The injuries to primary IDPs continued in Week 4, with owners losing LB1 NaVorro Bowman (SF) for the season, after suffering the loss of J.J. Watt to back issues and surgery the previous week. This is a tough form of fantasy football to play, with injuries shaking up your lineups on a weekly basis, and you need to be aware of which players with upside are available on the wire on a weekly basis. That is why you should be reading this article on a weekly basis, as I try to give you all the rising and falling IDP information I have at my disposal every week, and we try to publish this article early enough that you can make your Thursday roster decisions in a timely manner.
I am hoping some of my regular readers took advantage of the opportunity to snap up Vontaze Burfict off of the wire in Week 4, as he plays with the kind of abandon that will likely end up putting him in suspension mode again and soon. Play him while you can.
Plenty of opportunities to improve your IDP rosters this week, as you will soon see.
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Erik Walden IND -- Walden is seeing plenty of playing time, and has already collected four sacks this season. He is coming off a game where he snagged three solo tackles (one for a loss) and two QH (QB hurries). He is not a newcomer to the league at 31, but is building on his successful 2015 season, and as noted above, is seeing plenty of snaps.
Cory James OAK -- James put up a magnificent game in Week 4, with 15 total tackles (12 solo) and a forced fumble. He also played all 89 snaps on defense against the Ravens, making him a true every down LB. He is my highest priority for a waiver wire add this week.
Brian Cushing HOU -- Cushing will likely benefit from the season-ending injury suffered by J.J. Watt, and while I would recommend Bernardick McKinney over him if you are searching for a LB during a bye week or to cover for an injury, Cushing is not a bad option, so long as he can stay healthy.
Avery Williamson TEN -- Williamson is playing every down on the inside for the Titans, and his production has been on the rise, with nine tackles in Week 3 and then another 12 (9 solo) in Week 4. Gotta love those LBs that do not leave the field in certain situations.
Lorenzo Alexander BUF -- Alexander picked up another sack last week against the Patriots, giving him at least a partial sack in each of the season's first four games. He also had a QH and six total tackles (four solo). If your league emphasizes big plays, he is someone to roster or at a minimum, put on your watch list.
Will Compton WAS -- Compton has been productive overall, if we throw out his two tackle effort in Week 3 against the Giants. He was credited with 11 total tackles in Week 4 (five solo), one QH, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Michael Wilhoite SF -- Wilhoite is another LB who has assumed an every-down role, and the loss of Navarro Bowman to a season ending Achilles injury should help cement his position in the 49er defense. He collected 12 tackles in Week 4, with 10 of those being of the more fantasy valuable solo types. Expect him to be a huge wire target this week.
Vince Williams PIT -- Williams should start for the Steelers so long as Ryan Shazier is out action. He put up an amazing 14 total tackles against the Chiefs, which amounted to a full third of the tackle opportunities afforded by the Chief offense. He also collected a sack, two tackles for loss of yards and one QH. Given Shazier's inability to remain on the field, Williams is someone to keep on your roster just to be ready, but keep an eye on his starting role.
Jatavis Brown SD -- Brown is going to see increased playing time with the injury to Manti T’eo, and he was on the field for nearly all the defensive snaps in Week 4, after Denzel Perryman went out in the first quarter in Week 4. He collected a team high seven total tackles (all solos), and with Perryman being questionable at this point in Week 5, looks like a fine addition if you are hurting at LB.
Aaron Lynch SF -- Lynch returns from suspension in Week 5, and the beat up 49er defense can use him immediately. He offers a good set of pass rushing skills, and is practically unowned due to the suspension.
Defensive Linemen
Yannick Ngakoue DE JAX -- Ngakoue put up a full stat line in Week 4: four solo tackles (one TFL), one QH, one PD, one INT, one forced fumble and a sack. That's the kind of production you want from your defensive ends, and he is making a good case to be considered defensive rookie of the year with this type of production.
Cameron Heyward DE PIT -- Heyward enjoyed the opportunity to head to Kansas City this past week, exploding for three sacks to go with six solo tackles (three for a loss), three QH and a pass defensed. He has been solid for the past couple of seasons, and should continue to provide good numbers going forward.
Clinton McDonald DT TB -- McDonald is going to be relied upon more to anchor the interior D-line for Tampa Bay so long as Gerald McCoy is sidelined with a calf injury. He had a useful 1.5 sack effort against the visiting Broncos in Week 4, chipping in with eight total tackles (six solo, two for loss) and two QH. Stats like that make him worth to use even in non-DT mandatory leagues.
Damon Harrison DT NYG -- Harrison is another DT that can be used in a league that only requires DL designation for IDPs. He has 23 total tackles through the first four weeks of the season, but do not expect him to provide much in the way of big plays. He is useful in tackle-heavy IDP leagues.
Tyrone Crawford DT DAL -- Crawford collected his second sack of the season against the 49ers on Sunday, and played the majority of snaps on defense. He had four total tackles (three solo, one for a loss), and also picked up a QH. He is not flashy, just solid and dependable. Useful in DT-mandatory leagues.
Nick Fairley DT NO -- Fairley fell out of favor while with the Lions, and until now, has not really been on the IDP radar. Most of his problems had to do with injuries, but he looks to be healthy now. He has had 1.5 sacks in back-to-back contests, and adds decent tackle numbers. A pass rushing DT is fine thing indeed in IDP circles, and especially if you need to start a DT or two.
Defensive Backs
Keanu Neal S ATL -- Neal was a first-round pick, and he played every snap in Week 4. He also was credited with nine total tackles (six solo), and you can see why the Falcons were so high on him when he puts up numbers like this.
Vonn Bell S NO -- Bell is playing in a bad defense, and with performances like his Week 4 six solo tackle and one forced fumble effort against the Chargers should help keep him on the field for a significant number of defensive snaps going forward. Bright, shiny efforts in the New Orleans defense are not that common these days. He is a sneaky pick up in safety-mandatory leagues.
Rodney McLeod S PHI -- McLeod was out on bye last week, and thus should be available in your league. He provides tackles, and also has two INTs on the season, so he is valuable in both tackle-heavy and big play leagues.
Daimion Stafford S TEN -- Stafford stepped up his game in Week 4, collecting seven total tackles (five solo). He is useful in tackle-heavy leagues, if this uptick in production continues, but if he returns to a three tackle per game safety, then he is not worth owning.
Will Blackmon S WAS -- The Washington safety corps are depleted which means that Blackmon should see significant time on the field against the Ravens. He is coming off a seven tackle performance in Week 4, and you should have no problem picking him up due to his minimal ownership percentage.
Antoine Bethea S SF -- Bethea will be relied upon more now that Bowman is out of the defensive mix in San Francisco, and that should provide good tackle numbers for his owners. Playing in the nickel package should also boost his pass defense stats, and he is available in a ton of leagues.
Logan Ryan CB NE -- Ryan has a stupendous game, racking up 17 total tackles (14 solo) against the visiting Bills in Week 4. That is not sustainable for a CB, obviously, but if he can approach 70 tackles this season, he is well worth an add. Wait for the inevitable falloff when he does not match the Week 4 production, then grab him as a DB2/3.
Kendall Fuller CB WAS -- Fuller is one of those rookie corners that savvy IDP owners covet. He is going to see action with Bashaud Breeland out of action, and you can expect him to put up numbers similar to his seven tackle effort in Week 4 so long as he is starting. He could be a useful stopgap tackle producer for your team.
Trumaine Johnson CB LA -- Johnson is a steady producer for IDP owners, and he picked off a pass in Week 4, to go along with his steady tackle production (five total). He now has 23 tackles on the year, and should be owned in more leagues than he is.
Robert Alford CB ATL -- Alford rounds out of DB picks this week, and while you cannot depend on two picks a week, with one going for a TD, he is providing steady production at the CB position, and is so severely under-owned at this point that it is criminal. Go grab him if you have room to store a DB for bye weeks.
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Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
Karlos Dansby CIN
David Harris NYJ
I expected a lot more from Dansby than we have seen so far. Now that Vontaze Burfict is back in the starting lineup on defense, he will see limited snaps. His value is dropping like a stone, and you should consider cutting him for one of the guys recommended above. Harris looks to be losing ground, and at 32, that is to be expected. He is not putting up tackle numbers that warrant him being rostered in most IDP leagues, and should be cut for now. Anthony saw one snap on defense in Week 4. One snap. That alone says he is now not worth a roster spot. Being buried on the Saint defensive depth chart is a death knell. Cut him now before you suffer further.
Defensive Linemen
No one to speak of this week, except those that are listed on the injury report below.
Defensive Backs
Same as with the DLs, look to the injury report for those to drop.
Matchups to Exploit
Jacksonville
I know they are off this week on a bye, and that they beat the Colts in London. Do not forget about this team as good to great IDP matchup week in, week out.
Minnesota vs Houston
I believe that the Minnesota defensive line and linebackers will make Houston look silly in this matchup. Brock Osweiler has a propensity to make mistakes and this is the defense to take full advantage of that.
Detroit vs Philadelphia
Detroit is reeling at this point, coming off a tough loss to Chicago. Expect them to bring it all against the Eagles, and stuff the run game, but also collect a huge number of tackles in both the passing and running game.
Denver vs Atlanta
Denver features an awesome defense, but Atlanta has a revitalized offense this season. The Falcons may favor Davonta Freeman over Tevin Coleman due to Coleman's high altitude health issues, but no matter what, I see a ton of tackle opportunities for the Denver defense here.
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Waiver Wire Targets
All these players are spotlighted above, and you can read my comments about them in the "Elevator Going Up" section of this article. Not all the players I comment on are here, however, as I am not going to waste your time searching for players that are heavily owned. This group consists of those that you may have a chance of locating on your league's waiver wire in that they are owned in significantly less than 50% of leagues. Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.
Linebackers
Erik Walden IND
Cory James OAK
Brian Cushing HOU
Avery Williamson TEN
Will Compton WAS
Vince Williams PIT
Aaron Lynch SF
Defensive Linesmen
Yannick Ngakoue DE JAX
Cameron Heyward DE PIT
Clinton McDonald DT TB
Damon Harrison DT NYG
Tyrone Crawford DT DAL
Nick Fairley DT NO
Defensive Backs
Keanu Neal S ATL
Vonn Bell S NO
Rodney McLeod S PHI
Daimion Stafford S TEN
Will Blackmon S WAS
Antoine Bethea S SF
Logan Ryan CB NE (ownership approaching 50%, act now if you want him on your roster)
Kendall Fuller CB WAS
Trumaine Johnson CB LA
Robert Alford CB ATL
Ouch (My Aching Roster)
All the injury reports below need evaluation prior to kickoff. Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. Consider the list below as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.
Linebackers
NaVorro Bowman SF torn Achilles-out for the season
Sean Weatherspoon ATL ruptured Achilles-out for the season
Malcolm Smith OAK groin
Denzel Perryman SD shoulder
Paul Worrilow ATL groin
De'Vondre Campbell ATL ankle
Jamari Lattimore BUF nose
Thomas Davis CAR hamstring (expected to play)
Danny Trevathan CHI thumb
DeMarcus Ware DEN forearm
DeAndre Levy DET quadriceps
Clay Matthews GB ankle
Jelani Jenkins MIA groin
James Laurinaitis NO quadriceps
Dannell Ellerbe NO quadriceps
Jarvis Jones PIT ankle
Ryan Shazier PIT knee
Ryan Kerrigan WAS elbow
Su'a Cravens WAS concussion
Defensive Linemen
DE
Frostee Rucker ARI knee
Josh Mauro ARI chest
Ed Stinson ARI toe
Carl Nassib CLE hand
Ezekiel Ansah DET ankle
Jared Odrick JAX triceps
William Hayes LA ankle
Rob Ninkovich NE triceps
Paul Kruger NO back
Joey Bosa SD hamstring
Quinton Jefferson SEA hand
DeForest Buckner SF foot
Robert Ayers TB ankle
Noah Spence TB shoulder
DT
Gerald McCoy TB calf
Vernon Butler CAR ankle
Eddie Goldman CHI ankle
Letroy Guion GB knee
Sharrif Floyd MIN knee
Vincent Valentine NE back
Jarran Reed SEA hip
Al Woods TEN calf
Defensive Backs
S
Tyvon Branch ARI groin (placed on IR)
Eric Weddle BAL concussion
Lardarius Webb BAL head
Maurice Canady BAL thigh
Ibraheim Campbell CLE hamstring
Shiloh Keo DEN knee
Tavon Wilson DET neck
Morgan Burnett GB groin
Tashaun Gipson JAX knee
T.J. McDonald LA head
Darian Thompson NYG foot
Nat Berhe NYG concussion
Nate Allen OAK quadriceps
Robert Golden PIT hamstring
Jahleel Addae SD collarbone
Keith Tandy TB undisclosed
Da'Norris Searcy TEN ankle
Kyshoen Jarrett WAS shoulder
David Bruton WAS concussion
CB
Justin Bethel ARI foot
Maurice Canady BAL thigh (placed on IR)
James Bradberry CAR toe
Tracy Porter CHI knee
Dre Kirkpatrick CIN hamstring
Tramon Williams CLE shoulder
Joe Haden CLE groin
Orlando Scandrick DAL hamstring
Kayvon Webster DEN hamstring
Adairius Barnes DET ankle
Sam Shields GB concussion
Kareem Jackson HOU hamstring
Darius Butler IND hamstring
Jalil Brown IND hip
Tevin Mitchel IND hamstring
Phillip Gaines KC knee
Eric Rowe NE ankle
Delvin Breaux NO lower leg
Eli Apple NYG hamstring
Darrelle Revis NYJ hamstring
Leodis McKelvin PHI hamstring
Senquez Golson PIT foot
Brandon Flowers SD concussion
Jason Verrett SD ACL (placed on IR)
Jimmie Ward SF quadriceps
Cody Riggs TEN hamstring
Bashaud Breeland WAS ankle
Dashaun Phillips WAS hamstring
As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, I can be reached at ia@fantasyalarm.com.