NFC IDP Snap Counts: Week One
Week one is always a key time for IDP moves as we suddenly see what teams are planning. In 2020, with no preseason, it’s even more important.
The smart way to approach waivers this week is to ignore box scores, sacks and stats and look at playing time, because snaps are more predictive than anything else.
Here’s a breakdown of the personnel every defense in the NFC used in week one.
READ: AFC IDP Snap Counts
Arizona Cardinals
As is always the case for the Cardinals, the interior line was a rotation of big, square men. Corey Peters (44), Zach Allen (31), Jordan Phillips (31) and Angelo Blackson (23) all saw the field. Allen and Blackson will get hype because of their sacks – but they’re not priority adds.
On the edge, Chandler Jones (55) led the way with Devon Kennard (34) and Haason Reddick (30) supporting.
Jordan Hicks and De’Vondre Campbell (both 62) played every snap at LB.
Isaiah Simmons played just 18 snaps on his debut and he was used all over the formation. This is bad news for his short-term IDP productivity.
Patrick Peterson (61) and Byron Murphy (60) were the outside corners. Dre Kirkpatrick (20) shared time in the slot with Budda Baker (62) although Baker played more in the box than he has in the past.
The other safety was surprisingly Chris Banjo (58).
Atlanta Falcons
Grady Jarrett (50) held this team together at DT. He is a beast. Tyeler Davison (42) was the starting nose.
Dante Fowler (49) led the team in edge snaps with Takkarist McKinley (43) second fiddle. John Cominsky (40) played all across the line.
Deion Jones (59) was the top LB with Foyesade Oluokun (46) not quite getting a full workload. Rookie Mykal Walker played 10 snaps on his debut.
Isaiah Oliver and AJ Terrell (both 62) were the outside corners with Darqueze Dennard (39) the number three.
At safety, Keanu Neal (51) is back! He played in the box with Damontae Kazee (62) deep. Ricardo Allen (25) was limited to a part-time role.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were one of the most interesting defenses to watch this year given how little we knew about their likely approach.
On the interior, we saw rookie Derrick Brown (43) and vet Kawann Short (40) play the most. But neither got close to the total of 63 snaps.
On the edge Brian Burns played (a surprisingly high) 43 with Stephen Weatherly (38) across. Rookie Yetur Gross-Matos (16) and Londoner Efe Obada (14) spelled them.
Shaq Thompson (63) and Tahir Whitehead (57) were the top LBs.
The corners were Troy Pride (58) and Rasul Douglas (51) with Donte Jackson limited to just 11 snaps.
Safety was super interesting. Tre Boston, Juston Burris and Jeremy Chinn all played all 63 snaps. Boston split his time deep and, in the box, (he’s previously been a specialist FS really), while Burris and Chinn both played in the slot a fair bit. This is a defense to watch…
Chicago Bears
The D-line was led by Akiem Hicks (55) with Bilal Nichols (41) Roy Robertson-Harris (37) the other top guys.
Khalil Mack (67) was the clear top edge player with Barkevious Mingo (43), James Vaughters (35) and Trevis Gipson (12) all seeing time.
Roquan Smith (76) and Danny Trevathan (70) were the LBs as expected.
The corners were Kyle Fuller (78) and rookie Jaylon Johnson (78) with Buster Skrine (56) in the slot.
Tashaun Gipson (78) partnered Eddie Jackson (78) at safety. Gipson is the best IDP option – even though Jackson is the big name.
Dallas Cowboys
Nothing against any NFL team at all – but watching Cowboys fans after losing in week one was pretty funny wasn’t it?
Tyrone Crawford (who played mostly inside) led DTs with 40 snaps. Trysten Hill (39), Dontari Poe (38) and Antwaun Woods (28) were just behind him.
Surprisingly, Aldon Smith (54) led DEs ahead of DeMarcus Lawrence (46) and Everson Griffen (42).
LB Jaylon Smith played all 73 snaps which is great. Unfortunately, Leighton Vander Esch (23) broke his collarbone and will miss a significant chunk of the season. In his absence, Joe Thomas (50) played. He is a priority add if you need an LB.
Anthony Brown (73) and rookie Trevon Diggs (73) led the way at corner. Chidobe Awuzie (57) had a pick but was a part-time player.
Xavier Woods (73) and Darian Thompson (58) were the top safeties. Thompson managed eight solos which was amazing – but it’s unlikely he does that every week. Neither is a dedicated box safety. Let your league-mates bid on him.
Detroit Lions
The Lions’ defense is pretty unique. Matt Patricia employed heavy rotation for all linemen and LBs.
At DT we saw Nick Williams (41), Danny Shelton (39) and Da’Shawn Hand (29) all played.
On the edge, it was Trey Flowers (46), Romeo Okwara (29) and Julian Okwara (7).
But LB was the real kicker. Jahlani Tavai (51), Christian Jones (44), Jarrad Davis (35), and Reggie Ragland (19) all saw action. Jamie Collins (19) did too before he was ejected from the game.
Amani Oruwariye (65) led the way at corner with Jeff Okudah not ready to make his debut. Desmond Trufant (48) played the other side but got hurt. Justin Coleman (19) played in the slot and also got hurt. Darryl Roberts (28) and Tony McRae (16) came in to cover.
At safety, Duron Harmon (65) played every snap in his customary deep role. Tracy Walker (54) and Will Harris (52) played a little less but in more efficient roles.
Green Bay Packers
Firstly – Kenny Clark (15) got injured. Which is terrible news. Hopefully, he’s OK.
In his absence Dean Lowry (39), Kingsley Keke (29) and Tyler Lancaster (23) played the most.
On the edge Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith (both 43) led the way – but Rashan Gary (32) saw significant time too. If Gary really has taken a leap, it’s not good news for the Smith Brothers.
At inside LB Christian Kirksey played 52 snaps. UDFA Krys Barnes (15) and perennial disappointment Oren Burks (3) were bit-part players. This remains a one-LB defense.
That does mean that more safety snaps are available. Adrian Amos (52) and Darnell Savage (42) were joined by Will Redmond (24).
Kevin King (51) and Jaire Alexander (49) were the top corners. Chandon Sullivan (36) was the number three.
Los Angeles Rams
Aaron Donald (as always) led the Rams D-line with 60 snaps. Michael Brockers (53) was just behind him.
Leonard Floyd (68) was the top pass rusher. He even got a sack! Samson Ebukam (53) was the number two.
At LB, Micah Kiser (72) was the only every-down player. This is his breakout year. Kenny Young (38) was a distant second.
Moneyman Jalen Ramsey (72), Troy Hill (70) and Darious Williams (64) are the corners.
Safety John Johnson (72) returned to fitness and was joined by rookie Jordan Fuller (71). Taylor Rapp played just 15 snaps. Allegedly he was hurt – but he was on the field late. Rapp cannot be started until we have more information.
Minnesota Vikings
Jaleel Johnson (57) Shamar Stephen (52), Armon Watts (37) and Hercules Mata’afa (10) all saw time playing on the defensive interior.
With Danielle Hunter out, Ifeadi Odenigbo (60) led the DEs in snaps ahead of Yannick Ngakoue (44), Jalyn Holmes (30) and Eddie Yarbrough (22).
Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr (both 78) played every snap at LB with Eric Wilson (44) in as the third option.
Cameron Dantzler (64), Holton Hill (59) and Mike Hughes (58) were the corners. Jeff Gladney played just nine snaps.
Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith (both 78) reprised their roles from 2019 at safety.
New Orleans Saints
Interior pass rushers Sheldon Rankins (43) and David Onyemata (40) were listed as co-starters and the Saints seem to want to keep them fresh.
Malcolm Roach (23) and Malcom Brown (20) were the top run-stuffing DTs.
Cameron Jordan (60) led the edge group, with Trey Hendrickson (39) and Carl Granderson (23) covering for Marcus Davenport.
Demario Davis (70) remains the sole every-down LB. Alex Anzalone and his golden mane played 50 snaps behind him.
At safety Marcus Williams (70) played his deep role with Malcolm Jenkins (70) playing plenty in the box.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (61) played in the slot and the box with Marshon Lattimore (70) and Janoris Jenkins (64) the perimeter corners.
New York Giants
When was the last time the Giants had a good defense? 2016? This year does not look like breaking that streak.
The interior line is a rotation of big heavies. Leonard Williams (44), Dalvin Tomlinson (32), Dexter Lawrence (30), BJ Hill (19) and Austin Johnson (17) all saw the field. None are great IDP options in most leagues (although Williams and Lawrence are good in some high-tackle, deep leagues).
On the edge, Lorenzo Carter (63) seemed to have taken a big leap. He was way ahead of Oshane Ximines (26), Markus Golden (22) and Kyler Fackrell (28).
Blake Martinez (64) was the only full-time inside LB. Devante Downs played just 14 snaps. This defense is (unsurprisingly) very Patriots-esque in its heavy reliance on safeties.
Those safeties were Jabrill Peppers (63), who played mostly in the box, Julian Love (64), who played deep, and Logan Ryan (38), who moved around the formation a lot.
This is one of the weakest cornerback groups in the NFL. There will probably be changes made all season long. This week they were James Bradberry (64), Corey Ballentine (59) and Darnay Holmes (47).
Philadelphia Eagles
Fletcher Cox (57) and Malik Jackson (55) were the top DTs.
Josh Sweat (49) led the DEs with Brandon Graham (38) behind. Vinny Curry (22) and Genard Avery (20) rounded the group out.
At LB Nate Gerry (69) remains top dog with Duke Riley (57) the number two. TJ Edwards (20), Alex Singleton (10) and Shaun Bradley (8) all saw the field. Future superstar Davion Taylor only played special teams.
Darius Slay (64), Avonte Maddox (61) were the outside corners. Nickell Robey-Coleman (41) played nickel and Cre’Von LeBlanc (10) saw time in dime. Rookie K’Von Wallace (6) played limited snaps – but appeared to be in his college “overhang” position.
Rodney McLeod (70) was the top safety and moved around the formation, as did Jalen Mills (64). Mills played in the slot, box and deep.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks played 79 defensive snaps this week. Whew.
At DT Jarran Reed (67) was supported by Poona Ford (42) and Bryan Mone (15).
Benson Mayowa (71) led edge players with LJ Collier (30), Rasheem Green (30) and Damontre Moore (20) behind him.
At LB Bobby Wagner (79) played every snap but KJ Wright saw just 44. Bruce Irvin reprised his classic Sam role for 67 snaps. Top rookie pick Jordyn Brooks (7) played sparingly.
Superstar safety Jamal Adams (79) played every snap with Quandre Diggs (77) just behind him. Delano Hill (29) split time between the slot and box.
At corner, Shaquill Griffin (78) and Quinton Dunbar were the top options with Marquise Blair (55) in the slot. Tre Flowers played just ten snaps.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers played 82 snaps as they were up against the high-speed Cardinals.
On the interior Solomon Thomas (40), DJ Jones (39), rookie Javon Kinlaw (39) and Kevin Givens (22) all saw action. Kinlaw was instantly a far better player than Solomon Thomas has ever been, and he should force more snaps.
On the edge, Nick Bosa (57) looked like a star again. Arik Armstead (52) and Dee Ford (46) and Kerry Hyder (33) also rotated in. Bosa did not record a sack but he did manage five pressures.
Kwon Alexander (80) and Fred Warner (82) are clearly the top LBs with Dre Greenlaw (35) a very good third man.
Emmanuel Moseley (82) and Richard Sherman (78) are the outside corners with K’Waun Williams (47) in the slot.
Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward (both 82) played every snap at safety.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vita Vea (57) led the D-line in snaps. He can play a huge amount for such a big man. Ndamukong Suh (56), William Gholston (34) and Rakeem Nunez-Roches (25) also played.
Jason Pierre-Paul (65) and Shaquil Barrett (60) led the edge players. Barrett actually created five pressures – but just could not get home against quick-release Drew Brees.
Devin White and Lavonte David (both 68) are the every-down LBs.
Carlton Davis (68) played every snap at outside corner. Sean Murphy-Bunting (68) played every snap but moved between perimeter and the slot. He played inside when Jamel Dean (35) was in the game.
Antoine Winfield Jr. (68) and Jordan Whitehead (62) look to have the safety jobs sewn up.
Washington Football Team
In case you didn’t know – rookie DE Chase Young is going to be a star. He played 53 snaps and lit the place up. Montez Sweat (48) and Ryan Kerrigan (22) round out a ferocious pass rush. They created 12 pressures and five sacks between them.
At DT, nose tackle Da’Ron Payne (52) is supported by more pass rushers in Matt Ioannidis (30) and Jonathan Allen (36). What a line.
LB saw perennial JAG Jon Bostic (68) partnered by Kevin Pierre-Louis (67). Pierre-Louis is likely available in your leagues. Shaun Dion Hamilton (15) is the third man.
Jimmy Moreland and Ronald Darby (both 68) started at corner with Fabien Moreau (31) in the slot.
Landon Collins and Troy Apke (both 68) played every snap at safety.
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