Welcome to Week 3! This column is the second installment of Air Yard Analysis, and as a refresher, I’ll re-hash my explanation of air yards’ significance:

Fantasy football is a game of volume. Snaps, carries, targets, receptions, yards, red-zone looks — all of these reflect the opportunities a player receives in a game. While it’s up to the player to capitalize on their chances, a player’s efficiency tends to vary more than their opportunities.

Air yards are another volume stat that’s crucial to understanding a player’s value. Air yards measure the total distance that a thrown ball travels from the line of scrimmage to the player in question, and they help us to understand which targets are worth more than others.

For example, a wide receiver who earned six targets and eight air yards is far less valuable than one who earned four targets and 92 air yards, even if the second player failed to catch all of their looks. That’s because a best-possible six receptions for eight yards gives you only 6.8 PPR points, while four catches for 92 yards would let you 13.2 PPR points. That’s a higher ceiling, and the second player could even drop a pass and still out-perform the first player.

Each week, I’ll go read through and analyze every team’s air yards to give you my take. I’ll include every player with a target in my charts, and I’ll highlight which players are leading the league in each stat.

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Arizona Cardinals

 
Takeaways: Kirk was a rebound candidate for me with his impressive aDOT, and while he wasn’t great in Week 2, his two catches for 57 yards was an improvement … with Kirk injured, Isabella is in line for some more deep targets from Kyler Murray … Arnold inherited Maxx Williams’ looks now that he’s hurt, and he could be a viable streamer at tight end … Edmonds’ positive air yards show that the Cardinals are willing to use him as a receiver past the line of scrimmage, which boosts his value in PPR.

Atlanta Falcons

 
Takeaways: If Julio Jones misses any time, Ridley’s comparable aDOT makes him the likeliest to benefit … Hurst was another one of my rebound candidates based on air yards, and he delivered for those who started him in Week 2 … as a slot receiver, Gage needs YAC to return value on his limited target share …  of course the Falcons have two YTD air yard leaders with their high-volume passing offense.

Baltimore Ravens

 
Takeaways: Not a lot of air yards to go around in Baltimore this week … Brown is the only fantasy-relevant wide receiver in this offense, while Andrews is the only fantasy-relevant tight end … Duvernay had a much bigger role this week than in Week 1, and if he can keep things up, that may be something to monitor … Baltimore got Ingram involved beyond the line of scrimmage this week, but I doubt that’s part of a trend.

Buffalo Bills

 
Takeaways: I’m sticking with my assessment of Diggs and Brown as WR1A/WR1B in this offense … the high number of passing yards are related to the Bills’ absurd number of passing attempts — if Sean McDermott keeps this up, Diggs, Brown, and Beasley are all fantasy-viable options … Singletary didn’t get as much usage past the line of scrimmage this week as he did in Week 1, but at least he saw a target, unlike Zack Moss.

Carolina Panthers

 
Takeaways: Moore’s garbage-time usage should give him the low-end WR1 value that people drafted him for, and he’s still the clear-cut WR1 in this offense … Robby Anderson has inherited Curtis Samuel’s air yards from last year … that said, Samuel has a lot of value as a running back, especially now that Christian McCaffrey is out.

Chicago Bears

 
Takeaways: We’ve got an absurd number of names on this list … we’ve got an offensive tackle (Massie) with positive air yards … Robinson is the best receiver in this offense, and I’m not sure why Mitchell Trubisky isn’t throwing to him more frequently … Jimmy Graham is probably competing with too many other players for targets to be fantasy-relevant … the Bears are misusing Cohen and Patterson if they aren’t getting positive air yards.

Cincinnati Bengals

 
Takeaways: Green dominated this stat in the Bengals’ failed comeback attempt against the Browns — expect him to keep getting lots of deep looks as the Bengals struggle to stay in games … that said, he ended with fewer than 30 receiving yards in the game, so if he doesn’t make some more catches in Week 3, there will be some serious cause for concern … Boyd can still have great fantasy showings as a slot receiver despite his low number of air yards … if Sample inherits all of Uzomah’s looks, he might be the third-best option to roster in this offense … Mike Thomas severely caps both John Ross and Tee Higgins’ upside.

Cleveland Browns

 
Takeaways: Beckham has the most upside in this offense due to his deeper targets … that said, he needs that depth to hit value, as the Browns look like a run-first offense … special teamer KhaDarel Hodge has been surprisingly effective this year, and he already has 51 receiving yards … Landry will always depend on a) receptions and b) YAC, so in a run-first offense, he might not be as valuable … Hunt’s consistent usage past the line of scrimmage is part of what makes him such a valuable flex play … Austin Hooper is probably droppable in this offense.

Dallas Cowboys

 
Takeaways: This chart should help the Dalton Schultz truthers of the world calm down a little bit …  Cooper is clearly the WR1 in this offense, and he’s my preferred option to roster … but I still like Michael Gallup, and with his air yards, he’s a great buy-low candidate — he just needs to be more efficient and catch more Dak Prescott’s deeper looks … the Cowboys have not used their running backs past the line of scrimmage this year.

Denver Broncos

 
Takeaways: Hamler looks like a fantastic addition this week if you can still get him … despite leaving early, Sutton still did a good job at earning deep targets … with Sutton gone, Hamler and Tim Patrick seem the likeliest to get deeper looks … Jeudy will get used at all levels of the field, which will keep his aDOT low … Fant has an 82 percent catch rate, so if he can keep that up, he’ll continue to return fantasy value even on his relatively low share of air yards.

Detroit Lions

 
Takeaways: I am genuinely perplexed that Amendola, not Marvin Jones, is leading this list … because of how he’s been used so far, Amendola’s usage should take a big hit once Kenny Golladay returns, as deeper looks are his bread and butter … Matthew Stafford’s failed hail mary was logged as a target for Johnson, the only one that went his way, which explains his absurd aDOT … Cephus’ usage fell off massively against the Packers — credit Kevin King for shutting him down.

Green Bay Packers

 
Takeaways: Without Davante Adams, this receiving corps is close to the worst in the league (not the worst because, well, the New York Jets exist) … Jones’ usage past the line of scrimmage only increases his value, and he should see more passing-game involvement if Adams misses time — he’s a high-end RB1 for me now … behind Adams, MVS is the deep threat, while Lazard depends on YAC/volume … just drop Sternberger if you haven’t done so already.

Houston Texans

 
Takeaways: Will Fuller is such a headache to manage … if he misses time (which it doesn’t sound like he will, he was a full-go for Wednesday’s practice), Cooks will benefit most … David Johnson got some usage beyond the line of scrimmage this week … Randall Cobb will need volume to hit value in this offense, so he’s probably only viable if either Fuller or Cooks are out — drop him … starting a Texans tight end is playing the touchdown lottery.

Indianapolis Colts

 
Takeaways: I hope Hilton can start catching passes — he’s getting the looks needed to be a successful fantasy receiver, but he’s not putting up the yards … Alie-Cox looked great as Jack Doyle’s replacement, and he could find a role even if Doyle returns for Week 3 … Pittman and Pascal will see more volume after the Parris Campbell injury, but my money is on Pittman to be the better fantasy option — he could pop off against the Jets.

Jacksonville Jaguars

 
Takeaways: Okay, Eifert, I guess you’re not completely washed — but you’re still a touchdown-dependent streaming option at tight end … Chark hasn’t been great through two weeks, but he should rebound in Week 3 if he continues to get deep targets like these … there are a lot of mouths to feed at receiver here, but I’m interested to see if a) Keelan Cole can earn a bigger role and b) Laviska Shenault’s usage as a receiver and a runner will make him a viable flex option … Chris Thompson caught a touchdown, but he’s not getting enough volume for me — he’s droppable.

Kansas City Chiefs

 
Takeaways: Lots of air yards, but not many deep aDOTs — Patrick Mahomes loves to give his guys mid-range opportunities that let them make plays on their own … Hill and Kelce are obviously the best options to manage in this offense, but we knew that already … Mecole Hardman rebounded strongly after a low-usage Week 1, but only after Sammy Watkins went down with an injury … let’s wait and see if Watkins remains fantasy-viable after he recovers from the head-to-head hit he suffered.

Las Vegas Raiders

 
Takeaways: Derek Carr likes to spread the ball around, but Waller and Ruggs look like smart fantasy plays … Waller doesn’t get deep looks, but he amassed almost 100 air yards on a metric ton of targets (16) … meanwhile, Ruggs looks like the go-to deeper threat, although Carr has also been willing to look to Jones or Agholor for those plays … despite his baller end to 2019, Hunter Renfrow is droppable.

Los Angeles Chargers

 
Takeaways: Keenan Allen rebounded after a disappointing Week 1 with Justin Herbert under center, and I’m a lot more confident in him for as long as Herbert starts … Mike Williams continued to serve as a deep threat in this offense, and he’s a great boom-or-bust option each week … Henry is a solid TE1, but his deeper looks make him more valuable in standard than in PPR … whew, Austin Ekeler finally got used beyond the line of scrimmage this week.

Los Angeles Rams

 
Takeaways: The Rams have looked like a run-first offense, and it’s helping their play-action passes work … however, there aren’t a ton of air yards to go around here … Woods is the highest-volume option in this offense, while Tyler Higbee is a viable TE1, but he’s a bit touchdown-dependent … Cooper Kupp owners shouldn’t be that concerned about his air yards, as his value always came from his YAC — that said, his target share has decreased, so that’s concerning … Henderson isn’t getting consistently used beyond the line of scrimmage, so this 30-yard figure feels flukish.

Miami Dolphins

 
Takeaways: Tre’Davious White shut down Preston Williams in Week 2, so don’t expect these numbers to look like this in Week 3 … Gesicki basically plays wide receiver, and he’s got the most air yards in this offense to date … Isaiah Ford looks like the next man up behind Williams, so if anything happens to either Parker or Preston, he’ll be a great waiver-wire add.

Minnesota Vikings

 
Takeaways: In an ugly game for Minnesota, Thielen still posted a ton of air yards — he just couldn’t connect on most of them … Bisi Johnson and Justin Jefferson can’t really coexist in this offense, as one will make the other non-viable for fantasy purposes … neither Rudolph nor Smith are worth rostering at this point … the Vikings will need to turn things around offensively in Week 3 if they want to save their season.

New England Patriots

 
Takeaways: Edelman popped off in Week 2, and it looks like Cam Newton is back for good …  I was worried about the Patriots’ receivers, but as long as they aren’t in a run-heavy game script, they should be able to post strong fantasy numbers … Edelman is the best receiver to own here, obviously … Harry hasn’t seen the deeper looks that some expected him to get, but he’ll get enough volume in close games to be a decent WR/flex anyway … I want to see Damiere Byrd post numbers like this again before I add him, but he has definitely caught my attention.

New Orleans Saints

 
Takeaways: Sanders completely disappeared on Monday night, and his air yards reflect that … for as long as Michael Thomas is out, Tre’Quan Smith is a good bet to draw Drew Brees’ attention, and he should be a viable WR3 as a result … Jared Cook and Adam Trautman had the highest aDOTs in this offense as tight ends … honestly, I’m questioning Brees’ arm strength given the aDOTs.

New York Giants

 
Takeaways: With Sterling Shepard on IR, expect Golden Tate and Evan Engram to draw more short-yardage looks — they both make good adds or trade targets in PPR formats … Darius Slayton remains Daniel Jones’ primary mid-to-deep range threat, and he carries more value in standard-scoring leagues … Dion Lewis’ use past the line of scrimmage speaks to his value, but Devonta Freeman may inherit those looks instead.

New York Jets

 
Takeaways: You know things are bad for a team when Frank Gore has positive air yards … Darnold isn’t taking deep shots, as none of thee guys have double-digit aDOTs — does Adam Gase not trust him? … Breshad Perriman is now week-to-week, but Darnold and Gase weren’t using him correctly anyway — he should have a far higher aDOT than 5.1 … avoid taking players in this offense unless you have no other options.

Philadelphia Eagles

 
Takeaways: With Reagor sidelined, expect DeSean Jackson to have a monopoly on the deep looks … Goedert and Ertz look like great mid-range threats … I wouldn’t add J.J. Arcega-Whiteside in any format, but he could be a decent desperation play while Reagor is hurt … look for Ward to inherit the short-range looks that Reagor got in Week 2, but I still don’t think he’s fantasy-viable.

Pittsburgh Steelers

 
Takeaways: Week 1’s distribution of targets and air yards made it clear that Johnson was the WR1 in this offense; this week, the box score made that clear, too … I wrote that James Washington was the go-to deep threat last week, but it looks like he’ll have competition from Chase Claypool if he wants to keep that role … JuJu Smith-Schuster is a great volume play, but he depends on receptions and YAC to score fantasy points … Eric Ebron continues to have above-average air yard numbers for a tight end, but you can find better options for TE1 elsewhere.

San Francisco 49ers

 
Takeaways: Kendrick Bourne remained the WR1 in this offense despite the Mohamed Sanu signing and Brandon Aiyuk’s return … Jordan Reed earned a ton of looks without George Kittle, and he didn’t need lots of air yards to turn them into fantasy value … Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert, and Jerick McKinnon’s positive air yards are a good sign that McKinnon will get used beyond the line of scrimmage as the best back remaining … give Aiyuk another week before you cut him loose, as he might have needed a week to get adjusted.

Seattle Seahawks

 
Takeaways: Metcalf and Lockett have been two fantastic options at wide receiver this year — one gets deeper looks, while the other gets plenty of mid-range volume … that said, I’m expecting Seattle to pivot back to their run-heavy ways at some point, so you should consider selling high … Carson’s usage beyond the line of scrimmage demonstrates how far he’s come as a receiver … none of Seattle’s tight ends are worth rostering at this point.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 
Takeaways: Evans had a great Week 2, but his aDOT is a bit lower than I had anticipated — that said, it’s hard to go wrong with 10 targets … Justin Watson and Scotty Miller got the looks that Chris Godwin would’ve gotten … you can’t trust O.J. Howard or Rob Gronkowski for weekly production, and Gronk is droppable in all formats.

Tennessee Titans

 
Takeaways: With A.J. Brown down, Jonnu Smith becomes Tennessee’s YAC monster — he posted 84 yards on just 23 air yards … surprisingly, Corey Davis didn’t bust, and he looks like a viable starter while Brown is out … Humphries is a great high-volume option who will approach value in PPR formats … the Titans still aren’t a pass-heavy team, so don’t expect them to get four passing touchdowns every week.

Washington Football Team

 
Takeaways: Scary Terry is the deeper read, while Logan Thomas is the shorter read … Steven Sims saw a lot more usage in Week 2 than he did in Week 1 — his air yards swelled by over 500 percent, and seemingly at Dontrelle Inman’s expense … Washington still wants to make the Antonio Gibson experiment work, so look for him to get more involved beyond the line of scrimmage in the passing game.

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Isaiah Sirois is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Isaiah, check out his archive and follow him @is_sirois.