2026 season · Receivers and tight ends, Next Gen Stats qualified, 111 qualifiers

Receiver Separation and Cushion Leaders

Name: Receiver Separation and Cushion — 2026 NFL Leaders
Creator: Muffed
License: https://muffed.ai/methodology

Play-by-play through Week 5 · Sunday, Sunday night and Monday night pending · Next Gen Stats through Week 5

Receiver Separation and Cushion — 2026 NFL leaders, updated Oct 9, 2026. Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) led the league in average separation at 5.78, ahead of 110 other qualifying players. Based on verified 2026 play-by-play data (nflverse); Half-PPR scoring. 2026 season: Play-by-play through Week 5 · Sunday, Sunday night and Monday night pending · Next Gen Stats through Week 5.

Who led the NFL in separation in 2026?Who led the NFL in cushion in 2026?Who led the NFL in yards after catch above expectation in 2026?

Separation is how far the nearest defender was when the ball arrived; cushion is how far off he lined up before the snap. The pair reads as one story. A receiver with a large cushion and ordinary separation is being played soft and taking what he is given; a receiver with a small cushion and large separation is beating press coverage, which is the harder thing and the one that survives a change of quarterback. Depth of target sits alongside them because separation is easier to find underneath — a checkdown target and a go route are not the same test.

Receiver Separation and Cushion, 2026 NFL season
#	Player	Δ WK	G	Sep	Cushion	aDOT	Catch%	Tgt	Read
1	Harold Fannin Jr.TE · CLE	No change	4	5.78	5.08	6.04	73.9%	23	Read
2	Kenyon SadiqTE · NYJ	No change	4	4.85	5.33	5.82	66.7%	18	Read
3	Deebo Samuel Sr.WR · SF	No change	4	4.69	7.34	3.29	82.4%	17	Read
4	Kalif RaymondWR · CHI	No change	4	4.27	8.46	5.71	91.3%	23
5	Skyy MooreWR · GB	No change	4	4.24	7.02	5.88	46.2%	13
6	Dohnte MeyersWR · CIN	No change	4	4.21	6.84	5.03	68.8%	16
7	Rashee RiceWR · KC	No change; did not play this week	4	4.13	6.76	6.93	76.5%	17	Read
8	Khalil ShakirWR · BUF	No change	4	4.03	6.93	5.87	65.2%	23	Read
9	Chris Godwin Jr.WR · TB	Up 3 places, from 12	5	4.02	6.12	3.39	90.5%	21	Read
10	Dalton SchultzTE · HOU	Down 1 place, from 9	4	4.00	7.70	5.73	77.8%	27	Read
11	Jaylen WaddleWR · DEN	Down 1 place, from 10	4	3.97	8.06	10.36	61.5%	26	Read
12	Tyler WarrenTE · IND	Down 1 place, from 11	4	3.95	7.50	2.21	85.2%	27	Read
13	Oronde Gadsden IITE · LAC	Up 1 place, from 14	4	3.94	4.66	6.85	60.0%	15	Read
14	Isaac TeSlaaWR · DET	Up 2 places, from 16	4	3.92	8.40	14.49	52.9%	17	Read
15	Jake FergusonTE · DAL	Down 2 places, from 13	5	3.83	5.10	4.59	71.4%	21	Read
16	Juwan JohnsonTE · NO	Up 1 place, from 17	4	3.79	6.50	6.33	77.8%	27	Read
17	DeMario DouglasWR · NE	Up 1 place, from 18	4	3.74	7.34	12.17	52.9%	17
18	Cade OttonTE · TB	Down 3 places, from 15	5	3.72	5.74	5.62	66.7%	27	Read
19	Michael MayerTE · LV	No change	4	3.65	4.98	5.22	83.3%	24
20	Brenton StrangeTE · JAX	No change	4	3.65	7.16	8.02	77.8%	18	Read
21	Drake LondonWR · ATL	No change	4	3.56	7.16	8.48	76.9%	26	Read
22	Travis KelceTE · KC	No change; did not play this week	4	3.56	5.61	6.45	72.7%	22	Read
23	Romeo DoubsWR · NE	No change	4	3.56	5.35	15.96	60.0%	20	Read
24	Xavier WorthyWR · KC	No change; did not play this week	4	3.54	5.68	9.57	63.6%	22	Read
25	Sam LaPortaTE · DET	No change	4	3.49	5.69	7.16	68.8%	32	Read
26	Malik WashingtonWR · MIA	No change	4	3.46	5.92	10.24	60.7%	28	Read
27	AJ BarnerTE · SEA	No change	4	3.46	4.23	2.48	60.0%	15	Read
28	Mark AndrewsTE · BAL	No change	4	3.45	6.01	7.27	75.0%	24	Read
29	Tre HarrisWR · LAC	No change	4	3.43	6.70	11.86	61.9%	21	Read
30	Evan EngramTE · DEN	No change	4	3.41	6.26	6.02	46.2%	13	Read
31	Rashod BatemanWR · BAL	No change	4	3.38	7.14	12.95	73.3%	15	Read
32	KC ConcepcionWR · CLE	No change	4	3.37	7.66	6.22	60.7%	28	Read
33	T.J. HockensonTE · MIN	No change	4	3.29	4.92	6.30	84.6%	26	Read
34	Jakobi MeyersWR · JAX	No change	4	3.29	8.06	11.01	86.7%	15	Read
35	Darren WallerTE · CAR	Up 1 place, from 36; did not play this week	4	3.27	5.09	8.28	68.4%	19
36	Tucker KraftTE · GB	Up 1 place, from 37	4	3.26	3.70	5.19	62.5%	24	Read
37	Hunter HenryTE · NE	Up 1 place, from 38	4	3.25	3.65	7.51	80.0%	15	Read
38	Ryan FlournoyWR · DAL	Down 3 places, from 35	5	3.20	6.39	7.21	59.3%	27	Read
39	George KittleTE · SF	No change	4	3.18	5.02	7.99	72.7%	22	Read
40	Dalton KincaidTE · BUF	No change	4	3.18	6.52	11.86	78.9%	19	Read
41	Pat FreiermuthTE · PIT	No change	4	3.18	6.33	8.17	73.7%	19	Read
42	Keon ColemanWR · BUF	Up 1 place, from 43	4	3.15	5.49	11.88	87.5%	16	Read
43	Carnell TateWR · TEN	Up 1 place, from 44	4	3.14	6.16	10.91	68.8%	32	Read
44	Ladd McConkeyWR · LAC	Up 1 place, from 45	4	3.10	7.05	13.50	70.6%	17	Read
45	Kendrick BourneWR · ARI	Up 1 place, from 46	4	3.10	6.73	3.86	85.7%	14
46	Emeka EgbukaWR · TB	Down 4 places, from 42	5	3.06	7.00	10.70	63.6%	33	Read
47	Mike GesickiTE · CIN	Up 1 place, from 48	4	3.06	4.91	10.74	73.3%	15	Read
48	CeeDee LambWR · DAL	Down 1 place, from 47	5	3.00	6.55	10.70	76.5%	51	Read
49	Rashid ShaheedWR · SEA	No change	4	2.99	8.13	10.42	46.7%	15	Read
50	Jordan AddisonWR · MIN	No change	4	2.98	5.69	13.76	50.0%	22	Read
51	Brian Thomas Jr.WR · JAX	No change	4	2.96	6.72	13.40	60.0%	15	Read
52	Chris OlaveWR · NO	No change	4	2.95	5.73	13.09	72.9%	48	Read
53	Malik NabersWR · NYG	No change	4	2.95	6.74	11.45	69.2%	26	Read
54	Wan'Dale RobinsonWR · TEN	No change	4	2.92	6.41	5.50	69.6%	23	Read
55	Colston LovelandTE · CHI	No change	4	2.92	5.57	6.06	61.1%	18	Read
56	Tetairoa McMillanWR · CAR	No change; did not play this week	4	2.91	4.88	11.71	66.7%	39	Read
57	Dontayvion WicksWR · PHI	No change	4	2.91	5.62	13.14	60.0%	20	Read
58	Terry McLaurinWR · WAS	No change	4	2.88	4.89	13.06	45.5%	22	Read
59	Justin JeffersonWR · MIN	No change	4	2.88	4.53	11.59	76.5%	17	Read
60	Makai LemonWR · PHI	No change	4	2.87	7.53	6.44	66.7%	15	Read
61	Amon-Ra St. BrownWR · DET	No change	4	2.86	7.00	8.29	67.4%	46	Read
62	Zay FlowersWR · BAL	No change	4	2.85	5.28	9.38	81.8%	22	Read
63	Josh DownsWR · IND	No change	4	2.81	6.20	9.71	60.7%	28	Read
64	Jameson WilliamsWR · DET	No change	4	2.79	7.76	14.50	64.0%	25	Read
65	Jalen CokerWR · CAR	No change; did not play this week	4	2.78	5.95	11.48	81.8%	22	Read
66	Michael WilsonWR · ARI	No change	4	2.77	5.46	9.60	56.8%	44	Read
67	Quentin JohnstonWR · LAC	No change	4	2.76	5.90	13.20	36.8%	19	Read
68	Ja'Marr ChaseWR · CIN	No change	4	2.75	7.29	8.43	75.0%	28	Read
69	DJ MooreWR · BUF	No change	4	2.74	7.00	15.15	60.0%	20	Read
70	Isaiah LikelyTE · NYG	No change	4	2.73	4.69	6.76	62.9%	35	Read
71	Antonio WilliamsWR · WAS	No change	4	2.73	6.71	11.85	63.2%	19	Read
72	DeVonta SmithWR · PHI	No change	4	2.72	5.55	12.51	70.4%	27	Read
73	Adonai MitchellWR · NYJ	No change	4	2.69	8.54	15.82	60.0%	15	Read
74	Jahan DotsonWR · ATL	No change	4	2.68	7.27	14.88	42.9%	14
75	Mack HollinsWR · NE	No change	4	2.66	6.03	14.91	75.0%	20
76	Trey McBrideTE · ARI	No change	4	2.63	5.31	6.04	71.7%	46	Read
77	Roman WilsonWR · PIT	No change	4	2.63	5.97	14.63	58.3%	24
78	Stefon DiggsWR · WAS	No change	4	2.60	6.76	9.47	58.1%	31	Read
79	Tommy TrembleTE · CAR	No change; did not play this week	4	2.58	5.75	4.56	73.3%	15
80	Tyquan ThorntonWR · KC	No change; did not play this week	4	2.58	5.14	17.43	73.3%	15	Read
81	Matthew GoldenWR · GB	No change	4	2.57	6.06	14.42	48.6%	37	Read
82	Darnell WashingtonTE · PIT	No change	4	2.57	6.69	5.44	69.2%	13
83	Jaxon Smith-NjigbaWR · SEA	No change	4	2.55	5.78	10.55	76.2%	42	Read
84	Tee HigginsWR · CIN	No change	4	2.55	5.35	13.33	64.1%	39	Read
85	Christian WatsonWR · GB	No change	4	2.53	6.70	10.56	62.5%	32	Read
86	Luther Burden IIIWR · CHI	No change	4	2.48	7.34	7.89	65.5%	29	Read
87	Tyler HigbeeTE · LAR	No change	4	2.47	6.42	7.56	78.9%	19
88	Courtland SuttonWR · DEN	No change	4	2.45	5.29	12.27	40.9%	22	Read
89	Xavier HutchinsonWR · HOU	No change	4	2.40	5.21	13.78	46.2%	26
90	Dyami BrownWR · WAS	No change	4	2.39	5.05	17.90	53.8%	13
91	Konata MumpfieldWR · LAR	No change	4	2.35	7.97	15.62	42.9%	14
92	Tre TuckerWR · LV	Up 1 place, from 93	4	2.33	6.15	14.88	65.2%	23	Read
93	Keenan AllenWR · IND	Up 1 place, from 94	4	2.31	5.58	6.17	65.0%	20
94	Rome OdunzeWR · CHI	Up 1 place, from 95	4	2.29	7.14	14.94	70.0%	20	Read
95	Bryce LanceWR · NO	Up 1 place, from 96	4	2.29	6.51	15.99	38.5%	13
96	Davante AdamsWR · LAR	Up 1 place, from 97	4	2.28	5.90	15.74	57.9%	38	Read
97	Garrett WilsonWR · NYJ	Up 1 place, from 98	4	2.27	4.26	10.01	77.4%	31	Read
98	Denzel BostonWR · CLE	Up 1 place, from 99	4	2.25	6.17	17.77	59.1%	22	Read
99	George PickensWR · DAL	Down 7 places, from 92	5	2.22	5.30	11.42	65.9%	41	Read
100	DK MetcalfWR · PIT	No change	4	2.13	3.95	13.58	48.5%	33	Read
101	Devaughn VeleWR · NO	No change	4	2.12	5.43	10.82	67.7%	31	Read
102	Parker WashingtonWR · JAX	No change	4	2.12	6.51	13.68	61.5%	26	Read
103	Malachi FieldsWR · NYG	No change	4	2.08	5.49	17.39	53.3%	15	Read
104	Brock BowersTE · LV	No change	4	2.05	6.02	10.48	64.0%	25	Read
105	Kayshon BoutteWR · HOU	No change	4	2.01	6.12	12.57	69.2%	13	Read
106	Chris BellWR · MIA	No change	4	1.93	4.87	17.99	35.7%	14	Read
107	Ted Hurst IIIWR · TB	No change	5	1.83	4.51	17.84	50.0%	16
108	Nico CollinsWR · HOU	No change	4	1.82	4.90	13.71	77.8%	18	Read
109	Mike EvansWR · SF	No change	4	1.78	5.58	13.29	70.8%	24	Read
110	Puka NacuaWR · LAR	No change	4	1.67	5.98	11.41	66.7%	21	Read
111	Marvin Harrison Jr.WR · ARI	No change	4	1.51	5.75	16.36	38.5%	13	Read

Next Gen Stats publishes tracking figures for wide receivers and tight ends only, so no running back appears here however many passes he caught. Targets and receptions are the tracking feed's own counts and can differ by one or two from the play-by-play totals on the other receiving boards.

New to this stat? What average separation means.

Other seasons

Choosing between two of these players?

Both men's 2025 production side by side, and which of them rests on inputs that historically repeat.

All comparisons →

More leaderboards

Follow Receiver Separation and Cushion. When this board moves, you'll know — what changed, week over week.

One email a week, in season. Free, unsubscribe anytime.

Use Muffed in your AI

Ask Claude or ChatGPT football questions and get these verified figures back, with sources. Add https://muffed.ai/api/mcp — free, no account, no API key.

Add to Claude · Set up in ChatGPT · How it works →