NFL DFS Backfield Usage: Reviewing Week 7
Few NFL backfields are lucky enough to host workhorse level usage for our NFL DFS options. The snap counts, targets, and opportunity statistics we see for NFL running backs have an impact on our lineups for DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo!. NFL DFS is a game where RB opportunity is king, and it is essential to know which situations are expanding or condensing.
Let’s use the RotoGrinders Usage App from JoshADHD to rewind and take stock of how running back usage looked for a few key NFL teams this past week. We’ll want to understand how it could impact projections and projected ownership moving forward.
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Today’s NFL DFS Running Back Snaps and Target Report
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
NFL Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Position: RB
Snap Rate: 53%
Team Share of RB Carries: 47%
Team Share of Targets: 16.7%
Guys, I don’t want to raise any alarms, but this is not good. Kansas City signed Le’veon Bell off waivers and instead of easing him into playing time, Bell immediately took on a relevant role, accounting for 35% of the teams running back carries. Yes, this game was a bit wonky due to KC’s DST scoring two touchdowns but there’s still plenty to be concerned about regarding CEH’s role moving forward. PFF’s Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJanhnke) noted on Twitter that CEH played on drives 1, 4, 5, 7, 9 and Le’Veon Bell played on drives 2, 3, 6, 8. KC’s new RB duo essentially rotated every series and until we see anything to suggest otherwise, we need to project CEH and Bell for a mostly equal role moving forward. The one encouraging note for CEH from this game is that he was still involved as a pass-catcher while Bell didn’t see any targets.
Kareem Hunt
NFL Team: Cleveland Browns
Position: RB
Snap Rate: 90%
Team Share of RB Carries: 95%
Team Share of Targets: 14.3%
If there was anyone worried about Kareem Hunt role in the Browns backfield with Nick Chubb on IR – don’t be. Hunt’s usage was underwhelming in the first two games without Chubb but one of the games was a blowout and he left the other game due to cramping. We finally got to see Hunt’s true usage in Week 7 without Hunt and it didn’t disappoint as he was on the field for 90% of the snaps, handled 95% of the teams RB carries and saw a 14.3% target share. Hunt’s volume alone will make him a weekly DFS play until Chubb returns from injury.
Joshua Kelley
NFL Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Position: RB
Snap Rate: 47%
Team Share of RB Carries: 67%
Team Share of Targets: 11.9%
Joshua Kelley was the winner in this week’s edition of “how will the Chargers split their RB touches”. It’s worth noting that Justin Jackson was dealing with an injury and was listed as questionable for Week 7’s game against the Jaguars but it’s still noteworthy that Kelley handled 68% of the RB carries and saw an 11.9% target share. Jackson was also involved as a pass-catcher with a 14.3% target share but only handled 28% of the RB carries. None of this is overly surprising but it’s a good reminder that the Chargers backfield is going to be extremely difficult to project on a weekly basis and it’s probably best to avoid in DFS unless we get some sort of clarity.
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