NFL Air Yards Report For Fantasy Football Week 9

There’s perhaps nothing more tilting in fantasy football than unrealized air yards, but they do help paint a picture. Every Wednesday here at Fantasy Life I’ll be highlighting some pass catchers who stood out in the air yards department for the given week.

Let’s take a look at what happened last week.

NFL Air Yards Report For Week 9 in Fantasy Football

Adonai Mitchell | WR | New York Jets

Week 8 air yards: 222 (2nd)

Mitchell returned from a four-game absence back in Week 7, but failed to haul in any of his three targets. He was in a somewhat limited role, however, logging just 55% of the routes. But this past weekend, Mitchell showcased the upside he’s flashed at times during his career, catching seven passes for a career-high 142 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell’s route share climbed up to 74% in this game, the same as rookie wideout Omar Cooper.

Always a very dangerous vertical player, Mitchell recorded 222 air yards this week, the second-most in the league. He ran go routes a whopping 34.6% of the time on Sunday, which usually leads to a boom/bust fantasy option. And going forward, that’s likely how you should project Mitchell. But he does play with a quarterback who will attack down the field, as 13.6% of Geno Smith’s pass attempts have traveled 20-plus yards, the ninth-highest rate in football.

Jordan Addison | WR | Minnesota Vikings

Week 8 air yards: 173 (5th)

A 51-yard catch made up most of Addison’s day, who only caught three of his eight targets from Kyler Murray. His 173 air yards were the fifth-most in football this past weekend, as Addison continues to mostly run post and go routes in this offense. That’s especially troublesome in a passing offense that lacks any sort of rhythm right now. Murray will hold onto the ball forever, looking for that explosive play, as 14.3% of his pass attempts have traveled 20-plus yards (7th), but there haven't been many layup looks for Addison, especially with Justin Jefferson on the field.

Entering Week 9, Murray is dealing with an apparent hamstring injury that could impact his status for Monday’s game against the Bills. If he were to miss that game, Carson Wentz, who is also pretty aggressive, would draw the start. In four games with Carson Wentz under center last year, Addison averaged 7.5 targets, 5.3 receptions, 77.3 receiving yards and 16 PPR PPG.

Rashee Rice | WR | Kansas City Chiefs

Week 8 air yards: 27 (50th)

In his first game back from a three-week absence, Rice was busy, catching 7 of 8 targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. It shouldn't surprise anyone to see Rice rank 50th among all pass catchers in air yards on the week, as he returned to his low aDOT role (2.4 yards). Against Denver’s man-heavy defense, the Chiefs deployed Rice on a ton of crossing routes and screens, as the two made up eight of his 27 routes on the day (30%). Rice easily led the team with a 26% TPRR and although he only ran 61% of the routes, the Chiefs stated after the game that it was planned and he’ll ramp up in Week 9.