NFL Air Yards Tool, Week 6: Leaders of Week 5

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 inductive 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.

Week 5 Air Yards Leaders

Quarterback

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

(463 air yards, fantasy QB1

After a 3-1 start to begin the season, the Jaguars have lost two straight, most recently being upset at home against the Texans. It was the Texans’ first win of the season and an abysmal showing by the entire Jaguars’ offense. Trevor Lawrence struggled as a passer, completing 25 of 47 attempts for 286 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. Over the past two weeks, Lawrence has turned the ball over seven times and found the endzone twice. Next week he gets a divisional rematch against the Colts. The last time Lawrence faced the Colts, he threw for 255 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Runner-Up: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (420 air yards, QB1)
Season Leader: Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders (1,390 air yards, QB8)

Wide Receiver

Gabe Davis, Buffalo Bills

(159 air yards, fantasy WR1)

In the inaugural game of the 2022 season, Gabe Davis put on a show in prime time, catching four passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. He missed the second week dealing with an ankle injury and hadn’t looked the same since until Week 5. In Weeks 3-4, Davis caught four total passes for 51 yards and no touchdowns. Heading into las week, Davis logged his first full week of practice since Week 1, finally looking healthy. He made his preseason felt on the opening drive, torching the Steelers’ secondary for a 98-yard touchdown. He was targeted six times for a league-high 171 air yards and caught three of them for 171 yards and two touchdowns. All eyes will be on Davis next week when he faces the Chiefs, who he lit up for 8-201-4 in the 2021 postseason.  

Runner-Up: Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers (155 air yards, WR36)
Season Leader: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (744 air yards, WR14)

Tight End

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars

(116 air yards, fantasy TE7)

Evan Engram had his best game as a Jaguar in Week 5, leading all tight ends in air yards (116). Engram saw double-digit targets for the first time this season (10), catching six passes for a very nice 69 receiving yards. It was his first top-10 finish but his underlying usage bode well for his rest-of-season outlook. He faces the Colts next week, who are 11th in FTN’s Fantasy Points Against Tool to tight ends and have allowed TE to score in two of the last three weeks.   

Runner-Up: Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals (98 air yards, TE10)
Season Leader: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (478 air yards, TE2)

Running Back

Justin Jackson, Detroit Lions

(30 air yards, fantasy RB70)

With D’Andre Swift sidelined for a second consecutive week, former Charger running back Justin Jackson was elevated from the practice squad and made the active roster in Week 5. He split backfield reps with Jamaal Williams and Craig Reynolds and handled three carries for 14 yards. Unfortunately, Jackson failed to reel in his lone target, which traveled 30 air yards and ranked him first among all running backs on the week. He will likely go back to the practice squad once Swift returns after the Lions’ Week 6 bye.

Runner-Up: Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (29 air yards, RB42)
Season Leader: Breece Hall, New York Jets (153 air yards, RB9)