IDP Snap Counts: Week Five
Injuries are starting to mount up. It’s not even the season-enders, but the piling up of weekly bumps and bruises really stresses most IDP rosters. Don’t be down on one-week solutions. Starting a throwaway over a zero week can often mean the difference between a loss and a crucial win.
Arizona Cardinals
Resurgent defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche missed this week. In his absence, Olsen Pierre played 51 snaps.
Fellow young lineman Markus Golden also missed the game. His health issues are a concern. Benson Mayowa again started in Golden’s absence (71).
Unexpectedly, Haason Reddick (98) played next to Josh Bynes at linebacker (also 98). Deone Bucannon managed just four snaps.
Atlanta Falcons
Another week, another reshuffled secondary. Brian Poole (37) moved back to the slot this week with Jordan Richards (47) playing strong safety. With 61 defensive snaps, neither is a good option right now but it’s a situation to monitor.
At LB, Foyesade Oluokon continued his march to playing time. He managed 33 snaps this week. He’s played more in every single game so far. He needs to be stashed in deep leagues.
Baltimore Ravens
CB Jimmy Smith (35) and lineman Willie Henry (39) both returned from injury this week. Both could seriously affect the playing time of those around them and should be more involved next week.
Much of the debate this season has been about Patrick Onwuasor vs Kenny Young. On the evidence of the last two weeks, the answer is neither. Onwuasor played just 16 (of 80) snaps this week with Young on 20.
Buffalo Bills
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Corner Phillip Gaines returned to action this week with 40 snaps. Ryan Smith lost out and played just 16.
At safety, Micah Hyde and Rafael Bush were both hurt so Dean Marlowe was forced to play. He’s not worth picking up.
Carolina Panthers
At safety, new signing Eric Reid made his debut with 48 snaps. Mike Adams played all 56. He’s been the only ever-present in the unit). Rookie Rashaan Gaulden played eight.
Chicago Bears
No snaps this week due to the bye week.
Cincinnati Bengals
Vontaze Burfict made his return from his latest suspension. He played just 34 snaps with Nick Vigil (46) and Preston Brown (42) still leading the way. It’ll be interesting to see how this situation shakes out. Avoiding starting any next week seems prudent until we know more.
Cleveland Browns
Incredibly, the Browns have now played an average of 78 defensive snaps per game with their overtime battles. They’ve been on the field for 179 in the last two games alone. The Chargers have played 112 snaps during that same period. With 351 snaps so far, Larry Ogunjobi has already played more than he did the entire of 2017 (75).
Safety Derrick Kindred took a knock which opened the door for Jabrill Peppers to play more than usual (48 snaps). He had a good game so hopefully, he’ll get more opportunity.
Dallas Cowboys
At safety, Kavon Frazier started the season at strong safety. He got hurt and Xavier Woods came in. Woods (79) has now started the last two games with Frazier seeing the field for just a handful of snaps each time. It looks like Woods has snaffled this job for the time being.
Denver Broncos
There were no significant changes for the Broncos this week.
Todd Davis continues to play about three-quarters of the snaps at inside LB. Josey Jewell (25) continues to play about a third. Safety Will Parks (25) comes in for about the same.
Detroit Lions
In the injury crisis the Lions have, DE Da’Shawn Hand continues to play a ton. He saw 62 this week which he turned into a big stat line.
At LB, Jarrad Davis (77) and Devon Kennard (78) are the only every-down players – even though Kennard plays mostly on the edge. Christian Jones has just 186 snaps for the season (37 per game) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin 86 (17 per game).
Quandre Diggs played 81 snaps of safety this week with Tavon Wilson missing the game. Diggs has been hard to pin down. He’s not a strong safety. But he’s not just a slot either.
Green Bay Packers
Oren Burks continues to be assimilated into this defense. He played 25 snaps this week and is seeing more every game. Fellow LB Antonio Morrison (18) is now just an afterthought. Blake Martinez (62) remains the only full-time inside linebacker.
On the line, it seems that Dean Lowry has stepped in for Muhammad Wilkerson. Lowry has played 76 snaps in the two games since Wilkerson was hurt.
Lastly, Kevin King (51) returned from injury at corner. This coincided with impressive rookie Jaire Alexander missing the game through injury. When Alexander returns, it will likely impact either Tramon Williams (61) or Josh Jackson (47).
Houston Texans
For the second game running since Dylan Cole was hurt, Zach Cunningham (62) played every single defensive snap. He’s a better IDP option than Benardrick McKinney (62) is.
With Aaron Colvin hurt this week, Kareem Jackson (62) played in the slot. This is the third position he’s played in five games after mainly playing safety and filling in at outside corner for a game.
Justin Reid came in to start at safety and played 56 snaps.
Even with a thrown-together secondary, they still stopped the Cowboys passing the ball well.
Indianapolis Colts
In 2017, the Colts had some really bad injury luck. In 2018, they’ve got exactly the same thing.
At cornerback, Pierre Desir (69), Arthur Maulet (45), Lenzy Pipkins (53) and Christopher Milton (24) played with Kenny Moore, Nate Hairston and Quincy Wilson out.
At linebacker, Zaire Franklin (69) and Najee Goode (51) filled in for Darius Leonard and Anthony Walker.
At safety, Matthias Farley (45) came in for Clayton Geathers (20).
This is just unsustainable.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Rookie safety Ronnie Harrison saw some significant playing time again this week with 24 snaps. The Jags appear to be using him plenty against opposing tight ends. Starting option Tashaun Gipson (57) took a knock in this one and Jarrod Wilson came in to play 16 snaps.
At DE, Dante Fowler Jr. played 29 snaps – his highest total this season. It seems that although Yannick Ngakoue is still clearly the starter, Fowler might be used more as the season continues.
Kansas City Chiefs
DE Chris Jones (30) was having a good game before being ejected for a boneheaded punch. In his absence, Jarvis Jenkins played 31 snaps. He’s not worth adding.
OLB Justin Houston (22) also left the game early. Mammoth rookie Breeland Speaks stepped up with 56 snaps. He created seven total pressures (two hits and five hurries) which is extremely impressive – even against awful tackle play.
Inside linebacker Reggie Ragland played just 24 snaps in this game with Terrance Smith on 53. Ragland is bad, but this just reflects game-script. Ragland mainly plays on rushing downs and the Chiefs are far from a running team.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers played just 52 defensive snaps this week. They’re consistently playing low volumes this season which is a worry.
We saw a classic Chargers LB rotation this week with plenty of players seeing time at the position. Denzel Perryman (46) led the way but Jatavis Brown (23), Kyle Emmanuel (11), Uchenna Nwosu (seven) and Adrian Phillips (33) all saw the field too.
Corey Liuget made his season debut at tackle with 30 snaps. The Chargers (like so many other teams) are now employing a four-man rotation at the position.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams (just like their city-mates the Chargers) are playing very low defensive snaps.
Corner Sam Shields missed this game with journeyman Troy Hill filling in on 50 snaps across from Marcus Peters (60).
Mark Barron made his return at inside linebacker and played an impressive 48 snaps. That meant Ramik Wilson saw just one snap. One.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins secondary continues to be in flux. Reshad Jones (60) returned at safety next to T.J. McDonald (59) which meant Minkah Fitzpatrick (42) returned to the slot. Xavien Howard (60) is the number one corner with Torry McTyer (57) the weak link on the other side.
At linebacker, Jerome Baker has now posted 19 solos in his past three games. Impressive numbers but please note he played just 33 snaps (of 60) this week with Kiko Alonso (60) and Raekwon McMillan (43) ahead of him.
At DE, the team is in crisis. Robert Quinn (41) and Charles Harris (42) are the last men standing from the five-man committee that started the season. Jonathan Woodard (25) and famed gumbo chef Cameron Malveaux (19) are currently playing.
Minnesota Vikings
With Trae Waynes missing this game, safety Jayron Kearse is filling in. He played 21 snaps this week in a hybrid SS/slot role.
At DE, Everson Griffen isn’t coming back anytime soon but Stephen Weatherly (54) is holding down the fort. Weatherly doesn’t look like a long-term solution here. He’s strictly opportunity-based.
New England Patriots
A week after Trey Flowers returned from his concussion, he played just 50 snaps (from 83). He’s shown an excellent motor before, so this was odd. Deatrich Wise Jr. (41) and Adrian Clayborn (44) were the other major factors with John Simon only managing five snaps.
LB has been a major issue most of the year. This week, Kyle Van Noy played 73 snaps to lead the way but he’s mainly playing OLB. Dont’a Hightower managed 56 and Elandon Roberts 41. None of them are great options as it currently stands.
New Orleans Saints
Star corner Marshon Lattimore had a concussion and played just six snaps. In his absence, Justin Hardee stepped up with 38. Ken Crawley (59) and P.J. Williams (57) were the main options.
Things solidified further at LB with A.J. Klein (47) and Demario Davis (50) the clear top options.
New York Jets
DB Buster Skrine was concussed in this game. He’s had several now which is a worry. He played just 13 snaps with Parry Nickerson stepping up to 52 snaps.
Henry Anderson played 49 snaps at end and seems to be the clear starter opposite Leonard Williams (59).
Future Hall-of-Famer Frankie Luvu returned from injury to play 28 OLB snaps. He has nine pressures from his 84 pass rushes now. He’s a very long shot to ever do anything but he’s got a great name.
New York Giants
Eli Apple returned in this game to play 71 snaps. He’s a very average corner but is, bizarrely, the Giants’ best option at the position. Janoris Jenkins (69) has not had a good season so far. Both players have off-field issues.
Ray-Ray Armstrong (33) again out-snapped B.J. Armstrong (22). Neither are good IDP options.
Oakland Raiders
No major changes this week as this unit seems to be steady, if not good.
Derrick Johnson (18) continues to play a minor role with Marquel Lee (48). Neither are good. The Raiders are in desperate need of a new middle linebacker. I wonder if Rolando McClain is free?
The Raiders have used three safeties in the past four games. Reggie Nelson (42) and Marcus Gilchrist (57) are the starters with Erik Harris (26) playing a significant sub-role. Only Gilchrist is a desirable IDP option and he’s not great.
Philadelphia Eagles
Second-year DE Derek Barnett missed this week through injury. Josh Sweat made his debut but played just eight snaps. Brandon Graham (52), Michael Bennett (49) made up most of the shortfall with Chris Long (29) playing his normal weight.
At safety, Avonte Maddox played 62 snaps but played very deep compared to the Eagles normal free safety role with Malcolm Jenkins playing more in the box.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Vince Williams missed this game at LB. Tyler Matakevich (41) and L.J. Fort (27) picked up the slack between them. Heralded rookie Matthew Thomas also made his defensive debut with four snaps.
Morgan Burnett missed another game at safety. This is to be expected at this stage of his career. Rookie Terrell Edmunds (72) continues to play every snap.
Seattle Seahawks
With Mychal Kendricks suspended by the league and K.J. Wright still hurt, the Seahawks have a huge hole at linebacker next to Bobby Wagner (66). Austin Calitro (four) and Shaquem Griffin (special teams only) have been deemed either not good enough or not ready so the Seahawks played Barkevious Mingo (64) at inside linebacker. Weird.
Safety Earl Thomas is on IR so Tedric Thompson came in to play 65 snaps of free safety next to strong safety Bradley McDougald (66).
San Francisco 49ers
It was all change at safety for the 49ers this week. Arian Colbert (51) and Jaquiski Tartt (50) returned to play free and strong respectively with Antone Exum (one) and Jimmie Ward (none) being summarily dropped.
Richard Sherman also came back to play 51 snaps at corner.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No snaps this week due to the bye week.
Tennessee Titans
With Wesley Woodyard out, this was the first game with Jayon Brown (65) partnering rookie Rashaan Evans (48). Brown had a hugely productive game and is a good option currently. Evans looks raw at best.
Washington Redskins
There were no major changes after the team had a week off to get healthy.
Linebacker Zach Brown (58) continues to play around 90% of snaps with Mason Foster (66) leading the unit in snaps.
Thanks for reading.
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