Friday, October 23, 2026
Target Share Trends After Week 6
Quick summary
- Jalen Coker returned from a quad injury and took 13 of the Panthers' 35 targets (37%).
- Emeka Egbuka had 16 targets (39%) in the Buccaneers' overtime loss, his second straight game above 35%.
- D.K. Metcalf (15) and Germie Bernard (12) took 61% of the Steelers' targets with Pittman, Wilson and Skowronek out.
- DeVonta Smith returned for the Eagles with 14 targets (32%), and Jalen Hurts is reported out for the season.
- A.J. Brown had 10 targets (33%) in his first game since Week 1, and Romeo Doubs went on injured reserve.
- Terry McLaurin left the Commanders' game after one target with a knee injury reported as season-ending.
- Mike Evans left early with an Achilles injury, and Christian McCaffrey took 10 targets (34%) for the 49ers.
- KeAndre Lambert-Smith led the Chargers with 9 targets (25%), and Ladd McConkey is in concussion protocol.
- Omar Cooper Jr. returned for the Jets with 7 targets (24%) and 103 receiving yards.
- With Tyler Warren out, Keenan Allen (11) and Josh Downs (8) led the Colts.
Spotlight teams
Panthers: Coker is back and takes 37%
Jalen Coker returned from a quad injury and led Carolina in targets.
| Week | McMillan tgt (share) | Coker tgt (share) | Waller tgt (share) | Tremble tgt (share) | Team targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 vs CHI | 8 (24%) | 9 (26%) | 2 (6%) | 5 (15%) | 34 |
| 2 @ ATL | 10 (31%) | 9 (28%) | 3 (9%) | 2 (6%) | 32 |
| 3 @ CLE | 5 (12%) | 4 (10%) | 8 (19%) | 4 (10%) | 42 |
| 4 vs DET | 16 (41%) | — | 6 (15%) | 4 (10%) | 39 |
| 5 bye | — | — | — | — | — |
| 6 @ PHI | 9 (26%) | 13 (37%) | 2 (6%) | 4 (11%) | 35 |
- Coker missed Week 4 with the quad injury, and Carolina was on bye in Week 5. He caught 6 of 13 targets for 97 yards, with 42% of the team's air yards.
- McMillan had 9 targets (26%) after 16 (41%) in Week 4, when Coker was out. His season share is 26%.
- Carolina threw only 35 times in a 25-14 win at Philadelphia. Chuba Hubbard carried 28 times and played 74 of 79 snaps.
- Waller (6%) and Tremble (11%) have not topped 19% in any game this season.
Verdict: McMillan is a WR2, and Coker is a flex with WR2 upside while Carolina keeps running this much. Waller and Tremble are not startable on this volume.
Colts: Allen and Downs absorb the Warren hole
Tyler Warren was inactive with a groin injury, and four receivers split his work.
| Week | Downs tgt (share) | Allen tgt (share) | Warren tgt (share) | Treadwell tgt (share) | Mallory tgt (share) | Team targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 vs BAL | 4 (14%) | 6 (21%) | 5 (17%) | 1 (3%) | — | 29 |
| 2 @ KC | 9 (30%) | 5 (17%) | 7 (23%) | 3 (10%) | — | 30 |
| 3 vs HOU | 11 (31%) | 9 (26%) | 10 (29%) | 1 (3%) | — | 35 |
| 4 @ WAS | 4 (14%) | — | 5 (17%) | 6 (21%) | — | 29 |
| 5 @ PIT | 6 (14%) | 9 (21%) | 9 (21%) | 8 (19%) | — | 43 |
| 6 vs TEN | 8 (21%) | 11 (29%) | — | 5 (13%) | 6 (16%) | 38 |
- Warren leads the Colts with 30 catches. He was added to the injury report as questionable after Friday's practice, then scratched Sunday. Reports say the injury looked worse than first expected, and he also had a groin injury in August. No Week 7 practice report is out yet.
- Keenan Allen had 11 targets (29%), his most this season, and caught 8 for 82 yards.
- Downs had 8 targets (21%) and caught 4 for 40. His season share is 21%.
- Mallory had 6 targets (16%), his first of the season, and caught 2 for 20. Treadwell had 5 (13%).
Verdict: Downs is a WR2 and Allen is a flex. Warren is a stash only if you have the roster spot, since his Week 7 status is unknown. Mallory and Treadwell are drops.
Chargers: Lambert-Smith fills in, then McConkey goes down
With Tre' Harris out, KeAndre Lambert-Smith led the Chargers in targets, and Ladd McConkey left in the first half with a concussion.
| Week | Harris tgt (share) | McConkey tgt (share) | Johnston tgt (share) | Lambert-Smith tgt (share) | Gadsden tgt (share) | Team targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 vs ARI | 6 (22%) | 7 (26%) | 6 (22%) | — | 2 (7%) | 27 |
| 2 vs LV | 3 (12%) | 3 (12%) | 5 (19%) | — | 2 (8%) | 26 |
| 3 @ BUF | 7 (21%) | 5 (15%) | 6 (18%) | — | 3 (9%) | 33 |
| 4 @ SEA | 5 (16%) | 2 (6%) | 2 (6%) | — | 8 (26%) | 31 |
| 5 vs DEN | 4 (19%) | — | — | — | 1 (5%) | 21 |
| 6 @ KC | — | 1 (3%) | 3 (8%) | 9 (25%) | 5 (14%) | 36 |
- Harris did not practice all week with a hamstring injury and missed his first game. Harbaugh has called him more week-to-week than day-to-day. The Chargers list him among players getting closer to a return.
- McConkey was cleared before kickoff, had one target, and then left with a concussion. He must clear protocol, and the Chargers are on bye in Week 7.
- Lambert-Smith had 9 targets (25%) and caught 5 for 32 yards. Kolar had 6 targets (17%) and Gadsden had 5 (14%).
- Johnston had 3 targets (8%) after being cleared to play with a chest injury. The Chargers are 0-6 and lost 22-6, and Harbaugh said he is reviewing everything, including the offense.
Verdict: McConkey is a WR2 you hold through the bye. Harris is a stash. Lambert-Smith is a flex only until Harris and McConkey are back, and Johnston is a flex at best.
Patriots: A.J. Brown is back, Doubs is out
A.J. Brown returned with 10 targets, and Romeo Doubs went to injured reserve.
| Week | A. Brown tgt (share) | Douglas tgt (share) | Doubs tgt (share) | H. Henry tgt (share) | Hollins tgt (share) | Team targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 @ SEA | 4 (13%) | 7 (23%) | 3 (10%) | 3 (10%) | 5 (16%) | 31 |
| 2 vs PIT | — | 2 (10%) | 4 (19%) | 5 (24%) | 2 (10%) | 21 |
| 3 @ JAX | — | 5 (17%) | 4 (13%) | 2 (7%) | 9 (30%) | 30 |
| 4 @ BUF | — | 3 (8%) | 9 (25%) | 5 (14%) | 4 (11%) | 36 |
| 5 vs LV | — | 5 (16%) | 3 (10%) | 4 (13%) | — | 31 |
| 6 vs NYJ | 10 (33%) | 8 (27%) | 1 (3%) | 5 (17%) | — | 30 |
- Brown had not played since a high ankle sprain in Week 1. He caught 3 of 10 targets for 27 yards, with 37% of the team's air yards and 3 red-zone targets. Reports say he dropped several well-thrown passes, and Vrabel said he is not worried.
- Brown was limited in Monday's practice with the ankle. The Patriots play Thursday night at home against the Bears.
- Doubs hurt his shoulder on a 42-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, his only target. He is on injured reserve for at least four games, with Week 12 the earliest return. Hollins has been on injured reserve with a calf strain since after Week 4.
- Douglas had 8 targets (27%) and caught 7 for 86 yards and a touchdown. Henry had 5 (17%).
Verdict: Brown is a WR2 whose volume matters more than the drops. Douglas is a WR2 as the second option, and Henry is a flex. Doubs and Hollins are drops in shallow leagues.
Jets: Cooper returns and takes 24%
Rookie Omar Cooper Jr. came back from an ankle injury and led the Jets with 7 targets.
| Week | G. Wilson tgt (share) | Cooper tgt (share) | Sadiq tgt (share) | Taylor tgt (share) | Mitchell tgt (share) | Team targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 @ TEN | 7 (30%) | 1 (4%) | 3 (13%) | 3 (13%) | 3 (13%) | 23 |
| 2 vs GB | 7 (19%) | — | 3 (8%) | — | 12 (33%) | 36 |
| 3 @ DET | 13 (36%) | — | 8 (22%) | — | — | 36 |
| 4 @ CHI | 4 (27%) | — | 4 (27%) | — | — | 15 |
| 5 vs CLE | 11 (38%) | — | 3 (10%) | 3 (10%) | — | 29 |
| 6 @ NE | 6 (21%) | 7 (24%) | 3 (10%) | 6 (21%) | — | 29 |
- Cooper hurt his ankle in the opener and was cleared to practice last week. He caught 6 of 7 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown.
- Garrett Wilson's 6 targets (21%) were his fewest since Week 4, down from 11 (38%) in Week 5. His season share is 29%.
- Taylor had 6 targets (21%) and caught 4 for 33. Sadiq had 3 (10%).
- Adonai Mitchell has been out since Week 2 after finger surgery and is week-to-week. The Jets lost 26-19 at New England.
Verdict: Wilson is a WR1 on season volume. Cooper is a flex with room to grow if he holds this role. Taylor is a flex, Sadiq a stash, and Mitchell a stash only in deep leagues.
Eagles: DeVonta Smith returns to 32%
Smith came back from hamstring and toe injuries and drew 14 targets in a 44-target game.
| Week | Smith tgt (share) | Wicks tgt (share) | Lemon tgt (share) | Goedert tgt (share) | Cooper tgt (share) | Team targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 vs WAS | 6 (27%) | 4 (18%) | 4 (18%) | 5 (23%) | — | 22 |
| 2 @ TEN | 13 (38%) | 6 (18%) | 1 (3%) | 2 (6%) | 3 (9%) | 34 |
| 3 @ CHI | 8 (32%) | 5 (20%) | 4 (16%) | — | — | 25 |
| 4 vs LA | — | 5 (20%) | 6 (24%) | — | 7 (28%) | 25 |
| 5 @ JAX | — | 8 (22%) | 7 (19%) | 9 (24%) | 3 (8%) | 37 |
| 6 vs CAR | 14 (32%) | 4 (9%) | 6 (14%) | 8 (18%) | 2 (5%) | 44 |
- Smith missed Weeks 4 and 5. He was limited in practice Thursday, played Sunday, and caught 7 of 14 targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. He had 49% of the team's air yards.
- Wicks went from 8 targets (22%) in Week 5 to 4 (9%). He did not practice Thursday with a hamstring injury and was cleared for the game.
- Goedert had 8 targets (18%) and caught 6 for 61. Lemon had 6 (14%) and caught 3 for 19.
- Philadelphia lost 25-14. Jalen Hurts is reported out for the season with blood clots in his lungs. The Eagles also lost Carson Steele to a shoulder injury in the game.
Verdict: Smith is a WR2 when healthy, and his 38% share in Week 2 shows the ceiling. Goedert is a flex. Wicks is a flex with risk, and Lemon is a stash.
Steelers: Metcalf and Bernard take 61%
With three receivers out, D.K. Metcalf and rookie Germie Bernard accounted for 27 of Pittsburgh's 44 targets.
| Week | Metcalf tgt (share) | Bernard tgt (share) | R. Wilson tgt (share) | Freiermuth tgt (share) | Team targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 vs ATL | 10 (27%) | — | 6 (16%) | 5 (14%) | 37 |
| 2 @ NE | 9 (24%) | 8 (22%) | 6 (16%) | 5 (14%) | 37 |
| 3 vs CIN | 5 (16%) | 1 (3%) | 6 (19%) | 4 (13%) | 31 |
| 4 @ CLE | 9 (23%) | 2 (5%) | 6 (15%) | 5 (13%) | 39 |
| 5 vs IND | 4 (13%) | 9 (30%) | 1 (3%) | 7 (23%) | 30 |
| 6 @ TB | 15 (34%) | 12 (27%) | — | 3 (7%) | 44 |
- Pittsburgh won 26-19 in overtime. Metcalf had 2 catches through three quarters, then 9 for 81 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime. He finished 11 for 93 on 15 targets, with 69% of the team's air yards.
- Bernard caught 11 of 12 targets for 87 yards and the winning touchdown, a franchise rookie record for receptions in a game. He has 24 catches and a 15% season share.
- Roman Wilson was out with a finger injury and is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Ben Skowronek (leg) were also out.
- Freiermuth fell to 3 targets (7%) from 7 (23%) in Week 5. Darnell Washington had 6 (14%).
Verdict: Metcalf is a WR1 on this volume. Bernard is a WR2 while Pittman and Wilson are out. Freiermuth is a flex.
49ers: Evans exits and McCaffrey takes 34%
Mike Evans left in the first half with an Achilles injury, and Christian McCaffrey led San Francisco with 10 targets.
| Week | Evans tgt (share) | Kittle tgt (share) | McCaffrey tgt (share) | Samuel tgt (share) | Cooks tgt (share) | Team targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 @ LA | 7 (21%) | 5 (15%) | 8 (24%) | 7 (21%) | — | 34 |
| 2 vs MIA | 3 (14%) | 4 (19%) | 4 (19%) | 4 (19%) | — | 21 |
| 3 vs ARI | 6 (23%) | 7 (27%) | 5 (19%) | — | — | 26 |
| 4 vs DEN | 8 (28%) | 6 (21%) | 5 (17%) | 6 (21%) | 1 (3%) | 29 |
| 5 @ SEA | 10 (37%) | 6 (22%) | 3 (11%) | 3 (11%) | 2 (7%) | 27 |
| 6 vs WAS | 5 (17%) | 8 (28%) | 10 (34%) | — | 2 (7%) | 29 |
- Evans played 25 of the first 38 snaps and caught 3 of 5 targets for 94 yards before leaving. He had played through Achilles and rib issues all week. Shanahan said Monday night that he does not see a long-term problem and hopes Evans plays Sunday. No Week 7 practice report is out yet.
- Deebo Samuel (hamstring) was out and is most likely back after the bye, per Shanahan. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season.
- With Evans out, Brandin Cooks took over as the X receiver. Christian Kirk (calf) could return next week.
- McCaffrey caught 9 of 10 targets for 53 yards and lined up wide in a grouping the 49ers had not used this season. Kittle had 8 targets (28%) and caught 5 for 69 and a touchdown.
Verdict: Evans is a WR2 if he plays Sunday, with real injury risk. McCaffrey is an RB1 and Kittle a TE1 either way. Cooks is a stash that turns into a flex if Evans misses time.
Buccaneers: Egbuka takes 39% in an overtime loss
Emeka Egbuka had 16 targets, his most this season, as the Buccaneers played an overtime game.
| Week | Egbuka tgt (share) | Godwin tgt (share) | Otton tgt (share) | Hurst tgt (share) | Team targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 @ CIN | 6 (22%) | 4 (15%) | 5 (19%) | 3 (11%) | 27 |
| 2 vs CLE | 5 (15%) | 3 (9%) | 6 (18%) | 7 (21%) | 33 |
| 3 vs MIN | 9 (26%) | 4 (11%) | 6 (17%) | 3 (9%) | 35 |
| 4 vs GB | 4 (15%) | 7 (27%) | 6 (23%) | 3 (12%) | 26 |
| 5 @ DAL | 9 (36%) | 3 (12%) | 4 (16%) | — | 25 |
| 6 vs PIT | 16 (39%) | 8 (20%) | 2 (5%) | 6 (15%) | 41 |
- Egbuka caught 7 of 16 targets for 48 yards and a touchdown. He has had 36% and 39% shares in back-to-back games, with 50% of the team's air yards in Week 6.
- Godwin had 8 targets (20%) and caught 4 for 37. Hurst had 6 (15%) and caught 3 for 40.
- Cade Otton had 2 targets (5%), his lowest of the season, after at least 4 in every other game.
- Rookie Jalon Daniels has started the last three games while Baker Mayfield recovers from a thumb injury. Bowles said Mayfield is expected to practice Wednesday, and the starter for Sunday's game at Carolina will be decided later in the week.
Verdict: Egbuka is a WR1 with a 26% season share. Godwin is a flex. Otton is a flex who needs the volume back, and Hurst is a stash.
Commanders: McLaurin's injury opens targets for Diggs and Okonkwo
Terry McLaurin left with a knee injury after one target and is reported to be out for the season.
| Week | Diggs tgt (share) | McLaurin tgt (share) | A. Williams tgt (share) | Okonkwo tgt (share) | Burks tgt (share) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 @ PHI | 9 (31%) | 4 (14%) | 4 (14%) | 3 (10%) | — |
| 2 @ DAL | 6 (18%) | 9 (26%) | 3 (9%) | — | 1 (3%) |
| 3 vs SEA | 7 (23%) | 9 (30%) | 4 (13%) | — | 2 (7%) |
| 4 vs IND | 9 (25%) | — | 8 (22%) | 4 (11%) | 3 (8%) |
| 5 vs NYG | — | 4 (17%) | 3 (13%) | 6 (26%) | 5 (22%) |
| 6 @ SF | 7 (20%) | 1 (3%) | 4 (11%) | 7 (20%) | 6 (17%) |
- McLaurin was carted off in an air cast after two drives. NFL Media reports the team expects him to miss the rest of the season, and Dan Quinn said tests would be done Tuesday. The result was not out when this was written.
- Diggs had 7 targets (20%) and caught 6 for 44 and a touchdown. Okonkwo had 7 (20%) and caught all 7 for 69.
- Treylon Burks had 6 targets (17%) and caught 4 for 66, but he was hurt in the final two minutes trying to catch the game-winning touchdown pass and missed the last drive. His status is unclear.
- Antonio Williams had 4 targets (11%). Dyami Brown filled in, and Luke McCaffrey played his first offensive snaps of the season.
Verdict: Diggs is a WR2. Okonkwo is a flex and the team's most reliable target after Diggs. Burks and Williams are stashes, and McLaurin is a stash only if you have an injured-reserve spot.
Other pass-catchers who moved
Ravens: Flowers hits 35%
Zay Flowers had 11 targets (35%) and caught 6 for 66 yards, his third straight game with at least 9. Mark Andrews had 3 (10%). Rashod Bateman was downgraded to out with a shoulder injury.
Bills: Kincaid leads, then leaves
Dalton Kincaid had 8 targets (27%) and caught 7 for 38 before heading to the locker room. The injury type was not stated. Shakir and Coleman each had 6 (20%), and DJ Moore was inactive with a shoulder injury.
Bears: Burden and Loveland pass Odunze
Luther Burden had 8 targets (24%) and caught 8 for 95. Colston Loveland had 7 (21%) and caught 6 for 65 and a touchdown. Rome Odunze had 4 (12%), down from 9 (22%) in Week 5.
Cowboys: Lamb gets 18 in a 54-target game
CeeDee Lamb had 18 targets (33%) and caught 9 for 70 yards. George Pickens had 11 (20%) and caught 6 for 73. Dallas had 54 team targets, the most of any team this week. KaVontae Turpin left with a rib injury and did not return.
Packers: Golden gets half the air yards
Matthew Golden had 13 targets (32%) and caught 6 for 104 yards and a touchdown, with 52% of the team's air yards. Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft each had 8 (20%).
Raiders: Three-way split
Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer each had 9 targets (23%), and Tucker had 7 (18%) for 5 catches, 97 yards and 2 touchdowns. Las Vegas had 39 team targets.
Rams: Nacua steadies as Adams leaves
Puka Nacua had 7 targets (22%) and caught 6 for 80, after 24 (44%) in Week 5. Davante Adams had 4 (12%) and left on the final drive with a leg injury. Reports differ on whether it was the knee, and no timeline is out. Parkinson had 6 targets (19%) and caught 5 for 31 and a touchdown.
Giants: Nabers keeps 35%
Malik Nabers had 15 targets (35%) and caught 12 for 165 yards, after 20 (38%) in Week 5. Isaiah Likely had 11 (26%) and caught 6 for 99 and a touchdown.
Titans: Tate and Robinson split 22 targets
Tate and W. Robinson each had 7 targets (32%) on a 22-target team. Tate caught 6 for 70 and a touchdown with 65% of the air yards, and Robinson caught 3 for 22.
Stable target hogs, quick hits
The Bengals, Dolphins, Lions and Vikings were on bye in Week 6.
| Player | Team | Week 6 tgt (share) | Season targets | Season share | Season air-yard share | Week 6 note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Smith-Njigba | Seahawks | 16 (35%) | 66 | 35% | 48% | 12 catches, 134 yards |
| A. St. Brown | Lions | Bye | 57 | 30% | 31% | Bye week |
| D. London | Falcons | 10 (30%) | 46 | 29% | 44% | 4 catches, 62 yards |
| T. McBride | Cardinals | 9 (26%) | 65 | 29% | 22% | 7 catches, 53 yards |
| M. Washington | Dolphins | Bye | 36 | 28% | 32% | Bye week |
| C. Olave | Saints | 7 (23%) | 61 | 27% | 44% | 4 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD |
| P. Washington | Jaguars | 11 (27%) | 46 | 26% | 41% | 4 catches, 64 yards |
| M. Wilson | Cardinals | 7 (21%) | 58 | 25% | 38% | 4 catches, 32 yards |
| T. Higgins | Bengals | Bye | 43 | 23% | 42% | Bye week |
| J. Waddle | Broncos | 7 (29%) | 38 | 22% | 37% | 4 catches, 24 yards |
| T. Hockenson | Vikings | Bye | 27 | 21% | 20% | Bye week |
| J. Chase | Bengals | Bye | 38 | 20% | 26% | Bye week |
| K. Concepcion | Browns | 6 (24%) | 35 | 20% | 18% | 4 catches, 37 yards |
Sources
- nflverse play-by-play, 2026
- nflverse schedules, 2026
- nflverse snap counts, 2026
- nflverse injuries, 2026
- WaivrWire usage trends
- Yahoo Sports: NFL Week 6 injury updates
- Yahoo Sports (ClutchPoints): NFL Week 6 injury roundup
- CBS Sports: Week 6 inactives and injury tracker
- PFF: Week 6 recap, Commanders vs. 49ers
- Football Nation: NFL Week 6 stock report
- Pro Football Talk: McLaurin believed to have season-ending knee injury
- Bleacher Report: Mike Evans injury update
- 49ers Webzone: Shanahan shares injury updates
- Newsweek: Colts lose Tyler Warren vs. Titans
- NBC Sports: Colts scratch Tyler Warren
- FantasyFootballers: Tyler Warren questionable
- Newsweek: Vrabel on A.J. Brown
- Yahoo Sports: Patriots vs. Bears Monday injury report
- CBS Boston: Romeo Doubs placed on injured reserve
- Boston 25 News: Vrabel injury updates
- Yahoo Sports (Chargers Wire): Harbaugh injury updates
- Yahoo Sports: Harbaugh says Chargers will evaluate everything
- FantasyFootballers: Tre' Harris sidelined
- FantasyFootballers: Ladd McConkey will play
- Yahoo Sports (Sporting News): Aaron Glenn injury announcements
- NBC Sports: Omar Cooper officially returning
- 4for4: DeVonta Smith returns to limited practice
- Steelers.com: From the press room
- Yahoo Sports: Germie Bernard breaks Steelers record
- FantasyFootballers: Roman Wilson out for Week 6
- FantasyFootballers: Jalen Coker takes part in practice
- Bucs Report: Baker Mayfield could return for Week 7
- Buccaneers.com: Jalon Daniels and the Steelers loss
Usage from the same weekly play-by-play behind the Target Share tool. Comparison this week: vs prior 3-week average. Injury statuses as listed the morning it was written.
Data: play-by-play, snap counts and player info from nflverse (snap counts originally from Pro Football Reference), used under CC BY 4.0. The numbers here are WaivrWire's own calculations from that data, not figures published by those sources.