AFC IDP Snap Counts: Week One
Welcome to the 2021 IDP season!
The biggest factor (by far) in IDP scoring is how much players are out there on the field.
The purpose of this weekly article is to give you a heads-up on who’s playing, and what changed this week. This is so you can see scoring changes that are coming down the road and grab those players before their big week.
Baltimore Ravens – 86 snaps
The Ravens had an inflated snap total given the overtime game.
As per 2020, they really only use one LB who’s even close to a full-time player, and it’s Patrick Queen (72). He instantly played far better than he did as a rookie. He scored well but he’s really a worrying IDP given his ~90% snap share. Malik Harrison (44) was the distant number two LB.
On the edge, Justin Houston (56) led the team in playing time, with Tyus Bowser (51) and rookie Odafe Oweh (48) close behind. Pernell McPhee (36) and Jaylon Ferguson (10) are no more than backups.
Buffalo Bills – 58 snaps
The Bills played just 58 defensive snaps – a notably low number.
Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano (both 58) played every snap of the game. Milano was marginally more efficient and seemed fully healthy again.
As expected, the Bills deployed a full-blown rotation at DE. Jerry Hughes (33), Gregory Rousseau (30), Mario Addison (26), AJ Epenesa (19) and Efe Obada (15) all saw time. Addison got the sack this week but it’s going to be a nightmare to predict. Carlos Basham did not even play in this game.
We saw a similar thing at DT too. Ed Oliver (26), Vernon Butler (29), Justin Zimmer (23) and Harrison Phillips (21) all rotated.
Cincinnati Bengals – 83 snaps
Please note their game went to overtime against the Vikings – which added snaps.
In 2020 the Bengals frustrated IDP folk by rotating LBs in an out on different downs. Several other teams have adopted a similar approach (some have been doing it for years already) and the Bengals look set to continue.
Logan Wilson (72) seems to be the only trustworthy option with Germaine Pratt (37), Jordan Evans (16), Akeem Davis-Gaither (16) and Markus Bailey (4) all bit-part players.
Trey Hendrickson (68) and Sam Hubbard (72) are the clear starters on this team. Cam Sample (29) and Wyatt Ray (12) played sparingly even in an OT game.
Cleveland Browns – 65 snaps
The Browns are yet another team who are moving away from two full-time LBs. Anthony Walker (62) was the top option and really the only startable IDP in most leagues.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah (25), Mack Wilson (22), Sione Takitaki (22) and Malcolm Smith (17) all saw the field to some extent. It’s likely Owusu-Koromoah becomes a more reliable option at some point – but he’s not there yet.
Myles Garrett (50) unsurprisingly led DEs in snaps. Jadeveon Clowney (50) played just as much though. Garrett generated twice as much pressure though. Takk McKinley (24) was a distant third.
Ronnie Harrison (5) played just five snaps before being ejected from the game. John Johnson and MJ Stewart (both 60) hoovered up playing time in his absence. Grant Delpit missed the game.
Denver Broncos – 61 snaps
Josey Jewell (51) led LBs in snaps with AJ Johnson (51) close behind.
Von Miller (44) and Malik Reed (44) led the team in edge snaps with Bradley Chubb out.
Ronald Darby (61) and Kyle Fuller (55) were the top outside corners. Bryce Callahan (51) played mostly in the slot and rookie Patrick Surtain (16) was eased in.
On the D-line interior Dre’Mont Jones (40) led all players, with Shelby Harris (32), Mike Purcelll (24), DeShawn Williams (18) and Shamar Stephen (18) adding depth.
Houston Texans – 73 snaps
Congratulations to the Texans for defying everyone and winning a game. Albeit against the Jaguars.
At LB, Zach Cunningham and Christian Kirksey (both 73) played every snap with Kamu Grugier-Hill (16 – a distant third). Kevin Pierre-Louis did not play.
On the edge Whitney Mercilus (47) and Charles Omenihu (47) led the way. Omenihu was noticeably better than Mercilus (who has been past it for some time now), but Mercilus recorded the sack.
Jacob Martin (33), DeMarcus Walker (26) and Jordan Jenkins (21) rounded out a unit that merely aspires to mediocrity.
Justin Reid (63) and Eric Murray (51) got the action this week. Murray played more in the box with Justin Reid deep. Murray is a sneaky hold for deep leagues.
Indianapolis Colts – 54 snaps
Note that the Colts played very little total defense.
Darius Leonard and Bobby Okereke (both 54) played every snap at LB. Both had decent tackle efficiency – it’s just hard to be a good IDP LB on that sort of volume.
At DE, Kwity Paye (41) led the unit with Al-Quadin Muhammad (38), Tyquan Lewis (29) and Ben Banogu (6) all seeing action.
Julian Blackmon and Khari Willis (both 54) played every snap at safety. Obviously, Blackmon was playing deep with Willis in the box much more.
Jacksonville Jaguars – 78 snaps
The Jaguars opened up the season by losing to the Texans. You should feel good about yourself in comparison.
Myles Jack (71) is the only full-time LB on this team. Damien Wilson (60) has never shown he can play every down. Jack was very efficient in this game.
On the edge, Josh Allen (53) had a good game, while K’Lavon Chaisson (37) continues to look like a bust. Jihad Ward (43) actually outsnapped Chaisson (with some snaps on the inside) and Dawuane Smoot (36) was close.
At safety Rayshawn Jenkins (78) is the only one you can really trust. Andrew Wingard (55), rookie Andre Cisco (23) and Rudy Ford (13) are not there. Cisco might develop – but right now he’s taking up a roster spot.
On the interior line, we saw another three-way rotation. Malcom Brown (51) Davon Hamilton (46) and Roy Robertson-Harris (45) shared time. With first-round bust Taven Bryan (30) bringing up the rear.
None of these guys are going to get you many sacks, but Brown and Robertson-Harris both delivered exceptional tackle efficiency. This may be a result of teams being willing to simply run up the gut on the Jags.
Kansas City Chiefs – 60 snaps
As per every season, the Chiefs have no interest in making any of their LBs an every-down player. Anthony Hitchens (47) played the most, with Nick Bolton (45) and Ben Niemann (40) also on the field. So that’s three guys playing at least two thirds of snaps – but not hitting 80%. Even when Willie Gay is healthy you should not be expecting reliable LB production.
It was true. Chris Jones (47) was a full-time DE. He played just two snaps inside. Michael Danna (46) was on the other side, with Alex Okafor (27) the third man.
All that made room inside for Jarran Reed (40) and Tershawn Wharton (36) to dominate playing time. Everyone always wants nose tackle Derrick Nnadi (19) to be a thing but it’s not happening.
At safety Tyrann Mathieu did not play. So, Daniel Sorenson (60) and Juan Thornhill (56) were both near every-down players.
Las Vegas Raiders – 68 snaps
Cory Littleton (57) led the unit as expected – but he only played 84% of the game. He is not a full-time LB, which means he’s going to have plenty of poor scoring weeks. Denzel Perryman (52) has been a popular waiver target after a big week for tackles, but he’s just not going to be that reliable on 50ish snaps per game. KJ Wright (37) is just not the guy he used to be and spent half the game out as an additional edge in Gus Bradley’s system. He shouldn’t be rostered in most leagues.
Maxx Crosby (62) had a huge game to go with his high volume. He’s always shown he has the motor to play high volumes. This was a hugely encouraging game.
However, Yannick Ngakoue (33) and Carl Nassib (30) rotated as much as we feared they might, and just did not play enough to be seen as reliable weekly options. Embarrassingly for the organisation, Clelin Ferrell was a healthy scratch. He is droppable.
At safety Johnathan Abram (68) played box safety, with rookie Trevon Moehrig (also 68) playing deep. Abram had a productive game, and he’ll continue to do so while he holds that job. But he’s not a good player, and box safety is a very replaceable spot. Moehrig was not productive. Nor will he be in that role.
Los Angeles Chargers – 55 snaps
How Brandon Staley has installed his defense is one of the key questions for 2021. Here we saw our first glimpse – but on just 55 snaps, information is limited.
Kenneth Murray (55) played every snap and seems locked in as the sole full-time LB. Kyzir White (38) played over half, which is encouraging, but Drew Tranquil was on the field for just three snaps. He has no real value in most leagues.
Derwin James (55) is the most exciting piece on this team. He played plenty in the box, slot and on the edge as we hoped. Nasir Adderley (40) and Alohi Gilman (23) both lined up predominantly deep.
Staley likes to run multiple fronts and has some versatile players, so the line is a little fluid. Joey Bosa (45) naturally is the hero. Jerry Tillery (42) played inside and edge. Pure edges Uchenna Nwosu (28) and Kyler Fackrell (27) both only played around half the time. Linval Joseph (33), Christian Covington (29), Justin Jones (16) and Eric Banks (15) rounded out the interior rotation.
Miami Dolphins – 75 snaps
Jerome Baker (74) remains the only Dolphins LB you can trust. Elandon Roberts (36) and Sam Eguavoen (36) were way behind.
On the edge, Andrew Van Ginkel (53) and Emmanuel Ogbah (48) dominated snaps with Brennan Scarlett and rookie Jaelan Phillips (22) fighting for time.
At safety, Jason McCourty (74) played nearly every snap while Eric Rowe (65) was very efficient. Rookie Jevon Holland (24) played exclusively deep while Brandon Jones played just 11 snaps.
On the interior, Adam Butler (48) and John Jenkins (45) both played more than Christian Wilkins (42).
So that’s Wilkins, Phillips, Jones and Holland – four recent, high picks who played limited time. This is a team that does not just throw rookies in because of draft capital.
New England Patriots – 54 snaps
The Patriots played a very low defensive snap count. It was the same last season, and it seems likely to continue to be a problem.
As expected, the Patriots continued in their strategy of not using any full-time LBs. Dont’a Hightower (42) and Ja’Whaun Bentley (39) led the way, but neither is likely to be a top 36 (or even top 48) LB in volume in any given week. Kyle Van Noy (35) played a hybrid LB/edge role.
At “true” edge, Matt Judon (48) played almost every snap. But that was it. Deatrich Wise (25), Josh Uche (15), Chase Winovich (12) and henry Anderson are not really reliable options.
Safety is a fascinating position for New England. Devin McCourty (54) played every snap – but was mostly deep. Kyle Dugger (50) and Adrian Phillips (33) both played about 60% in the box. Dugger is the clear best option among the three right now.
New York Jets – 64 snaps
We had a good idea that CJ Mosley (60) would be the top LB on this defense, and that seems right. However almost no one saw Del’Shawn Phillips (57) as the second guy. He played above favoured rookies Jamien Sherwood (3) and Hamsah Nasirildeen (31). Although, Sherwood did pick up an injury early which might explain it. Phillips and Sherwood are both good, speculative adds right now.
We don’t know how permanent this is, but for right now Phillips is an excellent waiver target for LB-needy rosters.
Marcus Maye (64) seems like the only Jets safety in the frame for IDP value. He played about half the time in the box. Adrian Colbert (34) and Sheldrick Redwine (21) do not need to be rostered. LaMarcus Joyner (9) suffered a season-ending injury.
John Franklin-Myers (44) has been a red-hot target in IDP. Even before Carl Lawson’s injury, JFM was in line for a heavy season, and he proved it here with four pressures (including a sack) on 26 pass rush snaps.
Bryce Huff (34), Shaq Lawson (34) and Tim Ward (17) round out the unit.
On the inside of the line, Quinnen Williams (39) also delivered four pressures. That was impressive but his lack of sacks will disappoint the legions expecting a breakout season for him.
Sheldon Rankins (31), nose tackle Foloruso Fatukasi (34) and Nathan Shepherd (23) also saw action.
Pittsburgh Steelers – 85 snaps
Note that 85 snaps was extremely high as the Bills controlled the ball for this game.
Devin Smith (73) played ahead of Joe Schobert (66). But note that neither of them was a full-time player. Given what we’ve seen from them schematically, there’s a very real chance that a maximum of one of them each week gets a full workload. 66 snaps are nothing to sniff at but on an average-volume week those same percentages would be just 57 and 51 snaps. Those are worryingly low. So, this is a situation to monitor.
Things are rosier on the edge. TJ Watt (69) proved he deserves his new contract with a dominant performance. Melvin Ingram (54) and Alex Highsmith (46) were both fine accompanists.
On the interior Cameron Heyward (56) was almost unblockable. He delivered 12 pressures on 40 pass rush snaps. Tyson Alualu (53) and Chris Wormley (40) also saw decent action.
Steelers cornerback has been a topic of interest. Joe Haden and Cameron Sutton (both 85) played every snap as the primary perimeter corners. Free safety Tre Norwood (68) played in there for 46 snaps. Sutton was inside on 15 snaps, and Arthur Maulet (13) for ten.
Tennessee Titans – 69 snaps
Linebacker Jayon Brown (64) played nearly every snap, while Rashaan Evans (55) missed notable time.
On the edge, Harold Landry (54) led the way with new signing Bud Dupree (48) just behind and Denico Autry (30) further back.
At corner Kristian Fulton (69) and Janoris Jenkins (61) were the perimeter corners, while Elijah Molden (41) manned the slot. Rookie Caleb Farley eased into action with just eight snaps.
Kevin Byard (61) was the sole full-time safety. Bradley McDougald (37) and Amani Hooker (36) shared playing time.
Thanks for reading and good luck with waivers.
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