After weeks of players having a lot of targets, Week 16 was a down week. The Week 16 target watch showed only 15 players with double-digit targets. The games were rough (for some Fantasy owners) as some of the players who were expected to do well faltered.
For many leagues, the fantasy season is over. However, some formats have either the championship in Week 17 or a two-week play-off that ends in Week 17 (likely those are the only people still reading this column).
By this week, most Fantasy owners know who to start and who to sit. The factor that further complicates Week 17 is teams that may rest their starters.
Be sure to watch the team reports to see which fantasy studs (Todd Gurley, as an example) may be sitting in Week 17.
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 16 Target Watch
Each week I will be reviewing the targets for 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 16 Double-Digit Targets
| Player | Team | Targets |
| Larry Fitzgerald * | Arizona Cardinals | 15 |
| Zach Ertz | Philadelphia Eagles | 14 |
| Todd Gurley | Los Angeles Rams | 13 |
| Josh Doctson | Washington Redskins | 13 |
| Keelan Cole | Jacksonville Jaguars | 13 |
| T.Y. Hilton | Indianapolis Colts | 12 |
| Julio Jones | Atlanta Falcons | 11 |
| Roger Lewis * | New York Giants | 11 |
| DeVante Parker * | Miami Dolphins | 10 |
| T.J. Yeldon | Jacksonville Jaguars | 10 |
| A.J. Green | Cincinnati Bengals | 10 |
| Eric Decker | Tennessee Titans | 10 |
| Jack Doyle | Indianapolis Colts | 10 |
| Keenan Allen | Los Angeles Chargers | 10 |
| Charles Clay | Buffalo Bills | 10 |
Only three of the pass-catchers on the list of double-digit targets were on the list last week. Who would have thought that in Weeks 15 and 16, Roger Lewis and DeVante Parker would be seeing double-digit targets two weeks in a row? Fantasy is a fickle beast, and it all ends this week. Lewis is a desperation fantasy option for Week 17, as the Giants have essentially given up on the season. While Sterling Shepard and Even Engram may miss the game, it’s hard to trust Lewis in the fantasy finals.
As for the Week 16 target leader, Larry Fitzgerald, he’s had a solid season, especially for a 34-year-old. He’s had over 100 receptions and over 1,100 receiving yards so far this season. He has six touchdowns on the year and he’s suffered from sub-par quarterback play for most of the season. He’s still a solid WR2 in Week 17.
Top Tight End Targets In Week 16
| Zach Ertz * | Philadelphia Eagles | 14 |
| Jack Doyle | Indianapolis Colts | 10 |
| Charles Clay * | Buffalo Bills | 10 |
| Lance Kendricks | Green Bay Packers | 9 |
| Jason Witten | Dallas Cowboys | 9 |
Don’t read too much into Lance Kendricks being on this list. The Packers had a brutal Week 16 outing, where they were trying to get any offense possible. Even with injuries to Jordy Nelson and Devante Adams, don’t trust Kendricks. Both Jack Doyle and Charles Clay have been up and down all season. The targets were there for them in Week 16, but that’s never a guarantee for the next week.
Top Running Back Targets In Week 16
| Todd Gurley | Los Angeles Rams | 13 |
| T.J. Yeldon | Jacksonville Jaguars | 10 |
| C.J. Anderson | Denver Broncos | 9 |
| Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints | 9 |
Todd Gurley likely won many Fantasy owners a title in Week 16. He’s had an impressive run in the fantasy playoffs, but it looks like he will be resting in Week 17. Unfortunately for fantasy owners with Gurley on their team, they will have to find someone else to carry them to a championship.
Alvin Kamara has been great for fantasy owners as well, and he will be playing in Week 17. Keep in him line-ups as an RB1.
- 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
