A Look Back at the IDP Hotshots from Week 3

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Who were last week’s IDP hotshots who helped your team to victory? Will those same IDP hotshots repeat success in Week 4?

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In this series, I am going to look back at the previous week’s performances and recap the IDP hot shots from that week. Which players had the big week that helped fantasy managers win their matchups or the players no one expected to have that big of an impact? From rookies to veterans, I will find the best performers of the past week and breakdown their performance. All fantasy points are based on IDP Nation Listener League 2 scoring. Let’s get started with a look back at week two.

 

SS, Jordan Poyer, Buffalo Bills

Week 2: 69 snaps, 100%, 13 total tackles, 10 solos, 28.8 FPTs

 

One of the best safeties, and always an IDP hot shot, was a tackling machine last week versus the Rams. His 13 total tackles tied his personal best mark (week 3 / 2016) and his 10 solos also tied a personal best that he had on two previous occasions. This marked his 12th career 10+ tackle game. Poyer will have another great opportunity to make a lot of plays this week versus a Las Vegas Raiders team that averages 128 yards rushing and 249 yards passing. Poyer is the leader of the Bills secondary and will continue to score points for fantasy managers.

 

FS, Julian Love, New York Giants

Week 2: 68 snaps, 88%, 12 total tackles, 10 solos, 27.5 FPTs

 

A versatile player that can play all over the secondary and perform well wherever he plays. Thanks to an injury, he appeared as an IDP hot shot. Last year he was a cornerback and due to injuries has moved to free safety for the Giants. He has experience at playing safety so he’s not going in blind at a new position. Last week versus the 49ers he set a career-best in both total tackles (12) and solos (10). This week he’ll face the Los Angles Rams, that we just read above that gave up a career day to Jordan Poyer. I expect Love to get those same playmaking opportunities and have a solid day for fantasy managers.

 

CB, Shaquill Griffin, Seattle Seahawks

Week 2: 82 snaps, 100%, 11 total tackles, 11 solos, 1 PBU, 1 int, 4 int return yards 31.0 FPTs

 

The Seahawks found themselves in a shootout last week with the Dallas Cowboys. For us fantasy managers that is what we love to see when it comes to the cornerbacks on our teams. Griffin had a heck of a game making 11 tackles, all of which were of the solo variety, and added an interception. Griffin’s eleven tackles were a personal best, as was his solo tackle total. Seattle’s defense hasn’t been able to prevent opponents from scoring, which presents a lot of playmaking chances for Griffin. He’s a viable option in position-specific leagues.

 

CB, Jonathan Joseph, Tennessee Titans

Week 2: 59 snaps, 91%, 7 total tackles, 7 solos, 1 forced fumble, 1 PBU, 1 interception, 5 int return yards 31.3 FPTs

 

Joseph had a solid performance for the Titans last week in their comeback win over Minnesota. Tennessee’s secondary has been a puzzle unit to begin the season as they have had to start rookies. Joseph finally stepped up for fantasy managers this week. He made two impact defensive plays and finished second on the team in tackles. He has been a solid fantasy producer at cornerback over the years and could be a sneaky good waiver add for fantasy managers this season. The Titans game has been moved due to COVID-19 issues, so plenty of time to pick him up.

 

LB, Shaq Thompson, Carolina Panthers

Week 2: 66 snaps, 85%, 12 total tackles, 8 solos, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 2 PBUs, 50.0 FPTs

 

Thompson has improved each and every year of his career so far and now as the leader of that defense. It looks like he’s taking his game to the next level. Last week versus the Los Angles Chargers, Thompson recorded his 9th career 10+ tackle game. That performance would also be just one shy of his career-best of 13. He was an impact player all over the field, leading the Panthers to a win. This week he’ll play the Arizona Cardinals, who he’s averaged six tackles and half a sack in two games played against them. Definitely on the radar as an IDP hot shot this week.

 

OLB, Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 2: 47 snaps, 75%, 6 total tackles, 5 solos, 3 TFLs, 2 QB hits, 2 sacks, 43.5 FPTs

 

Barrett was a breakout sensation last year not only for the Buccaneers but also for fantasy managers. He led the league last season with 19½ sacks and a new team record. Got off to a bit of a slow start thru the first two weeks but in week three versus the Denver Broncos (his old team btw), he shined brightly. His two-sack performance would be the 5th such game of his career, all coming with Tampa Bay. This week he’ll face another AFC West team in the Los Angles Chargers, who have allowed six sacks on the season and will be starting a rookie at QB

 

DT, Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams

Week 2: 54 snaps, 87%, 6 total tackles, 5 solos, 2 TFLs, 3 QB hits, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 43.0 FPTS

 

It isn’t a surprise to see the three-time DPOY on this list and he had a great performance last week versus the Buffalo Bills. Donald had two sacks, which was the fourteenth time he has accomplished that feat. He’s can play inside and outside and is a game wrecker no matter where he lines up. Donald will face the New York Giants this week, who he’s not had a ton of success against (7 tackles & 1 sack in 3 games), but the Giants o-line has allowed Daniel Jones to be sacked nine times this year already. They will focus a lot of attention on Donald, but I expect him to perform well.

 

DT, Jonathan Allen, Washington Football Team

Week 2: 50 snaps, 82%, 9 total tackles, 6 solos, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 sack, 32.0FPTS

 

After playing his first three seasons at defensive end, Allen has moved inside to defensive tackle this year and is off to a great start. With the addition of rookie phenom Chase Young, Washington has one of the best front fours in the NFL. Allen’s nine tackles last week were just one away from his personal best. He will need another performance like that again this week as he’ll be chasing the electric Lamar Jackson around in week 4. The Ravens love to run the ball, so Allen should get a lot of opportunities to make tackles again this week. With Young out, he's an underrated IDP hot shot this week.

 

DE, Aldon Smith, Dallas Cowboys

Week 2: 60 snaps, 79%, 4 total tackles, 4 solos, 2 TFLs, 4 QB hits, 3 sacks, 1 PBU, 34.0 FPTS

 

This could be one of the greatest comeback stories not only in the NFL but in all of sports. We all know his story, so I won’t bore you with that, but what he’s done on the field this season has been amazing. After four-plus seasons away from the game, he has come back with a vengeance. He’s currently the NFL’s leader in sacks with four and three of those came in last week’s contest versus Seattle. The multi-sack performance was the 14th time he has accomplished that mark. He has a surprisingly tough matchup this week versus the Cleveland Browns, who have only allowed four sacks this year.

 

DE, Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles

Week 2: 58 snaps, 81%, 5 total tackles, 5 solos, 3 TFLs, 4 QB hits, 2 sacks, 33.5 FPTs

 

The Eagles may have wound up tying the Cincinnati Bengals last week, but no fault due to Brandon Graham. He had one heck of a game consistently harassing Joe Burrow all game long. His two sacks in the game were the 7th time he has accomplished that mark and he has three total sacks to begin the season. In week 4 he’ll face the San Francisco 49ers, who in three games against them he’s averaging three tackles and one sack per game. Philadelphia’s defensive line is a huge strength for them and I expect Graham to be an impact player for them - he looks to be a repeat IDP hot shot this week.

 

Thanks for reading my article and if you enjoyed it, you can read more of my articles on my author page at IDP Guys and Dynasty Football Digest. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America) and you can also follow me on social media, on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub I’m user KingTitan1 and you can tune in each week and listen to the podcasts, IDP Nation & Devy IDP Grind, that I co-host, on a number of different platforms. Feel free to hit me up with any questions that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy