aDOT is average depth of target: total air yards divided by targets. For a receiver it says how far downfield he is typically thrown to; for a quarterback, how far downfield he typically throws. An aDOT of 6 is a checkdown and slot profile, 10 is a standard starter, 15 or more is a deep threat.
Updated Sept. 16, 2026.
Through Week 1, among receivers and tight ends with 8+ targets, DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh Steelers) has the deepest average target at 20.4 yards downfield, deeper than 99.7% of every qualifying start through the same week since 1999. Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions) has the shallowest at 0.9.
| # | Player | Team | aDOT | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DK Metcalf | Pittsburgh Steelers | 20.4 | 10 |
| 2 | DJ Moore | Buffalo Bills | 19.8 | 8 |
| 3 | Chris Olave | New Orleans Saints | 18.0 | 13 |
| 4 | Malik Washington | Miami Dolphins | 16.9 | 8 |
| 5 | Christian Watson | Green Bay Packers | 15.9 | 8 |
| 6 | Tetairoa McMillan | Carolina Panthers | 14.9 | 8 |
| 7 | Jameson Williams | Detroit Lions | 14.1 | 9 |
| 8 | Jalen Coker | Carolina Panthers | 13.8 | 9 |
| 9 | Puka Nacua | Los Angeles Rams | 12.8 | 9 |
| 10 | Nico Collins | Houston Texans | 12.0 | 10 |
| 11 | Malik Nabers | New York Giants | 11.4 | 9 |
| 12 | Matthew Golden | Green Bay Packers | 11.4 | 12 |
| 13 | CeeDee Lamb | Dallas Cowboys | 11.2 | 8 |
| 14 | Stefon Diggs | Washington Commanders | 9.2 | 9 |
| 15 | Justin Jefferson | Minnesota Vikings | 8.9 | 9 |
aDOT is the depth profile of a passing game. Two receivers can have identical target counts and completely different jobs: the one with a 5-yard aDOT is running screens, drags and option routes, the one with a 16-yard aDOT is running go routes and deep posts. Their catch rates, their yards after catch and their week-to-week variance follow from that number.
For quarterbacks, aDOT is the first thing to check when a completion percentage looks too good or too bad. A 72 percent completion rate at a 6-yard aDOT is ordinary; the same rate at a 10-yard aDOT is exceptional. CPOE formalizes that comparison.
aDOT also drives fantasy variance. Deep targets are caught less often and go for more when they are, so a high-aDOT receiver has more boom weeks and more zeroes. Best-ball formats reward that; standard leagues punish it.
A 20-yard aDOT on 8 targets gets a receiver 3 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown one week, then 0 catches the next. A 6-yard aDOT on 8 targets gets 6 catches for 55 yards every week. Same targets, opposite fantasy profiles.
aDOT = total air yards / total targets. Includes every target, complete or incomplete. Screens thrown behind the line contribute negative air yards and lower the average.
For receivers, the league average is around 9 to 10 yards. Above 14 is a designated deep threat; below 7 is a slot or running-back profile. For quarterbacks, the average is about 8; above 10 is an aggressive downfield passer.
Not on its own. Volume does. But aDOT sets the shape of the points: a high aDOT means more variance for the same target count, which is worth more in best ball and less in head-to-head leagues.
Not necessarily. Some of the most efficient offenses throw short and let receivers run. It is bad when it comes with a low yards-after-catch number, because then the offense is neither stretching the field nor creating after the catch.
Category: Stats & Analytics. Part of the StickToTheModel NFL Encyclopedia.