Fantasy Football PPR Target Report, Week 8: Wide Receivers

I am going to add a different look to this week's PPR Target Report for the wide receivers. In addition to reviewing the most targeted receivers in Week 8, I am also going to take a look at who are the top targeted receivers over the last three weeks. But, keep in mind that the stats for the last three weeks are skewed a bit due to bye weeks.

Here are the top 20 most targeted receivers over the last three weeks, including Week 8 stats:

A couple names that stand out in this list are Calvin Johnson, Jeremy Kerley and Randall Cobb. Johnson stands out not for the 31 targets, but he has just 12 receptions on those 31 targets. The 12 catches have gone for over 200 yards, but, again, none have gone for a touchdown.

Kerley has recently become the favorite target of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez with his 28 targets over the last three weeks, but all the targets have failed to result in a touchdown.

Cobb was probably the hottest Week 8 Waiver Wire add in a lot of leagues, as he has begun taking some targets away from Jordy Nelson and James Jones. The Packers are looking for ways to keep him on the field, including lining him up in the backfield.

Is there a rule for how many games/snaps a player has to see at a new position before he is eligible there in fantasy football leagues? If so, leave it in the comments section.

Let's take a look at the wide receivers who were the most targeted in Week 8:

Hitting the Bullseye

Percy Harvin, MIN

On Thursday night, Harvin caught seven of his 12 targets for 90 yards and a score. He remains one of the most targeted wide receivers in 2012, as he has received double digit targets in five of his eight games this season. Thus far in 2012, Harvin has been targeted 79 times in eight games, catchin 60 balls for 667 yards and three touchdowns. He has scored touchdowns in three of his last four games, but will have to face a tough Seattle defense in week 9.

Cecil Shorts, JAC

The Jaguars are starting to get Shorts more involved in their aerial game over the last few weeks. Shorts caught eight of his 12 targets in Week 8 for 116 yards and no touchdowns. Shorts has double digit targets in each of his last two games, catching 12 of his 22 targets for 195 yards and a touchdown. I expect Shorts to be one of the hottest Waiver Wire adds this week.

Austin Miles, DAL

Miles was targeted 16 times in Week 8 vs the Giants. Sixteen targets is a lot, but Miles wasn't even the most targeted Cowboys receiver this week. For more on that read the PPR Target Report for Tight Ends. Miles caught 9 of his 16 targets for 133 yards and no scores. Over the past three games, Miles has been targeted 30 times by quarterback Tony Romo, good for second on the Cowboys.

Missing the Mark

Vincent Jackson, TB

After his monster two touchdown, 216 yard effort in Week 7, Jackson was limited to just two receptions for 40 yards on six targets in Week 8. He remains a wide receiver who can take it to the house any time he touches the ball, and has received double digit targets in four of his seven games this season. His reception numbers are low, but he ranks sixth in yards receiving and is tied for second with five touchdowns amongst wide receivers.

Calvin Johnson, DET

I wrote about Johnson above, and he is starting to look like one of the top fantasy busts for 2012, as even though he is being targeted by quarterback Matt Stafford, the targets aren't resulting in many receptions and, more importantly, touchdowns. Johnson caught just three of his eight targets in Week 8, good for 46 yards and no scores. This is becoming a trend that fantasy owners know all too well at this point in the season.