DeVonta Smith just dropped a 31.8% target share in his first full game with Tanner McKee under center, and if you weren’t paying attention, you absolutely should have been. McKee, the Eagles’ backup QB, peppered Smith with 14 targets against a Panthers defense that was missing two of its top corners. This isn’t just a blip on the radar, folks, it’s a trend we’ve seen before, even in a tiny sample size.
McKee and Smith: A Connection We Didn’t Expect
Think about this: before Sunday, McKee had only completed 11 pass plays with Smith on the field in his career. In those 11 plays, he targeted Smith six times, racking up 86 receiving yards and a touchdown. That’s a ridiculous connection right there. Now, with a full game, that small sample size looks like it’s exploding. The article tells us it was McKee’s third career start, and his third career… well, it ends there, but the implication is huge. The efficiency dip from Jalen Hurts to McKee? It’s getting made up for in sheer passing volume. McKee is looking for Smith, and he’s finding him. This could be massive for the Eagles’ passing game going forward, especially if McKee keeps getting opportunities.
Rookie Receivers Stepping Up, But What’s the Catch?
Meanwhile, other young guys are making noise. Out in Pittsburgh, rookie Germie Bernard has been a revelation, especially with all the injuries on that Steelers squad. He played 78% of routes and snagged 11 receptions. This dude’s run 29 targets in just three games with the starting unit. We’re talking eight targets in Week 2 without Michael Pittman Jr., nine last week with three wide receiver injuries, and then 12 on Sunday as the team’s WR2. Even Aaron Rodgers, a guy known for *not* trusting young receivers, has been praising Bernard and targeting him like crazy. The catch? Bernard’s average depth of target is an extremely low 1.83 yards. He’s the short-area slot guy. It makes sense with Rodgers’ veteran style, and it boosts his floor in PPR leagues, but will that limit his ceiling? The source thinks this role sticks even when other receivers return.
Over in Chicago, the Bears’ offense leads the NFL with 101 red-zone plays, and Colston Loveland is right in the thick of it. He had three red-zone targets when Caleb Williams returned to the lineup. Loveland had an oddly high 2.7 “expected touchdowns” heading into Sunday based on his volume, and then he finally scored. He was out at the one-yard line on one catch and failed to convert an easy end-zone target on another. The volume is there, the skill set is there, and the touchdowns should start rolling in.
But then there’s Luther Burden III, also on the Bears. He only ran 18 routes in Week 6. Compare that to Rome Odunze at 40, Loveland at 33, Kalif Raymond at 25, or even Cole Kmet at 23. Burden and Raymond have been fluctuating as the third receiver in an offense that loves two-tight end sets. He finished with eight receptions on eight targets, which is great, but that long-term consistency just isn’t secure. Williams isn’t going 30 for 36 every week, and Burden’s lack of red-zone snaps, he was only on the field for three of Chicago’s 18 red-zone plays and ran one route, could keep him volatile. It’s a classic glass-half-full, glass-half-empty situation with him. He’s produced in a limited role, but it might limit him moving forward. Or, an increase in that role could turn him into a star.
What’s Next for These Impact Players?
Heading into Week 7, we’re watching these guys like hawks. Can DeVonta Smith and Tanner McKee keep building on that ridiculous target share? If so, Smith is going to be a fantasy monster. Will Germie Bernard continue to be Rodgers’ trusted short-yardage guy, and can he find a way to get some more downfield looks? And for the Bears, will Colston Loveland continue to capitalize on that insane red-zone volume, and can Luther Burden III carve out a more consistent role? The early season trends are starting to solidify, and these are the names making waves. Get ready for some wild Week 7 matchups to see how these stories develop.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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