Roquan Smith is still logging monster snaps, tearing it up for the Baltimore Ravens with 118 box snaps and 64 coverage snaps, cementing his spot as an every-down monster in Week 2. He’s exactly what we expect, no mystery there. But what’s really popping off the stat sheet is what’s happening around him, and how it’s shaping up for the rest of the season.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Who’s Earning Those Every-Down Snaps
Week 2 gave us the receipts we needed, confirming which linebackers are truly every-down guys and separating the one-week wonders from the real deals. In Arizona, Jack Gibbens has absolutely quieted all the preseason noise, proving he’s the real deal with 96 box snaps and 60 coverage snaps. The Cardinals aren’t just using him as a run-stopper, which is huge. Mack Wilson Sr. is right there with him, racking up 113 box snaps and 61 coverage snaps. Meanwhile, rookie Cody Simon is still a dynasty hold, but with only four box snaps and two coverage snaps, he’s not a redraft option right now. Buffalo’s Terrel Bernard is also out here crushing it, with a whopping 131 box snaps and 83 coverage snaps, showing exactly the profile we want for a top-tier workload. These guys aren’t just playing snaps; they’re committing to their roles.
Atlanta’s Versatility and Baltimore’s Missing Piece
Over in Atlanta, Divine Deablo leads the linebacker room with 99 box snaps and 82 coverage snaps. What’s wild is the split between Kendal Daniels, who has 72 box snaps and 39 coverage snaps, and Harold Perkins Jr., sitting at 43 box snaps and 35 coverage snaps. Perkins’ coverage involvement for his overall workload screams versatility, showing how Atlanta can deploy him. It’s a room where role matters way more than just a famous name. Back with Roquan Smith, his combination of playing time, box deployment, and coverage responsibility keeps him firmly in the every-down conversation, no question. But the more interesting question for Baltimore is still who steps up next to him. That second linebacker spot remains way less valuable, which could be a problem down the line. Even in Buffalo, while Dorian Williams has 85 box snaps and 46 coverage snaps, that preseason concern about his role hasn’t vanished completely, even if he’s getting enough work for deeper formats. Kaleb Elarms-Orr is way behind with only 16 box snaps and 14 coverage snaps.
This early in the season, snap counts are everything. We’re seeing who the teams trust and how they’re deploying their talent. Keep an eye on these box and coverage snap numbers, because they’re telling us who’s truly stepping up to take on that every-down grind for the long haul.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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