NFL Air Yards Tool, Week 17: Leaders of Week 16

Each week in this space, I’m going to take a trip through the FTN air yards tool to find some of the most interesting and actionable takeaways for fantasy football.

Air yards represent the distance the ball travels from the line of scrimmage to the intended target. Regardless of whether a pass was complete or incomplete, air yards measure the amount of ground covered from passer to pass-catcher. It does not account for the yards after catch on a completed pass. When calculating air yards, it’s important to keep in mind that not all air yards are created equal. An on-target throw is much more valuable than an uncatchable ball, even if the air yards are greater. Although air yards are not indicative of fantasy success, it’s a great way to calculate opportunity. The Weighted Opportunity Rating incorporates players’ share of team targets and the percentage of team air yards. Fantasy scoring is difficult to predict. However, opportunities are usually a stick stat and can translate to current and future output. Every week I will go position by position, highlighting the leaders in air yards. You can access the free air yards tool at FTN Fantasy.

Quarterback

Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

(435 air yards, fantasy QB22)

When it looked like things couldn’t get any worse for Denver, somehow they did, as the Broncos got blown out 51-14 by the Baker Mayfield-led Rams. Russell Wilson was in the spirit of giving on Christmas Day, tossing three interceptions to just one touchdown. Despite being pulled in the fourth quarter, Wilson threw for a league-high 435 air yards but completed just 15 passes for 214 yards. After being embarrassed on Nickelodeon, covered in slime, the Broncos fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett, unwilling to play out the rest of the season.

Runner-up: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (430 air yards, fantasy QB6)
Season leader: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (4,804 air yards, fantasy QB2)

Wide Receiver

Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots

(205 air yards, fantasy WR6)

After failing to log double-digit PPR points in a game all season, Kendrick Bourne erupted for 24.90 on Christmas Eve, finishing as the WR6 overall in Week 16. Bourne helped rejuvenate a struggling Patriots offense that almost made a comeback in the second half after trailing 22-0 against the Bengals. With DeVante Parker still in concussion protocol, Bourne saw a team-high nine targets, catching six of them for 100 yards and a touchdown. Bourne played on just 57% of offensive snaps despite seeing an uptick in usage. Parker has yet to practice as of Thursday, potentially making Bourne a flex option in championship week.

Runner-up: DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (152 air yards, fantasy WR3)
Season leader: Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (1,893 air yards, fantasy WR2)

Tight End

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

(135 air yards, fantasy TE1)

T.J. Hockenson continued his second-half surge since joining the Vikings, finishing as the TE1 overall in Week 16. He saw a career-high 16 targets, catching 13 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. It was his second game with 105-plus yards and two touchdowns this season, but first since joining Minnesota. With 35.90 PPR points, Hockenson passed Mark Andrews and is currently the TE2 on the season. 

Runner-up: Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos (89 air yards, fantasy TE7)
Season leader: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (1,038 air yards, fantasy TE3)

Running Back

D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions

(38 air yards, fantasy RB56)

Despite being left off the injury report in Week 17, D’Andre Swift handled just five touches for 25 yards and no touchdowns. He did, however, see five targets, third most on the team, but only hauled in one pass for 13 yards. On a positive note, Swift logged 56% of offensive snaps, which was his highest mark since Week 1. His uptick in playing time coincided with Jamaal Williams sitting out of the fourth quarter with a leg injury but could carry over in Week 17. Next week, Swift has an enticing matchup, facing a Bears team that has given up the second most touchdowns to running backs (18) while allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing backfields (26.2 PPR points).

Runner-up: Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys (34 air yards, fantasy RB16)
Season leader: Breece Hall, New York Jets (147 air yards, fantasy RB39)