Snap Count Observations: Week 13

While keeping an eye towards the future, we must focus on what is right in front of us. For the next few weeks of playoffs, matchups and trends should sway your lineup decisions more than name value. For this week’s article, I am focusing more on immediacy than long-term prospects.

Tyreek Hill 51%

Hill has a relatively high floor considering his consistently low snap count. The Chiefs plan makes sense to me. Hill is small and explosive. Historically, players like Hill cannot hold up to the vigorous demands of a heavy workload in the NFL. Hill will get touches when he is in the game as shown by his 8 targets/carries out of the 25 snaps he played. Hill disappointed this week, but deserves to be in every starting lineup due to his high floor/high ceiling.

Mohamed Sanu 85% / Julio Jones 65% / Taylor Gabriel 39%

I am concerned about Jones’ health. He has said he is ok after struggling with turf toe against the Chiefs, but something doesn’t feel right. He is a tough guy, so he came back into the game; however, he was no more than a decoy in the 4^th quarter. Sanu and Gabriel depend on Jones being dominant, for them to be productive. We probably won’t get much information from the Falcons this week, so pay attention to practice reports. If Jones is limited, it might be time to put the breaks on the entire Falcons passing game. The opposite holds true if he appears full strength, as he could torch an inconsistent Rams defense in week 14.

Colin Kaepernick 78% / Blaine Gabbert 22%

What on earth was that? Many of us were riding Kaepernick over the last few weeks. With a juicy matchup at home against the Jets next week, I still believe he deserves to be started. The disaster he put on display in Chicago certainly makes the decision a bit more tenuous.

Cameron Meredith 78% / Deonte Thompson 71% / Josh Bellamy 62% / Daniel Braverman 10% / Marquess Wilson 6%

Here we go again. Wilson just can’t catch a break. In what could be a pivotal stretch of his career, he goes down early in the game with a groin injury and cannot continue. Alshon Jeffery will be back in week 15, so Wilson’s time as a top target may have ended with this latest injury. I don’t like the matchup for the other WRs against a resurgent Lions defense next week, even though Matt Barkley has looked like a competent NFL QB in his two starts.

Nelson Agholor 100%

A week after being benched, Agholor plays every snap for the Eagles. Jordan Matthews was out with injury, so I suppose this felt like an opportunity to see what Agholor is made of. He only managed 23 yards with 4 catches on 5 targets. The Doug Pederson-led Eagles have been a fantasy nightmare. The season long RB mess and now this odd situation are red flags for me. In 2017, I will sway tiebreakers away from Eagles players based on what we have seen this season.

Jeremy Hill 58% / Rex Burkhead 42%

Yes, Burkhead was a fantasy disappointment in week 13. However, the Cleveland matchup is upon us. I have very high hopes for him this week and will be starting him in my flex spot.  Who’s coming with me???

Devontae Booker 67% / Kapri Bibbs 20%

Booker continues to see the lion’s share of snaps and carries, but he is not playing well. Bibbs is explosive and decisive, but hasn’t had enough opportunity, and is now done for the season with an injury. With Justin Forsett recently signed, I have no idea what to expect. Both players should be on your bench against the Titans in week 14. I don’t trust this situation.

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LeGarrette Blount 46% / James White 37% / Dion Lewis 25%

The roulette table that is the Patriots backfield could be in line for another massive shift. Lewis is a boom/bust play next week. If you are a heavy underdog and need to shoot for the stars, Lewis could be your guy. The Patriots want to ensure all engines are warm for their playoff run.

Jesse James 62% / Ladarius Green 48%

Attention AFC, the Steelers have yet another dangerous weapon! Green is finally healthy and showing us what most expected to see. He was heavily targeted (11) in week 13 and produced 6 catches, 110 yards, and a TD. Green may be catching fire just in time for the fantasy playoffs, boosting his owner’s chances in a poor TE season.

Cam Newton 98%

We have learned a lot about Newton since the Super Bowl loss. His talent and passion are undeniable. His maturity and leadership leave a lot to be desired. I will be re-thinking his status as my dynasty QB.