RADIO
The fantasy football season is quickly moving along, and we are just a few weeks away from the fantasy playoffs. Entering Week 10 means there are only five more regular-season matchups for most leagues -- if your playoffs start in Week 15.
As a result, now is the perfect time to start making the necessary moves to get your team over the top. That includes trading for big names over the next couple of weeks. With the fantasy trade deadline also on the horizon, this might be your last chance to improve your team for the final run.
This article could be a good indication of which players to target in trade negotiations heading into Week 10 based on player's stats from the prior week. I will present the most surprising snap counts and usage from running backs and wide receivers from Week 9.
Surprisingly High Snap Count / Usage From Last Week
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts - 74% snap share
After playing second-fiddle to Zack Moss for most of the year, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has finally taken over the backfield. Taylor's snap share has increased every week since his activation in Week 5, and that continued in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers.
The Colts running back played a season-high 74% of the team snaps while seeing 45-of-61 snaps in the contest. Taylor did struggle on the ground, rushing just 18 times for 47 yards, but the high snap count is a great sign moving forward for the 24-year-old. He also caught all five of his targets for 22 yards and one touchdown.
Taylor's snap share has gone from 15% to 42% to 50% to 61% to now 74% over the past five weeks. With the young running back still getting up to speed in 2023, there's a chance that could increase a bit more in the coming weeks into the 80% range. Either way, this is his backfield for the rest of the season.
RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns - 64% snap share
Many fantasy managers might have been panicking after seeing Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford play a season-low 33% of the team's snaps last week. But, of course, Ford came into that game dealing with an ankle injury and was limited in the contest.
However, following Week 9, it's clear that this is still Ford's backfield. He played a season-high 64% of the team's offensive snaps on Sunday and saw his most snaps (47) of the year. Backup Kareem Hunt saw just 29% of the snaps and remains the clear backfield in Cleveland.
The lack of rush touchdowns in recent weeks has certainly hurt Ford's potential in fantasy, especially since Hunt has crossed the goal line five times over the past four games. But the young running back is the player to own in the Browns' rushing attack as he continues to see a high volume of touches on offense.
WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals - 83% snap share + nine targets
The panic on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins should be officially over. Higgins has dealt with a rib fracture over the past few weeks, so his snap share and targets have been down. In three games from Week 4 to Week 8, he had just 14 targets and 108 receiving yards.
But all that was thrown out the window following Higgins' solid day in Week 9. The 24-year-old wideout caught 8-of-9 targets for 110 yards in the Bengals' 24-18 win over the Buffalo Bills. His 110 receiving yards were a season-high, while his eight catches tied a season-high mark.
Despite the solid line, the most encouraging stat from his performance was his 83% snap share. Higgins' rib fracture has seen him play less than 70% of the team snaps in three straight games. But following his snap share on Sunday, all signs point to him being completely healthy now.
Other Players To Note:
- NE Demario Douglas. (Team-high 83% snap share among WRs)
- GB Aaron Jones (Season-high 57% snap share)
Surprisingly Low Snap Count / Usage From Last Week
RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints - 49% snap share
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has seen his snap share decrease in three consecutive weeks and reached a new low in Week 9 against the Chicago Bears. Kamara saw just 49% of the team's offensive snaps in the win, while backup running back Jamaal Williams continues to eat into his workload.
Kamara feasted when Williams was on the injured reserve list, both in terms of snap share and opportunities. He averaged 72.7% of the team's offensive snaps while averaging 25 touches per game. However, since Williams' return, those numbers have dropped for the Pro Bowl running back.
Kamara is averaging 60% of the team snaps over the past three weeks and has seen his snap share go from 73% to 58% to 49%. Williams is continuing to take touches and snaps away from him, and that might not stop in the coming weeks. While the 28-year-old back will likely play more than 49% of the team snaps going forward, he might be in a 60/40 split backfield in New Orleans.
RB Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks - 49% snap share
This is not great news for Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III. For the second consecutive week, Walker played under 50% of the team snaps and failed to total double-digit carries. On the other hand, rookie running back Zach Charbonnet continues to be more involved on offense.
Most fantasy managers didn't panic about Walker's low snap share in Week 8 (41%) due to the calf issue he was dealing with. But after hearing head coach Pete Caroll talk about the rookie, it's becoming more evident the second-year back will not be a workhorse back in this offense like he was earlier in the year.
The Seahawks did fall behind early against the Baltimore Ravens last week, which likely caused Seattle to use Charbonnet more than Walker in the passing game. But with games against the San Francisco 49ers (twice), Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles upcoming, this does not bode well for the former Michigan State running back.
The low snap count is certainly concerning for Walker in fantasy. Charbonnet has outsnapped him (61-48) over the past two weeks and seems to be getting more involved in Seattle's offense.
Other Players To Note:
- Gus Edwards (18% snap share and five carries)
- Roschon Johnson (29% snap share and two carries)
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