FANTASY FOOTBALL: RB Top 60: Fantasy Points Per Snap, Points Per Touch

Alex Dunlap, Rosterwatch.com

Photo Credit

Here we examine fantasy running back productivity versus playing time volume, and as a ratio between 2011 snaps played and total touches. These are not our RB Rankings. These Are. This a a reference tool to help in gauging productivity, involvement and potential.

The list below is ordered by total snaps played in 2011. Obviously, it is important as a fantasy owner to know which players are on the field the most. Players need to be on the field to produce fantasy points. But it is important to look deeper. Just because the player is on the field does not necessarily mean they are being utilized in ways that are conducive to producing fantasy points.

A fantasy score begins to become accrued via an offensive skill player touch. When the ball is in the running back’s hands either by way of handoff or pass reception, they are position to gain yards and score fantasy points.

Using these variables along with total fantasy output from the 2011 season allows us to not only see who is typically on the field the most, but also who is most likely to get the ball in their hands when they are on the field. We can also begin to understand which players are dependable based on snap volume alone, as well as identify players who score the most fantasy points per touch regardless of snap volume.

These are the Top 60 RBs of 2011 in snap volume. Players who are highlighted in YELLOW are players who will be playing in a new offensive scheme in 2012, therefore, should be looked at differently than players who will be returning to the roles that produced these numbers previously.

A column designation of BLUE means that in this statistic, the RB is among the “elite” within that given category. I define “elite” as “tier one”, a level that is significantly higher than even peers within the top echelon. LIGHT BLUE indicates top-third designation in the given category. RED indicates bottom-third designation within the given category.

As always, feel free to hit us up with questions. We are here to help.