IDP Snap Counts: Week Two – NFC
Hi everyone. Welcome back to the season. Week one was amazing just to have real football back but as the pigskin high wears off this is a great time to be nabbing the IDPs your leaguemates haven’t figured out yet. As always, the single biggest driving factor for IDP production is playing time. So, after one week we can scoop up the players who were on the field a ton and ignore those who produced big numbers from limited snaps. Every week I’ll be trying to find those hidden gems for you.
Arizona Cardinals
With Markus Golden still out injured, Benson Mayowa (56 snaps) continues to start opposite Chandler Jones (63). This column recommended Mayowa last week so hopefully, you benefitted from his six-tackle, two-sack game.
Even with Deone Bucannon (25) missing part of this game, Haason Reddick struggled to get on the field and managed just three snaps. He’s impossible to start right now and it seems his future likely lies away from the Cardinals.
Atlanta Falcons
With Keanu Neal on IR, Ricardo Allen (67 snaps) played strong safety early in the game. But after Damontae Kazee (14) was ejected early for a despicable hit, Jordan Richards played 53 snaps with Allen playing further back. More clarity is needed.
At linebacker, there was also a void with Deion Jones hurt. De’Vondre Campbell (67) seems to be the player to own with Duke Riley (58) also increasing in value.
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Carolina Panthers
The situation at DE looks like a full-blown rotation here. Wes Horton (47) and Mario Addison (51) look like the top names but Julius Peppers (21) is still getting playing time. Marquis Haynes (15) filled in for Bryan Cox as the fourth man this week.
Donte Jackson missed some playing time this week and only saw 42 snaps. It’s unclear whether he was rested or took a knock. In his absence, Corn Elder played 20 snaps.
Chicago Bears
Roquan Smith played his first proper game and lined up for 59 snaps. He was OK but is also a rookie. He should be much better as he adjusts.
Khalil Mack had another ridiculously productive day on the edge from just 48 snaps. He simply abused the Seahawks line and his mere presence is making the rest of this defense better. Leonard Floyd played 39 snaps on the other side with Aaron Lynch (30) and Sam Acho (15) spelling them both.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are yet another rotation at DE. Taco Charlton (57) led the team for the second straight week with Demarcus Lawrence (52) and Tyrone Crawford (51) just behind him. Rookie Dorance Armstrong made his debut with 27 snaps.
Sean Lee again failed to play the whole game. He managed 41 of 68 snaps this week. It’s not surprising given his age, fragility, and importance to the team. Jaylon Smith (57) is currently the top LB with Leighton Vander Esch (28) being brought on slowly.
Kavon Frazier (68) has played 135 snaps now across two games and is playing more of a box role than we’ve seen from the team recently. He should be owned in most leagues. Correspondingly, Jeff Heath (67) is playing deeper and is very droppable.
Detroit Lions
A’Shawn Robinson returned at tackle to play 23 snaps this week. Both Sylvester Williams (37) and Ricky Jean-Francois (35) played less than last week as a result.
With Ezekiel Ansah missing out through injury and Kerry Hyder lasting just ten snaps, Romeo Okwara (31) and Da’Shawn Hand (38) were the top ends for the Lions this week. It’s going to be a long season in Motor City. At least Teez Tabor (50) was in the starting line-up.
Green Bay Packers
Reggie Gilbert appears to be solidly the third edge rusher. He played 34 snaps this week behind Clay Matthews (56) and Nick Perry (40). Remember this was an overtime game so all numbers are inflated.
Kevin King appeared to take a knock which limited him to just 26 snaps at corner. This is worrying. King seems their top corner so far although Jaire Alexander (56) and Josh Jackson (34) have both flashed from mainly the slot. Tramon Williams (73) is playing for now but it’s likely a matter of time until Alexander and or Jackson start taking boundary snaps from him.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams played just 45 defensive snaps this week as they throttled the Cardinals. As a result, a lot of their players did not have productive nights. Notably, Cory Littleton played just 34 snaps, John Johnson III 35, Aaron Donald 30 and Ndamukong Suh 33. It’s best to simply draw a line through this and move on.
It is worth noting that the Cards’ two opponents so far have both played very limited defensive snaps. This could be a trend.
Minnesota Vikings
Sheldon Richardson (56) and Linval Joseph remain the starters at tackle. Richardson has not quite been getting home with his pass rush so far but it’s coming.
Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks managed 77 snaps each this week. They now have 143 snaps each through two games. Only five other inside linebackers have played more. Barr has been inefficient across his whole career (mostly due to the scheme) but Kendricks is likely to start putting up better numbers soon.
At corner, Mackensie Alexander was healthy enough to play 54 snaps this week. With him in the team, Mike Hughes dropped to just 21 from 52 in week one. Pump the brakes on Hughes.
New Orleans Saints
Linebacker is a mess in New Orleans. A.J. Klein led the team with 48 snaps but Demario Davis (42), Manti Te’o (35) and Alex Anzalone (23) are all seeing time too. None of them are a good start right now.
Marcus Davenport again played just 23 snaps. He’s being brought on slowly.
New York Giants
For the second week in a row, Alec Ogletree played full-time (53 snaps) whilst B.J. Goodson (30) and Ray-Ray Armstrong (23) shared a role.
Janoris Jenkins returned to a full role with 53 snaps at corner but Eli Apple took a knock which limited him to just 33 snaps. B.W. Webb played 41 snaps and Donte Deayon 13 to cover up. This is not a good corner group.
Philadelphia Eagles
Nigel Bradham returned at inside linebacker and played 47 snaps. With him back, Nathan Gerry played just four defensive snaps but Kamu Grugier-Hill retained his role with 22 snaps. As expected, Bradham and Jordan Hicks (58) are the only real options.
Seattle Seahawks
With Tom Johnson cut after week one, Nazair Jones (12) and Poona Ford (15) stepped in to play at tackle.
Mychal Kendricks played 54 LB snaps just days after arriving in Seattle alongside middle linebacker Austin Calitro who led the team with 66 snaps. Shaquem Griffin missed the game.
Cornerback Tre Flowers was benched due to injury (or maybe just performance) and Akeem King played 66 snaps in his absence. Shaquill Griffin also played 66 and was far better than in week one. He’ll need to be on this team.
San Francisco 49ers
With Reuben Foster still suspended and Brock Coyle on IR, Fred Warner (77 snaps) was partnered by Elijah Lee (72) this week. Warner was nowhere near as good as he was in week one but he’s still a good start right now. Only three other linebackers have played more than his 148 defensive snaps so far.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gerald McCoy played 65 snaps this week to bring his total to 127. Only Larry Ogunjobi has more so far and he played five quarters in week one.
At end, Jason Pierre-Paul managed 67 snaps to lead the committee – better than week one but still a little worrying.
Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David continue to play every snap ta LB. they’ve been pretty awful so far in the passing game.
Rookie corners M.J. Stewart (67) and Carlton Davis (77) both played a lot this week. They’re fine options in leagues that require corners.
Washington Redskins
Washington did not have the luxury of beating up on the Cardinals this week so their starters stayed in at linebacker. Zach Brown played 51 snaps and Mason Foster 60. On the edge, Ryan Kerrigan (50) and Preston Smith (47) also played more. Both are rushing the passer well but not quite getting home. Stick with them.
That’s it for this week. Remember when the season is this young you have an opportunity to see the players who are in position to help you before it’s obvious. But you need to act boldly.
Good luck and thanks for reading.
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