Jason Mezrahi 
The NFL season is back, and Week 1 delivered some exciting moments and standout performances. One of the key metrics that fans and fantasy football enthusiasts often analyze is target share, which indicates how involved a player is in their team’s passing game. In Week 1, we saw several players emerge as target share leaders, making significant impacts for their respective teams. Let’s take a closer look at the top performers from Week 1.
- Zay Flowers – 48%
Kicking off our list is Zay Flowers, who had an astonishing 48% target share in Week 1. The young wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens was the primary focus of their passing attack, and he certainly made the most of it, showcasing his speed and playmaking ability.
- Puka Nacua – 41%
Puka Nacua, playing for the Los Angeles Rams, had an impressive 41% target share in the season opener as a rookie. Nacua’s will be a top get on the waiver wire and a nice value moving forward if he backs up this performance in the weeks to come.
- DeAndre Hopkins and Jakobi Meyers – 39%
DeAndre Hopkins of the Tennesee Tians and Jakobi Meyers of the Las Vegas Raiders both commanded a 39% target share in Week 1. Hopkins’ and Meyers’ precise route running and hands made them focal points of their respective offenses.
- Davante Adams – 35%
Davante Adams, the star wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders, had a 35% target share in the season opener. Adams continues to be one of the league’s premier wideouts.
- Calvin Ridley and Tyreek Hill – 34%
Calvin Ridley of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins both had a 34% target share in Week 1. Ridley’s route-running savvy and Hill’s explosive speed make them top-tier options for their quarterbacks.
- AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Zach Ertz, and Bijan Robinson – 33%
Week 1 also saw four players with a 33% target share: AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles, Zach Ertz of the Arizona Cardinals, and Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons. Each of these players played a pivotal role in their team’s passing attack.
- Mike Evans – 31%
Mike Evans, a reliable target for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had a 31% target share in Week 1. His size and catch radius make him a valuable asset in the red zone and downfield.
- Chris Olave – 30%
Chris Olave, of the Saints, impressed with a 30% target share in his debut. His crisp route running and ability to create separation bode well for his future in the NFL.
- Keenan Allen, Ja’Marr Chase, and Brandon Aiyuk – 29%
Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers, Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers all had a 29% target share in Week 1. These stars showcased their potential to be key playmakers for their respective teams.
- Michael Pittman and Jake Ferguson – 28%
Rounding out our list are Michael Pittman of the Indianapolis Colts and Jake Ferguson of the Cowboys, both with a 28% target share in Week 1. These emerging talents made their presence felt on the field.
Conclusion
Week 1 of the NFL season provided us with an exciting glimpse of the target share leaders who will play crucial roles in their team’s passing game throughout the year. Whether they are established stars or up-and-coming rookies, these players demonstrated their ability to make a significant impact and keep fans eagerly anticipating the rest of the season. As the NFL season progresses, we can expect more standout performances from these target share leaders and others who are poised to make their mark on the league.
