Week 5 Target Report Highlights
Doc Brown from “Back to the Future” (one of the greatest movie characters ever, followed closely by Bernie from “Weekend at Bernie’s I and II) couldn’t have predicted this week’s target leaders.
Miles Austin and Eddie Royal were tied with Wes Welker at 15 targets apiece. Royal’s struggles have been well documented by us and others around the fantasy world. The funny part of his breakout is that there’s no logical explanation for the sudden barrage of targets. Royal wasn’t used any differently in Week 5 than he was in the first four weeks, when he compiled just eight total catches. It’s not like Royal was moved to the slot or the Broncos ran a ton of screens for him.
That’s why we have to be skeptical about assuming he’s turned the corner. Let’s see him do it again Monday night against the Chargers.
Anyway, on to this week’s highlights. Here are five pass-catching situations that caught our eye in Week 5:
For a complete target report, plus all the tools you need for Week 6, check out the Season Pass.
RAVENS
Todd Heap: 9
Ray Rice: 8
Mark Clayton: 7
LeRon McClain: 4
Kelley Washington: 1
Willis McGahee: 1
Derrick Mason: 1
Derrick Mason, where have you gone? In his last seven quarters, Mason has one catch for 11 yards. “Ask our offensive coordinator,” said Mason, per the Baltimore Sun. “I’m just running routes.” Maybe the Bengals’ bracket coverage really is that good. Or maybe Mason isn’t getting open.
JETS
Braylon Edwards: 9
David Clowney: 4
Thomas Jones: 2
Leon Washington: 2
Brad Smith: 2
Jerricho Cotchery: 2
Dustin Keller: 1
Cotchery clearly wasn’t healthy and was just a decoy, but this is still a great sign for Edwards. Mark Sanchez stared down his new toy and it looked like Edwards circa 2007. It’s inexcusable for the Jets not to get Keller involved more.
EAGLES
Jeremy Maclin: 8
Brent Celek: 5
DeSean Jackson: 3
LeSean McCoy: 3
Jason Avant: 2
Brian Westbrook: 2
Leonard Weaver: 1
I am not afraid to admit I was dead wrong on Maclin. I thought he was too raw, missed too much camp time and was too far down on the depth chart to have a fantasy impact this year. Without overreacting to one game, Sunday changed a lot. Maclin didn’t just go deep, he also went over the middle in impressive fashion. He’s the starter over Kevin Curtis going forward, even if Andy Reid won’t admit it yet.
One other quick note: DeSean Jackson’s one catch for one yard game shows what can happen in this offense. Jackson is obviously higher on the totem pole than Maclin, so the rookie is going to throw up some air balls as well. Jackson was none too pleased about his day either. Expect McNabb to look for him this week against the Raiders.
STEELERS
Hines Ward: 7
Santonio Holmes: 6
Heath Miller: 6
Mike Wallace: 5
Mewelde Moore: 3
Rashard Mendenhall: 2
Limas Sweed: 1
Miller’s career high for catches is 48. He has 29 through five games this season. Miller tied for seventh in targets among tight ends on the season, but his hands are unreal. He snatches anything close. Holmes has been quiet, the breakout has to come soon. He’s in too good of a situation.
COLTS
Joseph Addai: 10
Dallas Clark: 9
Austin Collie: 9
Reggie Wayne: 8
Pierre Garcon: 4
Donald Brown: 3
Gijon Robinson: 1
The question here is how Anthony Gonzalez’s return will impact this report. Gonzalez is expected to slowly be eased back in after the team‘s bye this week. Clark, who has 35 catches in five games, figures to eventually get a few less targets as Gonzalez works the middle of the field. Collie and Garcon will obviously get less snaps. If you can dump them on an unsuspecting owner, go for it.
TARGET REPORT QUICK HITTERS:
Vernon Davis has 10 more targets than anyone else on the 49ers. … Ray Rice leads all running backs in targets with 32. … Michael Clayton had just three catches on 12 targets. Perhaps he should put on 100 pounds and become an offensive guard as his best asset is blocking. … Ted Ginn Jr’s two targets weren’t a surprise. The fact that he burned Darrelle Revis for a bomb was. … Andre Caldwell had just two targets, but made the game-winning catch again. He’s the Mariano Rivera of the NFL.
Comments
What did i tell u about Maclin in my earlier comments! Dont sleep
Posted by: scott c | October 14, 2009 12:47 PM
i think collie's value will be high all year. I cant see them removing him from the slot at this point. Gonzo may have to take over the more traditional role of Marvin, where he only stays on the outside - he used to still go to the slot a lot. That would only diminish the value of Garcon.
Posted by: scott c | October 14, 2009 12:51 PM
This site used to be really good with great content and daily posts. Not so great lately. Kind of a bummer.
Posted by: Jacob | October 14, 2009 3:55 PM
This site used to be really good with great content and daily posts. Not so great lately. Kind of a bummer.
Posted by: Jacob | October 14, 2009 3:55 PM
Who would you prefer going forward, Chris Henry or Caldwell?
Posted by: hb | October 14, 2009 4:44 PM
Could we get some link cleanup on the right side? Haven't seen a change in over a year I don't think and I'ld love to have a few more quality sites to read.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 14, 2009 8:25 PM
Off the subject, but I've got to get this off my chest: Pierre Thomas is KILLING ME!!! Damn it!!!!
I hate that fact that luck plays such a big part in fantasy football.
Posted by: JS | October 14, 2009 11:12 PM