2026 Fantasy Football Week 3 IDP Report: Risers, Waiver Wire & Matchups

Week 2 has concluded, and some may say it was a terrible week for fantasy football. Those jabronis do not play IDP, or they would be raving about the outstanding week that just took place. The proof is in the pudding, and the IDP Report whipped up another FAmily-size serving of goodness. 

• DL Jaelan Phillips (CAR): 2 combined tackles, 2 QB Hits, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss
• LB Jihaad Campbell (PHI): 10 combined tackles, 1 forced fumble (FF)
• DB Andre Cisco (NYJ): 4 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended, 1 FF.
  
  Grade: A+. All three players delivered in the "Matchups to Capitalize On” section. It went exactly as expected, and two of those players were available in most leagues. As quarterbacks continue to drop due to injuries, Week 3 is going to be a great week for fantasy football leagues that incorporate IDP. Let’s get to the risers of Week 3.

Fantasy Football IDP Risers Week 3

Defensive Lineman (DT) Deone Walker, Buffalo Bills.

It is not often that a defensive tackle makes the IDP Report. The most important position in real football has little correlation with fantasy football. In fantasy football, the defensive tackles are the offensive equivalent of fullbacks. That is to say, rarely utilized in lineups and oftentimes without statistics. That is not true for Deone Walker.

The second-year interior lineman has a unique skill set, and fellow defensive tackles Ed Oliver and T.J. Sanders are both injured. An athletic and large frame, even by football standards, leads to positional advantages. Walker is 6’ 7” and 331 pounds, and he accomplished something very few have ever done in the NFL. He recorded 3 passes deflected (a bonus in some IDP formats due to the rarity) and 3 QB hits (also a rarity but more common than the previously mentioned stat) in the same game. 

Although he recorded just one assisted tackle, he ended with a marvelous fantasy football score. In Week 1, Walker recorded 6 combined tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit, and 1 sack. Grab this riser in redraft, dynasty, and position-specific fantasy football leagues before his price becomes too high.

Linebacker (LB) Dennis Gardeck, Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Ah yes, Autumn in the air. Leaves changing colors, people talking about pumpkin spice in various forms of beverages, and Dennis Gardeck being written about in the IDP report. A tradition true as time. The trick is to enjoy them before the opportunities are gone, and for Gardeck that means now.

The veteran linebacker is in his ninth year and remains one of the better special teams players in the NFL. However, Gardeck is getting rotational reps at outside linebacker and making the most of the opportunities. He recorded 5 solo tackles last week, in addition to 2 QB hits and 1 tackle for loss last week.

He played almost the same amount of snaps in both of the Jacksonville Jaguars games. One was a blowout victory, and the other was a game that slipped out of their hands. He isn’t game-script dependent and gets “bonus” opportunities with his special teams play. For fantasy football leagues with deep benches, put some FAAB on this Week 3 IDP riser.

Defensive Back (DB) Marcus Harris, Tennessee Titans. 

The second-year cornerback from Portland, Oregon, has been a tackling machine for the Tennessee Titans. He has recorded a combined 13 tackles, 9 of which are solo. He also has 1 pass defended and 1 interception. Harris also has a favorable matchup against backup quarterback Jameis Winston and the New York Giants. 

The Titans have a young defense and an improving offense, especially when their defense helps them out. Harris looks poised for a leap in production in his second season and is an IDP rising up the board. Put in a Week 3 $0 FAAB waiver if in deep fantasy football leagues, or leagues that require cornerbacks. He has potential for a big play against backup quarterback Jameis Winston, who has 113 career interceptions.

Fantasy Football Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Targets

Zaven Collins, Defensive Lineman/Linebacker, Arizona Cardinals (2% ownership +/-) 

Another familiar face is mentioned on the Week 3 IDP report, and oddly enough, it’s Gardeck’s former teammate. Zaven Collins is playing his sixth season in the NFL, and all have been with the Arizona Cardinals. He has logged a 100-tackle season, has a combined 12 sacks, and has been a part of a turnover in every season except his rookie year. Last week he forced and recovered a fumble, which resulted in great fantasy football points.

This week the Cardinals are on the road against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are as great as ever and are in a rhythm that sets them apart from other franchises.  The Cardinals will need a big play from their defense if they are going to have a chance, and Collins can be the IDP to do it. His rare skill set allows him to play the pass; 13 passes defended, and rush the passer, 27 QB hits and 12 sacks. Look for Collins to make a big play against a team he has played 10 times in his career.

Jaishawn Barham, Defensive Lineman/Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys (3% ownership +/-) 

The Dallas Cowboys lost their defensive leader after Week 1 and were in need of someone stepping up. Rookie Jaishawn Barham was asked to literally shoulder the load, and he answered too. He was given the start and outsnapped second-year linebacker Shemar James 45 to 38.

Barham also recorded 7 combined tackles and forced a fumble. He was also targeted three times in the pass game, all of which were caught. This causes more tackling opportunities. Starting inside linebacker DeMarvion Overshown could return this week, or could be held out an additional week. Hamstrings are difficult to gauge and are frequently reinjured. Either way, Barham should be picked up in redraft, and especially dynasty IDP leagues. He has value for week 3, but could be a foundational piece of a fantasy football championship.

Riley Moss, Defensive Back, Denver Broncos (3% ownership +/-)

The Denver Broncos won their home opener last week and now get a difficult match against the Los Angeles Rams for week 3. This is a best-of-the-best match, as the Rams were the top-ranked passing offense of 2025. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos lead the league in sacks and were a top-three points-per-game defense. This is a game to have Broncos cornerback Riley Moss in your starting Week 3 IDP roster.

Moss is in his fourth season, all with the Denver Broncos. Patrick Surtain is the other starting cornerback for the Broncos and was the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. Sometimes he is challenged, but oftentimes teams look to pass Moss’ way to avoid Surtain. This is great for fantasy football. Moss recorded 3 passes defended, 2 solo tackles, and 1 interception last week.

He could improve on all three of those numbers in week 3 against Matthew Stafford. Stafford has thrown 56 passes in two weeks and recorded an interception in both games this season. Put a waiver in on Moss in what should be a high-volume passing match against the Rams.

NFL Week 3 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On

Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers Thursday 8:15 PM ET

Lukas Van Ness, Defensive Line, GB Packers

Week 3 of the NFL starts on Thursday night, and so do the IDP points. The featured game is the season home-opener for the Green Bay Packers, who host the 0-2 Atlanta Falcons. Fantasy Alarm attacked the Falcons with an IDP mention last week, and we are doing it again. This week it is outstanding defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness.

Several of the Packers faithful were ready to move on from Van Ness, but didn’t understand his role in the defense last year.  The Packers did and exercised his fifth-year option. Due to schematic changes, he has been given freedom to rush the pass more, especially with Micah Parsons still recovering from a torn ACL. In just two weeks, Van Ness has 11 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles, 5 QB hits, 4 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. 

The Falcons have allowed two sacks in each game this season and have a less mobile quarterback, Michael Penix, starting his first game of the season. Start week 3 with a high-scoring IDP to put panic in your opponent; pick up Van Ness and put him in your fantasy football starting lineup.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday 1:00 PM ET

Dax Hill, Defensive Back, CIN Bengals

It is always impressive how much an improvement on a defensive line makes every player behind them better. That is exactly what the Cincinnati Bengals have done with their off-season acquisitions. Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, and Jonathan Allen improved a terrible defense, and cornerback Dax Hill is one of those beneficiaries. 

Cincinnati has played with two positive game scripts in two weeks and won both games. It has led to great fantasy football points for their IDPs, and more of the same is expected for week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are having issues running the ball, and Rico Dowdle could be out this week. That will put more pressure on 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers to pass and be productive.

Hill has 17 combined tackles and 4 passes defended this season. Those numbers should go up against a bad offense, which will be forced to throw the ball more than they would like. Play Hill with confidence against their division rival in Week 3.

Seattle Seahawks vs Washington Commanders 1:00 PM ET

Drake Thomas, Linebacker, SEA Seahawks

Drake Thomas may be a more popular IDP due to the well-liked pre-season show Hard Knocks. He won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks last year and signed a contract extension with the team in the offseason. He is locked in to start beside Ernest Jones IV, and they could be the best inside linebacker tandem in the NFL.

However, Thomas is only owned in about 10% of leagues compared to Jones, who is rostered in about 50% of leagues. Seattle will be on the road and playing a backup quarterback in Marcus Mariota. That will lead to more rushing attempts, and possibly some passes defended for Thomas. A double-digit tackle performance could be on deck for the fifth-year Seahawk. Put him in the lineup for week 3.

NFL Fantasy Football Week 3 IDP Injury Report & News

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