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 13 Usage Report
Running Backs
- Bhayshul Tuten (RB, Jaguars): Tuten benched after two fumbles, playing minimal offensive snaps while continuing on special teams.
- Travis Etienne Jr. (RB, Jaguars): Etienne reached a season-high 72% snaps, dominating early downs and goal-line work.
- R.J. Harvey (RB, Broncos): Harvey achieved career highs in snaps, carries, yards, and receptions, solidifying as borderline starter.
- Jaylen Wright (RB, Dolphins): Wright led the backfield with 52.3% snaps and 66.7% opportunities post-Achane injury, becoming must-roster.
- Blake Corum (RB, Rams): Corum handled 46.4% opportunities with explosive production, emerging as top handcuff and deep-league flex.
Wide Receivers
- Troy Franklin (WR, Broncos): Franklin’s role cratered to fifth in snaps and under 40% routes, rendering him droppable.
- Pat Bryant (WR, Broncos): Bryant led snaps and routes in recent weeks, becoming an intriguing waiver option.
- D.K. Metcalf (WR, Steelers): Metcalf remained clear WR1 with high snaps and production amid changes.
- Adam Thielen (WR, Steelers): Thielen claimed and rotated in multiple sets, with potential to earn more 11-personnel time.
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR, Steelers): Valdes-Scantling elevated and led Z rotation in three-receiver sets.
- Calvin Austin III (WR, Steelers): Austin led slot rotation but under 50% snaps due to constant changes.
- Christian Watson (WR, Packers): Watson hit highest snap rate at full strength, playing best football and lineup worthy.
- Romeo Doubs (WR, Packers): Doubs maintained high snaps in two- and three-receiver sets.
- Jayden Reed (WR, Packers): Reed returned with 65.4% routes and team-high targets, viewing as WR3 with growth potential.
- Dontayvion Wicks (WR, Packers): Wicks reduced to minimal snaps, droppable despite recent production.
- Matthew Golden (WR, Packers): Golden limited to few snaps post-injury, droppable.
- Noah Brown (WR, Commanders): Brown returned as third in three-receiver sets with high 11-personnel snaps.
- Terry McLaurin (WR, Commanders): McLaurin saw under 62% overall snaps due to rotations but remains viable with favorable schedule.
- Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR, Commanders): Samuel reduced in 12 personnel but high in 11, worth picking up if dropped.
- Jordan Addison (WR, Vikings): Addison’s snaps reduced by 22/13 personnel but led yards, expecting partial bounce-back.
- Devaughn Vele (WR, Saints): Vele secured WR2 with 100% routes and 26.3% targets, WR3/flex in pass-heavy scripts.
- Adonai Mitchell (WR, Jets): Mitchell maintained 95% routes and 18.2% targets but hampered by QB change.
- Khalil Shakir (WR, Bills): Shakir’s role solid at 73.8% routes but underwhelming in run-first offense, value decreasing.
Tight Ends
- Gunnar Helm (TE, Titans): Helm hit career-high 66.7% snaps, splitting evenly in 11 personnel and eyeing future role.
- Chig Okonkwo (TE, Titans): Okonkwo dropped to season-low 48.5% snaps, substituted more in 12 personnel.
- Juwan Johnson (TE, Saints): Johnson reduced to 53.4% snaps in victory due to increased 12/13 personnel.
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