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NFL Week 4 Usage Trends: Fantasy Football Notes for All 32 Teams

By Ryan Kirksey
Stefon Diggs Trade

In fantasy football, usage and opportunity are king. Fantasy points can’t accrue on our teams unless our players accumulate the snaps, attempts, and targets that lead to yards and touchdowns.

This weekly piece will look at usage trends from each NFL team from a fantasy angle. We will look at who is gaining and who is losing opportunities in order to make better future roster decisions.

If you have interesting usage notes, feel free to reach out to me on X (@CableBoxScore) and let me know. Let’s dive into Week 4 usage!

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NFL Week 4 Usage Trends

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Michael Wilson Pops

After a few quiet games, Michael Wilson emerged on the scene against San Francisco with 35 routes run, seven targets, 76 yards, and two scores. He looks to the the clear WR2 now behind Marquise Brown and his 2.30 yards per route runs are the same as CeeDee Lamb. Expect more playing time in the future.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Jonnu Smith Over Pitts

I think we are at the point where if you drop Kyle Pitts from your fantasy team, people will not just be OK with it, but they might applaud you. Pitts was under 65% of snaps played in Week 4 and Jonnu Smith has one fewer target than Pitts despite getting zero in Week 1. Smith is also out-targeting Pitts in the Red Zone this year.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Gus Edwards’ World Now snaps

In a game where Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon were active, Gus Edwards still got 70% of snaps and the other two backs were both under 20%. Edwards also got three of the five running back targets on Sunday. The Ravens are now leading the NFL in rushing play percentage (54%).

BUFFALO BILLS

More Air Yards for Diggs

Besides a leaky Miami that Stefon Diggs exploited all game, what led to his explosion performance (6-120-3)? In Weeks 1-3, the Bills gave Diggs a 9.0 average depth of target (aDOT). In Week 4 that was lengthened to a 11.4-yard aDOT. Josh Allen going YOLO every week and targeting Diggs downfield more is a great thing for both their values.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Hubbard Splits Time With Sanders

A lingering groin injury and game script might have had something to do with it, but Chuba Hubbard essentially split the running back work 50/50 with Miles Sanders. Both had 16 touches in the game on Sunday and Hubbard out-snapped him 54%-43%.

CHICAGO BEARS

Fields Beginning This Year’s Breakout?

After his 24.4 fantasy points in Week 7 of 2022, Justin Fields was an uber-reliable fantasy producer the rest of the season, so is Justin Fields’ almost 40 fantasy points in Week 4 the start of another breakout? Don’t bet the farm on it. The Denver Broncos are clearly starting a Junior Varsity-level defense right now and Fields only rushed for 25 yards, the fourth-lowest of his career for full games played.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Burrow Needs More Time

Does Burrow need more time for his calf injury to heal? Yes, but that’s not what this section is about. After another Burrow stinker, it’s clear that his offensive line is doing him no favors. At 2.25 seconds, Joe Burrow had the lowest time to throw in Week 4, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. The inability to run and no time to throw is going to lead to more rough games for this offense.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Ford’s Role Grows With Hunt

Even following the first full week that Kareem Hunt was practicing with the Cleveland Browns, Jerome Ford saw his highest snap rate of the season (62%). He also had all running back receptions in the game against the Ravens, so it’s clear Ford is still the lead back here.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Red Zone Spread Around

For fantasy purposes, we want Cowboys’ Red Zone opportunities to go to Tony Pollard and CeeDee Lamb (and maybe Jake Ferguson every once in a while). But if Sunday’s game is any indication, it could be more frustrating. On Sunday, eight players saw at least one Red Zone opportunity including guys like KaVonte Turpin and Luke Schoonmaker.

DENVER BRONCOS

Mims Small Staircase

This will continue to be a pro-Marvin Mims propaganda article until the Broncos start using him the right way. For the first time, Mims (35%) got above 27% snaps and he caught both of his targets for 47 yards. If Javonte Williams is out for an extended period of time, maybe the Broncos will move to more three wide receiver sets.

DETROIT LIONS

Montgomery Money Touches

If I’m a Jahmyr Gibbs manager, I am extremely upset to see David Montgomery get 11 of the 12 running back Red Zone attempts on Thursday. In fact, Montgomery now only trails Tony Pollard and Christian McCaffrey in Red Zone rush attempts this season.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Reed Still the Read in Red Zone

Even with the Romeo Doubs ascension and Christian Watson back, Jayden Reed continues to be the go-to wide receiver in the Red Zone. Reed led the receivers in RZ targets in Week 4 and now only trails Davante Adams for the overall lead this season.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Dameon Pierce Separation

Dameon Pierce finally distanced himself from Devin Singletary and Mike Boone in this positive game script against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pierce (24 carries) had nine more carries and 43 more yards than any other game this season, and he played a season-high 59% of snaps.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Richardson Growing as a Passer

At 12.6 average completed air yards on Sunday, Anthony Richardson was four yards better than any other quarterback in Week 4. Despite being under pressure from the Rams all day long and looking a bit lost in the first half, Richardson turned it around for 200 yards and two scores in the second half. We know he can compete with his rushing, but if he develops an accurate deep arm, the league is in trouble.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Evan Engram Outbreak Incoming

Evan Engram may have many sexy box scores so far and he hasn’t reached the end zone yet this year, but the best is certainly still to come. Engram is tied first for first among all tight ends with 6.3 touches per game, is second in yards with 232 (behind Sam LaPorta’s 242), and is third in total targets behind only T.J. Hockenson and Zach Ertz.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Where is Kelce in the Red Zone?

The Kansas City Chiefs have made a calling card out of manufacturing touches for Travis Kelce in the Red Zone in years past, but in three of the four games this season, he has been almost non-existent there. Four of his seven RZ targets came in Week 2. Kelce still has found his way to two touchdowns this year, but he has fewer yards than Jonnu Smith and Cole Kmet. Considering the wide receiver corps Patrick Mahomes has to work with, it’s quite strange.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Davante Adams’ Red Zone Role Remains

It doesn’t matter if it’s Jimmie Garoppolo, Aiden O’Connell, or Ken Stabler behind center for the Raiders, they are going to pepper Davante Adams in the Red Zone. He had five more RZ targets on Sunday but did not score on a controversial touchdown taken away. Adams’ 10 RZ targets and five Green Zone (inside the 10-yard line) targets are both tops among all wide receivers.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Palmer and Johnston Both Expand

With Mike Williams out and the other wide receivers asked to step up for the Chargers, the playing time and opportunity share was predictable. Joshua Palmer (86% of snaps) and Quentin Johnston (51%) both played season-high rates. Palmer was the beneficiary of the targets, as he led the team with eight compared to three for Johnston and five for Keenan Allen. Another analysis will be necessary after the team’s Week 5 Bye to determine how Austin Ekeler impacts the new receiving structure.

Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings coming on Wednesday: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Kyren and Puka Power

After Puka Nacua’s nine-reception game this week (giving him the most catches ever for a player through four games), he (10.3 touches per game) and running back Kyren Williams (18.8) now combine for 29.1 touches per game. That’s the second-best duo in the league behind only Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel (31.5 touches per game).

MIAMI DOLPHINS

De’Von Achane Takeover

A couple of fumbles for Raheem Mostert likely led to the usage differential, but Achane was the back who looked like the lead guy on Sunday. He played on 60% of snaps and handled five of the seven running back touches in the Red Zone. After a couple of more touchdowns scored against the Bills, the takeover may be happening sooner rather than later, but Jeff Wilson is still scheduled to return and mess everything up.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Akers Plays Spoiler

Alexander Mattison fans who were worried about usage with Cam Akers on the roster certainly didn’t get any relief on Sunday. Mattison played his lowest snaps on the year (69%, Akers got 29%), but the most surprising thing was Akers getting more targets than Mattison (albeit just two to one).

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Better Days for Rhamondre? ROE

Rhamondre Stevenson still handled a workhorse share of the running back duties despite claims of Ezekiel Elliott getting more involved. Things should be better in the weeks ahead after a couple of tough matchups. According to Next Gen Stats, Stevenson’s 20 rush yards under expectation led all running backs, as did his 1.5 rush yards under expectation per attempt.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Kamara’s Little With a Lot

Alvin Kamara came back to a full workload for the Saints, getting 11 carries and 14(!) targets that he turned into 13 catches. Prior to Sunday, the lowest yards for at least 13 catches was 71 yards. Kamara had 33 yards, but that’s likely very fluky. If Kamara is this involved in the passing game, huge things are to come.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Daniel Jones: The NFL’s Most Expensive Turnover Machine

You might have seen the graphic on ESPN Monday night that said Daniel Jones has the most lost fumbles in the NFL since 2019 (24). When your long-term quarterback’s supposed greatest strength (rushing with the ball) is turning into turnovers that often, perhaps it’s time to think about making a change.

NEW YORK JETS

Zach Wilson Shows Off for Taylor Swift

You might have seen or read some things about how Zach Wilson looked much better against the Chiefs on Sunday, and that couldn’t be more true. Wilson’s 71.8% completion rate on Sunday was 10 percentage points higher than any other game of Wilson’s career where he attempted at least 25 passes.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Jalen Hurts Rushing Conundrum

Not that anyone is complaining with the Eagles 4-0 to start the year, but Jalen Hurts’ rushing is nowhere near as efficient as the past two seasons. His yards per attempt (3.4) is down by more than one yard since last year (4.6). And his yards per game have plummeted from 50.7 to 33.5. One might think after an injury last year, the Eagles are telling him to stay put, but he still has 10 rush attempts per game (11 in 2022).

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Austin Creating the Cushion

In an otherwise horrific showing, the one bright spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers was young wide receiver Calvin Austin. He created the most cushion relative to his coverage of all wide receivers in Week 4 and he earned almost 44% of his team’s total air yards. He only turned his five targets into 25 yards, but he might actually benefit if the Steelers have to turn to Mitch Trubisky for a week or two.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Deebo Shut Out, Aiyuk Balls Out

Deebo Samuel was seemingly a decoy on Sunday coming off a couple weeks of nagging injuries. He recorded no fantasy stats. Not that the 49ers needed anyone besides Christian McCaffrey, but Brandon Aiyuk had quite the interesting day. His six catches and 148 yards were a product of an elite 21.5-yard aDOT. No one else on the entire team had an aDOT higher than eight yards on Sunday.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Walker This Way To a Bigger Role

Kenneth Walker tripled up Zach Charbonnet on snaps and on rush attempts on Monday night to further put a chokehold on the RB1 spot. Charbonnet had the two targets that went to backs, but Walker was in on all two-minute drills. That’s a role he did not have in the first three weeks.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Rachaad White Red Zone Role

The Buccaneers had 13 total opportunities in the Red Zone on Sunday and Rachaad White had eight of them. Of course, his typical inefficient play popped up at the worst time and White averaged just 2.5 yards per attempt in that area this week. Will the Bucs ever turn to Sean Tucker? It remains to be seen, but White was still over 70% of snaps in Week 4 again.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Hopkins Flopkins

In a game where Treylon Burks did not play, DeAndre Hopkins put up his fourth uninspiring performance of the year. His snaps dropped from 73% to 53% and he had his fourth straight game with less than 70 receiving yards and no scores. Ryan Tannehill needs to be put out to pasture to see what the young guys have.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Jahan Dotson Red Zone Role

After three straight games of zero targets in the Red Zone, Jahan Dotson was targeted there four times on Sunday. Considering how Dotson’s targets shot up to nine total in the Week 4 game, this could be signaling a changing of the wide receiver guard. Dotson just might be better than Terry McLaurin.

Data Sources: Pro Football Focus, NFL Next Gen Stats, Football Guys Snap Summary, FTN Air Yards, Pro Football Reference, Team Rankings

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