Snap counts tell us who is playing but they don’t always paint a clear picture of who is producing for our fantasy football lineups. By digging deep into FullTime Fantasy‘s Advanced NFL Snap Counts Report: Week 3, we are able to pull some interesting takeaways that can help us win moving forward. Subsequently, snap counts are an important tool.
(minimum 10 snaps in Week 3)
SNAPS Total offensive snaps played by player.
SNAP % Percentage of offensive snaps played.
RUSH % Percentage of snaps played where player had a rushing attempt.
TGT % Percentage of snaps played where player was targeted by a pass attempt.
TOUCH % Percentage of snaps played where player touched the football (includes pass attempts, rush attempts and receptions).
FPTS Fantasy points scored by player.
PTS/100 SNAPS Average fantasy points scored by player per 100 snaps
RUNNING BACKS
•We’ll keep an eye on the Baltimore backfield. Gus Edwards left Week 3 with a concussion. Justice Hill also missed the game. That led to an expanded role for Melvin Gordon. However, the plodding Gordon only averaged 3.2 yards per carry. Keaton Mitchell would be a savvy waiver wire add you can stash on IR.
•James Cook continues to play a big role. Cook is now averaging 43 (60%) snaps per game. Also, he’s taken 49% of Buffalo’s rush attempts and has a 12.3% target share. If only he would get those valuable goal-line looks instead of Latavius Murray.
•After playing 98% of snaps in Week 2, Zack Moss logged another 76% effort on Sunday. With that usage, Moss should be considered a must-start. At least for one more week. Jonathan Taylor’s potential return complicates things.
•Isiah Pacheco’s playing time dipped a bit. However, the good news is he was utilized on a season-high 56.2% of his 32 snaps. Plus, he finally punched in a goal-line score. We still like Pacheco as a solid RB2.
•It’s getting ugly in New York. With Zach Wilson under center, teams are stacking the line and shutting down the run. Also, with the status of the Jets’ beleaguered line, opponents can pass rush with impunity. Breece Hall did play a season-high 49% of snaps. But no Jets’ RB can be trusted as long as Wilson remains under center.
•Tyjae Spears has out-snapped Derrick Henry in two of Tennessee’s three contests. Henry also hasn’t looked very good. The Titans resemble a 5-6 win squad, which would lead to more favorable game scripts for Spears.
TIGHT ENDS
•The Lions sure know how to pick tight ends. Sam LaPorta is now the overall TE2, trailing only former Detroit TE T.J. Hockenson. LaPorta also ranks second with a lofty 22.9% target share on the season. In Deroit’s high-powered attack, LaPorta should be viewed as a top-5 option for the rest of the season.
•Encouraging usage for Kyle Pitts on Sunday. Pitts played a season-high 77.6% of Atlanta’s snaps in the loss. Pitts also had his highest target participation numbers in the young season. Of course, the Falcons still project to be one of the worst passing offenses in the league. However, it’s good to finally have some positive news to report for Pitts.
•The Packers continue to exceed expectations and Luke Musgrave is playing a big role. The rookie tight end is top-10 in snaps (157) and snap rate (83.1%). Also, he’s tied for eighth with 11 receptions.
•Hunter Henry now leads all tight ends with 193 snaps. He also ranks fourth with an 85.4% snap rate, trailing Cade Otton (97.1%, Dallas Goedert (94.4%), and Tyler Higbee (91.9%).
•After dominating snaps in the first two games, Durham Smythe dipped to 26 in Miami’s historic drubbing of Denver. Some of this lack of role occurred because the Dolphins pulled their starters in the second half, so we won’t overreact.
•If Logan Thomas (concussion) misses Week 4, expect another committee out of Cole Turner and John Bates. Neither player can be trusted in lineups.
WIDE RECEIVERS
•It wasn’t a good showing for the Ravens. However, Zay Flowers’s usage was. Flowers was in on 93% of Baltimore’s snaps. Also, he commanded a huge 33% target share. If Todd Monken’s offense starts clicking in Baltimore, Flowers has WR2 upside.
•All three Dallas wideouts played 70% of snaps and got a 19% target share. However, the lack of production for Brandin Cooks is concerning. Cooks only caught two of his seven targets and mustered 17 yards. He has yet to score 2.5 fantasy points in any game this season. At this point, he should not be in fantasy lineups.
•Sean Payton’s lack of reps for Marvin Mims is baffling. The explosive rookie makes plays every game. However, Mims only averages 16 snaps per game.
Sean, this is Marvin Mims
He had a historically great analytics profile so we traded up to take him in Round 2. Right now he leads the league in yards per play, and he’s literally the only thing that’s been working for us on offense.
His only flaw is that you won’t play him pic.twitter.com/PusNxSG83s
— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) September 25, 2023
•Christian Watson was close to playing on Sunday. When he does return, the guess here is that Dontayvion Wicks will see the largest decrease in snaps. Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed are both averaging more than .22 fantasy points per snap. Watson posted .24 per snaps in 2022.
•Kadarius Toney was limited to two snaps. Rashee Rice played a season-best 51% of KC’s snaps. Despite having the NFL’s No. 5 offense, the Chiefs don’t have a fantasy wideout in the top-50 in scoring.
•It’s been obvious all season that Joshua Palmer is way ahead of Quentin Johnston in the pecking order. Now, with Mike Williams done for the season, Johnston will have to step up. Palmer is now locked into WR2 duties for the league’s No. 2 offense. That makes Palmer a waiver wire priority in Week 4.
•75% of Allen Robinson’s snaps came from the slot. The Steelers haven’t played all that well. Still, Robinson has a potential advantage from week to week in that ‘big slot’ role.
•Those concerns about volume for Jaxon Smith-Njigba were warranted. Through three games, the rookie has only played 44% of Seattle’s snaps and has a minuscule 8.6% target rate. Also, the Seahawks have dipped to 17th in passing. There are simply not enough opportunities for JSN to make any real impact right now. Stash the exciting rookie on your bench until we see an improvement in his usage.
•Deebo Samuel dominated looks with Brandon Aiyuk absent. Aiyuk should return this week. Both wideouts offer WR1 upside at home against the Cardinals.
MNF – RUNNING BACKS
MNF – TIGHT ENDS
MNF – WIDE RECEIVERS
NFL Snap Counts Frequently Asked Questions
What are NFL snap counts?
Snap counts represent the total number of offensive plays a player participated in during a given week.
Why should I care about NFL snap counts?
First, the number of times a player is on the field for a player can be incredibly useful. Also, it helps track usage, and how players are used and provides fantasy football managers with the ability to look beyond the usual on-field production by adding context to those more traditional statistics.
How are your NFL snap-count numbers compiled?
Secondly, NFL snap counts are tracked by the NFL Game Statistics and Information System (GSIS). For the last two years, each player has had a chip inserted in his shoulder pads so that radio transmitters in stadiums can track his every move on the field. This is how the GSIS compiles snap counts (and other on-field information).
How can I use NFL snap counts to leverage my success in fantasy football?
Finally, understanding playing time can be a key factor in setting your weekly lineup. In particular, understanding and identifying trends that might give you an early jump on acquiring free agents or making trades for players who might quietly be gaining playing time.
What are the possible drawbacks to using NFL snap counts as part of my fantasy football lineup strategy?
Studying snap counts and the percentage of snaps played is one of the easiest ways that we can determine one of the most basic, but important questions for potential fantasy success: Is this player even on the field often enough to make a difference? Also, NFL snap counts only outline playing time, and being on the field is only the first step to fantasy relevance. However, it’s not the only step. Subsequently, don’t emphasize snap counts over production.
