Welcome to the IDP Guys’ weekly game preview and start/sit articles! Our team has broken down each game and the IDP outlooks for the most relevant IDP players to help you make those tough lineup decisions. May the fantasy gods be forever in your favor!
This year we are bringing you a new format to help you with those pesky start/sit decisions. In addition to listing players, we hope these categories are more useful to you than a traditional start or sit classification. Here are our definitions for our four categories.
- Start Your Studs: These players should always be in your lineup or have SMASH matchups this week. Even your most shallow IDP leagues should include these players in their starting lineups.
- Solid Starting Options: These players may vary from week to week and are very matchup-dependent. They are likely weekly starters in 12+ team leagues starting at least two players at each IDP position.
- Hail Mary: These players have big question marks surrounding their roles, usage, and murky playing time projections. Lean towards benching them unless you are in very deep leagues (16+32 teams and/or 11+ IDP starters). If they see the field consistently, they have the potential to move up a category as Solid Starting Options but until then, they will likely be big-play-dependent with low tackle floors. Your classic boom/bust options.
- No Thank You: Clear sits for the week due to matchups, playing time trends, injuries, etc.
*Most CB and DT recommendations are meant for CB and/or DT-required leagues. If in DB or DL-only leagues, generally move down one category level.
Of course, your league sizes and scoring settings are going to be different from person to person and league to league. If you need further clarification or suggestions on who to start over another player in a similar tier, we have two additional solutions for you!
Our expert weekly positional rankings can be found here for subscribers.
Listen to the top-rated FantasyPros IDP ranker, Steve Hungarter (@IDPHunter), talk through this week’s top IDP rankings here!
And for your offensive needs, check out the Offensive Points crew!
Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears
By Randy Johnson (@OldMan_FF)
Start Your Studs
Frankie Luvu has been on a little bit of a tear over these past two games. Double-digit tackles in both games with 19 points and 30 points scored. In his last 2 games combined, he has delivered 23 tackles (15 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and 2 passes defended. Ride his hot hand and reap the benefits.
T.J. Edwards is just a stud in IDP fantasy football circles. He plays nearly every snap and averages 10+ tackles a game. Edwards already has 100 tackles on the year in just nine games. Then you add in his splash plays of 5 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass defended, and you have a set-it-and-forget-it player.
Kyler Gordon has been a tackling machine since he returned from his broken hand. He has increased his snaps during this four-game stretch from 61% to 94% of the snaps. He has averaged five tackles per game. With the Panthers allowing the second most points to opposing CBs, this game becomes a must-start for Gordon.
Jaquan Brisker has cleared the concussion protocol and will return this Thursday. The Panthers are a nice team to return against as they are a very nice matchup for opposing Safeties. He is starting to put together some impressive stats now also. In these last two games, Brisker has posted 16 tackles (12 solo), 0.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass defended. These were also his two best showings of the season. Ride the hot hand.
Solid Starting Options
Derrick Brown is a solid DT that produces tackles, instead of just taking up space. He has played 105 snaps in the past two games. Brown has posted a combined 9 tackles (4 solo) and 2 passes defended in those 105 snaps at DT. If you are in a DT-required league, Brown is definitely an option.
Donte Jackson plays nearly every snap and has three straight double-digit scoring weeks. In these 3 weeks, he has posted a combined 14 tackles (13 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 forced fumble. It is always nice to get double digits from your CB.
The Panther’s safety combination of Vonn Bell and Xavier Woods has not played together much this season. In fact, they have not played together since Week 3. Both are questionable for the Bears game, but both have a good chance to be in the lineup. Watch the inactive report before setting your lineups. If they do play, the Bears are a very good matchup against opposing safeties. These two safeties average more than six tackles a game each.
Justin Jones is another DT that would be a nice play this weekend due to the Panthers being a very good matchup. He plays a majority of the snaps and had three straight double-digit scoring weeks before last weekend. Last week, he had just 2 tackles, but in the prior 3 games, he posted 14 tackles (10 solo), 5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and 3 passes defended. Get him in your DT-required lineups for the matchup this Thursday.
Montez Sweat has played one game with the Bears since his trade from the Commanders. In this one game, he played 45 snaps, which was 61% of the snaps available. He posted two tackles and a pass defended. The stat line will be much different this week.
Jack Sanborn will get another start with Tremaine Edmunds still out with an injured knee. He missed just 1 snap last week and produced 10 tackles (8 solo) and 1 tackle for a loss. Sanborn scored 19 points and all stats were season highs. Play him without hesitation this week.
The Bear’s CB combination has been solid with Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson holding down the spots over the last four games. Combined over those 4 games, the 2 players have delivered 40 tackles, 7 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and 1 TD. Stevenson is your choice if you are just choosing one of these players.
Eddie Jackson returned to the lineup last week and promptly produced six tackles with five of them being solo.
With Brian Burns out of this contest, we added Panthers edge rushers/DEs Amare Barno and rookie third-round pick DJ Johnson. With their IDP fantasy matchups being favorable, one of these players should provide a good IDP fantasy stat line.
Hail Mary
Watch the injury report on the Panthers safeties and if Bell or Woods miss the game, undrafted college free agent Alex Cook could be just the answer you were looking for. He saw his first NFL action last week with 61 snaps, which happened to be 100% of the snaps. He posted 7 tackles (3 solo) and 1 tackle for a loss. He is only going to get better.
DT LaBryan Ray becomes a Hail Mary option with Brian Burns out as well. Someone (or multiple players) will get to Tyson Bagent this week.
Blake Martinez has signed to the Panthers' practice squad for potential LB depth. It remains to be seen if/when he gets called up to the active roster. Don't go too crazy for the name recognition here until we have hard evidence that he will displace one or both of Deion Jones or Kamu Grugier-Hill.
No Thanks
Do not start Brian Burns this week. He is OUT with a concussion.
Due to a lack of playing time and results, you should not have Deion Jones, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Yannick Ngakoue, and DeMarcus Walker in your lineup.
Due to injury, make sure Terell Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, Shaq Thompson, Justin Houston, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Jeremy Chinn are not in your lineup.
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots (GERMANY)
By Steve Tomasin (@DynastySanta)
Start Your Studs
Both teams' safeties have nice matchups this week in what, surprisingly, could turn out to be a shoot-out game of sorts. Kyle Dugger would be ranked over Julian Blackmon but both are strong options.
At this point, you have to ride the wave with Kenny Moore. Is he going to return two interceptions for TDs each game? Of course not. So temper expectations a bit but the Patriots do give up the fifth most IDP fantasy points to CBs so Moore should be more than trustworthy this week.
Zaire Franklin has been limited in practice so his status is still a bit up in the air. Of course, if he plays then he plays in your lineup. It appears that LB Segun Olubi is his direct backup/handcuff so if Franklin can't go, Olubi would be a tier-two solid starting option in this one.
Solid Starting Options
Most of the Patriots in this tier have injuries this week so be locked in to the practice reports. If they all play, DT Christian Barmore, LB Ja'Whaun Bentley, and CB Myles Bryant should all be productive IDP fantasy options this week. In each position the Colts are surrendering middle-of-the-pack IDP fantasy points so all are solid options.
For the Colts, DT DeForest Buckner slides out of his normal stud designation due to a bad IDP fantasy matchup. Most managers are starting him regardless but take high upside shots elsewhere as the Patriots are only giving up the 22nd most IDP fantasy points to DTs so far this year.
With the enticing IDP fantasy matchup for Colts' CBs, Jaylon Jones gets a bump this week to this tier. Since rookie Julius Brents continues to be sidelined, expect Jones to be just as busy as Kenny Moore this week and is a nice sleeper option.
Hail Mary
Shaquille Leonard lands here this week as the Patriots only give up the 29th most IDP fantasy points to LBs so this is a bad matchup for ancillary LBs like Leonard and E.J. Speed considering how we saw the playing time shake out last week. Leonard was only playing first and second downs and he split time with Speed. It was Segun Olubi who got 100% of the snaps in Zaire Franklin's absence. A recipe for frustration and disappointment.
One of the Patriots' pass rushers will likely get home for at least 1 sack in this one. Good luck picking which one. Josh Uche is getting back to full health but has been a tremendous disappointment thus far and cannot be trusted until we see increased playing time. Anfernee Jennings is playing close to 80% of the snaps but has not reached paydirt yet. I still like him. Deatrich Wise has been coming on as of late but is the definition of boom/bust. Tough to solve this puzzle with the heavy defensive line rotation, not even to mention the interior guys!
Maybe somewhat surprisingly, the Patriots are a bad IDP fantasy matchup for opposing defensive linemen and edge rushers. So, Kwity Paye finds himself here as a true boom/bust option this week.
No Thanks
Marte Mapu had a very productive IDP fantasy performance last week on limited snaps. We can't trust him until we see that playing time consistently tick up. His range of percentage of snaps played this season goes from 11% up to 50%. We still like him as a dynasty league asset but remains irrelevant in redraft.
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
By Joseph Harlow (@joelow63)
Start Your Studs
DT Justin Madubuike has had a breakout season this year, leading all DTs in sacks with 7.5. Aaron Donald (ever heard of him?) is second, with 5.5, 2 full sacks behind Madubuike! Cleveland has been a top 3 matchup for DTs so far (including a sack to Madubuikein the previous matchup), so he is a locked-in start this week.
Myles Garrett is tied for second in the league in sacks this season with 9.5 (0.5 behind the leader, Danielle Hunter). Over his last 3 games, Garrett has 4 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. One of the best in the game is on a heater and faces a solid DE matchup in Baltimore. Garrett did register a sack in the team’s previous matchup this season.
The Browns have been a top-10 matchup for LBs, which is a positive sign for Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen. Both players have been great this season and should be started almost every week, regardless of the matchup.
Outside corner Brandon Stephens has been a great CB play this season, despite being exclusively on the boundary. He is tied for most targets on the season (per PFF), giving him more opportunities than anyone for tackles and big plays. The Browns have been a top-10 CB matchup, raising Stephens’ floor this week.
Solid Starting Options
Secondary rusher Za'Darius Smith struggled to produce for IDP leagues early in the season, as he was a “better on-field than fantasy” player. Over the past 3 games, he has registered 2 sacks and 8 tackles, finally seeing some production in the box score. With a solid matchup in Baltimore, Smith is a safe start with some sack upside.
This is a matchup where you can (and should) start all Ravens rushers who should see real snaps. Cleveland has been the second-best matchup for DEs on the year, and the Ravens have been pressuring QBs at an insane rate. Jadeveon Clowney, Odafe Oweh, and Kyle Van Noy have been wreaking havoc, combining for 81 pressures (per PFF) and 10.5 sacks this season (Oweh missed most/all of 5 games, and Van Noy was not with the team until Week 4). Start them all, at least as a massive upside swing.
The Browns linebacker room has been a pain for fantasy players all season. They have been utilizing a four-man rotation, killing upside for everyone. Anthony Walker has been the top LB on the year, though, playing 70% of snaps. He has missed that 70% bar only twice since week 2, one being the blowout win this past week. Baltimore has been a top 5 LB matchup so far, so the top LB becomes a solid start.
Safeties Kyle Hamilton and Geno Stone are solid starts every week at this point, especially with a top-3 matchup. Hamilton has not been what we hoped, but is still putting up 5 tackles per game and continues to put himself in a position to force turnovers. Geno Stone leads the league in interceptions while playing incredibly well in relief of Marcus Williams. Even with a lower tackle floor, the matchup and turnover ability make him a very good start this week. Marcus Williams could return this week. If he does, swap him for Stone in this tier.
Grant Delpit, the Browns’ tackle leader, has had a solid IDP season while playing almost every snap. His high box/slot usage has helped him be relevant this season, to the tune of almost 7 tackles per game with a few big plays added in. He had an unspectacular 5 tackles in the first meeting with Baltimore, but that was a weird game script with the Browns’ starting rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson somewhat unexpectedly. Delpit is a solid play this week, in what should be a closer game.
Hail Mary
Dalvin Tomlinson faces a bottom-3 DT matchup, so drops into this tier, even for DT leagues. He does not have a massive upside in good matchups, so is only a depth play this week. Don't chase his points from last week.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been the LB2 for the mentioned Browns’ rotation throughout the season. Even though he has a few more tackles than Walker, his play time has dropped, falling below 60% of snaps each of the past 3 weeks. Sione Takitaki has been the LB3, with around 40% of snaps over the past two games. With a great matchup, both are deeper shots that can be taken, though JOK has the higher usage, season-long production, and upside.
Arthur Maulet has taken over the third/slot CB role in the past few weeks. He has 11 tackles over the past 3 weeks and is a deeper CB league shot with a great matchup and solid role.
Slot corner Greg Newsome has not practiced so far this week and is in danger of missing his second straight game. Baltimore has been a bottom-5 CB matchup, but the slot role does has value still. Cameron Mitchell has been in the slot role without Newsome and is a deeper play if Newsome misses.
Star safety Marcus Williams is off the injury report and should be back on the field. However, he may not see a massive role due to various injuries and the emergence of Geno Stone. With a top 3 matchup, he can be a dart throw, but it would be best to see how he is utilized before dropping him back into regular lineups.
No Thanks
Baltimore has been a bottom 3 matchup for DTs, making secondary DTs Shelby Harris and Maurice Hurst benches, even in DT leagues.
DT Michael Pierce has missed practice with week with an illness, which is a blow to his status against a great matchup. Travis Jones would be the next man up, but still would be capped if Pierce is active and limited.
Even with the great LB matchup, fourth LB Tony Fields is too far down the depth chart to be a reliable or upside play. It would take an in-game injury or two for him to have a legitimate shot at playable numbers. Another name was added to the rotation last week, as Matthew Adams played 17% of snaps. He should not be expected to take real snaps from the top four LBs.
Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals
By Randy Johnson (@OldMan_FF)
Start Your Studs
The Bengals are a very good matchup for opposing CBs and safeties, so get the Texans' top two in your lineup. Jalen Pitre would classify as a tier-one stud this week, with Jimmie Ward close behind in tier-two as a solid starting option.
Jalen Pitre has been on a nice little run over the last four games. Four straight double-digit scoring weeks on 100% of the snaps. He is averaging over seven tackles and a pass defended per game. This is much better than he started this year, so get him in your lineup.
Tavierre Thomas has played four games this year. He has double-digit scoring in each of those games. Thomas has posted anywhere from 5-10 tackles in each game. He has added a combined 2 tackles for a loss and 2 forced fumbles. Thomas does this on anywhere from 40-59 plays in a game. The snap count is third out of the Texan CBs. He needs to start for you.
Houston is the second-to-last team in allowed scoring against opposing LBs. Logan Wilson plays every snap and will be starting for you this week. Wilson only has one game of single-digit scoring. He has had three games of 23 or more points and has had six games of 15 or more points. He is as consistent as they come in tackles. 6 of his games have Wilson produce 8-11 tackles per game.
Solid Starting Options
Since entering the starting lineup in Week 5, Blake Cashman has 4 straight games with 16 or more points scored in each game. He has 39 tackles in those four games. Cashman has also added 8 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and 2 passes defended in those games. It is time to believe he has a legitimate role on this team.
There is a good chance Jimmy Ward will miss this week with an injured hamstring. Check the injury report first before starting. If he plays, you start him as his hot hand has him with 6-8 tackles in 3 straight games before hurting his hamstring. DeAndre Houston-Carson would be his replacement.
Germaine Pratt has been awesome this year, and with the matchup this week, start him. He has 38 tackles (23 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes defended, and 2 interceptions in the last 5 games. He played 92-97% of the snaps. Enjoy the points from the Bengal LBs this week.
Daxton Hill plays nearly every snap of every game. The second-year safety started the year very hot but is in a cold spell right now. He started off averaging 8 tackles in each of the first 6 games but only has 7 tackles (4 solo) total in the last 2 games. Hill had 1.5 sacks, 5 passes defended, and 2 interceptions in those 6 games to start the season. Just a pass defended in the last two games. Tread with caution.
Hail Mary
The Texans' linebacker situation is a mess. Just when we thought we had it all figured out, it appears that Blake Cashman is the only trustworthy option right now (until he is not). Denzel Perryman, Henry To'oTo'o, and Christian Harris are all Hail Marys because, good luck!
Maliek Collins might be the DT you need for Week 10. The Bengals are an average team against opposing DTs, and Collins had a blow-up game just two weeks ago. He posted 6 tackles (3 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, and 2 sacks for 22 points. Collins was in on 73% of the snaps.
Khalil Davis is another DT who just broke 50% of the snaps for the first time last week. With those 38 snaps, he delivered 4 tackles (2 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended.
Jonathan Greenard averages around 70% of the snaps and has three incredible games this year. In those 3 games combined, he has 16 tackles (12 solo), 7 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and 1 pass defended. The problem is his other 5 games where he produced just 14 tackles (9 solo), 0.5 sacks, and 1 pass defended. The true definition of boom/bust.
Shaq Griffin has had four straight double-digit scoring weeks before last week when he scored one point. He played 95% or more in those five games. 3 of the games had Griffin post 6-10 tackles in each of those games. Be aware that a zero is possible also.
B.J. Hill is on a nice 3-game stretch with a combined 9 tackles (5 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 passes defended. He did this on just 40 snaps which was good for 69% of the snaps.
Trey Hendrickson can always explode for a nice game as evidenced by 2 games of 2-2.5 sacks, 1 game of 6 tackles, 2 games of 2-3 tackles for a loss, and 2 games with a forced fumble. He can also give you games of 1-2 tackles and that is it. Hendrickson always plays a majority of the snaps, so the opportunities are always present.
Cam Taylor-Britt has scored double-digit points in his last seven games played. He has had 4 games with 6 or more tackles this season. CB-required leagues will have a lot of Taylor-Britt in their starting lineups against the rookie.
Mike Hilton has had two 20-point games in his last three games played. He has a combined 19 tackles (17 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 pass defended, and 1 interception.
No Thanks
Due to a lack of playing time and matchups, you should not have Myles Murphy, or Joseph Ossai in your lineup.
Derek Stingley appears to be making his way back from injury so when he returns he could be a nice stash with the game scripts that the Texans have been finding themselves in.
San Francisco 49ers at Jacksonville Jaguars
You Must Sign In To See The Rest Of This Content
Subscribe Login for Instant Access to this premium content
