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.
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
By Randy Johnson (@OldMan_FF)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!Start Your Studs
Aidan Hutchinson has been awaken. He posted just 6 tackles (5 solos) and 1 pass defended in the first 2 weeks of the 2023 season. Last week against the Atlanta Falcons, Hutchinson produced an incredible 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 passes defended. This was done on 56 defensive snaps which was 84%. The New Orleans Saints saw 79 defensive snaps last week, so I would expect similar production, if not a little better, for Hutchinson.
Brian Branch has officially entered the Stud category with the Chauncey Gardner-Johnson injury. He played 100% of the defensive snaps. This is after playing 68% of the defensive snaps in the first two weeks. After debuting with 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 pass defended, and an interception returned for a touchdown in Week 1, Branch delivered 4 tackles with 3 being solo in Week 2. Week 3 was his breakout game and promotion to Stud. Branch delivered 11 solo tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, and 2 passes defended. He should never see your bench again.
Quay Walker just likes to tackle and his numbers back that up. In just 3 games, Walker has already produced 28 tackles (12 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 2 passes defended, and an interception returned for a touchdown. He plays 100% of the defensive snaps and should be in your lineup 100% of the time. Tackles are the first ingredient of any successful IDP player.
Solid Starting Options
Alex Anzalone does not get a lot of love in the football community, but he does play nearly every defensive play during all Lions games. Because of the opportunity, he will get your team tackles. Usually, Anzalone will post in the 5-7 tackle range and once in a while, will pick up a splash play of an interception, fumble, or sack. Don’t count on the splash play, but do count on the tackles.
Jerry Jacobs delivers tackles at the Cornerback position. If you are in a CB-required league, always look for CBs with higher tackle numbers. Jacobs is one of those players. In fact, he already has 18 solo tackles which is #2 for the season in the overall CB rankings. His minimum count is five tackles, so he is very consistent.
Rashan Gary is still working back into the groove after his torn ACL in 2022. Each game has seen Gary ramp up his defensive snaps. He has gone from 16% to 27% to 38% of the defensive snaps over the first three weeks of 2023. In Week 3 against the Saints, Gary posted 3 solo tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, and 3 sacks. I need to remind you that he did this on 23 snaps. Feel comfortable starting him.
Kenny Clark is a defensive tackle that puts up stats similar to a defensive end. If you are in a required DT league, he is one of the finest to have play on your roster. He has at least a half-sack in each of the first three games. Clark has 10 tackles (4 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, and 1.5 sacks in the last 2 games. DT is another position where tackles will tell the story of a player’s success for your team. Clark produces every game, so he needs to be started in games where a running game is a big part of the opponent’s game plan. Detroit likes to run. Play Clark.
Darnell Savage has been consistent this year and earning some starts in the IDP community. He already has 24 tackles (17 solo) and 1 tackle for a loss. To top it off, he is playing 100% of the defensive snaps. Savage has been very consistent with his tackle numbers by game posting 7, 8, and 9 tackles in each of the first 3 games. His games thus far have not been against prolific passing attacks, so expect the same kind of production against the Lions.
Hail Mary
Jack Campbell was supposed to come in and take over from the get-go. The Lions have put a slowdown on this thinking. In his first 2 games, Campbell played just 48 defensive snaps combined and posted just 8 tackles (5 solo) and 1 pass defended. Week 3 showed a decent uptick in snaps with 38 snaps being played by Campbell. He took advantage of the added snaps by producing 6 tackles (3 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 sack. His snaps will continue to grow, but not sure at what pace. Play him knowing that his snaps are not guaranteed.
Cameron Sutton would be a CB who needs consideration for a start. He is very frustrating, as he can post a 6 tackle game or he can deliver a zero-stats game. He plays 100% of the defensive snaps, so the opportunity is there and the Packers will throw the ball. He is a consideration for CB-required leagues, although Thursday night games are also unpredictable.
Isaiah McDuffie is slated to take De’Vondre Campbell’s spot if Campbell doesn’t play due to his ankle injury. McDuffie took over the Campbell spot in Week 3 and posted 6 tackles with 5 of them being solo. Considering he played just 37 defensive snaps, the tackle numbers should be double-digit against the Lions.
If you need defensive end help, Preston Smith could be the flier to your prayers. He’s played 70% of the snaps over the last two games. Smith posted 6 tackles (4 solo) in one game and then just 1 assist in the other game. He is the ultimate Hail Mary as he can have 7 tackles and 2 sacks in one game and then be shut out on the stat pages in the next game. In the 2 games against the Lions last year, Smith posted a combined 2 tackles (1 solo) and 1 pass defended.
Rasul Douglas will play 100% of the defensive snaps and post somewhere between 2 and 8 tackles. He’ll also get a pass defended and a possible interception. Douglas is not consistent in his point producing, but he did post 10 royal tackles in the two combined games against the Lions last year.
No Thanks
Due to injury concerns and either injured reserve, limited participation, or no participation in practice this week, these players are probably best left on your bench. James Houston (ankle), Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (pectoral), Kerby Joseph (hip), Jaire Alexander (back), and De’Vondre Campbell (ankle).
These players should be left on your bench due to a lack of playtime. Malcolm Rodrigues (22-30% of snaps), Tracy Walker (0-12% in first two games), and Lukas Van Ness (20-22% in last two games). Walker would be a Hail Mary if Joseph is out again as Walker should get 100% of the snaps again.
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars (LONDON)
By Steve Tomasin (@DynastySanta)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!Start Your Studs
Of course, the #1 LBs from each of these teams are top-tier options. With Troy Andersen heading to IR, Kaden Elliss has the best role on this defense all to himself.
The Falcons give up the fourth most fantasy points to the DE/edge position. Thus Josh Allen rebounds from two down weeks after a ferocious start.
Solid Starting Options
(Nate) Nathan Landman is the current replacement for Troy Andersen but I am being generous with this ranking due to the matchup. I fully expect the Falcons to replace him depending on how long they expect Andersen to be out. So Landman may have a short leash but there is an opportunity this week at least.
Devin Lloyd is likely going to be out for a couple of weeks so Chad Muma has an opportunity to shine! We are fans of Muma here so we are rooting for him to take this opportunity and run. He will likely be relegated back to a reserve role once Lloyd is healthy. But while he is a “starter” he should provide a really nice tackle floor with a big splash play upside.
Hail Mary
Tyson Campbell drops a tier this week due to the matchup. With all eyes on London, Arthur Smith might attempt a historically low amount of pass attempts, just because.
Richie Grant is just not producing. This could end up being a mistake having him here this week as essentially a “sit” but Jessie Bates is doing all of the IDP heavy lifting so far this season.
No Thanks
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
By Steve Tomasin (@DynastySanta)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!Start Your Studs
Not too many surprises here. Kyle Hamilton did miss practice so monitor his injury status closely, but after the slow start, the breakout campaign is back on!
Brandon Stephens joins this group as the most healthy CB on the Ravens’ roster who is also playing close to 100% of the snaps. The Browns also give up the seventh most points to CBs so far this year, making this a great matchup for the breakout Stephens.
Solid Starting Options
Some of the middling names appear here this week due to matchups. Even Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah becomes a solid option this week! This profiles to be an IDP-friendly game so many of the names here would usually be Hail Mary options but bump up a tier due to matchup. If Marcus Williams plays, he would replace Geno Stone here and Stone would move to No Thanks which it looks like is trending to happen.
Hail Mary
David Ojabo is out, so get him out of any Hail Mary roster plays.
No Thanks
Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans
By Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!Start Your Studs
Sam Hubbard has been a solid tackler all season and just got his first sack against the Rams on Monday night. And now he travels to Tennessee to take on one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Expect a big day from Hubbard and the whole defensive line against the Titans. A good rule of thumb would be to start any edge rushers going against the Titans.
Solid Starting Options
While you are at it, go ahead and fire up Trey Hendrickson as well. He put up two sacks against the Rams and Titans’ offensive line is way worse at blocking edge rushers. If by some miracle the Titans don’t allow him any sacks, he doesn’t offer many tackles. This is why we don’t rank him higher than Sam Hubbard. Hendrickson is still too boom or bust.
Both B.J. Hill and D.J. Reader get a big boost in DT leagues this week. Again, the Titans’ offensive line is very porous. Both recorded sacks last week, and Hill has two on the season.
The Titans are giving up the fourteenth fewest points to linebackers. Logan Wilson’s tendency for big plays keeps him in the solid start tier even though the matchup isn’t the best. He had two interceptions in Week 3 and could very easily get more this week playing against Ryan Tannehill. We would like to see his tackle numbers increase, but the interceptions are nice. Start him with confidence.
Denico Autry continues to be overlooked in leagues. He has at least one sack in every game, 3.5 sacks on the season and he has been doing so on less than 60% of defensive snaps. This week won’t be as easy for Autry, but until he quits producing, keep starting him.
Jeffery Simmons is always a threat to record a sack and the Titans’ defensive line has been really solid at applying pressure. He is usually good for a few tackles in the run game as well. He was drafted as one of the top DTs in the league and should be started as such.
Daxton Hill has been doing everything in his first season as a starter. Double-digit tackles, an interception, a sack, he is doing it all. Ryan “is not scared to throw an interception” Tannehill is Hill’s next victim.
Amani Hooker blew up against the Browns for 11 tackles after missing the previous week. As long as he stays healthy, he produces well for IDP managers. The Bengals are an ok matchup for safeties, not the greatest, but Hooker has a big tackle and splash play upside. Start him while you can.
Hail Mary
Harold Landry is still working his way back from missing all last year with an ACL injury. Everyone outside of Adrian Peterson takes time to get back to speed after tearing their ACL. He only has three pressures and one sack on the season. A matchup against the not-so-mobile Joe Burrow could be just what Landry needs to get in the sack column.
The Bengals are giving up the second least amount of fantasy points to linebackers. So Azeez Al-Shaair and Jack Gibbens could take a hit this week. Al-Shaair has been solid this season with 23 tackles and one sack. Gibbens has been decent for deep leagues as well with his 20 tackles. Temper expectations this week.
Nick Scott and Germaine Pratt have both cooled off after hot starts in Week 1. This week isn’t the best matchup for them against the Titans, so don’t expect big stats this week.
No Thanks
Jordan Battle isn’t seeing the field while Nick Scott and Daxton Hill are healthy. If Scott’s production continues to stay low, keep an eye on Battle. His time could be coming.
Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears
By Randy Johnson (@OldMan_FF)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!Start Your Studs
Justin Simmons missed the last game. He returned to practice this week and is set to be the leader of the lost players after his defense just gave up more points to a team since the 1960s. Not only does he lead, he knows how to tackle. In his last game against the Washington Commanders, Simmons had 10 tackles (7 solo) while playing 100% of the snaps. He is a much-needed presence and your roster will be happy he is back also. The Bears might be in the wrong place at the wrong time for this Broncos defense.
Tremaine Edmunds has been a tackling machine in this early part of the 2023 season. He always finished with about 100 tackles per season with the Buffalo Bills. This move to Chicago has been good for him and Edmunds should reach 100 tackles before Week 11. He doesn’t provide any splash plays in the sack and turnover department, but we will take the tackle floor of eight tackles all day long.
T.J. Edwards has been the story of the Bears defense. He already has 43 tackles (17 solo) in 3 games. That puts him on pace for 200+ tackles for the year. He will not hit 200, but he can have a weekly floor of 10, and your roster will love it! Edwards is also a 90% defensive snap player whereas Edmunds is a 100% snap player. Start both every week and reap the rewards.
Jaquan Brisker is a second-year safety with talent dripping from himself. This was supposed to be a big breakout year. He plays nearly every snap on defense, except in Week 2, in which he missed quite a few plays due to illness. He has posted 19 tackles (8 solo) and 2 passes defended. Do not write him off and bench him. If you do, the Kyle Hamilton effect will take place.
Solid Starting Options
Alex Singleton is known for his tackle numbers. 2023 has been a slow start. In 3 games, he has 21 tackles (12 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 pass defended. In 2022, he posted these types of numbers in one game. Stick with him as the Broncos defense hopefully figures this out. Singleton has a tackle ceiling above all other NFL players. Don’t have him on your bench when those numbers arrive.
Defensive tackle Zach Allen has been one of the anchors this year so far. He already has 14 tackles (5 solo) and 3 for a loss. Anytime you can get a DT that averages five tackles, say yes please, and start him. This would be for DT-required leagues. In the missed tackle debacle in Miami last week, Allen posted 7 tackles (3 solo) and 2 for a loss. If only they had 10 more Zach Allens playing last week.
Cornerback Damarri Mathis has been another consistent performer for the Broncos. He has posted 5-7 tackles in each of the first three games. With Patrick Surtain on the other side, the opponents choose to throw at Mathis much more regularly. This provides tackle opportunities week in and week out. Take advantage of these guaranteed points if you are in a CB-required league.
Hail Mary
Randy Gregory has the talent to wreck a game. He also has the talent to wreck your fantasy football IDP team. One week he is posting one assist on 68% of the snaps. The next week he is posting 5 tackles (3 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended on 64% of the snaps. Then, the next week he posts a big fat goose egg off of 47% of the snaps. If you need the high-ceiling play to beat a much better team, Gregory could be your guy.
Nik Bonitto is showing up on the stat sheet a little more each week as his snap count increases. He has moved from 25% to 64% of the defensive snaps in the first three games. Bonitto has taken advantage of the increase in snaps to deliver 6 tackles with 2 of them being for a loss last week. He got his first sack of the season in Week 2. Keep an eye on him and don’t be afraid to play him if you need a flyer.
Drew Sanders looked horrible to the naked eye watching TV on Sunday. I don’t know how many missed tackles he had, but it was more than one. He is a Hail Mary because of opportunity. Josey Jewell will most likely miss Week 4. Sanders will be practicing all week with the starters and the rookie should fair much better than Week 3. The Denver LBs do get tackle opportunities, and Sanders should be no different.
Jonathan Cooper has been a big surprise on the stat sheet. He has worked his way up to 75% of the snaps and is taking advantage of those snaps. In just the last 2 games, he has posted 15 tackles (7 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. We all could use this kind of production from our IDP players.
Kareem Jackson will give you some tackle stats. He is rarely shut out on the stat sheet. He could also be ejected from the game because of a dirty hit. He has had one of these hits in two of the three contests so far. If he plays the entire game, Jackson will score double-digit points for you.
Like a lot of edge rushers, Yannick Ngakoue will be good for your lineup if he gets his sack. He is not very good in the tackle department. Week 1 brought him 4 tackles (3 solo), 2 tackles for a loss, and 1 sack. The next 2 weeks, he delivered a combined 4 tackles (2 solo) and nothing else. Double-digit points or nothing. If you need the ceiling, Ngakoue could be your answer.
No Thanks
Rookie Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has been pushed into action and has stood his ground. Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion in Week 3 and odds are he won’t play this week.
Other players who will likely miss this game due to injury include Josey Jewell, Frank Clark, Eddie Jackson, and Kyler Gordon who is on injured reserve.
Los Angeles Rams at Indianapolis Colts
By Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!Start Your Studs
Zaire Franklin has been a tackling juggernaut while leading the league in both solo tackles (29) and combined tackles (45) through the first three weeks. His 15 tackles per game average is phenomenal and has him on pace for 255 tackles on the season. That likely will not happen, but still, Franklin is the top guy right now in our IDP scoring. He is an automatic starter every week.
DeForest Buckner only managed a pair of tackles against a stout Ravens offensive line last week. The Rams have also been stingy against DTs this season. However, both B.J. Hill and D.J. Reader of the Bengals were able to register sacks against the Rams on Monday night. Buckner is still the highest-scoring DT right now and should be back to his usual self this week.
Ernest Jones has given us at least nine tackles in all three games this season. He hasn’t offered much in the big play department which has been a bit disappointing for IDP managers. He does have a good matchup against the Colts, who are giving up the 13th most points to linebackers. His high tackle floor keeps him a must-start and hopefully, this is the week we get a turnover to boost those stats even more.
One of our favorite breakout candidates this year has been Jordan Fuller. He has had a solid start to the season. Last week was a bit rough as he only managed four tackles. This week he gets the Colts who are giving up the fifth most points to safeties after being dominated by Kyle Hamilton. You can’t expect Fuller to go off with three sacks this week, but he should post a solid tackle line.
Solid Starting Options
In all three games this season, Kwity Paye has recorded at least three solo tackles and a sack. He has also recovered a fumble in each of the last two games. He is playing a consistent 66% defensive snap share each week and that should continue this week. The Rams just gave up six sacks on Monday night, and the Colts are second-best in the league with 12 sacks on the season. Keep firing Paye into your lineup and his breakout season continues.
Aaron Donald isn’t the unstoppable force that he once was, but he is still a solid start every week. He threw down seven tackles and a sack against the Bengals. The Colts present a tougher challenge this week, but he should do just fine regardless of which quarterback he is playing against.
Playing next to Aaron Donald will make any defender’s life easier and it has certainly helped rookie Byron Young. Young has recorded at least a half-sack in every game and at least two QB hits in each game. He has flown under the radar thus far, but that could change after this week’s favorable matchup against the Colts. Start him if you have him.
Hail Mary
Samson Ebukam has been picking up steam with a sack in each of the last two weeks. He also forced a fumble against the Ravens in their overtime win. Look for his hot streak to continue against the Rams who just gave up six sacks on Monday night.
Julian Blackmon continues to see the majority of his snaps up near the line of scrimmage. His transition into a box safety this year has really paid off for managers who picked him up this season. He has two consecutive weeks with double-digit tackles and could have a decent game against the Rams.
Shaquille Leonard has seen his usage decline every game down to 69% of defensive snaps in Week 3. He still had a decent seven tackles, but his value has dropped considerably. He makes a decent LB3/4, but he no longer carries that LB1 upside.
E.J. Speed has been the one to eat into Leonard’s playing time. He is getting around 50% of the defensive snaps. He is more valuable in the deepest of leagues since his playing time is still capped by Leonard’s presence.
Grover Stewart has five tackles and a QB hit in all three games. Expect a similar stat line again this week against the Rams. He has some sack upside and is most valuable in deeper DT leagues.
Michael Hoecht is playing over 90% of the defensive snaps and is worth consideration in deep leagues. He has a decent tackle floor, but the sacks haven’t been there yet. Byron Young’s production is where we thought Hoecht would be, but it’s still early in the season and sacks could be just around the corner.
Christian Rozeboom is good for about five tackles a game, but he’s limited to about 67% of the snaps. He hasn’t offered any big plays thus far, but if you are in a deep league and hurting at linebacker, he might be your guy.
No Thanks
When John Johnson signed back with the Rams, many thought he would slide right into a starting spot. That hasn’t manifested and he continues to not see the field.
Nick Cross is still not a thing.
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
By Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!Start Your Studs
Jevon Holland has been an absolute stud this season. He is tied for fourth overall and first amongst safeties in tackles with 33. Last week he racked up eight tackles and forced two fumbles on just 46 snaps as the Dolphins demolished the Broncos. The Bills are giving up the sixteenth most points to safeties. In two games last year against the Bills, he totaled 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and forced a fumble. Holland is a smash start every week.
Christian Wilkins had three QB hits against the Broncos last week which means the big man just missed a few sacks. The Bills offer a good matchup for Wilkins this week as he looks to improve on his 13 tackles, four QB hits, and a lone sack. He hasn’t lived up to his ADP just yet this season, but there are no concerns for him going forward.
Solid Starting Options
How about Terrel Bernard? This guy continues to impress after a huge game against the Commanders. Bernard had seven tackles, two sacks, an interception, and recovered a fumble in only 47 snaps. That phenomenal performance will be tough to duplicate against a Miami team giving up the third least amount of points to linebackers. His hot streak and nose for turnovers are what makes him a solid start this week.
This game could quickly become a shoutout. So if you have guys like Kader Kohou, Taron Johnson, Tre’Davious White, and Xavien Howard, throw them into your starting lineup. The Bills give up the sixth most points to cornerbacks and the Dolphins give up the seventh most.
Let’s not forget the safeties in this potential shootout. DeShon Elliott has been quiet after a 13-tackle Week 1 performance. Jordan Poyer has also had a bit of a down year thus far with only 14 tackles on the season. Look for both of these guys to get out of their slumps and have solid games.
Jerome Baker and David Long look to have a great matchup with the Bills giving up the fifth most points to linebackers. Baker has posted 16 tackles on the season while Long has 17 tackles and a sack. Expect these two to have solid stats this week.
Hail Mary
Neither team is giving up many points to edge rushers thus far in the season. Bradley Chubb has been hit or miss with only one sack in three games. Jaelan Phillips started the season hot with 11 tackles and a half sack but has been hindered by an oblique injury. These guys still have value in deeper leagues assuming they both play.
Leonard Floyd has had a rollercoaster season so far with 1.5 sacks the first week, down to zero sacks the second, and then back up to two sacks last week. If that trend continues, sacks may not be coming this week. Also, the Dolphins are giving up the third least amount of points to edge rushers. He still has multiple sack potential and is worth consideration in deeper leagues.
Christian Benford has been 100% of defensive snaps but hasn’t done much beyond a few tackles. He could find himself busy racking up tackles this week going against the expletive Dolphins offense.
Andrew Van Ginkel has been all over the field as an off-ball linebacker and edge rusher. His role is largely defined by the availability of Jaelan Phillips. If Phillips is limited this week or misses the games, we should see Van Ginkel come in as more of an edge rusher. He holds more value in deeper leagues.
No Thanks
Taylor Rapp hasn’t played more than 18 snaps in any game and doesn’t hold any value without any injury to Jordan Poyer or Micah Hyde.
Emmanuel Ogbah appears buried in the rotation and doesn’t have a good matchup this week.
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
By Joeseph Harlow (@joelow63)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!Start Your Studs
The top edge rusher for each team – Danielle Hunter for Minny and Brian Burns for Carolina – should be locked into your weekly lineups. Both players are elite rushers and have a chance to have multiple sacks no matter the matchup. If you are in the enviable position of choosing between the two, Hunter is the choice. Though Burns is a better run-defender, he has seen decreasing snaps over the last two weeks.
Jordan Hicks is a top player at LB every week. He is on the field every play (less than 10 snaps missed this season) and thus has high potential. The tackles have not been high yet this season, but in a potential shootout, the Vikings’ defense may see more snaps and opportunities for fantasy points no matter the Panthers’ QB.
Camryn Bynum has been a spectacular surprise thus far. He is averaging over 10 tackles a game, which is elite production from the safety position. He spends half of his time (which is all of it, with just one snap missed on the year) in the box/slot so will be near the ball no matter the game script.
Similar to EDGEs, this game features a matchup of top DTs. Harrison Phillips (MIN) and Derrick Brown (CAR) are the top two tacklers amongst DTs so far this season, even with different roles. This matchup projects to feature more passing than most matchups, so they should be moved down a tier in leagues that don’t require a DT play (though they are still fine plays there!) but are top-tier plays in DT leagues.
Solid Starting Options
