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. We are going to dive into some of the more interesting situations around the league regarding snap count numbers. You will also see risers and fallers; which is a useful tool for valuing a player’s fantasy stock. The notable snap counts section is based around injuries sustained in the previous week or suspensions.
Risers
Giovani Bernard played a season high 44 snaps this week after Joe Mixon left early in the game with a concussion. He finished with 13 carries for 77 yards and added in two receptions for 19 yards. Bernard was a hot waiver claim this week following the strong performance. If Mixon is forced to miss action in week 14, Bernard will be a must start in nearly all formats, including DFS. Bernard has averaged nearly two receptions per game this season despite operating as a backup. Eight-to-Eleven fantasy points in PPR scoring formats will be his floor this week against the Bears, if Mixon is out.
Josh Gordon played 48 snaps this week in his return to football action. He finished with four receptions for 85 yards on eleven targets. He was heavily involved in the Browns passing game and it was a strong first game back for the still just 26 year old receiver. This type of output and usage can be expected going forward. Gordon and the Browns offense have a juicy match-up with the Packers in week 14, giving Gordon a strong chance at a huge game. Expect heavy ownership in DFS this weekend for the once (and hopeful return to being) superstar receiver.
Andre Ellington played 47 snaps in his first active game for the Texans. He finished with two carries for negative two yards but did some damage in the passing game, finishing with five receptions for 56 yards. After injuries to Bruce Ellington and Braxton Miller, Ellington was forced into action as a wide receiver. This is the type of usage to expect from Ellington going forward, heavy usage in the passing game with minimal carries out of the backfield. He makes for an unattractive punt play at running back in DFS and only for full PPR sites.
Fallers
Devontae Booker played just 11 snaps; it was his first time under 20 since week 7. He had just three total touches for eight yards. This marks two bad weeks in a row for the young running back, making him unplayable going forward. The Broncos offense continues to be a disaster, making it harder and harder to trust anyone on this team to produce in fantasy. He has been lost in the shuffle at running back over the last two weeks, as C.J. Anderson has seemingly regained the role of being the primary running back with 19 touches this week.
T.J. Yeldon played 28 less snaps in week 13 than he did in week 12. He was on the field for just six snaps. Yeldon is a game flow dependent back, and with the Jaguars leading this week, there was no use for the “playing from behind” running back. The Jags leaned heavily on Leonard Fournette and gave him 23 touches on the day. Yeldon finished with two receptions for 25 yards. There won’t be too many games where the Jaguars need to heavily involve Yeldon, making him a dart throw play at best. In a home match-up with the Seahawks in week 14 coming, look for Fournette to once again dominate the touches.
Eddie Lacy and J.D. McKissic both had huge hits to their playing time in week 13. The two running backs played season low snap counts of three and nine, respectively. Mike Davis drew the start and played 45 snaps. Lacy and McKissic combined for just three total touches, although McKissic was able to turn one of those touches into a 15 yard receiving touchdown. Mike Davis had 20 touches, with four of them being receptions. The lack of playing time and usage make Lacy and McKissic unplayable going forward. The Seahawk backfield has been a carousel this season, and a tough one to get a gauge on. Mike Davis is the guy… for now.
Notable Snap Counts
Damien Williams started his multi-week expected absence this week. Kenyan Drake played a season high 53 snaps and had a monster game against the Broncos. He finished with 23 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown, he also added in three receptions for 21 yards. Semorise Perry operated as the backup running back and finished with 12 snaps. He had five carries for 22 yards. Drake dominated the touches and was a great play in DFS. He will likely see very high ownership this weekend in a Monday night match-up with the Patriots.
Doug Martin was out this week with injury and the Bucs leaned heavily on Peyton Barber in his place. He played a season high 52 snaps. Charles Sims maintained his normal role as the third down/change of pace back and finished with 19 snaps. Barber finished with 23 carries for 102 yards, and added in four receptions for 41 yards. The strong game from Barber should eat into Martin’s playing time once he returns, and if he is out again this week, Barber would once again make for a rock solid play in DFS.
Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree were both out this week (Cooper with injury and Crabtree with a suspension). Without their two main receivers, the Raiders had to turn to Johnny Holton for 51 snaps, Seth Roberts for 46 snaps, and Cordarrelle Patterson for 34 snaps. Holton finished with three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown, Roberts finished with five receptions for 46 yards, and Patterson finished with four receptions for 97 yards. Each receiver was involved and no one turned into the “go-to” guy. With Crabtree coming back this week and possibly Cooper too, the one week absence of the two star receivers provided very little information as to who would be the player to start if they miss time in the future.
Ameer Abdullah was out this week with a neck injury. The Lions turned to scat back Theo Riddick and rookie Tion Green to fill the void. Riddick played 40 snaps and Green played 21. Both players played well and it could hurt Abdullah’s playing time once he returns. Riddick finished with nine carries for 21 yards and a touchdown. He also caught five passes for an additional 41 yards. Green made his NFL debut and finished with 11 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown. Abdullah has ran to the tune of just 3.4 YPC and the big debut game from Green will likely lead to some touches for the rookie back going forward.