The numbers strongly suggest Davante Adams was one of the NFL’s top receivers on third down during the 2018 season.
Not only did Adams lead the NFL in receiving yards on third down with 484, but he was 10th in third-down catches for first downs (19) and first in catches on 3rd-and-7 or longer for first downs (9).
According to Pro Football Focus, Adams also led the NFL in yards per catch on third down (17.9) and was second in yards per route run on third down (2.86).
Aaron Rodgers had a passer rating of 122.1 when targeting Adams on third down. Seven of their 27 connections gained 25 or more yards, including three over 40.
One of his third-down touchdowns was the game-tying touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.
He was especially good on third and manageable. He caught six of seven passes for 131 yards and a touchdown when the Packers needed 4-6 yards on third down, with all six catches gaining a first down or a scoring a touchdown.
What about needing 7-9 yards? Adams caught seven passes for 191 yards – good for an average of 27.3 yards – and seven first downs.
Adams was as good or better on fourth down: He caught three of four passes for 53 yards, one touchdown and three first downs when targeted on fourth down last season. The one incompletion? Rodgers’ deep heave to run out the clock at the end of the Packers’ comeback win over the Bears in Week 1.
Last season, Adams led all NFL receivers in passer rating when targeted on third and fourth down.
