Tracking snap counts is a good way to get an indication of how much a player is on the field, and what their future usage outlook could look like. Next to each player’s name you will see a number inside of parenthesis, for example John Smith (2), that 2 would represent how many snaps he played this week. We are going to dive into some of the more interesting situations around the league regarding snap count numbers.

Packers RB

Finally, the Packers did the obvious thing this week and let Aaron Jones (44) dominate the backfield. He finished with 11 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown while also hauling in five passes for 63 yards and another touchdown. One of the reasons that Jones was seeing limited playing time was because the team did not feel he was a capable receiver, but he showed that he is. Jamaal Williams (4) played single digit snaps for the first time this season and he finished with one carry for five yards. It is time to play Jones on a weekly basis, regardless of the matchup.

Risers

Gus Edwards (49) played a new career high in snaps and by a wide margin. His previous career high was only 14 and over the last four games he had played 14, 7, 8, and 2 snaps respectively; showing there was no indication of this type of game coming. He played great too, finishing with 17 carries for 115 yards (6.8 YPC) and a touchdown. The Ravens continue to search for ways to not use Alex Collins and he was the biggest loser in this one as he logged a season low 17 snaps. Edwards is a must-add in all formats and Collins is someone to leave on your bench.

John Ross (51) was on the field for a season high snap total and played 93% of the Bengals snaps. He finished with just two receptions on seven targets, but he did pile up 27 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown catch was a thing of beauty and it seemed highly unlikely that it would be caught as the play developed. It was his second straight game with a touchdown and also his second straight game with 6+ targets. He is trending up and is someone worth stashing in deeper leagues.

Golden Tate (36) doubled his snap total from his Week 10 debut with the team. As expected, Tate had a much larger role in the offense in his second game with the team and he finished with five receptions for 48 yards on eight targets. He also received one carry, but that went for an eight yard loss. It is hard to envision Tate having as big of a role with the Eagles as he did with the Lions, but this was a step in the right direction. The Eagles passing attack has a nice matchup with the Giants in Week 12.

Fallers

Ricky Seals-Jones (21) played his fewest snap total of the season and was on the field for just 39% of the Cardinals plays. It was a good matchup on paper, but he was only targeted three times. He finished with only one reception for five yards and was a huge disappointment to everyone. He was coming off a strong five reception, nine target, 51 yard game, but the Cardinals passing attack is too inconsistent for RSJ to be a fantasy factor.

Chris Godwin (23) set a new season low in snaps this week and was on the field for just 32% of the Bucs plays. It was his first game of the season that he was on the field for fewer than 49% of the team’s snaps. He had a quiet game too, finishing with three receptions for 50 yards on three targets. It was his fifth straight game without a touchdown and he has been held under 60 yards in four-of-five games over that span.

Notable Snap Counts

Bruce Ellington (33) was on the field for 51% of the Lions snaps in his debut with the team. With Marvin Jones out, he was listed as the number three receiver behind Golladay and TJ Jones , but he was the number two option is Stafford’s passing attack. He finished with six receptions for 52 yards on nine targets. In comparison, Jones finished with one reception for two yards on his lone target. Ellington is a talented player (when healthy – which isn’t very often) and he will be worth a look for Thanksgiving DFS.

Lamar Jackson (79) drew the start in place on the injured Flacco. There was a lot of buzz around this situation that the Ravens may use Robert Griffin as well, but that was simply not the case as Jackson was on the field for 100% of the Ravens snaps. Unsurprisingly, he had one of the wackier games you will ever see from a quarterback as he finished 13-of-19 passing for 150 yards and an interception, but also ran 27 times (!) for 117 yards. He will be worth starting once again in Week 12 if Flacco is sidelined.

Colt McCoy played 24 snaps in relief of Alex Smith (suffered a gruesome leg injury). It was McCoy’s first action of the season and he played well, finishing 6-of-12 for 54 yards and a touchdown. He also ran the ball five times for 25 yards. Smith’s season is done and McCoy is worth a look in two QB leagues and Superflex leagues.