IDP Snap Counts: Week Three
Hi everyone. Week three was an absolutely spectacular one in the NFL, and we’re getting a really good idea of how teams are using players. Some spots are still in flux and injuries are happening, but the picture is getting clearer.
Here’s the situations I think are interesting on each team after week three.
Arizona Cardinals
Week three was a down week for the Cardinals defense so everyone took a hit, but the ratios stayed almost identical to last week. If there’s any noteworthy movement, it’s Antoine Bethea who only played 30 snaps of the total 47.
Atlanta Falcons
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Safety Ricardo Allen took a bump this week and missed some time. Rookie Damontae Kazee stepped in to play 18 defensive snaps in his stead.
At end, Takk McKinley seems to have moved into a starting spot (at least with Vic Beasley out) and played 48 snaps. He’s managed 92 combined over the last two weeks now. Production will likely follow.
Baltimore Ravens
This needs to be taken with a pinch of salt given how the game went, but the big news is at linebacker. Up to now, Kamalei Correa and Patrick Onwuasor have been in a fairly even rotation. In week three, Onwuasor managed 40 snaps with Correa only seeing 23. He’s very much worth adding just on the off chance he turns into Zach Orr.
Michael Pierce managed a big fantasy day but he also saw the field for 64 snaps. That’s not going to happen often.
Buffalo Bills
Preston Brown and Ramon Humber continue to both play every snap, but they both produced similarly this week. It was always going to happen at some point. I’m sure you knew that already given I said it last week.
Both EJ Gaines and Tre White had big days at corner. Both are settled as full-time starters with 180 and 194 defensive snaps in the three games so far. Continue to start them both in CB-required leagues.
Carolina Panthers
Thomas Davis picked up an injury, so Shaq Thompson played a season-high of 53 snaps. This might be the case for a few weeks going forwards.
Veteran ends Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson continue to share a role. They’re averaging 30 and 28 snaps per week respectively with Mario Addison out in front on 40 per week. Mario Addison is one of only three players to be in the top ten of sacks per snap for both of the last two seasons. He’s a decent play for me.
Chicago Bears
Safety Quintin Demps broke his arm unfortunately and is set to miss several games. In his absence, Adrian Amos stepped up and will likely be the starter going forward. Until now, Demps and Eddie Jackson have played almost every snap.
At linebacker, Danny Trevathan is the last man standing after the recent injuries and is locked into every snap. He’s played 122 snaps over the last two weeks. Opposite him Christian Jones played just 36 snaps and does not seem to be an every-down option.
Cincinnati Bengals
Carl Lawson was the big story with three sacks on the day. He’s a linebacker on MFL, but is playing on the edge. There’s every chance he’s categorised as a defensive end in 2018 and is a great stash.
Kevin Minter saw just 18 snaps, and with Vontaze Burfict about to return Minter is droppable. Nick Vigil and Vincent Rey are the current starters but at least one of them will take a big hit with Burfict back too.
At end Michael Johnson jumped straight back into 57 snaps after his concussion. Jordan Willis played only 13 snaps.
Cleveland Browns
Derrick Kindred has been a god play at strong safety. It’s worth noting Ibraheim Campbell played 13 snaps at Kindred’s expense.
With Jamie Collins out injured, James Burgess played 40 snaps. Ignore him.
At corner, Briean Boddy-Calhoun has played just 59 snaps combined in the last two games. With Collins manning the slot a fair amount, Boddy-Calhoun is not getting the snaps to be relevant.
Dallas Cowboys
Jaylon Smith has now managed 122 snaps across the last two weeks. If there was any doubt about opportunity it should be banished. He still doesn’t look 100%, but he’s at least on the field.
Demarcus Lawrence is rightly getting all the headlines at end and is dominating volume. He played 56 snaps this week with Taco Charlton seeing just 20, Benson Mayowa 30 and Damontre Moore 26.
Denver Broncos
Will Parks took a big hit to volume this week, with just 27 snaps. I think this is just a reaction to the personnel groups they faced. The Bills do not tend to run a lot of spread formations. Parks has the most attractive usage in terms of position between him, Justin Simmons and Darian Stewart.
Correspondingly to Parks, nickel corner Bradley Roby saw only 30 snaps this week after playing 102 in the first two games. And Todd Davis jumped from 16 snaps up to 41. This was clearly a case of the Broncos being in base far more than they usually are.
Detroit Lions
With Tavon Wilson out Miles Killebrew saw 53 snaps. He’s an odd player. He’s clearly a hige hitter with high energy but I don’t think he entirely understands the defense. You can often see Glover Quin gesturing and talking to him pre snap. Regardless he’s going to make plays when he’s on the field. The man is a missile.
Ezekiel Ansah continues to be outsnapped by Anthony Zettel. Ansah had that huge week but I seriously worry about his ability to do that regularly. He just doesn’t look like a top-level pass rusher to me and the Lions will not give him high enough volume to prove differently.
Green Bay Packers
Josh Johnson had a breakout game as he played 61 snaps with Kentrell Brice out. I’m nowhere near as bullish about his prospects as some other IDP guys and wouldn’t be shocked if Brice walks back into the job.
With Nick Perry hurt, the OLB spot across from Clay Matthews was filled by a combination of Kyler Fackrell (41 snaps) and Ahmad Brooks (32).
Houston Texans
Zach Cunningham has Brian Cushing’s old job at inside linebacker sewn up. He’s played 94 snaps in the last two weeks with Dylan Cole down on 37.
Jadaveon Clowney has been super consistent so far in 2017 with 53, 55 and 55 snaps by game. Maybe the coaching team just think that’s his level?
Indianapolis Colts
Malik Hooker is now playing every down. By week he’s managed 30, 66 and 76 snaps. Opposite him, Matthias Farley played just 51 snaps with Darius Butler seeing time (37 snaps) at safety as well as corner. I hope that’s not a trend.
At LB Antonio Morrison stepped right back into a starting role alongside Jon Bostic. After Jeremiah George’s big week two, he only played seven snaps.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The same as the Ravens, this is an odd game because it was so one-sided. Many players were rested late on after the game was won. I’m just going to skip past it as we didn’t learn anything new.
Kansas City Chiefs
Derrick Johnson continues to defy age and be the lynchpin at LB. He has 208 snaps so far which is astonishing. Ramik Wilson by comparison has played just 60.
Chris Jones frustratingly continues to play significantly fewer snaps than Allen Bailey. Jones had 39 this week to Bailey’s 52. It seems the coaching staff just think Jones is not a player who should be run into the ground.
Los Angeles Chargers
Korey Toomer managed a respectable 42 snaps with Hayes Pullard out. I still want no part of him.
Chris McCain has been a popular add but has played only 53 snaps in three games so far. I don’t believe his current production can last so be very careful.
Los Angeles Rams
Lamarcus Joyner’s injury at safety shook things up this week. In his absence, Cody Davis stepped up to play 63 snaps. He’d managed 38 combined in the first two weeks.
At OLB, Connor Barwin continues to outsnap Robert Quinn. Barwin played 69 last week and is up to 165 for the season. Quinn had 44 and is on 114 for the year.
Miami Dolphins
Jordan Phillipes missed the game through injury. In his absence, Davon Godchaux and Vincent Taylor played 35 and 29 snaps respectively. Ndamokung Suh of course led the way with 54 and is a must-start.
Xavien Howard led the way at corner with ten more snaps than anyone else this week.
Minnesota Vikings
Mike Zimmer is yet to give a rookie a single defensive snap. It’s almost a phobia for him.
Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes seem to be gaining the upper hand in the fight for CB snaps. They have 151 and 155 snaps each. Terence Newman (117) and Mackensie Alexander (88) are also involved.
Danielle Hunter will be fine. Continue to start him.
New England Patriots
Trey Flowers is right at the top of DE snaps across the league. He’s played 199 snaps in three games. Across from him Lawrence Guy got the upper hand this week with 51 snaps to Deatrich Wise’s 34.
At LB, Elandon Roberts has managed more playing time each week so far. His snaps have gone from nine to 36 to 57.
New Orleans Saints
At safety Kenny Vaccaro was back in favour this week with 59 snaps. Marcus Williams managed 57 and Vonn Bell 36. Bell should not be starting for you.
Plenty of people are losing faith in AJ Klein, but he’s getting the volume. He’s on 200 snaps for the season with Anzalone next on just 155. Only four LBs have more snaps than AJ Klein and they’re all IDP stars.
New York Jets
Kony Ealy isn’t getting a full starter’s load but still played 42 snaps last week. He’s averaging 40 on the season.
Buster Skrine is leading the way at CB with 192 snaps so far. Morris Claiborne has 185.
New York Giants
Whilst LB BJ Goodson missed a second match in a row, Calvin Munson took a step back with just 23 snaps. Keenan Robinson played 53 on his season debut. Injury has been a major factor but yet again the Giants’ LB situation is a mess.
At DT Dalvin Tomlinson is the starting 3-tech and is averaging 42 snaps per week. I think he’s an outstanding pickup in deep DT-premium leagues.
Oakland Raiders
Cory James is the LB you want to own. People have been picking Nick Morrow up, but he only played 42 snaps to James’ 68 last week. I’m still not bothering to add him.
Opposite Khalil Mack (51 snaps this week) Denico Autry (39) and Mario Edwards (43) continue to share a role.
Philadelphia Eagles
Chris Maragos played 69 snaps at safety with Rodney Mcleod and Corey Graham out. I can’t see that continuing much. I’m leaving Maragos to other people to make a mistake on.
Fletcher Cox and Jordan Hicks both took knocks this week. In their absence Mychal Kendricks (48 snaps) and Beau Allen (50 snaps) picked up the volume.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Sean Davis got a knock too. He played just 39 snaps with JJ Wilcox managing 35.
Anthony Chickillo managed a sack on his 62 snaps. When TJ Watt is fit again you have to think Chickillo will be a reserve again.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are the most boring team in the league for this. If they could they’d roll out the same 11 players for every snap. The only place they rotate is at end. After three games Michael Bennett (172 snaps) leads the way with Cliff Avril (139) and Frank Clark (113) fighting it out. I did tell everyone that would listen Frank Clark wasn’t going to get double-digit sacks again.
San Francisco 49ers
Injuries at safety have prevented any kind of consistency. This week Jimmie Ward played 67 snaps with Jaquiski Tartt on 48.
At LB, I’m desperate for Reuben Foster to get fit so I don’t have to write about Ray-Ray Armstrong. That is a super-silly name. Armstrong has 179 snaps so far. Only 12 LBs have more than him.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David are both hurt and will miss this week. In their absence, Kendell Beckwith will play again. He’s up to 132 snaps already in two games and although I don’t rate him as a player he’s piling up stats.
Gerald McCoy managed 63 defensive snaps last week at tackle. That is a huge number for him.
Tennessee Titans
It happened already. Jayon Brown (44) played more snaps than Avery Williamson (34) this week. Brown has some serious weaknesses but he’s going to get opportunities to win the coverage backer role.
In the secondary Adoree’ Jackson and Logan Ryan are getting very high volume and are excellent starts. They’ve seen 190 and 205 snaps respectively so far.
Washington Redskins
Montae Nicholson has played an increasing number of snaps. He was up to 43 in week three just behind DJ Swearinger. He’s a decent speculative pickup.
Linebacker is a mess apart from Zach Brown (51 snaps last week). Avoid the rest of them.
That’s it for another week. As always trust in the volume. If you’re losing patience with players you know are good, are staying on the field but not producing keep starting them. The stats will come.
Good luck everyone!
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