Each week of the 2025 NFL season delivers critical usage shifts that can make or break your fantasy football lineup, with snap counts, touches, and targets revealing emerging stars and changing roles. From running backs seizing workhorse duties to wide receivers and tight ends capitalizing on new opportunities, we break down 6-8 notable risers per position to guide your roster decisions and waiver wire moves.
Check out last week’s report: Week 11 Usage Report
Running Backs
- Kenneth Walker III (RB, Seahawks): Walker’s snaps hit a season-high 62.5% with 71.4% of backfield opportunities, dominating early downs and third downs for the first time, elevating him to mid-range RB2 status.
- Zach Charbonnet (RB, Seahawks): Charbonnet’s role shrank to 31.3% snaps and 28.6% opportunities, reducing his fantasy relevance in the condensed backfield.
- Emanuel Wilson (RB, Packers): Wilson commanded 56.1% snaps and 76.9% opportunities in Jacobs’ absence, solidifying his top handcuff value with three-down potential.
- Rhamondre Stevenson (RB, Patriots): Stevenson’s return yielded only 31% snaps and 25.8% opportunities, shifting him to handcuff and desperation flex territory.
- TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Patriots): Henderson started and remained the lead early-down back with 18 carries, continuing as the hot hand over Stevenson.
- Kyle Monangai (RB, Bears): Monangai outsnapped Swift for the first time, leading in carries and taking early-down and goal-line work amid a tough schedule.
- D’Andre Swift (RB, Bears): Swift transitioned to primary receiving back with ineffective rushing, facing reduced viability in a difficult remaining slate.
- Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Lions): Gibbs reached a season-high 73.9% snaps, expanding into short-yardage and goal-line roles while exploding in production.
- David Montgomery (RB, Lions): Montgomery’s snaps dropped to one-third, losing goal-line work and bordering on droppable from starting lineups.
- Kenneth Gainwell (RB, Steelers): Gainwell’s role shifted favorably with big plays, including 10 carries and six catches, potentially factoring into fantasy even with Warren healthy.
- Michael Carter (RB, Cardinals): Carter handled 56% snaps with 25% rush share in a split backfield, showing limited productivity.
- Bam Knight (RB, Cardinals): Knight took 44% snaps and 50% rush share, splitting work inefficiently with Carter.
Wide Receivers
- Keon Coleman (WR, Bills): Coleman was a healthy scratch for the second straight week, rendering him a zero for the season and droppable even in dynasty.
- Jameson Williams (WR, Lions): Williams played nearly every snap but posted zero points, confirming his boom/bust WR3 profile with inconsistent valleys.
- Luther Burden III (WR, Bears): Burden’s snaps rose to 50.8% and routes to 60.5%, flashing as a bench stash and desperation flex in a crowded offense.
- John Metchie (WR, Jets): Metchie’s role expanded to 86.4% snaps and 91.2% routes with a 25% target share, emerging as a flex-worthy option on a thin offense.
- Michael Wilson (WR, Cardinals): Wilson commanded 82.2% snaps and 30.2% targets over two weeks without Harrison, potentially earning flex status upon his return.
- Kayshon Boutte (WR, Patriots): Boutte returned to over 80% snaps, primarily as X receiver and stabilizing the rotation.
- Stefon Diggs (WR, Patriots): Diggs’ snaps decreased significantly, limited to 11 personnel and potentially ending his fantasy starter days.
- DeMario Douglas (WR, Patriots): Douglas dipped below 20% snaps, falling further in the rotation.
- Chris Godwin Jr. (WR, Buccaneers): Godwin returned primarily to slot in 11 personnel, cutting into Shepard’s snaps with Evans’ return looming.
- Sterling Shepard (WR, Buccaneers): Shepard’s 11-personnel snaps dropped from 87.8% average as Godwin took slot work.
- Tez Johnson (WR, Buccaneers): Johnson lost some two-receiver set snaps to Godwin, limiting short-term value.
- Adonai Mitchell (WR, Jets): Mitchell started with over 90% snaps as X receiver, leading the adjusted depth chart.
- Isaiah Williams (WR, Jets): Williams rotated in the slot, remaining a backup in the three-man mix.
Tight Ends
- Gunner Helm (TE, Titans): Helm led targets post-bye with 63.4% snaps and 15.2% share, warranting watch list status for potential streaming.
- Josh Oliver (TE, Vikings): Oliver exceeded 50% snaps for the first time, splitting early-down work and contributing to Hockenson’s reduced role.
- T.J. Hockenson (TE, Vikings): Hockenson’s snaps leaned on third downs amid disappointment, making him droppable in redraft leagues.
- Brenton Strange (TE, Jaguars): Strange returned to 71% snaps, leading receiving and positioning as a top waiver target.
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