Most contested targets to wide receivers through Week 6

Contested targets can often be a sign of trust between quarterback and wide receiver, and can also be sign of desperation or poor decision making for a quarterback. Whatever the case may be, when a receiver excels at catching contested targets they become a nightmare for opposing defenses to matchup against and provide a ton of value for their offense. Through six weeks of the NFL season we take look at the receivers with the most contested targets and how they have fared on them.

1. Alshon Jefferey, Philadelphia Eagles

Contested Targets – 21

Contested Catches – 8

Jefferey has been off to a relatively slow start with his new team, producing an overall grade of 73.7. That hasn’t stopped quarterback Carson Wentz from looking for him often despite being covered. Nearly half of Jeffery’s targets have been contested and he has caught 38 percent of them.

2. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

Contested Targets – 20

Contested Catches – 9

Brown has been arguably the best receiver in the game for quite some time now and this season is not different as he currently ranks first with an overall grade of 93.6. While 20 contested targets may seem high, they only make up 28 percent of Browns overall targets, considerably lower than Jefferey above. Brown has come down with 45 percent of them.

3. Deandre Hopkins, Houston Texans

Contested Targets – 19

Contested Catches – 4

Hopkins is nearly back to 2015 form this season, ranking ninth among receivers with a grade of 82.4. Rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson has looked for Hopkins to bail him out several times with a contested target but unfortunately the duo has converted only 21 percent of them.

4. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Contested Targets – 18

Contested Catches – 10

Evans is perhaps the leagues current premier jump ball receiver so it’s not a shock to see him lead the league in contested catches. His league leading contested catch rate of 56 percent isn’t much lower than his overall catch rate of 61 percent.

5. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Contested Targets – 17

Contested Catches – 8

Fitzgerald has shown he still has the chops to win the battle for a football, hauling in 47 percent of his 17 contested targets.