If your fantasy team(s) are not yet disqualified from contention, then now is the proper time to revamp your IDP roster and boot off those underperforming bums you have been patiently waiting to pick up the pace. There are plenty of other options floating around the free agent market and the waiver wire that can potentially provide some much-needed victories. And some are profiled below, amazingly enough.
Bye Weeks coming up: Week 9-Cincinnati, Cleveland, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia; Week 10-Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, New York Jets; Week 11-Buffalo, Chicago, New York Giants, San Francisco
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Robert Spillane PIT
The Steelers lost Devin Bush to an ACL tear, and Spillane stepped in to shore up the loss big time, with 11 total tackles (TT) against the host Ravens, one for a loss of yards (TFL). He also was a big play producer, adding an INT, two pass deflections (PD) and fumble recovery (FR), the pick on Lamar Jackson going for a TD. Beware if you rush out to add him, though, as the team picked up Avery Williamson prior to the trade deadline, so despite the huge stat line, his full-time status could be in jeopardy.
Darius Leonard IND
Leonard is heavily owned in most platforms, but if his owner dropped him due to his injury, now is the time to swoop in and add the pre-draft overall top IDP in many projection systems to your IDP roster. His stat line against the host Lions speaks to his potential: nine TT (seven solo, one TFL), a forced fumble (FF), a QB hit/hurry (QH) and a sack. He has a tasty matchup in Week 9 when the Colts entertain the Ravens.
T.J. Edwards PHI
The Eagles are on bye this coming week, so despite a huge Week 8, Edwards may be dropped by his owners and become a prime waiver wire target, as his upcoming Week 10 and 11 opponents are great matchups (Giants and Browns). He is coming off a 12 TT effort (six solo, one TFL), where he also collected a QH, a FF and a strip-sack that led to a defensive TD that wrapped the game for Philly in the fourth quarter against the Cowboys.
Christian Kirk sey GB
The Packer LB has been activated off of IR, and is back at practice. If he is floating on the wire in your league, grab him now. Realize he will likely be on a limited snap count to start off, but he is a LB1 when healthy and worthy of inclusion in your lineup now if your linebackers are lacking true punch.
A.J. Johnson DEN
He has been averaging 8 TT per week, and had five solo and five assisted tackles against the Chargers this past week. He also chipped in a PD at home although overall he is far more valuable in tackle-oriented league setups. Johnson is one of two every down LBs on the Bronco defense, along with Josey Jewell who is not nearly as consistent as AJ.
Neville Hewitt NYJ
The first of the Jet linebackers that wrap up this week’s LB portion of the IDP Report, he has been averaging better than eight TT per contest this season. He is coming off an eight TT effort at Kansas City, a stingy offense with regard to allowing LB fantasy point production, and gets a better matchup this week at home against the Patriots.
Blake Cashman NYJ
Cashman’s status may be improving with the trade of Avery Williamson to the Steelers, as he could move into every down LB status going forward. The Jets do have an upcoming bye in Week 10, but in addition to a fine matchup this week against the Pats, Week 11 sees another good opportunity when the Jets head to LA to take on the Chargers.
Defensive Linemen
Quinnen Williams DE NYJ
Williams suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 8 tilt against the Chiefs, but it did not keep him out of action entirely, and he is listed as questionable for the Week 9 contest (see below). He does have three sacks on the season, so there is always that potential big play looming for his owners. The Jet defense does see plenty of time on the field, and that makes their best interior DL worth consideration.
Carlos Dunlap DE SEA
Getting out of Cincy is a boon for Dunlap’s prospects, as the Seahawk defense is able to go after the opposing QB with aggressiveness, due to their scoring propensity. He should be in action after sitting out following the trade from the Bengals. In any event, he should be utilized much more out west than he was in Cincinnati.
Tershawn Wharton DT KC
As his playing time increases, the undrafted rookie is beginning to put up some useful stats, picking up a sack last week, and a FF and FR the week before that. Keep him on your radar, as the Week 9 matchup against Carolina is not great and then the Chiefs have a bye. Week 11 against the Raiders, though, holds great promise.
Defensive Backs.
Jordan Poyer S BUF
Poyer had double digit tackles against the visiting Patriot offense last week, tossing in a QH as well. All of those tackles were of the solo variety, by the way. He is collecting boatloads of solo tackles this season, well up on his prior years’ pace, so in leagues that significantly reward for solos, he is extra valuable.
Kareem Jackson S DEN
Jackson’s Week 9 took a serious rebound in fantasy point production, when he led both teams in tackles, with 12 TT (eight solo). He has a tremendous matchup this coming week when the Broncos head to Atlanta. It looks as though his meager two TT effort in Week 7 was merely an aberration.
Eddie Jackson S CHI
Jackson has been collecting tackles all season, but has returned to his big play self over the past three games, forcing a pair of fumbles, recovering one and also snagging a PD last week. Beware, though, as he appeared on the injury report mid-week with a knee issue previously unreported.
Eric Rowe S MIA
Miami had a total of 13 PDs in Week 8’s game against the visiting Rams, and Rowe had five of those to his credit. He also picked off one pass, and kicked in seven TT (five solo). This week sees a decent matchup when the Dolphins head to the desert to take on the Cardinals.
Marshon Lattimore CB NO
The lone cornerback profiled this week, Lattimore filled up the stat sheet in Chicago this past week, with eight TT (seven solo, one TFL), and INT and a PD. He is considered a shutdown corner, for fantasy purposes, he is not one that is totally avoided by offensive coordinators and that makes him worth a roster spot.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
None to write about this week, save for those listed below in the Injury Report.
Defensive Linemen
Chase Winovich DE NE
As his playing time dwindles, he is becoming unrosterable, if not already there. He collected just a single solo tackle on special teams in Week 8, and you can certainly do far better at the DE position.
Anfernee Jennings DE NE
Winovich’s teammate is another victim of the lack of PT, as he went from 53 snaps on defense in Week 7 to exactly zero in Week 8. He has not been a huge force during his rookie season, but without explanation for the lack of presence on the field, he is not someone to be trusted at this crucial juncture of the fantasy campaign. Despite having dual LB and DE eligibility on Yahoo, he is not worth employing right now.
Jadeveon Clowney TEN
Clowney has a balky knee, but that does not account for the limited production in Week 8 entirely, as he played 45 snaps on defense. He contributes with an occasional PD (four on the season) but 15 TT over seven games is not going to provide enough fantasy production to justify keeping him in your starting lineup.
Defensive Backs
John Johnson III S LAR
He is going on bye this week, and now would be a grand time to cut him from your roster and find a replacement defensive back for your squad. He is coming off a disappointing two assist effort against the Dolphins in Week 8, and has been inconsistent with poor outings in three of the past four contests he has participated in.
Matchups to Exploit
Remember, the first team listed is the one to use your IDPs against. Do not go crazy, and play a LB5 against the Giants, but certainly you will do well if you own a top DB on either side of the Raider/Charger tilt, or a safety on the Denver or Atlanta rosters that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Washington vs New York Giants
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay
San Francisco vs Green Bay
Defensive Ends
Atlanta vs Denver
New York Giants @ Washington
Seattle @ Buffalo
Defensive Tackles
Los Angeles Chargers vs Las Vegas
Las Vegas @ Los Angeles Chargers
Dallas vs Pittsburgh
Safeties
Denver @ Atlanta
Atlanta vs Denver
Chicago @ Tennessee
Cornerbacks
Dallas vs Pittsburgh
Chicago @ Tennessee
Denver @ Atlanta
Waiver Wire Targets
This section is intended to serve as a shortened cheat sheet listing those waiver wire targets you should be considering if you need to plug a hole in your starting lineup. 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 commented on are here, however, as there is no need 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
Robert Spillane PIT
T.J. Edwards PHI
Christian Kirk sey GB
A.J. Johnson DEN
Neville Hewitt NYJ
Blake Cashman NYJ
Defensive Linemen
Quinnen Williams DE NYJ
Carlos Dunlap DE SEA
Tershawn Wharton DT KC
Defensive Backs
Kareem Jackson S DEN
Eddie Jackson S CHI
Eric Rowe S MIA
Marshon Lattimore CB NO
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
Devon Kennard ARI illness IR-COVID
Matt Judon BAL undisclosed IR-COVID
L.J. Fort BAL undisclosed IR-COVID
Tyus Bowser BAL undisclosed IR-COVID
Malik Harrison BAL undisclosed IR-COVID
Patrick Queen BAL undisclosed IR-COVID
Matt Milano BUF undisclosed
Del’Shawn Phillips BUF quadriceps IR
Jeremy Chinn CAR knee
Jason Ferris CAR undisclosed
Jacob Phillips CLE knee
Mark Barron DEN hamstring IR
Jarrad Davis DET illness IR-COVID
Kamal Martin GB illness IR-COVID
Krys Barnes GB shoulder
Preston Smith GB shoulder
Rashan Gary GB ankle
Christian Kirk sey GB pectoral IR
Matthew Adams IND ankle IR
Tanner Muse LVR toe IR
Asmar Bilal LAC calf IR
Elandon Roberts MIA elbow
Ben Gedeon MIN undisclosed PUP
Todd Davis MIN illness IR-COVID
Brandon King NE quadriceps
Ja’Whaun Bentley NE groin
Chase Hansen NO hip IR
Blake Cashman NYJ hamstring
Patrick Onwuasor NYJ knee IR
Nate Gerry PHI ankle IR
Ulysees Gilbert PIT back IR
Kiko Alonso SF knee-ACL
Mark Nzeocha SF quadriceps IR
Derick Roberson TEN illness
Defensive Linemen
DE
Takkarist McKinley ATL groin
Roy Robertson-Harris CHI shoulder
Myles Garrett CLE knee
Trey Flowers DET undisclosed IR
Austin Bryant DET pectoral
Kemoko Turay IND ankle
Arden Key LVR foot
Joey Bosa LAC concussion
Anthony Lanier NO undisclosed
Genard Avery PHI elbow IR
Tyson Alealu PIT knee-MCL
Ronald Blair SF knee-ACL
Benson Mayowa SEA ankle
Rasheem Green SEA neck
DT
Vernon Butler BUF groin
Zach Kerr CAR toe
John Jenkins CHI foot
Vincent Taylor CLE concussion
Eli Ankou DAL coach’s decision-Commissioner’s Exempt List
Tyler Lancaster GB shoulder
Treyvon Hester GB undisclosed
Daniel Ross LVR foot IR
Maurice Hurst LVR ankle
Beau Allen NE leg IR
Carl Davis NE concussion
Lawrence Guy NE shoulder
Michael Barnett NE undisclosed IR
Sheldon Rankins NO knee-MCL
Quinnen Williams NYJ hamstring
Malik Jackson PHI quadriceps
Cameron Heyward PIT quadriceps
Chris Wormley PIT knee IR
Defensive Backs
S
Kendall Sheffield ATL head
Darqueze Dennard ATL hamstring IR
DeShon Elliott BAL undisclosed IR-COVID
Micah Hyde BUF concussion
Raven Greene GB oblique
Will Redmond GB shoulder
Vernon Scott GB shoulder
A.J. Moore HOU hamstring IR
Jeff Heath LVR hip
Nate Brooks MIA undisclosed
Kris Boyd MIN lower leg
Holton Hill MIN foot
Myles Dorn MIN undisclosed IR
Kyle Dugger NE ankle
Adrian Colbert NYG shoulder IR
Jaquarius Landrews NYG undisclosed IR
Bradley McDougald NYJ shoulder IR
Jordan Dangerfield PIT quadriceps
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles SF hamstring
Jaquiski Tartt SF groin
Ugochukwu Amadi SEA hamstring
Jamal Adams SEA groin
Justin Evans TB foot
Dane Cruikshank TEN groin
CB
Byron Murphy ARI illness IR-COVID
Marlon Humphrey BAL undisclosed IR-COVID
Josh Norman BUF hamstring
Cam Lewis BUF wrist IR
Corn Elder CAR neck
Darius Phillips CIN groin
Chidobe Awuzie DAL hamstring IR
A.J. Bouye DEN concussion
Desmond Trufant DET hamstring
Kevin King GB quadriceps
Kabian Ento GB undisclosed IR
L’Jarius Sneed KC collarbone IR
Damon Arnette LVR thumb IR
Casey Hayward LAC calf
Chris Harris LAC foot IR
Jalen Ramsey LAR illness
Jamal Perry MIA foot
Cameron Dantzler MIN neck
Mark Fields MIN chest
Mike Hughes MIN neck
Stephon Gilmore NE knee
Ryan Lewis NYG hamstring
Brandon Williams NYG groin IR
Cre’von LeBlanc PHI quadriceps
Craig James PHI hamstring
Darius Slay PHI ankle
Mike Hilton PIT shoulder
Shaquill Griffin Sea concussion
Neiko Thorpe SEA sports hernia
Tye Smith TEN shoulder
Adoree’ Jackson TEN knee IR
Kristian Fulton TEN knee IR
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. FANation Chat is now live on the site, to help you work through your fantasy football dilemmas. Or if you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, you can also send a message to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a personal response from the writer of this article. Naturally, the more detail you can send about your league, such as number of teams, platform you play in (Yahoo, ESPN, etc.), scoring and roster system, the better the ability to provide accurate advice.