DFS: Week 9 AFC Target Tracker
Here's a team-by-team look at the most targeted players in the AFC through Week 8 (click here for NFC targets):
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith Sr. | 7 | 70 | 10 |
| Kamar Aiken | 6 | 53 | 6.6 |
| Justin Forsett | 1 | 37 | 4.6 |
| Crockett Gillmore | 4 | 30 | 3.8 |
| Marlon Brown | 1 | 29 | 3.6 |
Smith's torn Achilles will thrust Aiken, Gillmore, and Brown into bigger roles than ever before. However, DFS players should play it safe and avoid the Ravens' offense for Week 9.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Clay | 0 (BYE) | 50 | 7.14 |
| Robert Woods | 0 (BYE) | 36 | 5.14 |
| Percy Harvin | 0 (BYE) | 30 | 6 |
| Chris Hogan | 0 (BYE) | 29 | 4.14 |
| Sammy Watkins | 0 (BYE) | 18 | 4.5 |
Tyrod Taylor is expected back in Week 9 but that does not cover up the overall weakness of the receiving group. Watkins and Clay are likely the best options with Woods and Hogan also in the mix.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.J. Green | 17 | 67 | 9.57 |
| Tyler Eifert | 8 | 48 | 6.85 |
| Marvin Jones | 5 | 43 | 6.14 |
| Mohamed Sanu | 3 | 27 | 3.85 |
| Giovani Bernard | 3 | 26 | 3.71 |
Green had a big Week 8 with his highest target total of the season. Regardless of the game format, DFS players should only be looking at him and Eifert for their lineups. The Bengals face Cleveland in Week 9.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Benjamin | 5 | 65 | 8.1 |
| Gary Barnidge | 11 | 59 | 7.37 |
| Andrew Hawkins | 3 | 38 | 4.75 |
| Brian Hartline | 10 | 35 | 4.37 |
| Taylor Gabriel | 7 | 33 | 4.12 |
It is official - Barnidge is legitimate top tight end option on a weekly basis. He sees plenty of targets and is a red-zone option, giving him great fantasy potential. Aside for him, the Browns receivers are a precarious bunch.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demaryius Thomas | 11 | 86 | 12.28 |
| Emmanuel Sanders | 5 | 70 | 10 |
| Owen Daniels | 3 | 32 | 4.57 |
| Jordan Norwood | 0 (inactive) | 18 | 3 |
| C.J. Anderson | 1 | 18 | 2.57 |
A season low in targets for Sanders led to two catches for 22 yards. On the other hand, Thomas saw his average amount of targets and helped lead the Broncos to their Week 8 win. Taking a chance on Vernon Davis in a GPP will be an intriguing option moving forward.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeAndre Hopkins | 11 | 112 | 14 |
| Nate Washington | 6 | 59 | 9.83 |
| Cecil Shorts III | 0 (inactive) | 45 | 9 |
| Arian Foster | 0 (inactive) | 27 | 4 |
| Keith Mumphrey | 2 | 29 | 3.62 |
Nothing new for Hopkins, with another week of double-digit targets. Washington is a legitimate fantasy option as Shorts continues to be hindered by a hamstring injury. However, once Shorts returns, he could significantly diminish Washington's fantasy potential.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| T.Y. Hilton | 15 | 74 | 10.5 |
| Donte Moncrief | 6 | 55 | 7.85 |
| Coby Fleener | 11 | 44 | 5.5 |
| Andre Johnson | 6 | 37 | 5.28 |
| Phillip Dorsett | 3 | 23 | 3.28 |
Andrew Luck is still searching for his 2014 form - and the production of his receivers have suffered. Things don't get any easier in next week's date with the Denver defense.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Robinson | 0 (BYE) | 69 | 9.85 |
| Allen Hurns | 0 (BYE) | 51 | 7.28 |
| Bryan Walters | 0 (BYE) | 25 | 3.57 |
| T.J. Yeldon | 0 (BYE) | 23 | 3.83 |
| Julius Thomas | 0 (BYE) | 20 | 6.66 |
The Jags visit the New York Jets in Week 9, a matchup that should pose significant issues for Robinson and Hurns. With that in mind, Juluis Thomas could be in a for a high amount of targets and productivity.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Maclin | 5 | 62 | 8.85 |
| Travis Kelce | 8 | 55 | 6.87 |
| Jamaal Charles | 0 (inactive) | 30 | 6 |
| Chris Conley | 1 | 26 | 3.25 |
| Albert Wilson | 4 | 23 | 3.83 |
The Kansas City pass offense is difficult for DFS players to navigate. Theoretically, Maclin and Kelce should be strong weekly plays; however, they have only combined for three 100+ yard games.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jarvis Landry | 8 | 54 | 7.71 |
| Rishard Matthews | 12 | 47 | 6.71 |
| Jordan Cameron | 5 | 43 | 6.14 |
| Kenny Stills | 7 | 27 | 3.85 |
| Greg Jennings | 2 | 23 | 3.28 |
The Dolphins were brought down back to earth by the Patriots in Week 8. In Week 9, they travel to Buffalo for another divisional matchup. Landry and Matthews are the top DFS options with Landry a strong cash-game play.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juilan Edelman | 9 | 75 | 10.7 |
| Rob Gronkowski | 9 | 63 | 9 |
| Dion Lewis | 9 | 45 | 7.5 |
| Danny Amendola | 1 | 32 | 4.57 |
Edelman, Gronkowski, and Lewis are great plays - especially in PPR formats. This trio dominates the targets in New England and can be relied upon on a weekly basis thanks to Tom Brady. In Week 9, the Pats play Washington.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Marshall | 18 | 78 | 11.14 |
| Eric Decker | 7 | 45 | 7.5 |
| Bilal Powell | 0 (inactive) | 19 | 3.8 |
| Chris Owusu | 0 (inactive) | 13 | 4.33 |
Marshall's 18 targets in Week 8 led the league, but a mid-game injury to Ryan Fitzpatrick limited his production. In Week 9, the Jets host the Jaguars; Marshall and Decker will be great cash-game options with ceilings fit for GPPs.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Crabtree | 12 | 68 | 9.71 |
| Amari Cooper | 9 | 59 | 8.42 |
| Latavius Murray | 2 | 23 | 3.28 |
| Mychal Rivera | 0 | 17 | 2.42 |
| Andre Holmes | 3 | 11 | 1.83 |
Crabtree had a great Week 7 as Cooper saw coverage from Darrelle Revis. Crabtree and Cooper continue to dominate targets as they are the only legitimate options in Oakland.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antonio Brown | 11 | 77 | 9.62 |
| Heath Miller | 13 | 37 | 4.62 |
| Darrius Heyward-Bey | 2 | 30 | 3.75 |
| Markus Wheaton | 2 | 26 | 3.25 |
| Martavis Bryant | 9 | 25 | 8.33 |
Miller surprised everyone with 13 targets. However, Brown and Bryant are really the only two options in Pittsburgh. With the loss of Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh receivers should see a slight increase in targets and production.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keenan Allen | 5 | 89 | 11.12 |
| Danny Woodhead | 3 | 50 | 6.25 |
| Ladarius Green | 1 | 37 | 5.28 |
| Stevie Johnson | 3 | 37 | 6.16 |
| Antonio Gates | 5 | 32 | 10.66 |
Targets were well-dispersed in Week 8, hindering the potential for any big games for the Chargers. With Allen out for what seems to be at least a few weeks, Woodhead, Green, Johnson, Gates and Malcom Floyd should see an uptick in their targets.
| NAME | WEEK 8 | TOTAL | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kendall Wright | 7 | 46 | 6.57 |
| Delanie Walker | 6 | 44 | 7.33 |
| Dexter McCluster | 6 | 25 | 3.57 |
| Harry Douglas | 0 (inactive) | 23 | 4.6 |
| Justin Hunter | 3 | 23 | 3.28 |
The note for the Titans receiving group has been the same for the past weeks in that DFS players should stay far away. None possess the consistency required for a cash game and the murky quarterback situation limits their ceiling in a GPP.