2017 Surest Hands and Worst Connections after Three Weeks
By Chris Malumphy
The passing game is much like a synchronized dance with precise timing and technical proficiency of paramount importance. The big difference is that the defense is always trying to cut in and ruin the show. After three weeks of the 2017 NFL season, here is a list of the receivers with a minimum of 10 targets ranked from best to worst in terms of converting targets into completions.
The most proficient thus far is Shane Vereen who has caught 14 of his 15 targets, 93.3%, for the Giants. The Rams Sammy Watkins has lived up to his potential this season, catching 13 of 14 balls for 194 yards and two touchdowns. The ageless Ravens tight end Ben Watson has 13 receptions on 14 targets, 91.7%, and one touchdown.
Completely out of synch are the Bills Zay Jones who has only three receptions on 12 targets, 25%, and the Browns Kenny Britt and the Colts Donte Moncrief who each have just five catches on 15 targets, 33.3%
2017 Surest Hands (minimum 10 targets) | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Team | Targets | Rec | Pct | Yds | Yds Reception | Yds Target | TD | Missed Targets |
Shane Vereen | Giants | 15 | 14 | 93.3 | 96 | 6.9 | 6.4 | 0 | 1 |
Sammy Watkins | Rams | 14 | 13 | 92.9 | 194 | 14.9 | 13.9 | 2 | 1 |
Ben Watson | Ravens | 12 | 11 | 91.7 | 103 | 9.4 | 8.6 | 1 | 1 |
DeAndre Washington | Raiders | 11 | 10 | 90.9 | 57 | 5.7 | 5.2 | 0 | 1 |
LeSean McCoy | Bills | 20 | 18 | 90.0 | 131 | 7.3 | 6.6 | 0 | 2 |
Ezekiel Elliott | Cowboys | 14 | 12 | 85.7 | 64 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 0 | 2 |
Allen Hurns | Jaguars | 14 | 12 | 85.7 | 144 | 12.0 | 10.3 | 2 | 2 |
James White | Patriots | 14 | 12 | 85.7 | 126 | 10.5 | 9.0 | 0 | 2 |
Albert Wilson | Chiefs | 12 | 10 | 83.3 | 77 | 7.7 | 6.4 | 1 | 2 |
Jermaine Kearse | Jets | 17 | 14 | 82.4 | 165 | 11.8 | 9.7 | 2 | 3 |
Coby Fleener | Saints | 11 | 9 | 81.8 | 108 | 12.0 | 9.8 | 2 | 2 |
Terrance Williams | Cowboys | 16 | 13 | 81.3 | 132 | 10.2 | 8.3 | 0 | 3 |
Michael Crabtree | Raiders | 16 | 13 | 81.3 | 170 | 13.1 | 10.6 | 3 | 3 |
Tarik Cohen | Bears | 25 | 20 | 80.0 | 126 | 6.3 | 5.0 | 1 | 5 |
Jerick McKinnon | Vikings | 10 | 8 | 80.0 | 40 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 2 |
Adam Thielen | Vikings | 24 | 19 | 79.2 | 299 | 15.7 | 12.5 | 0 | 5 |
Delanie Walker | Titans | 19 | 15 | 78.9 | 168 | 11.2 | 8.8 | 0 | 4 |
Mark Ingram | Saints | 14 | 11 | 78.6 | 108 | 9.8 | 7.7 | 0 | 3 |
Jordan Reed | Redskins | 14 | 11 | 78.6 | 84 | 7.6 | 6.0 | 0 | 3 |
Ty Montgomery | Packers | 23 | 18 | 78.3 | 129 | 7.2 | 5.6 | 1 | 5 |
Christian McCaffrey | Panthers | 23 | 18 | 78.3 | 173 | 9.6 | 7.5 | 0 | 5 |
Golden Tate | Lions | 27 | 21 | 77.8 | 190 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 1 | 6 |
Travis Kelce | Chiefs | 18 | 14 | 77.8 | 144 | 10.3 | 8.0 | 1 | 4 |
Javorius Allen | Ravens | 13 | 10 | 76.9 | 48 | 4.8 | 3.7 | 1 | 3 |
Taylor Gabriel | Falcons | 13 | 10 | 76.9 | 129 | 12.9 | 9.9 | 1 | 3 |
Dalvin Cook | Vikings | 13 | 10 | 76.9 | 82 | 8.2 | 6.3 | 0 | 3 |
Le'Veon Bell | Steelers | 17 | 13 | 76.5 | 56 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 0 | 4 |
Jared Cook | Raiders | 17 | 13 | 76.5 | 124 | 9.5 | 7.3 | 1 | 4 |
Jordy Nelson | Packers | 17 | 13 | 76.5 | 131 | 10.1 | 7.7 | 3 | 4 |
Todd Gurley | Rams | 17 | 13 | 76.5 | 140 | 10.8 | 8.2 | 2 | 4 |
Zach Ertz | Eagles | 28 | 21 | 75.0 | 245 | 11.7 | 8.8 | 1 | 7 |
Jack Doyle | Colts | 16 | 12 | 75.0 | 136 | 11.3 | 8.5 | 0 | 4 |
Melvin Gordon | Chargers | 16 | 12 | 75.0 | 90 | 7.5 | 5.6 | 1 | 4 |
Carlos Hyde | 49ers | 16 | 12 | 75.0 | 61 | 5.1 | 3.8 | 0 | 4 |
Danny Amendola | Patriots | 12 | 9 | 75.0 | 148 | 16.4 | 12.3 | 0 | 3 |
Jarvis Landry | Dolphins | 26 | 19 | 73.1 | 126 | 6.6 | 4.8 | 0 | 7 |
Tyreek Hill | Chiefs | 22 | 16 | 72.7 | 253 | 15.8 | 11.5 | 2 | 6 |
Sterling Shepard | Giants | 22 | 16 | 72.7 | 200 | 12.5 | 9.1 | 1 | 6 |
Jordan Matthews | Bills | 11 | 8 | 72.7 | 152 | 19.0 | 13.8 | 0 | 3 |
Jordan Howard | Bears | 11 | 8 | 72.7 | 40 | 5.0 | 3.6 | 0 | 3 |
Tyler Ervin | Texans | 11 | 8 | 72.7 | 38 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 0 | 3 |
Kyle Rudolph | Vikings | 11 | 8 | 72.7 | 75 | 9.4 | 6.8 | 1 | 3 |
George Kittle | 49ers | 11 | 8 | 72.7 | 48 | 6.0 | 4.4 | 0 | 3 |
Antonio Brown | Steelers | 36 | 26 | 72.2 | 354 | 13.6 | 9.8 | 1 | 10 |
Charles Clay | Bills | 18 | 13 | 72.2 | 115 | 8.8 | 6.4 | 2 | 5 |
Jamison Crowder | Redskins | 18 | 13 | 72.2 | 113 | 8.7 | 6.3 | 0 | 5 |
Odell Beckham | Giants | 18 | 13 | 72.2 | 115 | 8.8 | 6.4 | 2 | 5 |
Doug Baldwin | Seahawks | 28 | 20 | 71.4 | 212 | 10.6 | 7.6 | 1 | 8 |
Mohamed Sanu | Falcons | 21 | 15 | 71.4 | 160 | 10.7 | 7.6 | 1 | 6 |
Kendall Wright | Bears | 14 | 10 | 71.4 | 103 | 10.3 | 7.4 | 0 | 4 |
Jesse James | Steelers | 17 | 12 | 70.6 | 87 | 7.3 | 5.1 | 2 | 5 |
David Njoku | Browns | 10 | 7 | 70.0 | 59 | 8.4 | 5.9 | 2 | 3 |
Brandon Coleman | Saints | 10 | 7 | 70.0 | 106 | 15.1 | 10.6 | 2 | 3 |
Jason Witten | Cowboys | 26 | 18 | 69.2 | 159 | 8.8 | 6.1 | 2 | 8 |
Tevin Coleman | Falcons | 13 | 9 | 69.2 | 88 | 9.8 | 6.8 | 1 | 4 |
Geronimo Allison | Packers | 13 | 9 | 69.2 | 146 | 16.2 | 11.2 | 0 | 4 |
Theo Riddick | Lions | 19 | 13 | 68.4 | 82 | 6.3 | 4.3 | 1 | 6 |
Evan Engram | Giants | 19 | 13 | 68.4 | 138 | 10.6 | 7.3 | 1 | 6 |
Chris Thompson | Redskins | 19 | 13 | 68.4 | 231 | 17.8 | 12.2 | 2 | 6 |
Randall Cobb | Packers | 22 | 15 | 68.2 | 145 | 9.7 | 6.6 | 0 | 7 |
Stefon Diggs | Vikings | 25 | 17 | 68.0 | 293 | 17.2 | 11.7 | 4 | 8 |
Demaryius Thomas | Broncos | 25 | 17 | 68.0 | 236 | 13.9 | 9.4 | 0 | 8 |
Mike Evans | Buccaneers | 21 | 14 | 66.7 | 160 | 11.4 | 7.6 | 1 | 7 |
Leonard Fournette | Jaguars | 12 | 8 | 66.7 | 66 | 8.3 | 5.5 | 0 | 4 |
Ryan Grant | Redskins | 12 | 8 | 66.7 | 103 | 12.9 | 8.6 | 1 | 4 |
Keenan Allen | Chargers | 29 | 19 | 65.5 | 196 | 10.3 | 6.8 | 1 | 10 |
Michael Thomas | Saints | 26 | 17 | 65.4 | 221 | 13.0 | 8.5 | 1 | 9 |
Larry Fitzgerald | Cardinals | 34 | 22 | 64.7 | 244 | 11.1 | 7.2 | 1 | 12 |
A.J. Green | Bengals | 31 | 20 | 64.5 | 252 | 12.6 | 8.1 | 1 | 11 |
Nelson Agholor | Eagles | 14 | 9 | 64.3 | 115 | 12.8 | 8.2 | 2 | 5 |
Ted Ginn | Saints | 14 | 9 | 64.3 | 121 | 13.4 | 8.6 | 1 | 5 |
Cooper Kupp | Rams | 14 | 9 | 64.3 | 126 | 14.0 | 9.0 | 1 | 5 |
Rob Gronkowski | Patriots | 25 | 16 | 64.0 | 238 | 14.9 | 9.5 | 2 | 9 |
Pierre Garcon | 49ers | 25 | 16 | 64.0 | 249 | 15.6 | 10.0 | 0 | 9 |
T.Y. Hilton | Colts | 22 | 14 | 63.6 | 259 | 18.5 | 11.8 | 1 | 8 |
Josh Bellamy | Bears | 11 | 7 | 63.6 | 78 | 11.1 | 7.1 | 0 | 4 |
DeVante Parker | Dolphins | 19 | 12 | 63.2 | 161 | 13.4 | 8.5 | 1 | 7 |
JJ Nelson | Cardinals | 16 | 10 | 62.5 | 163 | 16.3 | 10.2 | 2 | 6 |
Andre Ellington | Cardinals | 16 | 10 | 62.5 | 106 | 10.6 | 6.6 | 0 | 6 |
Robert Woods | Rams | 16 | 10 | 62.5 | 169 | 16.9 | 10.6 | 0 | 6 |
Julio Jones | Falcons | 26 | 16 | 61.5 | 265 | 16.6 | 10.2 | 0 | 10 |
Jermaine Gresham | Cardinals | 13 | 8 | 61.5 | 62 | 7.8 | 4.8 | 0 | 5 |
Adam Humphries | Buccaneers | 13 | 8 | 61.5 | 86 | 10.8 | 6.6 | 0 | 5 |
Tyrell Williams | Chargers | 18 | 11 | 61.1 | 123 | 11.2 | 6.8 | 0 | 7 |
Zach Miller | Bears | 18 | 11 | 61.1 | 98 | 8.9 | 5.4 | 0 | 7 |
Duke Johnson | Browns | 18 | 11 | 61.1 | 160 | 14.5 | 8.9 | 0 | 7 |
Davante Adams | Packers | 23 | 14 | 60.9 | 206 | 14.7 | 9.0 | 1 | 9 |
Tyler Lockett | Seahawks | 15 | 9 | 60.0 | 102 | 11.3 | 6.8 | 0 | 6 |
Eric Ebron | Lions | 15 | 9 | 60.0 | 60 | 6.7 | 4.0 | 1 | 6 |
Travis Benjamin | Chargers | 15 | 9 | 60.0 | 159 | 17.7 | 10.6 | 1 | 6 |
Kelvin Benjamin | Panthers | 15 | 9 | 60.0 | 110 | 12.2 | 7.3 | 0 | 6 |
Chris Hogan | Patriots | 17 | 10 | 58.8 | 154 | 15.4 | 9.1 | 3 | 7 |
Rishard Matthews | Titans | 24 | 14 | 58.3 | 201 | 14.4 | 8.4 | 1 | 10 |
Darren Sproles | Eagles | 12 | 7 | 58.3 | 73 | 10.4 | 6.1 | 0 | 5 |
Brandon LaFell | Bengals | 14 | 8 | 57.1 | 59 | 7.4 | 4.2 | 0 | 6 |
Cole Beasley | Cowboys | 14 | 8 | 57.1 | 69 | 8.6 | 4.9 | 0 | 6 |
Seth Devalve | Browns | 14 | 8 | 57.1 | 132 | 16.5 | 9.4 | 0 | 6 |
Bennie Fowler | Broncos | 14 | 8 | 57.1 | 84 | 10.5 | 6.0 | 2 | 6 |
DeAndre Hopkins | Texans | 37 | 21 | 56.8 | 204 | 9.7 | 5.5 | 1 | 16 |
Torrey Smith | Eagles | 16 | 9 | 56.3 | 125 | 13.9 | 7.8 | 0 | 7 |
Devin Funchess | Panthers | 18 | 10 | 55.6 | 146 | 14.6 | 8.1 | 0 | 8 |
Brandin Cooks | Patriots | 18 | 10 | 55.6 | 256 | 25.6 | 14.2 | 2 | 8 |
Alvin Kamara | Saints | 18 | 10 | 55.6 | 76 | 7.6 | 4.2 | 0 | 8 |
Eric Decker | Titans | 18 | 10 | 55.6 | 91 | 9.1 | 5.1 | 0 | 8 |
Emmanuel Sanders | Broncos | 29 | 16 | 55.2 | 163 | 10.2 | 5.6 | 2 | 13 |
Jimmy Graham | Seahawks | 20 | 11 | 55.0 | 81 | 7.4 | 4.1 | 0 | 9 |
Eli Rogers | Steelers | 11 | 6 | 54.5 | 54 | 9.0 | 4.9 | 0 | 5 |
C.J. Prosise | Seahawks | 11 | 6 | 54.5 | 87 | 14.5 | 7.9 | 0 | 5 |
Corey Davis | Titans | 13 | 7 | 53.8 | 73 | 10.4 | 5.6 | 0 | 6 |
Rashard Higgins | Browns | 17 | 9 | 52.9 | 105 | 11.7 | 6.2 | 0 | 8 |
Terrelle Pryor | Redskins | 19 | 10 | 52.6 | 116 | 11.6 | 6.1 | 0 | 9 |
Martellus Bennett | Packers | 21 | 11 | 52.4 | 102 | 9.3 | 4.9 | 0 | 10 |
Alshon Jeffery | Eagles | 28 | 14 | 50.0 | 186 | 13.3 | 6.6 | 1 | 14 |
Brandon Marshall | Giants | 20 | 10 | 50.0 | 93 | 9.3 | 4.7 | 0 | 10 |
Robby Anderson | Jets | 18 | 9 | 50.0 | 145 | 16.1 | 8.1 | 1 | 9 |
DeSean Jackson | Buccaneers | 14 | 7 | 50.0 | 123 | 17.6 | 8.8 | 1 | 7 |
Jeremy Maclin | Ravens | 14 | 7 | 50.0 | 95 | 13.6 | 6.8 | 2 | 7 |
Antonio Gates | Chargers | 12 | 6 | 50.0 | 58 | 9.7 | 4.8 | 1 | 6 |
JuJu Smith-Schuster | Steelers | 10 | 5 | 50.0 | 55 | 11.0 | 5.5 | 1 | 5 |
Marqise Lee | Jaguars | 23 | 11 | 47.8 | 141 | 12.8 | 6.1 | 0 | 12 |
Marquise Goodwin | 49ers | 17 | 8 | 47.1 | 109 | 13.6 | 6.4 | 0 | 9 |
Kenny Golladay | Lions | 15 | 7 | 46.7 | 102 | 14.6 | 6.8 | 2 | 8 |
Marvin Jones | Lions | 13 | 6 | 46.2 | 88 | 14.7 | 6.8 | 2 | 7 |
Corey Coleman | Browns | 13 | 6 | 46.2 | 62 | 10.3 | 4.8 | 1 | 7 |
Ricardo Louis | Browns | 11 | 5 | 45.5 | 69 | 13.8 | 6.3 | 0 | 6 |
Amari Cooper | Raiders | 23 | 10 | 43.5 | 101 | 10.1 | 4.4 | 1 | 13 |
Paul Richardson | Seahawks | 19 | 8 | 42.1 | 108 | 13.5 | 5.7 | 2 | 11 |
Kamar Aiken | Colts | 12 | 5 | 41.7 | 43 | 8.6 | 3.6 | 0 | 7 |
Dez Bryant | Cowboys | 27 | 11 | 40.7 | 114 | 10.4 | 4.2 | 2 | 16 |
Kenny Stills | Dolphins | 15 | 6 | 40.0 | 88 | 14.7 | 5.9 | 1 | 9 |
Martavis Bryant | Steelers | 18 | 7 | 38.9 | 135 | 19.3 | 7.5 | 1 | 11 |
Jaron Brown | Cardinals | 17 | 6 | 35.3 | 100 | 16.7 | 5.9 | 1 | 11 |
Kenny Britt | Browns | 15 | 5 | 33.3 | 69 | 13.8 | 4.6 | 1 | 10 |
Donte Moncrief | Colts | 15 | 5 | 33.3 | 112 | 22.4 | 7.5 | 0 | 10 |
Zay Jones | Bills | 12 | 3 | 25.0 | 39 | 13.0 | 3.3 | 0 | 9 |