What’s up, fellow IDP degenerates! I have a brand new series that I will be bringing you all each week called the IDP Round Up!
Looking at the box scores each week has been adequate for many to stay competitive in the IDP streets, but how do you gain a noticeable edge? That is the goal of this article. I want to dig deep into each game and find stats, notes, injuries, trends, etc.; all with the intention of giving the tools to be proactive in your approach.
Which players are under-appreciated and deserve another chance? Which teams are putting their players in a better position to score fantasy points? Who is the next big waiver wire add that you can get a week earlier than the competition?
Welcome to The IDP Roundup from Week 7 (2023).
Jax @ N.O.
The statline may not have reflected a great game for Josh Allen, but the underlying metrics were on par with an elite week. Allen’s 25.6% pressure rate, along with a 36.8% win-rate, are what huge games are made of. While Allen may be a sack or bust type of player, there is no ignoring the dominance.
Travon Walker, on the other hand, had another disappointing week. The matchup was one that should have produced better than ½ tackle and a 11% pressure rate. The “bust” term is starting to gain some traction.
Foye Oluokun has always benefited from a large amount of defensive snaps. This week, he played the most in a single game; 90.
Devin Lloyd appears to be fully healthy following the thumb injury. Lloyd logged 89 snaps, while Chad Muma only saw 3.
Andre Cisco only played 67% of the snaps, but apparently it was precautionary due to cramping. He should be good to go.
Carl Granderson continues his dominance. This time with five solo tackles and a fumble recovery. Currently the DL6 in FantasyPros scoring, Granderson’s blend of tackle floor and sack upside will keep his name in the “start” columns week in and week out.
Alontae Taylor left the game briefly, but should be ready for Week 8. He is the most targeted CB in the NFL and currently is 6th in pass-play tackles (11.1% pass play tackle rate)
LV @ CHI
Maxx Crosby decided to take a few snaps off: a grand total of two! Crosby added another five tackles and a sack to his season total. He now has six games with at least five tackles and six games with at least .5 sacks.
Divine Deablo left Week 7s game with an ankle injury, and was unable to return. Luke Masterson filled in for his absence, and was a bright spot for the coverage.
Tyree Wilson took another step towards an increase in playing time. Wilson recorded his first career sack and forced fumble. Wilson was also the Raiders’ 2nd highest pass-rush graded player next to Crosby
Tre’Von Moehrig saw another huge role as a box safety for the Raiders. On the season, Moehrig has the 8th most box snaps and is a unsuspecting DB3 with 29 solo tackles, four PDs and two INTs
The Chicago Bears are the only team with two LBs in the Top 10 in tackles.
The tackle volume may not have been there for T.J Edwards (2), but Jaquon Brisker was there to clean it up with 10 tackles.
While Brisker is seeing the tackle volume, with 6+ tackles in five of seven games, it’s the lack of TFL and sacks that are burying him as a DB4.
CLV @ IND
As we all knew, Anthony Walker Jr would play 100% of the snaps in Week 7. *sarcasm* Maybe it was a revenge game treat for the ex-Colt. Regardless, it resulted in eight tackles (2:6 ratio), a dropped INT and a fumble recovery.
The Browns’ used a lot of Tony Fields in Week 7 in the absence of Sione Takitaki. It wasn’t just in replacement of Takitaki, it was also with a lower snap share for Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (48.5%)
Grant Delpit had his best performance of the season with 10 tackles and a TFL.
Shaq Leonard saw an uptick in playing time in Week 7 (70.6%) While the playing time took an upswing, his production was lackikng a little behind.
Leonard collected seven tackles, but the solo to assist ratio was an uneven one. This was Leonard’s 3rd time this season with more assists than solo tackles. For context, Leonard only had 6 such games over the past three years.
Kenny Moore II continues to remind us that he can be an IDP stud, with 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Over the past four weeks, Moore II is the #1 IDP DB (FantasyPros scoring), and is the DB2 on the season.
Rookie JuJu Brents suffered an ankle injury, the severity of which is unknown at this time. Brents has been outstanding on the season, but it does potentially shake up the defense. Does Kenny Moore II play more outside, which hurts his value? Is there a chance for Nick Cross to see time in the slot? Stay tuned!
ATL @ TB
Nate Landman proved me wrong in Week 7. While the snaps were still at 76%, he was very efficient with them. Landman totaled 12 tackles and a forced fumble (21% tackle efficiency).
Kaden Elliss was pretty disruptive in the backfield, despite not recording a sack or a QB hit. He did have six tackles (1 TFL). Next week the Falcons will travel to Tennessee, who have allowed a sack to an opposing LB in three of six games.
Richie Grant had a really solid performance, finishing with eight tackles and an interception. This was only his 2nd game finishing as a DB2 or better. The fewer box snaps have really reduced his tackle floor.
I don’t know what to say about Devin White. He hasn’t had double-digit tackles since Week 1, a QB hit since Week 2, and a sack all-season. From a real football perspective, he is missing his assignment and getting beat to the edges.
If Shaq Barrett is truly on the trade block, he just upped the return for the Buccaneers. Barrett recorded his 13th strip sack since joining TB. The 13 strip-sacks are the most in the NFL during that time.
BUF @ NE
Terrel Bernard continues his dominant play and looks to be an elite LB1 option moving forward. Over the past three weeks, Bernard leads all LBs with 39 tackles and his 12 stops are good for 4th.
It was nice to see Jordan Poyer return to DB1 status, even if it is a short stint. The Bills utilized him in the pass-rush a lot more, and he paid off with a sack and two QB hits to go along with the nine tackles. The seven blitzes were his most since Week 8, 2020…against the Patriots.
Dorian Williams started the game as the LB2, but seemingly lost his job mid-game. Tyrel Dodson came in for Williams in the 2nd quarter and never looked back, totaling 31 snaps and seven tackles (22.5% tackle rate).
Jahlani Tavai saw his snaps reduced this week (60.5%), and in turn, his tackle volume was reduced as well. We may expect to see more Dime coverage against the Dolphins in Week 8.
Anfernee Jennings took another step in the right direction when it comes to playing time. Jennings saw a near 100% workload, the result of a lack of depth. Jennings has had six tackles with a TFL in back-to-back weeks.
DET @ BLT
Step 1: Get Jack Campbell more playing time
Step 2: Maintain consistent playing time.
Step 3: Correlate tackle efficiency and increase of playing time for Campbell.
Malcolm Rodriguez’ lack of LB reps, mixed with an apparent fullback role and a new ankle injury, should keep Step 1 & 2 going.
Brian Branch returned, but only saw 50% of the snaps. Tracy Walker was tasked with playing an increase of slot snaps, most likely to try to keep Mark Andrews at bay.
The Ravens decimated the Lions, allowing Roquan, Queen, and Co to take a little time off, resulting in some additional playing time for Trenton Simpson and others.
Marcus Williams’ absence shifted up a little of the box snaps, with Kyle Hamilton seeing the fewest box snaps on the season. The result, tho, was seven tackles, with one TFL.
This game also marked the 3rd time Hamilton was without a blitz. The once lofty ceiling for Hamilton is definitely reduced without the pass-rush.
DT Justin Madubuike increased his streak to four games with a sack (or at least a ½ sack)
WSH @ NYG
Cody Barton injured his ankle in the 1st quarter and did not return to action. He was seen in a walking boot after the game.
David Mayo may be a bit of a drop off from Barton, but he is likely to see a major percentage of the snaps and should be added in leagues.
Last year, when asked to play a heavy workload from Week 16-18, Mayo did respond with decent tackle numbers. The LB had 25 tackles (2 TFL) and a sack in those three games.
The Giants’ offensive line held up much better than expected, allowing a season-low 15 pressures.
The overall pressures rate was low, but Chase Young continued to add sacks to his season total. This week he chipped in two more, totaling 5 for the season.
The Giants entered Week 7 with a grand total of five sacks. They left their week 7 matchup with an entire seasons’ worth (6) in addition, bringing season total up to 11.
Kayvon Thibodeaux continues his dominant ways against the Commanders, adding another 1.5 sacks to his ledger.
Micah McFadden is collecting elite PFF grades on the regular. Now if he could only collect a few more snaps on a weekly basis, he would be a more trustworthy fantasy asset.
ARI @ SEA
In a shocking turn of events, K’Von Wallace was released by the Cardinals. With Buddha Baker returning, many, myself included, thought his snaps would reduce. I don’t think anyone expected this!
Does this mean that they trust Andre Chachere with regular snaps? Hard to say considering Jalen Thompson and Antonio Hamilton both missed this game. I wouldn’t overreact quite yet.
I’m not sure if I am more shocked at the fact that Wallace played zero snaps or that Josh Woods played 86%? Woods has played 77% of snaps over the past three weeks and has 17 tackles. Playing time may drop as pieces return to defense.
Uchenna Nwosu will need season-ending surgery to repair torn pectoral. Huge loss for the Seahawks.
With the loss of Nwosu, expect for Derick Hall and Darrell Taylor to compete for snaps.
Darrell Taylor was very efficient in his pressures last year, but only has a 4.7% rate this season. Derrick Hall isn’t much better (8.8%)
The usage of three safeties; Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, and Julian Love with Devon Witherspoon at Nickel was very effective in Week 7. If this is a trend to come, they may eat into each others’ tackle volume.
PIT @ LAR
Cole Holcomb sustained an ankle injury in the Week 7 matchup. May limit his availability in practice, but it doesn’t appear he will miss time.
Minkah Fitzpatrick has seen a trend of diminishing deep safety snaps over the past two weeks. I am sure it is a product of the scheme more so than his alignment moving forward, but regardless, it is wonderful for fantasy managers.
For the second week in a row, Ernest Jones entered the game with a balky knee and missed practices. For the second week in a row, Ernest Jones played sub 82% of the snaps. His production wasn’t limited in Week 6, but it took a massive hit in Week 7.
If Jones continues to suffer through the knee injury, one has to wonder if he will be shut down to allow it to heal?
Russ Yeast had a scary hit put on him (blindside block), but he was able to return. Yeast has been a better NFL asset than a fantasy asset. If there was ever a change, I would love to see more of Quentin Lake.
Quentin Lake has been really efficient and productive with his limited snaps over the past two weeks (16.5% tackle rate)
LAC @ KC
Recent “cut-down” signee, Dean Marlowe, has played really well for another week. Marlowe has 21 tackles over his past three games, while playing 100% of the snaps.
Nick Bolton suffered a dislocated wrist that is going to require surgery. While Bolton is seeking additional testing, it would appear that two months is the likely time missed.
If Drue Tranquill happens to be on your waiver wire, make him a priority add this week.
George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu both played extremely well this week. The Chiefs could have a solid rotation of players on the line. Great for the Chiefs, hard to predict for you fantasy team.
GB @ DEN
Rashan Gary may help carry your fantasy team down the stretch! Gary saw 68% of the snaps in Week 7 and now has a preposterous 25.7% pressure rate. The Packers have a bit of a difficult stretch over the short term, but their fantasy playoff matchups are juicy! @NYG, vTB, Car, @MIN
Don’t let Isaiah McDuffie’s stat line paint a rosy picture for him going forward. He only played 66% of the snaps and had an unsustainable 25% tackle rate.
Darnell Savage aggravated a calf injury and could miss multiple weeks. Jonathan Owens would fill that role in his absence. Owens had a really good 2022 and could be a nice waiver wire add.
Baron Browning had a less-than-stellar stat sheet, but his underlying metrics were worth noting. With the veteran departures, it clears easy space for Browning, Cooper and Bonitto to have significant work.
Go back and watch Browning vs LT, Rasheed Walker. He puts on a clinic in only 17 pass-rush snaps.
Kareem Jackson has been suspended for two games. What once was a four game suspension, has been reduced to two. P.J. Locke played in his absence and even got the game-sealing INT. I wouldn’t prioritize Locke in my lineups.
MIA @ PHI
Bradley Chubb was mentioned on Shoot The Gap, our IDP Podcast, for his sack upside and elevated tackle floor. This week, Chubb just reiterated those remarks with two more sacks, a forced fumble, and seven tackles. He now has six or more tackles and a sack in three games, with a season total of 34 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and seven QB hits.
Jaelan Phillips finally returned to full health and saw nearly 70% of the snaps.
Jevon Holland and David Long had a nasty collision in this game, resulting in a concussion for Holland. Long left the game, but reports are that he should be fine and ready for Week 8.
I am going to guess that Brandon Jones will fill the lost snaps of Jevon Holland. Jones was one of the better blitzing safeties just a few years ago and could fill that role admirably.
The Eagles traded for All-Pro Kevin Byard! First the Titans trade AJ Brown to the Eagles..now Kevin Byard. Byard will be an immediate upgrade to the Eagles and could actually see his IDP stock on the rise.
Former Titans HC Jeff Fischer made a very good point that Kevin Byard was doing so much pre-snap alignment to his younger teammates in Tennessee that his production was possibly hampered. Look for more upside with Philly!
Rookie, Nolan Smith, picked up his first NFL sack. The snaps will be hard to come by for Smith, but it’s always nice to see talented rookies achieve milestones.
Zach Cunningham saw 100% of the snaps at LB with Nakobe Dean a distant 2nd with 61%. I really like Dean’s upside, but it may take some time to see him completely separate from Nicholas Morrow.
SF @ MIN
Fred Warner took a shot to the thigh in Week 7 and appeared to be in considerable pain. Lucky for fantasy owners he did return to the game after missing only 1 snap and should be good to go in Week 8.
Dre Greenlaw continues to be limited at practice, and missing limited snaps during the game. Keep an eye on his health, and if he were to miss time, Oren Burks would be the next man up.
Camryn Bynum was a monster again in Week 7. His two interceptions both stopped crucial drives for the 49ers. Bynum’s nine tackles give him 69 on the season, 5th most in the NFL.
Jordan Hicks was the only LB to see full-time work, and it was the trio of Josh Matellus, Harrison Smith, and Camryn Bynum that saw 100% each.
