Targets and Touches: Mike Williams Tries to Ditch Bust Label With Seattle

Fantasy football is all about opportunities. When your players are getting looks, they're usually producing. Targets and Touches is a weekly column that analyzes backfield touches data as well as trends for runners, receivers and tight ends being targeted by their quarterbacks. Let's break it down...

Running Backs

• In a week marked by several unexpected breakout performances, Oakland RB Darren McFadden's four-touchdown blitzkrieg stole the show. On just 16 carries, the electrifying back scampered for 165 yards. He also caught both balls thrown to him for 31 yards, one of which went for a TD. Michael Bush had 15 carries for 52 yards and a TD, not too shabby by most standards, but a far cry from what McFadden achieved. Expect a 2-1 carry split going forward, with D-Mac getting the bulk of work.

• Adrian Peterson led the league in carries in Week 7 with 28, rushing for 131 yards and a score. He's the most reliable RB in fantasy and doesn't yield a very significant number of touches to backup Toby Gerhart.

• Chris Johnson, who the Eagles hounded relentlessly (opening the door for the Kenny Britt show), rushed for just 66 yards on 24 carries. Hopefully, the Titans' opponents will realize there are more weapons on this team than Johnson, clearing the way for him to have more effective outings.

• Redskins backfield savior Ryan Torain put the ball on the ground a couple of times, but he's getting a ton of work. With 75 carries for 335 yards and three TDs in his last four games, he's proven to be effective and won't be in Mike Shanahan's doghouse unless he keeps coughing up the football.

• Against the Bills, veteran RB Willis McGahee had just 12 touches (11 carries and a catch) but outperformed Ray Rice and his 17 touches (16 carries and a one-yard catch). McGahee finished with 74 total yards and a score, while Rice managed just 72 rushing yards. But that game can't be used as much of a barometer. The scoring got out of control and Joe Flacco was forced to throw the ball a lot in the last three quarters.

• Seattle's Marshawn Lynch had 24 carries (89 yards) to Justin Forsett's nine, but Forsett's presence in the passing game (2-31-0) keeps him relevant. Consider Lynch an excellent RB3 and Forsett a solid RB4.

• I really can't tell you how the situation in Dallas is going to play out, but I have a hunch we'll see Felix Jones (12 touches, 62 total yards in the loss to the Giants) get the ball in the flats as Jon Kitna checks down to his options. We may have seen the death knell to Marion Barber's fantasy career in Big D.

• LeSean McCoy's Eagles are on a bye this week, but the versatile back had 16 carries for 48 yards and 6-54-0 receiving on seven targets in Week 7.

• LeGarrette Blount should see the majority of carries in Tampa Bay after having his best game as a pro (72 yards on just 11 carries).

• Did you realize that Ahmad Bradshaw was the NFL rushing leader after Week 7? The explosive back had 126 rushing yards on 24 carries on Monday night and gets about two carries for every one that Brandon Jacobs sees. Bradshaw now has 134 carries for 708 yards and three rushing TDs.

• I'd rather not comment on the carry distribution in Kansas City if you don't mind. OK – I'll say this: Can you even begin to imagine what Jamaal Charles' numbers would look like right now had the Chiefs not signed Thomas Jones – who rushed 20 times for 125 yards (6.2 YPC) and a TD on Sunday? While it was a surprisingly brilliant game for Jones, Charles (17 carries, 71 yards, TD) is the one who should be lighting up scoreboards instead of producing like a marginal RB2. While it's clear that the 50-50 timeshare isn't just a phase, Charles owners can still hope for something to befall Jones in the way of ineffectiveness or injury.

• Top receiving targets and receiving data among RBs on Sunday:

- Ladell Betts – 10 targets, 8-48-0 receiving
- Darren Sproles – 9, 9-70-0
- Frank Gore – 8, 4-57-0
- Cadillac Williams – 8, 8-34-1

Wide Receivers

• Seattle WR Mike Williams tied for the Week 7 lead in targets with 16, converting those opportunities into 11-87-1. The former first-round bust is now a solid WR2 and should be started in all formats.

• Roddy White had another enormous game, catching 11 of the 13 balls thrown his way for 201 yards and two TDs. I think he's eclipsed Andre Johnson as the most desirable WR to own at this point, although you'll have to look for another option this week since the Falcons are on a bye. Boo!

• The other target leaders from Week 7 include:

- Chad Ochocinco – 16 targets, 10-108-1
- Marques Colston – 15, 10-112-1
- Jeremy Maclin – 14, 5-42-0
- Hakeem Nicks – 14, 9-108-2
- Anquan Boldin – 13, 6-92-1
- Patrick Crayton – 13, 7-82-0
- Terrell Owens – 13, 9-88-1
- Roscoe Parrish – 13, 8-49-0

• While Parrish saw the most targets among the Buffalo receivers against the Ravens, Lee Evans (10 targets, 6-105-3) and Steve Johnson (10 targets, 8-158-1) are the two receivers to own in Western New York. Evans might never have another game like that in his career, but he's always been a fantasy wild card capable of huge numbers.

• Kenny Britt was even more effective with his 10 targets than Evans, catching seven passes for 225 yards and three TDs. Not too many fantasy owners cashed in on his memorable day, but he should be considered a risk/reward WR2 going forward.

• Other receivers with at least 10 targets last week include: Hines Ward, Greg Jennings, Johnny Knox, Giants WR Steve Smith, Tampa Bay WR Mike Williams, Chargers wideout Craig "Buster" Davis and former fantasy stud Larry Fitzgerald. Of that bunch, Ward clearly had the best performance (7-131-1) while Fitzgerald fizzled (3-30-0). I'd much rather own Ward than Fitzgerald, who can't be considered much more than a weak WR2 given the Cards' helpless offense.

• Brandon Marshall (9, 5-57-0) and Davone Bess (7, 6-66-1) both continue to see regular targets and are consistent enough to warrant consideration against any opponent. The Dolphins got hosed against Pittsburgh, but it's just a speed bump for these two reliable fantasy producers.

• Brandon Lloyd saw just three targets on Sunday, a result of the 59-14 drubbing at the hands of Oakland. His fellow Broncos receivers were all pretty useless, since both Kyle Orton TDs were thrown to Knowshon Moreno.

• Santana Moss was targeted eight times by Donovan McNabb. He may not have surpassed Ryan Torain as the best fantasy option in Washington (Torain has been putting the ball on the ground with regularity), but he's a close second based on his big-play ability.

• The fantasy forecast in Carolina is looking up. With Matt Moore at the helm, the Panthers got their first win -- in large part due to a standout performance by David Gettis (9 targets, 8-125-2). Gettis stepped up when Steve Smith (8 targets, 4-50-0) went down briefly with leg cramps. While Smith was a bit careless with the football and Gettis will receive more targets from here on out, Smith's status as WR1 in "Cackalaka" is safe.

Tight Ends

• Jason Witten led all NFL tight ends with 13 targets in Week 7. He'll get a lot more looks with Kitna under center, and more days like the 9-95-1 he posted on Monday night.

• Antonio Gates ended up playing on Sunday (4-50-1), although he was only targeted five times. With Jermichael Finley and now Dallas Clark done for the year, he has no competition as the best fantasy TE in football.

• Vernon Davis is probably the second best TE option now. The lightning-fast Niner had 4-54-1 on eight targets Sunday in what was a down week for tight ends.

• The best of the rest among TEs:

- Todd Heap – 5 targets, 3-59-2
- Chris Cooley – 9, 7-52-0
- Kellen Winslow – 10, 5-44-0
- Aaron Hernandez – 8-5-54-0
- Zach Miller – 6, 3-65-0
- Marcedes Lewis – 9, 3-44-0
- Jermaine Gresham – 6, 4-26-0