This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
With rosters of all shapes and sizes, IDP advice can be a bit tricky, so the purpose of this article is to point out players whose value is elevated for the upcoming week. Some of these players will be superstars while others will be players found on many waiver wires. Whether you're streaming IDPs each week or have a stocked roster, this "one size fits" all approach will hopefully help most everyone find a weekly edge.
Defensive linemen
Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark – Packers: Dare we bet against the Bills after they embarrassed the Vikings last week? That answer is a resounding "yes," especially after the Packers took a loss last week, and they certainly won't be guilty of looking past Buffalo. Expect Aaron Rodgers to get Green Bay out to a lead, which should allow the Daniels and Clark to do what the Vikings' line should've done last week, which was sack Josh Allen a bunch of times by taking advantage of Buffalo's overmatched offensive line.
Jabaal Sheard and Margus Hunt – Colts: It might be hard to believe, but through three weeks, the Colts' defense looks legit. This week, they'll be squaring off against the Texans sieve of an offensive line combined with Deshaun Watson who tends to hold the football an awfully long time. That combination sets up well for the Colts pass rushers to wreak some havoc, and it should be noted that after being considered a bust after a number of disappointing years in
With rosters of all shapes and sizes, IDP advice can be a bit tricky, so the purpose of this article is to point out players whose value is elevated for the upcoming week. Some of these players will be superstars while others will be players found on many waiver wires. Whether you're streaming IDPs each week or have a stocked roster, this "one size fits" all approach will hopefully help most everyone find a weekly edge.
Defensive linemen
Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark – Packers: Dare we bet against the Bills after they embarrassed the Vikings last week? That answer is a resounding "yes," especially after the Packers took a loss last week, and they certainly won't be guilty of looking past Buffalo. Expect Aaron Rodgers to get Green Bay out to a lead, which should allow the Daniels and Clark to do what the Vikings' line should've done last week, which was sack Josh Allen a bunch of times by taking advantage of Buffalo's overmatched offensive line.
Jabaal Sheard and Margus Hunt – Colts: It might be hard to believe, but through three weeks, the Colts' defense looks legit. This week, they'll be squaring off against the Texans sieve of an offensive line combined with Deshaun Watson who tends to hold the football an awfully long time. That combination sets up well for the Colts pass rushers to wreak some havoc, and it should be noted that after being considered a bust after a number of disappointing years in the league, Hunt seems to have found his groove as a playmaker with the Colts.
Frank Clark and Dion Jordan – Seahawks: The Seattle pass rush will take aim at the Cardinals, who not only have a weak offensive line, but also will suffer from shell-shocked QB play whether Sam Bradford or Josh Rosen are under center. Overall, Arizona is a mess on offense, and it's very likely they fall behind, which should also allow for plenty of obvious pass-rush situations on which Clark and Jordan can capitalize.
Markus Golden and Chandler Jones – Cardinals: The Seahawks really do want to run the ball, but unlike last week, being on the road makes it likely that Russell Wilson will need to carry the offense in this divisional matchup, because Seattle is unlikely to have another balanced attack away from home. As we all know, the Seahawks struggle to protect Wilson, and the Cardinals likely will try to dial up the pressure, which should help Golden and Jones have chances to get in the sack column.
Linebackers
Darron Lee and Avery Williamson – Jets: It would be a surprise if the Jaguars held out Leonard Fournette, especially after taking an ugly divisional loss last week. With Fournette back in the lineup, look for Jacksonville to go back to their "ground and pound" offensive approach mixed in with the short-passing game. That combination should set up ideally for Lee and Williamson to pile up plenty of tackles against both running backs and receivers. In addition, the Jags should be able to play with a lead at home, which should increase tackle opportunities late in the contest.
Denzel Perryman, Jatavis Brown and Kyle Emanuel – Chargers: With Jimmy Garoppolo out and C.J. Beathard taking over at QB, it's hard to imagine the 49ers coming into this game with a pass-heavy game plan. As a result, look for plenty of Alfred Morris and Matt Breida in the running game along with plenty of short passes in the middle of the field in an attempt to move the chains. This type of game plan should play right into the hands of the Chargers' LBs, which should result in an elevated scoring floor for each player.
Nigel Bradham and Jordan Hicks – Eagles: Regardless of whether Marcus Mariota (elbow) or Blaine Gabbert (concussion) are under center for the Titans, neither is likely able to have much success moving the ball through the air. Through three weeks, Tennessee has run the ball 33 times per game, and there's no reason to think that number will be any lower given the injuries at QB. Bradham and Hicks should be plenty busy tackling the Titans' ball carriers, and when they're in obvious-passing downs, a sack or two isn't out of the question.
Telvin Smith, Myles Jack and Leon Jacobs – Jaguars: Not only do the Jets run the football an average of 28 times per game, but much of their passing attack is geared toward the middle of the field. Given those two scenarios, this should be a game in which the Jaguars' LBs have increased opportunity for production. In addition, even if the Jags get up big, the Jets may have to keep throwing the ball short to keep Sam Darnold from getting crushed by the Jacksonville pass rush.
Defensive backs
Brandon Carr, Marlon Humphrey and Eric Weddle – Ravens: In a divisional matchup that the Steelers can't afford to lose, expect the offense to run through Ben Roethlisberger, which means plenty of targets for Antonio Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster. The heavy pass volume should keep the Ravens' DBs busier than usual, and with Baltimore's offense being more explosive that in past years, this could force a shootout that results in a great fantasy day based on tackles made.
Xavier Woods and Byron Jones – Cowboys: The Lions have been running three receiver sets as their primary base package and throwing the football an astonishing 47 times per game. Aside from last week, they typically struggle to run the football, and Dallas has been a strong defense against the run, so it's unlikely that Detroit will choose to attack their strength. That should result in Matthew Stafford filling the air with footballs, with the result being a busy day for the Dallas cover men.
Tre'Davious White and Ryan Lewis – Bills: Going into this game, Green Bay is throwing the football 41 times per contest. Coming off a loss, they'll be desperate for a win, and there's no better way to take advantage of an inferior Buffalo squad than to put the ball in Aaron Rodgers' hands. With Rodgers throwing the ball to his receivers and tight end, the Buffalo defensive backs will be spending much of the afternoon making tackles and registering strong fantasy performances.
Denzel Ward, Terrance Mitchell and Damarious Randall – Browns: Not only has the Cleveland defense been nasty this year, but now with Baker Mayfield at QB, they may actually score enough points to play with leads against average opponents like the Raiders. Even if they don't get a lead, Oakland has thrown 37 passes per game, but with them likely struggling to run against the Browns, look for that number to rise, and the defensive backs will be in position to have a productive day.
