As we move along, I will try to point out when the data we are seeing in a given week looks to be an anomaly, and when it looks to be a trend. Of course this is to some degree always an educated guess, but I will try to alert you when a data point doesn’t require an immediate action.

Let’s dive in with a look at some important usage points from each of the primary skill positions.

Running Back

• James Robinson played on 95% of snaps in Week 4, since Carlos Hyde (shoulder) was out with an injury. Don’t overreact to this, since Hyde will be back and will continue taking about a third of the snaps when healthy. If Robinson did take over his snaps, he could be a top weekly option, so keep watching.

• Joe Mixon (ankle) played on 69% of snaps, his lowest mark of the season. He only received 17 touches, and was banged up late in the game. Keep an eye on the practice reports this week; Samaje Perine could be a nice play in Week 5 against the Packers if Mixon can’t play.

• Antonio Gibson played on only 55% of snaps, his lowest of the season. This is very concerning for those who drafted Gibson early, and looks like it might be a trend that is going to stick around. J.D. McKissic saw 40% of snaps and received 12 touches to Gibson’s 16. Gibson has played fewer snaps each week (65%-61%-57%-55%), so things are trending in the wrong direction. You likely need to continue starting him, but I don’t have any good news for you at this point.

• What a confusing situation at running back for the Falcons! Mike Davis played on 67% of snaps on Sunday and got 13 carries, but he only went for 14 yards. Meanwhile, Cordarrelle Patterson got 6 carries and went for 34 yards, and Wayne Gallman got 6 carries and went for 29 yards. Clearly it seems Davis is ineffective, but he continues to play a high percentage of snaps. Patterson played on only 30% of snaps and Gallman on 13% but Patterson got 12 opportunities to Davis’ 15, and scored three receiving touchdowns! Patterson’s production through four weeks, while never playing more than 42% of snaps, is truly baffling. I do not think it will continue, but he has been proving me wrong so far. If you roster either player, keep them and see what develops.

• David Johnson played on 57% of snaps for the Texans on Sunday. That is the only positive thing I can say for the Texans – perhaps they are starting to figure out they should use him more than Mark Ingram. Still, he only got 9 opportunities on a terrible team, so you don’t want to pick him up.

• Zack Moss led Devin Singletary in snaps on Sunday, playing 8 more snaps (56% to 44%) but it’s still a fairly even split. They each had 14 carries and 1 target. Moss had fewer yards but scored the TD. Either can be used weekly, but just know that their upside will likely remain capped due to the timeshare.

• D’Andre Swift saw his highest snap share of the season on Sunday, playing on 73% of snaps. Jamaal Williams played on 30%. However, they both saw 14 opportunities. Six of those opportunities were targets for Swift, adding value, but he needs to see a higher percentage of the team’s carries to become a weekly top scorer among running backs. He saw only 8 carries while Williams saw 14 in Week 4.

• Ezekiel Elliott played on 75% of snaps in Week 4 and got 20 carries, while Tony Pollard played on 30% and got 10 carries. Both were effective. Elliott needs to be started every week, and Pollard is a decent flex play depending on the matchup.

• Marlon Mack returned to action in Week 4 and played on 31% of snaps. Nyheim Hines also played on 31%, and Jonathan Taylor on 51%. This does not bode well for any of them moving forward, but at least Taylor had a nice game, rushing for 103 yards on only 16 carries, and also scoring. He also caught all three of his targets for 11 yards. If the Colts ever give him 70%+ of snaps, he could become one of the top-producing backs but it doesn’t look like that is going to pan out anytime soon.

• Hines, meanwhile, got only 2 carries and 2 targets, right when it was looking like he could be a good weekly option in PPR leagues. I would play Taylor if I have him, and only consider Hines in a pinch, due to sporadic usage.

• Kareem Hunt played on more snaps than Nick Chubb on Sunday, despite a close game throughout. Hunt played on 53% of snaps to Chubb’s 47%. Chubb did get more opportunities (22 to 18), but this is a very equal timeshare. If I have either on rosters, I’m starting them weekly on this run-first team.

• Dalvin Cook was still hurting on Sunday, as his snaps were limited to 49%. Alexander Mattison played on 34%. Mattison had one more carry than Cook, but Cook got 6 targets (2-10). The Vikings struggled on offense, but it is likely that Cook will return to better fantasy outputs once he is fully healed.

• Alvin Kamara played on 87% of snaps, his highest mark of the season, and logged 26 carries, a very high number for him. He went for 120 yards but was not able to score. Amazingly, he was not targeted in the passing game, which I don’t remember ever happening before. Jameis Winston seems to be severely limiting the explosiveness of this offense.

• Derrick Henry played on 59% of snaps and still got 33 carries, which he took for over 150 yards and a score. Backup Jeremy McNichols played on 40% and only got 1 carry, but he led the team in targets with 12, and caught 8 for 74 yards. It’s unclear if Darrynton Evans will regain the No. 2 role when healthy, but for now, McNichols is a back to watch – particularly if A.J. Brown and Julio Jones remain sidelined for longer.

• Michael Carter eclipsed 50% of snaps for the Jets for the first time, playing on 51%. He had 13 carries far more than Tevin Coleman (4) and Ty Johnson (3). This is very promising, but temper your expectations since the Jets have struggled terribly to run the ball. He finished with 13 carries for 38 yards and a score. I recommend stashing him on your bench in any leagues where he is available.

• It was a frustrating day for those who roster Clyde Edwards-Helaire, despite the solid production. He played on only 52% of snaps, while Darrel Williams played on 36%. He got 14 carries to Williams’ 10, and Williams got the rushing score. He got 3 targets to Williams’ 2. This was CEH’s lowest snap share of the season (72%-65%-62%-52%), and it is concerning. It is tough to put up good numbers like he did on Sunday on only 16 touches. Darrell Williams needs to be rostered everywhere, in case this split continues.

• It was even more frustrating for those who roster Miles Sanders. It got so bad on Sunday that Eagles fans literally starting chanting “Run the ball! Run the ball!” The coach actually listened, but handed it off to Kenneth Gainwell for the score, not Sanders. Sanders finished with 7 carries, a week after finishing with 2 carries. Sanders is a talented back, but the coaches simply do not seem to trust him. Gainwell’s share in the offense keeps growing, and he got 11 opportunities on Sunday to Sanders’ 10. Sanders played more snaps (64% to 39%), but that doesn’t matter if he is not getting opportunities. I’d recommend benching Sanders until his workload increases. Gainwell is worth an add if he is on your wire.

• James Conner again took both the rushing scores for the Cardinals, but Chase Edmonds played on 67% of snaps to Conner’s 42%. Edmonds rushed 12 times for 120 yards, and also caught 4 of 5 targets for 19 yards. Conner got 18 carries (50 yards) and caught both of his targets for 16 yards. This is a equal timeshare. If you have either back, you can start them, just know the production will vary from game to game since they are sharing work.

• Darrell Henderson played on 90% of snaps on Sunday, relegating Sony Michel back to the bench. Henderson rushed 14 times for 89 yards, an excellent line, and also caught 5 of 6 targets for 27 yards. Michel might have been benched due to an early fumble, but if this usage continues Henderson will be a top fantasy running back.

• It was a very concerning game for those who roster Chris Carson. He played on only 45% of snaps and got 14 touches, while Alex Collins played on 39% and got 12 touches. Further, Collins was more effective, going for 78 yards and a score. Carson only went for 31 yards. This may be a sign of a shift. I recommend picking up Collins everywhere, in case Pete Carroll decides to make him the starter or at least keep it an equal timeshare.

• Trey Sermon was very effective on Sunday, playing on 51% of snaps and carrying it 19 times for 89 yards. He did not have a target. We have absolutely no idea if Sermon, Elijah Mitchell, or some other back will lead the way for the 49ers going forward, so be very cautious.

• Ty’Son Williams was a healthy inactive for Week 4, which is baffling. The Ravens chose to go with the old guys this week. Williams can be dropped unless you are in a very deep league. None of the other backs are worth rostering except for Latavius Murray. He played on 62% of snaps and finished with 18 carries for 59 yards and a score.

• For the first time this season, Javonte Williams played on more snaps than Melvin Gordon (51% to 49%). Still, it remained an equal timeshare. I will avoid starting either unless they are against a poor defense, even though both have been effective.

• Aaron Jones saw his snap share fall in Week 4 to 62%. He got 15 carries (48 yards), but AJ Dillon also got 15 carries and went for 81 yards. Dillon also had a 16-yard reception. Jones got more targets (4) and went 3-51, but it was concerning that they so equally shared the work (Dillon was in on 40% of snaps). You have to play Jones weekly no matter what at this point, but watch how this shakes out carefully over the next week or two. For those who roster Dillon, if this continues you might finally be able to start him as a Flex option.

• Leonard Fournette played on 82% of snaps and seemed to take over all of Giovani Bernard’s role. He finished with 20 carries (91 yards) and caught 3 of 5 targets for 47 yards. Ronald Jones can be dropped in most leagues.

• Damien Harris played the most snaps among the Patriots running backs (61%), but they barely rushed the ball (likely due to the imposing Bucs front). It looks like he will remain the starter for now, but keep an eye on Rhamondre Stevenson. He is getting the Belichick rookie treatment, but once he is active I could see him getting a lot of snaps.

• Josh Jacobs returned to his normal role in Week 4, playing on 63% of snaps. Kenyan Drake played on 35% and Peyton Barber on only 1 snap. Jacobs got 13 carries and a surprising 5 targets. He caught all of his targets and went for 57 total yards. Those aren’t the numbers you want, but it was encouraging to see him healthy and the primary option again.

• Austin Ekeler played on 60% of snaps and looked great on Monday night, finishing with 18 touches, 145 total yards, and two scores. When Ekeler was injured for a bit, Justin Jackson did appear to be his direct back up. He came in and got 3 carries and 4 targets until Ekeler returned, at which point Jackson returned to the bench. However, Larry Rountree III appears to have a consistent role in the offense as the “thunder” piece, regardless of whether Ekeler is in the game or not. He finished with 29% of snaps and got 11 carries. Neither player will produce much unless Ekeler is injured, but both are worth holding if you have the roster space.
  
  

Wide Receiver

• Laviska Shenault played on 75% of snaps, which is what he has been averaging this season. But he saw a big jump up in his target share (29%) in Week 4. This is likely due to D.J. Chark (ankle) going down, and is sounds like Chark is done for the year. In addition, Shenault saw his average depth of target jump. His fantasy stock is on the rise.

• Marvin Jones played on 93% of snaps but saw only 3 targets, even with Chark leaving in the first quarter. He is on the field almost every snap and has a nice rapport with Lawrence, so don’t make too much of this down week.

• With Tee Higgins out, Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd were peppered with targets. Chase saw 9 and Boyd saw 11 (a 28% and 34% target share). Those numbers will come down once Higgins is healthy, but Chase is a must-play and Boyd is a solid weekly option.

• Terry McLaurin got a 39% target share on Sunday, finishing with 6-123-2 on 13 targets. That is all.

• In his return, Curtis Samuel received 4 targets and caught them all for 19 yards. It wasn’t much on the stat sheet, but it was a positive start. He is an excellent addition this week, and will gain more targets as we move forward.

• Calvin Ridley played on 96% of snaps and got 13 targets (a 31% target share). Yet he continues to miss the end zone, and caught only 7 for 80 yards. His day is likely going to come, but he remains a frustrating player to roster on a bad offense.

• Stefon Diggs led the Bills’ receivers in snaps in Week 4, and also led in the other categories, finishing with 7-114 on 10 targets. He hasn’t scored like he did last season, but that is not a trend that will stick. He is a great player to target in trades in case a manager is getting annoyed with his production.

• Emmanuel Sanders was again second among the Bills’ receivers in snaps, and got 6 targets (21% target share). He finished with 5-74 and is a nice weekly option.

• Quintez Cephus led Detroit receivers in snap share, with 87%. He had 5 targets and finished 4-83. Amon-Ra St. Brown played 72% of snaps and got 8 targets (21% target share). He finished with 6 catches for 70 yards. The Lions are likely to trail weekly, so for now these are the two top options in the passing game, despite Khalif Raymond catching both touchdowns (3-46-2).
  

• Darnell Mooney played on 71% of snaps for the Bears, while Allen Robinson played on 69%. Mooney finished with 7 targets (41% target share) while Robinson finished with 3 (18%). Neither will have very high value until the Bears throw more than 17 passes in a game, but it’s worth noting that Mooney was Fields’ go-to receiver. He finished with 5 catches for 125 yards, and Robinson caught all three targets for 63 yards. Watch carefully to see how things change when Andy Dalton returns, if he indeed does get the starting job back. For now, I am avoiding both where I can, until I see the Bears air it out more.

• D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson both played on 84% of snaps in Week 4. Moore grabbed the headlines since he caught 8 of 12 targets for 113 yards and two scores. But the Panthers did make an effort to get Anderson more involved as well, and he finished with 11 targets (28% target share). He caught only 5 for 46 yards, but this is a shift to keep an eye on.
  

• Amari Cooper led the team in receiving yards, but he played on only 48% of snaps due to tweaking his hamstring during the game. He returned and caught a 35-yard touchdown, so he should continue to play. He has been battling injuries most of the season but has remained productive. Keep an eye on practice reports this week.

• The Cowboys didn’t have to throw it much to beat the Panthers, but it is still concerning that CeeDee Lamb only caught 2 of 5 targets for 13 yards. Still, he played on 80% of snaps and should be started weekly.

• DeVante Parker had a nice game in Week 4, finishing with 4 receptions on 9 targets for 77 yards and a score. It does not look like Will Fuller (finger) will be taking over in this passing game. Parker played on 90% of snaps, while Fuller played on only 27%. Jaylen Waddle played on 79%, so he looks to be the second receiver for the team.

• Odell Beckham Jr. played on 79% of snaps and saw 7 targets (21% target share). However, he caught only 2 for 27 yards. Baker Mayfield was not sharp and Beckham looked good overall. Mayfield will need to improve for Beckham to have serious upside.

• It was a breakout day for Kadarius Toney. He played on 78% of snaps, after logging 66% in Week 3. He led the team in targets with 9, good for a 23% target share. He caught 6 for 78 yards, and looked dynamic. He is a must add in all leagues this week.

• Marquez Callaway played on 82% of snaps and led the team in receiving yards with 74, but he only got 2 targets! This is an offense to avoid completely if possible, except for Kamara. It will be interesting to see if anything changes when Michael Thomas returns.

• Jamison Crowder had a big week for the Jets, playing on 62% of snaps and leading the team in targets with 9 (a 26% target share). He caught 7 for 61 yards and a score. The injury to Elijah Moore (concussion) might have cost him a chance at a significant workload for now, as Crowder showed he can still be effective and certainly helped Zach Wilson play more effectively in this game.
  

• Tyreek Hill exploded after a couple of slow weeks, catching 11 of 12 targets for 186 yards and three touchdowns – on 81% of snaps. This sort of game is always possible with Hill and it’s why you never bench him, ever. One thing to watch is the impact Josh Gordon will have on Hill’s production once he starts playing. Keep an eye on the targets and snaps once Gordon is up to speed.

• DeVonta Smith looked the part of a stud No.1 receiver on Sunday. He caught 7 of 10 targets for 122 yards on 92% of snaps, and had a long touchdown reception taken off the board due to stepping out of bounds prior to the catch. Jalen Hurts looks like he is improving, which should only help Smith’s fantasy output.

• A.J. Green led the Cardinals in receiving, catching 5 of 6 targets for 67 yards and a score. He seems to be connecting well with Kyler Murray and can be started if you are hurting at receiver. He played on 86% of snaps, but know that most of his yardage came on a 41-yard touchdown reception, so any given week he may not produce much since there are so many receiving weapons on this offense.

• Christian Kirk played on 72% of snaps but only saw 1 target, and Rondale Moore got 3 targets but only played on 42%. Both need to be benched or released, depending on your league size, until they get more weekly involvement in the offense.

• Cooper Kupp had 13 targets on Sunday, a 32% target share. The Cardinals defense did a great job on him, and he caught only 5 of those targets for 64 yards. Robert Woods saw 6 targets and caught 4 for 48 yards and a score, so he had his best fantasy production of the season despite not doing much. They both played on 96% of snaps. It looks like Kupp will remain the superior play for the rest of the season, as he has been more targeted in four straight games. Van Jefferson also saw 6 targets on 68% of snaps. He caught all 6 for 90 yards and a score.

• Russell Wilson threw only 23 passes in the win on Sunday. Tyler Lockett saw only 5 of those passes come his way, but that’s a 22% target share. He finished 4-24, a dud that was hard to recover from. I am going to move away from starting Lockett in matchups where I think Seattle will control the game, since they prefer to play slow on offense.

• After the switch to Trey Lance we saw more of the same hyper-targeting of Deebo Samuel in Week 4. He finished with 8 catches for 156 yards and two scores, on 89% of snaps. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk got only 3 targets on 67% of snaps, catching 1 for 15 yards. Don’t get cute: start Samuel and bench Aiyuk, unless you are completely out of other options.

• Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick played on almost every snap together. Sutton received 8 targets and Patrick 6, but both only caught 3 balls. It was tough sledding against the Ravens defense, especially when Bridgewater left with a concussion, but both are solid weekly options.

• Despite playing on 95% of snaps and getting 8 targets, JuJu Smith-Schuster only caught 2 for 11 yards. He looks bad, as does Ben Roethlisberger. The only Steelers I’d consider starting right now are Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson. Johnson played on 92% of snaps but got 13 targets, catching 9 for 92 yards and a score.

• Mike Evans and Antonio Brown dominated targets in Week 4 for the Buccaneers, getting 12 and 11 targets, respectively. Chris Godwin was down at 5 targets. However, Godwin was in on the most snaps, 94%, while Brown was in on only 51%. It is likely that the Patriots schemed to take Godwin away, since Belichick loves to do that. Don’t overreact to this one week.

• Jakobi Meyers again led the way for the Patriots’ receivers, getting 12 of Mac Jones’ 40 targets (30% target share). He finished 8-70, and also completed two passes for 45 yards. Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor both received 5 targets and played over 60% of snaps. They looked effective, so both can be picked up if you are in need of receiver help.

• Bryan Edwards played on 89% of snaps, but just isn’t a player Derek Carr is looking toward. He got 4 targets but most were not catchable. He only caught 1 ball for 4 yards. Henry Ruggs III played on 81% and got 6 targets, but unless Carr hits him on a deep ball, there likely won’t be much production there either. Hunter Renfrow has been the most consistent option and led the team in targets with 8, finishing 6-45-1. I would avoid all three unless you are desperate or in a very deep league.

• It was a strange game for the two primary Chargers receivers. Both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams played over 85% of snaps, but Williams caught only 1 of 4 targets for 11 yards, while Allen caught 7 of 11 targets for only 36 yards. Both are still weekly starts.

Tight Ends

• Dan Arnold, with the Jaguars only a couple days when Thursday night came around, still played on 32% of snaps. Look for that number to jump up significantly in Week 5 and makes a nice pick-up this week. He also led Jacksonville tight ends in targets, catching both for 29 yards. Arnold should jump right into the mix for targets in Jacksonville, both because Lawrence seems to like throwing to tight ends and because Chark (ankle) is injured.

• C.J. Uzomah will be another very popular addition this week, after playing on 83% of snaps and receiving 6 targets (a 19% target share). He caught 5 for 95 yards and two touchdowns. That sort of production is likely not going to happen again this season, but he can certainly be a useful option moving forward. Don’t break the bank on him, as the Bengals will focus their targets on their three receivers, but he is a fine addition if you need a tight end who has upside and will be on the field often.

• Logan Thomas (hamstring) was injured early in Sunday’s game and ended up playing only 5 snaps. Ricky Seals-Jones replaced him and got 4 targets (2-19) on 93% of snaps. It is unknown if Thomas will play in Week 5, but typically players sit for a week or two after a hamstring injury. Seals-Jones is an option to add for those desperate at the postion, but he is not a longer-term option.

• Kyle Pitts played on 72% of snaps and got 9 targets, a 21% target share. But he caught only 4 for 50 yards. The targets are a positive, and think you need to keep him in your lineups weekly. The touchdowns are likely coming.

• Dawson Knox finished with 5 receptions for 37 yards and two scores, on 8 targets (a 28% target share). This is his second consecutive week scoring, and third consecutive week playing over 78% of snaps. He is difficult to trust with so many receiving weapons on the team, but as I said last week, you can do much worse than an athletic young tight end playing most of the snaps on a great offense.

• Yet again Cole Kmet played basically every snap, and yet again he did almost nothing (1-6 on 3 targets). He needs to remain on your bench until the Bears offense improves and throws more often.

• Dalton Schultz appears to be here to stay. He led the team in targets with 8 in Week 4, a ridiculous 36% target share. He scored again as well. He played on 79% of snaps, his highest percentage of the season, and is a must-start in every league.

• Mo Alie-Cox not only scored two touchdowns on Sunday, but he saw his snap share jump up to 69%, after a previous high of 51% in Week 1. Perhaps the coaches want to make a shift, but I’m not buying it yet. The Colts coaches are very difficult to figure out and I would not add him yet.

• Mike Gesicki played on 69% of snaps, his highest mark of the season, and caught 5 of 6 targets for 57 yards and a score. He is becoming one of the more dependable tight end options in the NFL, and should continue to be productive if this usage continues. However, we will keep to keep a very close eye on how things might change once Tua Tagovailoa returns.

• Tyler Conklin played on 85% of snaps and got 6 targets, but only caught 4 for 18 yards. It was a rough game for the entire Vikings offense, but the usage and opportunities remain promising for Conklin.

• He didn’t produce much, but it was a very positive day for Evan Engram. He played on 68% of snaps and got 6 targets, catching 5 for 27 yards. This Giants offense is improving, which could lead to some great games for Engram this season.

• Anthony Firkser returned in Week 4 and played on 50% of snaps, regaining the lead tight end role for the Titans. He caught 3 of 5 targets for 23 yards. He didn’t do much, but it is promising that he took over the lead role over the other options and got 5 targets. He is an intriguing addition if you are in need of help at tight end.

• Travis Kelce played his normal snaps on Sunday but was less involved, only getting 6 targets (4-23). The Chiefs wanted to focus on Tyreek Hill in this one, presumably because the Eagles have beatable corners. And they only threw 30 total passes, so Kelce still had a 20% target share. Don’t get concerned.

• Zach Ertz played on only 50% of snaps, but seems to have a very nice rapport with Hurts. He caught 6 of 8 targets for 60 yards, and also had a touchdown reception taken off the board due to a penalty. Dallas Goedert is playing more snaps (74% on Sunday), but Ertz remains very involved, limiting the upside for both. Goedert was also very productive finishing with 5 receptions for 56 yards and a score.

• Maxx Williams actually saw his snaps decrease a bit in Week 4, to 58%. He had been up over 75% in Weeks 1-3. Still, he was extremely involved and productive in Week 4, and caught all 5 targets for 66 yards and a score. He is now officially worth an add in every league, particularly since it’s so tough to find tight ends who are involved every week.

• George Kittle played on all but 5 snaps and got 11 targets, so that is exciting. However, he caught only 4 of them for 40 yards. I expect it will be a bit of a rough transition for the passing game if the switch to Trey Lance is made, but keep Kittle in your lineups.

• Mark Andrews played on only 63% of snaps, his lowest share of the season. Still, he led the team in targets with 8, and caught 5 for 67 yards. The scores have not been there for Andrews, but I expect they are coming. He should always be in your lineups.

• Noah Fant played on 93% of snaps, second among all tight ends to Cole Kmet. He received 10 targets and caught 6 for 46 yards and a score. Start him weekly, whether it’s Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock under center.

• It looks like Hunter Henry has surpassed Jonnu Smith as the starter at tight end for the Pats, but of course this could change. He played on 68% of snaps, while Smith played on 47%. They both received 5 targets and both scored, but Henry looks more involved. Both should be rostered, but you may have gotten a steal with Henry if this usage continues.

• Jared Cook had a huge game on Monday night, finished with 6 catches on 7 targets for 70 yards and a score. However, he played on only 52% of snaps, the same percentage as Donald Parham, and Stephen Anderson also got in for 31%. Parham himself also scored on 3 targets, and Anderson had a nice 34-yard reception. So it seemed the Chargers just decided to attack with the tight ends in this game. Although it is a bit concerning that Cook is only playing about half the snaps, it is the third week out of four he has been below 60%, so it’s nothing new. His targets by week have been 8-5-3-7. He is not going to put up huge numbers often, but he is a decent option if you don’t have a top tight end.