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!
Check out the audio version of this article here! A great accompaniment to your reading!
*All scoring from the IDP Invitational Charity League
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills
By Steve Hungarter (@IDPHunter)
In this Halloween spooky edition, we discuss what happened on Thursday night Football. It was everything we thought it would be except the ghoulish ending, giving the Bucs a chance to win was something none of us expected, haunt us fans from on the field. Still, the Bills walk away with a win just like when Dr. Loomis blew up an entire hospital at the end of Halloween 2 to stop the evil once and for all. Oh wait that was a bad example but you know what I mean. Evil died on Thursday night just like the Bucs’ chances this season now slipping to 3-4. (.429) on the season.
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devin White resurrected himself with a solid nine-tackle performance (five were actually solos). While this isn’t a lot considering the snaps he receives each week it is at least encouraging we hear a heartbeat. Most of us, including myself assumed he was dead and buried in his coffin. But in the spirit of this time of year, you could never be too sure as sometimes they come back.
Lavonte David drank his usual potions, turned into Beast Man just in time for the game, and delivered, all season long, this game was another solid eight-tackle performance (six solos)
IDP Waiver Wire Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carlton Davis flops around on waivers now and again.
Joe Tryon too.
The rookie Christian Izien could be a taxi stash in deep league formats.
All of these players are rostered in less than 3% of leagues. As you are trying to shoo away the bats on your porch this Hallows Eve, you could do worse. These guys are just good enough, and just as playable as the first six Friday the 13th movies. (Yes. I said that.)
IDP Takeaways Buffalo Bills
Terrel Bernard‘s monster mash can be counted upon almost weekly; it seems to be a good bet every week. Once again, he led the team with (6) tackles as he continued his campaign to put up a strong season.
Jordan Poyer‘s frightening defense was making Baker Mayfield see ghosts. Poyer played a key role in pass coverage in this game, killing drives here and there with his pass deflections and tackling abilities.
IDP Waiver Wire Buffalo Bills
There is a player I love named Taron Johnson, who is a sneaky good start as a DB3. He had a six-tackle performance and four of those were solos. Rostered in just 2% of leagues, and generally ranked so well he is a player you could find off waivers and insert into lineups. Fun fact: Taron means Earthman with Thunder so I was sure to sneak him into this Halloween edition article. Please pick up the sorcerer before your friends put a spell on you.
Every team had that Igor, and I am not thrilled by it, but as long as Tyrel Dodson exists here as the LB2, he will achieve volume. He got 5 tackles just being around so meh not great, but that’s what you could expect out of an Igor, he just turns the lights on for Dr. Frankenstein then closes the jaw bridge so the townspeople don’t get in.
Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers
By Joseph Harlow (@joelow63)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Houston Texans
The linebacker room is still muddled
Blake Cashman led all LBs with 91% of snaps. Denzel Perryman played just under 50% (as did Henry To’oTo’o) of snaps in his first game back from a failed injury return. Perryman paced the team in tackles on limited time and is the LB to own. However, the usage needs to tick up. Cashman does appear to be LB2.
Star Edge rusher… Jonathan Greenard!
Will Anderson continues to look great on the field, but production has not come for the rookie. Against a great matchup in Carolina, Houston tallied 6 sacks, 2.5 to Greenard and none to Anderson. Greenard is the rusher getting stats at this point, so is the better fantasy play at this time. Maliek Collins also had multiple sacks while Sheldon Rankins missed the game.
DB room is almost fully healthy
Tavierre Thomas returned and took back his full-time slot role. Steven Nelson and Shaquille Griffin man the outside while Derek Stingley is out. Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre remain good plays each week, as they play every snap, and each saw around half in the box/slot area.
IDP Waiver Wire Houston Texans
Blake Cashman was the LB who saw the most action but was second in production. He seems to have the advantage over Henry To’oTo’o as the LB2 when Denzel Perryman is fully healthy.
Jonathan Greenard dominated the Panthers. He leads the team in sacks on the season and can be played while Will Anderson does not get stats towards his score at this point.
Maliek Collins also played great, as the top DT with Sheldon Rankins missing this matchup. He can be grabbed as an upside DT swing, especially if Rankins misses more time.
Tavierre Thomas is back as the slot man and tallied over a half-dozen tackles. He is a good grab for CB rooms at this time.
IDP Takeaways Carolina Panthers
Frankie Luvu is back!
Check the box score, that’s all. He showed his double-digit tackle and sack upside, and now is getting back to the stud territory. As long as he is healthy, he should be played.
Who are LB2 and EDGE2?
Great questions. We don’t know. DJ Johnson played half of the snaps at EDGE2 but did not produce much. Justin Houston was next up, with under 40%, and also did not produce. LB2 is also a rotation between Kamu Grugier-Hill and Deion Jones each seeing 40% or less of snaps.
DB field also a little messy
Troy Hill saw the most slot snaps, with 22. However, he played less than 50% of total snaps. Safeties Sam Franklin Jr. and the returning Xavier Woods played every snap, with some in the slot. 3rd safety Jammie Robinson played the most non-Hill slot snaps, so this spot is muddy for the time being.
IDP Waiver Wire Carolina Panthers
Sam Franklin Jr will have a good role while one of Vonn Bell or Xavier Woods misses time. He had a slow game today but will see the field, probably when both are back too.
Xavier Woods was awesome in his first game back. He has a lower floor, playing most snaps deep, but will be on the field for every play.
Troy Hill and Jammie Robinson should be looked at, hoping that one takes over the slot role for good.
New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts
By Joseph Harlow (@joelow63)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways New Orleans Saints
The LBs….
Demario Davis had another great game and is the clear LB to have on this team. Pete Werner led the team in tackles over the first part of the season but has seen those numbers drop lately, to 4 this week. His usage has been frustrating and he should be avoided at this time (but a great dynasty buy).
Carl Granderson is still EDGE1
Carl Granderson (yet again, Go Pokes) added another sack to his total, while Cameron Jordan did not. Granderson also out-tackled Jordan. For the first time this season, Jordan was not the outright snap leader at DE, as Granderson equaled his total.
Welcome in, Jordan Howden
With Marcus Maye ill, Howden got the start. Not only did he start, but he pushed Tyrann Mathieu out of the box. Howden played every snap, with three-quarters coming in the box/slot. If Maye misses more time, the Saints maye (hehe) have their replacement.
IDP Waiver Wire New Orleans Saints
Bryan Bresee had his second-best snap total and percentage this week, as Khalen Saunders missed. He did not have a massive impact (iDL mate Nate Shephard did have a sack) but did lead the room in snaps.
Jordan Howden had a great fantasy day! He is the backup to Marcus Maye, but if he or Tyrann Mathieu were to miss time, Howden is the play.
It may be time to let go of the Pete Werner breakout hope. However, if you have an extra bench spot…. He is an upside player to snag, just in case. Do not start him at this point, but take a flier if you have room.
IDP Takeaways Indianapolis Colts
Shaq Leonard is a thing again?
On a seasonal second-best 83% of snaps, Shaquille Leonard had three more total tackles than in any other contest so far this season. Reaching almost a dozen shows Leonard may be close to his 2.0 form. Zaire Franklin is still the guy, but Leonard has returned to being a more than useful play.
The Kenny Moore resurgence continues
Moore has been awesome this month, adding his fifth straight game with 6+ tackles (6 of 8 on the season). He has gone from barely rosterable, to a must-start CB, to a solid start as a DB2. Ride the hot hand of a great on-field player.
Don’t worry about Julian Blackmon
He has slowed from the absurd first four-week pace but still is averaging 5 tackles (with one for loss) and a PBU each week over his last four games. He may not be a DB1, but he is still putting up solid numbers while being in an ideal role. 100% of snaps again, with over 80% in the box/slot, you cannot ask for better than that!
IDP Waiver Wire Indianapolis Colts
Dayo Odeyingbo has played well this season and has seen a lot of the interior rush snaps that were vacated following Grover Stewart’s suspension. He is an upside shot, especially if he gets DT versatility in leagues.
Not many names of note in the back 7 (unless you want to count Tony Brown getting absolutely cooked, so having target opportunities if he stays on the field). One name to keep an eye on is second-year safety Nick Cross. With the injuries and tumult at CB, the hyper-athletic player might have a shot in the slot sooner rather than later. If one of Julian Blackmon or Rodney Thomas were to miss time, Cross would also be the next man up (or Trevor Denbow).
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers
By Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Jacksonville Jaguars
After Kenny Pickett left the game with a rib injury, Mitchell Trubisky entered the game and became the victim of Josh Allen’s third multi-sack game of the season. Allen grabbed two sacks to go along with his five tackles. He is second in the league behind only Danielle Hunter (10 sacks) and he sits seventh in pressures with 39.
Fellow edge rusher Travon Walker was also in on the sack party, registering a sack on Kenny Pickett. His sack total is up to 3.5 on the season. Walker hasn’t quite lived up to his draft capital, and Josh Allen is eating up sacks on the other side. Still, Walker gets consistent pressure each game and sacks will eventually start mounting up.
Andrew Wingard played 100% of the defensive snaps in place of Andre Cisco (hamstring) and finished third on the team with six total tackles. Wingard also grabbed one of Trubisky’s two interceptions. Wingard will likely return to the bench after Jacksonville’s Week 9 bye.
Rookie Antonio Johnson played his only snap on the final Hail Mary pass of the game. He made it count by recording his first career interception to help seal the victory for Jacksonville. Dynasty managers had to love to see Johnson make the big play, but those are points you shouldn’t chase in redraft.
IDP Waiver Wire Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are on a bye next week, but if you have the roster room and want to plan, Tyson Campbell should make his return in Week 10. He has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, but he was a nice streaming option at cornerback before getting hurt.
Dawuane Smoot is still someone to look into in deep DT-required leagues.
Andre Cisco has been solid this season and should be back after the Week 9 bye.
IDP Takeaways Pittsburgh Steelers
The big news is Minkah Fitzpatrick being forced early from the game with a hamstring injury. With the Steelers playing on a short week, he has already been ruled out for Thursday’s matchup against Tennessee. It’s an unfortunate injury on a week with four other teams being on a bye. Keanu Neal looks to be Fitzpatrick’s replacement. He ended this past game with a 97% defensive snap share collecting seven solo tackles and recovering a fumble. Neal is worth waiver consideration.
Elandon Roberts registered 1.5 sacks and five total tackles. Unless you are in a super deep league, don’t go chasing the points. It has been a nightmare trying to predict if it will be Roberts or Kwon Alexander to have the bigger week as Pittsburgh LB2. Neither should be trusted outside of the deep leagues, and even then it’s a Hail Mary.
Cole Holcomb is a Pittsburgh linebacker you can trust. He had a season-high 11 combined tackles and recovered his first fumble of the season. Holcomb has been solid as of late collecting at least seven tackles in each of the last four games.
IDP Waiver Wire Pittsburgh Steelers
The Titans aren’t the greatest matchup for safeties, but Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee both get a boost this week with Minkah Fitzpatrick already declared inactive. Both should be worth a look in deep leagues.
Cameron Heyward could make his return this week. His practice participation would need to be monitored throughout the week but is a definite start in DT-required leagues.
Joey Porter Jr. is worth some consideration at cornerback. Tennessee isn’t a great matchup but with four teams on a bye, you could do worse.
Atlanta Falcons at Tennessee Titans
By Randy Johnson (@OldMan_FF)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Atlanta Falcons
Richie Grant led the Falcons in tackles this past weekend with nine tackles. He also had a pass defended, which gave him 17 points for this week. Grant has scored 38.4 points over the past two weeks. He never comes off of the field, just like he should not come out of your lineup.
Jessie Bates posted another seven tackles against the Titans. He is always an option for your safety or DB.
Kaden Elliss plays nearly every snap, missing just three on the year thus far. He will get you tackles, and he just had his best game out of the past five. Ellis posted eight tackles with six of them being solo.
IDP Waiver Wire Atlanta Falcons
(Nate) Nathan Landman has been playing 76% or more of the snaps since Week 4. He took over for Troy Andersen. Andersen suffered a pectoral injury which required surgery and an unknown return date. If he is still on your waivers, now would be a good time to claim him. He has double-digit scoring in all five games he has started. Anywhere from 8-12 tackles in each game.
Grady Jarrett tore his ACL in the Titans game. First up looks to be LaCale London. His snaps have improved from zero in the first five weeks to 60% this past Sunday. He had no stats against the Titans, but the week before, on just 32 snaps against the Buccaneers, posted 3 tackles (1 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 fumble recovery. A man to watch in DT-required leagues.
Dee Alford plays anywhere from 50-90% of the snaps. He plays a lot of Slot CB when he is on the field. For those of you in CB-required leagues, he would be one to look at. He has 5-6 tackles in three of his games, including last week.
IDP Takeaways Tennessee Titans
Azeez Al-Shaair continues to be the leader of the Titan’s defense. He has four straight games of 21 or more points. Last week had him post 11 tackles (6 solo), 1 QB hit, and a fumble recovery. Al-Shaiir rarely comes off of the field.
Amani Hooker continues to impress in his safety position. He has scored double-digit scoring in five of the six games he has played. This week was no different as he posted seven solo tackles and a pass defended.
Jeffery Simmons is and always will be a start at DT in those DT-required leagues. He just had his best game of the season with 6 solo tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. This was accomplished on just 54 snaps.
IDP Waiver Wire Tennessee Titans
Jack Gibbons is the forgotten LB that nobody thinks about. All he does is tackle, and he does that well. He has scored double-digit points in six of his seven games played. He has a tackle floor of five and a double-digit ceiling. He also has 2 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended while playing just 41-57 snaps a game.
Harold Landry has caught fire over the last two games. He has 5 solo tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1-2 QB hits, and 1-2 sacks in each of the games. He wasn’t accomplishing much at all before that, even though the snaps were still there. It shows the confidence he is gaining in his surgically repaired knee. There are a lot of owners sleeping on him.
Kristian Fulton needs to be on your radar, especially those of you in CB-required leagues. He just posted 8 tackles (5 solo) and 1 pass defended. He has five double-digit scoring weeks in the last six games. He has played 94-100% of the snaps in four of those games. Fulton has 30 tackles over his last five games and has a pass defended in four straight games.
Elijah Molden returned to 100% of the snaps after having missed substantial time due to an injured hamstring. In his first game back, he produced seven tackles. For the CB-required leagues, he needs to be watched.
