IDP Waiver Wire Targets for Week 2 (2021)

Nate Marcum

Week 1 is in the books and it finally feels like all is normal in the world again. Well, clearly not all is normal, but I like to believe that my weekly IDP Waiver Wire article brings a sense of normalcy.

This weekly series is dedicated to bringing you, my fellow IDP junkies, a collection of who I deem to be the most sought-after free agents in line for an uptick in production or volume. There is also a chance it is a one-week play designed to take advantage of an opportunistic weekly matchup.

We have seen over the years that the 1st run of waivers can be the most important of the season. In a FAAB based league, you are actually getting the most potential value for your dollars, seeing as there are the most potential weeks of usage. Last year, for example, this same article recommended Jeremy Chinn, Jerome Baker, and Chase Young. Who will be this years’ league-winning target?

A bit of a disclaimer, but with so many different platforms providing different roster percentages, I am going to focus on players available in more than 80% of leagues according to consensus Yahoo and ESPN, which you can find at FantasyPros.com.

All scoring will be according to IDP123, which you can find below.

Defensive Line

Rashan Gary-Green Bay

Yes, I am coming out of the gate extremely hot, when I am looking at a 3% rostered DL who scored 2 points in his Week 1 game against the Saints. So why the Rashan Gary recommendation? For starters, he played in 36 of the Packers’ 60 total snaps (60%). In those 36 snaps, 16 were pass-rushes, which turned into 4 total pressures, 2 QB hits, and PFF’s 19th best performance of Week 1. Fast forward to Week 2 and the Packers can turn their attention to the Detroit Lions, who just allowed 31 total pressures to the 49ers.

Another thing to keep an eye on is Z’Darius Smith. He entered Week 1 with a neck injury and appeared to tweak it. Should still play, but I expect Gary to see a heavy percentage of the pass rush snaps and deliver at least 1 sack with a few QB hits for good measure.

Matt Judon-New England Patriots

The New England Patriots were looking for a spark in the pass rush, and they may have found it with Judon. While the Week 1 scoresheet may only say 10 points, his impact was much more beneficial. Judon played in 88% of snaps, recording 3 solo tackles, 1 TFL, 1 assist and 1 QB hit.

In Week 2, the Patriots will travel to face the New York Jets, who just lost their starting LT, Mekhi Becton. This doesn’t bode well for Zach Wilson and the Jets’ O-line. I can easily see a situation in which Judon registers a handful of impact plays which will translate to fantasy points.

Linebacker

Nick Bolton-Kansas City Chiefs

Even though the Willie Gay Jr injury has been devastating to the Chiefs’ LB room, it has given us a glimpse at just how dominant Nick Bolton can be! Bolton definitely passed the eye test, and I am confident that it will translate to the stat sheet in no time! Bolton played in 75% of the snaps, hitting the bench on most passing downs, but turned those snaps into 7 tackles (4 solo-3 assists) and a TFL.

In Week 2, the Chiefs will travel to Baltimore and face the most run-heavy team of the past 3 years. This has all the making of a double-digit tackle game and potential for a legit LB1/2 upside play!

Jordyn Brooks-Seattle Seahawks

With KJ Wright out of town, Jordyn Brooks is the next man up. It didn’t take long for him to make a splash! Playing in all snaps except for a single series (89%), he had 11 tackles (7 Solo-4 assists) (16% tackle rate) and was instrumental on coverage. Watching Brooks fly around the field just makes me realize that they knew what they were doing in letting Wright leave.

Week 2 will be an amazing opportunity for Brooks. He gets to play his first game in front of the 12th man and will get tested by a Titans team who is going to be out for blood after their Week 1 beat-down by the Cardinals. I think we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg of his talent.

Defensive Back

Rayshawn Jenkins–Jacksonville Jaguars

Rayshawn Jenkins made a pretty big impact in his first game with his new team. Jenkins played in 100% of the snaps against the Texans, recorded 6 solo tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit, and 1 Pass defended. Jenkins won’t get recognized as one of the best playmaking Safeties in the league, but the opportunity should be there for a consistent floor.

The key to this recommendation has a lot to do with his alignment in the box. He ranked 2nd among S with 48% of his snaps lined up in the box. Week 2, the Jags will face the run-heavy Broncos who will present a prime opportunity to see a heavy share of tackles.

Logan Ryan–New York Giants

Logan Ryan was everywhere against the Broncos on Sunday. He led the Giants in tackles with 10 (8 Solo), and chipped in a timely Forced Fumble and Fumble recovery in the Red Zone. Add in the TFL and QB hit and you have 27 fantasy points, which paced all DB’s in Week 1.

Logan Ryan and the Giants will face the Washington Football Team in Week 2. I expect Logan Ryan to once again be all over the field and to take advantage of Tyler Heinicke, who will be filling in for Ryan Fitzpatrick while he recovers from the hip injury he suffered in Week 1.

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