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NFL DFS: Five Advanced Stats You Need to Know This Season

By Dan Palyo

Wide Receiver: GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 09: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons lines up for a play in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 09, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Wide Receiver: GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 09: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons lines up for a play in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 09, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 30: Houston Texans wide receiver Keke Coutee (16) runs with the football during the NFL game between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts on September 30, 2018, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. The Houston Texans defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-34 in overtime. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 30: Houston Texans wide receiver Keke Coutee (16) runs with the football during the NFL game between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts on September 30, 2018, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. The Houston Texans defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-34 in overtime. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

NFL DFS: Target Separation

Our final metric today is a really important one that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Target separation measures the receiver’s average yards of separation distance from the closest defensive back at the time the pass arrives. In essence, how open is a receiver getting on routes in which they are being targeted? One thing this metric fails to measure is how open receivers might be on routes when their QB doesn’t target them. We’ve all seen those replays where a receiver is running down the other side of the field behind the defense and the QB just doesn’t look his way.

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Why Does It Matter?

Receivers with a high target separation number usually fit two different prototypes. They are either excellent route runners who are able to keep defenders off balance with sharp cuts and breaks in their routes or they are speedsters who can take the lid off a defense and get behind the secondary on deep balls. If you look at the list below, you’ll see some dynamic playmakers who can stretch the field and guys who are likely going to make excellent GPP targets on a weekly basis.

Top 5 Last Season (minimum 40 targets)

  1. Dante Pettis (2.38)
  2. Keke Coutee (2.32)
  3. Sammy Watkins (1.91)
  4. Marquise Goodwin (1.88)
  5. Calvin Ridley (1.84)

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