Odell Beckham Jr. approaching Giants and NFL record for targets
Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is targeted by Eli Manning in the end zone against the New England Patriots in the second half at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
If the Giants continue to feed Odell Beckham Jr. at the same rate they have for the last three games, he will obliterate the team record and could get close to the NFL record for most targets in a single season.
That NFL mark of 208 targets was set by Rob Moore with the Cardinals in 1997. Beckham has 122 targets through 11 games — an average of 11.1 per game. But, he’s been averaging 15.6 over the last three games. If he keeps that rate for the five remaining games, he’ll finish with 200.
Targets (like tackles) are not an official stat but have been recorded through press box observation since 1994. The Giants’ unofficial record for most targets in a single season is 166 by Plaxico Burress in 2005.
Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins has averaged a league-high 13.0 targets through 11 games this season. That puts him on track to land directly on the single-season record of 208.
MOST TARGETS FOR A GIANTS WR IN SINGLE SEASON
166: Plaxico Burress, 2005
157: Steve Smith, 2009
152: Amani Toomer, 2003
143: Victor Cruz, 2012
141: Amani Toomer, 2001
141: Plaxico Burress, 2007
MOST TARGETS FOR NFL WR IN SINGLE SEASON
208: Rob Moore, Cardinals, 1997
206: Herman Moore, Lions, 1995
205: Marvin Harrison, Colts, 2002
204: Calvin Johnson, Lions, 2012
199: Isaac Bruce, Rams, 1995
197: Cris Carter, Vikings, 1995
195: Reggie Wayne. Colts, 2012
193: Marvin Harrison, Colts, 1999
193: Brandon Marshall, Bears, 2012
189: Sterling Sharpe, Packers, 1993
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
