In evaluating pass-catching performance, target-earning metrics can be key factors to see how much of an offensive role a player is earning. Target Share shows how many passes of a team’s total a player is earning. Targets per route run, or Target Rate, breaks that down further and measures a player’s target-earning efficiency. These stats together help identify trends in player usage and potential fantasy breakouts or regressions. As we pass Week 9, fantasy trade deadlines are coming up and knowing player target-earning trends can help make decisions on who fantasy managers should buy or sell in the coming weeks.
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Running Backs
De’Von Achane
As a receiver alone, De’Von Achane has boasted a 17.9-percent Target Share, with five games of at least five targets. With Tua Tagovailoa back, Achane is seeing the elite receiving usage to make him an overall top three fantasy running back. He is running double-digit routes every game even with Raheem Mostert back to split the rushing load.
Keeping it short and sweet, Achane is not a running back you should look to trade, and trading for him will be difficult. His receiving production keeps him in the elite tier of running backs.
Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Heading into Week 10, Tyrone Tracy Jr. has overtaken Devin Singletary in the Giants backfield. Tracy was a college receiver, but the Giants offense does not have a heavy dose of running back targets going around. Over the last two games, Tracy has four targets while Singletary has three.
Tyrone Tracy Truthers Stand Up!💥
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Tracy had a six-target game when Singletary was out, but the targets are sparse and split in this backfield. You still want Tracy as he has taken over backfield opportunities, but don’t expect high PPR upside unless Singletary misses time again
Wide Receivers
Elijah Moore
Jameis Winston starting has led to some fantasy-viable receivers for the Browns. I wrote about Cedric Tillman two weeks ago, and now I’m touting Elijah Moore. He has 28 targets over his last three games, with Winston taking over mid-Week 7. Moore’s overall target share on the season is 15.5-percent (No. 65) and is trending upwards in recent weeks. With the recent increase he has seen from Winston, Moore is a viable slot receiver for the Browns and has enough fantasy upside for him to firmly be on rosters. Moore is a good buy candidate as fantasy leagues start to hit trade deadlines and will be in the WR4 mix going forward.
Jaylen Waddle
This season, Jaylen Waddle is posting a career-low 16.2-percent (No. 57) Target Share. Even in the three full games Tua Tagovailoa has played, Waddle has 13 total targets. The Dolphins offense is better with Tua, but it has not been reflected as explosively as past seasons. Fantasy managers drafted Waddle to at least be a WR2, but he has not been close to that value. This late in the season, it is getting harder to exercise patience, and Waddle is in the low-end fantasy WR3 mix until further notice.
Tight Ends
Ja’Tavion Sanders
The Panthers offense does not have much going on right now, but Ja’Tavion Sanders has been a pleasant surprise. Despite a one-target game in Week 8, Sanders has five targets in four of his last five games. The Panthers receiving corps has been cleared for the young guys, and Sanders is a valued receiver.
Xavier Legette will get opportunities, but Adam Thielen remains on IR and no other receiver inspires confidence. Even with Bryce Young starting, Sanders is a high-end TE2 moving forward.
Cole Kmet
The Bears passing attack has faltered again, tallying 26 points between the last two games. Cole Kmet has faltered as a result, seeing just one target and a two-point conversion in Week 8 before laying a goose egg in Week 9. His season-long 12.5-percent (No. 23) Target Share has gone through much variance, with three of eight games above four targets. Kmet may hit some spike weeks moving forward, but he is best left on fantasy benches for now.
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