On Target: Shorts Stands Tall

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Updated on October 2, 2013 2:33PM EST

So far, through Week 4 of the NFL, there have been a total of 30,333 receiving yards and 205 touchdowns scored through the air. Those are some pretty substantial numbers this early in the season and each is about two and half times as much as its counterpart on the rushing side. It is your job as a fantasy owner to get as big a slice of that pie each week, because based on what many of the running back situations look like these days, it's wide receivers and tight ends who seem to be your bread and butter. Hopefully you've made the right start/sit decisions each week, but if you haven't, well perhaps we can be of service.

Let's start with the target leaders from Week 4.

(Click column headings to sort.)

PLAYER	POS	YARDS	TD	PASS ATT	TARGETS	REC	RZ TRGT	RZ TRG%	CATCH%	TARGET%
Victor Cruz, NYG	WR	164	1	37	16	10	0	0.0	62.5	43.2
A.J. Green, CIN	WR	51	0	42	15	7	3	66.7	46.7	35.7
Brandon Marshall, CHI	WR	79	0	47	14	7	1	11.1	50.0	29.8
Tony Gonzalez, ATL	TE	149	2	54	14	12	5	28.6	85.7	25.9
Antonio Brown, PIT	WR	88	0	51	13	12	5	36.4	92.3	25.5
Julio Jones, ATL	WR	108	0	54	13	6	4	14.3	46.2	24.1
Cecil Shorts, JAC	WR	61	1	32	12	7	5	50.0	58.3	37.5
Jordan Cameron, CLE	TE

Let's start with the target leaders from Week 4.

(Click column headings to sort.)

PLAYER	POS	YARDS	TD	PASS ATT	TARGETS	REC	RZ TRGT	RZ TRG%	CATCH%	TARGET%
Victor Cruz, NYG	WR	164	1	37	16	10	0	0.0	62.5	43.2
A.J. Green, CIN	WR	51	0	42	15	7	3	66.7	46.7	35.7
Brandon Marshall, CHI	WR	79	0	47	14	7	1	11.1	50.0	29.8
Tony Gonzalez, ATL	TE	149	2	54	14	12	5	28.6	85.7	25.9
Antonio Brown, PIT	WR	88	0	51	13	12	5	36.4	92.3	25.5
Julio Jones, ATL	WR	108	0	54	13	6	4	14.3	46.2	24.1
Cecil Shorts, JAC	WR	61	1	32	12	7	5	50.0	58.3	37.5
Jordan Cameron, CLE	TE	91	1	38	12	10	3	20.0	83.3	31.6
Martellus Bennett, CHI	TE	90	0	47	12	8	2	22.2	66.7	25.5
Andre Johnson, HOU	WR	110	0	49	12	9	1	16.7	75.0	24.5
Torrey Smith, BAL	WR	166	1	50	12	5	2	28.6	41.7	24.0
Jerome Simpson, MIN	WR	124	0	25	11	7	0	0.0	63.6	44.0
Kenbrell Thompkins, NE	WR	127	1	31	11	6	5	50.0	54.5	35.5
Reggie Wayne, IND	WR	100	1	39	11	5	8	42.9	45.5	28.2
Jamaal Charles, KC	RB	62	1	41	11	5	7	50.0	45.5	26.8
Vincent Jackson, TB	WR	27	0	43	11	2	0	0.0	18.2	25.6
Alshon Jeffery, CHI	WR	107	1	47	11	5	5	44.4	45.5	23.4
Owen Daniels, HOU	TE	72	0	49	11	6	1	16.7	54.5	22.4
Calvin Johnson, DET	WR	44	1	35	10	4	5	42.9	40.0	28.6
Demaryius Thomas, DEN	WR	86	2	37	10	9	4	28.6	90.0	27.0
Jason Witten, DAL	TE	43	0	37	10	5	2	33.3	50.0	27.0
Michael Floyd, ARI	WR	87	0	38	10	5	1	50.0	50.0	26.3
Donnie Avery, KC	WR	23	0	41	10	2	1	16.7	20.0	24.4
Antonio Gates, SD	TE	136	1	42	10	10	0	0.0	100.0	23.8

Probably the most notable aspect of this week's target list is the absence of any big-time surprises. Usually there is at least one name out of the blue, but in this week's case there doesn't seem to be a single name out of place. Sure, maybe it's weird that Michael Floyd made the list over Larry Fitzgerald, but not if you realize the need to shorten the passing game against the likes of the Tampa Bay defense. Still, there are some notables worth mentioning.

Victor Cruz, WR NYG - As bad as Eli Manning has been this season, it's a game like this that shows you why you don't bench Cruz. The Chiefs secondary was without Brandon Flowers, though it's still a tough bunch to rack up yards against. But throw enough passes Cruz's way and that season-long 60.5-percent catch rate is going to produce some solid numbers. New York's favorite salsa dancer might not see much in the way of actual red-zone targets, but he can stretch the field and make big catches with the best of them. And that's what makes him a threat to score whenever he's on the field.

Jerome Simpson, WR MIN - If that target percentage is any indication of things to come, then as long as Matt Cassel is at the helm, you will want Simpson in your lineup. Of course, the matchup needs to be right as well, but looking at the schedule and upcoming pass defenses, it will be more than it won't be. The catch percentage this week was solid and proved him trustworthy, but with an overall rate slightly below league average, he will have to continue to step up his game if he wants to stay the favorite. He should definitely be owned, but we need to see another one of these soon before we entrust him with a starting roster spot.

Kenbrell Thompkins, WR NE - While some were quick to dismiss the preseason on-field relationship between Thompkins and Tom Brady just because of two lousy weeks, those who exhibited the patience a rookie deserves were handsomely rewarded for the second week in a row. A lot has to do with Brady becoming more comfortable with his rookie receiver, but kudos to Thompkins for improving on his catch rate steadily the last two weeks. With continued play at this level, Thompkins will remain relevant even when Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola return.

Vincent Jackson, WR TB - The best part about the Bucs' Week 5 bye is that we won't even have to wonder if this miserable 18.2 percent catch rate was because of his lingering rib injury or the switch to Mike Glennon at quarterback. The extra week should give him more time to heal while also an opportunity to improve on his on-field relationship with his quarterback. Whichever the current problem it is, Jackson needs to overcome it fast if he wants to stay relevant in both fantasy and reality.

Alshon Jeffery, WR CHI - Last week, you were told to keep an eye on Jeffery as the double-teams covering Brandon Marshall continued to leave the talented but underutilized receiver in more favorable one-on-one match-ups. He had eight targets in Week 3 and saw 11 in Week 4 as the Bears looked to mix things up, offensively speaking, and prove that they have more weapons than just Marshall. Jeffery still needs to improve his catch rate as there were a number of misses.

Now let's check out the overall targets leaderboard.

(Click column headings to sort.)

PLAYER	POS	YARDS	TD	PASS ATT	TARGETS	REC	RZ TRGT	RZ TRG%	CATCH%	TARGET%
Cecil Shorts, JAC	WR	337	0	149	52	26	10	25.0	50.0	34.9
A.J. Green, CIN	WR	300	3	148	50	26	14	63.6	52.0	33.8
Julio Jones, ATL	WR	481	2	173	48	33	10	14.7	68.8	27.7
Andre Johnson, HOU	WR	368	0	177	47	34	4	13.6	72.3	26.6
Pierre Garcon, WAS	WR	339	2	170	44	29	15	42.1	65.9	25.9
Victor Cruz, NYG	WR	425	4	155	43	26	5	30.8	60.5	27.7
Julian Edelman, NE	WR	319	2	158	43	34	10	26.9	79.1	27.2
Jordan Cameron, CLE	TE	360	5	183	43	30	15	45.5	69.8	23.5
Brandon Marshall, CHI	WR	348	2	149	42	27	5	12.5	64.3	28.2
Antonio Brown, PIT	WR	412	2	163	42	32	7	25.0	76.2	25.8
Jimmy Graham, NO	TE	458	6	166	42	27	10	33.3	64.3	25.3
Torrey Smith, BAL	WR	435	1	169	42	21	4	20.0	50.0	24.9
Vincent Jackson, TB	WR	292	0	137	41	17	0	0.0	41.5	29.9
Calvin Johnson, DET	WR	312	4	156	40	21	17	50.0	52.5	25.6
Kenbrell Thompkins, NE	WR	257	3	158	39	15	17	34.6	38.5	24.7
Demaryius Thomas, DEN	WR	393	4	159	38	29	7	22.7	76.3	23.9
Emmanuel Sanders, PIT	WR	231	0	163	38	20	5	20.0	52.6	23.3
DeSean Jackson, PHI	WR	393	2	123	37	21	4	25.0	56.8	30.1
Anquan Boldin, SF	WR	372	2	117	36	24	4	36.4	66.7	30.8
Dez Bryant, DAL	WR	282	4	152	36	23	11	23.8	63.9	23.7
Wes Welker, DEN	WR	266	6	159	36	26	19	40.9	72.2	22.6
Steve Johnson, BUF	WR	235	2	130	35	18	10	38.5	51.4	26.9
Jamaal Charles, KC	RB	213	2	146	35	23	14	37.5	65.7	24.0
Eric Decker, DEN	WR	340	1	159	35	24	9	18.2	68.6	22.0
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI	WR	245	3	153	34	21	8	36.4	61.8	22.2
Tavon Austin, STL	WR	124	2	183	34	20	8	20.0	58.8	18.6
Davone Bess, CLE	WR	177	0	183	34	19	7	22.7	55.9	18.6
Randall Cobb, GB	WR	290	2	122	33	21	13	38.1	63.6	27.0
Reggie Wayne, IND	WR	300	2	132	33	22	10	26.3	66.7	25.0
Jason Witten, DAL	TE	192	2	152	33	21	8	23.8	63.6	21.7
Tony Gonzalez, ATL	TE	242	3	173	33	23	13	26.5	69.7	19.1
Brian Hartline, MIA	WR	272	2	142	32	21	2	22.2	65.6	22.5
Martellus Bennett, CHI	TE	225	3	149	32	20	16	37.5	62.5	21.5
Alshon Jeffery, CHI	WR	211	1	149	32	18	9	25.0	56.3	21.5
Jerome Simpson, MIN	WR	342	0	167	32	19	0	0.0	59.4	19.2
Owen Daniels, HOU	TE	192	3	177	32	18	9	22.7	56.3	18.1
Greg Little, CLE	WR	78	0	183	32	11	7	22.7	34.4	17.5
Jared Cook, STL	TE	240	2	183	32	17	5	12.0	53.1	17.5
Antonio Gates, SD	TE	364	2	166	31	25	4	12.0	80.6	18.7
Austin Pettis, STL	WR	173	2	183	31	18	9	16.0	58.1	16.9
Kendall Wright, TEN	WR	192	1	119	30	20	8	38.5	66.7	25.2
Nate Washington, TEN	WR	332	2	119	30	19	3	7.7	63.3	25.2
T.Y. Hilton, IND	WR	205	0	132	30	16	1	5.3	53.3	22.7
Mike Williams, TB	WR	164	2	137	29	15	7	100.0	51.7	21.2
Michael Floyd, ARI	WR	240	0	153	29	16	5	36.4	55.2	19.0
Marques Colston, NO	WR	298	1	166	29	21	2	9.5	72.4	17.5
Dallas Clark, BAL	TE	175	0	169	29	16	5	20.0	55.2	17.2
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU	WR	270	1	177	29	20	8	18.2	69.0	16.4
Brandon Gibson, MIA	WR	208	0	142	28	20	4	22.2	71.4	19.7
Mike Wallace, MIA	WR	176	1	142	28	15	1	11.1	53.6	19.7
Darren Sproles, NO	RB	277	1	166	28	23	2	9.5	82.1	16.9
Josh Gordon, CLE	WR	217	1	183	28	14	1	4.5	50.0	15.3
Ace Sanders, JAC	WR	162	0	149	27	14	8	15.0	51.9	18.1
Danny Woodhead, SD	RB	162	2	166	27	22	5	16.0	81.5	16.3
Chris Givens, STL	WR	235	0	183	27	13	8	20.0	48.1	14.8

Target Percentage Leaders

Cecil Shorts, WR JAC (34.9%) - The Jaguars' No. 1 offensive threat stays atop the leaderboard for the second week in a row, but again, be wary of the fact that he may see a slight reduction in targets due to the return of Justin Blackmon. It doesn't appear as if this week is going to be your biggest problem, though, as the Jags take on the Rams who own one of the weakest pass defenses in the league. Shorts should continue to see a high percentage of targets and, with a favorable matchup, should still be more than just fantasy relevant.

A.J. Green, WR CIN (33.8%) - With Browns cornerback Joe Haden all over him like white on rice, Green still saw 15 targets this week and stayed in the top three overall. The catch rate is a little weak, but between yards accrued, touchdowns and red-zone looks, Green appears to be the best all-around receiver in the game.

Anquan Boldin, WR SF (30.8%) - With the rest of the league's targets being more evenly distributed, Boldin sneaks into the top three with a 30.8-percent target percentage. He hasn't seen double-digit targets in a game since Week 1, but with so many more targets than the rest of his teammates, he continues to increase his overall percentage. It should stay that way until the 49ers develop another decent receiver, but so far, with just Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis as the only two legitimate receiving threats, he's going to continue to see a serious majority of targets.

Red Zone Target Leaders

Wes Welker, WR DEN (19) - Through four weeks, we've seen quite a bit develop in Denver with regard to the passing attack. While Demaryius Thomas leads Broncos receivers in target percentage, Eric Decker and Welker have seen similar target numbers go their way. But the major difference between them is red-zone looks, and that's where the value lies. Welker's 19 red-zone looks and 40.9-percent red zone target rate give him a significant advantage over Decker as far as opportunity and potential go, and while Decker may have more yards in total, Welker easily outearns him in fantasy points with six touchdowns to just one for Decker.

Calvin Johnson, WR DET (17) - Last season, Megatron got off to a bit of a slow start, and while this year he sits closer to the middle of the pack in overall targets, he retains his value as one of the best wide receivers in the game by seeing such a strong number of red-zone looks. He may not be No. 1 overall just yet, but he sees enough consistent work that you know his totals will simply increase across the board. They'll shoot up even higher once Ryan Broyles establishes himself as a strong No. 2. Brandon Pettigrew and Kris Durham are seeing a rise in targets because of the heavier use of a short-passing game, but once they establish Broyles as a potential deep threat, things should open up downfield more for Johnson.

Kenbrell Thompkins, WR NE (17) - The fact that Brady continues to look for him throughout the game gives him a major value, but that he consistently looks for him so much in the red zone makes Thompkins a major asset in fantasy. Unfortunately, though, with the way Brady favors Gronkowski once the goal-line is in sight, this aspect of Thompkins' game could be greatly reduced soon enough.

Potential Risers (those who failed to make the overall leaderboard)

Jerricho Cotchery
Denarius Moore
Robert Woods
Donnie Avery
Matt Forte
Greg Olsen
Brandon Myers

Potential Fallers

Davone Bess
Greg Little
Chris Givens
Brandon Gibson
Dallas Clark
Ace Sanders

Week 5 MatchUp to Watch

Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys - Obviously, the Broncos are loaded with must-starts, but the fact that they face yet another weak pass defense means that we are, again, looking at an "all hands on deck" situation. The Cowboys defense ranks 28th in passing yards allowed (an average of 305 per game) and have given up a league-high 10 touchdowns through the air this year. All three main receivers for the Broncos should fare well as will tight end Julius Thomas as the Cowboys rank 22nd in the league against the position. Meanwhile, that Denver pass D looks pretty ugly itself. Dez Bryant is always a must-start, but look for both Miles Austin and Jason Witten to come away from this matchup looking like studs.