Running backs don’t get as many targets as wide receivers and tight ends, reflecting the trend toward more spread offenses and 3 and 4 receiver sets, in an effort to throw the ball downfield more than ever. The West Coast offense, which used the dump pass to the versatile running back instead of a running play, is becoming an offense of the past.
Fantasy Football PPR Target Report, Week 6: Running Backs
Which running backs were the most targeted in Week 6? LeSean McCoy and Reggie Bush highlight the list in Week 6.
Rich Schultz - Getty Images
Let’s take a look at the Week 6 leaders in targets for running backs:
Player | Targets | Rec | Yd | Avg | TD |
Peerman, Cedric RB CIN | 8 | 8 | 76 | 9.5 | 0 |
McCoy, LeSean RB PHI | 8 | 7 | 26 | 3.7 | 1 |
Peterson, Adrian RB MIN | 8 | 7 | 50 | 7.1 | 0 |
Bush, Reggie RB MIA | 7 | 5 | 44 | 8.8 | 0 |
Jackson, Fred RB BUF | 6 | 5 | 30 | 6 | 0 |
Jackson, Steven RB STL | 5 | 3 | 28 | 9.3 | 0 |
Woodhead, Danny RB NE | 5 | 5 | 46 | 9.2 | 0 |
Redman, Isaac RB PIT | 5 | 4 | 105 | 26.2 | 0 |
Spiller, C.J. RB BUF | 5 | 4 | 22 | 5.5 | 0 |
Gore, Frank RB SF | 4 | 4 | 20 | 5 | 0 |
McFadden, Darren RB OAK | 4 | 3 | 28 | 9.3 | 0 |
Rice, Ray RB BAL | 4 | 1 | 43 | 43 | 0 |
Draughn, Shaun RB KC | 4 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
Rodgers, Jacquizz RB ATL | 4 | 3 | 21 | 7 | 0 |
Leshoure, Mikel RB DET | 4 | 3 | 24 | 8 | 0 |
Martin, Doug RB TB | 4 | 2 | 55 | 27.5 | 0 |
Johnson, Chris RB TEN | 4 | 4 | 23 | 5.8 | 0 |
Richardson, Daryl RB STL | 3 | 2 | 23 | 11.5 | 0 |
Ballard, Vick RB IND | 3 | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 0 |
Richardson, Trent RB CLE | 3 | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 0 |
Charles, Jamaal RB KC | 3 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 0 |
Foster, Arian RB HOU | 3 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
Hitting the Bullseye
Reggie Bush, MIA
Bush has not been used in the Dolphin passing game as much as I thought he would this season. Coming into Week 6, Bush had been targeted just 14 times through five games, catching 12 passes for just under 100 yards receiving. He was used a bit more in Week 6, catching five of his seven targets for 44 yards and no touchdowns. Maybe this will be the beginning of him seeing more targets going forward.
LeSean McCoy, PHI
McCoy was the fifth most targeted running back through five weeks, and he could move up in the rankings after his Week 6 performance. McCoy caught seven of his eight targets for 26 yards and a score on Sunday. He now has caught 25 of his 32 targets for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
Adrian Peterson, MIN
Peterson has disappointed owners this season, as he has scored just two touchdowns this season, as it appears the Vikings don't want to overwork him coming off the knee injury last season. But, there may some reason for optimism as he was targeted eight times on Sunday, catching seven balls for 50 yards and no scores. Adding a few more targets per game increases his touches while saving him some wear and tear from the ground game.
Missing the Target
Ray Rice, BAL
Rice came into Week 6 second in the NFL in targets amongst running backs, and that ranking took a hit on Sunday, as he was targeted just four times, catching just one pass for 43 yards and no touchdowns. For the season, he has caught 24 of his 37 targets for 233 yards and no receiving touchdowns. Last season, he caught 76 balls for over 700 yards, so he will be hard pressed to repeat that performance at this point. He is, more and more, a smaller piece of the Ravens offense.
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