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!
*Please check back frequently for written updates as our writers and editors are all on different schedules. Updates will occur all day throughout the day on Tuesdays & Wednesdays*
*All scoring from the IDP Invitational Charity League
Get 30% off a year-long subscription using promo code: Sacksgiving – for a limited time only Black Friday Sale!!!
Check out the audio & YouTube versions of this article here! A great accompaniment to your reading!
Check out the Week 11 IDP waiver wire!
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
By Steve Tomasin (@DynastySanta)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Cincinnati Bengals
It’s Jordan Battle time! Nick Scott has seemingly lost his job due to performance as the second-round rookie Battle is finally taking over. We are excited to see Battle paired with Daxton Hill for the rest of the season. They should be a formidable due for IDP as usage allows for both to be productive
It was incredibly disappointing that Myles Murphy did squat with his opportunity and Sam Hubbard out for this game. The coaches must not fully trust him yet as he only hit 44% of the snaps. Cameron Sample out-snapped him. You of course are holding in dynasty leagues but this doesn’t make you feel great about it.
IDP Waiver Wire Cincinnati Bengals
Jordan Battle is a must-add in leagues starting 2-3 DBs.
IDP Takeaways Baltimore Ravens
There weren’t a ton of IDP points to go around for either team in this game. Surprising to see Patrick Queen best Roquan Smith but it was merely the distribution of solo tackles versus assisted tackles that did it.
There were lots of sacks to go around for the Ravens (five between five different players) but they did not add a whole lot of tackles to accompany them. Regardless, Justin Madubuike continued his breakout season and got home for another sack this week. Even Jadeveon Clowney is staying hot with one of the best seasons of his career. It’s weird how Baltimore just does that for some players. Odafe Oweh is also having a strong rebound from his injury earlier this season.
All three safeties, Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, and Geno Stone are seeing the field. Williams (when healthy) and Hamilton are locked into close to 100% of the snaps roles but Stone has played his way into a north of 50% of the snaps role as well. An interesting development. Stone can be held in deeper leagues but will continue to rely on big splash plays to get you IDP fantasy points so he is a risky starter each week.
Brandon Stephens is slumping despite playing 100% of the snaps and starting the year HOT. It’s frustrating but these things happen with almost all DBs, including safeties. He can be replaced if you are out of patience.
IDP Waiver Wire Baltimore Ravens
On the defensive line, if Odafe Oweh is still available, he shouldn’t be.
David Ojabo is eligible to return from IR as well so keep him on your radar in deeper leagues.
I wouldn’t fall for or chase Kyle Van Noy or Tavius Robinson as their snap counts are so low.
Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys took care of business in Carolina and pulled away in the fourth quarter to lock up their seventh win of the season with a 33-10 victory. Dallas controlled the game from the beginning and there wasn’t much doubt that they’d come out on top.
Micah Parsons cranked up the heat on Panthers quarterback Bryce Young early and often in the first quarter. The rookie had little chance to establish a rhythm with the pocket constantly collapsing on him. Parsons finished the game with 2.5 sacks and that brings his season total up to 10. That’s double-digit sacks in each of his first three seasons! He remains one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL.
Markquese Bell led linebackers in snaps with an 85% share. He also led the team in tackles with 10 total (6 solo). Depending on your league platform, he’s either designated as a safety or DB/LB (Sleeper). That’s a nice advantage to be able to start a linebacker in a defensive back spot. Damone Clark is firmly entrenched as the second linebacker. However, he’s not on the field a lot for 3rd downs and his tackling efficiency isn’t great. You can start Clark in deeper leagues, but Bell is certainly the prized asset here. With Leighton Vander Esch out for the season, there’s no limits to what Dan Quinn’s newest hybrid linebacker can accomplish for his IDP owners.
The Cowboys’ often frustrating divisions of snaps between Jayron Kearse and Donovan Wilson continue. Malik Hooker has the deep coverage role, but neither strong safety has been able to win the job outright without help from the other going down with an injury. Kearse played 61% of the snaps and Wilson 76%. Wilson and Hooker have multi-year extensions in place, while Kearse does not. So the hope is that the defensive backfield gets a little less crowded in 2024.
DaRon Bland sealed the game with an interception return in the fourth quarter. He has four in 2023 and that ties the single-season record! He’s an absolute ball hawk and should not leave any IDP lineups for the rest of the season. Bland is only averaging 3.8 tackles per game, but he co-leads the league in interceptions (6) and that’s enough of a reason to bank on his splash play upside.
IDP Waiver Wire Dallas Cowboys
I don’t expect Cowboys assets to be undervalued especially this deep into the season. If you want to go after a speculative add in your dynasty league, second-year defensive end Sam Williams could be worth pursuing if available. He nabbed another sack this week. His playing time has bounced all over the place and he’s behind Dorance Armstrong on the depth chart, but Armstrong is a free agent after the season and Demarcus Lawrence isn’t getting any younger.
IDP Takeaways Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have a few players worth their weight for IDP, but it isn’t exactly a goldmine. Linebacker Frankie Luvu is seeing 100% of snaps, so of course he is a must-start. He ended this game with 8 tackles (6 solo) and 2 pass deflections. Deion Jones notched his highest playtime of the season (53%) and looks to be taking the second linebacker job away from Kamu Grugier-Hill. For the 38 snaps that Jones was on the field, he only made a single tackle and pass deflection. That’s not exactly lighting up the stat sheet.
Cornerback Troy Hill put on a show with 8 tackles (3 solo) and 3 pass deflections. He peaked at a 78% snap share, which is his highest for the year. I think that this is fool’s gold though. C.J. Henderson and Jaycee Horn are close to returning to the lineup, which will shrink Hill’s role. Honestly, it’s best to just stay away from the Panthers cornerbacks. There are better options elsewhere.
Safety Vonn Bell is probably, besides Luvu, the most stable and consistent performer on the Panthers’ defense. As long as he is healthy, he returns decent value every game. He plays 100% of the snaps and has averaged over 6 tackles per game. He made 7 tackles (6 solo) against the Cowboys. Xavier Woods is the other starting safety and while he also does not leave the field, he’s much more hit-or-miss on total tackles.
IDP Waiver Wire Carolina Panthers
Luvu, Brown, Bell, and Burns are the assets to own from the Panthers. I wouldn’t waste my time on any other players at the moment. I doubt you can get these guys off the waiver wire except for the shallowest of leagues.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
By Johnny Christofi (@JohnnyFreakInF1)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Pittsburgh Steelers
Elandon Roberts continues to start inside at linebacker in the wake of season-ending injuries to teammates Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander. Since taking over as a starter in Week 10, Roberts has played 98% of defensive snaps over the past 2 games.
This week vs. Cleveland Roberts recorded 15 tackles (11 solo, 4 assist), a performance that put him tied for 4th most tackles in Week 11.
Mykal Walker started and played on 84% of defensive snaps but only amassed 2 tackle assists.
With Keanu Neal and now Elijah Riley on IR, the Steelers reverted to Trenton Thompson alongside Damontae Kazee at safety.
In a good matchup vs. Cleveland, Cameron Heyward posted 5 solo tackles on 61% of defensive snaps. his snap share Sunday was his highest of the season, a number that he’ll look to top in Week 12 vs. Cincinnati (gives up the 7th most points to DT).
IDP Waiver Wire Pittsburgh Steelers
Elandon Roberts – I don’t foresee a linebacker other than perhaps Blake Cashman getting more adds this week than Roberts. After amassing 23 tackles and playing 98% of defensive snaps the past 2 games, I will confidently peg Roberts as a high-floor/high-ceiling LB2 in Week 12 vs. Cincinnati.
Trenton Thompson – It appears as though the Steelers will roll with Thompson at safety IF teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick is indeed ruled out again. A potential 1 or 2-week rental, Thompson started in Week 11 and may have a DB3 floor with DB2 upside after totaling 6 tackles (5 solo, 1 assist) and playing on 77% of defensive snaps. Again, this is contingent on Fitzpatrick’s status. For what it’s worth, however, Mike Tomlin praised Thompson’s play after the game.
Cameron Heyward – While age and injury are always a risk, Heyward may have another productive week against Cincinnati in Week 12 after playing a season-high 61% of defensive snaps vs. Cleveland. Heyward could still be a top 30 DL especially if the snaps continue to rise. Heyward is only owned in 18% of Yahoo leagues
Mykal Walker, Blake Martinez, and Myles Jack are names to keep an eye on in the weeks ahead. At this time, none of these 3 need to be rostered right now until some stability occurs.
IDP Takeaways Cleveland Browns
Grant Delpit played on 100% of defensive snaps for the 5th time this season. He continues to be a model of consistency in the IDP world.
Rodney McLeod is now out for the season after a bicep injury. With Juan Thornhill still out, the Browns may be down to D’Anthony Bell and Ronnie Hickman next to Delpit.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah played his usual 79% snap share with 7 tackles but is on pace to set a new career-high in tackles.
Although not a key IDP contributor, Anthony Walker went down in Week 11 with a hamstring injury. Sione Takitaki filled in and set a season-high mark with 88% of defensive snaps played, only to amass 5 total tackles (3 solo, 2 assist). Takitaki wore the green dot in Walker’s absence and should have a solid role moving forward.
IDP Waiver Wire Cleveland Browns
Grant Delpit is one of the most underappreciated safeties in both real life and IDP in my opinion. After averaging 6.6 tackles per game over his first 10 games, Delpit is somehow only owned in 14% of Yahoo leagues. Delpit remains a solid DB2.
After referring to the season-ending injury to DB Rodney McLeod, it ended up being Ronnie Hickman (22%) playing the majority of snaps over D’Anthony Bell (5%). Even with Juan Thornhill‘s status unknown, I wouldn’t feel comfortable starting either in Week 12 vs. Denver. Hickman’s 4 tackles (3 solo, 1 assist) on only 22% of defensive snaps does intrigue me, as this is a situation to monitor. Stay tuned.
By simply looking at the boxscore, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah continued to look like the best linebacker to own in Cleveland. However, that may not be the case. While Owusu-Koramoah added 7 tackles in Week 11 and still ranks as a serviceable LB3, there may be an even higher-upside play now in Cleveland.
Anthony Walker suffered a hamstring injury that forced him out of Week 11, and Sione Takitaki replaced him. Sione Takitaki makes for a solid add as he took over the middle and played 88% of defensive snaps, accruing 5 total tackles (3 solo, 2 assists) and 1 PDEF. While his boxscore stats don’t light up the world, Takitaki is no stranger to double-digit tackle performances throughout his career. If Walker remains out in Week 12 vs. Denver, look for Takitaki to step in and take advantage as an LB2 with upside
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Chicago Bears
Chicago gave their rivals from the Motor City all they could handle before ultimately choking away a two-score lead in the final four minutes. The loss, in my opinion, was a result of conservative offensive playcalling and poor time management. The Bears’ defense actually helped win the turnover battle (+3) and gave Lions quarterback Jared Goff fits all game. So we can certainly take some positives from their IDP assets.
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds returned to action and returned a nice stat line on 66% of snaps. He made 8 tackles (4 solo) and snagged an interception late in the third quarter to set up the Bears offense in Lions’ territory. Jack Sanborn split the other snaps, but going forward I’d expect Edmunds to resume his every down role. T.J. Edwards made 9 tackles (5 solo) and also intercepted Goff. He continues his top 3 linebacker campaign.
Recent trade acquisition Montez Sweat showed off his talent with 2 tackles and a sack. It’s still too early to judge what this means for his long-term IDP stock, but he’s already earning close to 70% of snaps. A lack of opportunity is not a concern. Hopefully, the Bears add a decent partner in the off-season to help with pass rush duties.
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is a player pickup I recommended a few weeks ago. Admittedly, he’s been quiet the past couple of games against the Saints and Panthers, but he came away with his first career interception and added 4 tackles (3 solo). Add him if you still can! He should not still be available.
IDP Waiver Wire Chicago Bears
If you are in a 16-team league and want to add another edge to your roster, Yannick Ngakoue is leading the pass rush rotation in snaps and has 3 sacks on the season. In the right matchup, he’s got upside, especially with Sweat now on the defensive line.
IDP Takeaways Detroit Lions
Alex Anzalone remains the linebacker to start for the Lions. He posted 15 tackles (11 solo), recovered a fumble, and did not miss a snap. Derrick Barnes saw a ton of work and I think it’s best to bench Jack Campbell unless you’re in a deep format. He missed a lot of tackles and the Lions will probably roll with certainty as they enter the final stretch of the season. I still love Campbell long-term though. He finished the game with 9 tackles (5 solo), while Barnes racked up 8 tackles (6 solo) and a tackle for loss.
Alim McNeil has really become an underrated star at the defensive tackle position. He snagged 2 tackles and a sack in this game. That puts his season total at five! He’s absolutely a player worth targeting in DT-required leagues. I rank him as a DT2 but with the potential to break into the top tier. The only thing that is missing from his profile is a better tackle floor.
Safety Brian Branch also flashed in Week 11 and made the Bears feel his presence with 3 tackles for loss. He totaled 6 tackles (4 solo) and a pass deflection. More importantly, this marked the third game in a row where he played over 90% of snaps. The rookie is solidifying his role in this defense and that’s a sign of good things to come.
IDP Waiver Wire Detroit Lions
Cornerback Jerry Jacobs is a solid CB2 for teams if you’re in a shallower CB-required league. He’s made 40 tackles (36 solo) and 3 interceptions. If you’re going to claim a Lions cornerback, he is definitely the more productive option over Cameron Sutton.
If you’re in a league with 16 teams or less, I’d check on Alim McNeil’s availability. If he is already taken, see if you can make a trade with either a late draft pick or a depth offensive piece.
Los Angeles Chargers at Green Bay Packers
By Joseph Harlow (@joelow63)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Los Angeles Chargers
Bosa injured again
Joey Bosa left the game after 4 snaps and is expected to go on injured reserve with a foot sprain. This is a massive blow to an already underwhelming defense. Tuli Tuipulotu will step back into a full-time role, after playing 92% of snaps in this game.
LBs and Ss stuff the stat sheet
Linebackers Kenneth Murray and Eric Kendricks combined with safety duo Derwin James and Alohi Gilman for 35 tackles (2 for loss) while missing only 16 combined snaps (all from Kendricks). The group has massively struggled on-field but continues to be solid-to-great IDP plays. Dean Marlowe added 5 tackles with a season-high (in games where both James and Gilman played) 58% of snaps, taking many from Ja’Sir Taylor.
Mack continues his streaky season
Khalil Mack had multiple sacks, bringing his seasonal total to 11.0. However, he has only recorded a sack in 4 games (6, 1, 2, and 2 in those games), so has been hit or miss. It will be hard to bench him going forward with Bosa out and the massive upside.
IDP Waiver Wire Los Angeles Chargers
If Tuli Tuipulotu was waived following some slow games with a healthy Joey Bosa, go get him back. He will be the second edge rusher on the team, where much focus will go to Khalil Mack.
Dean Marlowe saw his snaps jump from 38 total over the last 3 games to 42 (58%) this week. He started at safety, while Derwin James moved into the slot. Ja’Sir Taylor saw a season-low (after week 1) in snaps, as Marlowe is now the 5th DB.
IDP Takeaways Green Bay Packers
Walker returns … and Campbell leaves
Quay Walker returned to the field and played every snap, putting up decent numbers. De’Vondre Campbell left with a stinger and did not return. He is in danger of missing Thursday’s game against the Lions. Walker is back into a must-start role, while Isaiah McDuffie remains relevant as long as Campbell is out.
Owens moves to the box
With Rudy Ford missing the matchup, Jonathan Owens moved into the box/slot safety role and was rewarded with a good fantasy day. If Ford returns, he should be expected to move back into that role, but Owens appears to have it as long as Ford misses (with rookie Anthony Johnson manning the deep safety role).
Gary gets back in the sack column
Rashan Gary had a sack for the first time since week 5, adding a fumble recovery. He has been nursing an injury and was in danger of missing this game. Adding a sack here hopefully kicks off a streak for the talented rusher.
IDP Waiver Wire Green Bay Packers
With De’Vondre Campbell injured and potentially missing Thursday night’s game, Isaiah McDuffie should see a full role again. He has been very good in relief of Campbell and/or Walker thus far, so can be expected to remain a solid play.
Jonathan Owens moved to the box/slot safety role with Rudy Ford out. If Ford misses more time, that should be expected to continue and Owens is a good grab (as is Ford if he trends toward playing).
Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans
By Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Arizona Cardinals
Kyzir White exited Sunday’s game against Houston after injuring his elbow. Before the injury, White had recorded three total tackles and a pass deflection. He is one of the biggest steals in deeper drafts this offseason at linebacker. The extent of his injury is currently unknown. If he were to miss time, Josh Woods is the next man up for the Cardinals. He would be a priority add for linebacker-needy teams. Keep an eye on White’s practice reports this week.
Josh Woods had a season-high seven total tackles against the Texans including six solo tackles. Woods has been a solid player in deeper leagues, but White’s injury opens the door for him to gain a few more tackles each week. If White doesn’t miss any time, then he drops back into a deep league option with a solid tackle floor.
BJ Ojulari was a popular add this week after an eight-tackle and two-sack performance against Atlanta in Week 10. It looked like a giant donut was going to be his result until he sacked rookie QB C.J. Stroud late in the fourth quarter. That sack saved Ojulari’s fantasy day and served as a reminder of how boom-or-bust rookie edge rushers can be. On the plus side, he has four sacks over his last four games and he played 52% of the defensive snaps in two straight games. He will be a boom-or-bust play again next week against the Rams.
Jalen Thompson was one of the IDP studs of the week after a monster game against Houston. He collected eight solo tackles, a sack, and an interception to lead all safeties in scoring this week. Thompson is capable of big games like this, but Kyzir White’s injury could factor into him receiving more tackle opportunities.
IDP Waiver Wire Arizona Cardinals
At this risk of sounding like a broken record, Josh Woods is the top priority at linebacker if Kyzir White should miss time.
Krys Barnes could also find his way back on deep league rosters pending the severity of White’s elbow injury.
BJ Ojulari has been on a hot streak and is worth a look in deeper leagues. He is still too volatile for shallow leagues to consider right now.
IDP Takeaways Houston Texans
Denzel Perryman who? Blake Cashman was back in the starting lineup and had himself a career day with 19 total tackles! He added a pass deflection, a tackle for loss, two QB hits, and a sack for Houston. While Perryman is out, Cashman is the top linebacker for fantasy and should be rostered in most league sizes.
Christian Harris played 100% of the defensive snaps for the first time this season and he managed five total tackles. Sure there was also a tackle for a loss and a pair of pass deflections, but it was just another mediocre game for the former Alamaba linebacker. Once Henry To’oTo’o returns, Harris will be nonexistent again. Harris should only be rostered in the most desperate of circumstances.
Will Anderson Jr. increased his season sack total to three after recording one against Kyler Murray on Sunday. It feels like the QB hits and pressures are starting to translate into sacks for the rookie. Next week’s huge matchup against Jacksonville will provide plenty of sack opportunities for Anderson. He is worth starting consideration in most league sizes next week.
Has anyone seen Sheldon Rankins? After a career day last week against Cincinnati, Rankins not only came crashing down this week, he fell straight into an abyss. There were no stats for Rankins this week. No QB hits, pass deflections, nothing across his 39 defensive snaps. Defensive tackles are known for having up-and-down games, but the matchup should have been good for a few tackles at least. Nothing. He could be a streaming option again next week in deeper leagues, but expectations are way down.
IDP Waiver Wire Houston Texans
DeAndre Houston-Carson filled in again for injured Jimmie Ward (hamstring), but with Blake Cashman eating up all the tackles, few were left for anyone else. He is worth a look again if Ward misses the game against Jacksonville.
Derek Stingley had a nice game against Arizona and is a nice streaming option against the Jaguars.
Henry To’oTo’o could be a solid add if healthy. If he were to miss the Jacksonville game, Christian Harris would be his replacement, and honestly, he is very inefficient with his opportunities. I wouldn’t rush out to pick up Harris unless in a truly desperate situation.
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
By Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
wpDataTable with provided ID not found!IDP Takeaways Tennessee Titans
Last week against the Buccaneers we saw Tennessee start rotating Jack Gibbens and Monty Rice later in the game. This week both Gibbens and Rice received 41% of the defensive snaps. This rotation could be a weekly hindrance to both players moving forward as neither is taking the full work from the other. It’s worth noting that Azeez Al-Shaair only played 70% of the defensive snaps, but his reduced role may have had more to do with the game being a blowout. This is a situation to monitor going forward, but Al-Shaair is the only Titans linebacker who should be trusted in fantasy
K’Von Wallace made his first start for the Titans on Sunday and he racked up six solos on 24 defensive snaps before a concussion ended his day early. His status for next week is in doubt as very few players have been cleared before their next game after being placed in the concussion protocol. He could be worth a grab if you have room in deep leagues to potentially stash him for a week.
Big Jeffery Simmons now has more receiving touchdowns than Treylon Burks on the season. The touchdown saved an otherwise poor performance for Simmons who only managed two tackles on the day. Simmons is once again one of the top defensive tackles in fantasy points this season and now he has offensive touchdown upside. He only increased his value this week for IDP, keep starting him.
IDP Waiver Wire Tennessee Titans
Monty Rice is gaining more playing time as Jack Gibbens is losing favor with the coaching staff. They are in an even rotation right now, but it was Rice that scored more in fantasy. He is someone worth a look in deep leagues.
If K’Von Wallace can regain his starting status, he is worth an add at safety. The Titans will likely be on defense a lot with a rookie quarterback playing behind that Swiss cheese of an offensive line.
Elijah Molden saw a dip in his playing time this week but may see it jump back up next week with both K’Von Wallace and Terrell Edmunds dealing with injuries. He has been getting playing time at safety and he has cornerback eligibility on many platforms.
IDP Takeaways Jacksonville Jaguars
Since making his return in Week 6 from a hand injury, Devin Lloyd has recorded no less than nine tackles per game. His five solo tackles and six assisted tackles totaled up to 11 against the Titans. He isn’t offering anything in the turnovers or sacks columns, but he has become one of the most consistent LB2/LB3 this season.
Top IDP scorer Foyesade Oluokun managed a season-low six tackles. However, he added a QB hit, a half sack, and recovered a fumble. Even on his “down” tackles weeks, Oluokun makes up for it with the splash plays. He is elite and should be started in all formats.
The Titans only managed 40 this week, which might be the lowest for any team this entire season. When playing against poor offensive teams like the Titans, it’s the IDPs for Jacksonville that had to suffer this week just from a lack of opportunities.
IDP Waiver Wire Jacksonville Jaguars
Montaric Brown filled in for Tyson Campbell and had six tackles. If Campbell is out next week, Brown should get plenty of work against Houston’s high-powered passing attack. He is worth streaming consideration.
Darious Williams should also be on the cornerback steamer’s radar for next week. Houston’s offense has been on fire and they offer way more tackling opportunities than Tennessee did this week.
Las Vegas Raiders at Miami Dolphins
The newly Antonio Pierce-led Raiders gave the Dolphins everything they could handle, but ultimately could not overcome quarterback Aidan O’Connell’s 3 interceptions. While the result is a slight disappointment, I was really encouraged by the IDP performances.
