Touches and Target report – Week 4

“Volume is king”. If you have played fantasy for a while, you have most certainly heard this phrase before. And it is true that volume is one of the best indicators when trying to predict performances. Enter the Touches and Target report. Here, we will give you an overview of all the relevant targets and touches for every team in the league.

When I say relevant targets, it means I will not be including something like Stephen Carlson getting 1 target for the Browns or Damion Ratley getting a target for the Giants, because, let’s face it, you will never ever(!) have either of them on your fantasy team.

The report will be broken in to a number of stats, but the most important ones are touches, targets and target share, because these are the true indicators of volume going forward.

8. AFC North

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 04: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Baltimore Ravens

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Mark Ingram81914,33431
JK Dobbins51628,7161 
Gus Edwards9 9  38  
Marquise Brown 44834,8 86 
Willie Snead 2228,7 20 
Mark Andrews 33313 57 
Miles Boykin 22417,4 28 
Devin Duvernay 1128,7 4 
Unreliable backfield for fantasy, with Brown and Andrews being the worthwhile players among the pass catchers.

Cincinnati Bengals

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Joe Mixon25631617,1151303
Giovani Bernard2 2  19  
AJ Green 11514,3 3 
Tyler Boyd178822,9490 
Tee Higgins1457201377 
Drew Sample 33514,3 47 
Auden Tate 1112,9 15 
There we go! The Mixon game we had all been waiting for. It just goes to show that volume (and talent) wins out in the end. Boyd is the #1 target in the pass game, and AJ Green has taken a seat to Tee Higgins, who has more targets for the second week in a row. AJ Green is at the end of your bench now.

Cleveland Browns

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Kareem Hunt11 11  71  
Nick Chubb6 6  43  
D’Ernest Johnson13 13  95  
Jarvis Landry 55623,1 48 
Odell Beckham257830,873813
Austin Hooper 55726,9 341
Harrison Bryant 44415,4 37 
Chubb left the game with an injury, leaving Hunt the brunt of the work and D’Ernest Johnson got mop-up duty. Going forward I think Johnson will be involved, seeing somewhere around 10 touches. OBJ had himself a game, but I wouldn’t count on that happening again anytime soon, the passing volume in this offense is just way too low for it to be consistent. I would sell high on OBJ.

Pittsburgh Steelers

BYE WEEK

7. AFC South

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 27: David Johnson #31 of the Houston Texans in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Houston Texans

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
David Johnson1621839,76329 
Duke Johnson538412,92421 
Will Fuller 66722,6 1081
Brandin Cooks   39,7   
Kenny Stills 22412,9 391
Randall Cobb 22516,1 36 
Jordan Akins 3339,7 46 
This offense looks so uninspiring. Perhaps the firing of Bill O’Brien can spark something, but until then it’s David Johnson and Will Fuller, not much else. Cooks is droppable.

Indianapolis Colts

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Nyheim Hines9312310,7248 
Jonathan Taylor1711813,66811 
Jordan Wilkins911013,61516 
TY Hilton 33517,6 29 
Mo Alie-Cox 1127,1 131
Zach Pascal 33828,6 58 
Trey Burton 22517,9 16 
Hines and Wilkins combined for more carries than JT, and I think the Colts wants to limit his touches somewhat to not overload him early on in the season. In the passing game, Pascal looks to clearly have surpassed TY. Burton getting 5 targets is curious, and something we need to monitor going forward. He knows Frank Reich from Philadelphia and if he becomes Rivers’ favorite TE target, he is going to be worth an add at a position that is scattershot as always.

Jacksonville Jaguars

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
James Robinson17421411,175  
DJ Chark 88925 952
Lavishka Shenault156616,7586 
Keelan Cole 44513,9 46 
Chris Conley 33411,1 44 
Tyler Eifert 22616,7 22 
DJ Chark was back and he showed that he is the alpha in this passing game. This game is a pretty perfect depiction of how this offense should play out rest of season, except for the part where Eifert got 6 targets. Robinson, Chark and Shenault are the reliable players here.

Tennessee Titans

BYE WEEK

6. AFC East

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills hands the ball of to running back Devin Singletary #26 during the first half of the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 4, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bills defeated the Raiders 30-23. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Buffalo Bills

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Devin Singletary18523618,855211
Stefon Diggs 66721,9 115 
John Brown 44515,6 42 
Cole Beasley 33412,5 321
Gabriel Davis 1113,1 261
Tyler Kroft 1139,4 12 
Dawson Knox 2239,4 16 
Singletary keeps getting plenty of touches with Zack Moss out, and I’d be surprised if they go back to the near split they had before, even when Moss comes back healthy.

Miami Dolphins

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Myles Gaskin1031348,94022 
Matt Breida33636,7939 
Jordan Howard21312,22-3 
Devante Parker 10101226,7 110 
Preston Williams 1136,7 15 
Mike Gesicki 1136,7 15 
Isaiah Ford 441022,2 48 
Ford getting 10 targets to Preston Williams’ 3, could be an indication, but we need to see it for another week in order to really conclude anything meaningful. Not much else here we didn’t know. Gesicki is going to be extremely hit or miss, like 90% of TEs

New England Patriots

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Damien Harris17 17  100  
Rex Burkhead1111212,9455 
James White3710822,92138 
Damiere Byrd 551028,6 80 
Julian Edelman 33617,1 35 
Nkeal Harry 33617,1 211
Ryan Izzo   38,6   
With Sony Michel going on IR, Harris came off that same list to the tune of 17 carries. He didn’t look good to begin with, but as the game got on, he started looking better and had a good second half. I expect him to be the primary ball carrier for this offense, but he won’t get any passing down work, with James White taking most of that out of the backfield. For pass catchers, you will have Edelman rostered, but can’t start him on a weekly basis. Harry looks sluggish and unable to use his big body to his advantage

New York Jets

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Frank Gore1311424,7306 
La’Mical Perine5 5  15  
Jamison Crowder 771023,3 104 
Jeff Smith 77920,9 81 
Chris Hogan 44818,6 23 
Braxton Berrios   37   
Ryan Griffin 3337 10 
Chris Herndon 1137 11 
Still not worth rostering anyone but Crowder from this team.

5. AFC West

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 01: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Melvin Gordon III #25 of the Denver Broncos in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 01, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Broncos defeated the Jets 37-28. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Melvin Gordon23225310,7107112
Royce Freeman32527,166
Noah Fant 55621,4 35 
Jerry Jeudy 22414,3 61 1
Tim Patrick 66725 113 1
DaeSean Hamilton 11310,7 9 
Tim Patrick is the big takeaway here. Led the team in targets, and looked good doing so. Worth a waiver add and could very well be a viable flex option during bye weeks. If Fant doesn’t play that’s an even bigger plus for him.

Kansas City Chiefs

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire16319310,36427 
Tyreek Hill 44620,7 641
Sammy Watkins 44724,1 43 
Travis Kelce 33620,7 70 
Mecole Hardman 44413,8 271
Hardman has overtaken Demarcus Robinson, which is encouraging, but he likely still needs an injury to see enough targets to be a start. For now he is a stash.

Las Vegas Raiders

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Josh Jacobs1531849,34825 
Jalen Richard12349,3610 
Darren Waller 991227,9 88 
Nelson Agholor 4449,3 44 1
Zay Jones 44614 32 
Hunter Renfrow 55818,6 57 
Jacobs and Waller. Renfrow can be used as a flex as long as Ruggs and Edwards are out.

Los Angeles Chargers

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Austin Ekeler21314122 
Joshua Kelley9312312726 
Justin Jackson62828912 
Hunter Henry 22312 39 
Mike Williams        
Keenan Allen 881248 62 
Ekeler got injured in the game, leaving a workload to be shared between Kelley and Jackson. We’ll need to see how it shakes out, but we have to believe that Kelley gets most of the rushing work now. In the pass game I’m still fine with starting Allen (2nd in targets in the entire league) and Henry, at least until Tyrod Taylor maybe comes back.

4. NFC North

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Robert Tonyan #85 of the Green Bay Packers scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field on October 05, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
David Montgomery103 614,32730 
Cordarrelle Patterson31 24,85  
Allen Robinson 771023,8 1011
Anthony Miller 33511,9 16 
Darnell Mooney 55921,4 52 
Jimmy Graham 44511,9 33 
Ted Ginn 2224,8 11 
Curious as to why Mooney got such a large target share, mostly at the expense of Miller. Worth monitoring and if this keeps up somewhat, Mooney is going to be a fine play for some of the heavier bye weeks to come.

Detroit Lions

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Adrian Peterson11 1126,736 1
Kerryon Johnson31413,393 
D’Andre Swift448413,32230 
Kenny Golladay 44826,7 621
Danny Amendola 22310 57 
TJ Hockenson 22413,3 91
Marvin Jones 1126,7 9 
Jesse James 1126,7 31 
The confusion continues with this backfield. In the pass game, it’s Golladay and possibly Hockenson that you can start. Marvin Jones is droppable, especially given that Lions is going on bye in week 5.

Green Bay Packers

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Aaron Jones15520515,271401
Jamaal Williams8816824,21095 
Darrius Shepherd 2239,1 21 
Marquez Valdes-Scantling 44824,2 45 
Robert Tonyan 66618,2 983
With GB now going on a bye in week 5 and Davante Adams coming back for week 6, I’m not gonna read into these stats at all.

Minnesota Vikings

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Dalvin Cook2722929,113016 
Alexander Mattison7    17  
Adam Thielen1891045,581141
Kyle Rudolph 2229,1 27 
Justin Jefferson 44522,7 103 
Very concentrated pass game, with Thielen and Jefferson being the main guys is going to remain for the rest of season, leaving those two and Cook as the viable fantasy starts

3. NFC South

TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 20: Juston Burris #31 of the Carolina Panthers tackles Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Atlanta Falcons

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Todd Gurley1611712,65762
Calvin Ridley   512,8   
Julio Jones 44410,3 32 
Russell Gage12337,7-222 
Olamide Zaccheaus 88923,1 86 
Hayden Hurst 44615,4 51 
This was a very weird game on the Falcons’ part, and I honestly wouldn’t read in to it at all.

Carolina Panthers

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Mike Davis16521616,784271
Curtis Samuel235411,1-351 
Robby Anderson 881130,6 99 
DJ Moore 44616,7 49 
Ian Thomas 22513,9 51
It’s baffling to me, when you have someone as talented as DJ Moore, how he is not the WR1 in this offense, but clearly the connection that Rhule and Anderson shares from their time at Temple has seen Robby Anderson take the #1 role. 

New Orleans Saints

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Latavius Murray141 2862192
Alvin Kamara193 41683361
Deonte Harris21 281010 
Emmanuel Sanders 6 936 93 
Tre’Quan Smith 4 416 542
Still can’t gage much from the target share as long as Thomas is out. The offense still flows through Kamara and that’s the only thing we can say is going to continue

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Ronald Jones2062692011117 
LeSean McCoy11212,233 
Ke’Shawn Vaughn32536,74221
Mike Evans 77817,8 1221
Scotty Miller 55715,6 831
OJ Howard 33613,3 501
Rob Gronkowski 1136,7 29 
Justin Watson 44613,3 40 
RoJo led the team in targets, but that is unlikely to happen again this season given that he had some big drops and Vaughn got the passing game work out of the backfield instead, after McCoy went down. Scotty Miller continues to be a fine flex play when Godwin is out, and even more so now that OJ Howard is lost with an injury.

2. NFC East

LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 04: Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) makes a long reception against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Khalil Dorsey (31) during the Baltimore Ravens game versus the Washington Football Team on October 4, 2020 at FedEx Field in in Landover, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Dallas Cowboys

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Ezekiell Elliott12820813,85418 
Tony Pollard31423,41616 
Amari Cooper 12121627,6 1341
Ceedee Lamb156712,13792
Michael Gallup 2258,6 29 
Cedrick Wilson 33610,3 64 
Dalton Schultz 44813,8 721
Given how insanely poor the Cowboys defense is, this team has to throw the ball a ton to stay in games, which is good news for fantasy. It helps retain Zeke’s high floor, and Cooper, Lamb and Schultz are all borderline must starts at this point. It’s not entirely time to panic on Gallup yet, but he is reaching a territory where it’s hard to trust him as more than a bye week filer.

New York Giants

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Dion Lewis12338,3108 
Devonta Freeman11415411,13335 
Wayne Gallman6 6  45  
Darius Slayton 33719,4 48 
Golden Tate 44616,7 20 
Kaden Smith 1112,8 10 
Evan Engram 661027,8 35 
You probably have to start players like Slayton and Engram, but I wouldn’t feel great about it. Although this week they get a juicy match up against the Cowboys D who is allowing everything to everyone. If none of the Giants’ get it done this week it might just be time to cut bait.

Philadelphia Eagles

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Miles Sanders13215415,446  
Travis Fulgham 22311,5 571
John Hightower 2227,7 22 
Greg Ward 44726,9 38 
Richard Rodgers 33415,4 35 
Zach Ertz 44519,2 9 
Despite winning their game against the 49ers, there’s really not anything positive to say about this team, and it all comes down to Carson Wentz who doesn’t look good. Sanders is the only reliable player here until we see otherwise, and even his value is somewhat capped due to their bad offense.

Washington Football Team

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Antonio Gibson13417511,446821
Peyton Barber3  12,35  
JD McKissic279818,2640 
Terry McLaurin 10101431,8 118 
Logan Thomas 1149,1 8 
Isaiah Wright145511,4920 
Dontrelle Inman 44511,4 29 
Nothing much to see here. Start Gibson and McLaurin and move on. Kyle Allen is starting next week, and I don’t expect that to change anything

1. NFC West

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 04: Nick Mullens #4 hands off to Jerick McKinnon #28 of the San Francisco 49ers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Levi’s Stadium on October 04, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Kenyan Drake13    35  
Chase Edmonds459619,416 1
Deandre Hopkins 77929 41 
Christian Kirk 33516,1 191
Larry Fitzgerald 2239,7 4 
Andy Isabella 2239,7 3 
Dan Arnold 44412,9 39 
The Cardinals were just bad in this game. Horrible playcalling in the run game has limited Drake all season, and we can’t say for sure if he is the lead back in week 5. Luckily they get the Jets next, which should mean that Kirk and perhaps Isabella are possible flex options this coming week.

Los Angeles Rams

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Malcolm Brown9514618,83719 
Darrell Henderson81913,12216 
Robert Woods167721,9235 
Tyler Higbee 33412,5 21 
Cooper Kupp156721,9-2691
Gerald Everett11213,12101
Josh Reynolds 33412,5 25 
If there’s anything you can count on, it’s the Rams confusing the heck out of fantasy managers. It does indeed seem to be Shanahanigans in the Rams backfield, and you can’t start either with confidence, even less so when Akers comes back. Kupp and Woods are the guys to start here. Higbee is only going to perform if he gets TDs or Everett is out.

San Francisco 49ers

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Jeff Wilson31412,4613 
Jerick McKinnon14721819,554431
Deebo Samuel13437,310  
Kendrick Bourne 33614,6 33 
Brandon Aiyuk123512,238181
George Kittle115161536,681831
McKinnon continues to get it done and is a must-start until Mostert comes back (I’m not really concerned about Coleman). I also expect Deebos target share to increase in the weeks to come.

Seattle Seahawks

 CarriesReceptionsTouchesTargets Target Share %Rushing yardsReceiving yardsTDs
Chris Carson163 412,180202
DK Metcalf 4 618,2 106 
David Moore 3 412,1 951
Freddie Swain 2 26,1 32 
Tyler Lockett 2 412,1 39 
Greg Olsen 5 721,2 35 
Seattle was content running the ball, and when Russ was throwing he was spreading it out. I still maintain that it’s all about Lockett, Metcalf and Carson, even though Lockett disappointed wildly this game.



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