Approximate value is one of those things that’s hard to quantify just like guessing the number of jellybeans in a jar or counting delegates in the Iowa caucus. But Pro Football Reference has used their metric for years to try to offer a value to every player, regardless of position, which is especially helpful for linemen who can be difficult to measure.
Here’s how the website defines the stat.
“Essentially, AV is a substitute for — and a significant improvement upon, in my opinion — metrics like ‘number of seasons as a starter’ or ‘number of times making the pro bowl’ or the like.