​Week 8 Fantasy Football Market Share Report: D.J. Moore Is Still Soaking Up Targets

If Week 7 didn't teach us enough about the importance of depth and forecasting for the future, Week 8 certainly finished off the job.

Injuries, touches and shares, off-the-field concerns, have all entered our lives and rosters causing most if not all fantasy owners to scramble and adjust. If we learn anything from Week 8 and the 2021 season, it's that depth chart knowledge is absolutely critical, and that goes far deeper than simply knowing the second string. Knowing who might be next up as a third-stringer or even practice squad player could be the difference between making the playoffs and not.

Challenge yourself this week to study up depth charts and target shares while staying flexible with some of the players you keep hanging onto.

Rushing Market Shares

Mark Ingram, Saints

Despite being relegated to a three-headed Houston Texans rushing attack earlier this season, Mark Ingram was not only useful, but he was getting noticed.

The New Orleans Saints traded for Mark Ingram last Wednesday, and he went on to play 22-of-76 snaps in Week 8, handling 24% of the running back carries and 33% of the running back targets.

It’s only going to get better from here for Ingram, who already knows the Saints system. After Jameis Winston went down for the season, New Orleans will no doubt lean on their rushing attack of Ingram and Alvin Kamara.

Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team

Antonio Gibson lost passing-down work to J.D. McKissic and Jaret Patterson in Week 8 and also appears to be losing some first and second down work, as well.

The snap count went McKissic (32), Gibson (23), and Patterson (16), with Patterson leading Gibson 11-8 in rushing attempts.

Ignore all that. Find the Gibson manager in your league and see if he’s feeling afraid of the splits. Gibson is the more talented runner and is likely to see an uptick in touches down the stretch if Ryan Fitzpatrick can make it back soon.

Receiving Market Shares

Deebo Samuel, 49ers

Deebo Samuel isn't letting an inconsistent San Francisco 49ers offense mess things up for his target share. Through Week 8, Samuel has a 32.5% target share while averaging 18.6 yards per catch in 2021.

Last week, Samuel had 6 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown on 9 targets.

While trying to acquire Samuel after a big game isn't ideal, he's still on a team struggling with quarterback play and fighting for their playoff life. Perhaps wait until after a lower output week, but don't let Samuel's season pass you by without inquiring about a potential trade.

D.J. Moore, Panthers

D.J. Moore is right in the sweet spot of being productive -- but not too productive -- that you could try and pull him away from the owner in your league.

In Week 8, Moore led the Carolina Panthers in receiving targets (8) and hauled in 4 catches for 59 yards with a 38% target share.

Despite the Panthers struggling of late, they are likely to get Christian McCaffrey back soon, which will open up the offense for everyone, particularly Moore.

Red Zone Market Shares

James Robinson, Jaguars

It’s been an extremely rough ride for all Jacksonville Jaguars players this season. But James Robinson is still a fantasy asset.

Despite getting banged up in Week 8, Robinson has 14 red zone rushing attempts and 5 touchdowns in 2021.

He’s netting 53.8% of the red zone rushing work for the Jags, per Pro Football Reference. Robinson is an ideal target to bolster your running back depth since his team is putrid, so it's likely the owner in your league would entertain a chance to get out of the Jags business despite the fact that he’s still performing.

Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team

Ricky Seals-Jones has found his way onto a Washington Football Team roster that knows exactly what to do with him.

Through Week 8, Seals-Jones has 10 red zone receiving targets and only one touchdown thus far. His lack of scores makes him an easy target to like and an interesting one considering he’s handling 37% of the red zone receiving work in Washington.

Just note that Logan Thomas could return soon, which adds uncertainty to Seals-Jones' future role.