The Cardinals won’t have DeAndre Hopkins for their first six games. Maybe that will cause A.J. Green to be used more extensively. Or not.
I was writing up Arizona, I noticed that Green was really ineffective around the end zone. Highlighted by the game-turning play against Green Bay, when he didn’t turn around for a ball thrown his way that could have resulted in a game-winning touchdown. But beyond that, historically awful in that part of the field.
Inside the 10, Green scored on only 1 of the 12 passes thrown his way. As best I can tell, that’s the worst by any wide receiver in the last 10 years. (At least among those with at least 10 targets).
Green did catch a couple of other non-scoring balls, pulling him up to 3 of 12. But just 1 touchdown on 12 pass attempts. In the last 10 years, 130 wide receivers have seen at least 10 targets in that part of the field, and that’s the worst scoring rate of all of them.
Five other wide receivers have scored on only 1 of 10 or 11 attempts. Four of those guys, by the way, are really big guys – Josh Gordon, Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson and Quincy Enunway. (The fifth, Jermaine Kearse, is listed at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds). My feeling has long been that the smaller, quicker guys tend to be more effective around the goal line. I’m not a fan of the “Oh, we’ve got a big guy out there, let’s just lob up a 50-50 ball for him.”
Green turns 32 in July. I think he’s just a guy nowadays. For fantasy purposes, I would be a lot more interested in taking a flyer on Rondale Moore.
I’m listing all 130 of the previously mentioned players below. The overall success rate isn’t as high as you might think. Collectively, these 130 players caught 52 percent of the passes thrown their way, and scored on only 39 percent of those targets.
With only 27 of the 130 did a player score on over half of his targets. Only one person has done that more than once (Mike Evans, who did it three times).
Complete list is below, and if you scroll down to No. 130, you’ll find Green.
| RECEIVING INSIDE THE 10 (last 10 years) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player, Tm | Att | Com | Pct | TD | 2Pt | EZ% |
| 2020 | Adam Thielen, Min. | 15 | 12 | 80% | 10 | 1 | 73% |
| 2017 | Alshon Jeffery, Phil. | 11 | 8 | 73% | 5 | 3 | 73% |
| 2021 | • Mike Evans, T.B. | 11 | 9 | 82% | 8 | 0 | 73% |
| 2016 | • Mike Evans, T.B. | 11 | 8 | 73% | 6 | 2 | 73% |
| 2020 | Davante Adams, G.B. | 19 | 17 | 89% | 13 | 0 | 68% |
| 2017 | Jarvis Landry, Mia. | 14 | 11 | 79% | 9 | 0 | 64% |
| 2017 | DeAndre Hopkins, Hou. | 11 | 7 | 64% | 7 | 0 | 64% |
| 2018 | Mike Williams, LAC | 11 | 7 | 64% | 6 | 1 | 64% |
| 2013 | Jerricho Cotchery, Pitt. | 10 | 6 | 60% | 6 | 0 | 60% |
| 2016 | Jordy Nelson, G.B. | 15 | 11 | 73% | 9 | 0 | 60% |
| 2012 | Marques Colston, N.O. | 10 | 6 | 60% | 6 | 0 | 60% |
| 2014 | Odell Beckham, NYG | 10 | 6 | 60% | 6 | 0 | 60% |
| 2014 | Randall Cobb, G.B. | 15 | 11 | 73% | 8 | 1 | 60% |
| 2014 | Roddy White, Atl. | 10 | 7 | 70% | 6 | 0 | 60% |
| 2015 | Allen Robinson, Jac. | 17 | 10 | 59% | 10 | 0 | 59% |
| 2012 | James Jones, G.B. | 12 | 7 | 58% | 7 | 0 | 58% |
| 2015 | Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | 12 | 7 | 58% | 7 | 0 | 58% |
| 2013 | Brandon Marshall, Chi. | 16 | 10 | 63% | 7 | 2 | 56% |
| 2020 | • Mike Evans, T.B. | 16 | 9 | 56% | 9 | 0 | 56% |
| 2017 | Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 11 | 7 | 64% | 5 | 1 | 55% |
| 2019 | Cooper Kupp, LAR | 11 | 8 | 73% | 6 | 0 | 55% |
| 2012 | Eric Decker, Den. | 11 | 7 | 64% | 6 | 0 | 55% |
| 2013 | Julian Edelman, N.E. | 11 | 8 | 73% | 4 | 2 | 55% |
| 2013 | Marlon Brown, Balt. | 11 | 8 | 73% | 5 | 1 | 55% |
| 2016 | Michael Thomas, N.O. | 11 | 7 | 64% | 6 | 0 | 55% |
| 2017 | Michael Crabtree, Oak. | 13 | 7 | 54% | 5 | 2 | 54% |
| 2013 | Wes Welker, Den. | 15 | 10 | 67% | 8 | 0 | 53% |
| 2021 | Davante Adams, G.B. | 14 | 10 | 71% | 7 | 0 | 50% |
| 2021 | DJ Moore, Car. | 10 | 6 | 60% | 4 | 1 | 50% |
| 2020 | Tyreek Hill, K.C. | 12 | 10 | 83% | 6 | 0 | 50% |
| 2020 | Brandon Aiyuk, S.F. | 10 | 6 | 60% | 5 | 0 | 50% |
| 2019 | Chris Godwin, T.B. | 10 | 7 | 70% | 4 | 1 | 50% |
| 2016 | Davante Adams, G.B. | 12 | 8 | 67% | 5 | 1 | 50% |
| 2016 | Odell Beckham, NYG | 10 | 5 | 50% | 5 | 0 | 50% |
| 2016 | Michael Crabtree, Oak. | 10 | 5 | 50% | 4 | 1 | 50% |
| 2015 | Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 16 | 12 | 75% | 6 | 2 | 50% |
| 2014 | Dez Bryant, Dall. | 10 | 5 | 50% | 5 | 0 | 50% |
| 2013 | Dez Bryant, Dall. | 18 | 11 | 61% | 9 | 0 | 50% |
| 2012 | Wes Welker, N.E. | 10 | 7 | 70% | 5 | 0 | 50% |
| 2021 | Cooper Kupp, LAR | 19 | 12 | 63% | 9 | 0 | 47% |
| 2015 | Eric Decker, NYJ | 17 | 10 | 59% | 8 | 0 | 47% |
| 2021 | Keenan Allen, LAC | 13 | 8 | 62% | 6 | 0 | 46% |
| 2020 | Calvin Ridley, Atl. | 13 | 6 | 46% | 5 | 1 | 46% |
| 2015 | Golden Tate, Det. | 13 | 11 | 85% | 6 | 0 | 46% |
| 2019 | Allen Robinson, Chi. | 11 | 5 | 45% | 5 | 0 | 45% |
| 2019 | Mike Evans, T.B. | 11 | 5 | 45% | 4 | 1 | 45% |
| 2016 | Seth Roberts, Oak. | 11 | 7 | 64% | 3 | 2 | 45% |
| 2015 | A.J. Green, Cin. | 11 | 5 | 45% | 5 | 0 | 45% |
| 2013 | Emmanuel Sanders, Pitt. | 11 | 7 | 64% | 5 | 0 | 45% |
| 2012 | A.J. Green, Cin. | 16 | 9 | 56% | 7 | 0 | 44% |
| 2021 | Hunter Renfrow, L.V. | 14 | 9 | 64% | 6 | 0 | 43% |
| 2016 | Allen Robinson, Jac. | 12 | 6 | 50% | 4 | 1 | 42% |
| 2020 | Christian Kirk, Ariz. | 10 | 5 | 50% | 4 | 0 | 40% |
| 2020 | DK Metcalf, Sea. | 10 | 4 | 40% | 4 | 0 | 40% |
| 2019 | Kenny Golladay, Det. | 15 | 7 | 47% | 6 | 0 | 40% |
| 2019 | Julian Edelman, N.E. | 10 | 6 | 60% | 3 | 1 | 40% |
| 2018 | Michael Thomas, N.O. | 15 | 12 | 80% | 6 | 0 | 40% |
| 2018 | T.Y. Hilton, Ind. | 10 | 4 | 40% | 4 | 0 | 40% |
| 2016 | Mohamed Sanu, Atl. | 10 | 6 | 60% | 3 | 1 | 40% |
| 2016 | Brandon LaFell, Cin. | 10 | 6 | 60% | 4 | 0 | 40% |
| 2014 | Emmanuel Sanders, Den. | 15 | 12 | 80% | 5 | 1 | 40% |
| 2013 | Keenan Allen, S.D. | 10 | 4 | 40% | 4 | 0 | 40% |
| 2021 | Diontae Johnson, Pitt. | 13 | 7 | 54% | 4 | 1 | 38% |
| 2018 | Chris Godwin, T.B. | 13 | 5 | 38% | 4 | 1 | 38% |
| 2014 | Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 19 | 10 | 53% | 6 | 1 | 37% |
| 2021 | Randall Cobb, G.B. | 11 | 4 | 36% | 4 | 0 | 36% |
| 2019 | Jarvis Landry, Cle. | 11 | 6 | 55% | 4 | 0 | 36% |
| 2016 | Anquan Boldin, Det. | 11 | 7 | 64% | 4 | 0 | 36% |
| 2013 | Demaryius Thomas, Den. | 11 | 6 | 55% | 4 | 0 | 36% |
| 2013 | Calvin Johnson, Det. | 11 | 5 | 45% | 4 | 0 | 36% |
| 2013 | Pierre Garcon, Was. | 11 | 5 | 45% | 4 | 0 | 36% |
| 2021 | Stefon Diggs, Buff. | 14 | 8 | 57% | 5 | 0 | 36% |
| 2015 | Randall Cobb, G.B. | 14 | 7 | 50% | 5 | 0 | 36% |
| 2013 | Eric Decker, Den. | 14 | 7 | 50% | 5 | 0 | 36% |
| 2012 | Mike Williams, T.B. | 17 | 6 | 35% | 6 | 0 | 35% |
| 2016 | Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | 12 | 5 | 42% | 4 | 0 | 33% |
| 2016 | Demaryius Thomas, Den. | 12 | 6 | 50% | 3 | 1 | 33% |
| 2015 | Julio Jones, Atl. | 12 | 6 | 50% | 4 | 0 | 33% |
| 2015 | James Jones, G.B. | 12 | 4 | 33% | 2 | 2 | 33% |
| 2015 | Brandon Marshall, NYJ | 12 | 6 | 50% | 4 | 0 | 33% |
| 2015 | Pierre Garcon, Wash. | 12 | 4 | 33% | 4 | 0 | 33% |
| 2012 | Reggie Wayne, Ind. | 12 | 5 | 42% | 4 | 0 | 33% |
| 2014 | Alshon Jeffery, Chi. | 19 | 7 | 37% | 6 | 0 | 32% |
| 2013 | Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | 13 | 7 | 54% | 4 | 0 | 31% |
| 2021 | Michael Pittman, Ind. | 10 | 5 | 50% | 2 | 1 | 30% |
| 2019 | Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | 10 | 4 | 40% | 3 | 0 | 30% |
| 2017 | Dez Bryant, Dall. | 10 | 4 | 40% | 3 | 0 | 30% |
| 2017 | Demaryius Thomas, Den. | 10 | 4 | 40% | 3 | 0 | 30% |
| 2016 | T.Y. Hilton, Ind. | 10 | 7 | 70% | 2 | 1 | 30% |
| 2015 | Allen Hurns, Jac. | 10 | 4 | 40% | 3 | 0 | 30% |
| 2015 | Jamison Crowder, Wash. | 10 | 5 | 50% | 1 | 2 | 30% |
| 2014 | Julian Edelman, N.E. | 10 | 5 | 50% | 3 | 0 | 30% |
| 2014 | Rueben Randle, NYG | 10 | 4 | 40% | 3 | 0 | 30% |
| 2012 | Demaryius Thomas, Den. | 10 | 3 | 30% | 3 | 0 | 30% |
| 2012 | Julio Jones, Atl. | 10 | 3 | 30% | 3 | 0 | 30% |
| 2020 | Justin Jefferson, Min. | 11 | 4 | 36% | 1 | 2 | 27% |
| 2018 | Julian Edelman, N.E. | 11 | 6 | 55% | 3 | 0 | 27% |
| 2016 | Emmanuel Sanders, Den. | 11 | 6 | 55% | 3 | 0 | 27% |
| 2016 | Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 11 | 3 | 27% | 3 | 0 | 27% |
| 2014 | Andre Johnson, Hou. | 11 | 5 | 45% | 3 | 0 | 27% |
| 2013 | Andre Johnson, Hou. | 11 | 6 | 55% | 3 | 0 | 27% |
| 2012 | Roddy White, Atl. | 11 | 4 | 36% | 3 | 0 | 27% |
| 2018 | DeAndre Hopkins, Hou. | 15 | 7 | 47% | 4 | 0 | 27% |
| 2017 | Keenan Allen, LAC | 15 | 7 | 47% | 4 | 0 | 27% |
| 2014 | Demaryius Thomas, Den. | 19 | 7 | 37% | 4 | 1 | 26% |
| 2021 | Justin Jefferson, Min. | 12 | 3 | 25% | 3 | 0 | 25% |
| 2020 | Chase Claypool, Pitt. | 12 | 3 | 25% | 3 | 0 | 25% |
| 2018 | JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pitt. | 12 | 8 | 67% | 3 | 0 | 25% |
| 2013 | Alshon Jeffery, Chi. | 12 | 4 | 33% | 2 | 1 | 25% |
| 2013 | A.J. Green, Cin. | 12 | 5 | 42% | 3 | 0 | 25% |
| 2015 | Jarvis Landry, Mia. | 17 | 7 | 41% | 3 | 1 | 24% |
| 2014 | Jordy Nelson, G.B. | 17 | 7 | 41% | 4 | 0 | 24% |
| 2021 | Mike Williams, LAC | 13 | 4 | 31% | 2 | 1 | 23% |
| 2012 | Brandon Marshall, Chi. | 14 | 4 | 29% | 3 | 0 | 21% |
| 2021 | Marvin Jones, Jac. | 10 | 4 | 40% | 2 | 0 | 20% |
| 2020 | Amari Cooper, Dall. | 10 | 3 | 30% | 2 | 0 | 20% |
| 2016 | Julian Edelman, N.E. | 10 | 3 | 30% | 1 | 1 | 20% |
| 2016 | Amari Cooper, Oak. | 10 | 2 | 20% | 0 | 2 | 20% |
| 2016 | Tyrell Williams, S.D. | 10 | 6 | 60% | 2 | 0 | 20% |
| 2014 | Kelvin Benjamin, Car. | 10 | 2 | 20% | 2 | 0 | 20% |
| 2020 | DeAndre Hopkins, Ariz. | 11 | 5 | 45% | 2 | 0 | 18% |
| 2017 | Mike Evans, T.B. | 11 | 2 | 18% | 1 | 1 | 18% |
| 2013 | Jordy Nelson, G.B. | 11 | 5 | 45% | 2 | 0 | 18% |
| 2013 | Cecil Shorts, Jac. | 11 | 3 | 27% | 2 | 0 | 18% |
| 2016 | Quincy Enunwa, NYJ | 10 | 4 | 40% | 1 | 0 | 10% |
| 2016 | Jermaine Kearse, Sea. | 10 | 1 | 10% | 1 | 0 | 10% |
| 2012 | Calvin Johnson, Det. | 10 | 3 | 30% | 1 | 0 | 10% |
| 2017 | Julio Jones, Atl. | 11 | 4 | 36% | 1 | 0 | 9% |
| 2013 | Josh Gordon, Clev. | 11 | 1 | 9% | 1 | 0 | 9% |
| 2021 | A.J. Green, Ari. | 12 | 3 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 8% |
—Ian Allan