It just seems right to see Steve Smith’s name on top of the list of “Most Targeted Receiver”, doesn’t it? You figure Carolina doesn’t have much going on so they are going to force the ball out there to #89. Except it ain’t that Steve Smith. Instead, it is #12 on the New York Giants who has been targeted more than any other wide receiver in the league.
Target Practice: Top 5 Targeted WRs Include Two 3rd-Year Guys
Prior to the regular season, Eli Manning had no real established wide-out to go with the ball on a regular basis--at least nobody that he had built up a lot of trust in over any long stretch of time. Steve Smith has overtaken Randy Moss, Reggie Wayne, and Calvin Johnson as the “guy” who gets the most looks. Also worth noting: Steve Smith is in that magical “3rd year” for wide receivers that sometimes equates to blow-up seasons.
Top 5 Targeted Wide Receivers
1) Steve Smith - 45
2) Randy Moss - 44
3) Nate Burleson - 41
4) Reggie Wayne - 40
5) Calvin Johnson - 40
Other 3rd year WR’s:
Mike Sims-Walker - 31
Ted Ginn, Jr. - 30
Dwayne Bowe - 14
Anthony Gonzalez - 0 (injured)
Steve Breaston - 15
Calvin Johnson is also a 3rd-year receiver--he was just flat-out scary from day one though. Anthony Gonzalez would most likely be on the leader board if he had not gotten injured, and when he returns he is capable of making up ground fast in that offense. Sidney Rice, Robert Meachem, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Dwayne Jarrett, and James Jones are all 3rd-year guys who are deserving of continued observation.
We aren’t telling you anything you don’t already know, but this underlines the importance of taking chances on those 3rd-year wide receivers.
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