FTN Fantasy Stat of the Day: DYAR with QB out of the Pocket

Our FTN Fantasy tools and stats provide so much detail and insight on players. The release of our FTN StatsHub provides subscribers with the most powerful NFL insights available. When making preseason draft decisions or facing in-season start/sit dilemmas, having access to our robust database is a huge advantage over your competition. Each week will provide a deep dive into one of our core stats here at FTN Fantasy and highlights the strengths or weaknesses of certain players. 

DYAR With Quarterback Out of the Pocket

Mark Twain is credited with saying “Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.” In the NFL, teams communicate with actions much more than words. Because of their existence in the public sector, coaches are often incentivized to lie or “misspeak.” The one position that touches the ball on every single possession is the quarterback. The quarterback makes an objective decision who will receive the ball on every passing play. When under pressure, the quarterback will scramble and need to freelance outside of the planned play. It is at these moments that the signal callers will rely on their most trusted receivers. 

We are able to use StatsHub to identify which wide receivers and tight ends tallied the highest Defensive Yards Above Replacement when their quarterbacks moved out of the pocket last year. Here are my thoughts on each of the 10 players listed above: 

• Cole Kmet: Kmet enters his fifth season with Chicago and just posted career-highs in receptions (73) and receiving yards (719). The only variable here is the rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams and much more target competition. I project Kmet’s targets to drop significantly. 
• CeeDee Lamb: Lamb is a fantasy dream, seeing a massive team target share. With minimal target competition, it is not surprising to see the 26 targets and the second-best DYAR in these situations. 
• Brandon Aiyuk: Aiyuk should use StatsHub in his current contract negotiations with San Francisco. He posted the second-highest DYAR when Brock Purdy scrambled out of the pocket last season. 
• Ja’Marr Chase: Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow doesn’t extend plays as well as more mobile quarterbacks, but his 89 DYAR score underscores his incredible ability. 
• Gabe Davis: This was one certainly surprising, but Davis has always demonstrated a knack for getting open. While he disappointed in Buffalo last season, there will be opportunities for big plays in Jacksonville with quarterback Trevor Lawrence. 
• Brandin Cooks: Cooks also benefited from Dak Prescott’s ability to extend the play, posting the sixth-best DYAR. 
• Tank Dell: C.J. Stroud loved going to Dell when the play broke down, and his 12 targets in just 10 games produced the second-highest rate on this list. 
• Dontayvion Wicks: Wicks posted an eighth-best DYAR of 59, which is no surprise given Jordan Love’s out-of-pocket ability. 
• Adam Thielen: There are few receivers who know how to get open better than Adam Thielen. In a disappointing year for quarterback Bryce Young, Theilen’s greatness still shined through. 
• Noah Brown: Hard to see Brown recreating this performance, but his No. 10 DYAR finish bodes well for new Texans wideout, Stefon Diggs.