I could barely contain my excitement when I woke up on Sunday. Football is back my friends!
With Week 1 behind us, there is a lot of information to take in, a lot of things to watch, and generally speaking, it gives us the first real set of data to utilize when addressing playing time, snap counts, receiving targets, and running touches. So without further ado, let’s get into the numbers and my notes from Week 1 of the NFL season!
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Week 1 Targets & Touches Report
Here are the Touch Counts from Week 1
Here is the Targets Data from Week 1
Team Notes
Philadelphia Eagles:
Backfield Notes:
- Miles Sanders is the clear cut lead back and primary pass-catcher
- Kenneth Gainwell is the RB #2 and may be heavily utilized on the goal line, and thus may poach TD’s
- Boston Scott saw a 0% snap count!
Receiver Notes:
- Devonta Smith is a stud and could very well end up being a high-end WR #2 or a low-end fantasy WR #1 this season if he’s given the regular targets
- Do not sleep on Jalen Reagor here in his sophomore season, he still possesses value as the #2 wideout on this team
- Dallas Goedert’s fantasy value might not be too impacted all that much by Zach Ertz
Atlanta Falcons:
Backfield Notes:
- Mike Davis is the lead back, but this performance did not give him any more security on the role
- Wayne Gallman Jr. will be a factor in this backfield at some point this season
- Cordarelle Patterson is simply a change of pace back as of right now
Receiver Notes:
- It is clear that the Falcons want to get Kyle Pitts involved early, he didn’t have a big week in fantasy, but the eight targets are a very good sign
- Russell Gage looked like the clear cut #2 WR but he did not perform the part in Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Backfield Notes:
- Najee Harris didn’t look great, the 2.8 yards per carry is evidence of that. But it was his first career game and doesn’t mean all that much. However, he was the only running back to get a carry or a reception, so the workload is there.
Receiver Notes:
- This offense should be able to support all top three receivers, but Diontae Johnson is clearly the #WR1 out of them, his target share since he entered the league is insane
- Najee Harris was the only running back targeted
- Both Pat Freiermuth and Eric Ebron are hard to trust on a weekly basis
Buffalo Bills:
Backfield Notes:
- Devin Singletary looks like he is the guy in Buffalo. However, he’s likely never going to get a bell-cow workload in this pass-heavy offense.
Receiver Notes:
- Diggs might lead the league in targets this year
- Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders are both going to have big roles but I wouldn’t say they are matchup proof just yet
Minnesota Vikings:
Backfield Notes:
- Dalvin Cook picked up right where he left off. He is arguably the best all-around running back in the NFL right now
Receiver Notes:
- Adam Thielen is still going to put up high-end WR #2 numbers this season
- K.J. Osborn will have a role in this passing attack but do not expect 9 targets a week going forward
- Justin Jefferson hasn’t lost a step as he begins his sophomore campaign
Cincinnati Bengals:
Backfield Notes:
- Joe Mixon with this workload could be the RB#1 this year. He’s that good.
Receiving Notes:
- Ja’Marr Chase is the real deal
- Chase, Higgins, and Boyd are all going to be formidable fantasy options
San Francisco 49ers:
Backfield Notes:
- Elijah Mitchell took advantage of the Trey Sermon inactivity, and the Raheem Mostert injury. He ran all over the Lions Week 1. He looks to be firmly in the mix with Mostert headed to the IR, and should be picked up everywhere
- Trey Sermon will get back in the mix. Please do not drop him just yet
- Raheem Mostert will miss eight weeks with a knee injury leaving this backfield wide open for someone to break out
Receiver Notes:
- Deebo Samuel looked like the guy in San Francisco, he looked explosive, and if he is even getting 10 targets per game, he will be a massive fantasy asset
- No Brandon Aiyuk?!?! This is very concerning as he was looked at as the WR #1 in this offense in the preseason
Detroit Lions:
Backfield Notes:
- D’Andre Swift looked great in this contest. He could very well be one of the best draft-day values in regards to return on draft capital
- Jamaal Williams will be in the mix, he remains one of the better handcuff RBs in football
Receiver Notes:
- T.J. Hockenson is far and away the top receiving option in this offense. He is due for a massive season mark my words
- Both running backs combining for 20 targets is a PPR dream.
- As for the rest of the receiving room, it is likely going to be a coin flip on a weekly basis as to who gets regular targets
Arizona Cardinals:
Backfield Notes:
- This is truly a backfield by committee. This caps the true potential of both Edmonds and Conner.
- Although Conner got more carries, Edmonds factors in the passing game which makes Chase Edmonds the far superior fantasy option.
Receiver Notes:
- This high-scoring offense should be able to support this entire receiver room. However, Rondale Moore and A.J. Green are the best bets are the #2 guy
- Chase Edmonds will be the pass-catching back on the vast majority of plays this season.
Tennessee Titans:
Backfield Notes:
- Derrick Henry had a much better game than the box score is showing, the game script went away from him early on. He is the only guy here.
Receiving Notes:
- Neither A.J. Brown nor Julio Jones lit up the box score, but to be fair Tannehill was under pressure a ton in this game. This week one sample needs to be taken with a grain of salt
- It looks like Chester Rogers is the clear-cut WR #3 in this offense.
Seattle Seahawks:
Backfield Notes:
- As long as he stays healthy, Chris Carson is the guy. He is exponentially more talented than every other guy in this RB room.
- Rashaad Penny did look like he is in the best shape since entering the NFL based on the eye test
Receiving Notes:
- While Lockett and Metcalf only got five targets apiece, they have such big-play upside that they can get away with a non-elite target share
- The tight end room for the Seahawks will be more of a week to week toss-up than people think
Indianapolis Colts:
Backfield Notes:
- This is Jonathan Taylor’s backfield, I think because of his roller coaster of a season, people had a harder time drafting him at his ADP, but man this kid is scary talented. He is an RB#1 fellas.
Receiver Notes:
- This backfield is going to see a lot of check-down passes this season. I think the fact that they are both great pass catchers is going to translate big time for both RBs.
- There is not really too much more clarity on the WR room after Week 1, but Pittman Jr. is likely the top guy in this offense.
Los Angeles Chargers:
Backfield Notes:
- Ekeler is going to be a fantasy machine this year. He looked great on the ground, but it’s surprising that he received no targets in this game.
- I really need people to stop trying to tell the fantasy community that Justin Jackson has any fantasy value whatsoever. Please stop!
Receiving Notes:
- Is Mike Williams finally going to live up to the hype and break out this season? 12 targets is a very good sign!
- Jared Cook is still going to command most of the TE targets but the ceiling isn’t huge here.
Washington Football Team:
Backfield Notes:
- Antonio Gibson truthers have to be jumping up and down with this workload. He looks really good, this guy may just live up to the preseason hype.
Receiving Notes:
- Antonio Gibson leads the team in both targets and touches. He’s looking the bell-cow part thus far
- However, Washington only passed the ball 21 times, so take the target share with a grain of salt.
- Look out for Dyami Brown in deeper leagues, some deep threat potential here
New York Jets:
Backfield Notes:
- All I will say is that I would steer clear of this backfield for the time being. The only scenario where I want to roster a Jets running back is if Michael Carter runs away with the job.
Receiver Notes:
- Corey Davis is the alpha dog WR #1 in this offense, and dang did he look good. Fantasy experts have been calling this breakout all preseason long
- Elijah Moore is a “wait and see” stash
- It looks like Zach Wilson is going to spread the ball around quite a bit
Carolina Panthers:
Backfield Notes:
- CMC is good at football
Receiver Notes:
- D.J. Moore looks like the top guy but I am not fully convinced yet
- The question remains, can Sam Darnold support their big three receiving core?
- Terrace Marshall Jr. is crazy talented, if he gets the targets he will break out
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Backfield Notes:
- I have to say I am a bit surprised by James Robinson only getting five touches. If this is the timeshare in the backfield, count me out!
Receiver Notes:
- All three of Chark Jr., Jones Jr, and Schenault Jr are startable on a weekly basis, barring a matchup with an elite cornerback
- James Robinson looks like the favored pass-catching back
Houston Texans:
Backfield Notes:
- Mark Ingram II with 26 carries, just as we expected! No, but in all seriousness, this backfield is going to spread out the carries a bit more balanced. This Week 1 chart is simply a product of the game script as the Texans had a lead and ran with it
Receiver Notes:
- Brandin Cooks is really the only guy worth starting on this team, he should see plenty of targets
- Nico Collins is the only other receiver worth considering on this team for production on a weekly basis, but he has a lot to prove in that department
Cleveland Browns:
Backfield Notes:
- Chubb is the guy, while Hunt will be involved mostly in pass-catching scenarios, I don’t see Hunt poaching too many carries.
Receiver Notes:
- With Odell Beckham Jr. out for Week 1, Baker really spread the ball around quite a bit.
- Njoku and Landry looked good, but this week did not really enhance clarity on the target shares of this team
Kansas City Chiefs:
Backfield Notes:
- CEH is the guy here, do not overthink a lackluster week against a rock-solid defense.
Receiving Notes:
- This is going to be the Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce show all over again.
New Orleans Saints:
Backfield Notes:
- Kamara is going to likely get 20 carries a game, but Tony Jones Jr. is going to play the Mark Ingram/Latavius Murray role.
Receiving Notes:
- My hunch still tells me that Marquez Callaway is the guy for this Saints offense, but Week 1 didn’t give us much clarity
- Temper expectations of Juwan Johnson keeping the pace up
Green Bay Packers:
Backfield Notes:
- Do not look at the box score and move on to Week 2
Receiving Notes:
- See note above
Denver Broncos:
Backfield Notes:
- This is a split backfield, but you Javonte Williams owners didn’t actually expect Melvin Gordon III to go away, did you?
Receiving Notes:
- With the loss of Jerry Jeudy, my new favorite targets in this offense are Courtland Sutton, KJ Hamler, and Noah Fant
New York Giants:
Backfield Notes:
- Barkley struggled behind this bad offensive line and premium defense on the other side. He is still the man, but he is going to have to make up for the lack of O-line talent with his legs
Receiving Notes:
- I could see Shepard, Slayton, and Golladay all having respectable seasons.
- Why did the Giants draft Kadarius Toney?
Chicago Bears:
Backfield Notes:
- David Montgomery looked elite against a very good defense, he might be someone you should be targeting via trade before it’s too late.
Receiving Notes:
- Allen Robinson suffered from the Jalen Ramsey effect, but 11 targets is a very good sign
- Don’t sleep on Cole Kmet
Los Angeles Rams:
Backfield Notes:
- This is Darrell Henderson Jr.’s backfield. Move out of the way Sony Michel.
Receiving Notes:
- Matt Stafford was my MVP pick this season. I want every share of Kupp, Woods, and Higbee that I can get my hands on, and so should you!
Baltimore Ravens:
Backfield Notes:
- Ty’son Williams and Latavius Murray are seemingly splitting carries, but both should be rostered until we get some more clarity
Receiving Notes:
- While I am not buying into Sammy Watkins, I am buying into Hollywood Brown, when it’s all said and done Brown and Andrews will be the top-2 options on this team.
Las Vegas Raiders:
Backfield Notes:
- Josh Jacobs is the goal line back which increases his value, but from a touches standpoint, Jacobs and Drake are going to be closer than most realize
Receiving Notes:
- Darren Waller got 19 targets on Monday night, yes you read that correctly. He is my TE #1 for the rest of the season
- Bryan Edwards and Hunter Renfrow are very clearly ahead of Henry Ruggs III on the totem pole
If you found Liam’s Week 1 Targets and Touches Report helpful, be sure to check out the rest of our Week 2 Rankings and Analysis!
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