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Usage Notes: Week 2



By Mike Krueger | Updated: 9/19/23

Each week, I’ll look at snaps, usage, touches, target shares and pull out the highlights you need to know from each game.

MIN @ PHI | LV @ BUF | BAL @ CIN | KC @ JAX | LAC @ TEN

GB @ ATL | SEA @ DET | IND @ HOU | CHI @ TB | NYG @ ARI

SF @ LAR | NYJ @ DAL | WAS @ DEN | MIA @ NE


Monday:

NO @ CAR | CLE @ PIT

D

MIN @ PHI

Offensive Snaps
Vikings: 58
Eagles: 77

Alexander Mattison has been above 70% of snaps in each of the first two games, but has 19 carries for 62 yards.

The Vikings are exclusively using three receivers: Justin Jefferson (100%), K.J. Osborn (96.6%) and Jordan Addison (69%). Osborn has more fantasy value that most fantasy owners realize.

With Kenneth Gainwell inactive it was the D’Andre Swift show who played 75.3% of the snaps. Boston Scott was the No.2 RB while Rashaad Penny (11.7%) is struggling to see the field.

LV @ BUF

Offensive Snaps
Raiders: 40
Bills: 78

Kristian Wilkerson (72.5%) saw the most snaps at receiver behind Davante Adams (92.5%) for the Raiders. Hunter Renfrow (65%) did see an uptick from his 22% of snaps played in Week 1.

James Cook was efficient on his 21 touches, playing 59% of the snaps. The Bills ran 78 plays and were using Latavius Murray (23.1%) in the redzone and also got Damien Harris (17.9%) 7 touches. The backup RB usage in the redzone is going to be a wet blanket on Cook’s fantasy value this season.

For the second-straight week the Bills used a two-tight end set as their base formation with Dawson Knox (70.5%) and Dalton Kincaid (60.3%), meaning only Stefon Diggs (87.2%) and Gabriel Davis (74.4%) are viable fantasy wideouts in Buffalo.

BAL @ CIN

Offensive Snaps
Ravens: 75
Bengals: 60

Justice Hill (57.3%) and Gus Edwards (42.7%) split running back work with Hill out-touching Edwards 14 to 10. Gus had zero targets.

Odell Beckham Jr. (52%) left this game with an ankle injury which allowed Nelson Agholor (33.3%) and Rashod Bateman (58.7%) to see increase work. Zay Flowers played 77.3% of the snaps. With Mark Andrews (8 targets) back in action, no receiver saw more than 6 targets.

For the second-straight week, Trayveon Williams (16.7%) was the backup to Joe Mixon (78.3%) but isn’t playing enough to have stand-alone value. Chase Brown played 1 snap.

KC @ JAX

Offensive Snaps
Chiefs: 67
Jaguars: 67

The Chiefs barely ran the ball in the first half but Isiah Pacheco (50.7%) managed 70 rushing yards on 12 attempts. Jerick McKinnon (32.8%) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (16.4%) were in their typical roles but didn’t get more than 4 touches.

Just like Week 1, the Chiefs had all 7 of their receivers active and they all saw the field with Richie James (4.5%) and Justyn Ross (13.4%) being the odd men out. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (82.1%), Justin Watson (46.3%) and Skyy Moore (58.2%) saw the most action with Kadarius Toney playing just 28.4% of the snaps. Toney and Watson led the group with 5 targets.

Tank Bigsby played just 19.4% of the snaps while Travis Etienne played 71.6%.

Zay Jones (65.7%) missed some time in this game with a knee injury but Jacksonville was focused on getting Christian Kirk (80.6%) the ball who saw 14 targets. Calvin Ridley (79.1%) saw 8 targets.

LAC @ TEN

Offensive Snaps
Chargers: 68
Titans: 65

With Austin Ekeler out, Joshua Kelley saw a dominant 79.4% share of snaps. Elijah Dotson (13.2%) was the next RB in the mix ahead of Isaiah Spiller (5.9%).

Josh Palmer (54.4%) continues to work ahead of rookie WR Quentin Johnston (14.7%).

Breathe easy Derrick Henry fans. He saw 70.8% of snaps, well ahead of rookie Tajae Spears (36.9%) but Spears is likely headed for a 10-12 touch role which will take some shine off Henry’s ceiling.

Chris Moore (46.2%) saw and increase in snaps with DeAndre Hopkins (60.0%) playing through an ankle injury. Moore won’t have any fantasy value unless Hopkins is ruled out.

Chigoziem Okonkwo’s 16.7% target share ranked T-14th among tight ends who played at least 25 snaps. A better effort coming off his bagel in Week 1.

GB @ ATL

Offensive Snaps
Packers: 50
Falcons: 82

It’s hard to pinpoint what’s going on with AJ Dillon who looks slow and out of sync with the offense. He saw a healthy 68% share of snaps with Aaron Jones out, but was inefficient (15-55-0, 1-8-0). Patrick Taylor (22%) was next up at RB followed by Emanuel Wilson (10%).

With the Packers running so few plays it was difficult for anyone of the receivers to be fantasy relevant. Jayden Reed (56%) saw 8 targets for only 37 yards but did find the endzone twice. Romeo Doubs (76%) played the most snaps of the wideouts with Dontayvion Wicks (50%) and Samori Toure (46%) also seeing significant action.

If you’re still holding out hope for Kyle Pitts (69.5%) to become an elite fantasy tight end in this offense, it’s time to pack it in. Jonnu Smith played 67.1% of the snaps and saw 6 targets while Pitts has 4 catches in two games.

SEA @ DET

Offensive Snaps
Seahawks: 72
Lions: 66

Kenneth Walker (61.1%) was inefficient on his 18 touches against Detroit. Zach Charbonnet got six touches while playing 26.4% of the snaps.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba played 55.6% of the snaps, roughly the same percentage he played in Week 1.

The Lions increased the snap share of Jahmyr Gibbs from 27.1% in Week 1 to 48.5% in Week 2, although David Montgomery (45.5%) did exit early with a bruised thigh. Gibbs saw 9 targets which yielded a 7-39-0 result.

Josh Reynolds’ two-TD performance came on 80.3% of the snaps. He’s easily the WR2 in this offense.

IND @ HOU

Offensive Snaps
Colts: 57
Texans: 84

Zack Moss played an astounding 98.2% of the snaps at RB for the Colts. No other running back got an offensive snap. He’s obviously the guy until Jonathan Taylor returns.

WR Alec Pierce played every snap while Michael Pittman Jr. played 98.2%. The Colts have a tight rotation among their skill players.

Dameon Pierce saw 17 touches but played just 45.2% of the snaps. Devin Singletary (35.7%) and Dare Ogunbowale (19%) were also used in a game that saw Houston run 84 plays.

The Texans got down early and allowed C.J. Stroud to throw the ball 47 times. The clear top three wideouts were Nico Collins (61.9%), Robert Woods (85.7%) and Tank Dell (78.6). All three saw at least 9 targets.

CHI @ TB

Offensive Snaps
Bears: 53
Buccaneers: 71

D’Onta Foreman was a healthy scratch which left Khalil Herbert (60.4%) and Roschon Johnson (41.5%) to soak up the running back work. The Bears will need to improve their offensive efficiency in order for both of these backs to be fantasy relevant.

Darnell Mooney (28.3%) missed most of the second half with a bruised knee which allowed Chase Claypool to lay 79.2% of the snaps. Trent Taylor (43.4%) was the third WR up but has no fantasy value.

Chase Edmonds has been put on IR with a knee injury which should give Sean Tucker (23.9%) more opportunities as the backup behind Rachaad White (71.8%).

Trey Palmer (49.3%) and Deven Thompkins (45.1%) are splitting time as the third receiver for the Bucs behind Mike Evans (60.6%) and Chris Godwin (74.6%).

NYG @ ARI

Offensive Snaps
Giants: 68
Cardinals: 65

Saquon Barkley (97.1%) is going to miss at least a couple weeks after suffering a sprained ankle in this game which is unfortunate given the kind of usage he’s been seeing. Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell both played 2 snaps in this game.

The top three receivers for the Giants continue to be Darius Slayton (82.4%), Isaiah Hodgins (75%) and Parris Campbell (66.2%). However, TE Darren Waller (89.7%) has the highest target share (20.3%) among the Giants pass catchers through two weeks.

James Conner (72.3%) is dominating snap share for the Cardinals at running back.

Marquise Brown (93.8%) and Rondale Moore (64.6%) led the Cardinals receivers in snap share with Michael Wilson (43.1%) third on the list. Brown has a 25.4% target share through two games.

At TE, Zach Ertz is a thing. He played 72.4% of snaps this week and is clearly ahead of Trey McBride (44.1%). Ertz has 18 targets on the season compared to McBride’s 5

SF @ LAR

Offensive Snaps
49ers: 57
Rams: 80

Christian McCaffrey has played 92% of the snaps for the 49ers this season. Elijah Mitchell can’t sniff the field.

Cam Akers was a healthy scratch and there are now trade rumors swirling. No problem… we’ll just give Kyren Williams 95% of the RB snaps. Ronnie Rivers was the backup and saw 5 snaps.

The Rams are basically using three receivers: Puka Nacua (86.2%), Tutu Atwell (93.8%) and Van Jefferson (82.5%). Jefferson is clearly the third receiver with Puka seeing a whopping 35 targets in two games.

TE Tyler Higbee played 92.5% of the snaps and saw 7 targets but only had 3 catches for 12 yards.

NYJ @ DAL

Offensive Snaps
Jets: 47
Cowboys: 87

Not surprisingly, the Jets couldn’t do anything on offense against Dallas. Dalvin Cook (36.2%), Breece Hall (34%) and Michael Carter (31.9%) played a similar number of snaps.

Tony Pollard got 32 touches in this game on 64.4% of the snaps. Any questions about him being a bellcow RB have been answered.

Jalen Tolbert (67.8%) got a bump in usage with Brandin Cooks out. CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup both played 72.4% of the snaps.

WAS @ DEN

Offensive Snaps
Commanders: 73
Broncos: 66

Brian Robinson Jr. (52.1%) and Antonio Gibson (49.9%) played similar number of snaps but Robinson out-touched Gibson 20-to-5.

Samaje Perine (50%) and Javonte Williams (45.5%) were basically an even split this week but Williams had 14 touches to Perine’s 4.

Marvin Mims posted a 2-113-1; 2-10-0 line on 16 snaps. He’s playing well behind Jerry Jeudy (68.2%), Courtland Sutton (89.4%) and Brandon Johnson (45.5%).

MIA @ NE

Offensive Snaps
Dolphins: 63
Patriots: 74

Raheem Mostert (73%) has taken over the Dolphins backfield and is a solid RB2 even with Devon Achane (9.5%) back in the mix.

Rhamondre Stevenson (73%) and Ezekiel Elliott (29.7%) are basically in a 70-30 split. Zeke is only fantasy relevant in an obvious play from ahead situation for the Patriots.

DeVante Parker played every snap for the Patriots while Kendrick Bourne (51.4%) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (59.5%) operated as secondary receivers.

New England used a lot of two TE sets with Hunter Henry (91.9%) and Mike Gesicki (71.6%). Henry is currently the TE2 after two weeks.

NO @ CAR

Offensive Snaps
Saints: 77
Panthers: 60

Miles Sanders (61.7%) and Chuba Hubbard (36.7%) were the only RBs to take a snap for Carolina.

Jonathan Mingo (98.3%), Adam Thielen (86.7%) and D.J. Chark (61.7%) are the top three wideouts for Carolina. Mingo saw a 25.8% target share but finished with an 8 (targets)-3-26-0 line.

Jamaal Williams (23.4%) left early with a hamstring injury which allowed Tony Jones (51.9%) to get some run. He scored twice but was inefficient with his carries (12-34) Kendre Miller was Inactive and Alvin Kamara will be back in Week 4.

We saw a lot of Taysom Hill (40.3%) in this game, likely in part due to Jamaal Williams leaving early. Taysom had 9 carries (75 yds), 1 pass attempt and 1 reception.

CLE @ PIT

Offensive Snaps
Browns: 87
Steelers: 54

The Steelers won this game on defense (2 TDs) as their offense struggled all night against an emerging Browns-D. Jaylen Warren (42.6%) has stand-alone value as the backup to Najee Harris (57.4%).

With Diontae Johnson now on IR, the Steelers rolled out George Pickens (85.2%), Allen Robinson (87%) and Calvin Austin (75.9%) as their top three wideouts. Pickens saw a 34.5% target share.

The Browns lost Nick Chubb (20.7%) to a devastating knee injury which will make Jerome Ford (49.4%) a top waiver wire add. Ford operated as the lead back with Chubb out while Pierre Strong Jr. saw just a 14.9% snap share. Adding a free agent RB is certainly in play for the Browns.