IDP Snap Counts: Week Nine
Here’s your weekly delve into who’s playing and who’s not in the defensive world.
Arizona Cardinals
No snaps due to bye week.
Atlanta Falcons
Corner Robert Alford missed this week which meant rookie Isaiah Oliver played all 69 snaps. Desmond Trufant remains the other outside corner with Brian Poole (60) in the slot.
Foyesade Oluokon (51) seems to have firmly beaten Duke Riley (22) into submission. Oluokon has now out-snapped Riley in three straight games.
The current strong safety situation sees Sharrod Neasman (49) playing over Jordan Richards (19). This is not a good situation for IDP.
Baltimore Ravens
Outside linebacker remains a deep but problematic position for the Ravens. Za’Darius Smith (64) is probably the single best player but Terrell Suggs (48) and Matt Judon (57) continue to block the way for talented youngsters Tim Williams (no snaps this week) and Tyus Bowser (16). Bowser has played defensive snaps in seven games now but has just 88 snaps for the year.
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Buffalo Bills
Rookie Tremaine Edmunds missed out at linebacker due to his concussion this week. Julian Stanford (51) filled in in his absence next to Matt Milano (51).
Carolina Panthers
Donte Jackson is second among rookie corners for playing time with 484. He managed all 67 snaps this week.
At DE, Mario Addison had a productive day from 53 snaps. He’s now up to 28 sacks in his last two and a half seasons. And he still doesn’t get the respect he should.
Shaq Thompson played just 30 snaps this week. He averaged 62 whilst Thomas Davis was suspended. He’s averaged 37 since Davis returned. Davis himself played 50 this week. He’s averaging 55 snaps per week. Not bad for a man of his age.
Chicago Bears
With Khalil Mack out again, Leonard Floyd had a big day. He was recommended in this column last week given his under-the-radar-excellent week eight. On the other side was Isaiah Irving (39).
Notably, rookie Joel Iyiegbuniwe played eight snaps this week with the Bears way out in front of the hapless Bills. He’s one to watch.
Cincinnati Bengals
No snaps due to bye week.
Cleveland Browns
Rookie corner Denzel Ward was limited to just eight snaps this week. He’s comfortably played more than all his peers though. Ward is still third on the cornerback snaps table. Denzel Rice (36) and Tavierre Thomas (17) covered for Ward. I had never heard of Thomas either.
With Damarious Randall inactive at safety Jabrill peppers played 59 snaps. Unfortunately, he played 47 of them at deep safety (against a season-high of 22 before this game). Oh yes. Gregg Williams is in charge of this team. Peppers still had five solos but expect a return to 2017 for him.
At linebacker, Christian Kirksey (22) injured his hamstring and left the game. Jamie Collins (64) is the de facto top inside LB at this stage. Tanner Vallejo (39) was even pressed into action. The team need Joe Schobert back. Which is a worrying state to be in.
Dallas Cowboys
LB Sean Lee returned from injury in the Cowboys’ last game (week seven) to play just 38 of 60 snaps. With another week to rest up, he played just 17 of 70 after tweaking his hamstring. He’s had a great career but cannot be relied on as a full-time player.
It’s also worth touching on Taco Charlton. He played just 26 snaps this week and has averaged 37 per game on the season. He hasn’t managed over 30 since week five. He is looking nothing like worth his draft capital at the moment.
Denver Broncos
Veteran LB Brandon Marshall missed the game which led to rookie Josey Jewell playing 48 snaps – comfortably his heaviest game as a pro. Jewell was predictably terrible in coverage. He and Todd Davis (52) are a liability in the passing game.
Safety Darian Stewart is still out which leaves Will Parks (62) still playing two-deep safety next to Justin Simmons (62). Su’a Cravens (27) made his debut for the team and really played Parks’ hybrid role. It’ll be interesting to see how things shake out when everyone is fit.
Detroit Lions
Matt Patricia and the Lions played just 49 defensive snaps as they had to watch the Vikings teach them how to rush the passer.
Ezekiel Ansah made his long-awaited return. He played just 12 snaps but managed a sack anyway. His career has been one of low volume but amazing efficiency. With Ansah back, Da’Shawn Hand (24) played more inside than he has had to. It seems likely his long-term position is as a tackle.
Green Bay Packers
Kevon King managed just 24 snaps at corner. He’s talented but frustrating. Bashaud Breeland played 68 snaps in his debut for the team alongside Jaire Alexander (71).
At LB rookie Oren Burks played just 15 snaps. He’s been promising but inconsistent. Antonio Morrison played double his volume on 31 snaps. Blake Martinez (56) remains the lone full-time LB.
At safety, Kentrell Brice played just 23 snaps and Jermaine Whitehead 15. Forgotten man Josh Jones, however, played 51 snaps at strong safety. Tramon Williams moved to free safety and played 71 snaps.
Houston Texans
Jonathan Joseph missed the game. Shareece Wright (66), Michael Tyson (47), Natrell Jamerson (22) and Kareem Jackson (66) are the cornerback unit here. That’s not good.
LB Zach Cunningham missed the game too. Brennan Scarlett was forced to play most of his 30 snaps inside. This isn’t ideal either.
J.J. Watt (60) is surely a slam-dunk for comeback player of the year at this stage? He’s played 543 snaps which is second in the NFL and is up to double-digit sacks for the first time since 2015.
Indianapolis Colts
No snaps due to bye week.
Jacksonville Jaguars
No snaps due to bye week.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs played 75 defensive snaps this week. They’re third in defensive snaps over the season.
Breeland Speaks continues to be an every-down player at OLB in the absence of Justin Houston. He’s creating consistent pressure. Houston, however, is nearing 30 and counts over $20m against the cap. With that figuring going up next season it seems possible he’ll be cut in the off-season.
With Terrance Smith on IR, rookie LB Dorian O’Daniel (33) continues to get on the field. He’s not looked very good though, unfortunately.
Los Angeles Chargers
Joey Bosa still hasn’t seen the field in 2018. It’s way past worrying now.
This week at LB Jatavis Brown (51) led the way. With Kyzir White on IR, he has an opportunity to put himself in the shop window, although Adrian Phillips (65) is basically a full-time LB these days too.
Denzel Perryman (46) continues to be a little short if good too. At least we saw Uchenna Nwosu play 35 snaps. Comfortably his most so far.
Los Angeles Rams
Even though the Rams played 71 defensive snaps on their barnstorming loss to the Saints they’ve still played the least defensive snaps in the league.
The team are having a mini-crisis at corner. Marcus Peters (71) looks pretty awful, Aqib Talib can’t get fit. Troy Hill had to play 69 snaps this week. Hill has given up an NFL QB rating of over 130 this season.
Miami Dolphins
The top story in Miami is Reshad Jones excusing himself from the game after just ten snaps. This is incredible. Maybe he was hurt but it didn’t sound that way. He’s another big-name player with an untenable contract who might be playing his last days on his current team.
Jerome Baker stood out on the stat sheet this week with his big interception but he also out-snapped Raekwon McMillan (54 to 36). If you can find a disillusioned Raekwon owner, he’s not a bad buy. Kiko Alonso could also be cut loose in the off-season clearing the way for both OSU alumni to start in 2019.
Minnesota Vikings
DEs Danielle Hunter (49) and Everson Griffen (52) are back together and causing mayhem. They managed six sacks between them.
Sheldon Richardson (48) is also having a terrific year on the interior. He’s creating consistent pressure even if he has just two sacks so far.
LB Anthony Barr missed out again with Eric Wilson (63) playing in his absence. Ben Gedeon played just 24 snaps.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are having an odd year defensively. They’ve played 625 defensive snaps so far but very few players have stayed on the field. Every week we’re seeing a litany of players with 20 or 30 snaps each.
The only exceptions are CB Stephon Gilmore (72), DE Trey Flowers (72), LB Kyle Van Noy (67) and Ss Patrick Chung (72) and Devin McCourty (74).
Van Noy is maybe the most interesting given how much he switches from the edge to inside LB and back. He’s good fun to watch and has quietly amassed 21 solos in his past three games. That’s LB1 pace.
New Orleans Saints
Rookie DE Marcus Davenport missed this game entirely. He’s played just 213 snaps so far which is disappointing given his price.
Occasional LB Alex Anzalone managed an INT this week but resist starting him. He played just 27 snaps. That’s slightly above his season average.
New York Jets
Honestly the less said about this game the better. It was awful. Nothing interesting happened on the field and that extended to snap volumes. I’m not writing anything more. You can have two minutes of your life back.
New York Giants
No snaps due to bye week.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders played just 55 snaps as they were outclassed by an undermanned 49ers team last week.
Tahir Whitehead (55) is the only full-time LB on the team with Marquel Lee (31) consistently playing around two thirds.
At safety, Marcus Gilchrist (40) is by far the best player with Erik Harris (25), Reggie Nelson (29) and Karl Joseph all failing to make an impression.
Brice Irvin played just nine snaps and was cut after the game. He seemed totally checked out this season.
Philadelphia Eagles
No snaps due to bye week.
Pittsburgh Steelers
There were very few changes week-on-week for the Steelers.
Joe Haden (60), Coty Sensabaugh (60) and Mike Hilton (53) continue to play CB with Artie Burns out.
L.J. Fort (27) continues to get snaps at LB with Jonathan Bostic (34) and Vince Williams (34) also limited in playing time.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks played just 51 defensive snaps this week. All stats are therefore depressed.
Bradley McDougald did pick up a knock, but he played 27 snaps at safety. It was just weird he failed to register a stat. Delano Hill stepped up when he was forced off. Hill is a very interesting potential IDP at strong safety.
The whole team looks very different with K.J. Wright (44) playing next to Bobby Wagner (51) at LB.
San Francisco 49ers
DE Cassius Marsh tore the Raiders up as a pass rusher. He played just 31 snaps though (season average of 37) and is unreliable against a team with a functional offensive line.
With Reuben Foster out and Fred Warner rested, a little Malcolm Smith (33), Dekoda Watson (17), Elijah Lee (25) and Mark Nzeocha (19) all got playing time at LB.
At strong safety Jaquiski Tartt was hurt. Tyvis Powell (57) played in his absence.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There was another change at corner this week for the inconsistent Buccs. M.J. Stewart missed the game and Javien Elliott (37) had to step in.
At end, Carl Nassib had a nice day on the stat sheet but played just 29 snaps. Vinny Curry returned after a two-week absence to play 41 snaps with Jason Pierre-Paul leading the way on 59.
Star DT Gerald McCoy also returned and played 53 snaps next to Beau Alen (40) and Vita Vea (20). Highly-drafted Vea has averaged just 33 snaps in the five games he’s played in.
Jordan Whitehead (39) and Isaiah Johnson (20) continue to share the strong safety job. Neither are a good IDP bet right now.
Tennessee Titans
There were no significant alterations for the Titans coming off their bye week. Kendrick Lewis missed out with Malcolm Butler playing 47 snaps, but it was very steady.
Washington Redskins
Corner Quinton Dunbar made his return from injury to play 26 snaps. As a result, target-monster Greg Stroman played just one defensive snap.
Newly-acquired safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix played 48 snaps on his debut with Montae Nicholson retaining 20. Clinton-Dix should be ratcheted up to full-time next week but even so he’s playing very deep. He’s a tough IDP to start going forwards. D.J. Swearinger (68) remains the best option here.
Thanks for reading and good luck.
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