Ball hogs

2010 Draft Prep: Get the guys who get the ball


As Fantasy owners, you always want to draft players who are involved on offense. You hope for touchdowns, but you count on carries and catches. If a player finds the end zone then it's just an added bonus.

That's why we're always looking to find running backs who will be featured options on all downs and in all situations. We want receivers and tight ends who will see the most passes in their direction all over the field
For example, as you can see from the interactive graphic below, Andre Johnson led all players in targets in 2009 with 172. He caught 59 percent of his targets for 101 catches, and he finished with 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. For the past two years, Johnson has had at least 170 targets, which is why we value him as one of the best players at his position and a potential first-round pick.

In the past three seasons, the receivers who have had at least 145 targets each year are Brandon Marshall, Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker. There's a reason those receivers are among the best in the NFL and have produced at a high level. Only Welker could see a significant drop in targets since he's coming off a torn ACL.

A receiver on the rise, based on his targets, is Roddy White. He's gone from 136 targets in 2007 to 148 in 2008 to 165 last year. White has the potential to be a Top 5 Fantasy wide receiver this year if his targets remain at the same level or continue to improve.

At tight end, Tony Gonzalez has been the leader in targets each of the past three seasons. He had 155 in 2007 and 2008 before getting 135 last year.

If you're looking for a tight end on the rise, focus on Oakland's Zach Miller. His targets have gone from 69 in 2007 to 86 in 2008 to 100 last year. Miller has the chance to be a No. 1 Fantasy tight end based on the addition of new quarterback Jason Campbell.
Another tight end who has improved is Brent Celek, who tied Marshall for the lead in red-zone targets with 25 in 2009. Celek caught 10 of those passes, including nine for touchdowns. He should remain a consistent red-zone threat for new quarterback Kevin Kolb this year.

Greg Olsen was third on the list at 24 red-zone targets, and he caught 12 of those passes for six touchdowns. His stats will likely decline based on new Chicago offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who has a terrible history with tight ends.

Running backs don't typically see many red-zone targets, but Reggie Bush was the best in that category in 2009. He had 14 red-zone targets and finished with seven catches for two touchdowns. Bush, who is known more for his receiving skills than his rushing prowess, has also done well in overall targets the past three seasons. He had 98 targets in 2007, 73 in 2008 and 68 last year.

Some other running backs who have done well in targets the past three seasons with at least 55 each year are Maurice Jones-Drew and Frank Gore, and Ray Rice could be the next great receiving running back. He led all running backs in targets in 2009 with 101, and he caught 77 percent of his targets for 78 catches, 702 yards and one touchdown.

There is a lot more data for targets and red-zone targets to look over with the interactive graphic below, so take full advantage of this tool on Draft Day