Every week, I will be diving into the Fantasy Points Data to provide our readers with actionable and winning insights into your season. This week provided a lot of valuable data points for things going forward and showcased some of the major improvements players have made. I will focus mainly on ASS (Average Separation Score) but blend in plenty of metrics that offer a full picture, like first-read targets.
If you are new to the term ASS don’t worry — we have covered the ASS metric in great detail with What's the deal with ASS? and Our ASS Sleepers and Breakouts.
Top ASS Overall
(Minimum 250 routes run)
Ladd McConkey (LAC)
If you take the time to break down film on Ladd McConkey, you'll see a player who performs effortlessly and promises to be productive for a long time. He’s an elite separator who has improved every week and is paired with a top-tier quarterback. This offense reminds me of the Lions during Amon-Ra St. Brown's breakout stretch at the end of the season. This offseason, I expect the team to invest in another weapon at wide receiver, such as Tee Higgins, and target a high-profile running back like Ashton Jeanty in the NFL Draft.
No matter what moves they make, don’t let that overshadow how exceptional McConkey was this season or how bright his NFL future looks. He recorded over 1,000 receiving yards on fewer than 110 targets, joining the ranks of Keenan Allen and AJ Brown in achieving that feat.
Romeo Doubs (GB)
Doubs surprisingly had the highest win rate of any wide receiver with over 250 routes run this season. He is a solid NFL receiver who excels on specific routes, and Matt LaFleur is unlikely to take him off the field. This team boasts multiple high-functioning receivers who will present a challenge for defenses, and honestly, all of them deserve playing time.
We often feel the need to frame things as either/or, but this is a group where each receiver has specific roles in which they perform well and situations in which they may not excel as much. Moving forward, I don’t plan to draft these receivers at their highest ADP. Instead, I’ll target the ones with lower ADPs, particularly Christian Watson, because he has the highest ceiling in this group.
Weekly Bad ASS
For once, being a "Bad ASS" isn't a compliment, and the wide receivers on this list have some work to do. In the NFL, separation is crucial — it's what makes a receiver effective.
Those with the lowest Average Separation Scores (ASS) struggle to get open, forcing quarterbacks to make riskier throws. Being on this list suggests issues with route-running, knowing how to beat coverage, speed, or timing with the quarterback.
For these receivers, improving their separation is vital to becoming more reliable targets. The coming weeks will be key as they aim to move off this list and show they're more than just "Bad ASS."
(Minimum 20 routes run)
George Pickens (PIT)
The Kansas City Chiefs effectively shut down Pickens on Christmas, resulting in a tough outing for the Steelers' offense. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has consistently managed to neutralize star wide receivers throughout the season, and this game was no exception.
However, this upcoming weekend is a crucial one for the Steelers, particularly with the activation of Roman Wilson off injured reserve. His return adds a smaller, shiftier wide receiver to the lineup, potentially giving the offense a much-needed boost as they prepare for a playoff push. Wilson's presence could be an opportunity to help this unit find more versatility and effectiveness down the stretch.
Notable Weekly ASS
(Minimum 20 routes run)
Drake London (ATL)
London dominated the Washington defensive backs and is a strong buy moving forward with the Atlanta offense. I’m particularly encouraged by what I’ve seen from Michael Penix. He’s making the right reads, but limited practice time and game reps as QB1 have hindered his production. However, his output has noticeably improved as he gains more experience.
This weekend, I anticipate London having another outstanding performance against a vulnerable Panthers defense. This game can potentially be a high-scoring affair, with the Atlanta Falcons likely to dominate the Panthers in whatever way they choose.
Ricky Pearsall (SF)
Pearsall had a breakout game, offering a glimpse of the talent he brings to this offense. The challenge now is determining how the team manages Deebo Samuel, but I believe Jauan Jennings will return, and Brandon Aiyuk faces a tough road back from his knee injury. This situation provides Pearsall with a clear path to develop into a significant role for this offense.
Pearsall dominated the Lions’ secondary, recording an impressive 21.9% win rate in that game. He was a prospect I highly valued coming out of the Senior Bowl. While his offseason was challenging, he now has the opportunity to refine his craft over a full season. He has already shown his potential to both Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy, solidifying his place in this offense moving forward.
Breakout Performance This Weekend
TJ Hockenson (MIN)
The Detroit Lions' linebacker play has been subpar due to the numerous injuries they’ve suffered, and their reliance on man coverage plays right into T.J. Hockenson’s strengths, as he boasts a 31.3% win rate against man coverage. Hockenson didn’t have the opportunity to face this Lions defense in their first matchup, and with Aiden Hutchinson out, he’s likely to see more opportunities as a pass catcher rather than being relegated to blocking duties.
So far this season, Hockenson has surpassed 100 receiving yards in a game only once, but I love his chances to replicate that performance in this favorable matchup. He’s poised to be a major factor in the passing game against a struggling Lions defense.
