Chasing the Targets: Week Eight

With great power comes great responsibility. Maybe I’m thinking about that line because Spiderman Homecoming has just come out on DVD. Or maybe, it’s because my intuition that looking at targets and snap share could lead to fantasy success has had some early results. I wouldn’t say I’m a hero, but you know, some people might be saying it.

Okay, so no one is saying it. That isn’t going to stop me from providing you with my insights whether you want them or not.

Demarcus Robinson, WR KC

Age: 23

Targets: 8

Target change from previous week: +3

Snap Share: 98.4%

Snap Share change from previous week: +7.7%

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Move over Jehu Chesson. There’s a new unheralded hero in town and his name is Demarcus Robinson. Robinson instantly saw his targets and snap share increase when Chris Conley went down, despite everyone thinking Albert Wilson would inherit the role. Not only has Robinson both out-snapped and out-targeted Wilson since, but he’s seen four red zone targets to Wilson’s one.

I know it’s hard to imagine Robinson being worth much of anything with the Olympian known as Travis Kelce also on the team. Kareem Hunt working his way up to the pantheon of fantasy gods doesn’t help either. However, with Alex Smith performing as if he was blessed by the actual Zeus, you have to pay attention to anyone getting target volume in that offense.

Verdict: Pick up off waivers especially in best ball leagues

Javorius Allen, RB BAL

Age: 26

Targets: 11

Target change from previous week: +7

Snap Share: 63.1%

Snap Share change from previous week: -1.3 %

Another Ravens player? You’d think they were my favorite team. They aren’t, though I did mention last week that I like them.

In fact, most Ravens fan probably won’t appreciate the fact that I’m saying this: there have been two players featured because their offense is in disarray. Undeterred by the chaos, Allen has found his way into being a very useful and underrated piece. I bet you didn’t know that his lowest points total of the season in .5 ppr leagues this season was 5.3. Or that in the last three weeks his lowest points total was 8.10.

Some of that value has come on the ground, but over the last three games, he has been targeted 20 times. On those 20 targets, he has put up a 15-58-1 line. The yards per reception may not be overly impressive but in any sort of PPR format that will play. In case I didn’t mention, he is currently the RB16 in .5 PPR formats. Buy for your contending teams before his owners wisen up.

Verdict: Offer two thirds if you’re contending this season but be willing to go to a second.

Cooper Kupp, WR LAR

Age: 24

Targets: 10

Target change from previous week: +7

Snap Share: 78.8%

Snap Share change from the previous week: +18.5%

Let’s get this started on the right foot. I don’t like Cooper Kupp. I thought he was being overrated because of one good bowl game.

I also thought early in the season Sean McVay may actually make something of this offense, and he traded for Sammy Watkins! Sammy Watkins is going to stay healthy and score all of the touchdowns. There will be no touchdowns left for anyone else because Sammy is scoring so many.

Let’s just say so far I may need to borrow a concept from Shia Lebeouf. I think I’d look decent wearing a paper bag that says, “I’m not a fantasy analyst anymore.” Not only has Sammy done close to nothing on this offense, but Cooper Kupp has looked very good for a rookie. In fact, Kupp is one of only three rookies to have 300 or more receiving yards on the season.

The others, Christian McCaffrey and Evan Engram, may be getting more hype but it may be time Kupp gets some recognition. I may have just shuddered typing that, but he saw his second-highest snap share of the season against the Cardinals, and saw five red zone targets. Yes, you read that right.

Verdict: Send a 2018 early second and a 2018 third if you want Kupp. If you really want him it may cost a late first from a savvy owner.

Kenny Stills, WR MIA

Age: 25

Targets: 9

Target change from previous week: +5

Snap Share: 98.6%

Snap Share change from the previous week: 9%

Don’t let the haters tell you that Kenny Stills was only relevant this week because of Matt Moore. His lowest amount of snaps played this season is 86.4% demonstrating that he’s on the field even when Jay Cutler is at the helm. His target share has been all over the place ranging from a high of ten targets in week three to a low of two targets in week five. However, he has had five red zone target in six games.

I’m not going to lie to you all, I was very off the Stills train this year. I thought there was no way he’d repeat his numbers from the past season, even though he had some early career success with the Saints. Stills must have heard me, because he’s managed to improve his catch rate this season and seems to be on pace to beat his numbers from last season.

One final point I’d like to make on Stills is he is only 25. It just seems like he has been in the league forever, but that’s because he’s been playing since he was 21. Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind Jarvis Landry is a free agent at the end of the year. When he’s gone, it could be DeVante Parker and Stills show. I’d invest now while people are still fairly low on him.

Verdict: Send two thirds or a 2018 2nd in best ball format

Trent Taylor, WR SF

Age: 23

Targets: 5

Target change from previous week: 0

Snap Share: 69.7 %

Snap Share increase from previous week: +8.6%

I seem to have a penchant for introducing my readers to players you’ve likely never heard of. Trent Taylor was a fifth-round pick for the 49ers this past off-season. While I know that it’s not a big school, his last two seasons at Louisiana Tech were impressive. In his final season, he had 136 receptions, 1803 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

I’m not saying that he’s going to do that in the NFL, but his highest snap share of the season did just coincide with the promotion of C.J. Beathard to starting quarterback. I often like to see who gets targeted when a new quarterback is instilled, and Taylor was the fourth most targeted. It’s clear that Beathard and Taylor aren’t going to be posting anniversary photos of their bromance anytime soon on Instagram, but it’s notable that he’s getting some looks.

It’ll likely be difficult for Taylor to ever become a top guy considering Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon are both around next season. That said, he is someone who is seeing at least a few targets per game. He’s certainly worth monitoring, especially if your league allows a taxi squad.

Verdict: Add to taxi squad if you have room. Monitor closely if not.

Recap from last week

George Kittle, TE SF

He only saw two targets this week, his lowest target share with Beathard on the field. So much for that narrative. To be fair, the 49ers couldn’t get anything going against the Cowboys. I still believe in Kittle.

Darren Fells, TE DET

He had his bye week.

Ryan Grant, WR WAS

Grant only saw three targets but one of those was a red zone target. He’s still a decent cheap target in best ball leagues.

Robby Anderson, WR NYJ

Anderson had five targets and a touchdown – not bad for the price you can still likely get him at. Though he needs to keep the helmet-slamming under control.

Chris Moore, WR BAL

Moore saw eight targets this past week. He only caught two of them, but one was a touchdown.

That’s all for this week ladies and gents. I hope you all enjoy watching Chris Moore on Thursday! If you have any questions as always please feel free to message me @RekedFantasy on twitter.

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