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As 2017 ends, Cooper Kupp chases 1,000 yards, JuJu Smith-Schuster could be star

JuJu Smith-Schuster could become one of the league's young stars in his second year. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

With two weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, here’s a look at what the league’s rookie wide receivers have accomplished so far, what might transpire over the rest of this campaign and what could be in store for them in 2018.

For Cooper Kupp, a 1,000-yard year: It’s still possible, but Kupp would need at least one massive game. The good news for him is he has gone over 100 receiving yards in two of his past four games, so if he does that again, he’ll be a 1,000-yard man as a rookie.

For John Ross, a clean start in 2018: Ross has a bunch of talent and all the speed a football player can handle. But he barely saw the field this year in Cincinnati because he couldn’t be healthy enough for it. An offseason of rest could make him a sleeper candidate for a breakout season next year, opposite A.J. Green.

For Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook, more recognition: The Jaguars’ pair of receivers have been dynamic over the past few weeks of the season, including three straight weeks of scoring touchdowns for Cole. They play in a market that doesn’t get a ton of attention, but they’ll be in the postseason this year, and a strong performance there could give them a bunch of attention heading into 2018.

For JuJu Smith-Schuster, a chance at second-year stardom: He’s as close as a rookie receiver in this class has gotten to becoming a household name because of his play and personality. With a full offseason and potentially a defined role from the start in 2018, he could become one of the league’s young stars in his second year.

Here’s a look at rookie receivers through 15 weeks with every receiver targeted this year included (according to ESPN Stats & Information research):

Corey Davis, Tennessee (YTD stats: 28 receptions, 284 yards, 54 targets, 270 routes): He had three catches for 28 yards on five targets in Week 15.

John Ross, Cincinnati (YTD stats: 0 receptions, 0 yards, 2 targets, 9 routes): Ross is on injured reserve. His season is over.

Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers (YTD stats: 10 rec. 87 yards, 20 targets, 98 routes): He ran 15 routes and was not targeted against Kansas City.

Zay Jones, Buffalo (YTD stats: 25 rec., 291 yards, 2 touchdowns, 70 targets, 391 routes): For the second straight week, Jones had no targets.

Curtis Samuel, Carolina (YTD stats: 15 rec., 115 yards, 26 targets, 135 routes): Samuel is out for the season.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh (YTD stats: 43 rec., 699 yards, 5 TDs, 63 targets, 364 routes): Coming off his suspension, Smith-Schuster had six catches for 114 yards -- an even larger part of the offense after Antonio Brown's injury. He caught all six of his targets.

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (YTD stats: 58 rec., 804 yards, 4 TDs, 89 targets, 388 routes): He had two receptions for 21 yards and a drop against the Seahawks, against whom he was targeted three times.

Taywan Taylor, Tennessee (YTD stats: 16 rec., 231 yards, 1 TD, 26 targets, 172 routes): Taylor ran three routes but was not targeted.

Kenny Golladay, Detroit (YTD stats: 22 rec., 369 yards, 2 TDs, 37 targets, 220 routes): He continues to have a role as the No. 3 or No. 4 receiver in the offense, along with TJ Jones. He had four catches for 29 yards against Chicago.

Mack Hollins, Philadelphia (YTD stats: 13 rec., 201 yards, 1 TD, 17 targets, 125 routes): Hollins was targeted once but did not make a catch.

Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams (YTD stats: 9 rec., 88 yards, 1 TD, 17 targets, 122 routes): Reynolds ran three routes but was not targeted.

Amara Darboh, Seattle (YTD stats: 7 rec., 66 yards, 12 targets, 78 routes): Darboh had one catch for eight yards.

Chad Williams, Arizona (YTD stats: 3 rec., 31 yards, 7 targets, 68 routes): Williams ran seven routes but was not targeted.

Trent Taylor, San Francisco (YTD stats: 38 rec., 382 yards, 1 TD, 54 targets, 332 routes): Taylor had four catches for 40 yards and also dropped a pass.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay (YTD stats: 24 rec., 316 yards, 38 targets, 158 routes): Godwin had one catch for 18 yards and was targeted twice.

ArDarius Stewart, New York Jets (YTD stats: 5 rec., 36 yards, 10 targets, 78 routes): Stewart was targeted once but did not make a catch.

Isaiah McKenzie, Denver (YTD stats: 2 rec. 14 yards, 8 targets, 55 routes): He was inactive against Indianapolis.

Noah Brown, Dallas (YTD stats: 4 rec., 33 yards, 6 targets, 34 routes): Brown had one catch for eight yards.

Stacy Coley, Minnesota (YTD stats: 1 target, 11 routes): He was inactive against Cincinnati.

Ryan Switzer, Dallas (YTD stats: 2 rec., 9 yards, 2 targets, 25 routes): Switzer ran two routes but was not targeted.

Josh Malone, Cincinnati (YTD stats: 6 rec, 63 yards, 1 TD, 16 targets, 138 routes): Malone was targeted three times but did not make a catch.

Jehu Chesson, Kansas City (YTD stats: 1 rec., 10 yards, 1 target, 6 routes): He played but did not run a route.

Chad Hansen, New York Jets (YTD stats: 8 rec., 79 yards, 11 targets, 169 routes): He had three catches for 21 yards.

Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville (YTD stats: 22 rec., 256 yards, 1 TD, 35 targets, 142 routes): Westbrook slowed down a bit, catching two passes for 21 yards.

Keelan Cole, Jacksonville (YTD stats: 32 rec., 607 yards, 3 TDs, 61 targets, 383 routes): He had seven catches for 186 yards and scored a touchdown in his third straight game during Jacksonville’s 45-7 win. He was targeted nine times.