With the NFL preseason winding down, here's the final revision for the updated PPR Spectacular, the all-encompassing, targets-driven guide to dominating Points Per Reception drafts.
FUN FACT #1
Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins (96 catches, 1,378 yards, 13 TDs last year) has posted double-digit targets and/or one touchdown in 16 consecutive outings.
This feat holds even greater value, when considering another factoid:
During that period, Hopkins caught balls from four different Houston quarterbacks (Brock Osweiler, Deshaun Watson, Tom Savage, T.J. Yates)—and only one of substance.
FUN FACT #2
Antonio Brown likely boasts the greatest four-year track record in NFL history, among receivers, averaging 118 catches, 173 targets, 1,587 yards and 11 touchdowns since 2014.
Putting this into perspective, league history only has 14 recorded instances of 118-plus single-season receptions.
In case you're wondering ... Jerry Rice's most prolific four-year stretch occurred from 1993-96, when the Hall of Famer/G.O.A.T. enjoyed annual averages of 110 receptions, 158 targets, 1,526 yards and 13 touchdowns.
FUN FACT #3
Food for thought: Charting his last 21 games (including the playoffs), Saints wideout Michael Thomas (two-year average: 98 catches, 1,191 yards, 7 TDs) has drawn eight or targets a staggering 20 times.
TOP 80 PPR WIDEOUTS
1-25
1. Antonio Brown, Steelers
2. DeAndre Hopkins, Texans
3. Odell Beckham Jr., Giants
4. Michael Thomas, Saints
5. Julio Jones, Falcons
6. Mike Evans, Buccaneers
7. Keenan Allen, Chargers
8. A.J. Green, Bengals
9. Davante Adams, Packers
10. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
11. Adam Thielen, Vikings
12. Jarvis Landry, Browns
13. T.Y. Hilton, Colts
14. Golden Tate, Lions
15. Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
16. Brandin Cooks, Rams
17. Amari Cooper, Raiders
18. Stefon Diggs, Vikings
19. Doug Baldwin, Seahawks
20. Corey Davis, Titans
21. Alshon Jeffery, Eagles
22. Allen Robinson, Bears
23. Devin Funchess, Panthers
24. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos
25. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers
26-50
26. Michael Crabtree, Ravens
27. Pierre Garcon, 49ers
28. Marvin Jones, Lions
29. Kelvin Benjamin, Bills
30. Robert Woods, Rams
31. Jamison Crowder, Redskins
32. Robby Anderson, Jets
33. Sterling Shepard, Giants
34. Chris Hogan, Patriots
35. Will Fuller, Texans
36. Cooper Kupp, Rams
37. Sammy Watkins, Chiefs
38. Jordy Nelson, Raiders
39. Mike Williams, Chargers
40. Marquise Goodwin, 49ers
41. Julian Edelman, Patriots
42. DeVante Parker, Dolphins
43. Mohamed Sanu, Falcons
44. Allen Hurns, Cowboys
45. Randall Cobb, Packers
46. Rishard Matthews, Titans
47. Donte Moncrief, Jaguars
48. Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos
49. Kenny Stills, Dolphins
50. Cameron Meredith, Saints
51-80
51. Torrey Smith, Panthers
52. Kenny Golladay, Lions
53. John Brown, Ravens
54. Christian Kirk, Cardinals
55. D.J. Moore, Panthers
56. Keelan Cole, Jaguars
57. James Washington, Steelers
58. Nelson Agholor, Eagles
59. Calvin Ridley, Falcons
60. Josh Doctson, Redskins
61. Danny Amendola, Dolphins
62. Josh Gordon, Browns
63. Paul Richardson, Redskins
64. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
65. Martavis Bryant, Raiders
66. Donte Moncrief, Jaguars
67. Kevin White, Bears
68. Phillip Dorsett, Patriots
69. Jake Kumerow, Packers
70. Corey Coleman, Bills
71. Michael Gallup, Cowboys
72. Jermaine Kearse, Jets
73. Dede Westbrook, Jaguars
74. Chris Conley, Chiefs
75. Demarcus Robinson, Chiefs
76. Antonio Callaway, Browns
77. Geronimo Allison, Packers
78. Courtland Sutton, Broncos
79. Terrance Williams/Deonte Thompson, Cowboys
80. Taywan Taylor, Titans
FUN FACT #4
Giants wunderkind Odell Beckham Jr., the only wideout in NFL history to amass 1,300 receiving yards/double-digit touchdowns in his inaugural three campaigns, has averaged 6.4 catches, 11 targets and 0.7 touchdowns in his last 19 regular-season games.
Of equal importance, during this stretch, Beckham collected nine or more targets 17 times.
FUN FACT #5
I'm done factoring in Larry Fitzgerald's age (he'll turn 35 this month) when creating preseason rankings.
Covering each of the last three seasons, the future Hall of Famer has notched double-digit targets at least seven times; and during this span, Fitzgerald produced 100-plus catches every time.
For his final 11 games last year, Fitzgerald averaged seven catches, 10 targets, 75 yards and 0.4 touchdowns ... and this included two clunkers of fewer than 30 receiving yards.
TARGETS ACQUIRED
Here's one way of quantifying consistency with PPR and daily fantasy leagues. These 16 wideouts posted at least eight games of eight-plus targets during the regular season:
14 games—Michael Thomas
13 games—DeAndre Hopkins, Antonio Brown, Keenan Allen, Demaryius Thomas
12—Larry Fitzgerald, Jarvis Landry, Mike Evans
11—Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Adam Thielen
10—None
9—Dez Bryant (2018 free agent)
8—Alshon Jeffery, Golden Tate, Davante Adams, DeVante Parker
On the curious side ... 21 different receivers hit the eight-game benchmark in 2016.
FUN FACT #6
Keenan Allen has suited up for only 25 games over the last three seasons.
During that span, however, the University of Cal product absurdly amassed double-digit targets 14 times.
THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES
During the 2017 regular season, 24 wideouts crossed the PPR-elite threshold of seven catches, 95 yards and/or one touchdown at least seven times:
15 games—DeAndre Hopkins
14 games—None
13—None
12—None
11—Jarvis Landry
10—Davante Adams
9—Antonio Brown, Michael Thomas, Golden Tate, Nelson Agholor
8—Larry Fitzgerald, Keenan Allen, Adam Thielen, Dez Bryant, Alshon Jeffery, Doug Baldwin, Marvin Jones, JuJu Smith-Schuster
7—Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Demaryius Thomas, Mike Evans, Robby Anderson, Devin Funchess, Tyreek Hill, Mohamed Sanu, Stefon Diggs
Soaking up the above stats, one could make a strong case for drafting Hopkins over Antonio Brown. It wouldn't be a foolish move.
BALTIMORE, HUH?
Raise your hand if you forgot Michael Crabtree no longer plays for the Raiders.
(Thursday's Hall of Fame Game DNP didn't help matters, either.)
Which brings us to this: Can you name the last Ravens wide receiver to collect 80 or more receptions in a given season?
(Pause for effect)
Try Derrick Mason ... from wayyyyyy back in 2008.
Hence, my ultra-conservative ranking for Crabtree, who signed with Baltimore during the offseason.
FUN FACT #7
See if you can spot the 'X' factor involving Texans wideout Will Fuller and his 2017 splits.
Per-game averages with Deshaun Watson at quarterback (four outings): 3.3 catches, 70 yards, 1.8 TDs
Per-game averages with any other Houston QB (six outings): 2.5 catches, 24 yards, 0 TDs
TOP 35 PPR TIGHT ENDS
1. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
2. Travis Kelce, Chiefs
3. Zach Ertz, Eagles
4. Evan Engram, Giants
5. Jimmy Graham, Packers
6. Greg Olsen, Panthers
7. Delanie Walker, Titans
8. Kyle Rudolph, Vikings
9. Trey Burton, Bears
10. Cameron Brate, Buccaneers
11. Jack Doyle, Colts
12. David Njoku, Browns
13. George Kittle, 49ers
14. Austin Hooper, Falcons
15. Charles Clay, Bills
16. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Jaguars
17. Benjamin Watson, Saints
18. Jordan Reed, Redskins
19. Eric Ebron, Colts
20. Luke Willson, Lions
21. Tyler Eifert/Tyler Kroft, Bengals
22. O.J. Howard, Buccaneers
23. Jake Butt, Broncos
24. Mike Gesicki, Dolphins
25. Jared Cook, Raiders
26. Vance McDonald, Steelers
27. Geoff Swaim/Blake Jarwin, Cowboys
28. Maxx Williams/Nick Boyle/Hayden Hurst, Ravens
29. Ryan Griffin, Texans
30. Ricky Seals-Jones, Cardinals
31. Tyler Higbee/Gerald Everett, Rams
32. Nick Vannett, Seahawks
33. Darren Fells, Browns
34. Michael Roberts, Lions
35. Ed Dickson, Seahawks
FUN FACT #8
Counting only regular-season action, Rob Gronkowski has scored a touchdown in three straight games 21 different times.
Here's another stat to behold:
Of the six seasons in which Gronkowski logged at least 10 games, he's a perfect 6 for 6 in collecting 1,000 receiving yards and/or double-digit touchdowns; and for those healthy campaigns (2010-12, 2014-15, 2017), Gronk owns supreme averages of 68.3 catches, 1,008 yards and 11.5 touchdowns.
FUN FACT #9
Zach Ertz could have another scintillating year, to the eminently doable tune of 85 catches, 950-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns.
He's the No. 1 passing option for Carson Wentz and Nick Foles. Plus, Ertz should be a virtual lock for strong numbers against divisional competition.
Check this out: Of his last nine complete outings versus the NFC East (Cowboys, Giants, Redskins), Ertz averaged seven catches, 76 yards and 0.6 touchdowns ... and this includes two clunkers of two or fewer receptions.
TARGETS ACQUIRED, PART II
These 10 tight ends tallied at least seven games of six-plus targets last season.
By comparison, 14 tight ends crossed the same threshold in 2016.
12 games—Travis Kelce, Evan Engram
11 games—Rob Gronkowski
10—Jimmy Graham
9—Delanie Walker, Zach Ertz, Jack Doyle
8—None
7—Jared Cook, Eric Ebron, Kyle Rudolph,
FUN FACT #10
Charting his last 25 complete games (including the playoffs), Steelers tailback Le'Veon Bell has reached the elite-level threshold of 100 total yards and/or one touchdown 22 times.
The three so-called clunkers can be easily rationalized:
a) Bell needed the first two games last year to get in football shape, after missing all of training camp (contract dispute).
b) For last October's loss to the Jaguars, Bell accounted for 93 total yards and 10 receptions—or the equivalent of 19.3 PPR points.
For that Week 5, a touchdown-free Bell still finished fifth among PPR backs.
FUN FACT #11
There are two ways to view David Johnson's fantasy candidacy for the upcoming season:
a) The optimist might say, From Thanksgiving weekend 2015 to Week 16 of the 2016 campaign, spanning 21 regular-season outings ... Johnson notched 100 total yards and/or one touchdown 20 times.
b) The negative person would counter: Johnson has suffered a significant injury in each of his last two games.
FUN FACT #12
Since 2015, LeSean McCoy has averaged 1,465 total yards and nine touchdowns. Of equal importance, Shady owns strong annual averages of 47 receptions, 61 targets and 365 receiving yards with Buffalo.
Now for the bad news: I was high on McCoy this time last year, citing his partnership with then-offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, who has a reputation of utilizing tailbacks in the passing game.
But with Brian Daboll now running the Bills offense, I'm worried McCoy will regress to the days of 30-plus catches and 50-plus targets.
There's also the little matter of McCoy's possible involvement with that Atlanta-area home invasion/robbery from June.
Put it all together, and McCoy might be part of a self-inflicted depressed market on Draft Night, falling to Round 4 or 5 in standard and PPR leagues.
TOP 60 PPR TAILBACKS
1-30
1. Todd Gurley, Rams
2. Le'Veon Bell, Steelers
3. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
4. David Johnson, Cardinals
5. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs
6. Alvin Kamara, Saints
7. Leonard Fournette, Jaguars
8. Melvin Gordon, Chargers
9. Devonta Freeman, Falcons
10. Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
11. Saquon Barkley, Giants
12. Dalvin Cook, Vikings
13. Kenyan Drake, Dolphins
14. LeSean McCoy, Bills
15. Joe Mixon, Bengals
16. Jordan Howard, Bears
17. Derrick Henry, Titans
18. Jay Ajayi, Eagles
19. Jerick McKinnon, 49ers
20. Alex Collins, Ravens
21. Lamar Miller, Texans
22. Marshawn Lynch, Raiders
23. Tevin Coleman, Falcons
24. Carlos Hyde, Browns
25. Kerryon Johnson, Lions
26. Chris Thompson, Redskins
27. James White, Patriots
28. Duke Johnson, Browns
29. Rashaad Penny, Seahawks
30. Jamaal Williams, Packers
31-60
31. Royce Freeman, Broncos
32. Sony Michel, Patriots
33. Dion Lewis, Titans
34. Bilal Powell, Jets
35. Ronald Jones, Buccaneers
36. Mark Ingram, Saints
37. Marlon Mack, Colts
38. Nick Chubb, Browns
39. Tarik Cohen, Bears
40. Theo Riddick, Lions
41. Gio Bernard, Bengals
42. Corey Clement, Eagles
43. Ty Montgomery, Packers
44. D'Onta Foreman, Texans
45. Devontae Booker, Broncos
46. LeGarrette Blount, Lions
47. Samaje Perine, Redskins
48. Peyton Barber, Buccaneers
49. Frank Gore, Dolphins
50. Latavius Murray, Vikings
51. Spencer Ware, Chiefs
52. Adrian Peterson, Redskins
53. T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars
54. Nyheim Hines, Colts
55. Chris Carson, Seahawks
56. C.J. Anderson, Panthers
57. Kenneth Dixon, Ravens
58. C.J. Prosise, Seahwawks
59. Rex Burkhead, Patriots
60. Matt Breida, 49ers
60b. Mark Walton, Bengals
60c. Javorius Allen, Ravens
FUN FACT #13
With receiver Jarvis Landry gone from the Miami lineup, tailback Kenyan Drake assumes the mantle of the Dolphins' best playmaker.
For his final six games last year, Drake stealthily averaged 107 total yards and 0.5 touchdowns; and for Weeks 9-15, immediately after Jay Ajayi was traded to Philadelphia, Drake caught 26 of 36 balls—for an impressive catch-to-target rate of 72 percent.
Bonus: In Drake's case, he's perhaps the NFL's fastest tailback (see above Tweet).
FUN FACT #14
It's difficult to shed a tear over Mark Ingram's four-game suspension to start the season, thus enabling Alvin Kamara to dominate the PPR world for roughly 4-5 weeks—if not longer.
In his final 11 regular-season outings, the rookie Kamara averaged five catches, six targets, 113 yards and one touchdown ... without collecting 20-plus touches in a single game.
50-AND-OVER CLUB
Here's a look at the 19 running backs who collected a minimum of 50 receiving targets last season:
1. Christian McCaffrey — 113 targets
2. Le'Veon Bell — 106
3. Alvin Kamara — 101
4. Duke Johnson — 93
5. Carlos Hyde — 88
6. Todd Gurley — 87
7. Melvin Gordon — 79
8. LeSean McCoy — 77
9. James White — 72
10. Tarik Cohen — 71
11. Mark Ingram — 71
12. Theo Riddick — 71
13. Jerick McKinnon — 68
14. Kareem Hunt — 63
15. Javorius Allen — 60
16. Gio Bernard — 60
17. Andre Ellington — 59 (only 11 games)
18. Chris Thompson — 54 (only 10 games)
19. Shane Vereen — 53
FUN FACT #15
For the final 10 games of the 2016 campaign (including the playoffs), Falcons tailback Tevin Coleman racked up 100 total yards and/or one touchdown eight times.
And for Weeks 4-12 last season, spanning eight games, Coleman stealthily accounted for 100 total yards and/or one TD seven times.
Not bad for someone who will be available in Round 8 of PPR drafts.
The final lesson here: Poor draft preparation makes fantasy cowards of us all ... so get to work!
Jay Clemons, the 2008 Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and 2015 Cynopsis Media award winner for "Sports Blog Of The Year," has previously served as the lead fantasy analyst for Sports Illustrated, FOX Sports South, Bleacher Report and Fanball.com.
