Snap Count Observations: Week 4
Four games is a large sample size when identifying trends in the NFL. Hoping for playing time and roles to change at this point may not be wise. That is unless we have evidence to the contrary. Injuries obviously change a lot, but game plans cannot remain stagnant or they will stop working. Let’s see what week 4 snap counts told us.
Deonte Thompson 78% / Markus Wheaton 56% / Kendall Wright 54%
None of these players have done anything approaching fantasy relevance this season. That is all about to change. Mitchell Trubisky will start next week for the Bears and he should inject life into the Chicago Bears passing game. Trubisky’s poise and accuracy will be shocking to fans who have not followed him. He is exceptional at leading his playmakers into opportunities to make plays. I expect Wheaton to be the main beneficiary.
Zay Jones 73% / Jordan Matthews 65%
Jones has an uninspiring 4 catches on 17 targets this season. With Matthews out a month or more with a thumb injury, the time for Jones to step up is now.
Pierre Garcon 88% / Aldrick Robinson 87% / Trent Taylor 56% / Victor Bolden 14% / Marquise Goodwin 11%
Goodwin went down early in this game with a concussion. Taylor ended up with 10 targets on the day. He only had 9 in the first 3 games. In leagues that reward return yards, Taylor may be a nice speculative addition, as he also has 99 punt return yards this season. Hoyer trusts Taylor and I think his snaps will remain high even when Goodwin returns.
DeAndre Hopkins 93% / Will Fuller 80% / Bruce Ellington 79%
Deshaun Watson has played well thus far in his rookie season. I do not find it coincidental that his breakthrough game came once Will Fuller returned from injury. Fuller nearly brought in a deep ball (pass interference) and has the ability to threaten any defense deep. The Texans offense is very dangerous all of a sudden. I hope you added Will Fuller last week.
Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Dalvin Cook 48% / Latavius Murray 34% / Jerick McKinnon 18%
Cook’s injury is as devastating an injury as any offense could sustain. Murray and McKinnon cannot do what Cook can. Don’t attempt to get either of these players as I do not see either one being worth the capital it will take to acquire them.
Bilal Powell 66% / Elijah McGuire 27%
Matt Forte, it was a nice ride, but PLEASE retire. Powell is a top-tier fantasy RB and McGuire will be a great handcuff while Forte is out.
Javorius Allen 58% / Alex Collins 25% / Terrance West 16%
West has worn out his welcome quickly in Cleveland and Tennessee. I am surprised he has lasted this long in Baltimore, but I do feel the end is near. Collins is an explosive player and could see increased snaps in the coming weeks.
Chris Carson 51% / Eddie Lacy 34% / J.D. McKissic 15%
The Carson injury is a tough one for savvy owners who drafted or picked him up. McKissic looked explosive, but let’s not forget how valuable C.J Prosise is to this offense. I think Rawls will benefit from the Carson injury more than Lacy, but recommend targeting Prosise over all others.