Tag: IDP waivers

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 11

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 11 pickups.

We’re inching closer to the fantasy playoffs, and four more teams are on a bye this week. That could make another team’s roster crunch become a dire situation. So keep your eyes open for players that shouldn’t be let go.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Charles Omenihu, Kansas City Chiefs

He’s opening his 21-day practice window this week after missing the entire season due to a torn ACL thus far. You’ll want to stash Omenihu if you have the space, because he made an immense impact in his first season with KC last year. He had seven sacks and two forced fumbles in 11 games. The Chiefs are in the bottom half of the league with 19 sacks, and his return will be a welcomed one.

DE Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams

The 25-year-old was all over the field on Monday Night Football. He had six tackles, a sack, and a pass defense. He logged a sack last week as well and has had six tackles in three straight years.

Linebackers

LB Anthony Walker, Miami Dolphins

Walker was another player who stood out Monday night, grabbing his first INT of the season. He also had nine tackles after a 10-tackle performance in Week 9. His window of production is clearly open right now. Take advantage.

LB De’Vondre Campbell, San Francisco 49ers

Campbell was second on the team with seven tackles in Week 10. It was the second straight week he had seven stops. His numbers have been spotty this season, but the 31-year-old is worth a look as a flex or depth candidate.

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LB Christian Rozeboom, Los Angeles Rams

Alongside having one of the most football-playeresque last names, Rozeboom has been great the last two weeks. He had three tackles, an INT, and three pass defenses Monday night and 11 tackles last week. A hit-or-miss option, but he’s hitting right now.

Defensive backs

DB Ugo Amadi, New Orleans Saints

After the team traded CB Marshon Lattimore, Amadi played in every defensive snap for the first time all season in Week 10. He answered the bell with nine tackles and a clutch pass defense near the end of the game. Amadi will continue to see more run.

S Taylor Rapp, Buffalo Bills

After a “meh” start to the season, Rapp started to pick it up around Week 6. He has had seven-plus tackles in four of the last five games, and he had 10 in Week 9. He picked off a pass in Week 10 to go with seven stops. He’ll present a low ceiling and a high floor with tackles in fantasy.

CB Carlton Davis, Detroit Lions

The 27-year-old has been busy the last two weeks. He had seven tackles and two PDs in Week 9. Davis managed four tackles, two INTs, and two PDs in Week 10. He has a couple of good matchups against Jacksonville and Indianapolis upcoming.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 9

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 9 pickups.

After a full slate in Week 8, bye weeks are back in action in Week 9 with Pittsburgh and San Francisco taking a seat. So bait your hook, and let’s get ready to reel in some IDPs.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Arden Key, Tennessee Titans

The 28-year-old Key is annually a fringe IDP option with spurts of brilliance and disappearance. He’s on the former right now with three sacks in the last two games. He had six tackles and a forced fumble to boot last week. He’ll be chasing around New England Patriots this week.

EDGE Azeez Ojulari, New York Giants

If he has DL eligibility, that’s a major plus. The 2021 second-rounder has sacks in three straight games and has combined for five sacks during the stretch. He also contributed four, three, and seven tackles in each game. Ojulari has two good matchups against Washington and Carolina before his Week 11 bye.

Linebackers

LB Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints

The elder statesman of the bunch, the 35-year-old vet had a season-high nine tackles against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. He has been pretty hit-or-miss and could have been drafted and dumped. He has two great matchups in the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons upcoming.

LB Eric Wilson, Green Bay Packers

This one is contingent on Quay Walker‘s (concussion) status, but Wilson came in last week and recorded nine tackles in his stead. In Week 7, he had six tackles, two sacks, and a pass defense. The Packers face the Detroit Lions before a bye in Week 10.

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LB Christian Elliss, New England Patriots

The Pats have been playing musical linebackers, and Elliss is at the head of the table right now. He has nine tackles in each of the last two games, and he included a sack and a pass defense last week.

Defensive backs

S Eddie Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson was a rotational player until he played every snap against the Cleveland Browns. He had 10 tackles and a pass defense. He had eight tackles the week before. If he continues to have this kind of runway, he’s a great pickup this late in the year.

S Eric Murray, Houston Texans

Murray’s role has increased significantly. He played at least 80% of the team’s snaps over the last five weeks. He started last week and picked up seven tackles and three pass defenses. Murray has the New York Jets on tap this week.

S Quan Martin, Washington Commanders

Martin has been hit or miss as the Commanders have been using three safeties. He hit the nail on the head with 11 tackles in Week 8. He has three good matchups against the Giants, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia upcoming to see if he can build on it.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 8

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 8 pickups.

We’re just about to the halfway point of the season, and all teams are in action this week. That means the waiver wire will should have fruitful candidates to pluck.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DT Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

The 2019 first-round pick has been living in other teams’ backfield. Over the last three weeks, he has 6 sacks. Lawrence did have five tackles last week, but that was his high mark on the year. He’ll need to keep reaching the quarterback to have value, but he’s doing exactly that.

EDGE Dante Fowler, Washington Commanders

The 30-year-old was all over the field in Week 7, and he has been great for two straight weeks now. He had a sack and a pick-six last week and had two sacks in Week 6. He’s worth riding the wave with.

Linebackers

LB Baylon Spector, Buffalo Bills

The Bills lost MLB Terrel Bernard last week with an ankle injury that was serious enough to rule him out for the game. Spector stepped in and made six tackles. Bank on Bernard missing more time in what has been an injury-riddled year. Spector is the play.

LB Neville Hewitt, Houston Texans

The Texans have a couple of nicked-up linebackers, and the 31-year-old has balled out the last two weeks. He had eight tackles in Week 6 and nine tackles, an INT, and two PDs in Week 7.

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LB Grant Stuard, Indianapolis Colts

He stepped in for E.J. Speed last week on the edge, and, um … he corralled the opposition for 19 tackles! Speed’s status will obviously dictate his staying power, but you can’t overlook that performance.

Defensive backs

S Evan Williams, Green Bay Packers

The rookie already receives bonus points for sporting the name of a solid glass of bourbon on a campfire-like fall evening. He had 10 tackles in Week 5, four tackles, and a forced fumble in Week 6 with nine tackles in Week 7. He’ll have a runway to continue padding stats.

S Isaiah Pola-Mao, Las Vegas Raiders

The third-year, undrafted man led the team with seven tackles in Week 7. He had eight tackles the week before. In Week 4, IPM made six tackles and a sack. He provides a solid option with a low ceiling and high floor.

CB Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco 49ers

The former Oregon product has tallied eight tackles for three consecutive weeks. Lenoir has a pass defense in four straight games and picked off his first pass last week. He’s worthy of a pickup.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 7

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 7 pickups.

Week 6 was intense. We saw one of the best defensive players in the game go down for the season in Aidan Hutchinson. When disaster strikes, we find the solutions.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE James Houston, Detroit Lions

There is no replacing Hutchinson, but Houston is in line to do it at left end. He actually had 8 sacks for the Lions in 2022. He’s a bit of a lottery ticket, but definitely give him a look in deeper leagues.

DE A.J. Epenesa, Buffalo Bills

The 2020 second-round pick has been quiet for much of the season, but he roared in Week 6 with four tackles, a forced fumble, and two sacks. He’ll have another great matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 7, so pick him up at least for a one-week play.

Linebackers

LB Justin Strnad, Denver Broncos

His surname may look like he’s missing a vowel, but he’s certainly not missing tackles. Over the last three weeks since taking over for Alex Singleton, he has four tackles and a sack, nine tackles, and seven tackles with a sack.

LB Krys Barnes, Arizona Cardinals

It’s time for our yearly tease from Barnes. After a couple of injuries at the position, Barnes erupted for nine tackles in Week 6. He’s a talented linebacker who has a propensity for injury, but he brings small pockets of dominance.

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LB Payton Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

Wilson is a high-floor, low-ceiling option in fantasy. Over the past three weeks, he has six, nine, and six tackles but nothing further. If you’re in a deep league or need a bye-week filler, his tackle potential does the trick.

Defensive backs

SS Rodney McLeod, Cleveland Browns

The elder statesman of the bunch, the 34-year-old McLeod has had two big weeks in a row. He had eight tackles and a PD in Week 5 and eight tackles plus a Pick-6 in Week 6.

S Tykee Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Smith serves as the nickel back and has covered the safety spot for injuries in recent weeks. It’s not consistent, but he has potential to go off. He had eight tackles in Week 2 and 11 with a fumble recovery in Week 3. Last week, Smith posted five tackles, a forced fumble, INT, and two PDs.

CB Montaric Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars

The former seventh-rounder is making a name for himself on a bad team. His tackle numbers since Week 2: 11, seven, eight, eight, and seven. He doesn’t offer a lot more than that, but that’s enough for a pickup.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 6

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 6 pickups.

Five weeks down, and one round of byes are in the rearview. Keep an eye out for the competition in a roster crunch and dropping players you wouldn’t normally see on waivers.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Sam Hubbard, Cincinnati Bengals

The 29-year-old busted out with nine tackles and a sack in Week 5 after a relatively quiet first four weeks. Hubbard is always on the fringe of being worthy of a pickup. He’ll get 60 tackles and six sacks every season. He has one sack to-date, which suggests the best should be yet to come.

EDGE Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings

Greenard is on a bye this week, and he hasn’t particularly had a good season despite a three-sack week in Week 3. The other four weeks have been pretty so-so. That means he could be dumped to waivers this week, and he should be claimed immediately. His schedule is very favorable after the bye with DET, LAR, IND, JAC, TEN, CHI and ARI on the docket the next few weeks.

Linebackers

LB K.J. Britt, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Britt has been solid with 30 tackles through five games. He hasn’t done anything beyond that, but if he can repeat nine-tackle games like he had in Week 5, he’s easily a flex candidate most weeks.

LB Jerome Baker, Seattle Seahawks

After a frigid start to the season, and a hamstring issue, Baker had a monstrous Week 5. He logged 14 tackles a forced fumble and a sack against the New York Giants. Baker was consistently a 100-tackle guy in Miami, and he appears to be back in that kind of window.

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LB Trevin Wallace, Carolina Panthers

The third-round rookie made a statement in Week 5. Entering last week, he had three tackles on the season as a reserve. Wallace delivered 15 in Week 5 after being thrust into the lineup with Shaq Thompson (Achilles) done for the year. Pick him up and ride the wave!

Defensive backs

CB Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wait, we’re opening the DB section with a corner? Yes! Dean has nine-plus tackles in three of the last four weeks. He also added four pass defenses in the process. He’s stacking numbers and taking names.

S Tre’Von Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders

His name reminds you of Lou Gehrig, and he reeks of consistency. Over the last four weeks: six tackles; six tackles; five tackles, and eight tackles, plus an INT and a pass defense. The numbers won’t knock you over, but Moehrig is a stable high-floor, low-ceiling option.

S Antonio Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars

The second-year man has been productive all season, but he took a big step forward in Week 5. His tackle counts were as follows: nine, five, six, five, and broke out with 11 tackles in Week 5. He has the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots up the next two weeks.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 5

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 5 pickups.

We’re through four weeks, and bye weeks begin to rear their heads. The Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tennessee Titans are first up, and the roster crunch is about to become very real. Keep an eye out for guys who should not be dropped and act on their availability.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers

The probable future Hall of Famer has made his presence felt the last two weeks as he reached the quarterback. He had four tackles and a sack in Week 3 and six tackles and a sack in Week 4. He’ll be chasing Dak Prescott in Week 5.

DT Maliek Collins, San Francisco 49ers

Collins is the rare tackle entry, but he is benefiting from one of the top EDGE rushers in the game in Nick Bosa on the other side. That has opened things up for him to reach the QB in two straight weeks. He had four tackles in Week 2, a tackle and a sack in Week 3, adding three tackles, a fumble recovery, and 1 1/2 sacks in Week 4.

Linebackers

LB Ventrell Miller, Jacksonville Jaguars

He took over the weakside linebacker spot when Foyesade Oluokun went on IR. Miller had 11 tackles in his first game since doing so. There’s really nothing more to consider here, and he should be rostered.

LB Raekwon McMillan, New England Patriots

The eight-year vet has played well after a goose egg in Week 1. He had seven tackles and a pass defense in Week 2, 10 tackles in Week 3, and seven tackles last week. He’s a good depth piece to mix and match in your flex spot.

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LB Tyrice Knight, Seattle Seahawks

The fourth-round rookie has had a similar ascension as McMillan. He had a goose egg in Week 1, and seven, six, and nine tackles in the last three weeks, respectively. The Seahawks have a slew of injuries on defense that should give him some runway, and he could be a budding starter in the making.

Defensive backs

SS DeShon Elliott, Pittsburgh Steelers

The 27-year-old had a couple of solid seasons with the Lions and Miami Dolphins the last couple of years. He is off to a pretty good start thus far in Pittsburgh. He had four tackles, a pick, and two pass defenses in Week 1, nine tackles in Week 2, and five tackles in Week 3.  Elliott posted 12 tackles and a forced fumble last week. Scoop and stream him.

S P.J. Locke, Denver Broncos

Locke came on with five tackles in Week 3 before he busted out for 10 tackles and a sack in Week 4. Was this Locke’s ceiling or a mirage? Time will tell, but he’ll be a back-end option to mix and match at flex.

CB Dee Alford, Atlanta Falcons 

The 26-year-old nickel back has been busy the last couple of weeks. He had 10 tackles in Week 3 and nine tackles, a sack and a pass defense in Week 4. You can’t deny those numbers or the notion he could replicate them against Tampa Bay in Week 5.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 4

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 4 pickups.

Three weeks in, and you should have a good idea where your roster stands. This is a big week on waivers, though, because this is the final chance to set things up before bye weeks enter the fold. The Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans are first up in Week 5. So owners of DE Aidan Hutchinson should be looking for a potential replacement this week, for example.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Will McDonald, New York Jets

The 2023 first-round pick had a quiet Week 1 and has busted out with two straight strong games. He had four tackles, a forced fumble, and three sacks in Week 2 and three tackles and two sacks in Week 3. It’s time to believe.

DE Za’Darius Smith, Cleveland Browns

Smith benefits from having Myles Garrett on the opposite side of him. He’s hurting, though, with injuries to both feet. He will still command the attention of offensive lines, which should open things up for Smith. He had a sack in Week 1 and Week 3 and provides useful depth.

Linebackers

LB Jordyn Brooks, Miami Dolphins

Remember this former IDP stud? He had 184 tackles in his sophomore season of 2021 and has rapidly depreciated since then, largely thanks to a major injury in 2022. Brooks looks to be on the comeback trail, though, with 19 total tackles in three games. He had nine tackles against his former team in Week 3 and appears to be getting stronger as the season progresses.

LB Kyle Van Noy, Baltimore Ravens

The 11-year vet definitely takes the “Tough Man” award of the bunch. He broke an orbital bone in Week 1. All he has done in two games since is three tackles with two sacks and two tackles, two sacks, and a pass defense. He’s definitely an option to consider in leagues that value sacks.

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LB Nakobe Dean, Philadelphia Eagles

The former third-rounder in 2022 was in line to be a breakout candidate last season before a foot injury derailed his ’23 campaign. Dean looks to be showing that potential with seven tackles in Week 2 and eight in Week 3. He does have a Week 5 bye, but if you have the space, scoop and stash him in more casual settings.

Defensive backs

FS Tyrann Mathieu, New Orleans Saints

The Honey Badger is back and eating well through three weeks. He had four tackles, a FF, and a FR in Week 1; three tackles, an INT, and two PDs in Week 2; and seven tackles, an INT, and PD in Week 3. History shows he’s likely to come back to Earth and/or get hurt, but run him out there while you can.

SS Chuck Clark, New York Jets

Clark had ho-hum Weeks 1 and 2 with five and four tackles, respectively. He opened up a can in Week 3 with seven tackles, a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and a sack. He’ll have Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix in his sights in Week 4 in a good matchup.

S Chamarri Conner, Kansas City Chiefs

He plays the “big nickel” role, and his numbers warrant the pickup. In Week 1, he had six tackles. In Week 2, Conner had six tackles, a fumble recovery, a sack, and a TD. Last week, he had 10 tackles, an INT, and 2 PDs. You can’t ignore those stats any longer.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 3

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 3 pickups.

The season rolls right along into Week 3. We hope you’re 2-0, but regardless, there are key decisions to make as bye weeks inch closer and closer.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Patrick Jones II, Minnesota Vikings

Jones has begun a breakout season through two weeks. He had 5 career sacks in three years entering the year, and he has 4 sacks in the first two weeks. He has 13 tackles and a forced fumble to go with it. Make him an elevated option on waivers.

DE Keion White, New England Patriots

While his torrid pace is unlikely to last, White is one of the top DL in fantasy from the first two weeks. He had four tackles, a forced fumble and 2.5 sacks in Week 1. The second-year pro followed it up with seven tackles and 1.5 sacks in Week 2; look his way in all conventional formats.

Linebackers

LB Germaine Pratt, Cincinnati Bengals

He could have been drafted in deeper leagues, but he’s getting the job done without a lot of flair. He has increased his tackle output every year in the league, topping it off with 118 last season, and Pratt is off to a fast start with 24 tackles through two games. If he’s out there, change that.

LB Jamien Sherwood, New York Jets

After a ho-hum, four-tackle Week 1, Sherwood emerged with 12 tackles and a pass defense last week. Sherwood becomes a prime candidate this week, because MLB C.J. Mosley missed practice Monday due to a toe injury. The Jets play the New England Patriots Thursday night, and Sherwood makes a banger of a play.

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LB Henry To’oTo’o, Houston Texans

The second-year man has flashed his versatility through two weeks. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was one of the best linebackers of the last 25 years, and he has clearly worn off on the former fifth-round pick. To’oTo’o has 20 tackles, 1 sack, and a PD.

Defensive backs

S Chamarri Conner, Kansas City Chiefs

Conner plays in a lot of nickel packages, and he has flashed through two weeks. He had six tackles in Week 1 and really showed his potential in Week 2. He had six tackles, a sack, and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

CB Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints

The former second-round pick’s game lines will pop out your eyeballs. He had six tackles, 3.0 sacks, and a pass defense in Week 1. He backed it up with nine tackles in Week 2. Corners are dicey, but you can’t deny his hustle, especially if Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) misses more time.

CB Andru Phillips, New York Giants

The third-round rookie is making plays early in his career. He had four tackles and forced a fumble in Week 1, notching 12 tackles and a sack in Week 2. Pick him up to see what’s in store against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 2

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 2 pickups.

Week 1 is in the books, and we’re looking for those IDP gems to supplement your roster. Whether you’ve had an injury or just aren’t feeling a Week 1 underperformer, head to the wire and check for these options.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys

He didn’t get a lot of fanfare in drafts at the grizzled age of 32, but Lawrence came out with five tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in Week 1. DE Micah Parsons looked like the best player on the field frequently in Week 1, and Lawrence really benefits on the other side.

DE Darrell Taylor, Chicago Bears

Taylor was an impact performer in Week 1 with eight tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Here’s the problem. He was fifth among DL on his own team in snaps played in Week 1. His production can’t be overlooked, but temper expectations based on playing time.

Linebackers

LB Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles

Why not leave the oil paintings affixed to the wall the next time you bust the door down, Zack? He had 15 tackles and two sacks in what was mightily a career game for him. He’ll have plenty more tackle opportunities against the dinking-and-dunking Atlanta Falcons next week.

LB Mack Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

The 26-year-old Wilson had nine tackles and a PD against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. He’s a weakside linebacker, and he may not have this tackle luster on a weekly basis. He should have some chances against the LA Rams in Week 2, though.

LB Darius Muasau, New York Giants

The sixth-round rookie had a solid debut in Week 1 with six tackles, an INT, and a pass defense. He’s the right inside linebacker in the team’s 3-4 defense, and he’ll have Kayvon Thibodeaux rushing on his side a lot. So don’t expect a ton of sack figures, but his tackles and coverage numbers equate to a good depth piece.

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Defensive backs

FS Tony Adams, New York Jets

Adams had a career game with 12 tackles, a sack, and a pass defense in Week 1. This could be a bit of an aberration as the San Francisco 49ers rushed 38 times in Week 1, which put Adams in a position to pile up tackles. Give him credit for taking advantage, though.

FS Nick Cross, Indianapolis Colts

With his Week 1 stat line, “Nick Cross will make ya Jump, Jump.” He busted out with 14 total tackles as three Colts defenders reached 10 tackles against the Houston Texans. Houston ran the ball 40 times, which you can’t count on every week, but he’ll be a high-end pickup for his tackle potential this week.

 

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 1

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 1 pickups.

Welcome to the 2024 season. If you’re an IDP league, you already know the grind that is ahead, which makes raising that league title over your head even sweeter. We’ll be here along for the ride with you.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Marcus Davenport, Detroit Lions

Davenport is a boom-or-bust candidate, and he’s in a make-or-break season. He missed all but four games with the Minnesota Vikings last season due to an ankle injury. He’ll be lining up opposite of third-year stud Aidan Hutchinson, who is expected to make a jump from his 11.5 sacks last season. That will only benefit the 27-year-old Davenport, who had a career-high nine sacks in 2021.

DE Gregory Rousseau, Buffalo Bills

After tallying eight sacks in a promising sophomore campaign in 2022, Rousseau only had five sacks last season. He’s entering a pseudo-walk year as the team has a fifth-year option they can choose to utilize or pass on after this year. The 24-year-old had a strong preseason among the league leaders with 2.5 sacks.

Linebackers

LB Dorian Williams, Buffalo Bills

The Bills lost Matt Milano to a biceps injury, and the second-year man from Tulane is expected to start in his place. Williams had 40 total tackles and a pass defense in 17 games last season. It’s hard to find bulk tackles on waivers, and Williams could supply that in the opening weeks.

LB Omar Speights, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams traded Ernest Jones to the Tennessee Titans in a preseason move. That opened a spot potentially for the undrafted rookie from LSU. He had 12 tackles in the preseason and could be an early-season diamond in the rough on waivers.

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Defensive backs

SS Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings

“Harry the Hit Man” is a potential Hall of Famer, but at age 35 this season, he’s going undrafted a lot. He had 93 tackles last year, but for just the second time in his career didn’t have an interception. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 34th-best safety in the NFL last season out of 95 qualifying players. He played the seventh-most snaps among safeties in 2023 at 1,111. So any concerns about his role being tapered are probably overstated. Scoop him up if the injury bug has bitten you.

FS John Johnson, Los Angeles Rams

Johnson is kind of an enigma in fantasy circles as he has been a stud every other season in the league. Years 2, 4 and 6 tackles: 119, 105, 101, respectively; Years 1, 3, 5, and 7 tackles: 75, 51, 61, 42. If that pattern continues, he could be on the verge of another 100-tackle season. The team let Jordan Fuller walk in free agency and drafted SS Kamren Kinchens, but JJ III appears the favorite to start alongside Kamren Curl.