Snap Count Observations: Week 15
Championship week is here! I cannot believe that we’ve run through the entire Fantasy Football Season already. Week 16 is a weird place when writing this article. If you were successful and made it this far, it’s unlikely that you’re going to be playing a waiver wire player. But it is also no time to rest on your laurels. Even if you do not need to pick up a WR, Perhaps your opponent lost Antonio Brown and is looking. It’s time to dig in, drop the players you know you (and your opponent) wouldn’t start and pick up any player worthy of borderline flex play, simply to block your opponent. Just win baby!
Alex Collins 38% / Javorius Allen 33% / Danny Woodhead 29%
Alex Collins was heavily involved in the passing game with 8 targets while being highly inefficient on the ground with just 19 yards on 12 carries. Javorius Allen was far more successful, rushing for 5.4 ypc, racking up 70 yards on 13 carries. Even if you’re not starting him, Allen is worth picking up to block your opponent.
JuJu Smith-Schuster 99% / Martavis Bryant 54 % / Darrius Heyward-Bey 46% / Eli Rogers 37% / Antonio Brown 31%
Ouch. Nothing hurts worse than needing an “average” game from your reliable stud WR Antonio Brown, only to see him exit early with a calf injury. Brown has already been ruled out for Week 16, so Steeler WRs should be a hot waiver wire target. If someone was frustrated with Martavis Bryant earlier this year and dropped him, now would be time to pick him up. It’s not guaranteed points or even playing time, but picking up any available Steeler is a good idea.
D.J. Foster 39% / Kerwynn Williams 36% / Elijhaa Penny 25%
Kerwynn Williams is the popular waiver wire target in Arizona; however, Elijhaa Penny saw 10 carries and D.J Foster was on the receiving end of 9 targets. A matchup with the New York Giants should yield some fantasy points, but who gets them and how is a toss-up. If you’re rostering an extra TE, D/ST or PK, feel free to drop them for one of these RBs, just in case.
Dion Lewis 55% / James White 33% / Rex Burkhead 27%
Dion Lewis is seeing the field the most, but Rex Burkhead has been leading the team with goalline rushing. A sneaky play if available is to scoop up Mike Gillislee, who should come in and take over the goalline work. Make sure you check your waiver wire for him.
Dede Westbrook 79% / Keelan Cole 74% / Jaydon Mickens 42% / Marqise Lee 15%
Marqise Lee left early with an injury which paved the way for Keelan Cole to see a solid 74% snap share. He’s scored TDs in each of his past 3 games and has 5 or more targets in 5 of his last 7 games. Jaydon Mickens saw his first targets since Week 10 but scored two red zone TDs. The Jaguars should be favorites in Week 16 against the 49ers, and with a playoff spot locked up, could rest some of their starters if they build a big lead, giving players like Mickens some “garbage time” upside.
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These next two notes are directed towards keeper leagues:
Carlos Hyde 73% / Matt Breida 27% / Jeremy McNichols 0%
Carlos Hyde is the clear leader in this backfield for Week 16. But Hyde is an unrestricted free agent in 2018 while rookies Matt Breida and Jeremy McNichols were both brought in by the current coaching staff. It’s by no means a guarantee, but if Hyde signs elsewhere and the 49ers eschew drafting an RB in the early rounds, you could have a nice keeper for 2018 by rostering Breida and McNichols this year.
Frank Gore 52% / Marlon Mack 44% / Josh Ferguson 2%
Frank Gore will be turning 35 this spring and is another unrestricted free agent. Even while playing every game, he will likely finish with under 1,000 yards for the second time in the past three seasons. While the Colts could retain him for veteran leadership, it could be the Marlon Mack show next season. Mack flashed some potential and should be available on most waiver wires.
Best of luck to everyone in Week 16, go bring home those #FootClanTitles!