IDP Snap Counts: Week Five
This season seems quite fun defensively doesn’t it? There’s a lot of young talent at the CB and edge positions in particular. Either way, we saw some big games this week. Read on for more information as to which were real performances and which were merely mirages.
Arizona Cardinals
LB Haason Reddick (67) has now played every defensive snap of the last three games. Only 19 other inside LBs have played more snaps than him. He’s got to be thought of as a real IDP option.
With D.J. Swearinger surprisingly cut last week, Deionte Thompson (43) and Jalen Thompson (45) got the chance to show what they can do alongside Budda Baker (67) who played much more in the slot this week.
Atlanta Falcons
After the Falcons traded for Johnathan Cyprien lots of people thought he’d immediately play strong safety over Kemal Ishmael.
Cyprien played just 24 snaps with Ishmael on 49 (compared to 40 last week).
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens appear to have finally seen enough from Kenny Young and Chris Board. Young was a healthy scratch and Board played one snap.
In their place Josh Bynes (43) played next to Patrick Onwuasor (54).
With OLB Tim Williams cut, Jaylon Ferguson (21) seems to have settled into his old role as relief pass rusher.
Buffalo Bills
Matt Milano (45) played limited snaps this week at LB. He appears to have been injured. In his absence Maurice Alexander (seven) played a little in the box.
Jordan Phillips got the sacks this week. Bear in mind he played just 26 snaps compared to Ed Oliver’s 41. As difficult as it is to believe, Oliver is having the better season in NFL terms and is a buy-low candidate.
Carolina Panthers
Bruce Irvin stepped up his comeback with 54 snaps this week. Mario Addison (59) also played heavily with Brian Burns (37) further back. This is what I expected to see at the start of the season and it’s slightly worrying for Burns in 2019.
Chicago Bears
DE Akiem Hicks (eight) has now played just 160 snaps in 2019. At the same point of 2018 he had 259 snaps. Obviously, injuries are chance, but this is a reminder he’s been very healthy in recent years and isn’t getting any younger.
Roquan Smith (73) made his return at LB which meant that Nick Kwiatkoski did not play on defense.
Cincinnati Bengals
Carl Lawson made his return after two games out. He even played 47 snaps which nearly doubled his playing time for the year. Sam Hubbard (59) got the sack but all three pass rushers (along with Carlos Dunlap (57)) were similarly effective.
Safety Shawn Williams had a monster tackle game from just 59 snaps with Clayton Fejedelem (18) spelling him.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns are still missing their first-choice cornerbacks with Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams out. Terrance Mitchell (76) and T.J. Carrie (75) continue to play in their stead.
Chad Thomas (22) managed a sack this week but he’s still playing far, far less than Olivier Vernon (54). Vernon has just one sack, but he’s 21st among edge players in pressures.
Morgan Burnett returned at safety but played just 26 snaps. Jermaine Whitehead managed 72.
Dallas Cowboys
DE Robert Quinn continues to lead the team in snaps. He’s played 105 snaps in the last two weeks compared to just 86 for Demarcus Lawrence.
Denver Broncos
De’Vante Bausby played just 12 before suffering a very nasty-looking injury. Duke Dawson (57) stepped up to play in the slot.
Josey Jewell missed the game which meant the Broncos had to turn to Alexander Johnson (65) alongside Todd Davis (70). Justin Hollins (14) played only on the edge.
With Bradley Chubb out for the year, Malik Reed stepped up to play 62 OLB snaps.
Safety Will Parks could manage just 16 snaps which opened the door for Kareem Jackson (70).
Detroit Lions
No snaps due to the Lions enjoying a bye week.
Green Bay Packers
CB Kevin King recorded a huge day from just 37 snaps. Wow.
B.J. Goodson was introduced as a starter for the defense. He played just 19 snaps. That was up on the seven he played last week, I suppose.
Oren Burks made a low-key return to action with 11 defensive snaps.
Darnell Savage (19) was knocked out of the game leaving Will Redmond (55) to step up.
Houston Texans
Rookie DE Charles Omenihu returned to action with 38 snaps. Carlos Watkins missed the game.
Jahleel Addae had a good game at safety but he remains a part-time player. He saw the field on just 35 of 74 snaps this week. He’s played 128 of 350 snaps in 2019.
Indianapolis Colts
CB Rock Ya-Sin (59) definitely seems to have secured a starting spot opposite Pierre Desir (60) and Kenny Moore (47) in the slot.
Quincy Wilson (21) is the odd man out.
DE Kemoko Turay played 34 snaps this week (his highest by far in 2019) before a broken ankle ended his season.
Jabaal Sheard played 44 snaps though, and looks like the “starter” opposite Justin Houston (48).
Anthony Walker (63) again played lead LB with Darius Leonard out. Bobby Okereke (46) played Walker’s normal limited role.
With both Clayton Geathers and Malik Hooker out, George Odum and Khari Willis (63 each) started at safety. Beating the Chiefs while missing their starting LB and safeties is amazing.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Yannick Ngakoue had a big week this week. He played more than the other edge players this week with 58 snaps. Calais Campbell had 57 and Josh Allen 53.
Kansas City Chiefs
Alex Okafor missed the game at DE which opened the door for Tannoh Kpassagnon (43) to play more. Frank Clark (67) and Emmanuel Ogbah (65) led the way.
Tackle Xavier Williams (ten) was limited which mean Khalen Saunders (33) played his first decent defensive game.
Anthony Hitchens (11) took a knock at LB which meant Ben Niemann (70) played alongside Damien Wilson (66). Darron Lee (28) and Reggie Ragland (five) are droppable in pretty much all leagues.
Los Angeles Chargers
DE Melvin Ingram missed this game, so Uchenna Nwosu (57) again played on the edge. He was really good. He needs owning right now in leagues where OLBs are useful.
In terms of inside LBs, Gus Bradley is again rotating players. Thomas Davis (40), Kyzir White (34), Drue Tranquill (20), Denzel Perryman (32) and Jatavis Brown (17) are all on the field. Don’t start any of them until further notice.
Roderic Teamer (61) continues to play strong safety with Derwin James and Adrian Phillips hurt. This column told you to pick him up two weeks ago. I hope you listened.
Los Angeles Rams
Troy Reeder played 54 snaps at LB. It may well have been a one-week thing. He’s worth a speculative add in deep leagues but don’t expect much.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins enjoyed their best week of the season as they had a bye.
Minnesota Vikings
Mike Zimmer continues to tinker with snaps. He likes to give players a few snaps here and there to give them some game time. This week CB Kris Boyd (six), DT Jalyn Holmes (three), LB Ben Gedeon (nine), LB Eric Wilson (14) and DB Jayron Kearse (five) all played minor roles.
New England Patriots
There are really no edge players you can start right now in New England. Shilique Calhoun (14), Chase Winovich (17), Michael Bennett (15), John Simon (12) and Deatrich Wise (18) are all playing limited roles.
With Dont’a Hightower (53) back in the team Ja’Whaun Bentley (ten) and Elandon Roberts (14) also dropped to scraps.
Patrick Chung was hurt and missed the game at safety, which meant Duron Harmon (48) played more than usual in his deep role and Terrence Brooks (22) added some snaps.
New Orleans Saints
This column has been talking about Marcus Davenport’s breakout all season long. He was excellent again this week and finally recorded the sacks he’s deserved. He played 42 snaps this week and is a red-hot breakout candidate.
He hasn’t played any snaps on defense yet, but Stephone Anthony is back with the Saints. He played 12 special teams snaps this week, a cautionary tale for why you shouldn’t heavily invest into LBs.
New York Jets
The Jets are cursed. Henry Anderson played just four snaps this week before hurting his shoulder. Jordan Willis (32) stepped in to play. Willis was exciting at one point but he’s clearly not going to do anything as a Jet.
Neville Hewitt (68) remains the top LB on this team with C.J. Mosley out. Blake Cashman (51) is not a finished product yet.
New York Giants
LB is a car-crash on this team. Alec Ogletree, Ryan Connelly and Tae Davis were all out, leaving David Mayo (69) and Nathan Stupar (37) to play. Yuk.
Lorenzo Carter missed this game at OLB, leaving the way open for Oshane Ximines to play 67 snaps — by far his biggest game as a pro.
Oakland Raiders
As expected, the Raiders turned to Nicholas Morrow (56) at LB with Vontaze Burfict suspended for the year. He’s a solid option for the rest of 2019.
With Clelin Ferrell out (my London-based Raider fan friends were gutted), Maxx Crosby (57) led the team on the edge. He’s a solid stash.
Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles cornerbacks, eh? Rasul Douglas (58) led the way with Craig James (57) and Orlando Scandrick (35) in the slot.
Scandrick recorded two sacks, four tackles and two forced fumbles but he’s not to be trusted on this level of snaps. Weeks like this happen with corners. You can’t go chasing them.
Nigel Bradham (55) remains the only LB to start. Zach Brown (31), Nate Gerry (22) and Kamu Grugier-Hill (20) are all part-time specialist players. Bradham isn’t a great choice either though, so this is a team to avoid for LBs.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are joint top-of-the-NFL with an average of 76 defensive snaps per week so far. This week they played 81. Bear this in mind.
LB Vince Williams returned this week. He played 52 snaps this week behind Devin Bush (74). Mark Barron (32) was a distant third place.
Seattle Seahawks
DE Ziggy Ansah (46) has played three games and significantly increased his playing time each week.
The Seahawks maintained their three-LB strategy this week, but Mychal Kendricks (38) was a long way behind Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright (72 each).
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have played just 102 total snaps in their last two games. It was 49 this week. This is absurdly low. Expect it to rise.
With Ahkello Witherspoon out Emmanuel Moseley came in to play 49 snaps at corner. He’s not much of an IDP option yet.
On the edge it seems Dee Ford (17) has settled into a surprisingly minor role. For now, at least. He’s played just 99 snaps in four games. Arik Armstead (37) has 168 in total with Nick Bosa (38) on 147.
Jimmie Ward (49) made his season debut playing deep safety. Jaquiski Tartt (49) is playing more in the box.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs had to show some depth at corner. Carlton Davis was restricted to just 28 snaps as he was ejected from the game. Sean Bunting (60) came in for his biggest game of the season.
Rookie LB Devin White missed his third game in a row. He’s played just 74 snaps on the season; 68 of them were in week one. Kevin Minter (55) again stepped in for him.
Tennessee Titans
No major changes this week for the Titans. Wesley Woodyard continues to be a minor role player with just 19 snaps.
Washington Redskins
There were no major shifts defensively in Jay Gruden’s last game in charge. With Gruden gone it’ll be interesting to see if Bill Callahan changes anything, but he’ll likely not change much defensively. It’s worth noting that the owner likes aggressive defense though, and if Callahan wants to make his job permanent, he’ll be trying to give the owner what he wants.
As injuries continue to rack up we see opportunities for IDP buys crop up at this time of the year. Take this knowledge and be aggressive.
Good luck and thanks for reading.
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