Skip to main content

Week 14 Running Back Snap Count Analysis (2019 Fantasy Football)

Week 14 Running Back Snap Count Analysis (2019 Fantasy Football)

Five backfields made the cut for analysis this week. Most are familiar backfields that have appeared in this space repeatedly. One backfield, however, features a banged up stud running back who gamers were holding their breath using as we entered last week.

Get free start/sit and waiver wire advice for your fantasy team partner-arrow

49ers last week at Saints, this week vs. Falcons

Player Snaps (Percentage of offensive snaps)
Raheem Mostert 40 (60%)
Matt Breida 12 (18%)
Tevin Coleman 11 (16%)

The 49ers were in this piece last week, and they’re back again after Mostert established himself as the top dog. Conversely, Coleman cemented his status as unusable the rest of the way. Even in Breida’s return, Mostert dominated the offensive snap percentage, and he turned a dozen touches (10 rushes and two receptions) into 69 rushing yards, 40 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Breida was his typically efficient self, and he turned six carries into 54 rushing yards and one target into a four-yard reception. Coleman carried the ball three times for six yards, and, again, he can be cut.

The 49ers are commanding 11-point favorites at home against the visiting Falcons, according to the BettingPros consensus line. The large spread, coupled with Atlanta’s mediocrity defending the run, make Mostert an RB2 and Breida a flex or low-end RB2 option this week. Football Outsiders (FO) ranks the Falcons 16th in Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) against the run.

Dolphins last week at Jets, this week at Giants

Player Snaps (Percentage of offensive snaps)
Patrick Laird 59 (82%)
Myles Gaskin 13 (18%)

Efficiency remains an issue for running backs for the Dolphins, but that’s likely largely the product of a bad offensive line. FO ranks them dead last in adjusted line yards. Regardless, Laird’s volume is encouraging. He carried the ball 15 times for 48 rushing yards compared to just four carries for five rushing yards for Gaskin. Laird’s biggest contributions to fantasy squads is likely to come through the air, though.

Laird hauled in four of five targets for 38 receiving yards. He’s caught four or more passes in three of his last four games, and he’s averaging an eye-catching 9.2 yards per reception. Both DeVante Parker and Albert Wilson are in the concussion protocol, putting their availability for this week in question. If one or both are out, that could mean even more targets for Laird. He’s an RB2 in point per reception (PPR) formats, and he’s at least a flex in standard-scoring leagues.

Vikings last week vs. Lions, this week at Chargers

Player Snaps (Percentage of offensive snaps)
Dalvin Cook 34 (47%)
Alexander Mattison 27 (37%)
Mike Boone 6 (8%)
Ameer Abdullah 6 (8%)

Cook is playing through an injury, and there were concerns about the type of workload he’d receive last week. Yes, he played under 50% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps in a 13-point victory. The game was never in question, though, with the Vikings blanking the Lions for three quarters. Despite the lopsided score, Cook was still fed the ball 20 times (18 carries and two receptions). He turned his touches into 75 yards from scrimmage with a touchdown.

Behind Cook, Mattison rushed 14 times for 46 yards while hauling in both of his targets for 18 yards. Boone even chipped in five carries for 13 yards. The Vikings are only three-point favorites in Los Angeles against the Chargers this week, so Mattison might not see as much work in what projects to be a much closer game. Cook’s still an RB1, but his ceiling and floor both are lowered a bit with his injury.

Cardinals last week vs. Steelers, this week vs. Browns

Player Snaps (Percentage of offensive snaps)
Kenyan Drake 39 (65%)
David Johnson 22 (37%)
Chase Edmonds 11 (18%)

The waters are muddied in Arizona’s backfield now. In Week 13, Edmonds didn’t play an offensive snap, and Johnson mustered only 24 yards from scrimmage on six touches. Drake wasn’t exactly a big-time contributor that week, either, with 51 yards from scrimmage on 15 touches, but he was the clear lead back topping the position with 79% of offensive snaps played. His playing time took a step back last week, and Johnson was the only back of the trio to score a touchdown.

Johnson rushed three times for 19 yards, and he caught both of his targets for 34 yards and a touchdown. Edmonds was a non-factor beyond stealing snaps, toting the rock one time for nine yards and failing to corral either of his targets. Drake still led the way in touches and playing time with 11 carries for 37 rushing yards and three receptions on three targets for 30 receiving yards. Drake still has a tenuous hold on RB2 status. Even with Johnson’s touchdown grab, he can’t be trusted as even a flex. Having said that, he’s worth an add if he was cut in your league as a potential option in Week 16 if he and Drake flip-flop roles this week.

Chiefs last week at Patriots, this week vs. Broncos

Player Snaps (Percentage of offensive snaps)
Spencer Ware 31 (40%)
LeSean McCoy 24 (31%)
Darwin Thompson 21 (27%)

Last week was supposed to be the week preseason heartthrob Darwin Thompson showcased his stuff. It didn’t happen. Even with Damien Williams and Darrel Williams out, it was actually recent free-agent addition Spencer Ware who led the backfield in playing time. Meanwhile, Shady topped the team in carries (11) and rushing yards (39). This backfield is toxic for fantasy purposes, and all parties can be avoided while Damien Williams is out. If/when he returns, he could be a leap-of-faith flex or RB2 as a result of eclipsing 100 yards from scrimmage in his last two games he was healthy from start to finish in Week 9 and Week 10.

Import your team to My Playbook for instant Waiver Wire advice partner-arrow

SubscribeApple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | TuneIn | RSS

Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.

More Articles

FantasyPros Dynasty Football Podcast: How Much is Your First-Round Draft Pick Worth?

FantasyPros Dynasty Football Podcast: How Much is Your First-Round Draft Pick Worth?

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 2 min read
3 Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Running Backs (2024)

3 Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Running Backs (2024)

fp-headshot by Anthony Corrente | 2 min read
Fantasy Football Mock Draft: FFPC Best Ball Picks (2024)

Fantasy Football Mock Draft: FFPC Best Ball Picks (2024)

fp-headshot by Tom Strachan | 3 min read
3 Fantasy Football Draft Picks to Avoid: Tight Ends (2024)

3 Fantasy Football Draft Picks to Avoid: Tight Ends (2024)

fp-headshot by Mike Fanelli | 2 min read

About Author

Hide

Current Article

3 min read

FantasyPros Dynasty Football Podcast: How Much is Your First-Round Draft Pick Worth?

Next Up - FantasyPros Dynasty Football Podcast: How Much is Your First-Round Draft Pick Worth?

Next Article