• IDP Fantasy Football Instant Reaction & Waivers Week Two Edition (Part One)

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    Taking a look at the NFL week 2 from a IDP perspective; notes on what our writer @Orangeman3142 saw this weekend.


    This weekly series is a quick diagnosis and reaction to the games each week. I'll break down what happened and why, what I got right and what I got wrong. We'll look through each of the games and try and find the trends and figure out who will be good to keep around for your IDP purposes and who you should cut ties with. Let's get into it.

    Ravens @ Bengals

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    Baltimore: The CJ Mosely injury was the biggest news from this game, thank god it's not a season ender but it looks like he'll be out for a few weeks. The immediate winner from that is Kenny Young (ILB) who had a nice game with 8 comb tackles and 1 TFL. Young played 76% of snaps but should see far more next week without Mosley around. Besides him Tony Jefferson also had another nice game with 9 combined tackles and 1 PD. He also played 100% of defensive snaps again this week. He looks to be improved quite a bit from last year so if he's still out there in your league and you need safety help he's a great candidate.

    Patrick Onwuasor and Eric Weddle also had nice games and played 99% and 100% of snaps. Onwuasor might be a decent idea for LB help while Mosley is out and Weddle is hit or miss and always has been so I'm all set with that. The defensive line didn't do a whole lot in this game and guys like Terrel Suggs should only be played if you have a specific EDGE slot or an OLB slot or your league is super deep. I got the Jefferson play correct while missing on the Suggs play in my matchup article last week, CJ Mosley injury was a wash.

    Cincy: Preston Brown was a late scratch in this game and Nick Vigil took full advantage of the opportunity and put up 9 combined tackles and 1 PD. He should be a solid option for another couple weeks until Vontaze Burfict comes back from suspenstion. Safety Shawn Williams also had an outstanding game with 8 combined  tackles, 1 sack, 1 PD and 1 int. Vigil played 100% of snaps while Williams played 82%. Darqueze Dennard had a great week with 9 combined tackles but only played 76% of defensive snaps so despite the nice production I would still go with a guy who plays more often.

    The two studs on the Bengals defensive line had solid games as well. Geno Atkins had 5 combined tackles with 2 sacks and 2 TFL while playing 75% of snaps. Carlos Dunlap had 1 solo tackle and 3 PD which is servicable while playing 72% of snaps. Carl Lawson had his second bad week in a row with 2 combined tackles while playing 62% of defensive snaps. I nailed the Nick Vigil starting advice with a wash on Brown due to injury and two more hits with Atkins and Dunlap in my matchup article last week.

    Panthers @ Falcons

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    Carolina: Luke Keuchly once again led the Panthers IDP production with 8 solo tackles and 2 TFL while playing 100% of defensive snaps. He's an auto start always unless injured. Shaq Thompson also played 100% of snaps but put up a dud this week, 2 combined tackles, after a monster week one. With Thomas Davis coming back soon I would probably avoid the boom or bust production of Thompson unless you have to. Check the waiver wire in your leagues and grab Thomas Davis if he's available he'll be back after week 4 and has always been very productive.

    James Bradberry bounced back from his poor week 1 performance with 7 combined tackles while playing 100% of snaps again this week. He's a solid CB option if available in your league, always has been. Kawan Short and Mario Addison had nice games with 6 combined tackles and 2 TFL & 5 combined tackles and 2 TFL while playing 62% and 81% respectively. Mike Adams did decent at safety with 4 solo tackles while playing 100% of snaps again this week. I didn't cover this game in my matchup articles last week.

    Atlanta: Duke Riley and Ricardo Allen who are the replacements for Deion Jones and Keanu Neal did very well in relief this week with 9 combined tackles & 5 solo tackles, 2 PD and 1 int respectively. Riley and Allen played 87% and 100% of defensive snaps. I am trying to get Riley everywhere I can and made moves for Allen last week, so far so good.

    Grady Jarrett continues to play well as one of our highly ranked DT options, he played 82% of snaps and had 5 combined tackles this week. Vic Beasely continues to struggle at DE despite playing 79% of snaps. There are more reliable and consistent options out there at DE and DL. I did not cover this game in my matchup article last week.

    Chargers @ Bills

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    LA Chargers: Derwin James had a monster game and played 95% of defensive snaps putting up 8 combined tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL and 1 PD. This kind of game is what he is capable of with that talent and despite me thinking he may be boom or bust I'm rolling the dice with him every week just for stat lines like that one. Kyzir White led linebackers once again with a 61% snap share while putting up 4 solo tackles, 1 int and 3 PD. Those stats are awesome especially if you're in a league where you can play him as a S/LB.

    Denzel Perryman was behind him with 60% of snaps played while putting up 6 solo tackles and 1 TFL. I missed on Desmond King he had only 2 solo tackles while playing 73% of snaps. Melvin Ingram had a monster game while playing 79% of snaps and putting up 4 combined tackles, 1.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks. The takeaway here is if you need a Chargers LB White is the guy to own with Perryman being a decent option if you're in a super deep league.

    Bills: Jordan Poyer played 100% of snaps again this week and had another great game with 7 combined tackles and 1 TFL. Micah Hyde played 98% of snaps but had another dud with 3 combined tackles. I'm starting to make moves and fading him in most of my leagues, I don't have the time to wait around for a great game from him. Poyer has outplayed him in both games and there are plenty of safeties out there on the wire. Lorenzo Alexander only played 56% of snaps this week but had another great game with 7 combined tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL and 1 PD. Despite not getting a lot of playing time it would seem his veteran experience is allowing him to take advantage and produce when he is on the field. I'm still not buying it I feel like his low % of snaps the last two weeks is a big risk and SLB is generally not IDP relevant. If you're desperate though I could think of worse options.

    Edmunds and Milano both had nice weeks again with 100% and 74% of defensive snaps played. Edmunds put up 7 combined tackles and Milano had 5 combined tackles. Both Tra'Davious White and Kyle Williams had dud games while playing 100% and 75% of defensive snaps. White has the playing time but has struggled to put up numbers so far this year and there are a ton of options to stream at corner so move on if you need to. Williams hasn't been impressive either and odds are you can find a better DT on the wire as well.

    Vikings @ Packers

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    Minnesota: The Vikings secondary had a great game against the pass happy Packers and Aaron Rodgers. Xavier Rhodes had 8 solo tackles and 100% of defensive snaps played. I would be cautious though he is a shut down corner and those numbers are more a result of the flow of that game and Green Bays tendency to throw a lot more than the kind of numbers I expect to see out of him every game. Andrew Sendejo and Harrison Smith both played 100% of defensive snaps and put up 8 combined tackles each. Smith is the more reliable of the two but if you're really hurting for safety help in a super deep league you could do worse than Sendejo.

    Eric Kendricks recovered as predicted and put up 8 combined tackles and 0.5 TFL while playing 100% of snaps. The entire Vikings defensive line feasted with Hunter playing 87% of snaps, Griffen playing 90%, Joseph playing 84% and Richardson playing 73% of snaps. Hunter had 5 combined tackles, 1 sack and 1 TFL. Griffen finished with 2 combined tackles and 0.5 sacks and 0.5 TFL. Joseph had 4 solo tackles and 1 TFL. And Sheldon Richardson finished with 2 combined tackles, 0.5 sack and 0.5 TFL. They have all been solid so far this year and have an ideal matchup against the Bills next week so grab any of these guys on the defensive line if you can.

    Green Bay: Blake Martinez led the way for the Packers with 100% of snaps played and 9 combined tackles and 1 PD. Jaire Alexander had a huge day at cornerback while playing 77% of snaps and putting up 8 combined tackles, 0.5 sack and 1.5 TFL. Corners have spotty production and you can find guys with better snap % then that. It's almost impossible to predict a day like that all you can do is plug in a guy with a high snap % against a team that likes to throw the ball and prey. Kentrell Brice had another nice day and will continue to be a solid option, especially while Josh Jones is still injured. Brice played 100% of snaps and had 6 combined tackles.

    Ha Ha Clinton Dix played 100% of snaps and had 3 solo tackles, 1 pd and 1 int. Oren Burks should be coming back soon and could be a decent option as the starting ILB next to Martinez. Add him if you need linebacker help in deeper leagues.

    Texans @ Titans

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    Houston: Zach Cunningham and Bernardrick McKinney continue to be a nice linebacker tandem playing 71% and 100% of snaps. Cunningham had the better day with 9 combined tackles to McKinneys 5 combined tackles. JJ Watt finally did something! He played 100% of snaps and put up 6 combined tackles and 2 TFL.

    DJ Reader continues to be a nice DT option in deeper leagues playing 83% of snaps and putting up 4 combined tackles. Honey Badger played 100% of snaps again this week but finished with only two combined tackles in an off week. It's probably too early to make a call on him but if you're worried there are plenty of solid safety options out there. Clowney was a late scratch and did not play this week.

    Titans: Wesley Woodyard had another great outing playing 94% of snaps and logging 8 combined tackles. The Titans secondary had a huge day with Butler, Byard and Vaccaro playing 100% of snaps while Adoree Jackson played 96%. Malcolm Butler put up 7 solo tackles and 2 PD, Byard threw a TD on a fake punt and recorded 7 solo tackles in a massive day. Vaccarro recorded 6 combined tackles and Jackson had 6 solo tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PD and 1 int.

    Jurell Casey continues to play like one of the best DTs in the game with a 73% snap share and 5 combined tackles, 2 sacks and 2 TFL. The rest of the Titans linebackers didn't play well at all and I would steer clear until Rashaan Evans gets in there and establishes himself. Speaking of which he was supposed to play this week but didn't see any action, tread carefully if you're looking to play him any time soon.

    Browns @ Saints

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    Cleveland: Christian Kirksey was a scratch in this game so it was obvious that Joe Schobert would lead the way. And he did with a 100% defensive snap share and 8 combined tackles and 0.5 TFL. TJ Carrie had a nice game even with only playing 53% of defensive snaps by recording 8 combined tackles, 1 sack and 1 TFL. As a cornerback though these games are impossible to predict and I'm not starting a guy who only plays 53% of defensive snaps. Denzel Ward though played 97% of snaps and had another nice game with 6 combined tackles.

    Myles Garrett played 98% of snaps but only had 1 solo tackle in an off game, he'll be fine. Larry Ogunjobi has been a beast so far this year and played 88% of snaps while recording 4 solo tackles, 2 sacks and 2 TFL. He is a great option at defensive tackle if available in your league. Jabril Peppers had a decent game for once while only playing 55% of defensive snaps and recording 5 combined tackles and 1 TFL.

    New Orleans: DeMario Davis only played 68% of defensive snaps but took advantage of that playing time recording 9 combined tackles and 1 TFL. There really is no one else linebacker-wise on this team so I'm getting less and less worried about starting him weekly even with the lower snap %. AJ Klein had a flash in the pan game with a 77% snap share and 9 combined tackles. Marshon Lattimore played 98% of defensive snaps and had 5 combined tackles and 1 TFL.

    Vonn Bell and Kurt Coleman continued to take snaps from each other thereby relegating each to mediocre games. Marcus Williams though did play 100% of snaps and had 3 solo tackles, 1 pd and 1 int. Cameron Jordan had an awesome game playing 97% of snaps and recording 2 solo tackles, 2 sacks and 2 TFL. Marcus Williams is still the safety to own here and Marcus Davenport hasn't lived up to his draft stock yet this season.

    Dolphins @ Jets

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    Miami: Kiko Alonso played 100% of snaps and had another great week with 13 solo tackles. Raekown McMillan continues to be a dumpster fire despite starting 100% of snaps, he put up 3 solo tackles and that's it. Garys favorite under the radar DT, Davon Godchaux, played 52% of snaps and recorded 6 combined tackles and 2 TFL. He is a low % owned option if you're desperate for a DT in deeper leagues. Reshad Jones had a rare dud despite playing 100% of defensive snaps, only recording 3 combined tackles and 0.5 TFL. He'll be fine.

    NY Jets: Jamal Adams continues to be on fire to start the season, he played 100% of snaps once again while recording 7 combined tackles, 1 sack and 1 TFL. Cornerback Buster Skrine had a great game with 7 combined tackles and played 82% of snaps. Once again it's nearly impossible to predict something like that so tread carefully if you pick him up and expect that in the future.

    Avery Williamson and Daron Lee both had awful games, the second in a row for Williamson, despite playing 100% and 95% of defensive snaps respectively. Williamson recorded 4 solo tackles while Lee had 4 combined tackles. I'm starting to worry that Williamson will not be able to replicate the production DeMario Davis had in that ILB slot last year. It may not be time to bail out yet but make sure your parachute is packed and start looking for a backup plan, I am. Leonard Williams played 82% of snaps and had a nice game with 6 combined tackles and 2 TFL and is a low % owned DE option if you need help there.

    Chiefs @ Steelers

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    Kansas City: Anthony Hitchens played 94% of defensive snaps and had another outstanding game. He was a start from me and should be unless injured this entire year. He recorded 12 combined tackles and 1.5 TFL. Cornerback Kendall Fuller, also a start from my matchup article last week, played 94% of snaps as well and put up 7 combined tackles and 2 PD. Reggie Ragland only played 30% of snaps and recorded 5 combined tackles despite the lack of playing time. His snap % continues to decrease and his production will along with it, abandon ship and go find someone else off the wire.

    Chris Jones had a dud of a game and only played 67% of snaps but remains a boom or bust option at DE in larger leagues. Justin Houston also had an off week despite playing 85% of defensive snaps he only recorded 4 combined tackles and 0.5 TFL. He should only be played in super deep leagues or if you have an EDGE or OLB slot.

    Pittsburgh: Everyone shit a brick in week one when TJ Watt went off for 4 sacks. I said it was boom or bust and not a great idea to play the guy every week. Watt played 91% of snaps but only produced 2 combined tackles. Bust. Morgan Burnett and Terrel Edmunds played better this week with Burnett playing 90% of snaps and Edmunds 55%. They had 6 combined tackles and 0.5 TFL & 4 solo tackles respectively. I'm still not a big fan of either and I think there are better safety options out there.

    Jon Bostic and Vince Williams played 53% and 100% of defensive snaps so Vince Williams is still the ILB to own despite only putting up 4 solo tackles in week two. Bostic recorded 5 combined and 1 TFL. Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward played 81% and 86% of defensive snaps respectively and had mediocre days with Tuitt recording 5 combined tackles and 1 PD and Heyward putting up 3 solo tackles. Both of these guys are lower owned in most leagues and are pretty reliable. I would consider either for DE and DT help.

    Keep an eye out for part two where I cover the remaining 8 games and the waiver wire options from them. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions @orangeman3142 on Twitter or hit up the "contact us" box on the website. (www.idpguys.org)


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    Johny The Greek

    Non-delusional Cowboys Fan. Been playing Fantasy since 2003, IDP since 2004 and watching football for 35 years. Being a firm believer in "you should know if the person you're taking advice from actually knows or wins anything" I'd like to present exhibit A: I have a diamond rating in Yahoo (976) with 29 plus titles in redraft/dynasty across Yahoo, Sleeper, Fantrax and MFL and an additional 57 plus 2nd/3rd place in redraft/dynasty, same platforms. I also play in and have won several all-IDP leagues. I started playing FanDuel with a free entry and have won almost a grand since. I've also won many leagues on the draft app (RIP Draft App, we miss you) and play the maximum number of free college fantasy leagues on Yahoo every year as well with 3 titles and 9 trophies in just two years of playing before Yahoo discontinued those leagues. My profile includes multiple titles in survivor and pick em leagues as well. I was a finalist in the 2021/22 IDP Guys Invitational and the best ball tournament. Also a MFL & Sleeper best ball & eliminator degenerate with many titles there as well. I just started playing All-22 this season and I would bet the mortgage I'll be good at that too. (Update, I did fine, 9-5 first season and made playoffs). What does all that mean? Nothing except when I do something I tend to overdo it. I have been at this for a long time though so I'll help you with your IDP roster and questions however I can whenever I can. I write a weekly streaming IDP corners article (Johny The Greek's Cornerbacks Corner) and whatever I feel like in the offseason. You can find me @OrangeMan3142 on Twitter. Feel free to reach out for any questions or just to talk some football. Check out my articles on Friday mornings all season long. And new this season and going forward stick around for "Johny The Greek's Free Real Estate" where I interview the best and brightest from FF Twitter, and by that I mean the interesting people who actually help you win and not the useless engagement farmers. I am not an "analyst" I'm just a crazy person/degenerate who has been doing this a long time, has been pretty good at it and is dialed in because I have to be to not sound like an idiot writing all these articles and doing all these shows. My style is straightforward & conversational, IDP isn't complicated and you're not trying to win an argument on Twitter you're trying to win your league. Come join me weekly in season for Johny the Greek's Cornerbacks Corner, where we look at the fine art that is streaming corners or finding ways to maximize your production from your CB slots each week. Also in season check out the IDP Pros Podcast on SGPN network. I hope you enjoyed the article. Let us praise our Messiah Babu Frik and give worship to Baby Yoda. Jimmy G would make a fine husband. Thanks for reading. -Johny the Greek-

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