Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Corey Davis and Chris Godwin enjoy busy days, but JuJu Smith-Schuster still top rookie receiver

The first-rounders are finally all back. Yet it was 2017’s breakout rookie receiver who made the biggest difference.

Corey Davis, John Ross and Mike Williams all played for their respective teams Sunday, marking the first time the first three receivers taken in the 2017 draft were on the field in the same week. Also on the field was JuJu Smith-Schuster, who once again showed why he’s the star of the class.

Smith-Schuster had five catches for 97 yards and the only receiving touchdown of the day by a rookie, but he has company among receivers trying to stand out.

Davis had 10 targets (4 catches) and was a focal point for a Titans offense that has been looking for a complement to WR Rishard Matthews. Davis showed Sunday that he could eventually be that guy and has the potential to be a No. 1 receiver.

Ross has physical gifts and speed that most receivers in the league would envy. But he was targeted only once by Andy Dalton. The Bengals could be slowly working the No. 9 overall pick into the offense, but he was a healthy scratch in Week 9. It’s possible that the Bengals don’t see Ross being a difference-maker this season.

There has been talk for weeks about an expanded role for Williams in the Chargers' offense, but it hasn’t happened yet. He has played in the past three games and been targeted twice each time. With the Chargers' season teetering, perhaps they will start to give Williams more work. Finally.

A note on one other receiver: Chris Godwin was buried pretty deep on the depth chart at the start of Tampa Bay’s season. Now, it looks like the Bucs are giving him a chance. Both he and DeSean Jackson had 10 targets Sunday, and Godwin was second on the team in receptions (5) and yards (68). Of course, a lot of this had to do with Mike Evans' one-game suspension, but he was looked at more than Adam Humphries on Sunday.

Things seem to be looking up for the rookies. Here’s a look at rookie wide receivers through 10 weeks in the NFL, with every receiver targeted this year included (according to ESPN Stats & Information):

Corey Davis, Tennessee (YTD stats: 13 receptions, 149 yards, 27 targets, 124 routes): He caught four passes for 48 yards on 10 targets, tied with Godwin for most targets of the week by a rookie. He ran 47 routes, the most of any rookie last week.

John Ross, Cincinnati (YTD stats: Zero receptions, zero yards, two targets, nine routes): Ross ran three routes and was targeted once.

Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers (YTD stats: four receptions, 46 yards, seven targets, 42 routes): Williams had two catches for 24 yards.

Zay Jones, Buffalo (YTD stats: 16 receptions, 168 yards, one touchdown, 39 targets, 243 routes): Jones was inactive Sunday due to an ankle injury.

Curtis Samuel, Carolina (YTD stats: 15 receptions, 115 yards, 26 targets, 110 routes): Targeted seven times, he had five catches for 45 yards Monday night.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh (YTD stats: 29 receptions, 521 yards, five touchdowns, 43 targets, 247 routes): The breakout star had five catches (on seven targets) for 97 yards and his fifth touchdown of the season. He’s a legitimate No. 2 receiver for Pittsburgh.

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (YTD stats: 32 receptions, 417 yards, three touchdowns, 54 targets, 241 routes): The Rams' offense continues to be lights-out, and Kupp benefits, catching six passes (on seven targets) for 47 yards on Sunday.

Taywan Taylor, Tennessee (YTD stats: 13 receptions, 208 yards, 20 targets, 131 routes): With Davis back, Taylor’s production dipped a bit Sunday, with two catches for 34 yards on just three targets.

Kenny Golladay, Detroit (YTD stats: Nine receptions, 166 yards, two touchdowns, 17 targets, 86 routes): Golladay played for the first time since September. He had two catches for 64 yards, including a 50-yard catch on which he extended his arms perfectly in stride. That's not bad for three targets.

Mack Hollins, Philadelphia (YTD stats: Nine receptions, 172 yards, one touchdown, 10 targets, 60 routes): The Eagles were off this week.

Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams (YTD stats: One reception, 28 yards, two targets, 29 routes): He ran four routes but was not targeted.

Amara Darboh, Seattle (YTD stats: Six receptions, 58 yards, 11 targets, 68 routes): He caught one of two targets for 3 yards.

Chad Williams, Arizona (YTD stats: Two receptions, 23 yards, three targets, 17 routes): Williams was inactive for the Cardinals.

Trent Taylor, San Francisco (YTD stats: 24 receptions, 204 yards, one touchdown, 38 targets, 236 routes): Taylor was inactive with a rib injury.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay (YTD stats: 13 receptions, 151 yards, 23 targets, 103 routes): Godwin had a big game, with 10 targets and five catches for 68 yards.

ArDarius Stewart, New York Jets (YTD stats: Five receptions, 36 yards, eight targets, 57 routes): He had one catch Sunday but gained no yards.

Isaiah McKenzie, Denver (YTD stats: Two receptions, 14 yards, eight targets, 52 routes):  He ran one route and was not targeted.

Noah Brown, Dallas (YTD stats: One reception, 13 yards, one target, 12 routes): He ran three routes and was not targeted.

Stacy Coley, Minnesota (YTD stats: One target, 11 routes): He was inactive for Minnesota on Sunday.

Ryan Switzer, Dallas (YTD stats: Two receptions, nine yards, two targets, 19 routes): He ran four routes but was not targeted.

Josh Malone, Cincinnati (YTD stats: Four receptions, 54 yards, one touchdown, nine targets, 63 routes): He caught his only target for 6 yards.

Jehu Chesson, Kansas City (YTD stats: One reception, 10 yards, one target, three routes): The Chiefs were off this weekend.

Chad Hansen, New York Jets (YTD stats: Three receptions, 33 yards, four targets, 69 routes): After weeks of route-running without a target, it finally happened. The Jets had Hansen run a season-best 35 routes, and he was targeted four times. He caught three passes for 3 yards.

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