Jahmyr Gibbs (19 snaps, 27%) played well behind David
Montgomery but he certainly looked like the best running back
on the field. Montgomery (55 snaps, 78.6%) isn’t going away
but if Gibbs can carve out even a 50-50 split, he’s going
to be a fantasy force.
Those who drafted rookie TE Sam LaPorta should be feeling
good. He played on 82.9 % of the snaps and saw a 15.6% target
share. He’ll be in the low-end TE1 conversation on a weekly
basis.
Josh Reynolds was the clear No.2 wideout for Lions on
Thursday night, playing 70% of the snaps with a 21% target share.
The Chiefs had 7 WRs active for this game and used all of
them. Nobody can be counted on here including Kadarius
Toney (24.6% snap share) who had a severe case of the dropsies.
Toney created the most separation of any Chiefs receiver which
might explain Skyy
Moore’s poor target share (8.1%) while playing a healthy
69.2% of the snaps. Marquez
Valdes-Scantling (63.1%) was in his usual role and nobody
else played more than 35% of the snaps.
The Chiefs backfield turned into a three-headed committee
which could be explained by Isiah Pacheco (47.7% snaps) missing
a good portion of camp with a shoulder injury. Clyde Edwards-Helaire
(21.5%) got the ceremonially start but was third in snap share
behind Pacheco and McKinnon (30.8%).
TE Noah Gray was on the field for 87.7% of the snaps
while Travis Kelce sat out with a knee injury.
HOU @ BAL
Offensive Snaps Texans: 77
Ravens: 64
Houston used three running backs but only Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary got carries. Mike Boone did play 24 snaps and saw a
9.5% target share which is somewhat concerning for Pierce’s
fantasy outlook. Houston was searching for answers in this game
but if we get a repeat of this scenario in a neutral or positive
game script, the it will be time to panic on Pierce.
Noah Brown (67.5%) was the third receiver behind Nico Collins
(70.1%) and Robert Woods (75.3%) but Tank Dell did mix in on 48.1%
of the snaps. Collins (26.2%) and Woods (23.8%) dominated target
share.
The Ravens RB situation will be a hot topic this week with J.K. Dobbins (46.9% of snaps) out for the year with an Achilles injury.
Justice Hill (29.7%) and Gus Edwards (23.4%) are the in-house
replacements. HC John Harbaugh uttered the name “Melvin Gordon” out of his mouth as well.
Odell Beckham Jr. (92.2% of snaps) was on the field a lot for
the Ravens but Zay Flowers (84.4%) saw an outrageous 47.6% target
share. These two dominated in two-WR sets with Rashod Bateman
(39.1%) and Nelson Agholor (37.5%) filling backup roles.
Isaiah Likely played a respectable 71.9% of the snaps with Mark Andrews inactive but saw just a 4.8% target share. Charlie Kolar
(20.3% of snaps) mixed in as well.
CAR @ ATL
Offensive Snaps Panthers: 77
Falcons: 52
Carolina used just two running backs: Miles Sanders (57.1% of
snaps) and Chuba Hubbard (36.4%). Sanders saw 22 touches (6 targets)
to Hubbard’s 11.
Adam Thielen (88.3%), Jonathan Mingo (87%) and Terrace Marshall Jr. (89.6%) worked as the clear top three receivers for the Panthers
with D.J. Chark inactive. Marshall (19.4%) and Mingo (16.1%) led
in target share but Bryce Young struggled to complete passes to
his wideouts.
Tight End Hayden Hurst saw a 22.6% target share as the leading
receiver (7 targets) for Carolina.
Bijan Robinson (63.5% of snaps) is not going to be unleashed
as a workhorse back under Arthur Smith. Tyler Allgeier is gong
to play a lot as he did in this game (55.8 % of snaps). The good
thing is, Bijan (6 targets) is talented enough to get there on
efficiency and will be used a lot more than Allgeier in the passing
game.
Drake London posted a goose egg on 1 target while playing 90.4%
of the snaps. The low-volume passing attack in Atlanta is going
to continue to be a problem for London and TE Kyle Pitts.
CIN @ CLE
Offensive Snaps Bengals: 56
Browns: 74
The Bengals offense never got on track in the wet conditions.
Rookie Chase Brown (Inactive) was the odd man out in the backfield
while Trayveon Williams (28.6% of snaps) operated as the backup
behind Joe Mixon (62.5%). Chris Evans played just 7 snaps and
isn’t worth a look at this point.
The Browns dominated this game which allowed Jerome Ford (40.5%
of snaps) to get extensive work behind Nick Chubb (48.6%). If
available, Ford will be worth a look on your waiver wire as Pierre Strong Jr. didn’t see a snap in this game.
Cleveland played six receivers with the main trio being Amari Cooper (62.2%), Donovan Peoples-Jones (89.2%) and Elijah Moore
(68.9%). Despite playing the most snaps, DPJ saw just a 6.9% target
share in the sloppy conditions. Cooper and Moore both saw a 24.1%
target share.
SF @ PIT
Offensive Snaps 49ers: 68
Steelers: 63
Christian McCaffrey (85.3% of snaps) played his typical role.
Elijah Mitchell played just 14.7% of the snaps which is concerning
for his stand-alone value.
Jaylen Warren played a healthy 39.7% of snaps while Najee Harris
played 52.4%. Warren also saw a 13.3% target share. The Steelers
only ran the ball 10 times as they were trailing most of the game.
James Conner was in a workhorse role for the Cardinals playing
83.9% of the snaps including a 16.7% target share. Keaontay Ingram
played just 11.3% of snaps.
Michael Wilson (90.3%), Marquise Brown (83.9%) and Rondale Moore
(67.7%) were the clear top three receivers for the Cardinals but
the low volume of passing attempts and inefficiency at the QB
position isn’t going to make them valuable fantasy assets.
The usage for Brian Robinson Jr. (60.6%) was encouraging; not
so much for Antonio Gibson. Robinson played well ahead of Gibson
(35.2%) and Robinson saw 20 touches while Gibson (fumble) had
just 4 touches.
Despite his toe injury, Terry McLaurin played 88.7% of the snaps.
TB @ MIN
Offensive Snaps Buccaneers: 68
Vikings: 64
Ke'Shawn Vaughn was inactive for the Bucs. As expected, Rachaad White (79.4% of snaps) dominated the workload with Sean Tucker
(14.7%) and Chase Edmonds (11.8%) filling the backup role.
Cade Otton (97.1%) dominated snaps at tight end for Tampa Bay
but saw a somewhat disappointing 9.4% target share.
The Vikings played a lot of two TE sets which allowed Josh Oliver
to see a 46.9% snap share. T.J. Hockenson’s 20.5% target
share was 6th among TEs.
JAX @ IND
Offensive Snaps Jaguars: 70
Colts: 72
Travis Etienne was the clear lead back for the Jags, playing
80% of the snaps with Tank Bigsby playing 21.4%.
It didn’t take long for Calvin Ridley (81.4% of snaps)
to look like a dominant WR1. Zay Jones played 88.6% of snaps ahead
of Christian Kirk (60%) with Zay also leading in target share
21.9% to 9.4%.
Deon Jackson got the start at running back and played 70.8% of
the snaps with Jake Funk playing 18.1%. Rookie Evan Hull (11.1%)
got banged up.
Kyle Granson (61.1%) and Mo Alie-Cox (41.7%) were splitting time
at tight end with Jelani Woods on IR.
TEN @ NO
Offensive Snaps Titans: 63
Saints: 65
Rookie Tyjae Spears saw a significant 54% of the snaps but only
got 3 carries and 4 targets. It seems the Titans are more open
to lightening Derrick Henry’s workload (47.6% of snaps),
at least in the early part of the season.
As expected, Jamaal Williams (75.4% of snaps) dominated the backfield
for the Saints, he just couldn’t do anything with his opportunities.
Juwan Johnson played 75.4% of the snaps and saw a 15.6% target
share. Taysom Hill played 9 snaps, got 3 carries and 1 target.
LV @ DEN
Offensive Snaps Raiders: 59
Broncos: 64
It was the Josh Jacobs show for the Raiders. Despite the holdout,
he played 79.7% of snaps with Zamir White (8.5%) and Ameer Abdullah
(11.9%) being afterthoughts.
With Patrick Surtain sticking on Davante Adams (89.8%) like glue,
the Raiders were peppering Jakobi Meyers (79.7%) with targets
(10) before he suffered a concussion. We’ll see who the
Raiders want to use in two WR sets opposite Adams next week. Kristian Wilkerson (22%), Hunter Renfrow (22%) and DeAndre Carter (16.9%)
are the candidates.
Tight ends Austin Hooper (52,5%) and Michael Meyer (49.2%) had
a near equal snap share but they totaled just 1 target.
I was skeptical Javonte Williams would play a lead role in Week
1 coming off his serious knee injury, but I was wrong. Williams
and Samaje Perine both played 29 snaps but Williams saw 17 touches
(6 targets) compared to Perine’s 12 touches (4 targets).
I would expect a similar even split for the next few weeks.
Something else I was wrong about. Marvin Mims (26.6%) was fourth
in snaps among Denver wideouts, playing behind Courtland Sutton
(85.9%), Lil'Jordan Humphrey (70.3%) and Brandon Johnson (50%).
MIA @ LAC
Offensive Snaps Dolphins: 67
Chargers: 81
Raheem Mostert played 73.1% of the RB snaps for Miami with Devon Achane on the Inactive list. Salvon Ahmed (28.4%) played sparingly
in the Dolphins shootout with the Chargers. Miami only ran the
ball 20 times while Tua attempted 45 passes.
TE Durham Smythe played every snap for Miami and saw a 15.9% target
share.
The Chargers ran a boatload of plays and Austin Ekeler (50.6%)
banged up his knee which allowed Joshua Kelley (48.1%) to see
16 carries but only 1 target.
WR Mike Williams (76.5%) missed some time in this game after
taking a hard shot to the chest. Josh Palmer (64.2%) played well
ahead of rookie Quentin Johnston (27.2%).
LAR @ SEA
Offensive Snaps Rams: 81
Seahawks: 51
It wasn’t for a lack of trying as Cam Akers (34.6% of snaps)
ran the ball 22 times for 29 yards and didn’t receive a
target. Kyren Williams (65.4%) should be a waiver wire darling
as he was a meaningful part of the Rams RB tandem with 15 carries
and 2 targets.
The Rams couldn’t run it very well against Seattle, but
they sure could throw it. Puka Nacua (77.8%) and Tutu Atwell (79%)
both topped 100-yards receiving. Nacua (15 targets) should be
your waiver wire preference over the 5-9 Atwell. Van Jefferson
played 92.6% of the snaps but was third in target share (13.5%)
among the wideouts.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (hand) played 58.8% of the snaps but this
offense was stuck in mud all day and only amassed 180 total yards.
PHI @ NE
Offensive Snaps Eagles: 66
Patriots: 80
So, word comes out a few minutes before 1 PM Eastern that Rashaad
Penny is going to be a healthy scratch. Big things for
D’Andre
Swift, right? Wrong. Swift plays just 28.8% of snaps and
gets two touches while Kenneth
Gainwell (62.1%) gets 18 touches. After the game, Nick
Sirianni said “I don't ever want to come out of a game where
D'Andre Swift has only two touches.” Boston
Scott played 8 snaps. Swift owners may have to wait for
Sirianni to prove it before putting Swift back in their lineup.
Kendrick Bourne (91.2%) operated as a starting wideout and saw
the most snaps and targets (11) of any Patriots WR. Kayshon Boutte
(68.8) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (53.8%) were next in the pecking
order.
GB @ CHI
Offensive Snaps Packers: 60
Bears: 74
Aaron Jones (46.7%) sat out a good chunk of the 2nd half after
tweaking his hamstring on a 35-yard TD reception. AJ Dillon (48.3%)
couldn’t get anything going with just 36 yards on 15 touches.
The Bears three-head running back committee was in full-effect
with Khalil
Herbert (36.5%), Roschon
Johnson (39.2%) and D'Onta
Foreman (28.4%) and taking their turn. I’d expect Herbert
and Roschon to be the most fantasy friendly during the season.
Note that Roschon's work came mostly in garbage time.
DAL @ NYG
Offensive Snaps Cowboys: 58
Giants: 70
The Cowboys defense dominated this game resulting in a 40-0 rout.
As a result, the offensive output was skewed. Only Tony Pollard
(16 touches) contributed in a significant way. Rico Dowdle (15.5%)
and Deuce Vaughn (13.8%) aren’t going to have standalone
value in this offense.
Daniel Jones threw for 104 yards and was under constant pressure,
meaning none of the Giants pass-catchers were fantasy relevant.
Darius Slayton (67.1%), Parris Campbell (67.1%) and Isaiah Hodgins
(60%) saw the most snaps.
BUF @ NYJ
Offensive Snaps Bills: 69
Jets: 54
Buffalo committed four turnovers which are drive killers.
James Cook (59.4%) operated as the lead back but Damien Harris
(13%) and Latavius Murray (23.2%) also got work. Murray disturbingly
was in on the Bills final drive of the game during two-minute
mode.
No surprise Stefon Diggs (84.1%) was the alpha WR for the
Bills with a 33.3% target share. Deonte Harty (21.7%) was
the WR3 and matched Gabriel Davis’ 10.3% target share.
Dalton Kincaid (79.7%) and Dawson Knox (84.1%) saw the filed
a lot and split tight end duties as the Bills used mainly
2 WRs and 2 TE sets.
Breece Hall’s knee looked fine as he made three huge
chunk plays of 83, 26 and 20 yards, racking up 147 yards on
11 touches. Dalvin Cook (50%) saw a bigger snap percentage
but was noticeably inefficient with 59 yards on 16 touches.
Michael Carter mixed in on 22.2% of the snaps.