This is the NFL Air Yards Report Week 10! Find out which players led the week in Air Yards and how YOU should use Air Yards when determining your fantasy lineups.
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 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. The only top-six WR not in the top five in Air Yards was CeeDee Lamb: he finished No. 9.
Air Yards Standouts Who Shined in Week 9
Nathaniel “Tank” Dell | Houston Texans – 222 Air Yards (2nd Overall)
Tank Dell saw 11 targets in the Texans’ shoot out against the Buccaneers, posting 114 receiving yards and two touchdowns. This was the third time this season Dell scored more than 20 fantasy points. While the rookie has been inconsistent at times this season, he is tethered to fellow rookie C.J. Stroud who is set to smash NFL passing records for rookies. Dell remains a solid WR3 with the ability to flash WR1 spike weeks.
Tee Higgins | Cincinnati Bengals – 134 Air Yards (16th Overall)
Tee Higgins has disappointed thus far this season as the WR52 overall in total fantasy points. However, he appears to have finally gotten on the same page with a healthy Joe Burrow. Last week, Higgins caught eight of nine targets for 110 receiving yards.
With Ja’Marr Chase ailing with a back injury, look for the targets to consolidate in favor of Higgins. Higgins remains a boom/bust WR2 with a slightly higher floor with Chase on the mend.
CeeDee Lamb | Dallas Cowboys – 234 Air Yards (1st Overall)
We discussed CeeDee Lamb last week and why he is a buy high. The Cowboys schedule continues to open up. Having finished as a top 12 WR in fantasy points the past three weeks, there is no end in sight to Lamb’s dominance. Lamb is a top 2 WR for the rest of the season.
Players Who Disappointed but will Bounce Back
Cooper Kupp | Los Angeles Rams – 131Air Yards (7th Overall)
Matthew Stafford‘s injury has torpedoed Cooper Kupp‘s ability to produce fantasy points. After returning from IR and posting two consecutive top 12 wide receiver finishes, Kupp hasn’t scored more than seven fantasy points in a single week since Week 6. The opportunity remains there for Kupp who has seen at least seven targets the past three weeks. Kupp is best viewed as a WR2 while Stafford is out.
Jaylen Waddle | Miami Dolphins – 98 Air Yards (6th Overall)
Jaylen Waddle Year 3 campaign has been plagued by injuries. However, he has been able to gut it out most weeks with modest fantasy production relative to his pre-season ADP. A knee injury forced Waddle to miss time in Week 9 which led to a disappointing 8.4 fantasy point finish.
With the Dolphins on Bye in Week 10, look for Waddle to rest up, get healthy, and return to WR2 status for the rest of the season.
Rashod Bateman | Baltimore Ravens – 108 Air Yards (13th Overall)
Rashod Bateman is an interesting player to keep on your watch list after posting a season high 108 Air Yards in Week 9. He seems to still be recovering from last season’s LisFranc injury at times. He is now one full year removed from that injury and things could be opening up for him in the Ravens offense. With some plus matchups during the fantasy playoffs, Bateman could come on at the right time of the year to win someone a fantasy championship.
