“Are there too many IDP starting lineup decisions for you this week? Can’t decide which linebacker or edge rusher to start? Which safety gets the nod this week?”
This will not be the typical ‘obvious starters’ type of article. Always start your studs like Will Anderson, Ernest Jones, and Evan Williams. What needs to be shared is who we start and who we sit out of the not-so-obvious players. You will not see many of the top-10 players listed in these articles because we are all already familiar with starting these players.
The Byes are upon us. The Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers are off this week.
***Please note that all rankings are pulled from FantasyPros.com’s current weekly rankings for DL, LB, and DB.
Week 8 – DL/Edge Starters
DE – Adin Huntington – Cleveland Browns
Huntington has seen his playing time jump to third now in defensive snaps for all Browns defensive ends. As a result, he has double-digit scoring in three of his last four games. Across his last four games, Huntington has posted 12 tackles (5 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 8 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery. This was against the #19, #22, #27, and #30 teams in points allowed to opposing defensive ends. He has done this performance on 142 snaps over the past four games.
The #30-ranked team was the Steelers in Week 4. His performance consisted of 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 3 QB hits, and 1 sack. It was his season-high in IDP fantasy football points. Look for another nice performance from Huntington this week in the rematch, this time in Pittsburgh.
Huntington is the #183-ranked DL for Week 8. It would be a shock if he wasn’t in the top 48 this week.
Edge – David Walker – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Walker has four double-digit weeks since Week 1. He had zero defensive snaps in Week 1 and has increased weekly to playing 54% last week. He has scored double-digit points in each game played against the 25th-ranked team or worse. That was four games, and combined, he produced 16 tackles (11 solo), 6 tackles for a loss, 5 QB hits, and 4 sacks.
Week 8 has the Falcons coming to town. They are ranked #24, so accordingly, an outstanding game is expected from Walker. The Falcons have given up six different 20+ point performances to edge rushers this season.
Walker is ranked the #70 DL for Week 8, which seems very low and disrespectful.
Week 8 – DL/Edge Sits
Edge – George Karlaftis – Kansas City Chiefs
Karlaftis has played the #3-ranked Broncos once already this season. It was his worst performance of the season. Accordingly, he posted 3 tackles (1 solo) and 3 QB hits. The Broncos offense seems to be playing a bit better now than in Week 1. Bo Nix has only been sacked five times over the last six games. Accordingly, the Broncos have the #3 ranking and are a tough team for edge rushers to face. Expect a similar outing as the one Karlaftis had in Week 1.
Karlaftis is the #15-ranked DL for Week 8 and that seems a little too rich for him against the Broncos in Denver.
Week 8 – LB Starts
LB –DeMarvion Overshown – Dallas Cowboys
Last week was the first week of play for Overshown since Week 1 due to his hamstring injury. He played 43 defensive snaps, which was 65%. In that first action in six weeks, he produced 5 tackles (4 solo), 2 passes defensed, and 1 interception. Nearly 20 IDP points scored against the 14th-ranked Eagles.
Overshown would seem to be in line for more defensive snaps in Week 8. Accordingly, with the extra snaps, he should post another double-digit day. Especially since he is going against the worst-ranked team in points allowed to opposing linebackers. The Cardinals have allowed the most points consistently over every week of the season. It is not just a two- or three-game big game against them. They have allowed at least 28 points in each game with four games being 48 or more points allowed.
Overshown is the #43-ranked LB for Week 8. He should finish much higher than that when all is said and done.
LB – Kendal Daniels – Atlanta Falcons
Daniels is listed as questionable this week, so watch his status for this week. If he plays, he has been one of the biggest surprises of the season. The 4th-round rookie has posted double digits in the most recent three games played. He played 100% of the defensive snaps last week against the #18-ranked 49ers. He proceeded to produce 11 tackles (9 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass defended, and 1 interception.
This week, the Falcons travel to Tampa Bay to face the second-worst-ranked Buccaneers. Again, follow his status, and if he plays, start him without hesitation. The Buccaneers have allowed 19 points or more to seven different linebackers over the first seven weeks of the season.
Daniels is the #25-ranked linebacker for Week 8. He should beat that ranking by a bit if he plays.
Week 8 – LB Sits
LB – Nick Bolton – Kansas City Chiefs
Bolton has not had a groundbreaking season in IDP scoring thus far this season. He has been lucky enough to only play one team in the top 20 ranking. Even against weaker competition, Bolton has averaged under 20 points per game. His one game against top competition was Week 1 against the second-toughest opposing linebackers. He gets a second chance this week in Denver to post more than 4 tackles (2 solo) and 1 pass defended.
Bolton is ranked as the #13 LB for Week 8. We will see if Bolton can live up to the ranking.
Week 8 – DB Starts
S – Malaki Starks – Baltimore Ravens
Starks has been the great Robin to the Kyle Hamilton Batman. Starks has been stellar in games against the #24 and #31 ranked teams in points allowed to opposing safeties. Against the #31-ranked Colts, Starks posted 7 tackles (2 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 2 QB hits, and 1 sack. Against the #24-ranked Falcons, he produced 10 tackles (6 solo) and 2 tackles for a loss.
He gets the third team that is ranked #24 or worse this week. The Bills are ranked #30 this season. Safeties have scored a lot of points against the Bills this season. In fact, nine different safeties have scored 16 points or more this season against the Bills. Starks is in for a nice game.
Just not sure how he is the #67-ranked DB for Week 8. The stars are aligned for him to have a huge game.
CB – C.J. Henderson – Atlanta Falcons
Henderson has had four huge games out of the last five he has played. His opponents were ranked #6, #20, #21, and #29 in those big games. He produced 29 tackles in those four games. That is a much-needed player for any IDP squad, whether he is a cornerback or not, whether you are in a cornerback-required league or not. Now, add in 9 passes defensed and a forced fumble with a fumble recovery, and you got a stud.
This week, Henderson and the Falcons go on the road to face the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are the fifth-worst team against cornerbacks. Henderson should continue his hot streak over these past handful of games.
Do not let this #40-ranked defensive back in Week 8 be found on any bench.
Week 8 DB Sits
S – A.J. Haulcy – Indianapolis Colts
Haulcy has faced some of the best competition when it comes to points allowed to opposing safeties. He has faced five Top 10 teams. It has been up and down for him. Against the toughest team, he had 3 tackles and 1 pass defended. He had 2 tackles against the fifth toughest team. Against the ninth toughest, he had 3 tackles.
In week 8, Haulcy takes his talents to Jacksonville to face the #2-ranked Jaguars. It should be a tough haul for the rookie.
Haulcy is ranked #33 for defensive backs this week, and honestly, that is even too high.
Thank you for checking out my Weekly IDP Start/Sit Advice article! You can read all of my articles on my IDP+ author page. Be sure to follow me on X at @OldMan_FF and @IDP_Plus (we have offense, too), and please consider becoming a subscriber. Week 4 IDP Start Sit
