Similar to Week 12, the number of players with Week 13 targets were still low. While two players did get 16 targets each, the list of players with double-digit targets is still only at 15. Some games did have weather issues, and this is the time of year where it gets very cold in outdoor stadiums in the north, but football players should be able to throw and catch in all conditions.
By this point of the season, fantasy owners are likely just setting their line-ups with barely a look at the waiver wire. However, in Week 14, this is win or you’re out time for many. Looking at targets, not just for the players on your team, but also players on the waiver wire is more important than ever.
Take Stephen Anderson, for example. He wasn’t even on the fantasy radar prior to last week. However, because of injuries to other pass catchers on the Houston Texans, he’s on this list. He also saw 12 targets in Week 13, more than any other tight end. Those targets are likely to continue, and fantasy owners should take note.
Please note none of the charts below show total receptions, total fantasy points or touchdowns. The sole purpose of this analysis is to look at targets.
Week 13 Target Watch
Each week I will be reviewing the targets from the past week, the season and even digging deeper by running back and tight end. I will also be analyzing any trends I find along the way.
Week 13 Double-Digit Targets
| Player | Team | Targets |
| Antonio Brown * | Pittsburgh Steelers | 16 |
| A.J. Green | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 |
| DeAndre Hopkins * | Houston Texans | 14 |
| Keenan Allen * | Los Angeles Chargers | 14 |
| Kenny Stills | Miami Dolphins | 13 |
| Nelson Agholor | Philadelphia Eagles | 12 |
| Stephen Anderson | Houston Texans | 12 |
| Robby Anderson * | New York Jets | 12 |
| Rob Gronkowski | New England Patriots | 11 |
| Josh Gordon | Cleveland Browns | 11 |
| Demaryius Thomas | Denver Broncos | 10 |
| Marqise Lee | Jacksonville Jaguars | 10 |
| Jermaine Kearse * | Seattle Seahawks | 10 |
| Golden Tate | Detroit Lions | 10 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | Arizona Cardinals | 10 |
Week 13 was tough on pass-catchers. Some of the guys that usually make this list (Julio Jones, Adam Thielen) didn’t see double-digit targets. However, some of the usual stand-outs lead the Week 13 targets list: Antonio Brown, A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins and Keenan Allen. Allen has been on a hot streak toward the end of the season, just in time for the playoffs. With a good fantasy schedule, he should continue to help his owners.
A newcomer on this list is Josh Gordon, playing in his first game since 2014. He saw 11 targets, compared to Corey Coleman’s four. DeShone Kizer was looking for him, and will likely continue to do so. Fantasy owners should use him this week against Green Bay.
Top 10 Target Leaders
| Player | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Total |
| Antonio Brown, PIT | 10 | 10 | BYE | 7 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 142 |
| DeAndre Hopkins, HOU | BYE | 11 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 139 |
| Jarvis Landry, MIA | 11 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 123 |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 7 | 5 | BYE | 7 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 121 |
| Michael Thomas, NE | 11 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 117 |
| Larry Fitzgerald, ARI | 3 | BYE | 9 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 116 |
| Adam Thielen, MIN | 12 | 10 | BYE | 12 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 112 |
| Dez Bryant, DAL | 10 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 109 |
| Julio Jones, ATL | 13 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 6 | 107 |
| Demaryius Thomas, DEN | 6 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 106 |
| A.J. Green, CIN | 5 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 106 |
Because of ties, the Top 10 list is still 11, although it is a different 11 players than last week. Mike Evans, with his brutal Week 13 game, fell off the list. A.J. Green was added, following his 16-target game in Week 13. Green has been good, but not great this season. He hasn’t had more than five receptions in a game since Week 5. He has eight touchdowns on the year, putting him on pace for 10 on the season.
Adam Thielen had a down week, with only five targets. He did catch four of them for 51 yards, but that’s not what fantasy owners have expected from him. Minnesota faces Carolina in Week 14, which could be a good match-up, if Case Keenum throws the ball more than he did in Week 13.
Top Tight End Targets In Week 13
| Stephen Anderson | Houston Texans | 12 |
| Rob Gronkowski * | New England Patriots | 11 |
| Hunter Henry | San Diego Chargers | 9 |
| Evan Engram | New York Giants | 8 |
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs | 8 |
With Zach Ertz battling a concussion and Rob Gronkowski suspended for Week 14, some of the tight ends on this list may make their way into fantasy starting line-ups. Stephen Anderson, for example, is a tight end that may be able to replace Ertz or Gronk. He faces the 49ers in Week 14. San Francisco has allowed a touchdown to a tight end in six of the past seven weeks (they didn’t allow a touchdown to a Chicago tight end last week). Anderson had five receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown in Week 13. He’s a TE2 with upside
Top Running Back Targets In Week 13
| Mark Ingram | New Orleans Saints | 7 |
| C.J. Anderson | Denver Broncos | 7 |
| Todd Gurley * | Los Angeles Rams | 7 |
The running back target list is a short list for Week 13. If the list were expanded to running backs with six targets, it would have seven additional running backs. Week 13 was a tough week all around for pass-catchers. Ingram and Gurley each caught six of their seven targets; Anderson caught four of his.
Gurley is a top running back each week, but Anderson had his best game as a receiver so far this season. The four catches matched his season high, and the 43 yards are a receiving season high for him. He did score a receiving touchdown in Week 2 but has otherwise been quiet. Facing the Jets in Week 14, he’s an RB3.
- Week 16 Target Watch: Larry Fitzgerald Is Ageless - December 30, 2017
- Week 15 Target Watch: Greg Olsen Is Back - December 24, 2017
- Week 14 Target Watch: 18 more targets for Antonio Brown - December 16, 2017
