Hey there! NFL snap counts can be one of the most consequential but oft-overlooked factors in fantasy football success. Really, understanding them can make or break your roster. Before I jump into the juicy details, let me tell you a bit of my story.
It all started about three years ago. I had my fantasy football draft, and I was so sure I had nailed it only to find out that I was severely out of the running. When in doubt, I like to try and reason things out, so I did an audit of my players. That’s when I realized that my starting lineup was utterly unreliable because the players I drafted weren’t getting a fair amount of snaps each game.
At first, I thought it was the fault of my players. I tried and tried to trade some of my prized picks, but the truth was that my entire team had the same issue. You better believe I was frustrated and let me tell ya, it freaked me out.
But then I decided to do my homework and investigate the problem. I found out that not all players have equal amounts of playing time, and that NFL snap counts actually drive the performance of certain players. Do ya know why? Because when an NFL player doesn’t get enough snaps, they’re not able to showcase their full potential. I was honestly shocked and kind of peaved, but it also made a lot of sense.
So that’s when understanding NFL snap counts became my top priority. I started researching it like my life depended on it and I found out that NFL snap counts are divided between the team’s offensive and defensive sides. Then, looking a little deeper, I found out that within that, each position plays a certain amount of time, and even within positions there can be a spread between the best and worst players.
That’s when things started getting interesting. By doing extensive research on snap count trends for pre-existing players, I started to get a better understanding of which players were likely to build on their success and which players would be headed down to the bottom.
Beginning with these basics, I was able to put together a truly unique roster that was brimming with high-performing players. Although it was an arduous task, I’m thankful I invested the time since it taught me tons and brought me several fantasy championships..
And from there, researching NFL snap counts became my go-to method for making key decisions in the realm of fantasy football. I now pay close attention to how teams use their lineups, I check out how the highest performing players are distributed and I examine trends in snap counts to anticipate which roster spots will be changing.
Furthermore, I check whether the team’s best starters are taking part in overtime, as this can have a huge impact on the final score. I also use snap counts to forecast whether or not certain players’ production will suffer due to the reduced playing time they may receive.
Moreover, I use the snap counts to help me evaluate rookies as well. I weigh how many snaps they are getting in pre-season games then use that knowledge to make informed decisions when deciding which rookies to add to my roster. Sure, it’s a lot of work but it’s worth it and it’s a huge help.
And finally, I watch for changes in snap counts throughout the season. Increasing or decreasing snap counts can be outstanding indicators that an NFL player’s role may be expanding or closing down—potentially signaling a dramatic uptick or drop in their performance. Being aware of these changes can give you an edge, especially when it comes to mid-season trades.
I didn’t think I had such an interest in NFL snap counts, but after doing my research and using my newfound knowledge to my advantage, I’m more than convinced of their value. I still use these techniques today to help me build the strongest roster possible for each of my fantasy teams.