The A.S.S. Report: 2024 Week 6

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 75 routes run)

A.J. Brown (PHI)

A.J. Brown is quietly having an incredible season, even if it isn't getting much attention (he has played in just two games overall). He’s currently averaging an impressive 3.98 yards per route run, a stat that underscores just how productive he is with every opportunity. His 31% target per route run rate highlights that Jalen Hurts is looking his way frequently, while his 39.5% first-read target share further cements him as the go-to option in critical situations. Even though the Eagles have had their struggles as a team, Brown’s individual performance has been stellar, and the upcoming schedule sets up favorably for him to continue putting up monster numbers over the next month and a half. He’s my WR1 for the rest of the season.

In addition to his remarkable efficiency, Brown's metrics show just how dominant he is on the field. His Average Separation Score (A.S.S.) sits at .186, indicating his ability to create space against defenders. Combine that with a 25.4% win rate on routes, and it’s clear he’s consistently beating his matchups. These numbers, along with his elite efficiency and target rates, point to a stretch where Brown is primed to maintain or even surpass his already impressive production as the season progresses.

Tank Dell (HST)

With Nico Collins sidelined, Tank Dell has finally taken center stage in the Texans' offense, showing exactly why fantasy managers were excited about him. While his season-long metrics — 1.21 yards per route run (YPRR) and an 18.5% first-read target share — haven’t been overly impressive, Dell’s recent surge tells a different story. This past weekend, he commanded a 42.9% first-read target share and earned 28.1% of the overall target share, signaling that he’s becoming a focal point of the Texans’ passing game. His 25% win rate on routes demonstrates that Dell is thriving with the increased opportunity.

As long as Collins is out, Dell operates as the 1B behind Stefon Diggs, who remains the top dog in air yards (14.6 aDOT). When Collins returns, the target hierarchy might shift, but Dell has shown enough to remain relevant, potentially forming a 2A/2B dynamic with Diggs. No matter what, Dell’s high usage in recent weeks makes him a key player moving forward in fantasy.

Noah Brown (WAS)

Noah Brown is starting to find his way in Washington's offense under Kliff Kingsbury and Jayden Daniels. With a .265 Average Separation Score (A.S.S.), Brown is proving his ability to create space from defenders, which is key to continuing to get McLaurin one-on-one coverage and moving the ball downfield. His 26.5% win rate on routes shows that he’s consistently getting open and winning his matchups, giving the Commanders a reliable option as he continues to get more integrated into the system.

Brown is someone I’ll be targeting to get on my roster because he's quietly emerging as the WR2 in Washington. His increasing role in the offense, combined with his ability to create separation and win routes, makes him a valuable asset, especially in shootout games where the Commanders will need to air it out. His potential for big plays, paired with his favorable matchup opportunities, makes him a smart addition for fantasy managers looking for under-the-radar production.

Garrett Wilson (NYJ)

The big news of the weekend is Davante Adams joining the Jets, and the ripple effect it will have on Garrett Wilson is significant. While this move may initially hurt Wilson’s weekly fantasy floor, it’s a long-term win for him as a player. For the first time in his career, Wilson will have the opportunity to learn from one of the league’s elite wide receivers. Studying Adams' route-running, how he communicates with Aaron Rodgers, and his ability to read defenses will be invaluable for Wilson's development. Additionally, with Adams now drawing most of the defensive attention, Wilson should face fewer double teams and have more one-on-one matchups, opening up chances for big plays.

From a fantasy perspective, this trade could cause some concern due to a potential drop in volume, but there’s no need to panic. Rodgers has a history of supporting two top-tier receivers, as seen with Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb in the past. With Adams in the fold, the Jets’ offense becomes far more dangerous, and if Wilson can adapt and grow, his long-term fantasy value will remain strong.

Overall 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, knowledge of 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 50 routes run)

Jonathan Mingo (CAR)

Jonathan Mingo is one of the more concerning players when it comes to separation and winning matchups. His -0.029 Average Separation Score (A.S.S.) highlights his struggles to create space from defenders, which is a key factor in being an effective wide receiver in today’s NFL. With an 8% win rate on routes, Mingo is not consistently beating his matchups, making it difficult for him to get open and contribute to the offense. These numbers are well below what you'd expect from a productive receiver, and they limit his ability to make a meaningful impact, both in real-life football and in fantasy.

In contrast, Jalen Coker is a player who shows much more promise and effectiveness in these areas. While Mingo continues to struggle, Coker’s ability to separate (0.155 A.S.S.) and win his routes makes him the better option moving forward. If Mingo can’t improve these metrics, it’s likely he’ll lose more opportunities as teams look to more reliable, efficient players like Coker who has shown me something on tape.

Notable Weekly ASS

(Minimum 20 routes run)

Amari Cooper (BUF)

Another big move this week was Amari Cooper joining the Buffalo Bills, and I can't wait to see how he fits into this offense. While Cooper hasn’t had his best season in terms of separation, he still has the talent to be a top-tier receiver. Much of his recent struggles can be attributed to frustration with inconsistent quarterback play. To put it into perspective, only 62.3% of Cooper’s passes this season have been deemed catchable. Compare that to Justin Jefferson, who’s receiving 79.1% catchable passes from Sam Darnold, or CeeDee Lamb with 80.8% from Dak Prescott, and the Bills’ top three receivers are all receiving over 75% catchable passes. This shows just how much of a difference quarterback play has made for Cooper, and now he's set to play with the best QB of his career in Josh Allen.

With Joe Brady as the offensive coordinator, Cooper is likely to be moved around in various formations, creating opportunities for him and unlocking new dimensions for the rest of the Bills’ offense. He brings versatility and veteran savvy, and his ability to work as a high-level route runner should free up Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, Keon Coleman, and others. This move gives Cooper a chance to elevate his game and thrive in a dynamic, pass-heavy system, where he’ll finally get the kind of accurate targets he's been missing all season. I expect to see a more motivated Cooper and one that starts to show up near the top of the A.S.S. leaderboard.

Demario Douglas (NE)

Demario Douglas is becoming a must-add in fantasy leagues, especially with Drake Maye now at quarterback for the Patriots. Douglas posted an impressive .385 Average Separation Score (A.S.S.) and a 30.8% win rate on his routes this week, demonstrating his ability to consistently get open—something Maye will need in this offense. The Patriots’ offensive line has struggled to hold up long enough for deep shots to develop, making Douglas’s quick separation skills invaluable. Maye is already comfortable targeting this style of receiver, as he thrived with Josh Downs in college, and Douglas fits the mold perfectly for the short-to-intermediate game.

Douglas is primed to deliver high-floor weeks in PPR formats as the season progresses. Given the Patriots will likely be playing from behind in many games, the passing volume should remain high, and Douglas’s role as a quick-separation receiver will only grow. Maye looked comfortable leaning on him, and Douglas could become one of the most reliable fantasy assets down the stretch, offering a steady stream of targets and receptions in an offense desperate for playmakers.

Breakout Performance This Weekend

Jordan Addison (MIN)

The loss of Aidan Hutchinson is a massive blow to the Lions' pass rush, and it leaves them vulnerable heading into this week's matchup. Without Hutchinson’s ability to generate pressure, Detroit's defense lacks the depth to disrupt opposing quarterbacks consistently. This is especially concerning, given that their cornerbacks have been one of the most penalized units in the NFL. If they don't hold receivers, the opportunity for big plays downfield becomes even more likely. This sets up a huge week for Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson, and the rest of the Vikings' deep passing attack, which should thrive with more time for long-developing routes.

Addison, in particular, is primed for a breakout. So far this season, 42.3% of his routes have broken vertically, and despite facing some challenging matchups, he’s posted a win rate of 13.3% on those routes. His Average Separation Score (A.S.S.) of .200 on vertical routes ranks 8th in the NFL among receivers with at least 30 routes run, showing his ability to get open deep. After dealing with the Jets' tough secondary last week, this is a prime bounce-back opportunity for Minnesota’s passing game, and Addison could be in for a big day with plenty of chances to make plays down the field.

Summarized

In summary, the trades for Amari Cooper and Davante Adams significantly boost the Bills and Jets in real life but add some complexity for fantasy football managers. Cooper and Adams will enhance their respective offenses, but it may lower the weekly consistency for players like Garrett Wilson and Stefon Diggs. On the fantasy front, Demario Douglas is a must-add, offering a high PPR floor, and what we saw on film this weekend suggests he will continue to deliver. Jalen Coker, with his superior metrics, should be playing over Jonathan Mingo, whose A.S.S. score leaves much to be desired. Tank Dell is back in action with Nico Collins sidelined, making him a great option moving forward, and Noah Brown is an interesting player to keep on your radar as his role evolves.