NFL Air Yards Tool, Week 7: Leaders of Week 6

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 6 Air Yards Leaders

Quarterback

Jacoby Brissett, Cleveland Browns

(492 air yards, fantasy QB21)

After a 2-1 start to begin the season, the Browns have lost three straight, including a Week 6 loss to the Bailey Zappe-led Patriots. Trailing most of the game, Cleveland was forced to get away from their traditional ground-and-pound attack. Rather than feeding the ball to Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, Brissett dropped back 45 times, completing 21 passes for a season-high 266 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. It was the first time the Browns attempted more than 35 passes all year. Although Brissett is only in consideration in deep or two-quarterback leagues, he has a favorable matchup against the Ravens in Week 7, who are allowing the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks (21.4). 

Runner-Up: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (352 air yards, QB20)
Season Leader: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (1,867 air yards, QB1)

Wide Receiver

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

(181 air yards, fantasy WR3)

Tyreek Hill continues to prove doubters wrong, leading the league in receiving yards (701) while catching passes from three different quarterbacks. With Tua Tagovailoa sidelined with a concussion for a second straight week, the Dolphins turned toward seventh-round rookie Skylar Thompson as the starter in Week 6. Thompson filled in admirably for Teddy Bridgewater in Week 5 after Bridgewater was ruled out with an elbow and head injury. Unfortunately, the quarterback injuries continued to mount for Dolphins as Thompson left mid-game with a hand injury. Despite catching passes from two different quarterbacks Sunday, Hill continued to produce, catching 12 passes on 15 targets and 177 receiving yards. He will likely get Tagovailoa back next week and gets to face a Steelers defense allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers (44.9).  

Runner-Up: Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers (155 air yards, WR12)
Season Leader: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (744 air yards, WR24)

Tight End

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

(152 air yards, fantasy TE2)

Mark Andrews was the lone bright spot for the Ravens, who struggled to find their rhythm on offense, falling 20-24 against the Giants. Andrews saw double-digit targets for the fourth time this season (11), catching seven passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. One year removed from a TE1 overall finish, Andrews currently leads all tight ends in targets (57) and is tied with Travis Kelce for first in receiving yards (455). Andrews and Kelce continue their dominance over the tight-end landscape, providing a significant positional advantage. 

Runner-Up: Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals (117 air yards, TE3)
Season Leader: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (630 air yards, TE2)

Running Back

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

(14 air yards, fantasy RB10)

Since returning from a ribs injury that kept him out in Week 4, Alvin Kamara has finally looked like himself. With Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry out in Week 6, Kamara became a focal point of the Saints passing attack seeing a team-high nine targets for six catches and 25 receiving yards. He fell just shy of 100 yards rushing, carrying the ball 19 times for 99 yards. With Andy Dalton under center, Kamara has finished as a top-10 running back in back-to-back weeks. Although Jameis Winston is listed as questionable, Dalton will likely draw his fourth consecutive start against the Cardinals Thursday night.

Runner-Up: J.D. McKissic, Washington Commanders (12 air yards, RB52)
Season Leader: Breece Hall, New York Jets (147 air yards, RB6)