NFL

Between the Lines: Week 2 Snap Count Analysis

In fantasy football, one way to gain an edge over opponents is digging into weekly snap counts. While a quick scan of the box scores can tell us who actually performed and produced, snap count data can give us an indicator of guys who are seeing the field on a consistent -- or inconsistent -- basis.

After all, opportunity is the creator of fantasy points.

First, a player needs to get meaningful snaps. Then, they need meaningful opportunities. And lastly, they must actually convert that opportunity into fantasy production. This weekly article addresses the first and most critical portion of the opportunity funnel: playing time.

Today, we will go division by division to take a look at the opportunity-based depth charts around the league. All percentages comes courtesy of Pro Football Reference's snap count data.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills -- Next Man Up

Quarterbacks: Josh Allen (100%)
Running Backs: Frank Gore (59%), Devin Singletary (33%), T.J. Yeldon (7%)
Wide Receivers: John Brown (79%), Zay Jones (59%), Cole Beasley (49%), Robert Foster (36%)
, Isaiah McKenzie (22%)
Tight End: Dawson Knox (54%), Lee Smith (54%), Tommy Sweeney (28%)

Waiving LeSean McCoy was probably the right move by the Buffalo Bills from a business perspective, but the team might be slightly second-guessing their decision after seeing Devin Singletary hurt his hamstring in Week 2's win over the New York Giants. The team is "still gathering information" on the injury. That they don't yet know the extent of the injury is ominous, and his Week 3 status would seem to be in doubt, though no official designation has been given. That leaves Frank Gore and T.J. Yeldon as the backs of record in Buffalo. Neither back is as exciting as the rookie, but you'd be remiss to overlook them. Gore looked his consistent, ageless self on Sunday, picking up 68 yards and a touchdown on the ground and another 15 on a couple of catches. He'll likely be the between-the-tackles workhorse with Singletary gone, but Yeldon should find some room to be stashed in deeper PPR leagues. As the third-down back in Jacksonville, he averaged no fewer than 9.0 points per game in any year. Hopefully Singletary's injury isn't severe, but if it is, Buffalo's backfield isn't as dire as it might seem.

Miami Dolphins -- Preston Continues His Rise

Quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick (61%), Josh Rosen (39%)
Running Backs: Kenyan Drake (55%), Kalen Ballage (34%), Mark Walton (16%)
Wide Receivers: DeVante Parker (92%), Preston Williams (68%), Jakeem Grant (61%), Allen Hurns (45%)

Tight Ends: Michael Gesicki (56%), Durham Smythe (40%), Nick O'Leary (23%)

It's hard to find many positives in a 43-0 shellacking. The Miami Dolphins, however, may have at least found one of their wide receivers of the future. Williams played just 41% of the team's Week 1 snaps, but he did fine his way into the end zone. Perhaps it was that success that was the impetus to give him more looks in Week 2. Williams was on the field for 68% of the team's snaps last week, catching four passes for 63 yards. Allen Hurns saw the biggest drop in snap share (from 69% to 45%), and he saw just two targets. DeVante Parker saw zero, despite being on the field for 92% of the plays. The Dolphins have nothing to lose by throwing to their rookie, and you could do worse than stashing him as a WR4/5.

New England Patriots -- More to Come from Brown

Quarterback: Tom Brady (100%)
Running Backs: Sony Michel (49%), James Develin (38%), James White (31%, Rex Burkhead (24%),

Wide Receivers: Julian Edelman (92%), Josh Gordon (79%), Phillip Dorsett (49%), Antonio Brown (33%)

Tight End: Matt LaCosse (58%), Ryan Izzo (43%)

Saga aside, Antonio Brown was, as usual, electric in a uniform. Note to the rest of the league: he's only going to get better. Brown played just 33% of New England's snaps. Despite that, his eight targets, four receptions, and 56 yards led the team, plus he also caught his first touchdown from Brady. As he works his way more into the New England Patriots' system, it's inevitable there will be fantasy fallout. Josh Gordon owners are probably panicking at Gordon's two-catch, 19-yard line, but his five targets were the second-highest on the team. It's not (quite) yet time for them to say the sky is falling.

New York Jets -- Don't Worry About the Bell-cow

Quarterback: Luke Falk (71%), Trevor Siemian (29%)
Running Backs: Le'Veon Bell (90%), Ty Montgomery (35%)
Wide Receivers: Robby Anderson (99%), Jamison Crowder (99%), Josh Bellamy (66%), Demaryius Thomas (10%)
Tight Ends: Ryan Griffin (90%)

With Sam Darnold out for at least a few weeks, it was probably right for Le'Veon Bell owners to fret, especially knowing that he would be playing with Luke Falk and Trevor Siemian behind center. Despite facing a Cleveland Browns team that had no reason to focus heavily on anyone but Bell, and despite having a shoulder injury scare heading into the week, Bell still proved effective, in PPR leagues at least. He finished with 129 yards from scrimmage and 10 receptions, four more than any other running back this week and tied for the second-most in the league. While it's not an ideal fantasy situation for him until Darnold is back, he's proven that his floor is strong enough to withhold anything the New York Jets put behind center.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens -- Brown Bumpin'

Quarterbacks: Lamar Jackson (100%)
Running Backs: Mark Ingram (58%), Justice Hill (20%), Gus Edwards (20%)
Wide Receivers: Marquise Brown (65%), Willie Snead (56%), Miles Boykin (48%), Seth Roberts (34%)
Tight Ends: Nick Boyle
(62%), Mark Andrews (53%), Hayden Hurst (42%)

Marquise Brown burst onto the NFL scene in a big way last week, catching four of five passes for 147 yards and a couple of scores. He was only on the field for 18% of the team's snaps, causing some speculation that he might not be a safe play on a week-to-week basis. He and the Baltimore Ravens put any such questions to bed in Week 2. Brown led all Ravens skill players with a 65% snap share. His 13 targets not only led the team, but they were good for third among all receivers this week. If you hesitated to start Brown for any reason before, put those doubts aside and slot him in. The way he's playing, he could end his rookie season as a WR1.

Cincinnati Bengals -- Looking for Positives

Quarterback: Andy Dalton (100%)
Running Backs: Joe Mixon (54%), Giovani Bernard (40%)
Wide Receivers: John Ross (86%), Tyler Boyd (79%), Damion Willis (64%), Auden Tate (36%), Alex Erickson (21%)
Tight End: C.J. Uzomah (60%), Tyler Eifert (27%), Drew Sample
(27%)

When your team gets slaughtered 41-17, it's hard to find positives. If you're a John Ross fan or owner, you had to be pleased that he was playing late into the game despite such a lopsided score. Ross, who was one of the biggest waiver wire pickups after Week 1, was having a very quiet game, with just three catches for 46 yards through late in the fourth quarter. Down 31 points with 45 seconds to play, Ross was for some reason still in the game and caught a 66-yard touchdown. If any game proved that he would not be taken off the field, it was this one. Until A.J. Green gets back (and, perhaps, after that), Ross owners have little reason to worry.

Cleveland Browns -- Avoid TE in Week 3

Quarterback: Baker Mayfield (100%)
Running Backs: Nick Chubb (61%), D'Ernest Johnson (39%)
Wide Receivers: Jarvis Landry (99%), Odell Beckham (91%), Damion Ratley (61%), Taywan Taylor (26%)
Tight Ends: Demetrius Harris (76%), Pharaoh Brown (26%), David Njoku
(14%)

David Njoku suffered a concussion last night against the New York Jets. If he's out in Week 3, you might want to look outside of his team for a replacement. Though Demetrius Harris was on the field for 76% of the team's snaps, he only had one catch on two targets to show for it. The Browns leaned heavily on Beckham, Landry, and Chubb; tight end was a forgotten position, and it likely will be until Njoku gets back.

Pittsburgh Steelers -- Moncrief Vanishes

Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger (51%), Mason Rudolph (49%)
Running Backs: James Conner (54%), Jaylen Samuels (39%)
Wide Receivers: JuJu Smith-Schuster (82%),James Washington (60%), Diontae Johnson (47%), Donte Moncrief (32%), Ryan Switzer (23%), Johnny Holton (11%)
Tight Ends: Vance McDonald (91%), Xavier Grimble (35%)

Donte Moncrief played 90% of the Pittsburgh Steelers' snaps in Week 1, receiving 10 snaps. It's what he did with those targets that precipitated his fall in Week 2. Moncrief caught just three of those 10 targets, dropping several. After dropping his only target in Week 2, he was benched and ended up playing just 32% of the team's snaps. With Mason Rudolph taking over, don't expect that to change. Rudolph and James Washington were college teammates and have a strong rapport. It wouldn't be surprising for Washington to immediately take over the WR2 spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Moncrief is an immediate drop at a fantasy position with strong depth.

AFC South

Houston Texans -- Hyde Rise

Quarterback: Deshaun Watson (100%)
Running Backs: Carlos Hyde (61%), Duke Johnson (39%)
Wide Receivers: DeAndre Hopkins (94%), Will Fuller (91%), Keke Coutee (44%), Kenny Stills (38%)
Tight Ends: Darren Fells
(67%),Jordan Akins (59%)

Carlos Hyde looks like a strong fit in Houston, and his Week 2 performance solidified worries that may have been bubbling in Duke Johnson owners' stomachs. Hyde's snap share increase from 37% to 61% week over week, and he out-touched Johnson 20 to 6. Johnson isn't a drop (he still had a solid Week 1), but at the moment he looks like an untrustworthy fantasy play on a weekly basis.

Indianapolis Colts -- Handcuff Fisticuffs

Quarterback: Jacoby Brissett (100%)
Running Backs: Marlon Mack (68%), Nyheim Hines (19%), Jordan Wilkins (15%)
Wide Receivers: T.Y. Hilton (90%), Deon Cain (46%), Zach Pascal (44%), Chester Rogers (40%), Parris Campbell (25%)
Tight Ends: Jack Doyle (71%), Eric Ebron
(47%), Mo Alie-Cox (33%)

After receiving only special teams work in Week 1, Jordan Wilkins was a surprise part of the Indianapolis Colts' offense on Sunday. He's in no position to challenge Marlon Mack, but anybody holding Nyheim Hines as a handcuff might be worried. Wilkins saw six touches to Hines' three, busting one carry for 55 yards. While a handcuff battle isn't thrilling for most fans, in fantasy it's important. This will be worth keeping an eye on, as injuries in the NFL are as common as unicycle-riding hipsters in Portland.

Jacksonville Jaguars --

Quarterback: Gardner Minshew (100%)
Running Backs: Leonard Fournette (97%)
Wide Receivers: Dede Westbrook (87%), Chris Conley (85%), D.J. Chark (82%), Keelan Cole (13%)
Tight End: James O'Shaughnessy (66%%), Geoff Swaim (52%), Seth DeValve
(15%)

Leonard Fournette has been a hard player to trust in his first two years in the league. Though he has RB1 talent, he came into this season having played just 21 of 32 games since 2017. The Jacksonville Jaguars don't seem put off by that injury history. After playing 86% of the team's snaps in a blowout loss to the Chiefs in Week 1, Fournette was on the field for 97% of the Jags' Week 2 snaps, a percentage that was second only to Christian McCaffery, who once again wasn't taken off the field.

Tennessee Titans -- 50/50 mirage

Quarterback: Marcus Mariota (100%)
Running Backs: Derrick Henry (50%), Dion Lewis (50%)
Wide Receivers: Corey Davis (83%), Adam Humphries (57%), Tajae Sharpe (53%), A.J. Brown (45%)
Tight End: Delanie Walker (57%), Jonnu Smith (48%), MyCole Pruitt (47%)

Don't be fooled by Dion Lewis' 50% snap share. The change-of-pace and esteemed receiving back seemed little more than a decoy in Week 2, getting just four touches and being out-targeted by Derrick Henry three to one. The lack of targets are especially worrying, as some of Lewis' only value is in PPR leagues. Without those, he's hardly worth holding other than a handcuff for Henry in deeper leagues.

AFC West

Denver Broncos - Free Freeman

Quarterback: Joe Flacco (100%)
Running Backs: Royce Freeman (52%), Phillip Lindsay (48%)
Wide Receivers: Courtland Sutton (95%), Emmanuel Sanders (93%), DaeSean Hamilton (66%)
Tight Ends: Noah Fant (66%), Jeff Heuerman
(46%), Troy Fumagalli (17%)

One of Philip Lindsay's main advantages over Royce Freeman in fantasy was his PPR ability. That could be coming into question after Week 2. Freeman's seven targets were the second-most of his career and tied for second on the team (with Lindsay and Courtland Sutton). The newfound usage in the passing game helped Freeman top 100 yards from scrimmage; Lindsay finished with 66. This is a situation to keep an eye on, as any move from a straight committee to a focus on one back over the other could have big fantasy ramifications.

Kansas City Chiefs - DRob Robs Hardman Owners

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes (100%)
Running Backs: Damien Williams (51%), LeSean McCoy (41%),
Wide Receivers: Sammy Watkins (92%), Demarcus Robinson (91%), Mecole Hardman (74%)
Tight End: Travis Kelce (86%), Blake Bell (33%)

Look, those picking up Mecole Hardman after Tyreek Hill's injury aren't going to be upset with a four-catch, 61-yard, one-score effort. It's just that, it seems pretty tame in comparison to what Demarcus Robinson did. While nobody would have expected Robinson to put up 172 yards and a couple of scores, they should have at least expected him to be heavily involved. Robinson played 63% of the team's snaps in Week 1, a number that jumped to 91% this past week. Oakland tried (and was fairly successful) at stopping Sammy Watkins from having a big game. Unfortunately, that leaves guys like Robinson open, and Mahomes is just too good to struggle when any one receiver is taken away from him. Robinson and Hardman can both be used on a weekly basis -- deciding who will have the better game may be a fool's errand.

Los Angeles Chargers -- No Change

Quarterback: Philip Rivers (100%)
Running Backs: Austin Ekeler (73%), Justin Jackson (27%)
Wide Receivers: Keenan Allen (91%), Travis Benjamin (66%), Mike Williams (64%), Dontrelle Inman (57%)
Tight Ends: Virgil Green
(88%), Sean Culkin (24%)

Perhaps Justin Jackson owners thought that Week 1 was just a fluke, that Austin Ekeler was bound to share more touches with him going forward. Nope. Ekeler's Week 2 solidified him as a RB1 in PPR leagues; he was on the field for 73% of the team's snaps compared to just 27% for Jackson, out-touching him 23 to 8. Not even a fumble near the goalline was enough to change Anthony Lynn's mind. The backfield is Ekeler's, at least until Melvin Gordon returns.

Oakland Raiders -- Solidified

Quarterback: Derek Carr (100%)
Running Backs: Josh Jacobs (46%), Jalen Richard (31%)
, DeAndre Washington (23%)
Wide Receivers: Tyrell Williams (94%), Ryan Grant (75%), Hunter Renfrow (75%)

Tight Ends: Darren Waller (95%), Foster Moreau
(23%), Derek Carrier (14%)

After being one of only two tight ends to play all of his team's snaps in Week 1, Darren Waller quickly jumped onto people's radars. In Week 2, we saw that it wasn't a fluke. Waller played 95% of the Raiders' snaps -- third highest in the league -- and turned them into six catches for 63 yards, another strong week. Still somehow available in 21.7% of ESPN leagues, grab him if he's somehow on the wire.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys -- Gallup Off Into the IR

Quarterback: Dak Prescott (100%)
Running Back: Ezekiel Elliott (76%), Tony Pollard (24%)
Wide Receivers: Amari Cooper (91%), Randall Cobb (76%), Michael Gallup (67%), Devin Smith (26%)
Tight End: Jason Witten (77%), Blake Jarwin
(34%)

Michael Gallup will miss up to four weeks after tearing his meniscus. Those 15 targets in the first two weeks have to go somewhere, and the most likely player to benefit is Randall Cobb. Cobb has been the clear WR3 in Dallas, but that's still meant a solid workload with the Cowboys' explosive offense. Expect Cobb's five-to-six targets per game to increase to seven or eight. He has the opportunity to be at least a WR3 in fantasy leagues for up to the next month. Available in 81.7% of ESPN leagues, he's a must add.

New York Giants -- Jones' Town

Quarterback: Eli Manning (100%)
Running Backs: Saquon Barkley (87%), Wayne Gallman (13%), Elijhaa Penny (11%)
Wide Receivers: Bennie Fowler (79%), Russell Shepard (59%), Cody Latimer (57%), T.J. Jones (43%), Cody Core (20%)
Tight Ends: Evan Engram (79%), Rhett Ellison (47%)

There will be no 3li. Not in a New York Giants uniform at least. Earlier today, the Giants named rookie Daniel Jones as their starter going forward, sending two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning to the bench. It's a drastic shift early in the season, but the Giants can't get any worse than than how they've started (well, I shouldn't say any worse when the Dolphins exist), and seeing what their rookie can do is worth a shot. It will be curious to see if Eli lands elsewhere, either this year or next, but for now, it's Jones' town.

Philadelphia Eagles -- Hospital Ward

Quarterback: Carson Wentz (93%)
Running Backs: Miles Sanders (43%), Darren Sproles (35%), Jordan Howard (22%)
Wide Receivers: Nelson Agholor (96%), J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (93%), Mack Hollins (85%), DeSean Jackson (14%)
Tight End: Zach Ertz (100%)

The Philadelphia Eagles' coaches put on a clinic on Sunday night. They had no business being in the game against the Atlanta Falcons after injuries to many players, including Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, and Dallas Goedert. Doug Pederson and Jim Schwartz had other ideas, however. Pederson continued to look like he was playing Hold 'Em to Riverboat Ron Rivera's Go Fish. He doesn't hesitate at all to go for it on fourth down, and doing so led to a touchdown and kept the game close, as did Schwartz' relentless risk-everything blitzing. It almost worked, too, that is until Julio Jones caught a 54-yard score with two minutes left. Besides the coaches and the incendiary play from Carson Wentz, the big winner in fantasy was Nelson Agholor owners, all 0.2% of them who started him in ESPN this week. Agholor was on the field for 96% of the team's plays and caught eight of 11 passes for 107 yards and a score. If Jackson and Jeffery miss time, he's a must play.

Washington Redskins -- McLaurin's Strong Start Continues

Quarterback: Case Keenum (100%)
Running Backs: Chris Thompson (45%), Adrian Peterson (29%), Wendell Smallwood (26%)
Wide Receivers: Terry McLaurin (93%), Paul Richardson (78%), Trey Quinn (79%), Kelvin Harmon (22%)
Tight Ends: Vernon Davis (82%), Jeremy Sprinkle (21%)

Those thinking Terry McLaurin's strong Week 1 were a fluke are looking like fools after the rookie put up another strong performance in Week 2. McLaurin led all Washington receivers with a 93% snap share and nine targets, which he turned into 62 yards and a score. Next week should prove a difficult matchup against the Bears, but slot him back into your lineup in Week 4 when Washington travels to face the woeful Giants.

NFC North

Chicago Bears -- Montgomery's Team

Quarterback: Mitchell Trubisky (100%)
Running Backs: David Montgomery (44%), Tarik Cohen (38%), Mike Davis (25%)
Wide Receivers: Allen Robinson (90%), Taylor Gabriel (87%), Anthony Miller (52%), Javon Wims (30%), Cordarrelle Patterson (25%)
Tight Ends: Trey Burton (43%), Adam Shaheen (34%), Ben Braunecker (25%)

No running back owned the Chicago Bears' backfield in Week 1. Week 2 was a different story. David Montgomery played 44% of the team's snaps and led all backs with 18 carries. Tarik Cohen was second with four. It was a huge testament to the Bears' belief in their rookie, and expect it to continue in Week 3 against a Washington team who just gave up 213 yards rushing to the Dallas Cowboys.

Detroit Lions -- Only One Safe Receiver?

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford (100%)
Running Back:
Kerryon Johnson (54%), Ty Johnson (21%), C.J. Anderson (20%)
Wide Receiver: Kenny Golladay (92%), Marvin Jones (92%), Danny Amendola (57%)

Tight Ends: T.J. Hockenson (79%), Jesse James
(49%), Logan Thomas (10%)

Danny Amendola had 13 targets in Week 1, which led the Detroit Lions and was second in the league. To the 20.2% of owners who picked him up in in ESPN leagues after his seven-catch, 104-yard, one-score outing, the Lions' usage of him in Week 2 must have seemed cruel. Though he saw an increase in snap share from 53% to 57%, he had a big fat zero targets in Week 2. There are two wide receivers to trust in Detroit: Kenny Golladay as a WR1; and Marvin Jones as a WR4. That's it. If you're betting on Amendola's usage, you might as well be flipping a coin.

Green Bay Packers -- Finally

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers (100%)
Running Backs: Aaron Jones (58%), Jamaal Williams (47%)
Wide Receivers: Davante Adams (96%), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (88%), Geronimo Allison (46%)
Tight Ends: Jimmy Graham (73%), Marcedes Lewis (42%), Robert Tonyan (30%)

Those who have believed in Aaron Jones as a workhorse finally got their due on Sunday. It's not that he hasn't proven his skill before, but Jones put together what was the most complete game of his career. His 23 rushing attempts were a career high, and he added four catches to boot. He's an RB1, and if he stays healthy, he could likely be a big part of many championship-winning teams this year.

Minnesota Vikings -- Only One Cook in the Kitchen

Quarterback: Kirk Cousins (100%)
Running Backs: Dalvin Cook (72%), C.J. Ham (38%), Alexander Mattison (12%), Ameer Abdullah (11%)
Wide Receivers: Adam Thielen (98%), Stefon Diggs (89%), Chad Beebe (25%)
Tight Ends: Kyle Rudolph (100%), Irv Smith Jr. (42%)

The Green Bay Packers got up 21-0 early against the Minnesota Vikings. Many teams might instantly turn to a more heavy pass approach. Not the Vikings, much to Kirk Cousins owners' chagrin and Dalvin Cook owners' glee. The Vikings kept with a run-heavy approach, giving the ball 20 times to Cook, who ripped off a 75-yard score. It was already easy to believe in Cook after Week 1, but given that the Vikings kept with him despite their predicament, it testament to how much they believe in their back, who is looking like he could be a top-five player at his position when the season ends.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons -- Blocking Problem

Quarterback: Matt Ryan (100%)
Running Backs: Devonta Freeman (62%), Ito Smith (38%)
Wide Receivers: Mohamed Sanu (83%), Julio Jones (82%), Calvin Ridley (64%), Justin Hardy (17%), Russell Gage (14%)
Tight End: Austin Hooper (76%), Luke Stocker (45%)

It's not all Devonta Freeman's fault that he can't get much going. It's his line. Atlanta is ranked 27th in run blocking, per Football Outsider's adjusted line yards. One might look at Ito Smith's 6.3 yards per carry to Freeman's 2.2, but not all carries are equal. It's a lot easier to find space when you're lining up on a pass-oriented third down and the defense is thinking the ball is going to go toward Julio Jones or Calvin Ridley. Of course, Smith isn't getting enough work to be relevant, either. Freeman is still the number one here, and that's not going to change. Given his line, however, you're going to have to really start thinking if he's worth playing as more than a flex.

Carolina Panthers -- Who's Next?

Quarterback: Cam Newton (100%)
Running Backs: Christian McCaffrey (100%)
Wide Receivers: Curtis Samuel (97%), D.J. Moore (95%), Jarius Wright (6%)
8Tight End: Greg Olsen (82%), Chris Manhertz (41%)

Cam Newton's arm looked half dead against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. His foot may be, as well. Newton could miss the Panthers' Week 3 game against the Cardinals, leaving Kyle Allen or Will Grier to start in his place. It's a decent spot for whoever starts against numberFire's ninth-worst ranked passing defense, but it's hard to trust either in fantasy. That said, can they be worse than Cam has been? According to Pro Football Focus, Cam leads the league in uncatchable passes through Week 2. Over 34% of his passes have been uncatchable. The next closest is Mitch Trubisky at 27.8%. It's hard to say it, but Allen or Grier could end up giving the Panthers a better shot at winning until Cam gets fully recovered from all of his ailments.

New Orleans Saints -- Bridging the Massive Gap

Quarterback: Teddy Bridgewater (86%), Taysom Hill (32%), Drew Brees (14%)
Running Backs: Alvin Kamara (65%), Latavius Murray (35%)
Wide Receivers: Michael Thomas (98%), Ted Ginn Jr. (60%), Tre'Quan Smith (58%)
Tight End: Jared Cook (68%), Josh Hill (43%)

There is no replacing Drew Brees. It's just not possible. The New Orleans Saints can only hope that Teddy Bridgewater can come in and play solid enough ball for six weeks to keep the Saints at close to .500 by the time Brees returns. It's not going to be easy. They play at Seattle next week (where they are 4.5-point 'dogs) and then host the Cowboys. They could easily be 1-3 after those games, and their games after that aren't pushovers. Even the Jacksonville Jaguars, who they'll play in Week 6, aren't an easy win, and the game is in Florida. Bridgewater will have weapons, that's for sure, but will he be able to use them effectively? For now, he's a mid-to-low-end QB2.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Where Did Jones Go?

Quarterback: Jameis Winston (100%)
Running Backs: Peyton Barber (65%), Dare Ogunbowale (25%), Ronald Jones (12%)
Wide Receivers: Chris Godwin (95%), Mike Evans (91%), Breshad Perriman (48%)
Tight Ends: O.J. Howard (92%%), Antony Auclair (42%), Cameron Brate (28%)

Ronald Jones looked like he might have a bit of a chance to make his mark. In Week 1, he played 31% of the Bucs' snaps and led all backs with 75 yards, 42 more than Peyton Barber. Any confidence he may have gained has disappeared after Week 2. Jones played just 12% of the team's snaps, while Barber saw his snap share rise from 36% to 65%. He ran the ball 23 times in a 20-14 win and clearly separated himself from the RBBC pack. Jones doesn't need to be rostered in standard 12-team leagues right now.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals -- Flying High in the Desert

Quarterback: Kyler Murray (100%)
Running Back: David Johnson (60%), Chase Edmonds (40%)

Wide Receivers: Larry Fitzgerald (95%) Christian Kirk (93%), Damiere Byrd (93%), KeeSean Johnson (32%)
, Michael Crabtree (32%)
Tight End: Charles Clay (25%), Maxx Williams (23%)

While everybody is talking about Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk, don't sleep on Damiere Byrd. The fourth-year player out of South Carolina saw a 93% snap share, up from 88% in Week 1. He also saw seven targets for the second week in a row, this week catching six passes from Kyler Murray. Currently a WR5 in PPR leagues, he's in position to move up in a big way if either Fitz or Kirk got hurt. He's worth a stash. Who wouldn't want a Byrd in a high-flying offensive attack?

Los Angeles Rams -- No Vulture

Quarterback: Jared Goff (100%)
Running Backs:
Todd Gurley (64%), Malcolm Brown (36%)
Wide Receivers: Robert Woods (99%), Brandin Cooks (97%), Cooper Kupp (94%)

Tight Ends: Gerald Everett (71%), Tyler Higbee (34%)

Todd Gurley owners were obviously very upset about Malcolm Brown's two touchdowns in Week 1, but it was Gurley who saw the bulk of the touches, which played out again in Week 2. While Gurley's snap count decreased from 70% to 64%, his touches increased from 15 to 19. Gurley saw 19 touches (up from 15 in Week 1) to Brown's seven and scored the lone rushing touchdown in the game. While any decrease in snap share is concerning, Gurley's world is far from falling apart here. Keep him locked and loaded going forward.

San Francisco 49ers -- Coleman Out, Mostert In

Quarterback: Jimmy Garoppolo(100%)
Running Backs: Raheem Mostert (47%),
Matt Breida (29%), Jeff Wilson (21%)
Wide Receivers: Marquise Goodwin (51%)
, Dante Pettis (49%), Richie James (46%), Deebo Samuel (40%), Kendrick Bourne (32%)
Tight Ends: George Kittle (67%), Levine Toilolo
(47%), Ross Dwelley (19%)

While Matt Breida took over the RB1 duties in San Francisco after Tevin Coleman's injury, it was Raheem Mostert who seemed to gain the most. Mostert's snap share went from 29% to 47%, and with it, his workload saw a huge bump. He saw 16 touches, rushing for 83 yards on 13 carries and pitching up another 68 through the air, including a 39-yard screen pass touchdown. As it is, he's a strong flex play going forward, and if he's on your waiver wire (which is likely as he's rostered in just 11.0% of ESPN leagues), then grab him.

Seattle Seahawks -- More Like It

Quarterback: Russell Wilson (100%)
Running Backs: Chris Carson (54%), Rashaad Penny (33%), C.J. Prosise (13%)
Wide Receivers: Tyler Lockett (89%), D.K. Metcalf (89%), Jaron Brown (73%), Malik Turner (20%)
Tight Ends: Will Dissly (59%), Nick Vannett (42%)

Everyone expected a huge year for Tyler Lockett. After Week 1, there may have been some second-guessing their prognostications. Lockett saw just two targets, though one -- in true Lockett style -- went for a 44-yard touchdown. In Week 2, Lockett proved he was a player you can trust and a strong WR2 candidate. Russell Wilson targeted him 12 times. Lockett caught 10 of those for 79 yards in a 28-26 win over the Steelers. If you were wavering at all after Week 1, hopefully you're breathing easy now.