The Fantasy 32 analyzes the NFL from a fantasy football perspective, with one capsule for each of the league's 32 teams. Though efficiency will be discussed plenty, the column will lean heavily on usage data, as volume is king in fantasy football. Use these tidbits to make the best waiver wire pickups, trade decisions and lineup sit/start choices for the upcoming week and beyond. Be sure to check back each week of the season for a new version of the Fantasy 32.
You might have noticed that, starting with Week 10, the Fantasy 32 has undergone a slight format change and -- more importantly -- is now available earlier than usual. Because we want to get you snap and usage information as soon as possible, the Fantasy 32 will now initially be released on Sunday night with analysis of all teams other than those yet to play that week. The clubs playing on Sunday and Monday night will be added once those games conclude. The OFP leaderboards that usually lead this column aren't calculated until the day after each game, so going forward, be sure to check out the complete OFP and OTD charts, which are updated every Tuesday at ESPN+.
Team-By-Team Rundowns
Scan through all 32 NFL teams alphabetically, or click here to jump ahead to your team:
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAC | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WAS
Arizona Cardinals
Kenyan Drake returned from injury on Sunday and played 50% of the offensive snaps (35-of-70). That's a lower rate than Drake enjoyed while healthy earlier this season (67%), but it still enabled him to post one of his best performances of the season (109 yards on 17 touches). Chase Edmonds, meanwhile, played 36 snaps (he trailed Drake prior to Arizona's game-winning drive), which resulted in an 8-56-0 rushing line and three catches for 21 yards. Regardless of how well Edmonds has played this season, it appears little has changed in terms of Arizona's commitment to Drake as lead back. Drake is averaging 16.9 carries per game, and though his targets remain a problem (11 in eight games), he has now managed either a touchdown or 100 scrimmage yards in three of his past four games. Both Drake and Edmonds are borderline RB2 options.
Atlanta Falcons
Calvin Ridley was sidelined when we last saw the Falcons prior to their bye back in Week 9. That led to Olamide Zaccheaus playing 50 snaps (second most among the team's wide receivers), running 30 routes (second), seeing six targets (second) and handling 141 air yards (most). Zaccheaus delivered on the usage with a 4-103-1 receiving line. The second-year wideout has played 50-plus snaps in four games this season (all in games in which Ridley or Julio Jones were out or left injured) and has produced a pair of top-20 weeks during those outings. In fact, he is fantasy's No. 32-scoring WR during those four weeks. The 190-pound playmaker has no value when the "Big 2" are healthy, but if either misses time, Zaccheaus will be a sneaky deep-league flex and DFS value play.
Baltimore Ravens
Mark Ingram II returned from injury on Sunday night, and Baltimore immediately turned back to its multi-headed backfield committee. Ingram played 18 of 65 snaps (28%), as compared to 27 for J.K. Dobbins, 15 for Gus Edwards and five for Justice Hill. Edwards was the best of the bunch, with 73 yards on eight touches. Dobbins struggled to 14 yards on six touches, Ingram added 29 yards on seven touches and Hill produced 3 yards on one target. Ravens running backs entered the week 24th in fantasy points as a unit, and the team continues to spread snaps and touches pretty evenly across its big three. None of Baltimore's backs is currently top 40 in fantasy points and, needless to say, none belongs anywhere close to lineups right now.
Buffalo Bills
Cole Beasley was a high-floor flex play earlier this season, producing 10-plus fantasy points in his first seven games. However, he has suddenly become a bit of a boom/bust play, having reached 22 points twice while also falling short of eight points twice during his past four games. One of the "booms" went down on Sunday, as Beasley put up an 11-109-1 receiving line on 13 targets. That marked only his second top-20 fantasy week of the season. Beasley generally doesn't clear seven targets (he has done so in two of his 10 games), and his short-area role limits his yardage and touchdown total, so he is best viewed as a flex option in PPR leagues. Buffalo is on its bye in Week 11.
Carolina Panthers
Mike Davis filled in for Christian McCaffrey again on Sunday and was on the field for 24 (52%) of 46 offensive snaps. Davis briefly left the game with an injury, which depressed the number a bit, but the likes of Rodney Smith (nine snaps), Trenton Cannon (four snaps) and WR Curtis Samuel (three carries) also were factors in the backfield. Davis had a quiet game with only 44 yards on 11 touches, but the underwhelming performance isn't exactly shocking against the Buccaneers' defense. Davis still handled a bulk of the backfield work (including an 18% target share), and he will remain a fringe RB1 play should McCaffrey miss more time. Carolina backs have an A+ matchup against the Lions' defense in Week 11.
Chicago Bears
With David Montgomery sidelined on Monday Night Football, it was Cordarrelle Patterson who led the Chicago backfield. The RB/WR/KR played on 50% of the offensive snaps (25 out of 50), with Ryan Nall (17 snaps), Artavis Pierce (6) and Lamar Miller (5) sharing the rest. Patterson returned a kick for a touchdown but was otherwise ineffective with 30 yards on 12 carries and 19 yards on a pair of targets. The three other backs combined for 9 yards on four carries and 24 yards on four targets. Montgomery is expected back for a good matchup against the Packers following Chicago's Week 11 bye. However, if he remains out, Patterson would be no more than a flex in deeper leagues.
Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins got the job done again on Sunday, this time producing a 7-115-1 receiving line on nine targets in windy conditions in Pittsburgh. The rookie played 86% (55-of-64) of the offensive snaps, which paced Cincinnati's wide receivers and set a new personal career high. A.J. Green, who caught zero of his five targets, played 53 snaps, compared to 51 for Tyler Boyd, 17 for Mike Thomas and 12 for Auden Tate. Higgins has been money since Week 2, having seen at least six targets in eight consecutive games. He started that stretch with a two-touchdown performance against the Eagles, and he has at least 60 yards in every contest since. Higgins has finished as a top-35 fantasy WR in six of his past seven outings and has emerged as a high-floor WR2. Keep him locked into lineups against Washington this week.
Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb returned from injury on Sunday and played 45% of the offensive snaps (28-of-62). That trailed Kareem Hunt's 57% share, but it was more than enough for a huge fantasy day in a game in which Cleveland ran the ball 41 times. Chubb posted a 19-126-1 rushing line, and he would've added a second score if he didn't intentionally step out of bounds toward the end of the game. Hunt, meanwhile, posted a 19-104-0 rushing line and added 28 yards on four targets. Chubb has at least 19 carries, 108 rushing yards and one touchdown in three consecutive complete games, though he hasn't managed more than one target in a game this season. Chubb's rushing volume makes him a strong RB2 option, but his ceiling is limited with so little work in the passing game. Hunt has delivered RB2 numbers with Chubb active this season, and Hunt will be RB2 against the Eagles in Week 11.
Dallas Cowboys
In Dak Prescott's five starts this season, Ezekiel Elliott played 87% of the snaps, handled 75% of Dallas' designed rush attempts (17.8 per game) and managed a 14% target share (6.6 per game). In four games without Prescott, Elliott has played 67% of the snaps, handled 55% of the rushes (15.3 per game) and managed a 12% target share (4.5 per game). Elliott was fantasy's No. 3-scoring RB, with no weeks worse than 13th during the first five games, but he is 25th with no finishes better than 18th during his past four outings. Perhaps the return of Andy Dalton this week will breathe some life into the Dallas offense, but Elliott's dip in usage and production has dropped him to RB2 territory. Especially with a very tough remaining schedule on deck, Elliott is a player to try to trade away on name value.
Denver Broncos
Noah Fant was limited to 18 yards on seven targets against the Raiders on Sunday. Fant has now been held below 48 yards and without a touchdown in six consecutive games after clearing 55 yards and scoring a touchdown in both Weeks 1 and 2. The production has been problematic, but the silver lining is that Fant has been targeted at least seven times in three of his past four games and at least six times in five of his past six outings. Also, he played a season-high 85% of the snaps on Sunday, and he has been at or above 70% in every game other than the one he left injured in Week 4. Fant will be a fringe TE1 against a good Miami defense in Week 11.
Detroit Lions
D'Andre Swift started and played a career-high 71% (39-of-55) of the snaps against Washington on Sunday. The usage boost allowed 81 yards on a 16 carries and 68 yards and one touchdown five targets. Swift also set new career-high marks in carries and scrimmage yards. Already a top-20 fantasy back prior to Sunday, Swift has now posted four weekly finishes of 17th or better in five games since Detroit's Week 5 bye. It took a while, but Swift now appears locked in atop the depth chart, especially after Adrian Peterson (five touches on seven snaps on Sunday) and Kerryon Johnson (one carry on nine snaps) were nonfactors against Washington. Swift is a strong weekly RB2 play who is quickly approaching RB1 status.
Green Bay Packers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling exploded for 149 yards and one touchdown on six targets against the Jaguars on Sunday. The strong showing comes after MVS scored two touchdowns against the 49ers in Week 9. The 27-year-old played 92% of the offensive snaps, which is his highest rate since he played 94% in Week 9 back in 2018. Despite the big fantasy point totals, MVS will be a tough player to justify for fantasy lineups moving forward. As noted, he was only targeted six times on Sunday, and that's after entering the game with five or fewer targets in five consecutive games. Especially with Allen Lazard expected back as soon as Week 11, MVS remains no more than a Hail Mary flex in 12-team leagues.
Houston Texans
After playing 81% of the offensive snaps in relief of an injured David Johnson in Week 9, Duke Johnson played 94% (51-of-54) on Sunday. He didn't turn the usage into much production with 54 yards on 14 carries and zero catches on one target. With David Johnson on IR, Duke Johnson will be the starter for at least the next two weeks and his massive usage locks Duke Johnson into the RB2 mix. Granted, Sunday didn't go well, but Johnson was RB9 in fantasy points in Week 9. He'll be a candidate for 16 to 18 touches against the Patriots in Week 11 and should be locked into lineups.
Indianapolis Colts
Michael Pittman Jr. enjoyed a bit of a breakout game against the Titans on Thursday. The rookie caught 7 of 8 targets for 101 yards and added a 21-yard run. Pittman set career highs in all fantasy-relevant categories, and he has now seen seven-plus targets in back-to-back games. The 34th overall pick in April's draft, Pittman at 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds was selected to be the team's future No. 1 wide receiver, but perhaps the future is now. Pittman has played over 80% of the offensive snaps during each of the past two weeks, pacing the Colts' wide receivers in snaps both weeks. Pittman's usage suggests WR3 production is possible moving forward, so he is well worth priority on waivers this week. (Pittman is available in 95% of leagues.)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Keelan Cole Sr. posted a 5-47-1 receiving line on seven targets and returned a punt for a touchdown against Green Bay on Sunday. Cole played 84% (51-of-61) of the offensive snaps, which was his highest rate since Week 6 of the 2018 season. Despite the strong showing, Cole should not be a major priority on waivers this week. He trailed both Chris Conley (53 snaps) and DJ Chark Jr. (54) in this game, and rookie Laviska Shenault Jr. (concussion) is expected back in Week 11. Cole has flashed with the occasional big game this season, but he was targeted exactly twice in back-to-back games prior to Sunday, and he has 11 or fewer fantasy points in five of his past seven games.
Kansas City Chiefs
In three games with the Chiefs, Le'Veon Bell's snap counts are as follows: 17, 17 and 18. I sense a pattern. Bell has a total of 16 carries and four targets on 32 routes during the span. That's compared to 84 snaps, 19 carries and 12 targets on 54 routes for rookie lead back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Edwards-Helaire sits 18th in fantasy points during the span, whereas Bell's 80 yards and zero touchdowns have him at 65th. Edwards-Helaire is clearly going to remain the lead back here, and Darrel Williams (23 snaps over the past two games) also has been involved, which simply isn't going to allow much fantasy production for Bell in the short term. Bell doesn't have much standalone value, but he is undoubtedly a very strong insurance option for the rookie.
Las Vegas Raiders
Devontae Booker came out of nowhere to put up 83 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 17 touches in his #RevengeGame against the Broncos on Sunday. Despite the big game, Booker remains quite a distance away from standalone fantasy value. Booker entered Sunday having failed to clear 15 snaps, eight carries or three targets in a game this season. Booker played 35% of the snaps on Sunday, as compared to 16% during Weeks 1 to 9, though that was boosted quite a bit by the Raiders keeping Josh Jacobs (21 carries and four targets on 61% of the snaps) fresh during a 37-12 blowout win. The Raiders aren't going to be in a position to run the ball 41 times -- as compared to 25 passes -- most weeks, which will mean Booker reverting to the 5.1 touches per game he saw in the first half of the season.
Los Angeles Chargers
Kalen Ballage was the main man in the Chargers' backfield on Sunday, playing 73% of the snaps (46-of-63) and pacing that unit with 18 carries and six targets. Ballage wasn't particularly effective, putting up 68 rushing (3.8 YPC) and 34 receiving (5.7 YPT) yards, but volume is king in fantasy football, and he certainly got plenty of it. Clear backups Joshua Kelley (seven carries on 17 snaps) and Troymaine Pope (zero snaps) were all but nonfactors in the game. Austin Ekeler said last week he is nearing a return, but Ballage will be on the RB2 radar against the lowly Jets in Week 11 if Ekeler remains out. He'll drop to bench/insurance territory once Los Angeles' lead back returns to action.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams' running back usage has caused plenty of headaches for fantasy managers (and prognosticators) this season, and Week 10 presented us with yet another curveball. Rookie Cam Akers paced the backfield in carries (10) and rushing yards (38) but didn't find the end zone and wasn't targeted. Malcolm Brown was the top fantasy point scorer with a 6-33-2 rushing line and 18 additional yards on two targets. Darrell Henderson Jr. posted a 7-28-1 rushing line and added five yards on one target. The snap distribution was as follows: Brown, 28 (of 69); Henderson, 23; and Akers,18. Akers has now reached eight carries in back-to-back games, but he has two career targets and isn't seeing enough work to warrant fantasy consideration. Brown's two touchdowns on Sunday brings him to five for the season, two of which came way back in Week 1. Sunday also marked his first top-20 fantasy week since the opener. Henderson was the feature back at times earlier this season, but his touch totals of nine and eight over the past two weeks aren't going to cut it. Henderson hasn't produced a weekly fantasy finish better than 27th since Week 5. Henderson remains the top fantasy play here, but he is no more than a flex option in an offense that has turned back to a pass-first game plan in recent weeks.
Miami Dolphins
Salvon Ahmed took control of the Miami backfield on Sunday, playing 77% (44-of-57) of the offensive snaps while carrying the ball 21 times for 85 yards and one touchdown. Ahmed's huge usage came with Myles Gaskin (IR), Matt Breida (injury) and Jordan Howard (healthy scratch) all out, though Ahmed easily turned Patrick Laird (two carries on nine snaps) and DeAndre Washington (two carries on four snaps) into nonfactors. Ahmed isn't a bad waiver add in the event that he maintains a significant role, but note that Breida is expected back in Week 11, and Gaskin could be back as soon as Week 12.
Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson put up an 8-135-0 receiving line on 10 targets against a good Bears pass defense on Monday Night Football. The big game marks Jefferson's fourth-career 100-yard game in nine tries. Jefferson's three touchdowns also came during those four outings, which is notable because the rookie has otherwise been a nonfactor in fantasy. Jefferson has seen five or fewer targets in six games and has fallen short of 45 yards in four games. Jefferson's fantasy finishes have been all over the map, with a pair of top-two weeks, an 11th-place, a 28th-place and five finishes outside the top 50. Jefferson's high target share in Minnesota's run-heavy scheme makes him a boom-or-bust WR3 option. He's positioned for another big game in Week 11 against Dallas' struggling pass defense.
New England Patriots
Rex Burkhead put up a 4-35-2 receiving line on five targets and added 31 additional yards on six carries against the Ravens on Sunday night. Burkhead has now produced back-to-back top-10 fantasy weeks despite the fact that he played 43% of the offensive snaps in Week 9 and 35% in Week 10. Burkhead's usage suggests his recent pace is far from sustainable -- especially considering that Damien Harris (22 carries while playing 54% of the snaps on Sunday night) isn't going away; James White (18% of the snaps on Sunday) will be a bigger factor when New England isn't leading throughout; and Sony Michel could be activated from IR as early as Week 11. Burkhead figures to again be in the range of nine to 11 touches this week against Houston and is no more than a flex. Harris remains the slightly better fantasy play, especially in non-PPR formats.
New Orleans Saints
Michael Thomas has appeared in three games this season, and the results have not been good. Thomas put up 17 yards on five targets in Week 1, 51 yards on six targets in Week 9 and, most recently, 27 yards on seven targets against the 49ers in Week 10. Granted, the Saints only attempted 23 passes (13 by Drew Brees, before he left injured), but the three consecutive duds are an obvious concern for a player who averaged 11.6 targets, 107.8 yards and 24.5 fantasy points per game last season. The good news is that Thomas played 80% of the snaps and handled a 30% target share on Sunday. Additionally, he will have a much lighter matchup against Atlanta in Week 11. We'll need to monitor Brees' health this week, but even if Jameis Winston is under center, Thomas will be a WR2 play.
New York Giants
Wayne Gallman played a season-high 58% of the offensive snaps and matched a career high with 18 carries against the Eagles on Sunday. Gallman ran for 53 yards on two touchdowns and added 7 yards on a pair of targets. Gallman now has at least 10 carries and one touchdown in four consecutive games, which has allowed four straight top-20 fantasy weeks. Gallman's minimal passing-game role (five targets during his past three games) is less than ideal, but he is clearly separating himself from Alfred Morris (15 snaps on Sunday) and Dion Lewis (13). As long as Devonta Freeman is on IR, Gallman will be a fringe RB2, though note New York is headed to its bye in Week 11.
New York Jets
When we last saw the Jets back in Week 9, they had their top-three wide receivers -- Jamison Crowder, Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims -- active together for the first time this season. Granted, Crowder was limited to two targets on 30 snaps in his first game back from injury, but both Perriman and Mims played substantial roles. Perriman played 43 of 44 snaps and racked up 114 air yards on eight targets. The speedy veteran came up big with a 5-101-2 receiving line on eight targets. The second-round rookie Mims played 42 snaps and saw 138 air yards on eight targets. That translated to a career-high 62 yards on four receptions. Crowder's role will increase once back to full health after the bye, and it's hard to imagine such a poor offense supporting three fantasy-relevant wide receivers. That being said, Crowder should be valued as a borderline WR2 in PPR leagues, with Mims and Perriman best valued as shaky flex plays in 12-team leagues.
Philadelphia Eagles
Alshon Jeffery was limited to 18 snaps (29%) in his 2020 debut on Sunday. He was a clear fourth on the depth chart, with Jalen Reagor (56 snaps), Travis Fulgham (55) and Greg Ward (38) well ahead. None of the team's wide receivers was effective against the Giants, with Reagor leading the unit in targets (seven) and receiving yards (47). Jeffery, who was held without a catch on one target, might see more work moving forward, but Fulgham and Reagor figure to remain the top perimeter options. Even after a dud against New York, Fulgham is the only lineup lock from this group against the Browns in Week 11.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Can Ben Roethlisberger keep all three of his top wide receivers happy this season? If Sunday's outing is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes. For the first time this campaign, all three of JuJu Smith-Schuster (13), Diontae Johnson (11) and Chase Claypool (10) reached double-digit targets in the same game. Smith-Schuster has been targeted at least seven times in four straight contests (10.8 average); Johnson has handled at least 10 targets in five of the six games he has played in full (10.5 average); and Claypool has seen nine-plus targets in three consecutive games (10.7 average). It won't be easy to order these three on a given week, but all are strong candidates for starting lineups, even against one of the league's tougher remaining schedules for wideouts. All three can be fired up with confidence in Week 11 against the Jaguars.
San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Reed caught five of six targets for 62 yards against the Saints on Sunday. Reed's 28 snaps (42%) trailed Ross Dwelley's 35, but Reed's six targets were second most on the team behind only Brandon Aiyuk (14). Reed's usage on Sunday is par for the course this season, as he hasn't cleared 46% in any of his five games. He has still managed to reach six targets in three of those tilts, though, and he put a two-touchdown game on the board in Week 2. George Kittle isn't expected to return this season, so while Reed's upside is capped a bit, he is seeing enough volume to make him a strong TE2, with occasional TE1 appeal in deeper leagues. Reed isn't a must-hold through the 49ers' Week 11 bye, but feel free to keep him stashed if you're weak at tight end.
Seattle Seahawks
Alex Collins paced the Seahawks' backfield in both snaps (31-of-65) and carries (11) during Sunday's loss to the Rams. The veteran back racked up 43 yards and one touchdown on the ground and added 4 yards on a pair of targets. DeeJay Dallas was next in line in snaps (21) but was held to 31 yards on four touches. Travis Homer (seven snaps) didn't carry the ball and put up 19 yards on three targets. Chris Carson (and perhaps Carlos Hyde) are expected back for Thursday's game against Arizona, but if both remain out, Collins will be your best bet from this group. Of course, that's not saying much, as Collins would be no more than a weak flex option. Dallas and Homer can be dropped, and Collins doesn't even need to be added on waivers if Carson remains probable for Thursday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ronald Jones II exploded for 21 carries, 192 yards and one touchdown against the Panthers on Sunday. Jones easily outproduced Leonard Fournette (9-19-0 rushing line), though neither back did much in the passing game (17 yards on five combined targets). Despite the big game from Jones, we need to tread lightly here, as Jones "only" played 57% of the snaps (44 of 77), as compared to 38% for Fournette. It was a boost from where Jones has been in recent weeks, but (A) he was the "hot hand" this week and (B) the game script favored him with Tampa Bay ahead throughout the second half. Fournette is unlikely to go away any time soon, which means both backs remain no more than borderline RB2 plays. Fournette will be a bounce-back candidate against the Rams in Week 11.
Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry rushed for 103 yards against a tough Colts defense on Thursday, but he failed to find the end zone, and he has totaled 18.7 fantasy points over his past two games. If you're concerned about the output, don't be. Henry faced two of the league's top defenses during the stretch, so the underwhelming performances aren't particularly shocking. Henry has carried the ball at least 18 times in every game this season and has eight touchdowns in nine tilts. Henry's targets are trending the wrong direction (3.0 per game during his first five games, but a total of five during his past four contests), yet he already was a nonfactor in that department when he finished as fantasy's No. 5-scoring RB in 2019. Henry remains a solid weekly RB1.
Washington Football Team
J.D. McKissic was targeted an astounding 15 times during Sunday's loss to Detroit. McKissic turned those looks into only 43 yards and added 6 yards and one touchdown on eight carries. With Washington playing from behind most of the way, McKissic played 57 of 83 snaps (69%), which was well ahead of Antonio Gibson (33) and Peyton Barber (10). Gibson showed pretty well, all things considered, with 65 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 17 touches, but it took Washington running 83 offensive plays and a defensive collapse by Detroit for him to overcome spending so much time on the sideline. Gibson is the better back here and will continue to lead the way in carries, but he'll be limited to midrange RB2 numbers until his targets increase. McKissic has seen 14-plus targets in back-to-back games, and his heavy usage has him on the RB2 radar in PPR leagues.