Welcome to the IDP Guys’ weekly IDP game reviews and IDP waiver wire! Our team has broken down each game and the IDP takeaways for the most relevant IDP players and gives you IDP waiver wire pickup suggestions. May the fantasy gods be forever in your favor!
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IDP Waiver Wire here!
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
By Steve Tomasin (@DynastySanta)
Detroit Lions IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Detroit Lions
With only 57 defensive snaps available, there was only one true IDP "stud" in this game for the Lions - CB Jerry Jacobs and his 2 interceptions, 5 solo tackles, and 4 passes defended. Jacobs plays 100% of the snaps, so he is always a solid option in CB-required leagues, but this was obviously a ceiling week.
Aidan Hutchinson gave you 1.5 sacks, but his tackle floor was a bust this week on 95% of the snaps which is typical for him.
We would like to see Brian Branch creep closer to 80% of snaps than the 70% he played this week. But between a brief ankle injury and the turnovers from the struggling Green Bay offense most of the game, significant IDP snaps were hard to come by.
IDP Waiver Wire Detroit Lions
All of "the other" Detroit DBs are worth consideration depending on your league size. Jerry Jacobs, Tracy Walker, Ifeatu Melifonwu, and Cameron Sutton are all going to spike in different weeks and you'll never guess correctly. However, they are playing significant snaps that shouldn't be ignored.
Derrick Barnes continues to be the "LB2" for this team but his production is very lumpy. If you start four LBs + IDP flexes, he's worth a roster spot but you won't feel great having to force him into your starting lineup.
John Cominsky was the DL who hit this week outside of Aidan Hutchinson. This is a deep rotational group and although Cominsky is talented, his production will be sporadic all year. I wouldn't chase the points this week.
Green Bay Packers IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Green Bay Packers
Quay Walker continues his studly top-10 IDP fantasy LB campaign. He is a must-start option every week.
Rudy Ford and Darnell Savage are essentially splitting time at all of the different safety alignments and usages. This means they both have upside for fantasy but whichever one hits on a week-to-week basis will be impossible to predict.
This DL and especially interior DL rotation is going to be rough going forward. Last week it was Kenny Clark, this week, Devonte Wyatt (and Clark with a whopping 1 fantasy point). Clark still dominates the total snap counts, but the production will be spaced out between at least 3-4 DLs each week. A frustrating group.
If you're desperate for a 1:1 replacement for De'Vondre Campbell, that appears to be Isaiah McDuffie. However, he was highly efficient on just 61% of the snaps so temper expectations until Campbell returns.
After a monster week last week (likely on most IDP managers' benches), Rashan Gary comes crashing back down to Earth now that we all started him. Until he breaks the 50% snap ceiling, you should be benching him and eating the spike weeks on your bench as these 1-point weeks will lose you games.
IDP Waiver Wire Green Bay Packers
As mentioned, Rudy Ford and Darnell Savage both deserve to be rostered in leagues starting at least three DBs. Ford is the lesser-known name and likely more widely available.
Isaiah McDuffie for DEEP leagues starting four LBs and an IDP flex or two. He is a short-term rental.
Devonte Wyatt in DT-required leagues is uber-talented (former first-round pick) and will have spike weeks. You'll just have to eat the bad weeks as well if you want to cash in on the spikes.
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars
Atlanta Falcons IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Atlanta Falcons
I ranted about this on the podcast, but the (Nate) Nathan Landman strong production game versus the Kaden Elliss dud was infuriating. You must continue to start Elliss as he is playing 100% of snaps but it also appears that you can drop Troy Andersen's stats right in there for Landman as a solid fantasy LB2 option going forward.
Richie Grant decided to wake up and have himself a game, but Jessie Bates remained right on his heels from a fantasy production standpoint. Hopefully, they both will be consistent starters with DB1 upsides going forward.
IDP Waiver Wire Atlanta Falcons
(Nate) Nathan Landman needs to be rostered. I say that begrudgingly as I am a huge Kaden Elliss guy but Landman balled out in this one. I still think his production will be sporadic, remember he did almost nothing last week on strong snap counts. However, while he has a job and is playing nearly 100% of the snaps, he is an LB2-type option for now (I still think Rashaan Evans is coming back).
Jacksonville Jaguars IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Jacksonville Jaguars
A healthy, contract-motivated Josh Allen is going to be a stud all year long. That pesky health thing is the biggest issue. He should be a DL1 option when he's playing.
The Robin to Allen's Batman, Travon Walker, continues to flash his upside and has a high ceiling to go along with a nonexistent floor.
This was an Andre Cisco week over Rayshawn Jenkins, they will do this dance all year long, unfortunately.
Tyson Campbell continues to be the Jacksonville CB to roster for fantasy with his snap counts and targets constantly headed his way.
IDP Waiver Wire Jacksonville Jaguars
Don't fall for CB Darious Williams' huge game. Yes, he played 91% of snaps, so he is an attractive option in CB-required leagues. However, these kinds of monster production games should never be chased when their floor is normally quite low. Which is the case for Williams.
Play Chad Muma while you still can. We probably just have one more week until Devin Lloyd returns from hand surgery and we could be in for a frustrating Jags' LB2 timeshare. So pick up and start Muma as an LB2 this week while we've got him.
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
By Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
Miami Dolphins IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Miami Dolphins
With Bradley Chubb underperforming Jaelan Phillips missing his second game of the season, Andrew Van Ginkel has stepped up as the best edge rusher on Miami’s roster. He bundled five tackles, three tackles for a loss, two QB hits, and two sacks on 76% of the defensive snaps. Van Ginkel has at least one sack in both games that Phillips has missed. If Phillips continues to miss time, Van Ginkel looks like a very solid start.
Brandon Jones returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Week 7 last year. He played all 58 snaps and only managed two tackles. Disappointing for sure given that the Bills were a good matchup for safeties. He looked lost and is clearly no threat to dethrone Deshon Elliott as the starter once he returns from a groin injury.
David Long’s snap share has been a rollercoaster all season 21%, 84%, 58%, and finally 93%. It appears that when Jaelan Phillips is healthy, Andrew Van Ginkel eats into Long’s snaps. And when Van Ginkel is filling in for Phillips, Long gets a starter’s share of snaps. That’s a concern for Long and makes him hard to trust, but with bye weeks coming up, he makes for a solid starting option at linebacker.
IDP Waiver Wire Miami Dolphins
Kader Kohou hasn’t done much since his big performance in Week 1 making him a tough streaming option moving forward. There are better options that are scoring points on the waiver wire.
Andrew Van Ginkel is a solid bye-week option if Jaelan Phillips misses next week against the Giants.
Buffalo Bills IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Buffalo Bills
Gregory Rousseau is heating up. He recorded one sack last week and picked up two more this week against the rival Dolphins. The Bills continue to rotate their defensive line heavily, but it is Rousseau who gets the most snaps each week. Will Von Miller’s eventual return hinder Rousseau going forward? Probably.
Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard have been on fire this season and that didn’t stop against the Dolphins. Milano posted a season-high 10 tackles and forced a fumble. That fumble would be recovered by Terrel Bernard who now has four takeaways (2 int, 2 fr) on the season. These two have been too hot to bench and should be started in all leagues.
With Jordan Poyer (knee) inactive, Taylor Rapp made the start and played all 65 snaps. He had a solid six tackles with five being solo tackles. Rapp is a solid fantasy replacement should Poyer miss next week’s matchup in London against the Jaguars. Jacksonville is currently giving the fifth most points to safeties.
IDP Waiver Wire Buffalo Bills
Tre’Davious unfortunately suffered an Achilles injury and will miss the rest of the season. His replacement is Dane Jackson, and he is worth streaming consideration this weekend against the Jaguars' passing attack.
Von Miller is set to start practicing this week and could be worth a pickup in deeper leagues that have room on their bench. He may be on a snap count to begin his return and would take some patience before he returns to form.
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
By Joseph Harlow (@joelow63)
Minnesota Vikings IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Minnesota Vikings
Star Safeties
Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum had incredible games against the Panthers. The duo played every snap and each had at least a dozen tackles. Add in Smith’s trio of sacks and forced fumble, and you have an elite safety score. Smith saw most snaps in the slot/box, while Bynum saw about half there. Both are showing they should be in most weekly lineups. Third safety Josh Metellus was the main slot player again and played all but a handful of snaps. He is becoming a solid player in deeper leagues.
The secondary rush shows life
Marcus Davenport returned to face a struggling Panthers’ OL. He recorded a sack in his Viking debut. DJ Wonnum recorded a sack and fumble recovery and score as the Panthers contained top rusher Danielle Hunter. Seeing juice outside of Hunter is helpful and makes both Davenport and Wonnum (each 62% of snaps, to Patrick Jones’ 53%) interesting pickups.Â
LBs are fine
Jordan Hicks had another LB1 type of game, while Ivan Pace had his second straight game with low production. Hicks should be played as an LB1, while we should not panic on Pace. The Chargers and Panthers were in pass-heavy game scripts later on, so he was not on the field as much. He is the clear LB2 still and can be played in better matchups.
IDP Waiver Wire Minnesota Vikings
Josh Metellus has been playing very well as the third safety/slot player. He has played 94% and 95% of snaps over the last two weeks while nursing an injury (which he did not aggravate during this matchup). In a deeper league or one where he has CB versatility, he should be picked up and can be played.
Marcus Davenport’s debut and return from injury was promising. With a great rusher on the other side, he can potentially thrive with lower attention. He has sack upside and can be stashed while he gets healthier and hopefully separates from D.J. Wonnum. Wonnum himself is a solid pickup for a similar rationale.
Carolina Panthers IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Carolina Panthers
It was a quiet day overall for the studs
The Vikings offense ran only 48 plays, almost 20 snaps below league average. This makes it hard to accumulate volume stats, which is the backbone for many star IDP players. Vonn Bell was solid, but unspectacular while star DL Brian Burns and Derrick Brown had minimal impacts. Frankie Luvu was also unspectacular, but this should not be a massive surprise as he was extremely limited by injury. Do not panic on any of the studs, seeing such a low snap count should not be a weekly occurrence.
Yetur Delicious-Matos?
While Brian Burns was held in check (on a promising snap increase from 68% to 90%), Yetur Gross-Matos recorded multiple pressures and a sack for the third straight game (half sack in week 2). He may have replaced Justin Houston as the second rusher, as Houston dropped to 38% (previous low of 49%) of snaps while YGM jumped up nicely to 69% (previous high of 56%). Having an elite edge in Brian Burns helps take pressure off the second rusher, so YGM may be able to see an uptick in opportunities if he locks down the role.Â
The backups held their own!
Kamu Grugier-Hill is the LB2 for the Panthers, as Deion Jones was inactive. The Panthers played with only Luvu for most of the game, as the Vikings spread it out, so KGH had a low tackle total but did add a pick. He can be played against better matchups comfortably. Sam Franklin played well in relief for Xavier Woods, seeing all but one snap and adding a long pick-six. He can be played similarly to Woods, as an upside shot on a mostly deep safety. Jeremy Chinn played 65% of snaps with various injuries and recorded a sack while almost playing exclusively from the box/slot.
IDP Waiver Wire Carolina Panthers
Yetur Gross-Matos has some sack upside as he emerges as EDGE2 for Carolina. He is not a great run-defender but may see easier work as attention will be on Brian Burns and Derrick Brown. 2.5 sacks and 7 pressures over the past three matchups are promising.
Jeremy Chinn? Maybe? The Panthers don’t want to play him, but they keep having to as their DBs cannot stay healthy. He is a massive talent, so is always a big-play threat. Sam Franklin Jr. also clearly has a big play upside, and can be grabbed in very deep leagues if looking for that shot.
If you need an absurdly deep shot at CB, D’Shawn Jamison might be that. He played 71% of snaps after Donte Jackson’s most recent injury and was okay against Justin Jefferson (especially since he’s a UDFA). If he starts next week, he will be targeted relentlessly by Ben Johnson’s Detroit offense, which would lead to many tackle or splash play opportunities.
Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears
By Steve Tomasin (@DynastySanta)
