Snap counts are the breeding ground for fantasy production, and is a number most should know. Whether it is looking for opportunities after an injury or figuring out WR2's, snap counts tell the story. The best way to view snap counts is by team, and note what percentage of the team's snaps a player played. Maximum snaps will equal the chance for fantasy production.
By Position:
Quarterback (QB) Snap Counts - Quarterback snaps are often a resemblance of injuries, or stable situations. For instance, Andrew Luck last year was out for more than half of the team's snaps due to injury. A situation in Cleveland showed instability, as no quarterback played more than 50% of the team's snaps.
Wide Receiver (WR) Snap Counts - Leading wideouts will be above 80% of their team's snaps, while receivers behind the number one need to be viewed a little deeper. Be aware of shifts in the depth charts that could lead to 60%+ snaps for WR2's. Slot receivers will have a smaller on-field snap percentage.
Tight End (TE) Snap Counts - A lot goes into tight end snaps, and it has a lot to do with how versatile tight ends our. If they are solid in the blocking department, they will see more snaps. If they are relied on heavily by their quarterback, regardless of blocking skills, they will still be above 60% for their team's snaps.
Running Back (RB) Snap Counts - Injuries, vultures, and committees are all tied into running back snap counts, and this is where we like to dive into. Committee teams will have two backs within the 35-55% range, while true starters are above 60% of the team snaps. Keep an eye on backup running backs, due to the proneness of injuries for the position.
By Team:
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons Snap Counts - Devonta Freeman led the way with 67% of the offensive snaps last season, but 2016 might have Tevin Coleman cutting into that workload. Atlanta continues to lack behind production behind Julio Jones. With Roddy White's time up in Atlanta, Mohammed Sanu will look to log WR2 type snaps.
Carolina Panthers Snap Counts - Greg Olsen was a workhorse in Carolina, playing 96% of the team snaps. The next highest non-QB player, was Corey Brown at 68%. Jonathan Stewart played the lead-back role well, with 55% of the team snaps. Cameron Artis-Payne is expected to back him up in 2016. Kelvin Benjamin's status for 2016 will knock receivers not named Ted Ginn down a tad for snaps.
New Orleans Saints Snap Counts - After Mark Ingram went down in an injury, Tim Hightower gained the majority of snaps. C.J. Spiller remained a non-factor for most of the season, with just 17% of the team's snaps. Benjamin Watson is off on Baltimore, and newly signed Coby Fleener will look to fill up over 1,000 snaps that Watson left.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Snap Counts - Tampa Bay had a very nice 1-2 punch in the backfield last season. Doug Martin had 57% of the offensive snaps -- to Charles Sims' 42%. Both had a serviceable workload. Outside of Mike Evans' 78% snap percentage, it was hard to find who their number two receiver was. Vincent Jackson had just 49% of the team's snaps. That is a number that will need to change.
NFC North
Chicago Bears Snap Counts - We saw a glimpse of the future without Matt Forte in Chicago last season. He missed a few weeks, and when that happened, Jeremy Langford was the guy. Forte played 55% of the team's snaps last season, and will pass along some to Langford. The receiving core will finally get their first round receiver that they drafted in the 2015 draft. Look for him to be behind Alshon Jeffery in snaps.
Detroit Lions Snap Counts - Calvin Johnson's retirement has left a hole of 1,001 offensive snaps up for games. Golden Tate played 86% of the snaps, and should be above 90% this season. Marvin Jones is expected to get a tick upwards, but Eric Ebron should be above the 60% mark for snaps. Theo Riddick led the backs with 470 snaps last season, and last year's rookie played 355. They are the two to lead the way again.
Green Bay Packers Snap Counts - A slimmed down Eddie Lacy should return to lead the Packers in snaps for running backs. He played just 41% last season. Without Jordy Nelson, Green Bay relied heavily on James Jones and Randall Cobb. Both played over 90% of the snaps, while DaVante Adams was a fill-in with 67%. Expect him to drop.
Minnesota Vikings Snap Counts - We don't see many backs like Adrian Peterson, but he was one to play over 60% of his team's snaps. It is hard to see anything different with their game plan. While the passing volume lacks, Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph should be the snaps leaders come the end of the year.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys Snap Counts - Tony Romo and Dez Bryant were not on the field for most of 2015, which led to a top five pick for Dallas. They used that pick on Ezequiel Elliot, who is expected to be a workhorse. Darren McFadden played 60% of the snaps last season, and Elliot has a great shot at being around that number.
New York Giants Snap Counts - Sterling Shepard is expected to step into the Rueben Randle role this year, who is leaving behind 995 offensive snaps. He will likely log WR2 snaps on the opposite side of Odell Beckham Jr. The Giants backfield was a bit of a mess last year, with nobody playing over 40% of the offensive snaps.
Philadelphia Eagles Snap Counts - After DeMarco Murray was traded for by Philadelphia, he played just 42% of the offensive snaps. Darren Sproles was next with 34%. Ryan Matthews and Sproles are expected to eat most of what Murray left behind. The interesting story will be if Sam Bradford can play over 80% of the snaps in Philly again this season.
Washington Redskins Snap Counts - With Alfred Morris gone, Matt Jones will step into a starting role. He saw 32% of the snaps last season, and should be over 40% this year. There is still a lot of mystery for who stands behind him. Adding Josh Doctson to a lackluster receiving core, should shakeup last year's snaps.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals Snap Counts - David Johnson should be the lead back in 2016, but Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington loom in the waiting. I do fear that Johnson doesn't see 55% of the carries, and is closer to 45%. Not bad, but given his price/ADP, it might be a little less than expected. Larry Fitzgerald were the highest among receivers in snaps, as this spread offense should continue that trend.
Los Angeles Rams Snap Counts - Once Todd Gurley was healthy, he had 48% of the team snaps. Game-flow will have a lot to do with how Gurley gets touches, but expect him to be above 55% for snaps. A poor receiving core was shuffled around quite a bit last year, but Tavon Austin led the way with 77% of the snaps.
San Francisco 49ers Snap Counts - Possibly the worst team heading into 2016 is San Francisco. Both Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick splut the offensive snaps 50-50. Carlos Hyde played just seven games before injury, but did play 42 snaps per game. When healthy, Hyde should be the workhorse in a very bad offense.
Seattle Seahawks Snap Counts - Marshawn Lynch's injuries opened the way for Thomas Rawls future. In 2016, CJ Prosise, Alex Collins, and Christine Michael could be threatening Rawls' ability to generate over 50% of the snaps. Doug Baldwin led the way in offensive snaps, as Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett remained secondary pieces to the passing game.
AFC South
Houston Texans Snap Counts - With Brock Osweiler under center now, he will look to lock in a majority of the snaps. Houston had a revolving door at quarterback, with Brian Hoyer and others last season. Lamar Miller is another new addition looking to soak up starter snaps, and should do so.
Indianapolis Colts Snap Counts - Indianapolis has some snaps up for grabs in the passing game. Andre Johnson and and Coby Fleener will leave about 1400 targets leftover. Dwayne Allen and Phillip Dorsett are both in for some shares, in a heavy passing game. Indy might also lighten the load with Frank Gore, leaving some snaps for the backups.
Jacksonville Jaguars Snap Counts - Jacksonville continues to be in the midst of a rebuild process, but things have definitely come together. The addition of Chris Ivory has created a little log jam in the backfield with T.J. Yeldon. Last year's rookie played 58% of the snaps, which could take a turn town a bit.
Tennessee Titans Snap Counts - The inconsistent wide receiver play was the biggest issue for Tennessee last season, and it could very well be again. Only one receiver played over 60% of the snaps last season, which was Harry Douglas. Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray will both lead snaps in the backfield.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens Snap Counts - It was an injury plagued year for Baltimore, as Joe Flacco played 63% of the snaps. Steve Smith played just 31%. Kamar Aiken took a step up, and is competing for WR2 snaps this year. Another big thing was Justin Forsett's 42% snap percentage.
Cincinnati Bengals Snap Counts - With wide receiver core shaken up in Cincy, there are a lot of snaps up for grabs. Tyler Boyd and Brandon Lafell will be the two who benefit the most. Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard will both look to separate from each other, although it is not likely to happen.
Cleveland Browns Snap Counts - Now that Josh Gordon is reinstated, he will join the Cleveland Browns in week 5. Him and Corey Coleman will lead the way among receivers. Josh McCown played 46% of the snaps last season, and might see some this year depending on Robert Griffin III's performance.
Pittsburgh Steelers Snap Counts - The Martavis Bryant suspension threw a wrench in the Pittsburgh offensive plan, but Markus Wheaton is expected to take a jump in snaps, although he did play 65% of them last season. The status of Le'Veon Bell is up in the air for the first four games, which would shrink his overall snaps down.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills Snap Counts - It might surprise you, but Robert Woods played the most snaps last season. Woods and Sammy Watkins both plated over 60%, while it was a mess behind the two. Charles Clay is expected to lead the Buffalo tight ends in spas, while the situation in the backfield could be a bit closer than people realize.
Miami Dolphins Snap Counts - Rishard Matthews and Greg Jennings both will leave a combined 800 snaps. DeVante Parker and Leonte Carroo are among the guys outside of Kenny Stills and Jarvis Landry to pick them up. It will be interesting to see the Arian Foster dynamic to this offense, and if he can handle 50% or more of the snaps.
New England Patriots Snap Counts - Tom Brady will miss the first four games, but expect him to eat up the snaps when he comes back. The running back situation in New England has always been up and down in terms of snaps. Nobody played over 30% of the running back snaps from last year, and things will be shaky again.
New York Jets Snap Counts - Matt Forte should hover around 50% of the snaps, but do not be surprised if Bilal Powell comes close. He played 33% of the snaps last season, but could very well get near 40%. Tight ends were hardly used for the Jets, and it showed in their snaps.
AFC West
Denver Broncos Snap Counts - The defense is going to make up for a lot of the averagengess that could surface in the offense. Thomas and Sanders will both pick up heavy snaps, but volume might not be a given. Expect heavy usage from both C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman, who should remain closely tied for snaps.
Kansas City Chiefs Snap Counts - Kansas City lost Jamaal Charles last season early on, and Charcandrick West played 50% of the snaps. Early reports are that Spencer Ware will be the backup to Charles. While he played just 16% of the snaps last season, he was the more efficient back.
Oakland Raiders Snap Counts - Oakland relied heavily on Latavius Murray last season, and could look to keep him a bit fresher. DeAndre Washington might steal some snaps away, but not a number to be concerned about. Second-year tight end, Clive Walford will look to take a jump -- he only played 41% of the snaps last season.
San Diego Chargers Snap Counts - It was a very disappointing year for Melvin Gordon, who's fumbling issues and was inefficient. He saw just 394 carries, to Danny Woodhead's 594. While things could even out, Woodhead will not go away.