This is the Air Yards Report Week 2! Find out which players led Week 1 in Air Yards and how YOU should use Air Yards when setting your fantasy lineups.
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What are Air Yards?
Air Yards measure how many yards the football travels past the line of scrimmage on a passing play. Some Air Yards have completed passes, and some are incomplete passes. They are not a perfect measurement of future fantasy success but a tool that we can utilize to help us make lineup decisions. In 2023, the Air Yards receiving leaders were Mike Evans, DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams, A.J. Brown, and Tyreek Hill. All five players, save for Hopkins, finished inside the top 10 in fantasy points on the season. In 2022, the Air Yards receiving leaders were Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, and Stefon Diggs. All five players finished within the top six scorers at the WR position.
This season we will parse through the Air Yards Metric to help identify players who you should prioritize as starters in your fantasy lineups, players who disappointed but are likely to bounce back based on their Air Yards, and players you should feel free to fade despite voluminous Air Yards.
Air Yards Standouts that Shined in Week 1
Jameson Williams | Detroit Lions – 127 Air Yards (6th Overall)
The preseason coach speak came to fruition in week one as Jameson Williams led the Lions with nine targets and 121 receiving yards. He finished as the WR5 on the week scoring 24.4 fantasy points. While Williams will cede some targets to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta moving forward, he is the Lions Air Yards top dog as he saw a 14.1 average target distance (No. 20) and a 67.9-percent Air Yards Share. Put him into your flex with confidence.
Nico Collins | Houston Texans – 124 Air Yards (7th Overall)
Nico Collins left off where he ended last season as C.J. Stroud‘s go to receiver. Despite the addition of Stefon Diggs and the return of a heathy Tank Dell, Collins led the Texans with 117 yards receiving and eight targets. However, he was essentially the Air Yards 1A to Tank Dell’s 1B as he only saw 12 more Air Yards than Dell. Collins should continue to see this type of opportunity in the Houston offense. However, the players who scores the fantasy points can easily flip flop between him and Dell if the duo’s Air Yards remain similar.
Players Who Disappointed But Will Bounce Back
Amari Cooper | Cleveland Browns – 170 Air Yards (1st Overall)
Amari Cooper finished with only 3.6 fantasy points in his first game back in Dallas after the Browns acquired him from the Cowboys to be Deshaun Watsons‘ go-to receiver. Unfortunately, Cooper has had difficulty connecting with Watson thus far, and this game was no different as Cooper now leads the league with 159 Unrealized Air Yards.
But even if trouble persists, 170 Air Yards is just too much opportunity to not be fantasy relevant. Cooper was just inches away from hauling in a long touchdown last week. Look for him to rebound against the Jaguars this week.
Calvin Ridley | Tennessee Titans – 160 Air Yards (3rd Overall)
Calvin Ridley‘s debut with the Titans was forgettable. Despite seeing seven targets and 160 Air Yards he scored only eight fantasy points. However, he saw a 71.1-percent Air Yards Share (no. 2) and an average target distance of 22.9 yards (no. 3). While DeAndre Hopkins will likely eat into this opportunity as he regains health, a Will Levis yolo ball is bound to connect at some point for Ridley. When it does, you are going to want him in your lineup.
Air Yards Player to Fade
Alec Pierce | Indianapolis Colts – 119 Air Yards (9th Overall)
Alec Pierce saw only three targets but finished with 119 Air Yards and 21.5 fantasy points. About 60 of those Air Yards came on this bomb from Anthony Richardson.
With limited targets and a questionable role in the Colts passing offense, Pierce is a player that is best left on the waiver wire as opposed to inserted into a starting lineup despite his Week 1 fantasy success.
Tight End to Prioritize
Trey McBride | Arizona Cardinals – 75 Air Yards (2nd Overall)
Trey McBride underachieved last week, scoring only eight fantasy points despite seeing nine targets. He also saw 75 Air Yards, a mark second among all tight ends, and leads all tight ends with a 38.1-percent Air Yards Share. If you drafted McBride, his Air Yards metrics suggest that elite production is on the docket for this season.
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