Who are some names to know in your IDP leagues after a wild Week 2? Let’s take a look at a list of players who make for potential waiver wire week 3 additions to your IDP squads.
Week 2 brought us another action-packed week of football with plenty to digest. We still have one more game to cap it off, as the Green Bay Packers take on the Detroit Lions on Monday night. The waiver wire week 3 article was written before the conclusion of that game, so unfortunately it doesn’t include those players.
Now it’s time to dive into some potential waiver wire week 3 IDP additions!
Disclaimer: All league sizes and formats are different. Meaning some of these players may or may not be available in your league. Each week I’ll be doing my best to cover a wide enough base of scenarios. If you ever have any league-specific questions, I’m always willing to help and so is our fantastic team here at IDP Guys.
Linebackers
Jordan Hicks, LB, Arizona Cardinals
Week 2 Stats: 6 tackles (3 solos), 1 pass defended
Despite all of the offseason talk of Zaven Collins running the show in Arizona, it’s been Jordan Hicks as the guy instead. After being surprised in week 1 with this scenario, I wanted to see it again in week 2 — and I did. Hicks is calling the plays and has been out there for all but a handful of snaps through two weeks.
If Hicks is on your waiver wire due to the uncertainty surrounding this situation, pick him up. It seems Arizona wants to go with the veteran to run their defense right now and Collins’ time will have to wait. Hicks is productive when out there and right now he’s out there plenty.
Malcolm Smith, LB, Cleveland Browns
Week 2 Stats: 8 tackles (4 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 1 pass defended
The Browns’ defense suffered a big loss when anchor Anthony Walker was placed on IR with a hamstring injury. The big question was, who would pick up the slack and what would the rotation look like with Walker out? Well, it was Malcolm Smith who stepped in as the leader of the unit as he played 95% of the defensive snaps. Like last week, the rest of the group was a rotation with none of them seeing significant snaps.
With Walker out for at least three weeks, Smith is an excellent waiver wire addition with his new role. If things stay as they were this week, Smith is currently the only viable option from the group. Smith might come with an expiration date as we wait for Walker to return, but he’s a nice option for the time being.
Denzel Perryman, LB, Las Vegas Raiders
Week 2 Stats: 12 tackles (6 solos)
After the Raiders traded for Denzel Perryman and then signed K.J. Wright, it was one of the tougher situations to predict. Through two weeks, Perryman has been the most productive of the group and his 12 tackles (6 solos) paced the team this week. He’s also had a steady snap share of 76% in week 1 and 75% in week 2.
Perryman has been rocking the green dot and seems to have a stable role for the time being. As long as his snap share stays consistent, he should produce for IDP managers. In leagues where you start three to four linebackers, Perryman is worth an add.
Nick Bolton, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 2 Stats: 9 tackles (8 solos), 1 tackle for loss
Nick Bolton has found himself a steady role in the Chiefs defense right off the jump. In week 1, he saw 45 snaps (76%) and in week 2 his usage jumped a bit as he played 63 snaps (83%). Bolton was a tackle machine in college and has amassed 16 tackles (12 solos) through two games so far as a pro.
Willie Gay is due back in a few weeks, so things may change a bit when he returns. For now, Bolton looks to have a firm role with only Anthony Hitchens playing a few more snaps. The Chiefs’ defense struggled against the run in the loss to Baltimore, so they may need Bolton to step up even more in the coming weeks. In dynasty, I doubt Bolton is available, but in re-draft, he’s a linebacker I’m looking to add should he be sitting on the waiver wire.
Zack Baun, LB, New Orleans Saints
Week 2 Stats: 7 tackles (3 solos)
With Kwon Alexander on IR and Pete Werner inactive this week, Zack Baun saw a healthy snap share of 84% against the Panthers. Alexander will be out until at least week 4, thus opening the door for Baun to see more playing time. It’s been a slow start for Baun in New Orleans, but he should get an opportunity to step up with the injuries in the linebacker unit
Baun is an interesting player, as he was a pass rush specialist coming out of college and is transitioning to more of an off-ball role. So while he still needs some fine-tuning, there is some intrigue with his skill set. Baun should continue to see consistent snaps for the next few weeks and I think he’s a solid pick up as we see how he progresses.
Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Week 2 Stats: 5 tackles (2 solos)
San Francisco lost a key component last week when Dre Greenlaw was placed on IR with a groin injury. Azeez Al-Shaair filled in after Greenlaw exited week 1 and this week got the start and played all 58 defensive snaps.
While the production wasn’t huge, there are better days ahead. The role is productive and Al-Shaair has done well in the past when filling in. With Greenlaw out at least six weeks, Al-Shaair inherits a steady role and is a fine waiver wire pickup if you need a linebacker.
Justin Strnad, LB, Denver Broncos
Week 2 Stats: 6 tackles (4 solos)
In an unfortunate circumstance, Josey Jewell is out for the season after suffering a torn pectoral during week 2. After Jewell exited the game, it was second-year man Justin Strnad who took his place. Strnad had shown some promise last offseason but suffered a wrist injury that caused him to miss all of the 2020 season.
I was a huge Strnad fan during his time at Wake Forest and thought the Broncos got a steal drafting him in the fifth round last year. With Jewell now done for the year, Strnad will get a chance to step up and show what he’s got. He should get the first chance at replacing Jewell and should be available on most waiver wires.
Talented rookie Baron Browning is another name to monitor as he could get some run as well, but Strnad is the one I’m picking up right now in re-draft.
Defensive Line/Edge
Gregory Rousseau, DE, Buffalo Bills
Week 2 Stats: 5 tackles (3 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits
Gregory Rousseau had himself a day in just his second career game. Rousseau generated an impressive eight pressures per PFF and turned them into two sacks and two quarterback hits. He also led the Buffalo defensive end rotation playing 49 snaps (66%), which is exactly what you like to see.
I would expect Rousseau to continue to lead this group in snaps going forward as he’s the best pass rusher of the bunch. This is more of a re-draft waiver wire addition, as Rousseau was one of the top defensive ends in this year’s draft class and should have been drafted as such in dynasty. If you need defensive end help, Rousseau is a fine get as he’s off to a good start even as a rookie.
Odafe Oweh, Edge, Baltimore Ravens
Week 2 Stats: 3 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble. 1 fumble recovery
Odafe Oweh is another rookie who’s been a solid contributor right out of the gate. In week 1, Oweh played 48 defensive snaps (56%) and notched his first career sack. He again had a solid snap share in week 2 playing 38 defensive snaps (75%) and came up with a crucial forced fumble and recovery to seal the win for Baltimore.
Oweh was viewed as a high ceiling, but raw prospect coming out of Penn State. It seems Baltimore feels he’s adjusted well and Oweh is certainly paying dividends for their defense. In re-draft leagues where he has DL/Edge eligibility, Oweh is a nice waiver wire pickup after his quick start. In dynasty, Oweh is likely already rostered, but take a look if your league has shallower rosters.
Payton Turner, DE, New Orleans Saints
Week 2 Stats: 5 tackles (4 solos), 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
Yet another rookie pass rusher on the list here. The Saints lost Marcus Davenport to a strained pectoral muscle after their week 1 win. This left snaps to be had opposite of Cameron Jordan. After being inactive in week 1, Payton Turner got some run in week 2 playing 31 defensive snaps (41%). As you can see in his stat line above, Turner put those snaps to good use in his first game.
While Carl Granderson (45 snaps) got a few more reps than Turner this week, Turner is the pickup of the two. New Orleans spent a first-round pick on Turner in this year’s draft and he flashed his potential in his first game action. With Davenport out at least a few more games, Turner could see his snap share continue to grow, making him an intriguing waiver wire addition.
As my buddy Dujay (President of the Turner fan club) would say, it’s Turner time!
Dante Fowler, DE, Atlanta Falcons
Week 2 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos), 1 sack, 2 QB hits, 1 forced fumble
Fowler signed with Atlanta before last season and the start to his time there has been way less than ideal. However, this week Fowler showed up for Atlanta’s defense, generating a big strip-sack on Tom Brady. So just maybe he’ll get some momentum going, I’m sure Falcon fans would appreciate it.
In deeper leagues, Fowler could be used as a streaming option this week if you’re looking for DE/Edge help. He plays a solid amount of snaps and has a good matchup against a New York Giants offensive line who have given up six sacks through two games.
Vita Vea, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 2 Stats: 5 tackles (3 solos), 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended
Quite simply, Vita Vea was disruptive as hell in week 1 and just didn’t get anything in the stat columns. In week 2, Vea turned that disruption into 5 tackles (3 solos), a quarterback hit, and a pass defended. A nice day for the talented Buccaneer defensive tackle.
If an impatient manager happened to drop Vea in any of your DT-required leagues, go grab him. Vea is a beast and my good friend Jon Macri has been shouting it from the rooftops this offseason. If Macri’s in, I’m in, and you should be too.
Defensive Backs
Jaquiski Tartt, S, San Francisco 49ers
Week 2 Stats: 6 tackles (3 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended
After an injury-plagued 2020 season, Tartt is off to a nice start so far this year. He played 72 defensive snaps (78%) in week 1 and played all 58 defensive snaps for San Francisco in week 2. Tartt saw more action up in the box in week 1 but was still able to put up a solid stat line this week.
For managers looking to bolster their safety unit, Tartt is a solid pickup. Health has been a problem for Tartt during his career, so hopefully, he can remain on the field this season. Additionally, we hope Tartt gets a little more box usage as he did in week 1, but as long as he’s getting a healthy snap share he should produce.
Daniel Sorensen, S, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 2 Stats: 10 tackles (7 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
Through two weeks Sorensen has played all 135 of Kansas City’s defensive snaps. While he had a quiet week 1, that was not the case this week as you can see from his stat line above.
Sorensen was a waiver wire darling last year and could be once again if available in your league. He’s not the flashiest name but has a productive role for IDP production IF this usage continues. We just need to keep an eye on Sorensen’s snap share once the linebacker unit is at full strength in KC.
Ronnie Harrison, S, Cleveland Browns
Week 2 Stats: 7 tackles (5 solos), 1 tackle for loss
Harrison only played a handful of snaps in week 1 due to being ejected for a sideline altercation after a play. This week, Harrison was out there for 53 defensive snaps good for 87%. Even more encouraging was the fact Harrison played just over half his snaps up near the line in the box and slot.
Harrison produced a solid outing and makes for a nice waiver wire addition if you need safety help. It is also notable that Grant Delpit made his Cleveland debut and played well in his 26 snaps. It’ll be important to keep an eye on this safety group going forward, but Harrison is worth a spot if you have the room as we see how it shakes out.
Jalen Thompson, S, Arizona Cardinals
Week 2 Stats: 8 solo tackles, 1 QB hit
Through two weeks it’s been Jalen Thompson holding down the other safety spot next to star Budda Baker. Thompson played 84% (54 snaps) in week 1 and then another 57 snaps (93%) in week 2. After a quiet first outing, Thompson had a very solid day this week racking up eight solo tackles and a quarterback hit.
In deeper leagues where managers need a boost at safety, Thompson is worth a look. Thompson seems to have carved himself out a nice role in Arizona’s defense. If your waiver wire is thin, Thompson could be a nice safety option if available.
Conclusion
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s edition of the IDP waiver wire! There was plenty of information to dissect with injuries taking place and roles shifting. I did my best to cover a few of these situations and we will keep an eye out as things transpire going forward. Happy bidding everyone and good luck this week!
To get the low-down on everything IDP relevant from week 2, make sure you check out Johny The Greek’s “The Monster” dropping on Thursday!
Thanks for taking the time to read my article, I hope you enjoyed it and found it helpful. You can find my work here at idpguys.org and follow me on Twitter @KBellf54. I’m always available for any questions or feedback you may have and my DMs are always open.
