Aaaaaaand…we’re back!  This writer took a little personal time to let this article marinate a bit.  We’ve got some stellar target numbers now that we’re further into the season.  We’re seeing an absolute offensive explosion this year, which is leading to some really crazy fantasy numbers.  I scored above 200 in three separate leagues this past week, folks!  That’s just batty.  Alrighty then.  Time for Week 7’s Floor Check:

Wide Receiver

Golden Tate (DET)

The Lions are coming off their bye, so you might have forgotten this very important detail: Golden Tate is still the target king in Detroit.  Tate is averaging 10.2 targets per game, and hasn’t seen less than 7 in any contest.  That one game with 7?  The last game they had against the Packers, which ended up being a blowout.  Kenny Golladay might be the shiny new thing for the Lions, but Tate still has the higher floor, especially in PPR formats.

Embed from Getty Images

Chester Rogers (IND)

You may take this with a grain of salt, but Chester Rogers is killing it for the Colts.  The numbers may not always reflect that, but his targets sure do.  Rogers has had 11, 11, and 10 targets in the Colts’ past three games.  As long as the Colts defense is hurt everywhere, and Hilton is out, Rogers has a pretty high floor.

Tyler Boyd (CIN)

Oh my goodness, Tyler Boyd is good.  He may not be quite as good as A.J. Green, but he’s definitely got some skills.  Every defense that plays the Bengals is so focused on Green that Boyd just always seems to be open.  Andy Dalton has noticed, too.  Boyd is sitting on 52 targets so far, at about 8.7 a game.  He makes them count, too, as Boyd continues to excel in the red zone.  Boyd’s floor is high enough to warrant every week WR2 status, and his ceiling is much higher.

Michael Crabtree (BAL)

It’s been the John Brown show so far for the Ravens, but let’s not forget: volume is king in fantasy football.  Michael Crabtree is still getting the most looks for Baltimore.  He’s sitting at 55 on the year, at 9.2 per game.  He’s fairly consistent, too, with his lone under-targeted week all the way back in Week 1.  Where the targets go, production will follow, folks.

Chris Godwin (TB)

For some reason, Chris Godwin remains available in a lot of leagues.  Everyone seems to think that the two receivers ahead of him and the TEs for the Bucs are just the bees knees, apparently.  If you look at the overall target share, you might lean that way too.  Godwin is sitting at 31 targets on the year, or 6.2 per game.  He’s had two rough games, at 4 targets in Week 1 and 2 in Week 4.  You know what else he has?  The most targets of any wide receiver inside the 10-yard line.  It’s not close, either.  Godwin should be owned.

Running Back

Sony Michel (NE)

Just in case you haven’t figured this out with the ole eyeball test, Sony Michel is getting a ton of work with the Patriots.  Just a ton, folks.  He’s had 25, 19, and 24 touches in his last three games.  He’s the clear workhorse back for the Patriots, even with James White taking passing downs and a few carries.  Sony’s floor is fantastic.

David Johnson (ARI)

What?!  A first round pick getting a floor check?!  That’s right.  David Johnson has gotten off to a miserable start this year.  That being said, let’s look at the numbers.  Believe it or not, they’re trending up.  Johnson’s had 25, 20, and 20 targets in his last three games.  That’s more than 5 per game more than he was getting at the beginning of the year.  Volume is king, baby.  The production will follow.

LeSean McCoy (BUF)

Speaking of volume, LeSean McCoy is just about the entire Bills offense.  Again.  He’s had 8 (Injury game) 26, and 19 touches since the Bill’s bye.  As long as Shady stays healthy, he’s going to get a ton of work.  This is definitely not the sexiest pick, but the volume is there.  Shady can still get you a decent floor every week.

Peyton Barber (TB)

I’ll admit, I was one of those people that really thought it was Ronald Jones time in Tampa Bay.  Lo and behold, the Bucs came out of their bye and Peyton Barber looked like a monster.  He followed up two 8 touch games before the bye with a 17 touch great performance.  His usage is trending upwards, therefore, so is his floor.

Ito Smith (ATL)

If you haven’t heard (because apparently you like that rock you live under) Devonta Freeman is heading to IR.  Tevin Coleman should be a monster now, right?  Hold up, folks.  Coleman has been mostly disappointing this year.  You should be running to the waiver wire to pick up Ito Smith.  Ito’s had some weeks with disappointing touch totals, namely having 10, 4, and 13 over the past three weeks.  But he gets those touches a TON at the goal line.  Ito should be able to give you a pretty decent floor for the rest of the season.

Tight End

Eric Ebron (IND)

A few weeks ago, I pointed out that Eric Ebron was getting a lot of looks from Andrew Luck.  That came with the caveat that as long as Jack Doyle was out, Ebron should continue getting those looks.  I’m removing that caveat.  Ebron seems to finally be realizing his first-round pedigree with the Colts.  He’s sitting on 52 targets on the year, good for third most among TEs.  He’s made the most of them, too.  Ebron officially has a great floor.

David Njoku (CLE)

David Njoku is pretty hit or miss.  I realize that.  However, he’s got a very accurate QB in Baker Mayfield.  He’s also sitting on 46 targets on the year, including an upward tilt to the tune of 11 and 12 in his last two games.  Njoku has a very reasonable week-to-week floor, especially in PPR formats.

Austin Hooper (ATL)

Is this a mirage?  Are the Falcons actually using their TE?  I have no idea if this trend will last, but consider this: Hooper has 12 and 10 targets over the past two games.  When the Falcons absolutely have to have the yards, they seem to be turning to Hooper more and more often.  If his usage stays this high, he should be a very safe weekly starter.

George Kittle (SF)

A few weeks ago, I pumped the brakes on people dropping George Kittle when Jimmy Garropolo went down.  Well here we are, people!  Kittle continues to make the most of his targets, regardless of who’s throwing him the ball.  He’s got 41 targets so far, good for almost 7 a game.  He’s great with the ball in his hands, and that target share has been pretty consistent regardless of matchup.