Roundtable Week 2: Navigating Utilization Data

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Welcome to Week 2 of the 2023 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.

This week's roundtable features these four topics:

• Week 1 Surprises
• The Jets Offense, Now What?
• Questionable Quarterback Waiver Decisions
• Navigating Utilization Data (See Below)

Let's get after it.

Navigating Utilization Data

Matt Waldman: I think we can all agree that volume is vital. Snaps, attempts, and targets are foundational data points for utilization. Let's discuss the value and the pitfalls of early utilization data and, perhaps, help fantasy GMs navigate the information.

• What does utilization get right during the first month of the season?
• What can it get wrong?
• How does a fantasy GM navigate successfully through the early data points?

Help us out.

Craig Lakins: Understanding player utilization is what begins to set you apart as a fantasy manager. And while there is no shortage of data points available to you, it's important not to take everything at face value.

Early in the season, we're trying to get our minds around depth charts and schemed touches. When a running back typically only gets 40% of the offensive snaps, but we know those generally come on passing downs, they have a lot of opportunity for high-value touches. In weeks that we expect his team to be playing from behind and passing more than normal, he becomes a solid play as a starter.

If a wide receiver is on the field for 90% of the snaps, that's generally a great indicator of opportunity. However, if he spends most of those snaps run-blocking and can't earn more than a couple of targets per game, he's better suited on your bench. It's all about context and how to apply what you know about the game to which players have legitimate opportunities.