Air yards are the total yards the QB threw the ball in the air toward the wide receiver. Why is this important? It helps us differentiate targets, weighing targets deeper downfield heavier than shorter throws. Since yards are a fantasy football stat, having players who need only to catch the ball to accumulate the most yards is a tried and true strategy.

Everyone is trying to gain an edge on their league. Therefore, it is advantageous to know which players are garnering the opportunities to have monster weeks before they put it all together. Every week, we will give you the top receivers (not just WR, but RB & TE too) according to air yards for every NFL team. Additionally, we will provide an evaluation of those numbers and what fantasy football actions are warranted.

**only players with >40 Air Yards for the week are listed below**

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Arizona Cardinals

Evaluation: Green is still widely available in fantasy leagues and that makes zero sense. He’s cemented a weekly diet of targets from Kyler worthy of FLEX consideration. Scoop him up now.

Atlanta Falcons

Evaluation: Bye weeks are the Pitts.

Baltimore Ravens

Evaluation: Air Yards Analysis remains in wait-and-see mode on rookie Rashod Bateman. He’s a reasonable stash in most formats, but nowhere near the FLEX pool yet.

Buffalo Bills

Evaluation: Sanders established himself as Josh Allen’s playmaker prior to Week 6, but any doubters were dismantled after his performance versus Tennessee. He’s the premier late-round fantasy steal at WR in 2021.

Carolina Panthers

Evaluation: More Moore, please. Thank you.

Cincinnati Bengals

Evaluation: These are not your daddy’s Bengals. Burrow to Chase is unstoppable every week, it is getting out of hand. Ja’Marr Chase’s 2021 will forever wreck pre-season fantasy football analysis–as it should.

Chicago Bears

Evaluation: No clue what to make of Allen Robinson’s robust air yards this week. He hasn’t turned the opportunity into fantasy points. Perhaps it is a sign of a turnaround?

Cleveland Browns

Evaluation: As we wait for news on Baker Mayfield, the Cleveland WR situation can be described in one word–yuck.

Dallas Cowboys

Evaluation: Blake Jarwin may vultured the TD, but Dalton Schultz was again contributing for fantasy teams. Of course, if you are looking for the monster weeks, Amari and CeeDee are the options.

Denver Broncos

Evaluation: If it weren’t for Ja’Marr Chase, Courtland Sutton would be this season’s draft steal. Just, wow.

Detroit Lions

Evaluation: Welcome back T.J.! Whoever found him, thank you. Sincerely, Hock’s Homeys.

Green Bay Packers

Evaluation: The one-man show continues in Wisconsin.

Houston Texans

Evaluation: Air Yards Analysis has screamed Brandin Cooks and no one else, but rookie Nico Collins’ usage is something to monitor over the next few games.

Indianapolis Colts

Evaluation: T.Y. Hilton sighting! There’s a chance considering Campbell’s injury that Hilton could have some FLEX appeal during the byes. Although, use caution.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Evaluation: Air Yards Analysis sensed this Marvin Jones explosion coming. With D.J. Chark on IR, the Jags will continue to deploy Jones as their WR1, sorry Laviska managers.

Kansas City Chiefs

Evaluation: Each week it’s the same thing: Kelce and Hill and who knows.

Las Vegas Raiders

Evaluation: Ruggs is a one-trick pony, but his trick is Vegas strip worthy.

Los Angeles Chargers

Evaluation: Ho-hum. Just another superb performance from L.A. QB Justin Herbert.

Los Angeles Rams

Evaluation: This week was Kupp week, so Week 7 should belong to Bobby Trees. These two are fantasy locks.

Miami Dolphins

Evaluation: Finally, Miami put the ball in their playmaker’s hands around the goal. With Tua’s return, Jaylen Waddle was the star on offense. As they rekindle their connection, Waddle becomes a solid option for your team.

Minnesota Vikings

Evaluation: The biggest takeaway in this contest is Carolina’s pass coverage is pathetic. They must be targeted weekly by fantasy managers.

New England Patriots

Evaluation: Not listed, Hunter Henry caught another TD. He is Mac Jones’ top red-zone weapon. So deploy him wherever you are desperate at TE.

New Orleans Saints

Evaluation: At least fantasy managers didn’t have to guess which Jameis would show up in Week 6.

New York Giants

Evaluation:

New York Jets

Evaluation: Yea, we didn’t notice the Jets were off this week either.

Philadelphia Eagles

Evaluation: Jalen Hurts has struggled to pass in chunks, and it showed against Tampa. The Eagles haven’t been explosive through the air, but Quez Watkins is dynamic in their screen pass system and could be a playable bye week WR in fantasy.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Evaluation: It doesn’t take much to enter TE viability territory. Freiermuth’s seven catches will do the trick.

Seattle Seahawks

Evaluation: Oh no. Metcalf and Lockett were destined to take a fantasy hit without Russell Wilson, but this performance by Geno Smith is terrifying.

San Francisco 49ers

Evaluation: Hopefully Kyle Shanahan watched the tape of Trey Lance all week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Evaluation: Start every Tom Brady pass-catcher, every week. Oh, and Antonio Brown is the WR1 in TB.

Tennessee Titans

Evaluation: A.J. Brown finally showed some signs of life, piecing together a fine second half. While Julio flashed his skillset downfield. If the Titans get healthy, look out.

Washington Football Team

Evaluation: Air Yards Analysis highlighted Seals-Jones as the waiver add for WAS, and he didn’t disappoint. As long as Logan Thomas is sidelined expect the TE to perform Top 12 at his position.

Air Yards are a beast to tackle each week, and I couldn’t put this together without the work of Dave Wright of Dynasty League Football. His weekly spreadsheet is incredible, and you should subscribe to his Patreon for a wealth of fantasy football content!

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Whether you’re new to fantasy football or a seasoned pro, our Fantasy Football 101: Strategy Tips & Advice page is for you. You can get started with How to Manage Early-Season Injury Problems or head to more advanced strategy — like How to Effectively Assess the Quality of Your Team — to learn more.

Aaron Pags is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Aaron, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyTriage.