Fantasy football insights: Key player trends to watch for Week 16

When it comes to NFL fantasy football, understanding player utilization within their respective offenses is crucial. Opportunity is the driving force behind fantasy production; talent alone won’t cut it. If a player is relegated to a secondary role, their chances of generating fantasy points diminish significantly. It’s a straightforward concept: players who are on the field and receiving more touches are in the best position to elevate your fantasy team. Keeping an eye on usage trends is essential for identifying which players are primed to rack up those valuable fantasy points.

For many NFL fans and fantasy enthusiasts, sifting through data on player usage can feel overwhelming and time-consuming. But fear not! The Sporting News Usage Report is here to simplify that process for you. We’ll break down the most significant trends in player usage and how these shifts can impact fantasy values.

Fantasy Football Week 15 Usage Report: Key Running Back Trends

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

With Emari Demercado on IR and Trey Benson sidelined with an ankle injury, James Conner has emerged as the last man standing in the Arizona backfield. His snap share has exceeded 70 percent for two consecutive weeks, and he’s taking on a significant workload in both rushing and receiving. If Benson remains out, Conner could push for an 80-percent snap share as the fantasy season wraps up. With favorable matchups against the Panthers and Rams, Conner is poised to be a fantasy powerhouse in the closing weeks.

Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars

In recent weeks, Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby appeared to have settled into defined roles. However, in Week 15, Etienne reclaimed a clear 1A role, significantly increasing his snap and rush share. Despite a larger workload, he finished with only 12.5 PPR points, landing him at RB22 for the week. If he can maintain this level of usage, he could provide solid production as a low-end RB2, though his upside may be limited in an offense led by Mac Jones.

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Chuba Hubbard stepped up last week, playing 94 percent of the snaps due to injuries to other running backs. With Miles Sanders and Jonathon Brooks on IR, and Raheem Blackshear out with a chest injury, Hubbard dominated the backfield. Despite the Panthers’ struggles on offense, he remains an RB2 option due to his significant snap share. Even if Blackshear returns, Hubbard is likely to see upwards of 80 percent of the snaps, making him a valuable asset in fantasy leagues.

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco has yet to break out in a significant way since returning from IR, playing no more than 48 percent of snaps in his last three games. With a 37-percent snap share and similar rush attempt share, the Chiefs continue to utilize a committee approach. Until the playoffs, it seems unlikely that Pacheco will see a featured role, making it difficult to rely on him in your fantasy lineup.

Fantasy Football Week 15 Usage Report: Key Wide Receiver and Tight End Trends

Davante Adams, New York Jets

Davante Adams is back on track, commanding a **40-percent target share**—his highest of the season. This impressive figure reflects his chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, showcasing that they still have what it takes to lead a potent offense. Since the Jets’ Week 12 bye, Adams has been a fantasy gem, ranking as the WR4 in targets per game and WR1 in PPR points per game. If you have him on your roster, consider yourself lucky!

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has become a focal point in the Seattle offense, earning a **36 percent target share** while primarily operating from the slot. His ability to generate volume, even with a shallow aDOT, makes him a valuable fantasy asset. With 12 targets last week and a consistent trend of double-digit targets in three of his last six games, he’s hard to ignore, especially if he continues to see this level of involvement.

Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills

Amari Cooper has had a rollercoaster of a season. After a stellar Week 14, where he drew a target on **58 percent** of his routes, he was completely shut out in Week 15. His route participation plummeted to **41 percent**, largely due to the return of Keon Coleman. Unfortunately, with such limited opportunities, Cooper may not be a reliable fantasy option moving forward. If he’s on your roster, it might be time to consider other options.

Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

Jerry Jeudy shined in Week 15, posting a **41 percent target share**, the highest for a Browns receiver this season. However, the outlook is less rosy moving forward, as the Browns are set to start Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who struggled significantly in limited action last year. With a shaky quarterback situation, Jeudy’s fantasy value could take a hit, making it challenging to trust him in upcoming matchups.

As we look ahead to the final weeks of the fantasy season, staying informed on player usage trends is more important than ever. Whether you’re looking to make a playoff push or simply want to finish strong, understanding how these players are being utilized can help you make the best decisions for your fantasy roster.