The Utilization Report. Everything you need for Fantasy Football in Week 4
Volume is king in fantasy football and sports betting, and this report will help you understand which players are due more or less according to their roles. It is a great way to know who is overperforming (sell high) and underperforming (buy low) based on historical data tied to metrics we know drive volume.
- Overall offense: Which teams are enabling winning volume and efficiency across game scripts
- Quarterbacks: How involved is each quarterback in the running game, and who is unlocking upside for their weapons
- Running backs: Which backs are handling early downs, short-yardage, and passing downs
- Tight ends: Who is running enough routes and meeting critical targets per route thresholds
- Receivers: Which receivers are in the most routes and operating broadly within the offense
For this season, Fantasy Life has partnered with PFF to collaborate on the Utilization Report.
Get access to the full Utilization Report, all the data tables, and team-by-team analysis by subscribing to PFF+
Week 3 Takeaways
Waiver Wire
RB – Khalil Herbert
Herbert rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns on his way to 30.9 fantasy points after knee/ankle injuries knocked David Montgomery from the game. Herbert now has RB40, RB11, RB8, RB34, and RB1 finishes in games without Montgomery dating back to last season.
Herbert handled 67% of snaps, 70% of attempts and posted a 68% route participation after Montgomery’s departure. He is a high-end RB2 in any games Montgomery (day-to-day) misses and could use this opportunity to force a timeshare moving forward. The second-year back is available in 50% of Yahoo! leagues.
- FAB: 25-50%
RB – Jamaal Williams (re-issue)
Williams moved into RB3 territory last week, thanks to his role as the lead option inside the five-yard line on an ascending offense. Now he could find himself as the centerpiece of the rushing attack with D’Andre Swift (ankle/shoulder) in danger of missing the next two games.
| Player | Week | Snaps | Rush Att | Routes | Targets | TPRR | SDD Snaps | i5 Att | LDD Snaps | 2MIN Snaps | PPR | PPR Rank |
| D'Andre Swift | 1 | 67% | 54% | 66% | 8% | 12% | 50% | 0% | 100% | 0% | 26.5 | 3 |
| 2 | 51% | 21% | 57% | 15% | 24% | 0% | 0% | 93% | 100% | 16.7 | 6 | |
| 3 | 41% | 21% | 49% | 11% | 18% | 10% | 0% | 71% | 44% | 7.6 | 38 | |
| YTD | 52% | 32% | 57% | 11% | 18% | 18% | 0% | 88% | 58% | 16.9 | 4 | |
| Jamaal Williams | 1 | 33% | 39% | 24% | 5% | 20% | 50% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 16.0 | 16 |
| 2 | 34% | 50% | 16% | 3% | 17% | 100% | 100% | 7% | 0% | 7.0 | 42 | |
| 3 | 45% | 61% | 22% | 5% | 25% | 50% | 100% | 21% | 56% | 24.7 | 3 | |
| YTD | 38% | 51% | 21% | 5% | 21% | 59% | 100% | 10% | 42% | 15.9 | 7 |
The veteran demonstrated an every-down ability in Green Bay in games without Aaron Jones and that should be our expectation in Detroit. Williams will have stand-alone value even once Swift returns, making him a high-priority target. He is available in over 50% of ESPN leagues.
- FAB: 25-50%
RB – Alexander Mattison (re-issue)
Mattison is a borderline RB1 against the Saints in Week 4 if Dalvin Cook (shoulder) can’t play. We have seen Cook play through this injury in the past, so we shouldn’t be as aggressive on Mattison as we are with Herbert and Williams, who offer more value beyond handcuff status once their starter returns.
| Week | Snaps | Rush Att | Routes | Targets | TPRR | SDD Snaps | i5 Att | LDD Snaps | 2MIN Snaps | PPR | PPR Rank |
| 3 | 68% | 74% | 50% | 19% | 37% | 100% | 0% | 38% | 56% | 23.1 | 7 |
| 5 | 66% | 86% | 42% | 23% | 44% | 100% | 0% | 33% | 0% | 28.3 | 6 |
| 13 | 86% | 76% | 66% | 7% | 10% | 100% | 33% | 58% | 100% | 21.4 | 9 |
| 16 | 75% | 68% | 73% | 11% | 13% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 16.0 | 13 |
In four games without Cook in 2021, Mattison posted RB7, RB6, RB9, and RB13 finishes in an every-down role.
- FAB: 10-20%
WR – Treylon Burks
Burks is tied for the team lead in target share (18%) and is finally in a full-time role (97% route participation in Week 3). The rookie boasts an impressive 2.02 YPRR and a 23% TPRR – the best on the Titans. A breakout could be in the works for the 2022 NFL first-rounder, and he is available in about 40% of ESPN leagues.
- FAB: 25-50%
WR – Russell Gage
Gage finally played a full complement of snaps after battling a hamstring injury early this season. He delivered a whopping 33% target share on the way to 26.8 fantasy points. Gage checked some breakout boxes during his last two years in Atlanta and could become a dependable target for Tom Brady.
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will get their share of looks when healthy, but if the Buccaneers eventually return to a high-volume pass offense, Gage could provide value down the stretch. He is available in ~45% of leagues.
- FAB: 15-25%
WR – Romeo Doubs
Doubs led the Packers in route participation (95%) with Sammy Watkins and Christian Watson out. The fourth-round rookie repeatedly flashed this preseason and registered another positive data point by leading the Packers in target share (24%) in Week 3 against the Buccaneers.
This situation could devolve back into a rotation when Watkins and Watson return, but he is worth a pickup in most formats due to the weak nature of this depth chart. If someone is breaking out in a big way from this mess, it is Doubs (1.90 YPRR). He is available in 80% of leagues.
- FAB: 5-10%
Sell High
James Robinson and Amari Cooper spat in the face of last week’s sell-high segment, but the underlying logic remains – both are talented players in highly volatile situations. Maybe the Jaguars have turned the page and are a winning organization in 2022, which helps an early-down grinder like Robinson immensely.
This week we turn our attention to another running back whose underlying utilization screams RB3, yet he is performing like an RB1 in fantasy.
RB – Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Edwards-Helaire has yet to eclipse 45% of snaps, rushing attempts or route participation – substantial red flags for a player touting a top-5 fantasy ranking. Jerick McKinnon has demanded more snaps each of the last two weeks.
| Player | Week | Snaps | Rush Att | Routes | Targets | TPRR | SDD Snaps | i5 Att | LDD Snaps | 2MIN Snaps | PPR | PPR Rank |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | 1 | 39% | 31% | 34% | 8% | 23% | 75% | 0% | 0% | 40% | 22.4 | 6 |
| 2 | 44% | 44% | 38% | 13% | 29% | 43% | 0% | 0% | 75% | 15.8 | 8 | |
| 3 | 39% | 35% | 36% | 17% | 29% | 29% | 50% | 0% | 0% | 14.9 | 15 | |
| YTD | 40% | 36% | 36% | 12% | 27% | 44% | 33% | 0% | 42% | 17.7 | 3 | |
| Jerick McKinnon | 1 | 39% | 15% | 41% | 10% | 24% | 0% | 0% | 83% | 60% | 7.9 | 44 |
| 2 | 47% | 22% | 36% | 6% | 14% | 43% | 100% | 100% | 25% | 9.6 | 24 | |
| 3 | 52% | 41% | 47% | 0% | 0% | 57% | 25% | 89% | 100% | 2.0 | 63 | |
| YTD | 46% | 25% | 42% | 6% | 12% | 39% | 33% | 91% | 58% | 6.5 | 45 | |
| Isiah Pacheco | 1 | 23% | 46% | 9% | 0% | 0% | 25% | 100% | 17% | 0% | 12.2 | 22 |
| 2 | 9% | 11% | 5% | 0% | 0% | 14% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0.6 | 79 | |
| 3 | 8% | 18% | 4% | 0% | 0% | 14% | 25% | 0% | 0% | 0.9 | 68 | |
| YTD | 14% | 28% | 6% | 0% | 0% | 17% | 33% | 4% | 0% | 4.6 | 57 |
We don’t want to give CEH away – he plays on an offense with a high-caliber QB in Patrick Mahomes, and his role could expand if McKinnon were to get injured. However, if someone in your league is willing to look at fantasy points blindly, now is the time to sell.
Edwards-Helaire would be an extreme outlier if he were to find himself as more than a low-end RB2, given his current and historical utilization trends that tell us he is just a guy.
Buy Low
The buy-low section was popping in Week 2 with CeeDee Lamb, Terry McLaurin, and Kyle Pitts all coming through. Dalvin Cook was also on his way to a monster game before the shoulder injury.
Sometimes fantasy football is easy.
This week we focus on two more proven high-end talents and one ascending utilization star.
QB – Kyler Murray
Yeah, we have concerns about Kliff Kingsbury’s ability to design an optimal offense, but it is hard to top a mobile QB in a pass-happy offense. Murray still ranks No. 8 in designed-rush attempts (11%) and should finish closer to 15% on the season. His scrambles are at a career-low 3%, which should also improve as the season progresses.
The Cardinals’ weaponry will improve over the coming weeks with the return of Rondale Moore and DeAndre Hopkins.
Now is the time to pounce on a top-six QB.
WR – Elijah Moore (re-issue)
Moore was a buy-low last week:
Moore leads the team with a 91% route participation and possesses a high-end talent profile. As a rookie, he rattled off six top-36 finishes – including three top-10 marks – over seven weeks. His 1.75 YPRR mirrored Jaylen Waddle, and he just missed the 75.0-plus PFF receiving grade. Pounce now.
Nothing has changed since Week 2 except the second-year receiver posting season-highs in route participation (95%), target share (21%), and air yards (43%). Talented players like Moore don’t suddenly become bad. He offers WR2 upside when running hot, which will happen sometime soon.
Upgrades
RB – Rhamondre Stevenson
Stevenson pushed his edge over Damien Harris to new heights with 50% of the rushing attempts in Week 3. He also handled most of the passing downs, including all of the two-minute offense, on his way to a pristine 64% route participation.
| Player | Week | Snaps | Rush Att | Routes | Targets | TPRR | SDD Snaps | i5 Att | LDD Snaps | 2MIN Snaps | PPR | PPR Rank |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 1 | 25% | 38% | 14% | 7% | 40% | 33% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 4.7 | 56 |
| 2 | 62% | 32% | 58% | 6% | 9% | 60% | 0% | 57% | 100% | 6.1 | 45 | |
| 3 | 62% | 50% | 64% | 16% | 20% | 60% | 50% | 60% | 100% | 20.1 | 7 | |
| YTD | 51% | 40% | 47% | 10% | 17% | 54% | 33% | 40% | 100% | 10.3 | 32 | |
| Damien Harris | 1 | 39% | 43% | 31% | 7% | 20% | 67% | 0% | 9% | 0% | 7.8 | 45 |
| 2 | 40% | 54% | 25% | 6% | 22% | 60% | 100% | 43% | 0% | 16.7 | 7 | |
| 3 | 38% | 46% | 29% | 9% | 27% | 40% | 50% | 40% | 0% | 12.6 | 21 | |
| YTD | 39% | 48% | 28% | 7% | 23% | 54% | 67% | 31% | 0% | 12.4 | 21 |
His 20.1 fantasy points were not a fluke with this utilization profile. Ty Montgomery (IR) could regain some of the passing work when he returns, but for now, Stevenson is in great shape.
RB – Breece Hall
Hall (51%) slightly edged out Michael Carter (49%) in snaps for the first time this season. He also hit a season-high in route participation (50%) while bogarting most of the long-down-distance (81%) and two-minute offense (63%).
| Player | Week | Snaps | Rush Att | Routes | Targets | TPRR | SDD Snaps | i5 Att | LDD Snaps | 2MIN Snaps | PPR | PPR Rank |
| Michael Carter | 1 | 60% | 56% | 42% | 16% | 31% | 100% | 0% | 68% | 0% | 17.0 | 14 |
| 2 | 61% | 33% | 52% | 12% | 20% | 43% | 0% | 9% | 53% | 10.0 | 22 | |
| 3 | 49% | 55% | 38% | 5% | 11% | 25% | 0% | 6% | 38% | 5.6 | 47 | |
| YTD | 56% | 47% | 44% | 11% | 21% | 47% | 0% | 33% | 44% | 10.9 | 27 | |
| Breece Hall | 1 | 45% | 33% | 41% | 16% | 31% | 0% | 0% | 26% | 100% | 12.1 | 23 |
| 2 | 27% | 33% | 18% | 2% | 14% | 14% | 0% | 18% | 16% | 13.0 | 14 | |
| 3 | 51% | 40% | 50% | 26% | 41% | 75% | 0% | 81% | 63% | 15.2 | 14 | |
| YTD | 42% | 36% | 37% | 15% | 33% | 37% | 0% | 43% | 39% | 13.4 | 16 |
Hall’s TPRR (33%) is elite, and he is delivering a 10-plus yard rush on 19% of his attempts – almost double the NFL average of 10.5%. Carter should remain involved, but the better season-long bet is Hall and his second-round draft capital.
Hall offers a low-end RB2 utilization score, but the rookie has a top-12 talent profile and could explode down the stretch.
WR – Chris Olave
Great players earn targets, and Olave is off to a fantastic start. He has 33% and 34% target shares in the last two games and is heavily involved downfield (62% and 40% of air yards). Michael Thomas left the game with a toe injury, and Jarvis Landry suffered a foot injury. Neither is considered serious, but Olave could be the primary beneficiary if they miss time.
Even with Thomas and Landry back in the mix, Olave’s utilization screams WR2, and he is THE WR to roster in New Orleans.
WR – DeVonta Smith
Smith didn’t score a point in Week 1 but has registered a WR25 and WR1 overall finish since then. The Eagles aren’t the same run-heavy offense that many fantasy prognosticators feared. Philadelphia has leaned to the run in close scripts but is throwing the ball above the league average in trailing and leading scenarios.
Let this be a reminder – we want to lean into talented profiles and not overestimate our ability to know what a coaching staff will do. The Week 3 WR1 overall has a 24% target share on the season and a 2.13 YPRR. Expect 60-75% of the targets to go to A.J. Brown, Smith, and Dallas Goedert in a highly concentrated attack.
Things are looking great for everyone involved with the Philadelphia offense, and Smith is a low-end WR2 moving forward.
Downgrades
RB – Javonte Williams
Williams’ snap share regressed in Week 3 (45%) after a strong outing in Week 2 (65%). Melvin Gordon III continues to operate behind Williams, but Mike Boone now has back-to-back games helping out on passing downs.
This situation is about resetting our expectations in a struggling Broncos offense where three RBs make a crowd. Don’t panic – an elite talent profile like Williams always has outs, and we could still see a shift to him as the lead option, and/or Denvers’ offense could improve.
For now, Williams moves out of high-end RB2 territory into the mid-range RB2 range.
WR – D.J. Moore
I wish I could put on my brave face and tell y’all to buy low on Moore. Unfortunately, Baker Mayfield and Ben McAdoo make that a challenging statement despite Moore’s strong talent profile.
This offense has 145, 235, and 170 yards passing over the first three contests with only three TD passes. Mayfield owns the lowest PFF passing grade (45.7) out of all QBs, with at least 100 dropbacks in 2022.
It takes genuinely terrible QB play to hold down a talent like Moore historically, but unfortunately, that is where we are at, and Sam Darnold doesn’t offer much hope as an alternative.
Moore’s fate rests on the shoulders of Mayfield, pushing him into WR3 territory moving forward.
Get access to the full Utilization Report, all the data tables, and team-by-team analysis on by subscribing to PFF+
Data notes and acronyms:
- 1st/2nd = First and second downs
- LDD = long down and distance (third and fourth down with three or more yards to go)
- SDD = short down and distance (second, third and fourth down with two or fewer yards to go)
- i5 = inside the five-yard line
- 2MIN = two-minute offense (hurry-up offense)
- Close = score within three points
- Lead = leading by four points or more
- Trail = trailing by four points or more
- Plays = penalties included for utilization splits and rates
- Pass Play = all dropbacks (i.e., attempts, sacks and scrambles)
- ADOT = average depth of target
- Air Yards = ADOT multiplied by targets
- TTT = average time to throw
- PA = play action
- PA Targets = percentage of player's targets that came using play action
- Fantasy finishes = through Sunday night game
- YPRR = yards per route run
- TPRR = targets per route run
- EZ = end zone
- TOP = Time of possession
- Pass vs. Run Splits = based on the percentage of time a team throws or passes
- FAB = Free agent budget (based on home leagues; adjust percentages in more competitive formats)
