What is Air Yards Share? (Fantasy Football)

The most avid consumers of advanced football stats instantly recognize terms such as YPA, DVOA, aDOT and YAC. To other football fans, this hodgepodge of acronyms is unrecognizable. You don’t need to know all the advanced stats in order to enjoy football, but if you want a greater understanding of a complicated game in which 22 players are trying to perform their unique assignments on every play, advanced stats can help bring order to the chaos.

If you want to learn more about advanced football stats and further enhance your enjoyment of the world’s greatest sport, we’ve got you covered. This glossary explains some terms that might be second nature to the nerdiest of the football nerds but might not be familiar to other fans. Let’s take a closer look at Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA).

Learn more with our Fantasy Football Deep Stat Analysis Glossary & Guide

How to Use Air Yards Share in Fantasy Football

Using advanced metrics to gain an edge in player evaluation and decision-making is the key to taking the next step as a fantasy football manager. One such metric is Air Yard Share, which provides valuable insights into a receiver’s potential for fantasy production. Let’s explore what Air Yard Share is and why it is an essential resource for fantasy football managers.

What is Air Yard Share?

Air Yards are the total distance, measured in yards, that the football travels through the air from the line of scrimmage to the target on all pass attempts to a specific player. In simple terms, it quantifies how far downfield a player is targeted by the quarterback. Air Yard Share, on the other hand, represents the percentage of a team’s total Air Yards that are attributed to a specific player.

Why is Air Yard Share important for fantasy football managers?

Identifying potential breakouts and sleepers

Air Yard Share is a useful tool for identifying players who may be on the verge of a breakout season or could be considered as sleepers. A high Air Yard Share indicates that a player is receiving a significant portion of his team’s downfield targets, which can lead to more significant yardage gains and touchdown opportunities. By monitoring Air Yard Share, fantasy managers can identify players who are being heavily targeted but may not have translated those opportunities into fantasy points yet, making them potential breakout candidates or undervalued assets.

Assessing player roles and target distribution

By examining a player’s Air Yard Share, fantasy managers can better understand a player’s role in a team’s passing game and how the target distribution might impact fantasy production. For example, a high Air Yard Share indicates that a player is a primary downfield threat in his team’s offense, while a low Air Yard Share may signal a more limited role or a focus on shorter, less valuable targets.

Evaluating consistency and volatility

Air Yard Share can also help fantasy managers evaluate the consistency and volatility of a player’s production. A player with a high Air Yard Share may have a higher ceiling due to his potential for explosive plays, but he could also have a lower floor due to the inherent risk of relying on deep targets. Conversely, a player with a low Air Yard Share may offer more consistent production but have a limited ceiling.

Analyzing player efficiency

In combination with other metrics such as catch rate and yards per target, Air Yard Share can help fantasy managers assess a player’s efficiency. If a player has a high Air Yard Share but low efficiency, it could be an indication that he is struggling to convert his opportunities into production. Conversely, a player with a high efficiency but low Air Yard Share might be due for an increase in workload, which could boost his fantasy value.

Air Yard Share is a valuable resource for fantasy football managers, providing insights into potential breakouts, player roles, consistency and efficiency. By incorporating Air Yard Share into your player analysis, you can make more informed decisions and gain a competitive advantage in your fantasy league.