Fantasy football target share for NFL Week 8

Target share can help give fantasy football managers an indication of potential breakout players or worrisome usage that could help make the right moves on waivers and in roster construction moving forward. Here are the target numbers from each NFL game so far of Week 8.

Calvin Ridley left the Thursday night game early with an ankle injury so that helps explains he’s low target share. Hayden Hurst continues to be a focal point of the Falcons passing game with back-to-back seven target games. While it was Curtis Samuel who had the big fantasy performance, it’s important to note that Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore still led the Panthers in targets which is comforting for fantasy managers.

Diontae Johnson yet again left this game with an injury and that opened the door for a Chase Claypool day, leading the Steelers in targets. This marks two games in a row for JuJu Smith-Schuster with at least eight targets. That’s good news for fantasy managers. Willie Snead coming out of nowhere to lead the Ravens in targets is something to monitor as the Ravens passing game continues to figure itself out. Marquise Brown needs more work.

With Julian Edelman and N’Keal Harry out, it was the Jakobi Meyers show for the Patriots’ passing game. He is 100% worth rostering. And for the Bills, it was all Stefon Diggs as Josh Allen only threw 18 times against the Patriots.

For the second week in a row Corey Davis saw 10 targets in the Titans passing game. He’s a must add if he’s not already on your fantasy team. Jonnu Smith seeing only two targets while healthy and on the field is concerning, especially with Anthony Firkser seeing the same amount of work and putting up better numbers. Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins are firmly the Bengals top two wide receivers with Auden Tate making a surprise appearance this week. Do the Bengals move on from Joe Mixon? Giovani Bernard has looked terrific for them last two weeks.

The crazy weather in Cleveland for this game certainly played a part as neither the Raiders nor the Browns pushed the ball down the field. It’s encouraging to see Henry Ruggs continue to become more involved in the Raiders passing game. As we expected, without Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry is the Browns clear number one receiver. Harrison Bryant also continues to be a factor, especially with Austin Hooper out.

Both Kenny Golladay and T.Y. Hilton left this game with injuries. Nyheim Hines had a big day scoring two touchdowns and the reliable target share is promising but the results aren’t super reliable yet. Things seem to be clicking for T.J. Hockenson, who’s now seen over six targets in back-to-back games for the Lions. If Golladay misses time, Marvin Hall and Marvin Jones Jr. are both names to target on waivers as they are the big play men for the Lions’ passing game. I like seeing four targets for D’Andre Swift even in a touch matchup.

Kirk Cousins only threw the ball 14 times which capped Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson’s ceiling but the target share is obviously expected and encouraging. The Packers offense is still the Davante Adams show with other players sprinkled in. Robert Tonyan is a weekly starter now and Jace Sternberger seems to be emerging at the tight end position. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is droppable in my opinion.

I don’t want to have a single Jets player on my fantasy roster. If you insist on having someone, make it whichever slot receiver is healthy. Mecole Hardman only behind Travis Kelce in targets is highly encouraging for the young speedster. He is totally worth adding on waivers as his role in the Chiefs offense has continued to grow. I also like seeing Le’Veon Bell getting passing work already. Hopefully those targets continue to grow.

Jared Goff threw the ball 61 TIMES and 21 of those were Cooper Kupp’s way. Tyler Higbee hypetrain is officially off the rails as it is clear he’s no longer the Rams number one tight end. Josh Reynolds has had three good weeks now and is certainly worth rostering. Myles Gaskin leading the Dolphins in targets isn’t a surprise with Tua Tagovailoa making his first NFL start. Preston Williams’ five targets is the second most he’s seen this season and possible a good sign moving forward. Don’t panic about DeVante Parker just yet.

You love seeing Keenan Allen and Mike Williams leading the Chargers in targets as a fantasy manager. Troymaine Pope came out of nowhere to have a solid game and might be a factor in the Chargers’ backfield as long as Austin Ekeler is out. 10 targets is the most for Jerry Jeudy this season and a great sign that he and Drew Lock are starting to connect which means more fantasy work coming his way. Great to see Noah Fant heavily involved when healthy.

The Saints passing game is Alvin Kamara, Alvin Kamara, Jared Cook, a touch of Tre’Quan Smith, and more Alvin Kamara until Michael Thomas returns (IF HE RETURNS!). I have more faith in Darnell Mooney and his fantasy future than Anthony Miller right now despite Miller leading the Bears in targets this week. Show me another strong week against the Titans Miller and you’ll have my attention.

Kendrick Bourne’s 10 targets are a clear product of Deebo Samuel out and George Kittle leaving this game with an injury. As long as Samuel is out—and especially if Kittle misses time—Bourne isn’t a bad stash in deeper leagues. D.K. Metcalf’s 15 targets just goes to show that he and Tyler Lockett can never have a good game at the same time. It’s either 100% Metcalf or 100% Lockett. This week it was Metcalf.

Ben DiNucci looked like a hot pile of garbage but Michael Gallup managers have to hope that he sticks around as he led the team and saw his most targets on the year. CeeDee Lamb has now seen only five targets in the last two games after averaging 8.5 through the first six weeks. The Eagles were clearly trying to get the ball into Jalen Reagor’s hands in his first game back from injury and that is very encouraging to see. Dallas Goedert only getting one target is not encouraging to see.