We’re going to get a lot of stuff wrong, but sifting through usage metrics can help us work through what matters and what doesn’t. That’s the goal of this article: to break down the most actionable takeaways from each week in a concise, numbers-filled format and work through what’s important. Let’s get right to it:
1. Oronde Gadsden II played 77% of snaps, ran 31 routes on 34 dropbacks (leading the Chargers in routes), and posted 5/77/1 on five targets. This was a particularly good game for him because we finally got to see what his role looked like in positive game script (a mild concern after the previous two games considering he’s a converted WR). Los Angeles kept him in a huge role despite leading all game, and Gadsden rewarded their faith with another strong outing. He’s a must-start TE moving forward.
2. With Hassan Haskins out, Kimani Vidal played a season-high 74% of snaps and controlled 23 of 36 running back carries for the Chargers. Jaret Patterson filled in as his primary backup with 11 carries, while Nyheim Hines had two. Vidal would likely have gotten a larger share of the RB carries if they didn’t have so many total carries, and the pass-game role remained strong with 18 routes (though he only had two targets). Vidal is a fantasy starter until Omarion Hampton returns.
3. Keenan Allen played 25% of snaps and ran 17 routes. Gadsden’s ascension is bad news for him because it likely means more 2-TE sets for Los Angeles (with Tucker Fisk as a valued blocker), and Tre’ Harris out-snapped Allen 43-18 in this game as well. Allen accumulated 4/44/0 on five targets (20% share), but the usage was poor.
4. Aaron Jones out-carried Jordan Mason 5-4, out-routed him 18-8, and out-snapped him 26-17. Going into negative game script immediately spelled bad news for Mason given Jones’ status as the primary pass-down back. That will remain a concern in Week 9 on the road at Detroit. Jones seemed generally unbothered by the hamstring injury that cost him more than a month of game action.
5. The Dolphins came out and said they wanted to get Jaylen Wright more involved this week. They made good on that promise considering he’d played nine offensive snaps with zero touches before Sunday, but he still only had three carries before garbage time, then had six carries on six straight plays on Miami’s final drive. Ollie Gordon II remained well ahead of Wright with 11 carries, while De’Von Achane had 18.
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