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.
Risers
Mike Williams (66) played a season snap count and had the best game of his career; he finished with seven receptions (on nine targets), 76 yards, and two touchdowns while also rushing once for 19 yards and a score. The seven receptions and nine targets were both new career highs and the rushing touchdown was the first of his career. The big game was in large part due to Allen leaving the game early, but it was a nice glimpse of what Williams could eventually be when given increased opportunity.
Derrick Henry (49) played a new season high snap total, blowing out his previous high of 32. He was on the field for 70% of the Titans plays – his first game over 50% – and the back did not disappoint in the production department. He finished the game with 33(!) carries for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Over the last two games Henry has compiled 408(!) rushing yards and six(!) touchdowns. I did not trust Henry after his first big game, but after seeing him get this type of usage and playing time, I am a believer.
Wendell Smallwood (20) jumped back on the map this week after being irrelevant for the previous four weeks and playing fewer than five snaps in each of those games. With Clement out, Smallwood operated as the number two back and was the Eagles most effective back in their win over the Rams. He finished with 10 carries for 48 yards and two touchdowns while also adding in two receptions for nine yards on two targets. This backfield is very murky and none of these guys are a lock for more than 10 touches in Week 16.
Jeremy Sprinkle (41) set a new season high snap total and led all Redskins tight ends in snaps. He was on the field for 60% of Washington’s plays and he finished with three receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown. If you had no idea who Sprinkle was prior to this week, I forgive you, but you need to be aware of him now, especially if Reed has to sit in Week 16. This is not to say you should play Sprinkle, but be aware of him and the fact that maybe Davis is not a must-play in games that Reed sits.
Fallers
Leonard Fournette (27) was only on the field for 52% of the Jaguars snaps and snap total was his lowest number of the season (for any game he was not injured in). He finished the game with 11 carries for 46 yards and three receptions for 18 yards. This was far from the usage we are used to seeing from him and he had just one touch in the second half, despite deeming himself as healthy. It is a very odd situation and one that should worry his fantasy owners. He has a good matchup with Miami in Week 16, so hopefully we can get some clarity on what’s going on here before Sunday.
Devin Funchess (11) had another big hit to his playing time this week and was on the field for a season low snap total. He only played 19% of the snaps and was fourth among wide receivers in playing time for the Panthers. I preached all offseason to avoid to this guy because he was not a number one (or even number two) NFL receiver and the Panthers now agree. He was targeted one time and failed to haul it in. It is a contract year for Funchess and it seems very unlikely to me that he returns to Carolina.
Notable Snap Counts
Jamaal Williams (59) played a season high snap total after Jones left the game with injury. Jones has been placed on IR, meaning Williams will be the lead back in Week 16. He played well in a tough matchup with the Bears, rushing for 55 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and hauling in four passes for 42 yards. He has a good matchup on tap too as the Packers head to New Jersey to take on the Jets. He is not the most talented back in the world, but the volume will be there.
Kelvin Benjamin (12) made his Chiefs debut and was fourth in their wide receiver pecking order behind Hill, Conley, and Robinson. He was targeted twice and hauled in one of them for a 17 yard gain. The few remaining Benjamin “Truthers” left hoping that he would make a big splash with his new team and superstar quarterback have to be disappointed. He will have better games than this, but he is a long ways away from being fantasy relevant.
Kalen Ballage (26) played a new season in snaps after Gore left the game with injury. Ballage hadn’t played more than eight snaps in any game prior, but took over as the featured back in this one. The Dolphins continue to do anything they can to avoid giving Drake the football. The rookie Ballage had a great game, finishing with 12 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown. A tough matchup with the Jaguars is on tap for Ballage and the Dolphins in Week 16.
Player News
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports Tyreek Hill’s second wrist surgery was part of the original plan and his timeline remains unchanged.
Hill announced the second surgery on social media and Pelissero quickly added some context to the situation. The speedy receiver suffered the wrist injury just before the start of the season and it lingered throughout the year, though he never missed a game because of it. If the second surgery truly is a non-story, an offseason to recover might be what Hill needs to return to form after a down 2024 season. On the other hand, Hill is 31 years old, played his worst football last year, and his offense prioritized targets for Jonnu Smith and De’Von Achane. As it stands, Hill might have the highest risk-reward split in fantasy drafts.
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.