Chasing the Targets: Week Seven

Hey all, for those of you that aren’t familiar with my work, I’m Bobby Koch. I’m just your friendly neighborhood dynasty fantasy football guy from New York. This series focuses on players who have seen an increase in targets, snap share, or both and my advice on what to do with them.

The players I write up here aren’t typically going to be the second-most targeted on their team or better, only because I find these lesser-known players more interesting to write about than those who are already established. What can I say? I love a good underdog story.

With that said let’s get into it.

George Kittle, TE SF

Age: 24

Targets: 8

Target change from previous week: -1

Snap Share: 91.7 %

Snap Share change from previous week: +36.1%

You might have heard by now the old fantasy adage that rookie tight ends don’t produce. In fact, in the past ten seasons, only eight tight ends have produced 500 yards in their rookie season. Only two have seen 80 targets or greater in that time span as well.

So why am I talking about a rookie tight end? Well, it’s not often that one is drafted and becomes the team’s starter right away. The 49ers were so confident in Kittle that they traded away Vance McDonald before the season started and decided to roll with him.

To date he’s impressed with a 21-212-1 line on only 32 targets. That’s good enough for to be TE 14 in .5 ppr leagues. That’s not all though. It gets better!

This past week Kittle saw his second highest snap share of the season, and his highest since the first game of the season. Did I mention he also saw three red zone targets, and saw four last week? In case you’re still not convinced he’s worth trading for let me remind you that C.J. Beathard is now the starting quarterback for the 49ers. You know, the guy who played all four years with George Kittle in college?

Verdict: Trade any 2018 third for him. Late second if you really want to ensure you snag him.

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Darren Fells, TE DET

Age: 31

Targets: 4

Target change from previous week: +2

Snap Share: 56.8%

Snap Share change from previous week: -.6 %

It wasn’t long ago that I was on the “Eric Ebron will breakout this year” train. It seems to be a train that I just can’t hop off. In fact, if any of you know a cure I’m all ears.

We aren’t here to talk about Ebron though. We are here to talk about Darren Fells, the man who has effectively stolen his job. You may not be all that familiar with Fells if you stick solely to fantasy. He didn’t break into the league until his age 28 season, and in his best season to date he only had 311 receiving yards with three touchdowns.

What makes a 31-year-old who has three disappointing seasons worth caring about? Well, over the past two weeks he has three red zone looks. All of those have come inside the ten-yard line, and all of those have gone for touchdowns. Do I have your attention now?

In case that wasn’t enough, he both out snapped and out targeted Ebron last week. This may have just been the game script or it could be a signal of changing of the guard. Golden Tate is going to be out for a bit as well, which makes owning a piece of the Lions’ passing attack that much more appealing. Someone must be the recipient of all those sweet sweet red zone looks that Anquan Boldin got last season, and it may very well be Fells.

Verdict: Acquire for a late 2018 third if you’re contending.

Ryan Grant, WR WAS

Age: 27

Target: 5

Target change from previous week: +2

Snap Share: 54.1 %

Snap Share change from previous week: +10.1 %

If you don’t know much about me, you may not know I was incredibly down on Terrelle Pryor in the off-season. I just didn’t think he would have the target volume he needed to meet the hype that everyone was throwing his way. To be fair, I thought Jamison Crowder or Josh Doctson would step up more.

I never expected that Ryan Grant would be fifth in targets at this point in the season. Not that he’s done much with the work coming his way. To date, outside of two touchdowns and 61-yard game back in week one, he hasn’t done anything worth mentioning. However, it’s worth taking note of the targets coming his way.

In particular, you may want to pay attention to the fact that Grant has seen a red zone target in every game this season except week three. Two touchdowns on four red zone targets is solid and shows he’s someone Kirk Cousins is looking for when he wants to score. I doubt he amounts to all that much, but those of you in best ball leagues could certainly do worse for a flier.

Verdict: Add from waivers if available, trade a 2018 fourth if in best ball leagues.

Robby Anderson, WR NYJ

Age: 24

Targets: 12

Target change from previous week: +7

Snap Share: 76.3%

Snap Share change from previous week: + 2.7%

This season was supposed to be the year of Robby Anderson after he showed well down the stretch last season. From week 12 to week 16 last season, he put up an 18-283-2 line that all had us wondering what he would do without Brandon Marshall or Eric Decker in his way. Then Quincy Enunwa got injured in the preseason as well, and it really seemed like it was time for Anderson to shine.

You may have heard, but life has a way of coming at you fast. The Jets traded for Jermaine Kearse from the Seahawks and re-signed old friend Jeremy Kerley to help their receiving group. Despite what it may seem like though, Robby Anderson is still the most targeted Jet receiver this season.

I spent time telling you I wouldn’t talk about the top guy, and yet I’m still talking about Anderson in this article. Maybe it’s because of his 43.9 % catch rate, but it still feels like Robby Anderson is an “underdog” or undervalued guy. I understand why, but this is also a guy who saw two red zone targets last week while putting up 76 yards. Maybe I’m crazy, but it feels like larger things are on the horizon.

Verdict: Trade a late 2018 second or early 2018 third for him.

Chris Moore, WR BAL

Age:24

Targets: 7

Target change from previous week: +6

Snap Share:  46.6 %

Snap Share change from previous week: 34.5 %

I have an odd amount of knowledge about the Baltimore Ravens. I seem to have the same pull on Ravens fans that honey has on bees. My fiancé’s family is full of Ravens fans, and my former boss/mentor was a huge Ravens fan. It’s probably turned them into one of my favorite teams by osmosis.

That’s a long-winded premise to say why I’m even aware of Chris Moore’s existence. I’m not sure too many people are familiar with the 2016 fourth round pick. Nor should they be. In his first year, he only saw a total of 16 targets on a team that was desperate for playmakers.

Oddly, I still find myself writing about him. Even though I know his large amount of targets last week was only due to injuries to both Jeremy Maclin and Breshad Perriman. Still, it’s impressive in his first taste of action this season he led the team in receiving yards. Though, I suppose that’s not saying much with Joe Flacco looking less “elite” than ever.

Verdict: Pick up off waivers, stash on taxi squad if your leagues allows second year players.

Recap from last week

Juju Smith-Schuster, WR PIT

I hope you all listened when I said it was time to buy Smith-Schuster. With rumors swirling that Martavis Bryant wants out, his price is only about to go up.

Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, TE NYJ

He’s another one I hope you traded for. He had one touchdown and almost had another that was called back on a very controversial call. He showed great maturity about the call and continues to see more and more red zone looks.

Jerick McKinnon, RB MIN

I’m not trying to toot my own horn here, but you likely can’t get McKinnon for a late second anymore. I know the debate rages on about his running effectiveness, but he’s a big part of the Vikings passing offense now.

Ed Dickson, TE CAR

I didn’t give a ringing endorsement of Dickson last week but did mention you should pick him up off waivers. Four receptions for 36 yards isn’t great, but he did see two red zone targets. It didn’t help that Cam Newton was all over the place last week.

Nick O’Leary, TE BUF

He was on a bye. So, yeah.

Well, folks, that’s all she wrote for this week. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it for you. As always, I’m happy to answer any questions @RekedFantasy on twitter.

*This article borrows from pro-football-reference.com and playerprofiler.com*

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