For those tuning into the usage report for the first time; the idea behind the usage report has always been about identifying which players are running routes, seeing high snap shares, and earning high-value targets as these tend to be precursors for future fantasy production. And sometimes they don’t always show up in the normal box score.
So, without further ado…let’s unveil the 2023 Usage Report for Week 2, to prepare for success in Week 3. The Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings Forecast featuring Waiver Wire Pickups and Buy Low/Sell High Trade Targets.
Let’s ride. Because the forecast calls for more action in the upcoming Week 3 slate. Here is the full article with all of my takeaways and actionable advice.
For some overarching data points, check out my Twitter/X thread that covers some important nuggets from Week 2’s action.
Notable Fantasy Football Snap Counts
From Week 2.
To prepare you for Week 3…
— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) September 18, 2023
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Fantasy Football Forecast
Las Vegas Raiders
Buy Josh Jacobs, Buy Jakobi Meyers
Josh Jacobs finished with -2 rushing yards. You read that correctly. From the get-go, he had virtually zero room to run the ball, starting the game with a rush for -4 yards. Throughout it seemed like he never had any space to run, which has been an issue for the Raiders OL over the last two weeks. Their pass protection is relatively okay, but the run-blocking has been BAD. And actually, I should give the Raiders’ pass protection more credit. Jimmy Garoppolo has been pressured on just 15% of his dropbacks through 2 games. Lowest rate in the NFL.
Luckily, Jacobs stayed plenty involved in the passing game catching five balls for 51 yards on 6 targets. Totaled 14 touches on a 72% snap share after sitting out the last 5 minutes with the game out of hand. Zamir White didn’t come in till the game was already over. Jacobs is still a bell cow, that just needs to get by on volume. Without Jakobi Meyers, the targets just concentrated around Jacobs and Davante Adams (6-84-1). With Adams in the concussion protocol, it’s just going to be more force-fed volume for Jacobs in Week 3, should Adams miss. If you need a warm RB2 body, Jacobs fits the mold.
Probably best to avoid any Raiders WRs – other than Jakobi Meyers – because nobody got involved with Meyers out. Hunter Renfrow‘s routes (76%) and snaps increased, but he did nothing with them. Same with Kristen Wilkerson (72% snap share). They combined for one target. Austin Hooper and Ameer Abdullah had more.
Buffalo Bills
Buy James Cook, Sell Gabe Davis, Cut Damien Harris
Never felt like this game was really close. Bills benefited from some interceptions, that both led to TD drives. But the headline is definitely James Cook‘s big day on the ground rushing for 123 yards on 17 carries (59% snap share, same as Week 1). Also caught four passes on 4 targets for 36 yards. The fact that Cook has looked good and explosive helps mitigate his lack of red-zone opportunities. Latavius Murry (23% snap share) and Damien Harris (18% snap share) are going to continue to eat into Cook’s role at the goal line, which hurts his fantasy RB1 upside. Both guys scored on carries near the goal line. But Cook still has mid-RB2 fantasy appeal because he catches passes and is explosive as a rusher. And I’d note for the second straight week Murray looked like he was ahead of Harris on the depth chart. Ergo, if you need to cut Harris to make room on your roster, it’s okay. If you are struggling at RB2, I like Cook as a trade-for target.
Gabe Davis did what boom-or-bust WRs most often do. Boom after a bust. 6-92-1 on a team-high seven targets. The buy-low advice last week was a success! Time to flip!
If you want to cash out – because he is never going to be consistent – this would be the time to do so. Think he’s a great player to package trade, to upgrade at a starting fantasy position. Again, just a 15% target share through two games – with both TEs and Cook hot on his heels.
Alpha WR1 Stefon Diggs also saw seven targets. The tight ends have similar usage to the week before. Dalton Kincaid caught 5 for 43 yards on 6 targets. Dawson Knox scored on three catches for 10 yards (5 targets, 3 red-zone targets). Wouldn’t read too much into Kincaid’s snaps dipping. Bills were blowing out LV and he took a shot after seeing an end-zone target (2 red-zone targets). Although it needs to be brought up that Knox is still playing a legitimate full-time real TE role in the Bills offense.
Save this for your matchups going forward for teams playing the Raiders. They play a defense with two safeties back constantly. And this opens up so many targets for RBs/TEs to eat underneath. The Broncos did it Week 1, Bills in Week 2. Steelers vs Raiders in Week 3.
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