Wide receiver is the deepest skill position in most fantasy football leagues.
While the position is deep, there is a significant skill gap between the top-tier WRs and the middle tiers. The elite WRs, not only receive the most targets, but also score the most touchdowns, making them invaluable assets in fantasy football. Players like Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill consistently dominate due to their high volume of catchable targets, involvement in their team’s offense, and red zone efficiency.
These top-tier WRs are game-changers, often posting numbers comparable to high-scoring RBs. The combination of targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns they accumulate sets them apart. However, after the top tier, there is a noticeable drop in production, which underscores the importance of having depth and interchangeability amongst the rest of your WR roster.
Beyond the superstars, having a deep WR corps is crucial. Injuries, matchups, and game scripts can significantly impact WR performance week-to-week. Depth ensures that you have options to plug into your lineup without a substantial drop in production. This interchangeability can be the difference between a successful and failed fantasy football season.
Upside Metrics to Look for in Wide Receivers
Fantasy players often have their ways of measuring and ranking WRs, but certain metrics provide a clear and consistent method for evaluating player potential and performance. Here are four key metrics that should be at the forefront of every fantasy manager’s mind:
Catchable Targets
Not all targets are created equal. Catchable targets refer to the passes that are realistically catchable by the receiver, considering factors like pass accuracy and defensive coverage. A high number of catchable targets typically correlates with higher reception totals and, consequently, more fantasy points.
Quarterbacks who can consistently deliver catchable passes to their WRs enhance their fantasy value. This metric is crucial because it not only reflects the quarterback’s accuracy but also the WR’s ability to be in the right place at the right time.
CeeDee Lamb ranked first in catchable targets last season with 143.
Air Yards
Air yards measure the total distance the ball travels in the air toward a target, from the line of scrimmage to the point of the catch (or the point where the ball is intended to be caught). Air yards are a strong indicator of a WR’s role in the offense. WRs with high air yards are often targeted downfield, leading to bigger plays and higher fantasy ceilings.
It also reflects a WR’s potential for future production, even if they haven’t converted all their opportunities into receptions yet. Evaluating air yards can help identify breakout candidates who may not have produced big numbers yet but are being put in positions to succeed. It is important to remember that air yards does not have anything to do with yards accumulated after a catch.
Deandre Hopkins ranked first in air yards last season with 1,928.
Red Zone Targets
These are the targets a receiver gets within the opponent’s 20-yard line. Red zone targets are critical for scoring touchdowns, the most valuable commodity in fantasy football. WRs who are frequently targeted in the red zone have a higher chance of scoring, making them more valuable in fantasy lineups.
This metric can often be overlooked, but it directly correlates with touchdown potential. WRs who are trusted by their quarterbacks in the most critical scoring areas of the field can provide consistent and high-impact fantasy points.
CeeDee Lamb ranked first in red zone targets last season with 31.
Yards After Catch (YAC)
YAC measures the yards a receiver gains after catching the ball. WRs who excel in YAC can turn short passes into significant gains, providing a boost in PPR formats. This metric highlights the playmaking ability of a WR, showcasing their potential to generate points beyond just receptions and initial yards.
Players who can create yards after the catch often play pivotal roles in their teams’ offenses and can be the difference-makers in fantasy matchups, turning routine plays into spectacular gains.
Once again, CeeDee Lamb ranked first in YAC last season with 676.