NFL target trends heading into Week 4 show heavy volume leaders establishing team roles, led by Michael Wilson’s 17 targets and Brock Bowers drawing a 43.3% target share in his season debut. Fantasy football analysts tracking usage data through the first three weeks of the season note significant shifts driven by injuries and quarterback changes across multiple franchises.
Michael Wilson Lead Week 4 Volume
Michael Wilson paced all pass-catchers with 17 targets and 11 receptions in Week 3, setting the highest single-game target total of the young season. While this output did not break his career-high of 18 targets set in Week 11 of the previous season, it marks his sixth game with double-digit targets over his last 11 appearances. In Green Bay, Matthew Golden secured 12 targets on five receptions, bringing his three-week total to 30 targets. Golden currently leads Christian Watson by one target for the team lead, surpassing the 30-target threshold much faster than he did during his rookie campaign.
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Tight End Usage Surges Across the League
Tight ends experienced a historic weekend, recording 20 touchdown catches across the NFL to mark the most productive single day for the position in league history, according to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press. In Carolina, the Panthers tight end room absorbed 15 targets—accounting for a 31% target share—distributed among Darren Waller with eight targets, Tommy Tremble with four, and Mitchell Evans with three. Meanwhile, Tetairoa McMillan managed just five targets despite teammate Jalen Coker exiting early with a quad injury.
Tyler Higbee stepped up in place of Terrance Ferguson, who suffered an ankle injury, catching eight of 11 targets with Davante Adams drawing 13 targets in the continued absence of Puka Nacua. Konata Mumpfield added eight targets during the Sunday night matchup. Brock Bowers commanded a 43.3% target share with 13 targets and 10 receptions in his season debut, marking the tenth time in 30 career games he has reached double-digit targets.
Rookies and Wide Receivers Adjust to Quarterback Shifts
Garrett Wilson matched Bowers with 13 targets and 10 receptions, operating as a central offensive focal point while Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr., and Mason Taylor remained sidelined. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq also stepped forward with eight targets, eclipsing the six targets he combined for over the first two weeks.
Luther Burden III secured 11 targets and seven receptions, capturing a 32% target share on Monday night with Case Keenum at quarterback. Burden has elevated his season target share to 25% while awaiting the return of Caleb Williams. In Dallas, George Pickens earned 11 targets and seven receptions, extending a three-week streak of rising target totals to establish a 24.8% team share. Josh Downs recorded 11 targets and five receptions, eclipsing his single-game high from last season while teammate Alec Pierce remains on injured reserve for at least three more weeks.
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