ARI
It’s been a mess trying to figure out who’s after DeAndre Hopkins this year. Each of Christian Kirk, A.J. Green and Rondale Moore have had their fun in the sun, but Kirk is the guy right now that’s separating himself a bit from the pack. He’s now surpassed Green’s targets on the year -- by one -- but has 18 over the last three weeks compared to Green’s 11. It’s encouraging to see Kirk so involved even with Zach Ertz stepping onto the scene.
Chase Edmonds continues to dominate the passing down work. He only saw three targets, but it was another game in which the Cardinals had the game in hand and milked the clock on the ground with both Edmonds and James Conner. With Zach Ertz in town, Kyle Murray fed him five times and didn’t look another tight end’s way. That was his first game with the team, so even bigger things could be coming.
ATL
It’s hilarious to me how many people continue to worry about Calvin Ridley. He’s being peppered and I mean peppered with targets. He’s playing all the snaps and positive regression in terms of production is seemingly the only thing destined to happen. He had 10 targets in Week 7 and has yet to see eight targets in any game this season. It’s definitely worth noting that Russell Gage had six looks in his first action since Week 2, which was the second time in the three games he’s played that’s had at least six.
Cordarrelle Patterson dominated Mike Davis in terms of work and volume and it’ll be interesting to see if that’s how it’s going to be, because Patterson has been so great in terms of production, but Davis had been playing the lionshare of snaps. Then there’s that Kyle Pitts guy. Pretty good I’d say. At this rate, he should gain WR eligibility, shouldn’t he?
BAL
It was the Hollywood show in terms of volume and nobody else was invited. Marquise Brown had 14 targets a week after Rashod Bateman out targeted him. I think we know who the alpha still is in the offense. Bateman could be an alpha down the road as well as Baltimore has a Week 8 bye week to get him an extra week of practice to work on his chemistry with Lamar Jackson. Bateman’s seen six targets in the last two weeks and has value in almost all 12-team leagues at this point.
The running backs are a non factor in the passing game as Lamar Jackson does not check down often. Mark Andrews continues to be a TE1 each and every week and through seven games, he has the fourth most targets amongst all tight ends.
BUF
Week 7 bye week.
CAR
With Terrace Marshall out, Sam Darnold -- and PJ Walker -- looked at DJ Moore and Robby Anderson and that’s it. And to be honest, even when Marshall’s on the field, it’s Moore and Anderson and that’s really it. Moore had 10 targets in Week 7, the fifth time in seven games he’s topped double-digits. Anderson’s been more productive from a volume standpoint lately too as he’s had 20 targets in the last two games and 38 over his last four, but he’s turned that into NOTHING. It’s actually impressive how unproductive he’s been yet they keep throwing his way.
It’s been nothing like Christian McCaffrey, but Chuba Hubbard has been productive in the passing game. He saw five targets for the second time in three games and the third time in his last five. While McCaffrey remains out, having Hubbard as your RB2 feels good.
The tight ends here...nothing to see, just move on.
CHI
This has to be the most unstable situation in all of football right now. Nobody is viable. NOBODY.
CIN
I mean, there have been fewer players in the NFL, yes the entire league, not just rookies, than Ja’Marr Chase. Chase has been incredible in terms of production and volume. He’s pacing this team with 51 targets through the first seven games. Despite Chase’s domination, let’s not just ignore Tee Higgins’ volume. He had 15 targets in Week 7, which was the week high for ANY receiver in the league. If the Bengals throw like they did in Week 7 more, Burrow will definitely be able to support both Chase and Higgins for the remainder of the year. Tyler Boyd, unfortunately, is not very viable in fantasy leagues unless there’s an injury ahead of him.
It’s very hard to trust Joe Mixon in the passing game on a week-to-week basis and C.J. Uzomah, despite putting up a monster line, only had three targets. He hasn’t topped three targets since Week 4. Very hard to trust, but maybe he’s this years Robert Tonyan.
CLE
There has been a LOT of discussion about outright dropping Odell Beckham Jr. in fantasy this week and I can’t really blame anyone for wanting to do so. He’s averaging a touch under seven targets per game, which is a 119 target pace, he’s just not doing anything with them and his quarterback can’t ever find him. It was a good sign to see Jarvis Landry return and see eight targets. Nothing like a safety blanket for a struggling and injured quarterback.
With Nick Chubb returning, the running back room will not be catching many passes. UNLESS…..can’t trust it until we see it.
DAL
Week 7 bye week.
DEN
In what should’ve been a great week for Denver receivers turned out to be the polar opposite. Both Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick saw five targets each and played third fiddles while Noah Fant and Javonte Williams were fed the ball. The issue now becomes Jerry Jeudy returning to action. That’ll impact all of the Denver pass catchers, especially Patrick, who falls mostly out of fantasy relevancy. He may be a bench stash because Jeudy and Sutton haven’t exactly been healthy at the same time over the last two seasons.
The seven targets in Week 7 was Williams’ largest target share of the year but he continues to split time with Melvin Gordon and actually has only topped a 50% snap share twice this year. Williams, until he takes this backfield over, cannot be trusted to see this volume each week nor is he more than an RB3 or an RB2 if you have a bye week issue. Noah Fant has seen less than six targets just twice this year and is now sixth amongst all tight ends in that category.
DET
I wouldn’t wish to play a Detroit receiver to my worst enemy. Except if that receiver was Kalif Raymond I suppose. Raymond has easily been the most productive receiver and truly the only one that’s been able to stay healthy. He’s now had at least six targets in four of his last five games and had a season high 115 yards in Week 7. If you’re desperate for a wide out, it could be worse than Raymond in Week 8 against a poor Eagles secondary.
The best offensive weapons the Lions have D’Andre Swift out of the backfield and T.J. Hockenson. Swift has yet to have a week in which he’s had LESS than five targets and is coming off a Week 7 explosion as he had 10. That’s his second highest mark of the year. He leads all running backs with 52 targets on the year and is well on his way to crush the 100 target plateau. Hockenson is seemingly going to play through his knee soreness all year and even with the injury, he has 20 targets in his past two games and is tied for second in targets amongst all tight ends on the year.
GB
It had been all Davante Adams all the time, and then it suddenly wasn’t. Allen Lazard had begun to pick up the pace, notching 11 targets to Adams’ 12 the two weeks prior. Unfortunately, Adams and Lazard will miss Thursday’s showdown with Arizona due to COVID-19.
Aaron Jones, after five targets in Week 7, has 28 targets on the year. That puts him on pace for 68, which would match his career high, but remember there is one extra game this year, so would we have liked a little more at this point? Yeah. His chance to shine comes in Week 8 with both Davante Adams and Allen Lazard out due to COVID-19 protocols. Robert Tonyan has topped five targets twice this year and has just three targets more than Mercedes Lewis over the past three games. Not great Bob, not great.
HOU
It’s the Brandin Cooks show. Nothing else to see here. Well, Nico Collins is back and healthy and has six and five targets in his first two games since returning from injury. He’s someone we may want to stash if we have deep enough benches, especially with TyRod Taylor returning, he likely will have a much better ability -- at this stage in his career -- to deliver Collins’ the football than Davis Mills has.
David Johnson could play a much bigger role in the passing game, just in the game in general, with Mark Ingram shipped back to New Orleans. I’m not exactly holding my breath.
IND
It’s hard to look at the Colts passing attack and love the target distribution lately, but Wentz has thrown 46 passes in the last two weeks combined. Things are only going to get worse with T.Y. Hilton likely returning to the fold in Week 8. It’s been all Michael Pittman all the time this year, as Pittman has 15 more receptions than their second leading receiver in Zach Pascal. Pascal’s value is going to plummet if Hilton can stay healthy.
Since Week 3, Nyheim Hines has really not been a factor in the passing game like we thought he would be. With the Colts just not throwing as much as they used to, it’s hard for multiple players to be relevant in the passing game. Jonathan Taylor isn’t getting much volume either. Nor are the tight ends. Although, Mo Alie-Cox has 10 targets to Jack Doyle’s three in the past three games.
JAC
Week 7 bye week.
KC
We can mostly throw Week 7 out of the window for this offense, but Tyreek Hill was still the clubhouse leader amongst receivers with nine targets. After that, Mecole Hardman remained a consistent target for Patrick Mahomes. He’s had five or more targets in three straight weeks and has done so in three straight games and four times in seven games. Not the worst player to have on your fantasy bench for a possible bye week replacement.
Both Darrell Williams and Jerick McKinnon had four targets in Week 7, just like they did in Week 6. Williams is the only of the two with any fantasy value as they trailed from start to finish in Week 7 and that’s more than likely not the case in Week 8 against the Giants. Travis Kelce continues to be Travis Kelce. He is the TE1.
LAR
There has not been a receiver in the NFL better than Cooper Kupp. He’s notched 10+ targets in every game this year and there’s no signs of slowing down as his 13 targets in Week 7 tied his season high. After Kupp, Robert Woods is the clear cut number two option but his production has not been the same as it’s been in years past. Van Jefferson has had solid weeks, but has been very inconsistent this year.
It was nice to see Darrell Henderson get six looks through the air, the second time he’s been able to do so this year. He’s effective in the passing game, but Stafford is consistently driving the ball down the field so the checkdown isn’t always there for him. I mean, we love to hate on Tyler Higbee, but he had eight targets in Week 7 and has now topped five targets in five of the seven games this year. He’s a high end TE2 on a weekly basis at this point. He could very well be a bye week TE1 too.
LAC
Week 7 bye week.
LV
Oh, would you look at that. Hunter Renfrow led the team in eight targets and now has a 15 target lead on Henry Ruggs and a 21 target lead of Bryan Edwards. Renfrow’s value in PPR is tremendous at this point while the Raiders continue to air it out and Carr’s favorite receiver stands out amongst everyone else.
The Raiders do a good job getting the running back the ball through the air, as Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake have had 39 targets combined through seven weeks. Drake is definitely the superior pass catcher amongst the two. Darren Waller missed Week 7 and still has 53 targets on the year, which is second amongst tight ends. We did find out if Waller misses anytime, Foster Moreau is a viable replacement in fantasy land. He had six targets and scored a touchdown. LV is on a Week 8 bye, giving Waller more time to return.
MIA
With all the injuries taking place in the Dolphins receiving corps it’s been the Jaylen Waddle show each and every week. His eight targets in week seven was more than the rest of the Dolphins receivers had in this game combined. We should see Davante Parker back in Week 8 so we’ll see how the target shares play out.
It’s been a solid season for Myles Gaskin through the air as he’s notched 36 targets, which is the fifth most in the league amongst all running backs. Gaskin is on pace for 87 targets this year, which is what’s keeping his value afloat. Mike Gesicki is finally having his breakout in 2021. He’s failed to see less than six targets in any game since Week 1 and is coming off eight targets in Week 7. He’s seemingly built a nice rapport with Tua Tagovailoa and that should continue moving forward, even with DeVante Parker returning.
MIN
Week 7 bye week.
NE
It’s really hard to love any of the Patriots receivers on a weekly basis. Jakobi Meyers has absolutely dominated in terms of volume as he’s up to 59 targets this year, but he doesn’t score touchdowns and his value because of it is suffering tremendously. Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor are nothing more than bye week plug and pray.
If Rhamondre Stevenson continues to not be inactive, Brandon Bolden has a role in this offense whether you want to believe it or not. Bolden has had four or more targets in four of his last five outings. Hunter Henry continues to shine while Jonnu Smith has taken a backseat in fantasy football. He’s had a touchdown in four straight games.
NO
Until Michael Thomas returns, the ONLY fantasy viable receiver is Marquez Callaway. Period. He had seven targets in this and the rest of the receiving corps had five. We saw the return of Tre’Quan Smith and he had three targets. Nothing to see here.
Soooo Alvin Kamara the pass catcher is back, I see. He had 11 targets in Week 7 and eight in Week 5 with a bye week wedged in between the weeks. This is the Kamara we’ve expected to see all year and the Saints are finally getting the best out of him. He’s as good as it gets in fantasy football when he’s getting fed the way he has recently.
NYG
The Giants were basically missing everyone in their wide receiver group except Darius Slayton and Dante Pettis. Slayton saw a team leading nine targets and Pettis was the one who got into the end zone. Slayton has shown a solid rapport with Daniel Jones since being drafted and anytime Golladay is out, Slayton could have a nice role in this offense.
With Saquon Barkley out, Devontae Booker has been very serviceable and has been involved in the passing game. He’s had three or more targets in each of the last three games and should continue to be a safety option for Daniel Jones. Evan Engram had a big week in the volume department, notching a season high eight targets. His status for Week 8 is in question, however, and that’s quite unfortunate.
NYJ
It’s Corey Davis and then everyone else right now. Nobody else has much fantasy relevance and with Mike White under center, does Davis even have that much?
With White under center, we could see a LOT of dump downs, which benefits Michael Carter a LOT here. Carter had a big day through the air in Week 7 catching eight passes on nine targets. Ty Johnson ALSO had seven targets in Week 7, so both could play a role for the Jets and be viable bye week fill in..
PHI
It has been apparent that Jalen Hurts has issues getting his receivers the ball on a consistent basis. He targets DeVonta Smith quite a bit, looking his way nine times in Week 7, and now leads Jalen Reagor by 23 targets and Quez Watkins by 27. Smith, right now, is the only Philly receiver worth starting on a weekly basis. I think Reagor is worth a stash because if he and Hurts can build a rapport, they can be a scary duo.
When Miles Sanders went down, it was all Kenneth Gainwell all the time through the air. He saw eight targets for the second time this season and with Sanders potentially missing multiple weeks, and possibly going on IR, Gainwell could really have a big role moving forward. We saw Dallas Goedert take a big step with Zach Ertz out of town running routes on 88% of the drop backs for Hurts. Sure he only had five targets, but he should have a BIG offensive role moving forward.
PIT
Week 7 bye week.
SEA
It’s tough to trust ANY Seahawks receiver or pass catching option not named DK Metcalf while Geno Smith is under center. Even Tyler Lockett is nothing more than a WR3 at this point.
SF
It continues to be the Deebo Samuel show in San Fran. He’s had eight or more targets in every game this year and has four double-digit target games in his six played this year. With Brandon Aiyuk basically out of the rotation, George Kittle hurt and no running back catching many passes out of the backfield, expect nothing to change on that front.
TB
It was quite obvious with Antonio Brown out in Week 7 who was going to see an increase in work. Both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin saw double-digit targets, both got into the end zone and Evans scored three times. They’re both WR1’s with Brown off the field each and every week no matter who they’re facing.
Although Tampa brought in Giovani Bernard to be the pass catching back, it’s actually been Leonard Fournette providing the most consistency in that department. He’s had four or more targets in all but one game this season and has 34 on the year, which is tied for seventh amongst all running backs.
TEN
It’s A.J. Brown SZN, y’all. Now that Brown is seemingly healthy and over the Chipotle fiasco of 2021, he’s been dominant. He’s had 18 targets in the last two games compared to Julio Jones’ nine and Brown’s production has soared through the ranks. He’s a WR1 on a weekly basis. Right now, he’s really the extent of the Titans passing game.
WAS
This team continues to do the same things it did last year. Feed the beast that is Terry McLaurin throughout the entire game, every game, while checking the ball down to J.D. McKissic and getting the ball to it’s tight end. A lot. McLaurin already has 69 targets through seven games and no other Washington receiver has more than 26.
McKissic had six targets in Week 7 and 10 in Week 6 and if Washington continues to trail in games, you can bet these numbers continue the way they have been. He has value in PPR as a FLEX in specific game scripts. When Logan Thomas went down, there was always a possibility that Ricky Seals-Jones could end up having a similar deployment because it’s hard to change your entire offense and that’s exactly what’s happened. He’s had four or more targets in four straight games and has topped six or more in three straight. It’s crazy to think that RSJ is a TE1 while Thomas is out, but he is.