Target Targets
Jason and I posted our first podcast in May 2020, and since then, Jason has asked me to write an article on the website, repeatedly. I think I’ve agreed to do so many, many times. So here we are! Finally keeping up my end of the bargain by telling you how to win your league this year, and really every year.
Target Targets. (Copyright and Trademark not pending)
Seems simple enough, right? Now I’m sure you are thinking ‘no shit sherlock’, so please keep in mind that you are on a website that you have paid exactly $0 and have hours of podcast information that you have paid $0 for and you were expecting something brilliant?
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Alright, where were we… Ahhh yes, Target Targets.
As you heard in our WR1’s podcast, the WR’s that get the most targets, with few exceptions, will end up being the highest ranked WR during that year. So, let’s take a quick look at how this has shown itself in the past.
In 2018, of the 24 players with the most targets, all of them were in the top 24 WRs, except 4 of them.
Target Targets.
In 2019, of the 24 players with the most targets, all of them were in the top 24 WRs, except 2 of them.
Target Targets.
In 2020, of the 24 players with the most targets, all of them were in the top 24 WRs, except 5 of them.
Target Targets.
In 2021, of the 24 players with the most targets, all of them were in the top 24 WRs, except 3 of them.
Target Targets.
Based on the above, let’s take a look and see where some of the top 24 in last year’s targets are currently being drafted (this is everyone going after round 4):
Mike Williams, 16th in targets, finished as WR11 last year, is going as pick 54 in the middle of round 5.
Marquise Brown, 9th in targets, finished as WR23, got traded to the Cardinals in the offseason with no Hopkins the first 6 weeks, is going as pick 58 at the end of round 5.
Chris Godwin, 18th in targets, finished as WR18 last year, coming back off of a torn ACL, but recently practiced for the first time with a brace is going as pick 63, the beginning of round 6.
Brandin Cooks, 12th in targets, finished as WR20 last year, has no competition for targets, is going as pick 64, the beginning of round 6.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, 24th in targets, finished as WR21 last year, the Lions added a ton of pieces in the offseason and Hockenson is back healthy, is going as pick 66, the middle of round 6 (I don’t love this value).
Darnell Mooney, 11th in targets, finished as WR24 last year, no competition for targets, is going as pick 70, the end of round 6.
Hunter Renfrow, 19th in targets, finished as WR10 last year, the Raiders added Davante Adams, but it’s not like Renfrow got bad all of a sudden, is going as pick 89, the middle of round 8.
Jakobi Meyers, 20th in targets, finished as WR34 last year, is going as pick 164, the middle of round 14.
Marvin Jones Jr., 23 rd in targets, finished as WR35 last year, is going as pick 227, undrafted.
I get wanting to take Kupp, Jefferson, Chase, Adams or Diggs early, but I think you should absolutely wait, you can get great value in the middle of the rounds at WR, which can let you splurge on RBs and a TE early. You can get a WR2 at worst in the middle of the draft, and then use your waivers/FAAB to target RBs on the waiver wire when everyone gets hurt because you will be set at WR.
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple, Sacko and remember, well, you know it by now.