVante Parker (BYE, 3, 7, 4, 1, 3), Kalen Ballage (BYE, 2, 0, 0, 1, 4)
Air Yards: Kenny Stills (BYE, 58, 91, 116, 75, 23), Danny Amendola (BYE, 8, X, 5, 76, 32), DeVante Parker (BYE, 6, 89, 55, 7, 13), Kenyan Drake (BYE, -3, 24, 17, -4, 18), Kalen Ballage (BYE, -11, 0, 0, -7, -5)
Receiving Yards: Kenny Stills (BYE, 6, 37, 135, 17, 5), Danny Amendola (BYE, 13, X, 10, 30, 40), DeVante Parker (BYE, 10, 43, 18, 0, 13), Kenyan Drake (BYE, 64, 13, 55, 28, 31), Kalen Ballage (BYE, -5, 0, 0, -2, 39)
Carries: Kenyan Drake (BYE, 8, 7, 6, 1, 6), Kalen Ballage (BYE, 0, 4, 0, 12, 4)
RZ Targets: DeVante Parker (BYE, 0, 2, 0, 1, 0), Kenny Stills (BYE, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0), Kenyan Drake (BYE, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0), Danny Amendola (BYE, 0, X, 0, 1, 0), Kalen Ballage (BYE, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0)
RZ Carries: Frank Gore (BYE, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0), Kenyan Drake (BYE, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0), Kalen Ballage (BYE, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed:Minkah Fitzpatrick (BYE, 3-62, 3-25, 4-63, 5-111, 1- -1), Bobby McCain (BYE, 5-33, 4-58-1, 2-26-1, 3-22-1, 4-21), Xavien Howard (BYE, 2-15, 2-39, X, X, X)
Observations: Kenyan Drake out-touched Kalen Ballage 10-6 in the team’s first game without Frank Gore, but the usage margin was ultimately much wider than that. Drake was actually on the field for 84.8% of Miami’s offensive snaps, a season-high mark. He was also preferred in the passing game (as expected), running 19 routes to the rook’s 7. The Dolphins close their season against a Buffalo defense that’s allowed a median number of receptions (85) to opposing backs, but Drake will sneakily be an every-down player in Miami’s regular season finale.
New England Patriots
Targets: Julian Edelman (BYE, 5, 8, 12, 11, 10), James White (BYE, 5, 9, 4, 7, 4), Rob Gronkowski (BYE, 7, 4, 8, 5, 3), Sony Michel (BYE, 2, 1, 0, 0, 0), Rex Burkhead (BYE, X, 2, 2, 3, 5)
Air Yards: Julian Edelman (BYE, 33, 34, 82, 132, 63), James White (BYE, 2, -9, 12, 24, 16), Rob Gronkowski (BYE, 100, 38, 79, 81, 37), Sony Michel (BYE, 0, 3, 0, 0, 0), Rex Burkhead (BYE, X, -7, -3, 2, 5)
Receiving Yards: James White (BYE, 5, 92, 15, 25, 13), Julian Edelman (BYE, 84, 25, 86, 90, 70), Rob Gronkowski (BYE, 56, 26, 107, 21, 0), Sony Michel (BYE, 12, 7, 0, 0, 0), Rex Burkhead (BYE, X, 21, 3, 18, 40)
Carries: Sony Michel (BYE, 21, 17, 20, 13, 18), James White (BYE, 9, 6, 4, 2, 8), Rex Burkhead (BYE, X, 7, 4, 4, 13)
RZ Targets: Julian Edelman (BYE, 1, 2, 3, 2, 0), James White (BYE, 2, 1, 0, 2, 0), Rob Gronkowski (BYE, 3, 0, 2, 1, 0), Rex Burkhead (BYE, X, 1, 1, 0, 0), Sony Michel (BYE, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0)
RZ Carries: Sony Michel (BYE, 4, 2, 6, 2, 3), James White (BYE, 0, 0, 2, 0, 3), Rex Burkhead (BYE, X, 1, 0, 1, 0)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Stephon Gilmore (BYE, 1-17, 4-25, 2-38-1, 5-25, 1-16), J.C. Jackson (BYE, 1-8, 4-23, 1-15, 4-48, 0-0), Jason McCourty (BYE, 2-44, 8-36-1, 4-81-1, 4-81, 4-61-1)
Observations: Chris Hogan actually did soak up Josh Gordon’s on-field usage against the Bills, running 23 routes on 62 snaps (82.7%), but he face-planted with zero targets on the day. In four games without Gordon, Hogan’s now averaged a 90.9% snap rate and laughable 3.5 targets. It was actually Rex Burkhead who benefitted the most, seeing a slight uptick in snaps (25) from Week 15 (16) all the while being involved both on the ground (13 carries) and through the air (5 targets). Week 17 isn’t the best time to leverage Burkhead’s blooming usage since the Jets have only permitted the sixth-fewest receptions (66) to opposing backs, but it is worth noting for the Divisional Round.
New York Jets
Targets: Robby Anderson (BYE, 5, 7, 7, 11, 13), Quincy Enunwa (BYE, 4, 6, 4, X, X), Chris Herndon (BYE, 8, 6, 2, 4, 7), Elijah McGuire (BYE, 3, 2, 4, 4, 5), Trenton Cannon (BYE, 1, 1, 1, 4, 2)
Air Yards: Robby Anderson (BYE, 99, 113, 82, 193, 179), Chris Herndon (BYE, 32, 47, 35, 55, 68), Quincy Enunwa (BYE, 51, 29, 23, X, X), Elijah McGuire (BYE, 14, 5, 4, 21, 89), Trenton Cannon (BYE, -4, -5, -6, 10, 9)
Receiving Yards: Robby Anderson (BYE, 22, 48, 76, 96, 140), Quincy Enunwa (BYE, 73, 9, 22, X, X), Chris Herndon (BYE, 57, 31, 14, 53, 82), Elijah McGuire (BYE, 7, -4, 23, 29, 50), Trenton Cannon (BYE, -3, 7, 4, 24, 5)
Carries: Elijah McGuire (BYE, 6, 6, 17, 18, 14), Trenton Cannon (BYE, 0, 4, 5, 7, 2)
RZ Targets: Robby Anderson (BYE, 1, 0, 4, 1, 2), Chris Herndon (BYE, 0, 0, 0, 1, 3), Elijah McGuire (BYE, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0), Quincy Enunwa (BYE, 0, 1, 1, X, X), Trenton Cannon (BYE, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1)
RZ Carries: Elijah McGuire (BYE, 0, 0, 5, 4, 1), Trenton Cannon (BYE, 0, 0, 2, 1, 1)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns: Morris Claiborne (BYE, 3-81-1, 1-44, 5-46, 4-44-1, 5-63), Trumaine Johnson (BYE, 5-39, 2-31-1, 1-12, 5-65, 10-88), Buster Skrine (BYE, 1-16, 2-15-1, 2-26, 3-33, 8-88)
Observations: Sporting a 32% target share and 46% air yards share since Sam Darnold returned in Week 14, Robby Anderson has clearly made his case as a prime offseason Best Ball option in New York’s last three games. Same goes for Elijah McGuire, who’s turned Isaiah Crowell’s absence the past three weeks into a 77.9% snap rate and shimmering RB2 numbers (16.3/45.7/1) with high-floor passing game usage. McGuire was even involved downfield against the Packers, accruing an absurd 89 air yards. This target tree has become honed recently, but it is worth noting the Jets have a realistic shot at the No. 1 overall pick if they simply lose to the Pats this week. Handicap motivation at your own risk.
Oakland Raiders
Targets: Jared Cook (6, 5, 8, 10, 5, 3), Jalen Richard (4, 4, 4, 1, 6, 5), Jordy Nelson (X, 1, 11, 7, 8, 10), Seth Roberts (7, 3, 6, 7, 4, 3), Doug Martin (1, 4, 2, 0, 1, 2), Marcell Ateman (5, 10, 4, 4, 5, 0)
Air Yards: Jared Cook (77, 30, 74, 99, 68, 13), Jordy Nelson (X, 32, 59, 42, 109, 98), Seth Roberts (43, 60, 43, 65, 41, 34), Jalen Richard (20, 7, 2, -4, 28, 18), Doug Martin (4, 2, 1, 0, 0, 4), Marcell Ateman (43, 100, 70, 66, 47, 0)
Receiving Yards: Jared Cook (31, 32, 100, 116, 23, 20), Jalen Richard (32, 15, 31, 5, 67, 40), Jordy Nelson (X, 0, 97, 48, 88, 75), Seth Roberts (38, 54, 25, 76, 29, 14), Doug Martin (6, 21, 6, 0, 0, 9), Marcell Ateman (50, 16, 16, 45, 20, 0)
Carries: Doug Martin (10, 11, 18, 16, 9, 21), Jalen Richard (11, 1, 6, 8, 4, 4), DeAndre Washington (12, 3, 3, 0, 1, 1)
RZ Targets: Jordy Nelson (X, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0), Jared Cook (0, 1, 0, 2, 1, 0), Seth Roberts (0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0), Jalen Richard (0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0), Doug Martin (1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0), Marcell Ateman (0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0)
RZ Carries: Doug Martin (0, 2, 6, 7, 1, 4), Jalen Richard (0, 0, 1, 2, 0, 1), DeAndre Washington (6, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Nick Nelson (3-83-2, 2-7, 6-87, 1-19, 0-0, 1-11), Rashaan Melvin (3-16-1, 2-85, 0-0, 7-58, 1-21, 6-69), Daryl Worley (1-12, 1-8-1, 5-60-2, 1-14, 2-14, X)
Observations: Whether it’s due to the lack of viable options around him or simply veteran trust, fact of the matter is that Jordy Nelson has seen target totals of 11, 7, 8, and 10 in Oakland’s last four games. His 26% target share (and 29% share of the team’s air yards) leads the Raiders in that span. Rather than going back to Doug Martin in an obvious motivationless let-down spot at Arrowhead, DFSers are best sticking with Nelson against Chiefs corner Steven Nelson, who’s allowed a league-high 791 receiving yards on the outside this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Targets: Antonio Brown (13, 13, 13, 7, 7, 19), JuJu Smith-Schuster (10, 17, 9, 12, 10, 15), James Conner (9, 4, 4, X, X, X), Jesse James (0, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0), Vance McDonald (6, 5, 7, 4, 3, 4), Jaylen Samuels (0, 2, 3, 7, 2, 3)
Air Yards: Antonio Brown (209, 99, 203, 40, 99, 226), JuJu Smith-Schuster (70, 149, 35, 103, 133, 119), Jesse James (0, 25, 17, 20, 2, 0), Vance McDonald (21, 34, 28, -1, 27, 49), James Conner (45, -12, -10, X, X, X), Jaylen Samuels (0, 12, -3, -10, 23, -2)
Receiving Yards: JuJu Smith-Schuster (104, 189, 49, 130, 40, 115), Antonio Brown (117, 67, 154, 35, 49, 185), Jesse James (0, 35, 17, 28, 9, 0), James Conner (24, 42, 14, X, X, X), Vance McDonald (27, 27, 28, 37, 13, 49), Jaylen Samuels (0, 12, 20, 64, 30, 11)
Carries: James Conner (9, 13, 15, X, X, X), Jaylen Samuels (0, 0, 2, 11, 19, 12), Stevan Ridley (0, X, X, 5, 3, 3)
RZ Targets: JuJu Smith-Schuster (1, 2, 0, 4, 0, 1), Antonio Brown (1, 2, 0, 3, 1, 2), Vance McDonald (1, 1, 0, 1, 2, 2), James Conner (1, 0, 0, X, X, X), Jesse James (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0), Jaylen Samuels (0, 0, 2, 0, 0, 1)
RZ Carries: James Conner (2, 1, 3, X, X, X), Jaylen Samuels (0, 0, 0, 2, 3, 1), Stevan Ridley (0, X, X, 2, 0, 1)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Mike Hilton (2-19, 0-0, 6-117-1, 6-57-1, 3-20, 7-68), Joe Haden (1-10, 5-73-1, 4-34-1, 2-17, 7-44, 5-30-1), Coty Sensabaugh (0-0, 1-10-1, 3-26, 4-32, 1-19, 2-27)
Observations: No observations.
Tennessee Titans
Targets: Corey Davis (4, 4, 7, 3, 6, 5), Dion Lewis (2, 7, 3, 5, 3, 4), Tajae Sharpe (7, 0, 6, 4, 1, 0), Taywan Taylor (X, X, 5, 7, 5, 3)
Air Yards: Corey Davis (45, 76, 62, 17, 46, 44), Tajae Sharpe (45, 0, 52, 49, -4, 0), Taywan Taylor (X, X, 157, 82, 68, 48), Dion Lewis (-3, -1, -6, -13, -7, -6)
Receiving Yards: Corey Davis (30, 96, 42, 21, 33, 45), Dion Lewis (8, 33, -2, 39, 9, 20), Taywan Taylor (X, X, 104, 59, 17, 64), Tajae Sharpe (37, 0, 51, 0, 6, 0)
Carries: Derrick Henry (9, 8, 10, 17, 33, 21), Dion Lewis (10, 7, 6, 10, 7, 3), Marcus Mariota (4, 6, 4, 4, 2, 1)
RZ Targets: Corey Davis (0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0), Tajae Sharpe (1, 0, 2, 1, 0, 0), Taywan Taylor (X, X, 0, 0, 0, 0), Dion Lewis (0, 2, 1, 2, 0, 0)
RZ Carries: Derrick Henry (0, 0, 3, 6, 11, 3), Dion Lewis (0, 1, 0, 2, 0, 1), Marcus Mariota (0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0)
CB Catches-Yards-Touchdowns Allowed: Adoree’ Jackson (10-172-2, 3-29-1, 6-51, 4-29, 5-72, 2-37-1), Malcolm Butler (3-30, 2-16, 2-6, 3-45, 0-0, 3-12), LeShaun Sims (X, X, X, 1-10, 3-19, 1-11)
Observations: Tajae Sharpe was active Saturday, but he inevitably took a backseat to Taywan Taylor following a full week of missed practices. In turn, Taylor continued surging with a team-high 48 air yards on only two fewer routes (26) than Corey Davis (28). Neither can be trusted if Blaine Gabbert starts for Marcus Mariota (stinger) against the Colts. Davis in particular has fallen to low-end WR2 status anyways, failing to record more than three catches and/or 50 yards in four straight contests. Throw Dion Lewis out the window, too, as his usage finally reached its end with a season-low three carries behind Derrick Henry’s workhorse 21 against the Redskins.
