Dynasty Fantasy Football Strategy: Jerry Jeudy, Mason Taylor, and More Pass-Catcher Targets
Sam Wallace breaks down teams with the most vacated opportunity heading into 2025 and what pass catchers he is targeting from these teams for dynasty leagues.
One variable I like to analyze each offseason for dynasty fantasy football is how much vacated opportunity each offense has in the passing game. This includes vacated targets, target share, air yards, and air yards share. While it doesn't tell the whole story, it highlights teams that are missing significant pieces from their passing attack last season.
Courtesy of data from 4for4, here are the five teams with at least 200 available targets from last season, along with their corresponding available target share.
For my full dynasty fantasy football rankings, click here.
Pass-Catching Rooms To Target For Dynasty Fantasy Football
Cleveland Browns
- 235 targets
- 37% target share
Did you know Elijah Moore (now with the Bills) had over 100 targets last season? The more you know.
On paper, this probably doesn't seem like an offense you want pieces of, but the Browns actually have a player that I am drafting in as many places as I can—Jerry Jeudy.
His 2024 season saw him haul in a franchise-record 90 receptions on 145 targets. That led to just over 1,200 receiving but only four TDs.
Yes, the QB situation is certainly going to be one to follow (Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders), but I'm on the record saying I think Sanders is not only the most talented of the bunch but that he'll also start the most games this season.
Even if it's Flacco, who I think is the only other one who has a chance to play meaningful snaps this year, he's more than capable of feeding Jeudy with a high number of quality targets.
Still only 26 years old, Jeudy should command more than his fair share of targets this season. He could be one of the cheapest WR1s you'll find with his blend of talent and offensive opportunity.
Los Angeles Rams
- 215 target
- 39% target share
The biggest difference for the Rams this year will be facing Cooper Kupp twice when they play Seattle. From a target perspective, Kupp and Demarcus Robinson (49ers) combined for over 160 targets, which makes up the biggest chunk of the vacancies.
With Puka Nacua set to solidify his hold on the WR1, newcomer Davante Adams should command a sizable target share as well. There could even be some additional opportunities for players like Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington.
However, if there's one player I'm looking to target, at cost, it's Tyler Higbee. Yes, the Rams spent a second-round pick on rookie TE Terrance Ferguson, but I'm not banking on much of an impact from him in Year 1.
New York Jets
- 214 targets
- 36% target share
Oddly enough, it was Davante Adams who finished second on the Jets in targets last year with 114. His move over to the Rams opens up a spot for someone to produce alongside Garrett Wilson as Justin Fields looks to take over the offense.
While I don't have a strong feeling on any of the other wideouts behind Wilson, I am cautiously interested in rookie TE Mason Taylor.
Taylor checks in at No. 4 in our Rookie TE Model, one spot ahead of the aforementioned Ferguson.
Taylor is already showing out in offseason practices and, as mentioned, there isn't much in the way of prolific pass catchers ahead of him on the depth chart.
Fields doesn't offer much volume or upside in the passing game, so it's likely that Wilson will be the only viable fantasy option on a consistent basis. Even so, from a dynasty perspective, I'm certainly interested in getting some shares of Taylor when I can.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- 212 targets
- 46% target share
The Steelers essentially swapped out George Pickens (Cowboys) for DK Metcalf. It also sounds like the team will finally have its QB now that Aaron Rodgers has made official something we've all known for a while.
Candidly, I would have been much more nervous about the state of this offseason before the Rodgers news. The other QBs currently on the roster are Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard.
However, we have to be honest about where Rodgers is in his career as well.
Last season, he finished with 3,897 passing yards to go along with 28 TDs and 11 INTs. Those are still solid numbers for a QB on the other side of 40 years old, but I'm curious who, alongside Metcalf, will earn the veteran's trust.
Fellow veteran Robert Woods could become the out-of-nowhere beneficiary if the Steelers don't add anyone else before Week 1. He should provide a decent floor for managers needing a one-year rental-type player in PPR formats.
Otherwise, TE Pat Freiermuth has commanded a solid target share in the past and could find himself tasked with a larger role.
Regardless, the end of Rodgers' career is near. I'm hesitant to heavily invest in any specific pass-catcher outside of Metcalf in dynasty formats.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- 212 targets
- 40% target share
The final team to have more than 200 targets up for grabs this year is the Jacksonville Jaguars. I'm bullish on Trevor Lawrence taking a step this season, and the team appears ready to invest in their QB as well.
The Jaguars traded up for two-way talent Travis Hunter to pair him with budding superstar Brian Thomas. They also brought over Liam Coen to be their new head coach after he had significant success with both the Rams and Buccaneers.
Normally, with 40% of the targets being vacated from last year, I'd be much more excited about another player (or two) stepping into the void. However, I'm envisioning this offense and its targets being tightly condensed around Thomas and Hunter.
I also wouldn't be shocked to see Travis Etienne have a bounceback season and become more involved in the passing game. Then there's fourth-round rookie Bhayshul Tuten and Tank Bigsby, who form the rest of the backfield and each could contribute in their own way as well.
Honestly, this is the type of offense I want some ancillary pieces of. While I wouldn't be shocked to see Thomas & Hunter combine for at least 50% of the targets, other players will have to be involved somewhere along the way.
Let's just hope that Lawrence can finally become the type of player we all thought he could be.
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