Do yards after catch count for fantasy points?
Yes. Fantasy scoring is based on total receiving yards, so any yards gained after the catch count the same as yards gained in the air.
Yards After Catch
Yards after catch (YAC) is the yardage a receiver gains after the ball is caught, showing how much extra work he does once the ball is in his hands.
Yards after catch measures what a pass catcher does after the reception. The count starts at the spot of the catch and includes every yard the player gains from that point until the play ends. A wide receiver who catches a short pass at the line of scrimmage and weaves 20 yards downfield gets 20 yards after catch on that play.
In fantasy football, yards after catch matters because it turns small gains into big ones. Receivers with strong YAC skills can make a quarterback's short throws count for much more, which means more total yards and more fantasy points. Players like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle have built fantasy value largely on their ability to break tackles and pile up yards after the ball arrives.
YAC also helps fantasy managers judge how much of a player's production is his own doing versus the scheme. A receiver who gets most of his yards before the catch may be benefiting from play design or a quarterback who throws deep, while a high-YAC receiver creates extra value no matter where he catches the ball.
Common questions
Which positions usually rack up the most yards after catch?
Slot receivers and tight ends often lead in YAC because they catch short passes over the middle where they have room to run after making the grab.
Related terms
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