Tracking snap counts is a good way to get an indication of how much a player is on the field, and what their future usage outlook could look like. Next to each player’s name you will see a number inside of parenthesis, for example John Smith (2), that 2 would represent how many snaps he played this week. We are going to dive into some of the more interesting situations around the league regarding snap count numbers. Starting next week we will add snap count risers and fallers, which will also be a useful tool for valuing a player’s fantasy stock.
Ravens RB
Alex Collins (27) started for the Ravens, but it was Javorius Allen (30) who led the team in snaps. Kenneth Dixon (22) was also right up there with Collins and Allen and he actually ended up leading the team in rush attempts with 13. The spread out usage and snap totals have led to many people hitting the panic button on Collins, but is there a reason to? Short answer: no. The Ravens led 14-0 after the first quarter and 26-0 at halftime. That lead turned into a 40-0 lead early into the 3rd quarter. The weather was also bad in Baltimore. With a huge lead and also weather concerns, why would the Ravens use their featured back? It would simply make no sense. Collins owners do not need to worry, he is still their featured back. Better weeks are ahead.
Bengals RB
We wanted to see Joe Mixon (42) be the bell-cow back for Cincinnati and that is exactly what we got. He was on the field for 76% of the teams snaps and did not disappoint; he finished with 17 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown while also adding in five receptions for an additional 54 yards. It was against the lowly Colts, but it does give us a reason to be excited about him. Gio Bernard (14) and Tra Carson (3) were the other backs to touch the field for the Bengals.
Browns RB
The Browns have a three-headed attack with Carlos Hyde (47), Duke Johnson (41), and Nick Chubb (4), but as you can see, based on week 1 it looks more like a two-headed attack. Hyde struggled to the tune of 62 yards on 22 carries (2.8 YPC) but that shouldn’t have a negative effect on his playing time going forward. For now, Chubb is irrelevant outside of dynasty formats. Johnson only managed to haul in one pass on six targets, but that should continue to be his main role. It was a bit surprising to see him out-carry Chubb 5-to-3 though.
Broncos RB
The hype train for Royce Freeman (29) spiraled out of control prior to the season starting (something I did not really understand, but that’s beside the point), but week one was a big letdown for the rookie back. Yes he led the Broncos in snaps, but Phillip Lindsay (26) and Devontae Booker (19) both played major roles as well. In the end, Freeman and Lindsay both finished with 15 carries for 71 yards, but it was Lindsay doing more in the passing game with two receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown. Lindsay makes for a hot/spicy waiver wire target, while Freeman owners cannot be overly thrilled with the week 1 usage.
Colts RB
With Marlon Mack out this week, the Colts heavily relied on their two rookie backs in Jordan Wilkins (46) and Nyheim Hines (37). Veteran Christian Michael (3) only played 4% of the snaps and had two carries for nine yards. Neither rookie was particularly impressive on the ground, but Hines did have a nice game as a pass catcher as he finished with seven receptions for 33 yards. Mack is expected to make his return this week, so it will be interesting to see how the Colts use the two rookies behind Mack.
Dolphins RB
Kenyan Drake (46) and Frank Gore (18) were listed as co-starters, but as you can see, the playing time tells a different story. Drake also out-touched Gore 17-9 and was the only one of the two to catch a pass as he finished with three receptions. Gore had the more productive day on the ground in terms of yards per carry, but Drake owners do not need to worry. This is his backfield and he is going to be “the guy” on most occasions.
Steelers RB
James Conner (77) was the starting back, as expected, with Le’Veon Bell sitting out with contract disputes. However, what was not expected was for Conner to completely dominate the backfield. He was on the field for 92% of the snaps. His backups Jaylen Samuels (0) and Steven Ridley (0) both did not even sniff the field. For however long Bell is out, Conner looks locked into being a very strong fantasy asset after his 192 total yard, two touchdown game.
Titans RB
This situation was a surprise, as Dion Lewis (49) was on the field way more than Derrick Henry (20). This should be a bit concerning for Henry owners, but not enough to go into a full on panic. It was a bit of game flow and also because Lewis was simply outplaying Henry – who was having a weak game. Lewis finished with 16 carries for 75 yards and also added in five receptions for an additional 35 yards, meanwhile Henry finished with just 26 rushing yards on 10 carries and one reception for five yards. At this point, Lewis is the preferred own in PPR.
Lions RB
Theo Riddick (41) led the way, which given the Lions blowout loss, was far from a surprise. Rookie Kerryon Johnson (16) and veteran LeGarrette Blount (13) played a similar amount and also were close in carries with Johnson getting five and Blount four. However, Johnson picked up 17 yards whereas Blount “ran” for -3 yards. It is hard to base much off this game as the Lions fell behind big and early, but it does appear that Johnson is likely gaining steam on Blount for early down duties.
Seahawks RB
Chris Carson (25) and rookie Rashaad Penny (25) played an equal amount, but the results were far from equal. Carson finished with seven carries for 51 yards and had three receptions for 28 yards; meanwhile, Penny only managed gain eight yards on seven totes, but he did catch four passes for 35 yards. This isn’t the best of news for Carson owners, even though he was the far superior back in this one. The Seahawks are showing they want to get Penny involved, which is a bit surprising to me as Pete Carroll normally just rolls with whoever is playing the best.
49ers RB
Alfred Morris (34) and Matt Breida (30) were on the field for a very similar amount, but Breida had the stronger performance. Breida finished with 11 carries for 46 yards and also caught one pass for five yards; Morris on the other hand, only managed to rush for 38 yards on 12 carries and did not catch a pass. The two should still be used in a balance approach, but I would not be surprised to see Breida be the one that is on the field slightly more this week.
Jaguars WR
Keelan Cole (47), Donte Moncrief (43), and Dede Westbrook (31) were the main three receivers for the Jags in week one. Rookie DJ Chark (13) was a non-factor in this one as he hardly saw the field and didn’t touch the football a single time. Moncrief may have been on the field a lot more than Westbrook, but it did not lead to more production, as Cole and Westbrook were Blake Bortles main targets. Cole finished with three receptions for 54 yards, while Westbrook finished with five catches for 51 yards. Moncrief has just one grab for 14 yards.
Cowboys WR
The Cowboys used five receivers and all played a decent amount. Cole Beasley (43) and Allen Hurns (38) led the way, but Deonte Thompson (30), Michael Gallup (29), and Terrance Williams (19) all played a good bit as well. The most surprising take away from this is that Thompson was on the field more than both Gallup and Williams. He was also the second most productive receiver as he finished with three receptions for 27 yards. Currently, Beasley appears to be the only fantasy relevant receiver for Dallas as he finished with seven receptions for 73 yards.
Player News
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports there are “multiple people in the league who believe the new regime is not so high on Travis Etienne.”
Fowler also noted Tank Bigsby’s fumbling issue but didn’t directly relate that to the feelings of the new brain trust in Jacksonville. The Jags clearly felt they were lacking at running back this offseason and addressed that opening via the draft with Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round and LeQuint Allen in the seventh. The pair of additions complicate an already-messy backfield by committee. Etienne is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is a long-shot to be brought back in 2026. The Jags could opt to move on early by trading him, clearing $6.1 million in cap space in the process. If the team does trade Etienne, Tuten would likely be the team’s top back in the long run, making him a high-upside bet in early fantasy drafts.
Broncos signed third-round pick WR Pat Bryant to a four-year contract.
The deal includes $1.4 million guaranteed and is worth $6.6 million in total. Sean Payton compared aspects of Bryant’s game to those of Michael Thomas in his post-draft press conference and there are at least a few similarities in their profiles. Bryant stands at 6'2/204 and ran a 4.61-second Forty at the combine. Thomas measured in at 6'3/212 and clocked a 4.57-second Forty. Though the two have similar physical characteristics, Thomas was known for his proficiency from the slot while Bryant primarily played on the outside as a field-stretcher at Illinois. Bryant’s transition to slot duties may take some time, but third-round draft capital makes him worth a shot in dynasty leagues.
Colts EDGE Samson Ebukam (Achilles) said he is expected to be cleared for training camp.
Ebukam suffered a torn Achilles in training camp last year and did not play in the 2024 season. He broke out in 2023 with a career-high 9.5 sacks in his first season with the Colts. He now has one year left on his deal and will be looking for a rebound season as he stares down free agency in 2026
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Steelers are “counting on” a 2025 jump for WR Roman Wilson.
Wilson, per Fowler, “looks like a different player than from his injury riddled rookie campaign.” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said in February that the team has “a lot of confidence” in Wilson, the 84th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft who played just five offensive snaps as a rookie after suffering a serious hamstring injury in October. Wilson, entering his age-24 season, had 789 yards and 12 touchdowns on 49 catches in his final season at Michigan. He was 19th among all college wideouts in yards per route run in 2023. An injury-free offseason could position Wilson as the clear No. 2 receiver behind DK Metcalf in 2025.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Steelers “remain in contact with Aaron Rodgers and are hopeful that he’ll be a Steeler.”
Things have been quiet on the Rodgers front since the NFL Draft, though he remains a factor for the QB-needy Steelers, who on Wednesday traded George Pickens to Dallas in exchange for draft picks. That leaves DK Metcalf and perhaps Roman Wilson as the Steelers’ top two receivers. Metcalf’s fantasy fortunes would get a bit of a bump if Rodgers lands with the Steelers. The team’s commitment to a massively run-heavy approach should limit Metcalf’s upside, however. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggested Rodgers is waiting to sign with Pittsburgh until after the NFL’s schedule release “so that the league can’t saddle the Steelers with extra prime-time and/or short-week games.” We’ll continue to monitor the never-ending Rodgers saga.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Cowboys’ plan is for George Pickens “to play out his rookie deal.”
It looks like we won’t see any sort of long-term contract struck between Pickens and the Cowboys after the mercurial wideout was traded from the Steelers to Dallas in exchange for a 2026 third round draft pick and a 2027 fifth rounder. Dallas coaches and Jerry Jones likely want to see how Pickens, 24, acclimates to his new team after alienating coaches and teammates in Pittsburgh last season. Pickens, who has 2,841 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns over three NFL seasons, will immediately become the team’s No. 2 option behind CeeDee Lamb and a much-needed deep ball target for Dak Prescott.