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Week 10 Running Back Snap Count Analysis (2021 Fantasy Football)

Week 10 Running Back Snap Count Analysis (2021 Fantasy Football)

Despite the number of backup running backs making starts this week, the league wasn’t short on excellent performances. Some were so good that it may alter their teams’ backfield dynamics as we advance. Below are a few of those instances and what they looked like in Week 10. 

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Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ offense may not have looked good, but there was a bright spot. D’Ernest Johnson saw the most snaps of any Browns running back all season, lining up nearly 90% of the offensive snaps. He made the most of it, too, turning his 19 carries into 99 yards while simultaneously leading the team in receiving, seeing eight targets, catching seven of them for 58 yards. 

It was an excellent game for Johnson, but it probably won’t last. Johnson was only able to see the workhorse-type load because of injuries to the two running backs ahead of him on the depth chart. Nick Chubb was out due to COVID but should be back next week. We also get closer to the return of Kareem Hunt, who’s been out with a calf injury for a month. Johnson may fill in for Hunt until he returns, but his days of being a workhorse are probably over.

Next week: Browns vs. Lions 

Kansas City Chiefs

It’s been a good run for Darrel Williams as the de facto lead back of the Chiefs backfield capped by his Week 10 performance. The rushing stats were ok. He saw a team-high 11 carries, turning it into 43 yards. But it was the passing game where Williams came through for fantasy managers. He was one of the biggest beneficiaries of Patrick Mahomes‘ big night, seeing nine targets, catching all of them for 101 yards and a touchdown. It was the best receiving game of Wiliams’ career and single-handedly decided several fantasy matchups.

Incumbent Clyde Edwards-Helaire is due to return soon, but you shouldn’t expect Williams to go anywhere. He saw at least 20% of the backfield snaps when CEH was healthy and has played well enough to see more. 

Next week: Chiefs vs. Cowboys  

New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson has come a long way since being in the dog house earlier in the season. Not only was he the next man up this week after a concussion knocked out starter Damien Harris, but he had the best game of his brief career. His career-high 20 carries turned into a career-high 100 yards and a career-high two touchdowns. He also saw a team-high with five receptions catching four of those for 14 yards. 

The New England backfield is an interesting one to watch. Harris didn’t exactly light the world on fire before the concussion, while Stevenson averaged five yards per carry in Week 10. Bill Belichick also seems to trust Stevenson more in the passing game with the five targets Stevenson saw in Week 10 not far off from the 13 Harris has seen all season. Harris didn’t practice early on this week, so Stevenson may draw the start again. If so, he should continue to do very well. 

Next week: Patriots at Falcons 

New Orleans Saints

Mark Ingram did his best Alvin Kamara impersonation in Week 10, turning in a workhorse performance for the Saints in just his third game back. He far outpaced anyone on the Saints with 14 carries, punching in one of them for a score. He was also tied for the team lead with seven targets, catching four for 61 yards. 

The injury to Alvin Kamara isn’t serious and should be back next week, but Ingram is still one of the better handcuffs to have. Not only is he next in line should Kamara suffer another injury, but Ingram has managed to see 30% of the snaps in the two Saints games he’s played with Kamara healthy. 

Next week: Saints at Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Coming out of the bye week, it appears the Tampa Bay backfield has settled in. Leonard Fournette is the clear-cut starter, seeing 2/3 of the snaps and nearly all carries totaling 11 to Gio Bernard’s one. He was reasonably effective, too, totaling 47 yards on those carries. 

And while Gio Bernard, seemingly the passing down back, saw the second-most snaps in the Tampa backfield, Fournette was the most active in the passing game. His nine targets led not only the backfield but also the entire Bucs offense. 

In maybe less of a surprise, Ronald Jones saw the least amount of work he did all season. His one snap makes him a non-entity and leaves Fournette as the quasi-workhorse in the Bucs offense.

Next week: Buccaneers vs. Giants 

Tennessee Titans

Here we go again. We still have a timeshare with no end in sight in the second week of the post-Derrick Henry Titans offense. This week it was D’Onta Foreman that led the backfield in snaps and carries. He wasn’t very effective, totaling only 30 yards on the ground. He was much better in the passing game, notching 48 yards on just two carries, highlighted by a 39-yard reception. 

Adrian Peterson wasn’t much better, seeing 1/3 of the snaps, running eight times for 21 yards. The only running back on the Titans roster a month ago, Jeremy McNichols was the worst with seven yards on four carries. 

But do the Titans care? No. They won this week and last week with this dynamic, and it’s not expected to change anytime soon. The team is very good, but it’s a fantasy situation to avoid as long as Derrick Henry is out. 

Next week: Titans vs. Texans 

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Michael Moore is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @DLF_Moore.

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