NFL Receiving Leaders

Comprehensive receiving statistics including EPA, target share, and efficiency metrics

Season EPA Target Detail Target Share
Player
GP
Targets
Recs
Yards
YPC
YPG
TDs
1st Downs
Total
/ Game
/ Catch
/ Target
/ Route
Target Rate
Catch Rate
CROE
aDOT
All
3rd Down
Red Zone
Zay Flowers headshot
Z. Flowers
BAL25
1
9
7
143
20.4
143.0
1
5
+9.8
+9.8
+1.40
+1.09
77.8%
+13.14%
10.1
47.4%
50.0%
0.0%
Puka Nacua headshot
P. Nacua
LAR25
1
11
10
130
13.0
130.0
0
7
+9.5
+9.5
+0.95
+0.86
90.9%
+19.90%
8.9
39.3%
57.1%
0.0%
Jaxon Smith-Njigba headshot
J. Smith-Njigba
SEA25
1
13
9
124
13.8
124.0
0
6
+0.4
+0.4
+0.05
+0.03
69.2%
+8.79%
13.7
59.1%
42.9%
0.0%
Keon Coleman headshot
K. Coleman
BUF25
1
13
8
112
14.0
112.0
1
6
+8.0
+8.0
+1.00
+0.61
61.5%
+12.87%
10.2
27.1%
12.5%
33.3%
CeeDee Lamb headshot
C. Lamb
DAL25
1
13
7
110
15.7
110.0
0
6
+2.5
+2.5
+0.36
+0.20
53.8%
-3.65%
14.0
39.4%
44.4%
0.0%
Ricky Pearsall headshot
R. Pearsall
SF25
1
7
4
108
27.0
108.0
0
4
+5.1
+5.1
+1.27
+0.72
57.1%
+16.79%
19.4
20.6%
25.0%
20.0%
Kayshon Boutte headshot
K. Boutte
NE25
1
8
6
103
17.2
103.0
0
5
+8.6
+8.6
+1.44
+1.08
75.0%
+21.06%
17.1
17.8%
22.2%
0.0%
Brock Bowers headshot
B. Bowers
OAK25
1
8
5
103
20.6
103.0
0
4
+1.1
+1.1
+0.22
+0.14
62.5%
-0.76%
10.0
24.2%
11.1%
0.0%
Bijan Robinson headshot
B. Robinson
ATL25
1
7
6
100
16.7
100.0
1
3
+7.9
+7.9
+1.31
+1.12
85.7%
+0.10%
-1.3
16.7%
8.3%
0.0%
Marquise Brown headshot
M. Brown
KC25
1
16
10
99
9.9
99.0
0
4
+3.1
+3.1
+0.31
+0.20
62.5%
-9.54%
6.3
41.0%
30.0%
50.0%
Jakobi Meyers headshot
J. Meyers
OAK25
1
10
8
97
12.1
97.0
0
5
+5.2
+5.2
+0.65
+0.52
80.0%
+12.60%
8.1
30.3%
33.3%
0.0%
Garrett Wilson headshot
G. Wilson
NYJ25
1
10
7
95
13.6
95.0
1
4
+3.2
+3.2
+0.46
+0.32
70.0%
+13.77%
8.6
45.5%
20.0%
100.0%
DK Metcalf headshot
D. Metcalf
PIT25
1
7
4
83
20.8
83.0
0
4
+5.5
+5.5
+1.39
+0.79
57.1%
-18.33%
4.0
24.1%
14.3%
0.0%
Michael Pittman headshot
M. Pittman
IND25
1
8
6
80
13.3
80.0
1
4
+6.9
+6.9
+1.15
+0.86
75.0%
+4.02%
6.8
27.6%
25.0%
0.0%
Sam LaPorta headshot
S. LaPorta
DET25
1
9
6
79
13.2
79.0
0
3
+2.2
+2.2
+0.36
+0.24
66.7%
-3.73%
5.0
23.7%
33.3%
22.2%
Quentin Johnston headshot
Q. Johnston
LAC25
1
7
5
79
15.8
79.0
2
3
+5.6
+5.6
+1.13
+0.80
71.4%
+11.30%
12.4
20.6%
37.5%
66.7%
Deebo Samuel Sr. headshot
D. Samuel
WAS25
1
10
7
77
11.0
77.0
0
3
+2.8
+2.8
+0.40
+0.28
70.0%
+1.32%
8.0
34.5%
42.9%
0.0%
Juwan Johnson headshot
J. Johnson
NO25
1
11
8
76
9.5
76.0
0
4
+4.3
+4.3
+0.54
+0.39
72.7%
+4.10%
8.1
26.8%
33.3%
40.0%
Tyler Warren headshot
T. Warren
IND25
1
9
7
76
10.9
76.0
0
4
+1.2
+1.2
+0.17
+0.13
77.8%
+5.03%
5.2
31.0%
37.5%
66.7%
Ladd McConkey headshot
L. McConkey
LAC25
1
9
6
74
12.3
74.0
0
3
+5.2
+5.2
+0.87
+0.58
66.7%
-0.73%
10.8
26.5%
12.5%
0.0%
Christian McCaffrey headshot
C. McCaffrey
SF25
1
10
9
73
8.1
73.0
0
3
+4.8
+4.8
+0.53
+0.48
90.0%
+14.92%
2.0
29.4%
12.5%
30.0%
Malik Nabers headshot
M. Nabers
NYG25
1
12
5
71
14.2
71.0
0
4
-1.1
-1.1
-0.22
-0.09
41.7%
-19.38%
10.2
37.5%
9.1%
50.0%
Marvin Harrison Jr. headshot
M. Harrison
ARI25
1
6
5
71
14.2
71.0
1
3
+5.7
+5.7
+1.13
+0.94
83.3%
+18.64%
12.7
20.7%
12.5%
25.0%
Calvin Austin III headshot
C. Austin
PIT25
1
6
4
70
17.5
70.0
1
3
+5.0
+5.0
+1.26
+0.84
66.7%
+10.40%
14.0
20.7%
14.3%
33.3%
Keenan Allen headshot
K. Allen
LAC25
1
10
7
68
9.7
68.0
1
6
+6.3
+6.3
+0.91
+0.63
70.0%
+0.35%
8.9
29.4%
50.0%
33.3%
Tetairoa McMillan headshot
T. McMillan
CAR25
1
9
5
68
13.6
68.0
0
4
+1.7
+1.7
+0.34
+0.19
55.6%
-1.42%
11.6
26.5%
55.6%
0.0%
Romeo Doubs headshot
R. Doubs
GB25
1
4
2
68
34.0
68.0
0
2
+3.0
+3.0
+1.48
+0.74
50.0%
+8.58%
23.0
18.2%
16.7%
33.3%
Emeka Egbuka headshot
E. Egbuka
TB25
1
6
4
67
16.8
67.0
2
2
+6.0
+6.0
+1.51
+1.00
66.7%
+0.92%
11.8
20.0%
14.3%
0.0%
Jerry Jeudy headshot
J. Jeudy
CLE25
1
8
5
66
13.2
66.0
0
4
-3.3
-3.3
-0.66
-0.41
62.5%
+6.04%
12.3
19.0%
40.0%
0.0%
Hunter Henry headshot
H. Henry
NE25
1
8
4
66
16.5
66.0
0
3
+2.9
+2.9
+0.73
+0.37
50.0%
-5.79%
14.6
17.8%
0.0%
0.0%
Khalil Shakir headshot
K. Shakir
BUF25
1
9
6
64
10.7
64.0
0
3
-0.0
-0.0
-0.00
-0.00
66.7%
-0.35%
9.4
18.8%
37.5%
16.7%
Dylan Sampson headshot
D. Sampson
CLE25
1
8
8
64
8.0
64.0
0
2
+5.0
+5.0
+0.63
+0.63
100.0%
+14.86%
-3.1
19.0%
10.0%
50.0%
Harold Fannin Jr. headshot
H. Fannin
CLE25
1
9
7
63
9.0
63.0
0
3
+0.4
+0.4
+0.06
+0.05
77.8%
+6.52%
7.2
21.4%
20.0%
25.0%
Trey McBride headshot
T. McBride
ARI25
1
9
6
61
10.2
61.0
0
4
+4.4
+4.4
+0.73
+0.48
66.7%
-11.55%
3.9
31.0%
50.0%
25.0%
Josh Palmer headshot
J. Palmer
BUF25
1
9
5
61
12.2
61.0
0
3
+0.9
+0.9
+0.19
+0.10
55.6%
-5.16%
12.8
18.8%
12.5%
16.7%
Courtland Sutton headshot
C. Sutton
DEN25
1
9
6
61
10.2
61.0
1
4
+3.1
+3.1
+0.51
+0.34
66.7%
+6.66%
11.9
24.3%
18.2%
50.0%
Kyle Pitts headshot
K. Pitts
ATL25
1
8
7
59
8.4
59.0
0
5
+2.8
+2.8
+0.41
+0.36
87.5%
+12.48%
4.6
19.0%
8.3%
0.0%
Brenton Strange headshot
B. Strange
JAX25
1
4
4
59
14.8
59.0
0
3
+7.0
+7.0
+1.75
+1.75
100.0%
+32.09%
9.0
13.8%
28.6%
0.0%
Jahan Dotson headshot
J. Dotson
PHI25
1
3
3
59
19.7
59.0
0
1
+1.7
+1.7
+0.55
+0.55
100.0%
+44.95%
16.0
15.0%
50.0%
0.0%
James Cook headshot
J. Cook
BUF25
1
5
5
58
11.6
58.0
0
1
+2.9
+2.9
+0.57
+0.57
100.0%
+16.36%
-1.2
10.4%
12.5%
0.0%
Stefon Diggs headshot
S. Diggs
NE25
1
7
6
57
9.5
57.0
0
3
+0.6
+0.6
+0.11
+0.09
85.7%
+23.41%
8.7
15.6%
22.2%
0.0%
DJ Moore headshot
D. Moore
CHI25
1
5
3
57
19.0
57.0
0
2
+0.0
+0.0
+0.00
+0.00
60.0%
+5.83%
18.8
14.7%
0.0%
0.0%
Drake London headshot
D. London
ATL25
1
15
8
55
6.9
55.0
0
2
-5.6
-5.6
-0.70
-0.37
53.3%
-17.30%
6.6
35.7%
41.7%
100.0%
Wan'Dale Robinson headshot
W. Robinson
NYG25
1
8
6
55
9.2
55.0
0
4
+1.4
+1.4
+0.23
+0.17
75.0%
+5.42%
3.1
25.0%
54.5%
16.7%
JuJu Smith-Schuster headshot
J. Smith-Schuster
KC25
1
5
5
55
11.0
55.0
0
1
+4.6
+4.6
+0.92
+0.92
100.0%
+25.66%
5.8
12.8%
10.0%
0.0%
Chris Olave headshot
C. Olave
NO25
1
13
7
54
7.7
54.0
0
2
-2.8
-2.8
-0.39
-0.21
53.8%
-16.33%
7.5
31.7%
33.3%
20.0%
Tre Tucker headshot
T. Tucker
OAK25
1
3
2
54
27.0
54.0
1
2
+5.2
+5.2
+2.62
+1.75
66.7%
+27.19%
21.0
9.1%
11.1%
0.0%
Cedric Tillman headshot
C. Tillman
CLE25
1
8
5
52
10.4
52.0
1
3
+0.8
+0.8
+0.15
+0.10
62.5%
-6.74%
7.4
19.0%
20.0%
25.0%
Dyami Brown headshot
D. Brown
JAX25
1
4
3
52
17.3
52.0
0
3
+4.9
+4.9
+1.64
+1.23
75.0%
+14.40%
13.5
13.8%
14.3%
0.0%
Davante Adams headshot
D. Adams
LAR25
1
8
4
51
12.8
51.0
0
4
+3.8
+3.8
+0.94
+0.47
50.0%
-22.29%
8.8
28.6%
42.9%
0.0%
Mike Evans headshot
M. Evans
TB25
1
8
5
51
10.2
51.0
0
4
+3.8
+3.8
+0.75
+0.47
62.5%
-3.43%
13.3
26.7%
14.3%
0.0%
Ray-Ray McCloud headshot
R. McCloud
ATL25
1
5
3
51
17.0
51.0
0
3
+3.5
+3.5
+1.16
+0.70
60.0%
-7.78%
7.2
11.9%
25.0%
0.0%
Tyler Conklin headshot
T. Conklin
LAC25
1
2
2
50
25.0
50.0
0
2
+2.7
+2.7
+1.35
+1.35
100.0%
+34.96%
14.0
5.9%
0.0%
0.0%
Dalton Kincaid headshot
D. Kincaid
BUF25
1
5
4
48
12.0
48.0
1
3
+2.9
+2.9
+0.72
+0.58
80.0%
+30.45%
8.0
10.4%
12.5%
16.7%
Travis Kelce headshot
T. Kelce
KC25
1
4
2
47
23.5
47.0
1
2
+3.0
+3.0
+1.49
+0.74
50.0%
-23.21%
6.0
10.3%
0.0%
16.7%
Amon-Ra St. Brown headshot
A. St. Brown
DET25
1
6
4
45
11.3
45.0
0
4
+0.6
+0.6
+0.14
+0.09
66.7%
+6.48%
8.8
15.8%
25.0%
22.2%
Jayden Reed headshot
J. Reed
GB25
1
5
3
45
15.0
45.0
1
2
+2.7
+2.7
+0.89
+0.53
60.0%
+5.63%
14.0
22.7%
33.3%
16.7%
Dont'e Thornton Jr. headshot
D. Thornton
OAK25
1
4
2
45
22.5
45.0
0
2
+2.5
+2.5
+1.24
+0.62
50.0%
+6.53%
25.0
12.1%
22.2%
0.0%
Dallas Goedert headshot
D. Goedert
PHI25
1
7
7
44
6.3
44.0
0
2
+2.1
+2.1
+0.30
+0.30
100.0%
+24.79%
4.9
35.0%
33.3%
0.0%
Justin Jefferson headshot
J. Jefferson
MIN25
1
7
4
44
11.0
44.0
1
2
-6.8
-6.8
-1.69
-0.97
57.1%
-0.70%
9.9
31.8%
66.7%
40.0%
Troy Franklin headshot
T. Franklin
DEN25
1
6
4
44
11.0
44.0
0
3
-2.5
-2.5
-0.64
-0.42
66.7%
-0.61%
7.5
16.2%
9.1%
0.0%
Aaron Jones headshot
A. Jones
MIN25
1
3
3
44
14.7
44.0
1
2
+4.2
+4.2
+1.40
+1.40
100.0%
+37.49%
7.0
13.6%
0.0%
0.0%
Olamide Zaccheaus headshot
O. Zaccheaus
CHI25
1
7
4
42
10.5
42.0
0
2
+0.4
+0.4
+0.10
+0.06
57.1%
-8.93%
8.4
20.6%
33.3%
50.0%
Tyquan Thornton headshot
T. Thornton
KC25
1
4
2
41
20.5
41.0
0
1
-1.0
-1.0
-0.52
-0.26
50.0%
+6.68%
28.8
10.3%
20.0%
0.0%
Tyreek Hill headshot
T. Hill
MIA25
1
6
4
40
10.0
40.0
0
3
-0.8
-0.8
-0.19
-0.13
66.7%
+6.98%
14.3
18.8%
14.3%
0.0%
Sterling Shepard headshot
S. Shepard
TB25
1
6
3
39
13.0
39.0
0
3
+0.8
+0.8
+0.28
+0.14
50.0%
-10.58%
14.3
20.0%
57.1%
0.0%
Breece Hall headshot
B. Hall
NYJ25
1
4
2
38
19.0
38.0
0
1
+0.8
+0.8
+0.41
+0.21
50.0%
-26.35%
-3.3
18.2%
20.0%
0.0%
Michael Mayer headshot
M. Mayer
OAK25
1
4
4
38
9.5
38.0
0
3
+5.0
+5.0
+1.26
+1.26
100.0%
+22.82%
3.5
12.1%
11.1%
100.0%
Rome Odunze headshot
R. Odunze
CHI25
1
9
6
37
6.2
37.0
1
3
-0.9
-0.9
-0.15
-0.10
66.7%
-2.29%
6.1
26.5%
44.4%
50.0%
David Njoku headshot
D. Njoku
CLE25
1
6
3
37
12.3
37.0
0
1
+0.4
+0.4
+0.15
+0.07
50.0%
-22.99%
6.8
14.3%
10.0%
0.0%
Alec Pierce headshot
A. Pierce
IND25
1
3
1
36
36.0
36.0
0
1
+1.0
+1.0
+1.03
+0.34
33.3%
-13.33%
20.3
10.3%
0.0%
33.3%
Xavier Smith headshot
X. Smith
LAR25
1
1
1
36
36.0
36.0
0
1
+2.7
+2.7
+2.69
+2.69
100.0%
+64.81%
36.0
3.6%
0.0%
0.0%
DeAndre Hopkins headshot
D. Hopkins
BAL25
1
2
2
35
17.5
35.0
1
1
+2.6
+2.6
+1.32
+1.32
100.0%
+48.56%
16.5
10.5%
16.7%
0.0%
Chris Moore headshot
C. Moore
WAS25
1
1
1
34
34.0
34.0
0
1
+2.4
+2.4
+2.44
+2.44
100.0%
+72.12%
34.0
3.4%
0.0%
0.0%
Rashid Shaheed headshot
R. Shaheed
NO25
1
9
6
33
5.5
33.0
0
2
-2.2
-2.2
-0.36
-0.24
66.7%
-3.09%
8.8
22.0%
11.1%
20.0%
Travis Hunter headshot
T. Hunter
JAX25
1
8
6
33
5.5
33.0
0
0
-5.2
-5.2
-0.87
-0.65
75.0%
+2.10%
7.4
27.6%
28.6%
50.0%
Casey Washington headshot
C. Washington
ATL25
1
6
3
33
11.0
33.0
0
3
+2.7
+2.7
+0.89
+0.45
50.0%
-3.45%
16.5
14.3%
16.7%
0.0%
Tee Higgins headshot
T. Higgins
CIN25
1
4
3
33
11.0
33.0
0
2
+3.4
+3.4
+1.12
+0.84
75.0%
+18.76%
12.3
17.4%
25.0%
0.0%
Chuba Hubbard headshot
C. Hubbard
CAR25
1
5
3
32
10.7
32.0
1
1
+1.4
+1.4
+0.46
+0.27
60.0%
-13.27%
-2.8
14.7%
0.0%
0.0%
Jayden Higgins headshot
J. Higgins
HOU25
1
3
2
32
16.0
32.0
0
1
-2.7
-2.7
-1.36
-0.91
66.7%
+8.23%
17.3
11.1%
20.0%
0.0%
Kyle Juszczyk headshot
K. Juszczyk
SF25
1
2
2
32
16.0
32.0
0
1
+2.3
+2.3
+1.13
+1.13
100.0%
+40.59%
11.0
5.9%
0.0%
0.0%
Jahmyr Gibbs headshot
J. Gibbs
DET25
1
10
10
31
3.1
31.0
0
1
-1.3
-1.3
-0.13
-0.13
100.0%
+19.40%
0.0
26.3%
16.7%
22.2%
Cole Kmet headshot
C. Kmet
CHI25
1
4
1
31
31.0
31.0
0
1
-0.9
-0.9
-0.94
-0.23
25.0%
-32.70%
14.3
11.8%
11.1%
0.0%
Austin Ekeler headshot
A. Ekeler
WAS25
1
3
3
31
10.3
31.0
0
2
+2.6
+2.6
+0.88
+0.88
100.0%
+17.00%
-2.3
10.3%
0.0%
0.0%
Tyler Johnson headshot
T. Johnson
NYJ25
1
2
2
31
15.5
31.0
0
1
+2.8
+2.8
+1.42
+1.42
100.0%
+38.58%
10.0
9.1%
20.0%
0.0%
Jaylen Waddle headshot
J. Waddle
MIA25
1
5
4
30
7.5
30.0
0
1
-0.5
-0.5
-0.13
-0.10
80.0%
+4.94%
4.2
15.6%
0.0%
25.0%
George Pickens headshot
G. Pickens
DAL25
1
4
3
30
10.0
30.0
0
2
+1.5
+1.5
+0.52
+0.39
75.0%
+22.17%
13.0
12.1%
33.3%
0.0%
Xavier Hutchinson headshot
X. Hutchinson
HOU25
1
2
2
30
15.0
30.0
0
1
+1.5
+1.5
+0.73
+0.73
100.0%
+36.73%
14.5
7.4%
0.0%
0.0%
Dontayvion Wicks headshot
D. Wicks
GB25
1
2
2
30
15.0
30.0
0
2
+3.4
+3.4
+1.68
+1.68
100.0%
+30.83%
13.5
9.1%
16.7%
0.0%
Tony Pollard headshot
T. Pollard
TEN25
1
1
1
29
29.0
29.0
0
1
+3.5
+3.5
+3.53
+3.53
100.0%
+41.49%
-1.0
4.0%
11.1%
0.0%
Jackson Hawes headshot
J. Hawes
BUF25
1
1
1
29
29.0
29.0
0
1
+2.8
+2.8
+2.82
+2.82
100.0%
+61.71%
26.0
2.1%
0.0%
0.0%
Dalton Schultz headshot
D. Schultz
HOU25
1
5
3
28
9.3
28.0
0
2
+1.6
+1.6
+0.54
+0.33
60.0%
-4.14%
5.0
18.5%
60.0%
0.0%
Pat Freiermuth headshot
P. Freiermuth
PIT25
1
3
3
28
9.3
28.0
0
2
+2.1
+2.1
+0.69
+0.69
100.0%
+27.17%
6.7
10.3%
14.3%
0.0%
Jalen Nailor headshot
J. Nailor
MIN25
1
3
1
28
28.0
28.0
0
1
-0.5
-0.5
-0.47
-0.16
33.3%
-37.46%
5.0
13.6%
0.0%
20.0%
Calvin Ridley headshot
C. Ridley
TEN25
1
8
4
27
6.8
27.0
0
1
-2.6
-2.6
-0.66
-0.33
50.0%
-16.12%
8.6
32.0%
33.3%
0.0%
Terry McLaurin headshot
T. McLaurin
WAS25
1
4
2
27
13.5
27.0
0
1
-1.0
-1.0
-0.48
-0.24
50.0%
-4.37%
19.3
13.8%
28.6%
0.0%
Noah Brown headshot
N. Brown
WAS25
1
3
2
27
13.5
27.0
0
1
+1.6
+1.6
+0.80
+0.54
66.7%
+5.52%
11.3
10.3%
0.0%
50.0%
Jonathan Taylor headshot
J. Taylor
IND25
1
3
3
27
9.0
27.0
0
2
+3.1
+3.1
+1.03
+1.03
100.0%
+14.59%
-0.7
10.3%
12.5%
0.0%
Ja'Tavion Sanders headshot
J. Sanders
CAR25
1
3
2
27
13.5
27.0
0
1
+1.1
+1.1
+0.55
+0.36
66.7%
-0.15%
13.7
8.8%
0.0%
0.0%
Justin Watson headshot
J. Watson
HOU25
1
2
2
27
13.5
27.0
0
1
+2.8
+2.8
+1.42
+1.42
100.0%
+23.92%
7.0
7.4%
0.0%
0.0%

NFL Receiving Leaders & Advanced Statistics

Current Season Overview

The 2025 NFL season has showcased exceptional receiving talent across all positions. Our receiving leaders tracker allows you to sort by traditional statistics like receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns, as well as advanced analytics like total Expected Points Added (EPA)EPA per target, EPA per route run, catch rate over expected (CROE), and average depth of target (aDOT).

Here are the current leaders for receiving yards and total EPA, representing the most popular traditional and advanced statistics respectively:

2025 Receiving Leaders

PlayerTeamYardsRecs
Zay Flowers
Ravens
1437
Puka Nacua
Rams
13010
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Seahawks
1249
Keon Coleman
Bills
1128
CeeDee Lamb
Cowboys
1107
Ricky Pearsall
49ers
1084
Kayshon Boutte
Patriots
1036
Brock Bowers
Raiders
1035
Bijan Robinson
Falcons
1006
Marquise Brown
Chiefs
9910
PlayerTeamTotal EPAEPA / Target
Zay Flowers
Ravens
9.81.09
Puka Nacua
Rams
9.50.86
Kayshon Boutte
Patriots
8.61.08
Keon Coleman
Bills
8.00.61
Bijan Robinson
Falcons
7.91.12
Brenton Strange
Jaguars
7.01.75
Michael Pittman
Colts
6.90.86
Keenan Allen
Chargers
6.30.63
Emeka Egbuka
Buccaneers
6.01.00
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Cardinals
5.70.94

Understanding Receiving Statistics

Traditional Season Stats

Traditional receiving statistics are widely used and a foundational way to assess receiver production in a given season. The table above includes the most relevant traditional stats for receivers, including total receiving yards, receptions, targets, touchdowns, and yards per catch. These metrics show pure production and opportunity volume.

Key Traditional Metrics:

  • Total Receiving Yards - Season accumulation of passing yards gained
  • Receptions - Total number of completed targets
  • Targets - Total passing attempts directed at the receiver
  • Receiving Touchdowns - Scoring receptions in the end zone
  • Yards per Reception - Average yards gained per completed catch

Advanced Analytics

Beyond the traditional stats, there are a number of less well known, but highly useful advanced statistics. Here's an overview of the most important advanced stats for receivers:

Expected Points Added (EPA)

EPA stands for Expected Points Added and measures how much a given play increases or decreases a team's expected points based on field position, down, and distance. EPA shows true impact beyond basic statistics by accounting for game situation and field position.

Learn more about Expected Points Added

In the context of receiving, EPA can be calculated from the plays the receiver was involved in. EPA can be calculated from a variety of different perspectives, each creating a different view of receiver performance.

EPA Breakdowns:

  • EPA per Reception - Efficiency metric similar to yards per recepetion.
  • EPA per Target - Measures efficiency like EPA per reception, but also includes the negative effects of incompletions, drops, and interceptions. Recievers with poor on ball skills or who are targeted too frequently will see a large fall off between EPA per reception and EPA per target since they have, on average, more negative plays.
  • EPA per Route - Perhaps the single best metric for evaluating receiver efficiency, EPA per route run takes the added context of EPA per Target, but also considers plays where a receiver is not targeted. In doing so, EPA per route run also encompasses an element of a receiver's ability to create seperation and opportunity for their quarterback. Receivers who see a lot of playing time, but fail to get open and earn targets tend to have a large fall off between EPA per reception and EPA per route run.
  • EPA per Game - EPA per game takes the efficiency measuring ability of EPA per reception, target, or route run, and adds an element of volume. You will see that the best receivers are not only efficient, but also accumulate a lot of total EPA as they sustain efficient production over a volume of plays. EPA per Game is a great metric for total impact.

Target Analysis

Beyond EPA, another area of more advanced analysis is to look at performance based on targets as it can speak to not only the concepts discussed above, but also a receiver's use within an NFL offense.

Catch Rate - Catch rate is the percent of targets that resulted in a catch. Leading receivers tend to convert more of their targets into receptions, which creates a higher catch rate. However, catch rate can be highly sensative to contextual factors. For instance, Running Backs who are mainly targeted on short passes, designed screens, and checkdowns will have higher catch rates because these throws are short and often not contested.

Average Depth of Target (aDOT) - aDOT is the average depth of a receiver's targets. This metric gives context on the types of routes a receiver runs and the types of targets they receive. "Deep Threat" receivers often have high aDOTs, while underneath receivers and running backs tend to have much lower aDOT. This metric is good as a contextual counter balance to catch rate, but it's not perfect.

Catch Rate Over Expected (CROE) - CROE measures the percentage of targets a receiver catches relative to what would be expected based on contextual factors like depth of target. It can be thought of as a combination of catch rate and aDOT, and generally correlates well with receiver quality.

Learn more about Over Expected metrics here

Target Share - The final family of metrics are Target Share, which represent the percent of a team's targets a receiver gets across a variety of contexts. Elite receivers will generally command upwards of 30% target share. Receivers with particular skillsets may also see higher target shares in different contexts, which is why this page includes Target Share on Third Down and Target Share in the Red Zone.