When it comes to NFL Fantasy, understanding player utilization within their respective offenses is crucial. Why? Because opportunity is the heartbeat of fantasy production. Sure, talent plays a role, but if a player is relegated to a secondary role, their ability to rack up fantasy points diminishes significantly. It’s a simple truth: the players who see the most action on the field are your best bet for fantasy success. Keeping an eye on usage trends can help you identify which players are primed to score big for your fantasy team.
For many fans and fantasy enthusiasts, diving into the data on player usage can feel overwhelming and time-consuming. But fear not! We’ve simplified it for you with the Sporting News Usage Report. Here, we’ll highlight the most significant trends in player utilization and how these shifts can affect fantasy values.
Week 15 Fantasy Football Rankings
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 14 Usage Report: Biggest running back utilization trends
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
| Miami Dolphins: Week 14 Utilization | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Snap Share | Rush Attempt Share | Route Participation | Target Share | Goal Line Rush Share | 3rd Down Snap Share | 2 Minute Drill Snap Share |
| De’Von Achane | MIA | 83% | 74% | 73% | 15% | 100% | 56% | 100% |
| Jaylen Wright | MIA | 18% | 11% | 17% | 6% | 0% | 22% | 0% |
With Raheem Mostert sidelined, De’Von Achane stepped up in a major way for the Miami offense. Achane played a whopping 83% of the snaps, marking a career-high for him. His route participation also soared to 73%, a significant increase from the 50-60% range we often see when Mostert is healthy.
Achane’s ability to contribute as a receiver makes him one of the most valuable running backs in fantasy. If Mostert misses any time during the fantasy playoffs, Achane could easily become a cornerstone of championship-winning rosters.
Braelon Allen, New York Jets
| New York Jets: Week 14 Utilization | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Snap Share | Rush Attempt Share | Route Participation | Target Share | Goal Line Rush Share | 3rd Down Snap Share | 2 Minute Drill Snap Share |
| Braelon Allen | NYJ | 56% | 52% | 43% | 13% | 0% | 25% | 60% |
| Isaiah Davis | NYJ | 52% | 48% | 36% | 15% | 0% | 75% | 60% |
With Breece Hall out, many expected rookie Braelon Allen to shine in a featured role. However, the Jets opted for a committee approach, with both Allen and Isaiah Davis sharing snaps almost evenly. Each back saw 16 opportunities, making it clear that this backfield isn’t set up to support multiple fantasy-relevant players.
Could both Allen and Davis deliver top-24 production against the Jaguars in Week 15? Absolutely. Davis is a must-add on waivers this week if Hall misses more time. Both backs have shown they can be effective in a favorable matchup.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills
| Buffalo Bills: Week 14 Utilization | ||||||||
| Name | Team | Snap Share | Rush Attempt Share | Route Participation | Target Share | Goal Line Rush Share | 3rd Down Snap Share | 2 Minute Drill Snap Share |
| James Cook | BUF | 46% | 35% | 37% | 5% | 0% | 11% | 42% |
| Ray Davis | BUF | 22% | 0% | 24% | 0% | 0% | 11% | 33% |
| Ty Johnson | BUF | 32% | 0% | 29% | 8% | 0% | 78% | 25% |
As the season progresses, the Bills have leaned more heavily on Ray Davis and Ty Johnson, leaving James Cook with less than 50% of snaps for three consecutive games. While neither Davis nor Johnson had a carry last week, they had previously combined for double-digit carries in earlier games.
This three-man rotation complicates Cook’s fantasy outlook. With Josh Allen often vulture-scoring opportunities, relying on Cook during the fantasy playoffs could be risky. He’ll need to be exceptionally efficient to maintain RB1 status moving forward.
Fantasy Football Week 14 Usage Report: Biggest wide receiver and tight end utilization trends
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
| Los Angeles Rams: Week 14 Utilization | |||||||||||
| Name | Team | Position | Route Participation | Target Share | Targets per Route Run | aDOT | Air Yards Share | Endzone Targets | Wide Rate | Slot Rate | Inline Rate |
| Puka Nacua | LA | WR | 90% | 47% | 0.52 | 6.9 | 34% | 1 | 37% | 63% | 0% |
| Cooper Kupp | LA | WR | 60% | 27% | 0.44 | 13.8 | 39% | 1 | 28% | 72% | 0% |
| Demarcus Robinson | LA | WR | 53% | 3% | 0.06 | 27 | 10% | 0 | 75% | 25% | 0% |
| Tutu Atwell | LA | WR | 57% | 10% | 0.18 | 12 | 13% | 0 | 71% | 29% | 0% |
| Colby Parkinson | LA | TE | 43% | 3% | 0.08 | 5 | 2% | 0 | 8% | 39% | 54% |
Puka Nacua has been nothing short of spectacular. His 47% target share ranks as the 3rd-highest for a receiver this season. Nacua has cleared a 30% target share in five straight games, leading the league in targets per route run with an astounding 37%.
Nacua is not just a rookie; he’s a bona fide WR1 in fantasy. The only question that remains is how high he should be ranked among the elite receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. If you have Nacua on your roster, get ready for an exciting fantasy playoff run!
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
| Cincinnati Bengals: Week 14 Utilization | |||||||||||
| Name | Team | Position | Route Participation | Target Share | Targets per Route Run | aDOT | Air Yards Share | Endzone Targets | Wide Rate | Slot Rate | Inline Rate |
| Ja’Marr Chase | CIN | WR | 96% | 41% | 0.41 | 8.6 | 56% | 2 | 68% | 32% | 0% |
| Tee Higgins | CIN | WR | 85% | 11% | 0.13 | 8.8 | 16% | 1 | 85% | 15% | 0% |
| Andrei Iosivas | CIN | WR | 61% | 11% | 0.18 | 6.2 | 11% | 0 | 29% | 71% | 0% |
| Mike Gesicki | CIN | TE | 37% | 7% | 0.18 | 3 | 3% | 0 | 18% | 82% | 0% |
Ja’Marr Chase had a jaw-dropping performance, racking up 45.6 fantasy points against the Cowboys. His 41% target share and 56% air yards share reflect his dominance. With 18 raw targets, Chase’s usage was at an all-time high this season.
Chase is the most valuable player in fantasy right now. His weekly ceiling is unmatched, and with the Bengals’ pass-heavy offense, he’s set to continue his dominance. The Triple Crown and Fantasy MVP awards are within reach for him!
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
| Miami Dolphins: Week 14 Utilization | |||||||||||
| Name | Team | Position | Route Participation | Target Share | Targets per Route Run | aDOT | Air Yards Share | Endzone Targets | Wide Rate | Slot Rate | Inline Rate |
| Tyreek Hill | MIA | WR | 81% | 30% | 0.36 | 10 | 52% | 1 | 62% | 39% | 0% |
| Jaylen Waddle | MIA | WR | 73% | 26% | 0.34 | 8.7 | 39% | 0 | 71% | 29% | 0% |
| Jonnu Smith | MIA | TE | 65% | 9% | 0.13 | 2 | 3% | 1 | 16% | 45% | 39% |
After a season of ups and downs, Tyreek Hill reminded us of his elite status with a vintage performance. He was targeted on 36% of his routes and commanded a significant portion of the air yards. This was his first game with double-digit targets since September!
Hill’s production came against a defense that frequently used single-high safety looks, a setup that historically benefits him. If future opponents adjust to two-high safety looks, we might see more check-downs to Achane and Smith instead.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
| Jacksonville Jaguars: Week 14 Utilization | |||||||||||
| Name | Team | Position | Route Participation | Target Share | Targets per Route Run | aDOT | Air Yards Share | Endzone Targets | Wide Rate | Slot Rate | Inline Rate |
| Brian Thomas | JAX | WR | 97% | 36% | 0.33 | 9.5 | 75% | 0 | 76% | 24% | 0% |
| Parker Washington | JAX | WR | 88% | 7% | 0.07 | 6 | 9% | 0 | 70% | 30% | 0% |
| Evan Engram | JAX | TE | 85% | 16% | 0.17 | 2.6 | 9% | 0 | 24% | 45% | 28% |
Brian Thomas Jr. is on the rise! He set career highs in both target share and air yards share last week. With a 75% air yards share, he’s become the focal point of the Jaguars’ offense.
What’s not to love about Thomas? He’s not just a speedster; he’s also a refined route runner. Currently ranked as WR10 through 14 weeks, Thomas is a name to watch in the upcoming fantasy seasons. The future looks bright for this rookie!
