As the NFL season approaches the halfway point, several notable players have finally ended touchdown droughts. Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones found pay dirt in Week 7, while Minnesota Vikings receiver Adam Thielen and Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell had to go to London in Week 8 for their first scores of the season.
Here's a look at five other notable players/units who are each still in search of their first touchdown of the season.
Jay Ajayi, RB, Dolphins
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Ajayi's on pace to exceed last year's carry total and his usage in the passing game has also increased, but his yards-per-carry rate has dropped from 4.9 to 3.4. He has just two games with a play of at least 20 yards (he had six last year), and has no plays of more than 25 yards after topping 50 on three occasions in 2016.
He's the only Dolphins player to receive a red-zone carry, but has failed to score on all 11 of his attempts, according to NFL Savant. The Dolphins rank seventh in red-zone touchdown rate even without Ajayi's help, according to Team Rankings, so the scores will come as he maintains a stranglehold on the workload.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos
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Thomas ranks fourth on the Broncos in red-zone targets, with running back C.J. Anderson (eight) leading the way. Anderson's caught six of those targets, but has converted just one for a touchdown. Receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Bennie Fowler have each received seven targets, and both have scored two touchdowns.
Thomas caught 16 of 23 red zone targets in 2016 and scored four touchdowns inside the 20-yard line, leading the team in all three categories. His catch rate this season is right around his career average, and his average length of reception is at its highest of the past three years. A Broncos offense that ranks just 29th in red-zone percentage should shift its attention toward its top receiver.
C.J. Prosise/Eddie Lacy/Thomas Rawls, RBs, Seahawks
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The Seahawks have scored just two rushing touchdowns this season, with those coming from quarterback Russell Wilson and rookie J.D. McKissic. McKissic has scored one receiving touchdown as well, as did fellow rookie Chris Carson prior to his season-ending injury.
The above trio has failed to score either as runners or receivers this year, while racking up a combined 91 touches. Each has received just one red-zone target, while Rawls and Lacy have failed to score on their 14 combined rushing attempts inside the 20.
Pierre Garcon/Marquise Goodwin, WRs, 49ers
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49ers quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and C.J. Beathard have thrown touchdowns to a group consisting of tight ends George Kittle and Garrett Celek, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, running back Matt Breida, and wide receivers Aldrick Robinson and Trent Taylor.
Receivers Garcon and Goodwin, who rank first and second, respectively, in both targets and yards have been shut out. Goodwin ranks second on the team with nine red-zone targets, but he's caught just one of those, while Garcon has caught three of his five looks but has been kept out of the end zone. There's very little touchdown upside in the 49ers' offense.
Corey Davis, WR, Titans
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Davis, the top receiver selected in the 2017 draft, has played just two games this season, and none since Week 2. He has a chance to return from a hamstring injury in Week 9, when he'll immediately be able to help a Titans offense that's ranked 31st in red-zone touchdown percentage.
Backup tight end Phillip Supernaw has scored the team's lone red-zone receiving touchdown on the season.
