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!
Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs
by Steve Tomasin (@DynastySanta)
Detroit Lions IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
*All scoring from the IDP Invitational Charity League
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Detroit Lions
Jack Campbell needs to play more
An embarrassingly low number of snaps played. Jack Campbell graded out poorly in his coverage ability (as would most rookie LBs, welcome to the NFL) but had high marks in tackling and run defense. In redraft leagues, he may be best left on waivers until his snaps start to tick up. We got only a brief glimpse of what he is capable of on the field.
James Houston may be matchup-dependent
The James Houston Cinderella story has turned back into a pumpkin to start the year. Although, we already predicted that this would be a rough game for all Lion’s pass rushers, including Aidan Hutchinson. The low snap count was surprising, as getting pressure on the best QB in the league should have been a top priority.
Don’t give up on Cameron Sutton
A zero-burger always hurts and considering he played 100% of snaps against a pass-heavy Chiefs team playing in a tight matchup and from behind at times, the Tony Snell stat line was pretty shocking. In your CB-required leagues, Cameron Sutton will bounce back. In DB-only leagues, there are dozens of better options regardless of a bounce-back.
Brian Branch Debut
Two things can be true at the same time. Brian Branch’s 50-yard INT return for a TD was an AWESOME debut. However, he “only” played 68% of the snaps and gave us just 3 total tackles while playing the most snaps (37) in the slot – a tad bit worrisome.
Had he not hit this home run which was basically placed in his breadbasket by Kadarius “Brick Hands” Toney, we would have been shaking our heads in disappointment with the debut. That, plus picking up a calf cramp injury later in the game, should lead us to temper expectations going forward. He’s probably going to be a sit for me this week against the Seahawks.
IDP Waiver Wire Detroit Lions
Begrudgingly, Alex Anzalone remains a decent weekly streamer with a built-in tackle floor due to his snap counts. He won’t give you much besides tackles though. To his credit, he did hit the QB on his one and only pass rush attempt.
Jack Campbell can be left on waivers in redraft leagues, for now. He apparently is in a timeshare with Derrick Barnes, who can also be left on waivers. Campbell obviously remains a clear bench stash in dynasty leagues.
Jerry Jacobs might be “the fantasy guy” to own at CB this year for the Lions. Worth a stash/spot-start in deeper CB-required leagues.
Kerby Joseph was lining up all over the place and will have good games, you’ll just never be able to guess correctly when they will be and when to start him. Probably should be owned in deeper leagues, but try to only start him as a bye-week replacement.
Malcolm Rodriguez is no longer a thing. Will Harris was never a thing.
Josh Paschal was incredibly efficient on a low number of snaps. Remember, he was a second-round draft pick last year and battled injuries. The Lions could just be bringing him along slowly to start the year. Not worth picking up just yet until the snaps rise, but should be on your watch list.
The interior defensive linemen are all one big rotation and are all talented with high PFF tackling grades. In DT-required leagues that are super deep, I probably want John Cominsky or Alim McNeill but another group where you’ll never guess right.
Kansas City Chiefs IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
*All scoring from the IDP Invitational Charity League
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeawas Kansas City Chiefs
Evil Spags is back to his LB rotation tricks
We are back in LB rotation hell, outside of Nick Bolton, of course. The hierarchy for LB2 appears to be Willie Gay, Leo Chenal, then Drue Tranquill. Tranquill does seem to be the direct backup for Bolton in case of injury (knock on wood). But until then, he belongs on waivers.
Safeties shake out
It is the Justin Reid + Bryan Cook show. Both played 100% of snaps. Mike Edwards is off to waivers.
Trent McDuffie > L’Jarius Sneed?
Yes. It appears McDuffie is taking over the Sneed role of last year as the primary slot corner and getting the playmaker opportunities. This is why we preach do NOT EVER reach for last year’s CB1. It is always someone new, and in this case, new on the same team!
George Karlaftis Breakout SZN
I compared Karlaftis to Maxx Crosby last year. That may have been a bit lofty, but the breakout party has already begun. He has the potential to be a weekly starter in any DL-required league.
IDP Waiver Wire Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, Mike Danna is worth a pickup but just don’t expect this stat line consistently.
Trent McDuffie is worth a waiver wire investment. Yes, I would drop L’Jarius Sneed for him.
Both safeties Justin Reid and Bryan Cook are worth pickups in deeper leagues. Chris Jones‘s absence affects all levels of this defense. So, without him, they will all remain busy.
You can safely drop Drue Tranquill in most formats unless you are desperate to handcuff Nick Bolton.
Arizona Cardinals at Washington Commanders
by Steve Tomasin (@DynastySanta)
Arizona Cardinals IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
*All scoring from the IDP Invitational Charity League
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Arizona Cardinals
Jonathan Gannon stinks and everyone on this defense stinks.
When Dennis Gardeck is the top IDP scorer for the team, that stinks. Those should have been Zaven Collins‘s stats/plays but that didn’t happen.
Gannon brought Eagles castoff safety K’Von Wallace with him and promptly handed him a significant snap share in total, along with coveted box snaps. That’s weird.
Major Budda Baker red flags as he was stuck playing center field as free safety most of the game.
A bunch of the random defensive linemen had sacks, that won’t keep up. I still think Cameron Thomas is the most talented if you’re in desperate need of a Cardinals lineman.
Kyzir White, Budda Baker (barely), and Jalen Thompson are the only players who belong on IDP rosters. Maybe a Hail Mary sleeper on K’Von Wallace.
IDP Waiver Wire Arizona Cardinals
Do. Not. Pick. Up. Dennis. Gardeck. This is classic chasing points. Look at that snap count percentage. Now, there’s a chance he earned more playing time but that is a very risky gamble. Even if he does, he will not be putting up that kind of stat line again.
K’Von Wallace might be worth a speculative add in 53-man roster leagues.
I’m not touching any of the defensive linemen.
For CB-required leagues, sixth-round rookie Kei’Trel Clark appears to be the starter next to Marco Wilson. Wilson could be in line for a really nice IDP year.
Washington Commanders IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
*All scoring from the IDP Invitational Charity League
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Washington Commanders
Linebackers are the weak link in this defense
Jamin Davis only playing 65% of the snaps jumps out as concerning. Possibly an internal punishment by the team for recent off-field legal troubles? Cody Barton did not grade well in this performance. It’s just an ugly situation. Hopefully, you have the room to stash Davis and other starting options.
IDP Waiver Wire Washington Commanders
Stick with Darrick Forrest. He played 100% of the snaps against a putrid offense. His time will come. Do not drop!
In CB-required leagues, Benjamin St-Juste could be serviceable since he played 100% of the snaps and dominated the snaps in the slot (36). That’s an IDP recipe for success.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
by Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
Carolina Panthers IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
*All scoring from the IDP Invitational Charity League
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Carolina Panthers
Big man Derrick Brown has a big day
Derrick Brown seems to be at his best when going up against the Falcons and he showed us why he is a former first-round draft pick. He set a new career-high eight solo tackles and added one assist, one sack, two tackles for a loss, and one QB hit. If you play in DT-required leagues, Brown certainly can be a commodity if the matchup is favorable, don’t expect huge weeks like this every week.
Frankie Luvu is no fluke
Frankie Luvu came out of nowhere last season and took the IDP world by storm. Many have faded Luvu this season, labeling him a fluke and questioning his playing time and ability to repeat. Those questions were answered with seven total tackles, three QB hits, and a sack while playing all 52 snaps. His ability to create pressure and register sacks, along with decent tackle numbers will keep him as a must-start throughout the season.
Brian Burns is a stud
There were some concerns that Brian Burns would sit out of the game while seeking a new contract, but he ultimately made the decision to play. That decision turned out to be a great one for fantasy managers. Burns totaled 7 tackles, and 1.5 sacks and forced Desmond Ridder to fumble on the offense’s third play of the game. He is a stud and should be started as such each week.
Jeremy Chinn still has value
It was encouraging to see Jeremy Chinn grab 7 total tackles while only playing 38 snaps. Still, having him only play 73% of snaps isn’t ideal for fantasy managers. The majority of his snaps were in the box and in the slot keeping him close enough to the ball for tackle opportunities. Fingers crossed that his usage increases moving forward, and hopefully against offenses that run more than 52 plays.
IDP Waiver Wire Carolina Panthers
Shaq Thompson got a full share of snaps but only managed 5 tackles. Likely just a down week against the Falcons and their clock-burning offense. Look for him to bounce back and put up decent LB3/4 numbers moving forward.
Vonn Bell was the only safety to play 100% for the Panthers. Although he didn’t produce more than three tackles, he did play 41% of his snaps in the box. Keep an eye on him going forward, but for now, he should stay on the bench.
Derrick Brown may be a viable player/potential starter even in non-DT-required leagues.
No cornerbacks produced well in this matchup, only one played more than 63% of snaps, and Jaycee Horn is injured again. Not the best group of options out there at this time.
Justin Houston is past his prime and only plays about half the snaps. He is not worth a roster spot.
Atlanta Falcons IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
*All scoring from the IDP Invitational Charity League
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Atlanta Falcons
Jessie Bates is a beast in the Falcons’ debut
Raise your hand if you knew Jessie Bates would be the highest-scoring safety in week one. Now put those lying hands down and start putting in those waiver claims. He had 10 tackles, forced a fumble, and added his multi-interception game by picking off Bryce Young twice. Bates will probably be the hottest IDP waiver add this week, but realistically this was his ceiling. He should still be a solid fantasy producer this season but don’t expect these numbers every week.
Troy Andersen is a solid starter
While Troy Andersen gave us a 10-tackle performance, sadly only three were solo tackles. He did add a half-sack on the day that saw him miss only one snap. Although he doesn’t wear the green dot, Andersen is still an every-down player and should be a solid starter.
Kaden Elliss has a solid debut
In his Falcon’s debut, Kaden Elliss played every down and wore the green dot. Although he didn’t give us any sacks or QB hits, he did rack up 9 total tackles (6 solo). Knowing he can give you a solid tackle floor with sack upside, Ellis is a solid option at linebacker.
Falcons’ secondary racks up tackles
Richie Grant, Tre Flowers, and AJ Terrell all played 100% of the defensive snaps. Grant managed 7 total tackles but should have accumulated more had it not been for missing a few tackles. He is still a good option at safety for your lineups.
Flowers registered an impressive 8 tackles starting in place of the injured Jeff Okudah. With Okudah expected to return soon, he may be worth keeping on waivers.
AJ Terrell was better on the football field than on a fantasy team this week as he only managed four tackles. Cornerbacks are volatile and this week wasn’t a good matchup. Terrell could be a decent streamer down the road.
IDP Waiver Wire Atlanta Falcons
Lorenzo Carter only played 44% of snaps but did record a sack and recovered a fumble. Still, that playing time isn’t starter worthy, he should stay on waivers.
In deeper leagues that require defensive tackles, Grady Jarrett still has value despite only playing 64% of defensive snaps. He recorded 3 tackles and a half-sack. He is a consistent 50-60 tackle guy who is also good for 4-7 sacks.
Bud Dupree played 65% of defensive snaps and only managed to assist on three tackles. He should not be on your team.
Calais Campbell and David Onyemata are both better football players than fantasy players and should stay on waivers. Onyemata did end up with 4 tackles and hit the QB twice. He may be worth a bye-week addition in deep DT leagues later in the season.
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
by Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
Cincinnati Bengals IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
*All scoring from the IDP Invitational Charity League
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Cincinnati Bengals
Germaine Pratt goes off
