Taking a look at the NFL week 3 from a IDP perspective; notes on what our writer @Orangeman3142 saw this weekend.

This is a continuation of my weekly article series that breaks down what we say this week in IDP fantasy football. What happened and why, what we got right and what we got wrong and more importantly how to move forward and get better this week. We look at possible waivers and trends, snap counts and issues that effect production for your IDP team. Let’s dive into part two.

Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings

Bills: This game went the opposite of how everyone on the planet predicted but the Bills, despite spending a bunch of time on offense for once, still had some nice stats IDP-wise. Tremaine Edmunds (LB) had a great game with 10 combined tackles, 1 TFL and 1 PD while playing 100% of snaps. He is on course for north of 100 tackles easily and is a great option at linebacker for IDP.

Matt Milano (LB) also stepped up big this week with 8 combined tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 int and 2 PD while playing 71% of snaps. Milano is a solid option if available on your waiver wire. While the Bills got it right on offense this week they’re still starting a rookie QB and don’t have many offensive weapons. They’re doing to be on defense a lot this year and Milano will have plenty of chances to score you points.

Micah Hyde (S) finally had a nice week but I pulled the plug after last week so I’m not interested. He recorded 8 combined tackles and 1 PD while playing 100% of snaps. He’s been far too hit or miss for me and his defensive snap % has been down in the first two weeks so I’m steering clear until he can do this a few weeks in a row and has more average playing time.

Jordan Poyer (S) continues to be reliable and productive with 5 combined tackles while playing 100% of defensive snaps. He’s most likely owned in your league but if not I can’t think of a better waiver wire grab at safety in terms of an ideal situation. Kyle Williams (DT) and Trent Murphy (DE) had nice weeks but have been so inconsistent I won’t even bother talking about them more than I already have. I’m steering clear of those two.

Vikings: Stephen Weatherly (DE) stepped in for the injured Everson Griffen and had a monster game with 7 combined tackles, 1 sack and 1 TFL. Unless Griffen misses next weeks game as well, which seems unlikely from what I’ve read, this guy will be nothing more than a sub in guy for pass rush and not worth a waiver wire add. Griffen will re-claim his spot when he’s healthy he’s far too good not to. ***Note: the story just released about Griffen going nuts at a hotel and threatening to shoot people is not ideal. Perhaps adding Weatherly as insurance isn’t a bad idea after all. I’m going to.

Eric Kendricks (LB) was a sit from me this week in a huge screw up on my part. Part of that though was the expectation that this game would go how the rest of the planet thought it would. It didn’t. Kendricks put up 7 combined tackles and 1 TFL while playing 100% of snaps. The Vikings defense in general got a ton more work than I thought it would this week. Kendricks remains a great option at linebacker.

Anthony Barr (LB) had a great game with 7 combined tackles playing 100% of snaps but I would stay away this is the first time I’ve mentioned his name this year that should tell you all you need to know about how consistent his production is. Linval Joseph (DT) had a great game with 6 combined tackles while playing 81% of snaps.

He’s a great IDP defensive tackle and should be an auto start weekly. Danielle Hunter (DE) also played well with 5 solo tackles, 1 sack and 2 TFL on 90% of snaps played. He’s a solid defensive end and also a weekly start for me. Sheldon Richardson (DT) had a bit of a down game with 3 combined tackles on 66% of snaps played but is still a solid defensive tackle option if you need help in that department.

Andrew Sendejo (S) and Harrison Smith (S) both had nice games with Sendejo recording 5 combined tackles and 1 PD while Smith put up 5 combined tackles and 1 sack. Smith played 100% of snaps and Sendejo played 100% as well. Smith is the better option at safety but Sendejo has been consistent and productive this year so if you’re in a deep league and need safety help he’s a decent option.

Xavier Rhodes (CB) and Trae Waynes (CB) both had off games but remain good options at IDP corner, gamescript more than anything killed their production this week as Buffalo got out to a huge lead and ran most of the entire second half.

Indianapolis Colts @ Philadelphia Eagles

Colts: The single biggest surprise in IDP this year has been Darius Leonard (LB) who has been absolutely incredible so far. He once again played 100% of snaps while recording 13 combined tackles, 2 sacks, 5 TFL and 1 PD. He has been ungodly so far this year and is on pace for 223 tackles this season with 41 already in the bag through three games.

I can’t say enough about this guy. If he can stay healthy all year we may be looking at a legit contender to break Chris Spielmans modern season long tackle record of 195 combined tackles. Anthony Walker (LB) is now completely healthy and has sent Skai Moore (LB) back to the bench. Walker, who played 89% of snaps this week and recorded 9 combined tackles, 1 int and 1 PD has cemented his role as the middle linebacker and is definitely worth a waiver wire pick if you can get him.

Clayton Geathers (S) has been the best safety in the league for IDP purposes the first three games and put up 11 combined tackles and 1 PD this week while playing 100% of snaps again this week. He has been not practicing a ton due to nagging injuries but as long as he can play the game you better start him, he’s been incredible this year.

I’ve been yelling into the sky about Geathers all offseason and this entire season so far so if you haven’t picked him up by now it’s your fault and certainly not mine. Malik Hooker (S) the other safety continues to have decent games as well and is start-able with his 100% snap rate. He put up another 6 solo tackles and 1 PD this week.

Margus Hunt (DT,DE) has been my favorite surprise (besides Leonard) this year in IDP. He has been an absolute monster out of nowhere and has had three awesome weeks in a row and barely anyone knows about the guy. He played 84% of snaps this week and this is the third week in a row his defensive snap count has increased so clearly the Colts are rewarding his monster production.

This week he graced us with 4 solo tackles, 1 sack and 3 TFL, beautiful numbers from a guy you can plug in as a defensive tackle. Jabal Sheard (DE) improved again this week with 4 combined tackles, 0.5 sack and 1 TFL on a 79% snap share and remains a nice bye week or injury plug in guy for defensive end if you need it. The freaking Colts own my three favorite IDP players this year and it isn’t even close.

Eagles: Jordan Hicks (LB) continues to be the linebacker to own on the Eagles and had another nice week with 8 solo tackles and 2 PD while playing 100% of snaps. Nigel Bradham (LB) only played 69% of snaps this week and came back to earth with 2 solo tackles and that’s it.

I still have faith in Bradham and personally will be starting him again next week, there will be weeks with duds like this but he’s also capable of huge output it just may be hit or miss. Jalen Mills (CB) had a great week playing 93% of snaps and recording 5 solo tackles, 1 TFL and 2 PD. He remains a solid weekly option at corner.

Derek Barnett (DE) finally got to eat this week with 5 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2 TFL while playing 64% of snaps. He’s been hit or miss though so I would look elsewhere for defensive line help unless in a deeper league.

Fletcher Cox (DT) continues to impress this year with 4 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks and 1 TFL on 88% of snaps played. He’s a great IDP DT and has been for some time. Ronald Darby (CB) had a clunker with 2 solo tackles on 100% of snaps. I would play him if the gamescript is in his favor against a team you think will pass a ton against the Eagles.

Green Bay Packers @ Washington Redskins

Packers: Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clarke (DT) had a monster game playing 92% of snaps and recording 9 combined tackles and 1 PD. It’s the first time I’ve mentioned him this year but that’s a hard stat line to ignore and the playing time is there, if you need defensive tackle help he may not be a bad roll of the dice.

Blake Martinez (LB) continues to be a steady producer and played 100% of snaps this week while putting up 9 combined tackles and 1 PD. Jaire Alexander (CB) had a nice day with 7 combined tackles while playing 93% of snaps and is a decent option for cornerback help.

Nick Perry (LB) the other ILB next to Blake Martinez put up 7 combined tackles and 1 TFL while playing only 62% of snaps this week. With Oren Burks coming back from injury and probably seeing more snaps next week I would avoid taking Perry off the wire until we have a better handle on that situation.

Ha Ha Clinton Dix (S) continues to be a reliable safety option with 5 combined tackles, 1 PD and 1 int on 100% of snaps. Kentrell Brice (S) also played 100% of snaps but had a down week with only 4 combined tackles. He’s been decent this year but there are usually better options out there unless you’re in a deeper league.

Redskins: Mason Foster (LB) continues to out-produce fellow linebacker and IDP stud Zach Brown and had 10 combined tackles and 0.5 TFL while playing 100% of snaps this week. He’s produced like this two out of three weeks so far so I would feel comfortable picking him up as a linebacker waiver if needed.

Speaking of Zach Brown (LB) he is still recovering from injury and played only 72% of snaps this week while recording 6 combined tackles and 0.5 TFL this week. I’ve seen him being dropped in some leagues and if you have the room on your bench I would certainly take advantage of that, once he’s completely healthy and his snap % is back up there you’ll have a stud on your hands for the price of a little patience and the click of a mouse.

Montae Nicholson (S) had a nice day as well while playing 100% of snaps with 8 combined tackles. It’s the first time mentioning him so I might wait and see if this kind of production is a one off or something sustainable before grabbing him off the wire. Preston Smith (LB) had a solid game but is an outside linebacker so that kind of thing is extremely hit or miss so I would steer clear.

Josh Norman (CB) had a nice game as well with 7 combined tackles on a 100% snap share. He always produces but personally I steer clear of “shutdown” corners they tend not to be targeted nearly as much as guys without that reputation and that tends to hurt their IDP productivity.

DJ Swearinger (S) played 100% of snaps again this week but had a dud with only 2 solo tackles and 1 PD. He should be fine it was an off week but personally he’s never been a guy I’ve had on any of my squads.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Carolina Panthers

Bengals: Nick Vigil (LB) took advantage of the absence of Preston Brown (LB) due to injury and Vontaze Burfict (LB) due to suspension and soaked up a ton of production this week while playing 100% of snaps.

He recorded 12 combined tackles in another monster game, keep playing him until Burfict gets back after week four. After that who knows what will happen but however it shakes out it’s sure to hurt Vigils production. Jessie Bates (S) had the next best game with 8 combined tackles on a 99% snap share.

Shawn Williams (S) who played 97% of snaps and recorded 5 combined tackles seemed to be the safety to own on the Bengals but Bates huge week shows he may be a viable option as well. They both play a lot of snaps and both have produced this season I would still rather have Williams though.

Both Dre Kirkpatrick (CB) and Darqueze Dennard (CB) had productive days with Kirkpatrick recording 7 combined tackles and 1 PD while Dennard put up 5 combined tackles. Both have been reliable IDP corner options in the past and continue to produce this year as well. Hardy Nickerson (LB) had a nice day stepping in for the injured Preston Brown (LB) but should only be picked up and played if Brown is doubtful to play this week and I haven’t seen anything to that effect as of yet.

Both of the reliable studs on cincys defensive line did well again this week with Carlos Dunlap (DE) putting up 6 combined tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL and 1 PD while playing 72% of snaps. Geno Atkins (DT) put up 5 combined tackles on a 70% snap share. Both remain weekly starts and reliable producers.

Panthers: The Panthers have a bye next week and the following week Thomas Davis (LB) returns from suspension, if you need linebacker help go grab him off waivers and have him ready to go for week 5. Davis has always been a solid producer and when Kuechly gets injured like he does every year Davis steps in and soaks up a bunch of that production.

Speaking of Luke Kuechly (LB) he had another great week with 5 combined tackles, 1 PD and 1 int on a 89% snap share. Not his greatest week but the interception sealed another tier one performance from him. Shaq Thompson (LB) continues his boom or bust production while stepping in for suspended Thomas Davis (LB).

He recorded 8 combined tackles on 100% of snaps played but I trust him about as far as I could throw him with no arms. I would steer clear especially with Thomas Davis (LB) returning from suspension after Carolinas week four bye.

Cornerbacks Donte Jackson (CB) and James Bradberry (CB) had great weeks with Jackson playing 94% of snaps and putting up 7 solo tackles, 2 PD and 2 int. Bradberry is the more consistent of the two and the one I would recommend rostering. He recorded 4 combined tackes and 3 PD while playing 100% of snaps.

Mike Adams (S) played 94% of snaps this week and had 5 combined tackles and 1 TFL and remains a decent option at safety if you need help there. Kawan Short (DT) had a bit of a down game with 3 combined tackles and 1 TFL on a 57% snap share. He’ll be fine it was just a game flow thing with Cincy passing a ton. Mario Addison (DE) had a dud as well while playing 62% of snaps and same deal with him. *Writers note Panthers signed Eric Reid at safety he is worth a stash if you’re desperate for safety help, we’ll see what his snap count and production look like soon enough but I would expect him to be playable soon.

Make sure you caught part one of this article and keep an eye out for parts three and four. My bad habit of going too far into detail means this article will be in four parts instead of one novel. If you have any questions or need some advice feel free to hit me up on Twitter (@OrangeMan3142) or use the “Contact Us” box on our website (idpguys.org) to reach us. Keep an eye out for our other articles and info all week and my start em sit em article dropping Saturday morning. Good luck in your matchups this week!

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