This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
Here's a look at IDPs who have favorable Week 10 matchups. IDP formats can be quite different, so we'll list players of varying levels. Some will be players found on the waiver wire while in other leagues players will be automatic starters
DEFENSIVE LINE
Danielle Hunter, Vikings at Redskins - To say that Hunter's season has been a disappointment is an understatement, especially after he notched 12.5 sacks last year. In contrast, he finished the first half of the season with just three sacks, despite having a number of solid matchups. He'll find himself in an excellent spot to start the second half of the season against a Redskins O-line that's very banged up. In addition, Washington struggles to run the ball consistently, so he should be able to get back in the sack column against this pass-heavy offense with protection issues.
Cameron Heyward, Steelers at Colts - Although Heyward hasn't been a consistent IDP option, he's on pace to set a career high in sacks. He's taken advantage of the four-best matchups he's had this year by notching at least one sack in each of those contests. This week, he'll have another opponent that he should be able to take advantage of when he faces the struggling O-line of the Colts. It will also help his prospects if the Steelers can play this game with a lead in the second half -- which is a very likely scenario. If that's the case, multiple sacks aren't out of
Here's a look at IDPs who have favorable Week 10 matchups. IDP formats can be quite different, so we'll list players of varying levels. Some will be players found on the waiver wire while in other leagues players will be automatic starters
DEFENSIVE LINE
Danielle Hunter, Vikings at Redskins - To say that Hunter's season has been a disappointment is an understatement, especially after he notched 12.5 sacks last year. In contrast, he finished the first half of the season with just three sacks, despite having a number of solid matchups. He'll find himself in an excellent spot to start the second half of the season against a Redskins O-line that's very banged up. In addition, Washington struggles to run the ball consistently, so he should be able to get back in the sack column against this pass-heavy offense with protection issues.
Cameron Heyward, Steelers at Colts - Although Heyward hasn't been a consistent IDP option, he's on pace to set a career high in sacks. He's taken advantage of the four-best matchups he's had this year by notching at least one sack in each of those contests. This week, he'll have another opponent that he should be able to take advantage of when he faces the struggling O-line of the Colts. It will also help his prospects if the Steelers can play this game with a lead in the second half -- which is a very likely scenario. If that's the case, multiple sacks aren't out of the question.
Ezekiel Ansah, Lions vs. Browns - Aside from a three-sack effort in Week 2 against the Giants, Ansah's barely been worth a roster spot in IDP leagues. That said, he hasn't had many fantastic situations to take advantage of, which partly explains his lack of production. Well, there's no excuse this week when he'll face the Browns, who not only have struggled to protect DeShone Kizer, but they're now without LT Joe Thomas. It'll be a surprise if Detroit doesn't play with a lead, and that's potentially a recipe for a big week for this defensive end.
Dante Fowler, Jaguars vs. Chargers - While teammate Calais Campbell is terrorizing opposing QBs, Fowler has been a pretty consistent performer as well, as he's recorded a sack in more than half of his games. This week, he'll take aim at Philip Rivers. Although the Chargers have done a great job of protecting him this year, the Jaguars have far from an ordinary pass rush. With there being no potential of stopping everyone on this line, Fowler should see enough one-on-one blocking assignments -- especially in a game the Jags should have a lead -- to have a big game.
LINEBACKER
A.J. Klein, Saints at Bills - After piling up 11 tackles in the season opener, Klein has failed to exceed six in any game since, and he's averaging about five stops per contest. He'll have a chance to be extremely productive in a road game at Buffalo, as the Bills are almost a lock to run the ball at least 25 times in what should be a close game throughout. This is just the type of offensive attack that should keep him busy all afternoon.
Blake Martinez, Packers at Bears - Since Week 5, Martinez has been a tackling machine and one of the absolute best IDPs in the business. However, when he faced the Bears in Week 4, he collected just four tackles, but that was in a blowout win with Aaron Rodgers under center. With Brett Hundley now playing QB, this should be a much closer game, and Chicago should lean upon Jordan Howard and the rushing attack as often as possible. Since the Bears haven't exactly made it a secret that they'll run all day, Martinez could be in line for another double-digit tackle performance.
Antonio Morrison (Colts vs. Steelers - Steady with upside is what Morrison has provided fantasy owners this year, as he's posted seven tackles on five different occasions, with a high of 14 in Week 6. His 14-tackle game came against the Jaguars, who ran the ball frequently in a 27-0 blowout. Well, this week could be more of the same. Despite playing this game at home, the Colts will likely get a heavy dose of Le'Veon Bell, and it wouldn't shock anyone if they ran the ball nearly 40 times, which could easily lead to Morrison having one of his better games of the season.
Lorenzo Alexander, Bills vs. Saints - In 2016, Alexander had a breakout/career-year. Although the 34-year-old isn't having anywhere close to that type of success this year, he's shown the ability to have occasional big games, as he's done on a couple occasions. Usually, facing the Saints is all about pass defense, but this year's version of the team has become a run-heavy unit that also utilizes plenty of screen passes. This matchup looks tailor-made for the veteran LB and he has a great chance of having his third game of the year with at least nine tackles.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Tyrann Mathieu, Cardinals vs. Seahawks - To date, Mathieu has only had one game with more than five tackles while adding one sack and one interception on the season. For a player who's been known as a dynamic playmaker, his season has been an extreme disappointment for IDP owners, but his matchup against the Seahawks could be one of his better matchups of the season. Since they're unable to run the football with any consistency, Seattle will likely throw the ball often, which should provide the Honey Badger with opportunities to make more plays than usual.
Trumaine Johnson, Rams vs. Texans - Season the season-opener, Johnson hasn't been able to intercept a pass, but he's become a reliable tackler, collecting between four and six stops in the majority of his games since Week 3. With the Rams set to face Tom Savage and the Texans, look for DC Wade Phillips to give the struggling quarterback plenty of unique looks that should confuse him. Should the defensive plan have the desired effect, Johnson could find himself picking off another pass.
Trae Waynes, Vikings at Redskins - Since the Vikings haven't played many pass-heavy offenses, Waynes has been able to exceed five tackles on just three occasions. As he also lines up across from Xavier Rhodes, Wayne is often the target of opposing QBs. This week, he'll be facing a Redskins' offense that struggles to run the ball. As a result, Washington is often forced to throw the ball all over the yard. Look for Waynes to be very busy and productive this week.
Jamar Taylor, Browns at Lions - Playing for a defense that consistently stuffs opposing rushing attacks, Taylor has been productive as a tackler this year. On four different occasions, he's posted at least six tackles with a high of nine. This week, he'll be facing a Detroit offense that quickly abandons their rushing attack in most games. With the likelihood they don't even test this rush defense, they could throw the ball more than usual. As a result, Taylor should see enough passes thrown his way so that he has one of his most productive games of the season.
