It seems we talk about being on the edge of a COVID disaster for the NFL each week, and each week the league keeps chugging along. Here’s hoping that trend continues because the numbers at large aren’t looking great. Games have certainly been missed, however. If you’re scrambling maybe some hood popping can help.
- Once the Miami backfield fell apart in 2019 we saw Patrick Laird become the team’s go-to solution. His snap share was somewhere between 55-85% in the season’s final five weeks, regularly seeing 5 targets and 10-12 carries. The passing work is what we’re after here. The team wants to play safe, smart football with Tua Tagovailoa being broken in. I wouldn’t give Larid a full-on James White comp but the similarities are there for a coach in Brian Flores that knows what an effective satellite RB brings to the table as a QBs savior.
- Something has to wrong with Jonathan Taylor. They’ve said he’s battling an ankle injury. It may be the typical struggles of a rookie RB adjusting to the NFL grind, as well. He was in a smash spot last week with the team playing ahead and carries to be had. Jordan Wilkins handled the power back role instead, while Naheim Hines stripped away the passing work with an efficient 3 catches-54 yards-2 TDs. It’s gotten to 2020 bust territory for Taylor. Rest well sweet prince. We hope to see you shine in 2021.
- That brings us to another rookie underperforming his draft price in Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Chiefs just posted back to back big wins. This was supposed to be his time to shine. Instead it was Patrick Mahomes and the defense doing all the scoring. If you own CEH you have to just keep crossing your fingers that these unique game scripts flow back to a more traditional RB heavy load when the team is up.
- Zack Moss is finally becoming the thorn Devin Singletary drafters feared. Moss handled all four of the RB touches inside the 10 and saw as many total carries (14) with similar yardage. Moss isn’t going to score 2 TDs every game but if healthy he’s a good bet to get one. They drafted him to keep Josh Allen from having to be the goal line back.
- Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley have taken turns swapping the upside of the Chargers lead back role. One guy gets 50-60% one week then the switch the following week. My gut tells me Anthony Lynn wants to favor the second year player in Jackson over Kelley the rookie. Jackson has to stay healthy for that to happen. Also notable is Jackson seeming to be the preferred passing down back with 5-6 targets most games. The Charger defense keeps letting teams into games so that could be a valuable spot.
- We may see Tee Higgins complete his replacement of A.J. Green in the near future. The snap percentage’s for the big three WRs for Cincy have all held at around 75-80% for a good stretch now. What isn’t equal is the production. Last week epitomized that with Green going 2-19 on 5 targets and Higgins going 6-78 on 9 targets. There’s little doubt who the best playmaker is on the outside for them.
- Deejay Dallas player 54 snaps to Travis Homer’s 7 last week. Was that a product or Homer being dinged up or just a game they didn’t need to throw as much with a lead? Carlos Hyde and Chris Carson are also close to playing it seems. We may need to wait for 2021 for Dallas to be back on our radars.
- Are the Raiders going to wear down Josh Jacobs again? His snap share has hovered around 65% all year but in 4 of 8 games he’s handled 25+ touches. They only targeted him once last week with a pass. That could be an opening for another back if the Raider defense gives up points. Jalen Richard is the guy we expect for that role. Devontae Booker is getting more snaps in the last few games, however.
