Although the only numbers that ultimately matter are those on the scoreboard and what they do for the win-loss column, a lot can be learned about this Las Vegas Raiders team by looking at the snap counts. Some notable trends developed from the team's usage in Week 4 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.
Minor role adjustments happen every week, as no two opponents or game plans are the same. This was made obvious in the team's inactives last Sunday, as the Raiders opted for better run stoppers and more linebackers against a run-heavy Chiefs squad. Injuries also play a big role.
But that doesn't mean that the number of snaps a player gets, or more critically, their snap share, is insignificant. In fact, three key observations and takeaways can be made from the movement that occurred during this past weekend's contest in Las Vegas against Kansas City.
3 notable trends from Raiders' snap counts vs. Chiefs
1. Raiders' WR group is depleted, and it is affecting everything
One of Klint Kubiak's strengths is rotating personnel heavily, but with injuries to wide receivers Jack Bech and Jalen Nailor, that has been taken away. The Raiders had five skill players on the field for 62% or more of the snaps: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Tre Tucker, Ashton Jeanty and Cody White.
Ian Thomas was next in line at a 31% snap share. Diversification is now suddenly unattainable.
White is a fine piece, but he's not supposed to be playing 52 snaps in a game. Dareke Young shouldn't be playing 12 offensive snaps, either. With the wide receiver group so depleted, Las Vegas can't rotate as much, and they have to rely more on tight ends, which makes them predictable.
Hopefully, Nailor or Dont'e Thornton Jr. returns soon.
2. Tide is turning in the Las Vegas RB room
Ashton Jeanty is still the top dog, and he is not a bust, contrary to popular belief. But the Raiders are starting to rotate Mike Washington Jr. in more, as they promised. On Sunday, Washington Jr. played a career-high snap share of 23.9%, and Jeanty played just 76.1% of the plays, his lowest since Week 1.
Part of this was due to Jeanty still looking banged up, as the broadcast caught him wincing after several plays. He limped off the field more than once as well. And Washington Jr. did not make the most of his chances, but the tide is still turning and should continue to do so until Jeanty is healthy.
3. Rob Leonard's reliance on Maxx Crosby is growing again
A big goal heading into the year was limiting Crosby's snap count when possible to decrease wear and tear on his body and increase his longevity as a result. That went fine in the first three games, as Crosby sat out 28 snaps and played 85% or fewer of the snaps, his lowest in years.
But Leonard went back to the well on Sunday, as Crosby played just under 92% of the snaps, sitting out only five of sixty snaps. To be fair, one of those snaps was Kenneth Walker III's 76-yard run, so the Raiders probably felt like they couldn't take him off the field again. But still, stick to the plan.
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