NFL Snap Counts Breakdown: Week 3

We are through three weeks now which finally gives us a big enough sample size to at least identify a few trends.  We won’t go into a full breakdown like the past couple weeks because, by and large, we now know what to expect from these teams.  What we will do, of course, is provide you with the snap info as well as some important points in terms of what we saw and what to look for moving forward.  

49ers 

• Last week we said to watch George Kittle to see how much he pass blocked.  The good news is he played 100% of snaps this week. The bad news is he pass blocked on 30% of his pass snaps.  This is alarming usage as they won’t be running 79 offensive snaps each week.

• Wide receiver is still up in the air.  We still like Deebo best out of the group.

• Jeff Wilson seems to have emerged as the short yardage back – he currently leads the league in red zone rushes and rushes from inside the five.  It will be interesting to see what happened with the return of Tevin Coleman after the bye week – if Wilson doesn’t get sent back to the practice squad and continues to vulture touchdowns, this could become an even worse than it is now.

Bears

• Tarik Cohen “started” but David Montgomery dominated both the snaps and the carries.  Fantasy Twitter has been pounding the able for more Montgomery touches but no reason to run him into the ground in a game that was out of hand.  The good news is Mike Davis seems to be out of the picture.

• Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel continue to dominate snaps while Anthony Miller remains invisible.  The Bears opted to throw in the red zone in what felt like a confident booster for Mitchell Trubisky .

• Trey Burton played 60% of snaps and he only pass blocked on one snap so, if he’s still out there and you are hurting at TE, there are worse options.

Bengals

• If you look closely you’ll notice a name is completely removed from this list – Damion Willis.  After two inconsequential weeks he was demoted to a special teams role in favor of Auden Tate . Tate showed a promising 6 catches for 88 yards on his snaps and could be worth a flyer in case things don’t pan out as expected for AJ Green.

• Tyler Eifert continued to play a partial role – Uzomah is clearly the blocker while Eifert runs the routes but in his current capacity he is not relevant.

Bills

• As expected, in the absence of Devin Singletary , Frank Gore carried the water and TJ Yeldon’s snap share in the receiving game increased.  The usage for Yeldon was not enough to move the needle so Frank Gore remains a start if Singletary is out.

• Once again John Brown remained a fantasy start, Cole Beasely is on the fringe, and Zay Jones remains droppable. 

• Dawson Knox remains an intriguing name as a rookie tight end who fits our profile of a pass catcher rather than a blocker.  He’s played 70 pass snaps so far this year and only blocked on 3. Could be a stash in tight end premium leagues or even a gap filler for bye weeks or injuries in deep leagues though his opponent this week, the New England Patriots, does a great job of using Devin McCourty to stifle tight ends.

Broncos

• Same story on the wide receiver front – Sutton and Sanders are the fantasy assets for the time being with Hamilton on the outside looking in.

• Fant continues his promising usage playing a decent number of snaps.  On the year he has 88 pass snaps with only 4 blocking but there simply aren’t enough targets as of now as the third or fourth option after Sutton, Sanders, and the running backs.

• Well, in the box score you can chalk this one up as a victory for Lindsay for sure as he not only got the extra carries but both touchdowns.  Despite being the smaller back, he also has five carries from within the five-yard line compared to zero for Freeman. That being said, they still split snaps fairly evenly and Freeman played more pass snaps than Lindsay (both had four targets) so you’d like to see that shift more in Lindsay’s favor if possible.  After three weeks it doesn’t look likely but Lindsay is clearly the better start in fantasy at this point.

Browns

• The Browns went to the School of Riverboat Ron on this one with the starters essentially playing the entire game.  They did not look good in a tough matchup but Odell Beckham Jr. remains a must start and Landry is in WR3/Flex territory in PPR formats.

• As a Chubb owner, it’s encouraging to see Hilliard and Johnson combine for 1 snap.  The only concern is Kareem Hunt looming on the horizon.  

• Demetrius Harris assumed the David Njoku role and, as David Njoku had for the first two weeks before injury, Harris blocked on 25% of his snaps, rendering him a touchdown dependent, non-starter in fantasy football.  If that trend changes we’ll let you know.

Buccaneers

• It might not seem like it to the naked eye but big news here in the snap count world.  O.J. Howard , after blocking on 20% of his pass snaps through two weeks, played 28 pass snaps and only blocked on one which is 3.6-percent.  He still is the third guy behind Godwin and Evans but this change of usage is dramatic in a good way. If someone dropped him and you are hurting at TE he is worth a scoop if they plan to use him this way. 

• Godwin and Evans dominated the snaps, though it was Evans who ate this week, decimating Janoris Jenkins who pulled a tough assignment.  As both play nearly every play, who has the better day will be matchup dependent. Both will draw tough assignments next week against the Rams though Evans will then face Marcus Lattimore Week 5 and James Bradberry (who already shut him down once) Week 6.  

• Just when we thought Ronald Jones was buried, he comes clawing back to match snaps and carries with Peyton Barber .  With those two splitting and Ogunbowale stealing pass reps, it will be hard to start any of them but it’s worth watching to see who emerges victorious.  

Cardinals

• Whelp, Michael Craptree was released after the game so that answers that question.  Besides that it’s a bit of the same old with Larry Fitzgerald , Kirk, and David Johnson being your assets.

• Based on the lack of production from Damiere Byrd , it will be interesting to see if they give KeeSean Johnson a shot on the outside in a similar fashion to Damion Willis/Auden Tate for Cincinnati.  Something to monitor.  

• This team is running a blistering pace including a ton of no huddle which is great for fantasy (especially benefitting the teams they play as they often quickly give the ball right back).  Start your players against the Cardinals.  

Chargers

• One of our questions from last week seems to be answered – yes Mike Williams can break away from the other wide receivers in terms of snaps.  Last week was fairly even, this week he dominated. Keenan Allen is the number one WR and Williams is a TD dependent WR3.  

• Justin Jackson crept into Austin Ekeler ’s snap share by about 10% this week compared to last week.  He’s still not worth an add and will likely never be 50/50 so in reality he just hurts Ekeler with this.  Melvin Gordon watch is still on.

• Sean Culkin was the heir apparent at receiving TE but the addition and usage of Lance Kendricks is interesting.  Neither blocked much – Culkin ran 27 routes with one target he didn’t catch and Kendricks ran nine with two targets, one of which he caught.  Lance is worth watching as his playbook expands. 

Chiefs

• We got some answers on the wide receiver front – it seems Demarcus Robinson will mainly play outside after playing 50 snaps out wide and nine in the slot while Mecole Hardman will mainly man the slot.  It likely means tougher coverage for Robinson but also means Hardman will be coming off the field for fullbacks, second tight ends, second running backs etc. as we saw this week. All three wide receivers will likely remain boom or bust starts from week to week in a high flying offense until Tyreek Hill coming back, with Sammy Watkins remaining the safest. 

• It doesn’t look like Darwin Thompson is happening this year, at least without another injury.  LeSean McCoy , even with a bum ankle, carried the load and Darrell Williams contributed minimally.  

Colts

• Big news here is the injury to TY Hilton.  Obviously he’s the guy when healthy but there will be a lot of questions to answer if he is out.  Deon Cain seemingly stepped up snap wise in the absence of Funchess at split end which leaves it to Parris Campbell , Zach Pascal and Chester Rogers to pick up the slack at flanker.  We like the upside of Campbell but, based on the usage once Hilton left the game, Pascal assumed the role at flanker with Rogers and Campbell playing mostly slot. Will be very interesting to see what happens this week.

• Ebron and Doyle continued to step on each other’s toes, running nearly the same number of routes and catching a similar number of passes for similar yards.  And injury to one would be a boon for the other but they are not great starts unless that happens. 

Cowboys

• As the Cowboys told us themselves, Devin Smith stepped up in the absence of Michael Gallup .  Used sparingly in a blowout, he’s still worth a deep league stash. Randall Cobb played his typical slot role without offering much. 

• Zeke played his usually healthy snap share but the lead showed us what we might have gotten from Tony Pollard in a Zeke hold out and he did not disappoint.  He remains a solid handcuff with little stand alone value.  

• The Cowboys have used Blake Jarwin to ease the blocking burden for Witten making him a surprisingly interesting asset in a decimated TE landscape.  He won’t set the world on fire at this point in his career but he ran 20 routes and blocked on one pass play so he’s out there.

Dolphins

• The Dolphins continue to run the clock out one embarrassing game at a time in an obvious tank. Regardless of snap count, the running backs have been rendered nearly useless after kicking the season off by trading their left tackle.  Drake is a desperation full PPR RB play.  

• DeVante Parker and Preston Williams led the snaps once again at wide receiver - this time with Williams joining Parker with a full workload.  DeVante Parker actually made a nice grab and, if there were points for “almost touchdowns” Preston Williams would lead the league after almost catching one for the third game in a row but not quite.  They have played three of the league's best teams so perhaps against a lesser opponent they can offer serviceable garbage time. 

• In a similar fashion to previous weeks, Gesicki continued to run routes, this time pass blocking on zero plays, but couldn’t make much of it.  They face the Chargers this week who gave up eight catches to tight ends last week so, if he can’t show us something this week, he likely won’t this season. 

Eagles

• With no Alshon Jeffery or DeSean Jackson they featured Agholor in the slot, Arcega-Whiteside at split end, and Hollins at flanker, opting to have JJAW’s come off the field for two tight end or two running back sets.  Agholor remains the guy to own with the pending return of the other two wide outs. 

• It was a full on committee at running back.  Miles Sanders remains the guy to own in any sort of PPR format but, in standard leagues, it’s pretty clear that Jordan Howard is the goal line back.   

Falcons

• Hold your horses Freeman owners – I know it looks like Freeman obliterated Ito Smith in snap share but Smith exited the game early with a concussion.  We still need to see a healthy week with Ito Smith but the usage was trending in the right direction prior to this week. 

• Those monitoring Austin Hooper ’s snap share, his routes run, his pass block percentage and continuing to start him were rewarded with a two touchdown game. As the third or fourth target in this offense it won’t be every week but he is certainly a serviceable tight end given what’s going on with the landscape.  

• As can happen, Mohamed Sanu simply had a better matchup and outplayed Calvin Ridley this week.  Sanu has fantastic hands and, as long as he’s on the team, there will be a risk of that.  

Giants

• Nightmare scenario for first pick holders as Saquon Barkley went out with the dreaded high ankle sprain.  Wayne Gallman looks to be the replacement unless they sign someone.  

• Things we know: Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram , when healthy, will be pivotal parts of the offense in the Daniel Jones era.

• Things we don’t know: who will emerge as a potential third target in the passing game out of Cody Latimer , Golden Tate , TJ Jones , and Darius Slay ton?  We project the configuration to be Shepard and Latimer on the outside with Tate playing the slot (and moving to flanker in two wide sets).  

Jaguars

• To the delight of all, the Minshew era began.  D.J. Chark seems to be the chosen one so far playing alongside Dede Westbrook .  

• In a surprising shift in usage, James O’Shaunessy playing almost 80% of the snaps, ran 25 routes, and only pass blocked on one play.  It’s up to Minshew how much he will be targeted but, with usage like this, he should be on your radar.  

Jets

• This one went almost according to plan.  Le’Veon Bell played every snap and struggled to give you something.  Robby Anderson played every snap and Stephon Gilmore put the clamps on him.  The Jets quietly went to sleep without their starting quarterback.

• Ryan Griffin blocked on 50% of his snaps meaning he should be owned in zero percent of leagues.  Hopefully for those stashing Herndon this means Griffin will block while Herndon runs routes but Herndon also blocked on 17% of snaps last season so I would not bank on him to be your savior come Week 6 when he returns. 

• Until Sam Darnold gets back Jamison Crowder is likely best stashed on the bench

Lions

• Refreshing usage for Kerryon Johnson after C.J. Anderson was jettisoned – it seems the move was as fantasy owners had hoped and the backfield is essentially his.  

• Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones remained the top dogs though it was Marvin Jones ’s turn to eat today.  Players will have down weeks but both should be solid starts this week against the Chiefs who offer plenty of opportunity for teams to throw.  

• T.J. Hockenson continues to be the “receiving” tight end though he hasn’t done much receiving since Week 1.  He’s not a drop at this point since he’s still running a good number of routes and tight end is thin but he’s also a difficult start if you have other options.  

Packers

• And there it is.  What we were scared of the first two weeks.  Jamaal Williams outsnaps Aaron Jones for seemingly no reason.  And not just barely – by 12 snaps. He also ran 18 routes while Jones ran nine.  The saving grace for Jones is that he seems to be the preferred goalline back but, no matter how you slice it, this is not what Aaron Jones owners envisioned drafting him in the third or fourth round.  

• Davante Adams and MVS continued their streak of leading the team on the outside and look to do so.  Despite down weeks, Adams is still a must start and MVS is deployable where needed. The game script this week led to an unusually low number of snaps run for the Packers, so don’t expect down weeks like this often. 

• Based on the split between Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis , Graham is unstartable for the time being.  Lewis was always unstartable due to how often he pass blocks. 

Panthers

• Oh look it’s our favorite team for this article every week.  Regardless of the change at QB, the same guys played the snaps and remain the guys to own.  Thanks again Ron!

Patriots

• Eventually this team will play a real game but once again they found themselves up thirty to nothing.  Jakobi Meyers stepped in after Edelman left with an injury but, besides that, your three wide receivers moving forward are looking like Josh Gordon , Phillip Dorsett , and Julian Edelman .  If Dorsett isn’t owned by now he should be. 

• Sony Michel came out for the first drive, set up play action to Ryan Izzo , and then punched it in for the score.  On the next drive he set up a play action TD to Phillip Dorsett and at that point the game was over. Rex Burkhead filled in for James White who was out on paternity leave but should return to his normal role this week with the return of James White (prior to this week, Rex Burkhead played 39% of his snaps on special teams).  Contrary to what you may be hearing, he is not a great add unless someone gets hurt. 

• Ryan Izzo started and played the lion's share of snaps at tight end but he also blocked on 20% of his snaps which is outside the useful zone.  We’ll keep an eye on this for you moving forward.  

Raiders

• Not much to see here.  Waller and Williams are still your pass catchers.  Probably can’t sustain a third WR at this point but JJ Nelson looks like the guy if so.

• Josh Jacobs was sick all week so Jalen Richard played a couple extra snaps – not likely to continue.

• Darren Waller blocked on a surprising number of snaps but that’s because Derek Carr was pressured 14 times.  He’s still a high end tight end start since he’s a wide receiver playing tight end. 

Rams

• Another simple one – Rams rolled 11 personnel  for most of the game again with three wide, one tight end, and one back. 

• Gerald Everett filling in for Tyler Higbee unfortunately assumed his usage as well and blocked on 20% of his snaps.  That experiment unfortunately shows us that they plan to use the tight end in a way that is not productive for fantasy regardless of who it is.

• Todd Gurley was the lead guy, though they didn’t overdo it with him in a game that was not as close as the score may indicate.  He’ll have his game when need be.  

Ravens

• Perhaps this team can operate at an insane pace – that’s the third game now playing over 75 offensive snaps.  It was against another fast paced offense in the Chiefs though so the question it still “what does this team look like in a normal paced game?”  With most players hovering around 50% of snaps, there might not be as many targets for everyone in a game with 55-65 offensive snaps.

• The guys to start from this offense are still Hollywood Brown, Mark Ingram , and Mark Andrews though we would feel better if Andrews actually practiced for a full week (or even at all).  

Redskins

• Same story here at wide receiver – top three wide receivers dominated snaps and Terry McLaurin is quickly endearing himself to fantasy players with his third touchdown in as many weeks.  Vernon Davis remains viable as long as he’s the only one there.

• Same situation at RB as well – Chris Thompson will play more if they are chasing and Peterson will benefit if they are ever winning.  Expect more Chris Thompson .

Saints

• We thought we may need to bust out the quarterback snap counts for the first time this season after head coach Sean Payton alluded to a potential split of some kind but Teddy Bridgewater started and essentially played the whole game.

• Austin Carr played more snaps in the absence of Tre’Quan Smith while Ted Ginn essentially played the same number meaning that Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara are really your only fantasy assets right now.  Jared Cook is running around out there but, without Brees, a third target does not seem viable.  

Seahawks

• There are certainly some interesting notes from this one with the biggest being the trade of Nick Vannett to the Steelers directly following the game.  As noted in the last two weeks, he was really our only concern for Will Dissly so Dissly needs to be owned in every league if he isn’t.

• Lockett, Metcalf and Jaron Brown are the guys for now.  David Moore is back and saw 20 snaps so we will have to see how his usage goes moving forward.

• With no Rashaad Penny , CJ Prosise worked his way back into the mix and showed off some of his receiving chops.  Him working his way into some kind of meaningful pass down role would not be good for Chris Carson owners as they clearly preferred him in the passing game this week.

Steelers

• They said they were going to let the kids play and they did with JuJu Smith-Schuster , Washington, and rookie Diontae Johnson dominating the wide receiver snaps.  Moncrief and Switzer did not play.

• With the injury to Vance McDonald , Xavier Grimble stepped up and ran 22 routes but the team traded for Nick Vannett shortly after the game throwing some cold water on that.  Given that news the injury to McDonald sounds pretty bad.

Texans

• We witnessed an expected changing of the guard this week with Kenny Stills out snapping Keke Coutee (after previously outplaying him).  Until we see this change back it should be looked at as Stills over Coutee.

• Hyde and Duke Johnson split once again with Duke remaining ineffective.  Often times running QBs don’t like dumping it down to the running back since they can just run it themselves and that seems to be the case here.  

• The Chargers are quickly proving they are vulnerable to the tight end though, as of now, neither tight end on the Texans has really separated himself.  Not a recommended start for now.  

Titans

• Shortly after the Super Bowl, it was reported by Steven Ruiz of USA Today that the Patriots knew whether then Rams were likely to pass or run based on which tight end they put in the game.  Clearly the Titans did not see that report as they ran 20 times with Jonnu Smith in the game and only four time with Delanie Walker . I would not be the first to say the play calling there could use some imagination.  

• Dion Lewis out snapped Henry in a losing effort which we see often with these two back systems.  Until something changes at with this team, all of the wide receivers are a difficult start.

Vikings

• Another run soaked outing to the benefit of Dalvin Cook and detriment of all other fantasy players.  A rumor was floated that Stefon Diggs had potentially asked to be traded if he’s not going to be used.  His fantasy owners would not be upset. 

• The loan bright spot for the receiving core, rookie Irv Smith Jr. played his highest snap share yet and caught three balls for 60 yards. Still, not fantasy relevant at this point.