2026 season · Receivers and tight ends, Next Gen Stats qualified, 128 qualifiers
Receiver Separation and Cushion Leaders
Receiver Separation and Cushion — 2026 NFL leaders, updated Sep 29, 2026. Harold Fannin Jr. (CLE) led the league in average separation at 5.45, ahead of 127 other qualifying players. Based on verified 2026 play-by-play data (nflverse); Half-PPR scoring. Through Week 3 of the 2026 season.
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.
| # | Player | Δ WK | G | Sep | Cushion | aDOT | Catch% | Tgt | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harold Fannin Jr. | No change | 3 | 5.45 | 5.00 | 6.25 | 77.8% | 18 | |
| 2 | Kenyon Sadiq | First appearance on this board | 3 | 5.43 | 5.68 | 6.40 | 85.7% | 14 | |
| 3 | Deebo Samuel Sr. | Down 1 place, from 2 | 3 | 4.85 | 6.74 | 3.27 | 81.8% | 11 | |
| 4 | Jeremy Ruckert | First appearance on this board | 3 | 4.73 | 7.33 | 0.89 | 100.0% | 8 | |
| 5 | Pat Bryant | Back on this board | 3 | 4.58 | 6.97 | 6.21 | 66.7% | 9 | |
| 6 | Caleb Douglas | Down 2 places, from 4 | 3 | 4.55 | 5.30 | 13.33 | 70.0% | 10 | |
| 7 | Xavier Worthy | Down 1 place, from 6 | 3 | 4.44 | 7.03 | 6.95 | 66.7% | 15 | |
| 8 | Jayden Reed | Down 3 places, from 5 | 3 | 4.42 | 9.28 | 4.80 | 50.0% | 8 | |
| 9 | Kalif Raymond | Down 6 places, from 3 | 3 | 4.20 | 8.86 | 6.30 | 90.5% | 21 | |
| 10 | Romeo Doubs | First appearance on this board | 3 | 4.18 | 5.83 | 17.00 | 54.5% | 11 | |
| 11 | Juwan Johnson | Up 2 places, from 13 | 3 | 4.15 | 5.35 | 5.72 | 78.9% | 19 | |
| 12 | Jake Ferguson | First appearance on this board | 3 | 4.15 | 3.60 | 4.54 | 81.8% | 11 | |
| 13 | Rashee Rice | Up 3 places, from 16 | 3 | 4.13 | 6.76 | 6.93 | 76.5% | 17 | |
| 14 | Darren Waller | First appearance on this board | 3 | 4.12 | 6.04 | 7.79 | 76.9% | 13 | |
| 15 | Evan Engram | Back on this board | 3 | 4.07 | 5.61 | 6.32 | 62.5% | 8 | |
| 16 | Gunnar Helm | Back on this board | 3 | 4.05 | 6.50 | 5.40 | 72.7% | 11 | |
| 17 | Tyler Warren | Up 4 places, from 21 | 3 | 4.04 | 7.66 | 1.89 | 81.8% | 22 | |
| 18 | Sam LaPorta | Down 11 places, from 7 | 3 | 4.02 | 4.93 | 5.52 | 73.7% | 19 | |
| 19 | Jaylin Noel | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.99 | 7.59 | 9.35 | 55.6% | 9 | |
| 20 | Isaac TeSlaa | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.97 | 6.99 | 12.30 | 55.6% | 9 | |
| 21 | Dalton Schultz | Down 11 places, from 10 | 3 | 3.93 | 7.78 | 6.01 | 76.0% | 25 | |
| 22 | DeMario Douglas | Down 14 places, from 8 | 3 | 3.88 | 7.38 | 12.55 | 50.0% | 14 | |
| 23 | Tre Harris | Down 9 places, from 14 | 3 | 3.84 | 6.94 | 9.89 | 62.5% | 16 | |
| 24 | Skyy Moore | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.83 | 6.47 | 7.57 | 45.5% | 11 | |
| 25 | Chris Godwin Jr. | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.77 | 5.58 | 4.50 | 90.9% | 11 | |
| 26 | David Njoku | Down 11 places, from 15 | 3 | 3.74 | 6.96 | 5.26 | 75.0% | 8 | |
| 27 | Noah Fant | Up 9 places, from 36 | 3 | 3.70 | 5.46 | 4.89 | 66.7% | 12 | |
| 28 | AJ Barner | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.61 | 3.64 | 1.74 | 66.7% | 12 | |
| 29 | Pat Freiermuth | Down 7 places, from 22 | 3 | 3.60 | 6.36 | 8.55 | 78.6% | 14 | |
| 30 | Mark Andrews | Up 23 places, from 53 | 3 | 3.54 | 6.41 | 6.55 | 72.2% | 18 | |
| 31 | Khalil Shakir | Down 20 places, from 11 | 3 | 3.51 | 7.01 | 7.22 | 53.3% | 15 | |
| 32 | Mike Gesicki | Back on this board | 3 | 3.50 | 4.67 | 10.07 | 80.0% | 10 | |
| 33 | KC Concepcion | Down 15 places, from 18 | 3 | 3.48 | 7.89 | 5.78 | 60.0% | 20 | |
| 34 | Cade Otton | Down 22 places, from 12 | 3 | 3.41 | 6.35 | 6.87 | 64.7% | 17 | |
| 35 | Drake London | Down 9 places, from 26 | 3 | 3.40 | 6.92 | 7.80 | 75.0% | 20 | |
| 36 | Jaylen Waddle | Down 27 places, from 9 | 3 | 3.40 | 8.06 | 12.01 | 55.0% | 20 | |
| 37 | Travis Kelce | Down 5 places, from 32 | 3 | 3.40 | 5.74 | 6.60 | 77.8% | 18 | |
| 38 | George Kittle | Down 19 places, from 19 | 3 | 3.38 | 5.10 | 8.67 | 75.0% | 16 | |
| 39 | Tucker Kraft | Down 19 places, from 20 | 3 | 3.30 | 3.74 | 6.65 | 52.9% | 17 | |
| 40 | Foster Moreau | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.29 | 6.43 | 6.05 | 75.0% | 8 | |
| 41 | Michael Mayer | Up 20 places, from 61 | 3 | 3.28 | 3.56 | 4.21 | 85.7% | 14 | |
| 42 | Rashod Bateman | Down 13 places, from 29 | 3 | 3.26 | 7.43 | 13.11 | 69.2% | 13 | |
| 43 | Jakobi Meyers | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.26 | 8.73 | 11.70 | 90.9% | 11 | |
| 44 | Emeka Egbuka | No change | 3 | 3.23 | 7.48 | 12.83 | 65.0% | 20 | |
| 45 | Hunter Henry | Down 20 places, from 25 | 3 | 3.21 | 3.55 | 8.14 | 70.0% | 10 | |
| 46 | Dalton Kincaid | Down 16 places, from 30 | 3 | 3.18 | 6.41 | 12.12 | 82.4% | 17 | |
| 47 | Colston Loveland | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.16 | 5.22 | 5.71 | 55.6% | 9 | |
| 48 | Darnell Mooney | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.16 | 7.30 | 11.68 | 75.0% | 8 | |
| 49 | Malik Washington | Down 26 places, from 23 | 3 | 3.15 | 6.19 | 10.80 | 52.2% | 23 | |
| 50 | Jalen Nailor | Down 10 places, from 40 | 3 | 3.12 | 7.86 | 12.27 | 45.5% | 11 | |
| 51 | Antonio Williams | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.11 | 6.27 | 10.99 | 81.8% | 11 | |
| 52 | Kendrick Bourne | Down 21 places, from 31 | 3 | 3.10 | 6.73 | 3.86 | 85.7% | 14 | |
| 53 | CeeDee Lamb | Down 15 places, from 38 | 3 | 3.06 | 5.51 | 12.79 | 80.0% | 25 | |
| 54 | T.J. Hockenson | Down 19 places, from 35 | 3 | 3.06 | 4.73 | 6.90 | 69.2% | 13 | |
| 55 | Keon Coleman | First appearance on this board | 3 | 3.02 | 5.68 | 11.69 | 88.9% | 9 | |
| 56 | Chris Olave | Down 9 places, from 47 | 3 | 2.99 | 5.84 | 12.44 | 75.0% | 36 | |
| 57 | Malik Nabers | Up 3 places, from 60 | 3 | 2.99 | 7.11 | 9.53 | 63.2% | 19 | |
| 58 | Jameson Williams | Down 7 places, from 51 | 3 | 2.98 | 6.95 | 13.51 | 58.8% | 17 | |
| 59 | Quentin Johnston | Up 11 places, from 70 | 3 | 2.98 | 5.96 | 10.59 | 35.3% | 17 | |
| 60 | Cooper Kupp | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.98 | 7.04 | 9.61 | 80.0% | 10 | |
| 61 | Ladd McConkey | Down 2 places, from 59 | 3 | 2.96 | 7.47 | 13.92 | 80.0% | 15 | |
| 62 | Mack Hollins | Back on this board | 3 | 2.95 | 6.14 | 12.62 | 75.0% | 16 | |
| 63 | Makai Lemon | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.95 | 7.14 | 6.51 | 77.8% | 9 | |
| 64 | Stefon Diggs | Up 4 places, from 68 | 3 | 2.93 | 7.10 | 8.92 | 59.1% | 22 | |
| 65 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | Down 24 places, from 41 | 3 | 2.91 | 6.39 | 7.90 | 65.7% | 35 | |
| 66 | Dyami Brown | Down 33 places, from 33 | 3 | 2.91 | 6.12 | 15.05 | 44.4% | 9 | |
| 67 | Michael Wilson | Down 50 places, from 17 | 3 | 2.90 | 6.69 | 9.54 | 58.1% | 31 | |
| 68 | Terry McLaurin | Down 40 places, from 28 | 3 | 2.88 | 4.89 | 13.06 | 45.5% | 22 | |
| 69 | DJ Moore | Down 20 places, from 49 | 3 | 2.88 | 7.12 | 15.84 | 61.1% | 18 | |
| 70 | Justin Jefferson | Down 33 places, from 37 | 3 | 2.88 | 4.53 | 11.59 | 76.5% | 17 | |
| 71 | Greg Dulcich | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.88 | 5.80 | 6.09 | 75.0% | 12 | |
| 72 | Wan'Dale Robinson | Back on this board | 3 | 2.86 | 6.05 | 5.06 | 72.2% | 18 | |
| 73 | Rashid Shaheed | Down 34 places, from 39 | 3 | 2.86 | 9.29 | 8.28 | 50.0% | 12 | |
| 74 | Carnell Tate | Down 11 places, from 63 | 3 | 2.82 | 5.42 | 10.16 | 65.0% | 20 | |
| 75 | Roman Wilson | Down 51 places, from 24 | 3 | 2.82 | 6.28 | 12.61 | 61.1% | 18 | |
| 76 | Terrance Ferguson | Down 30 places, from 46 | 3 | 2.82 | 7.11 | 6.58 | 58.3% | 12 | |
| 77 | Zay Flowers | Back on this board | 3 | 2.82 | 3.88 | 11.02 | 83.3% | 12 | |
| 78 | Dallas Goedert | Back on this board | 3 | 2.79 | 3.58 | 6.64 | 62.5% | 8 | |
| 79 | Jalen Coker | Down 29 places, from 50 | 3 | 2.78 | 5.95 | 11.48 | 81.8% | 22 | |
| 80 | Jordan Addison | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.77 | 5.19 | 14.84 | 43.8% | 16 | |
| 81 | Trey McBride | Down 5 places, from 76 | 3 | 2.74 | 5.17 | 6.25 | 76.5% | 34 | |
| 82 | DeVonta Smith | Down 26 places, from 56 | 3 | 2.72 | 5.55 | 12.51 | 70.4% | 27 | |
| 83 | Adonai Mitchell | Down 29 places, from 54 | 3 | 2.69 | 8.54 | 15.82 | 60.0% | 15 | |
| 84 | Bryce Lance | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.69 | 8.02 | 13.10 | 50.0% | 8 | |
| 85 | Brian Thomas Jr. | Down 10 places, from 75 | 3 | 2.68 | 6.60 | 13.49 | 53.8% | 13 | |
| 86 | Luther Burden III | Down 31 places, from 55 | 3 | 2.67 | 8.09 | 7.28 | 65.2% | 23 | |
| 87 | Michael Pittman | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.66 | 6.63 | 8.46 | 62.5% | 8 | |
| 88 | Courtland Sutton | Down 54 places, from 34 | 3 | 2.65 | 4.53 | 11.17 | 50.0% | 16 | |
| 89 | Tommy Tremble | Back on this board | 3 | 2.64 | 6.22 | 5.95 | 63.6% | 11 | |
| 90 | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Down 42 places, from 48 | 3 | 2.62 | 5.47 | 10.44 | 75.0% | 36 | |
| 91 | Konata Mumpfield | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.62 | 8.08 | 15.42 | 45.5% | 11 | |
| 92 | Ja'Marr Chase | Down 21 places, from 71 | 3 | 2.61 | 7.40 | 8.95 | 72.0% | 25 | |
| 93 | Dontayvion Wicks | Down 41 places, from 52 | 3 | 2.60 | 5.82 | 14.80 | 60.0% | 15 | |
| 94 | Matthew Golden | Down 52 places, from 42 | 3 | 2.59 | 6.11 | 14.65 | 50.0% | 30 | |
| 95 | Tyler Higbee | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.59 | 6.48 | 6.49 | 76.9% | 13 | |
| 96 | Denzel Boston | Down 23 places, from 73 | 3 | 2.56 | 6.45 | 16.20 | 60.0% | 15 | |
| 97 | Isaiah Williams | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.56 | 6.06 | 3.94 | 88.9% | 9 | |
| 98 | Tetairoa McMillan | Down 41 places, from 57 | 3 | 2.55 | 5.20 | 13.50 | 52.2% | 23 | |
| 99 | Davante Adams | Down 37 places, from 62 | 3 | 2.54 | 5.48 | 15.81 | 62.1% | 29 | |
| 100 | Jared Wayne | Down 57 places, from 43 | 3 | 2.53 | 5.21 | 15.06 | 33.3% | 12 | |
| 101 | Brenton Strange | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.52 | 6.45 | 7.98 | 70.0% | 10 | |
| 102 | Darnell Washington | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.52 | 6.57 | 2.99 | 75.0% | 8 | |
| 103 | Josh Downs | Down 45 places, from 58 | 3 | 2.49 | 6.15 | 11.19 | 58.3% | 24 | |
| 104 | George Pickens | Down 35 places, from 69 | 3 | 2.48 | 5.01 | 10.41 | 64.0% | 25 | |
| 105 | Isaiah Likely | Down 33 places, from 72 | 3 | 2.45 | 4.75 | 5.98 | 65.2% | 23 | |
| 106 | Tee Higgins | Down 42 places, from 64 | 3 | 2.42 | 6.61 | 13.23 | 60.9% | 23 | |
| 107 | Ryan Flournoy | Down 80 places, from 27 | 3 | 2.39 | 5.62 | 7.46 | 50.0% | 18 | |
| 108 | Tre Tucker | Down 29 places, from 79 | 3 | 2.38 | 6.17 | 14.28 | 73.3% | 15 | |
| 109 | Brock Bowers | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.38 | 6.40 | 8.60 | 76.9% | 13 | |
| 110 | Jahan Dotson | Down 44 places, from 66 | 3 | 2.37 | 6.75 | 13.44 | 36.4% | 11 | |
| 111 | Xavier Hutchinson | Down 66 places, from 45 | 3 | 2.36 | 4.95 | 13.94 | 42.9% | 21 | |
| 112 | Garrett Wilson | Down 45 places, from 67 | 3 | 2.34 | 4.13 | 10.36 | 77.8% | 27 | |
| 113 | DK Metcalf | Down 36 places, from 77 | 3 | 2.32 | 3.99 | 12.99 | 45.8% | 24 | |
| 114 | Keenan Allen | Down 32 places, from 82 | 3 | 2.31 | 5.58 | 6.17 | 65.0% | 20 | |
| 115 | Christian Watson | Down 34 places, from 81 | 3 | 2.26 | 6.69 | 10.89 | 58.6% | 29 | |
| 116 | Elic Ayomanor | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.25 | 4.45 | 11.87 | 44.4% | 9 | |
| 117 | Devaughn Vele | Down 52 places, from 65 | 3 | 2.24 | 6.11 | 10.55 | 68.2% | 22 | |
| 118 | Parker Washington | Down 44 places, from 74 | 3 | 2.22 | 6.46 | 13.86 | 65.2% | 23 | |
| 119 | Kayshon Boutte | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.18 | 5.78 | 12.86 | 66.7% | 9 | |
| 120 | Malachi Fields | Down 37 places, from 83 | 3 | 2.07 | 5.42 | 16.54 | 50.0% | 12 | |
| 121 | Chris Bell | First appearance on this board | 3 | 2.02 | 4.68 | 16.92 | 50.0% | 10 | |
| 122 | Germie Bernard | Down 42 places, from 80 | 3 | 1.95 | 4.78 | 8.58 | 55.6% | 9 | |
| 123 | Ted Hurst III | Down 39 places, from 84 | 3 | 1.92 | 4.20 | 19.84 | 46.2% | 13 | |
| 124 | Marvin Harrison Jr. | First appearance on this board | 3 | 1.91 | 7.40 | 16.98 | 44.4% | 9 | |
| 125 | Mike Evans | Down 47 places, from 78 | 3 | 1.79 | 5.60 | 11.37 | 75.0% | 16 | |
| 126 | Puka Nacua | Down 41 places, from 85 | 3 | 1.62 | 5.22 | 11.96 | 55.6% | 9 | |
| 127 | Rome Odunze | First appearance on this board | 3 | 1.53 | 7.58 | 17.22 | 61.5% | 13 | |
| 128 | Nico Collins | Down 42 places, from 86 | 3 | 1.11 | 4.04 | 12.62 | 70.0% | 10 |
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.
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Follow Receiver Separation and Cushion. When this board moves, you'll know — what changed, week over week.
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