It’s another excellent week for IDP matches, and fantasy football rewards those who seek opportunity. Week 8 does have four teams on bye, and they are loaded with IDP talent. Those teams are: the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers. Get IDPs from those teams out of your fantasy football lineups. Before we get to week 8, here's a report card on last week’s mentioned players.
- DL Quinnen Williams (DAL) 4 solo tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit, 1.0 sack.
- DL/LB Dallas Turner (MIN) 2 solo tackle, 2 assisted tackles, 3 QB hit, 1 tackle for loss, 0.5 sack
- DB Jalen Ramsey (PIT) 3 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles.
Grade: B-. Our first unlucky week came during “lucky” week 7. 1.5 sacks and 15 combined tackles isn’t horrible, but there was potential for so much more. Quinnen Williams had a fumble recovery removed due to a penalty, and Dallas Turner was so close to another sack. However, Turner and Williams scored over 10 fantasy football points; Ramsey did not. The Week 8 IDP report will get back on track and have several double-digit scoring fantasy football players.
Fantasy Football IDP Risers Week 8
Defensive Lineman (DL) Adetomiwa Adebawore, Indianapolis Colts.
Adebawore finished as a top-ten IDP for Week 7, and it was easily his best fantasy football performance of the season. He earned 4 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 2 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits, 2.0 sacks, and 1 pass defended. Talk about a stat line! His 29 snaps tied for his most of the season, and he doubled his sack total.
The Indianapolis Colts are having difficulty winning games, but their defensive line is one of the best in the NFL. A. Adebawore has a chance to stand out and earn more playing time if the Colts decide to trade off pieces and prepare for the future. Keep an eye on this fantasy football riser, and for teams that need defensive line help, snag this IDP with little to zero FAAB.
Linebacker (LB) Micah McFadden, New York Giants
Welcome back, Micah McFadden. A name fantasy football managers and IDP junkies are familiar with, but may have been written off. The New York Giants signed Tremaine Edmunds in the off-season, and he was having an All-Pro-caliber year. However, he was placed on season-ending IR prior to Week 7, and M. McFadden was thrust into the starting lineup.
McFadden appears to be back in 2023/2024 form, when he totaled 204 combined tackles. He recorded 6.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, and 1 interception in his first 47 games. He is an IDP riser, but could be a valuable piece of a fantasy football team looking for help at linebacker… or the GM with bench space playing keep-away. Put the waiver request in if needed; otherwise, keep an eye on this Week 8 riser.
Defensive Back (DB) M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are on bye this week, but sometimes that is the best opportunity to get a great IDP for 0 FAAB. This is Stewart’s fifth season with Houston, but he played 17 games just once in the previous four years. He hasn’t made big plays often, but could bust out in his eighth season as the Texans look for healthy players in their secondary.
M.J. Stewart was activated off of the PUP just over two weeks ago. He played 37 snaps in week six, and 63 snaps last week against the New York Giants. He turned those 63 snaps into 12 combined tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended, and 0.5 sack. Fantastic numbers for a defensive back. The Texans play the Los Angeles Chargers after their bye, and a big play could be on deck for Stewart. Keep an eye on this IDP riser.
Fantasy Football Week 8 IDP Waiver Wire Targets
Yaya Diaby, Defensive Lineman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11% ownership +/-)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been in need of a reliable pass rusher for over two seasons. Yaya Diaby was drafted in 2023 to be that person, and he has been a steady contributor. He has not missed a game in his four-year career, but has not been the elite pass-rusher they were expecting.
He earned 7.5 sacks his rookie season, and did earn a combined 11.5 sacks the next two seasons, but it has been inconsistent. His three sacks against division rival, the Carolina Panthers, last week were his first of the season. Tampa Bay hosts their division rival, the Atlanta Falcons, this week. Y. Diaby is in a contract year, and if he wants to get a nice payday, he needs to continue earning sacks. Pick him up on the Week 8 waiver wire and put him on fantasy football rosters.
Kendal Daniels, Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons (2% ownership +/-)
The Atlanta Falcons are decimated at linebacker and are starting two rookies who are relieved by journeymen veterans. Kendal Daniels was selected in the fourth round, and by all reports is a true leader for the Falcons. He is owned in just 2% of leagues, and those are probably deep dynasty leagues. He has called out bona fide stars on the offense, and earned the trust of his coaches by wearing the “green dot” last week.
The “green dot” implies that Daniels is the one player who communicates with Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich between snaps. K. Daniels also makes the audibles, on-field adjustments, and calls the play to the rest of the defense. It’s a lot of responsibility, particularly for a rookie, but Daniels has answered the call. He’s now one of 32 IDPs that are expected to play at least three downs per drive, and his 66 snaps prove it. Pick up this IDP from the Week 8 waiver wire, and put him in as a starter in most fantasy football lineups.
Nohl Williams, Defensive Back, Kansas City Chiefs (2% ownership +/-)
Nohl Williams is a little-known IDP, even for fantasy football junkies. He is quietly having one of the better seasons for IDPs, particularly in fantasy football leagues which require a true position. He is a cornerback who has been stuffing the stat sheet, equaling or surpassing several of his totals from last season, despite playing 17 games and starting five.
N. Williams recorded the first interception of his career this season, and returned it for 65 yards. He has matched his passes defended total from last season with 7. He has matched his career sack total (1.0), QB hit total (1), and his tackles for loss (4). He has 29 combined tackles, 17 of which are solo, and is on pace to crush his tackle totals. The Kansas City Chiefs are past their bye week, and Williams can be a plug-and-play defensive back for the rest of the season. Put some FAAB on him and pick him up from the Week 8 waiver wire.
NFL Week 8 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On
Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders, Sunday 8:15 PM ET
K'Lavon Chaisson, Defensive Lineman, WAS Commanders
The Washington Commanders are coming off of their bye week, and they needed it. Several mental errors have cost them not one, but two games. Luckily, their defense has played well, or well enough to overcome inconsistent offensive play. K’Lavon Chaison has been a reliable IDP on the line for them, and that should continue this week.
K. Chaisson has played 36 or more snaps in every game this season. He has played 45 or more snaps in the past four games, and even though he is in his seventh season, he is set to have the best season of his career. For Week 8, the Washington Commanders host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. The Eagles played Monday, are banged up across their offensive line, at quarterback, are down both starting wide receivers, and Saquon Barkley is on a snap count. This leaves the door wide open for K. Chaisson to have a great week, especially with two weeks to prepare. Put him in your Week 8 fantasy football lineups, and expect a big return.
Carolina Panthers vs Green Bay Packers, Thursday 8:15 PM ET
Isaiah McDuffie, Linebacker, GB Packers
Isiah McDuffie was mentioned as a waiver wire add when starting interior linebacker Edgerrin Cooper went down with a season-ending injury. Cooper was the “green dot” linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, and those responsibilities went to off-season acquisition Zaire Franklin. Franklin was then declared out last week with a hairline fracture in his shin.
With the Packers playing on Thursday, Z. Franklin will not be declared healthy in time for the game. Thus, I. McDuffie will be tasked with the “green dot” and all its responsibilities once again. Last week he played 68 snaps, recorded 11 combined tackles, and had a big time forced fumble with the recovery. The Carolina Panthers will return to a run game after being forced to pass due to a large, early deficit. I. McDuffie could be the best spot start linebacker of the season, and is owned in just 3% of leagues. Pick him up off of the Week 8 waiver wire and play him with confidence.
Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 PM ET
Jarrian Jones, Defensive Back, JAX Jaguars
Jarrien Jones and the Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a Week 7 bye, and Jones is owned in 0% of sleeper leagues. He has played 199 snaps in the Jaguars' last three games and is targeted frequently due to playing opposite elite cornerback Travis Hunter. This is a great thing for fantasy football IDP leagues.
J. Jones has played every game of his three-year career and has 10 starts. He has an interception every year he’s played; he has 6 passes defended this season, and is on pace to have a career best in that category. He also has 22 combined tackles, 18 of which are solo tackles. The Jaguars host their bitter division rival in Week 8, the Indianapolis Colts. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has thrown 7 interceptions in 7 games, and with a negative game script expected, Jarrian Jones has a great opportunity for a big play. Play this IDP with confidence in your Week 8 fantasy football leagues.
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