The first couple weeks of the year might have some growing pains. We saw that in week 1 with a lot unexpected performances. However, some of these performances show the usage certain players might be getting or trust to get throughout the season. One thing is certain is we need to take week one with a grain of salt as there is still plenty of opportunity for bounce back games! Listed below I have some of my starts and sits for IDP in week 2.
START
DL-Derrick Brown (CAR) vs. New Orleans Saints (START)
Brown currently leads the team in tackles. Last week was his second-best game of his career. Now he goes against Guard Cesar Ruiz who received a pass and rush blocking grade below 36 on PFF., which was the lowest grade on the Saints offensive line. Brown will look to build on his tackles, potentially getting another sack too.
DL-Will Anderson (HOU) vs. Indianapolis Colts (START)
Week 1 might always be a scare to start a rookie. Sometimes they need to adjust. Not Big Will! The third overall pick looked great accumulating six tackles with one sack. He now faces the Colts line that gave up three sacks to edge rusher Josh Allen. Anderson is quick enough to get into the backfield early. If not sacks, it is possible he gets some tackle-for-losses with the Colts’ lackluster running game. Look for him to cause some disturbance off the edge this week.
LB-Germaine Pratt (CIN) vs. Baltimore Ravens (START)
The emerging linebacker picks up from his career high tackles last season. He led the team with seven solo tackles. Eleven total. Pratt will look to stop the Ravens run game early. Especially with it looking like a backfield of Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and maybe some Melvin Gordon. Either way he has an opportunity to have another double-digit tackle performance.
DB-Jessie Bates (ATL) vs. Green Bay Packers (START)
One of my guys this year, Bates got off to a fast start. He led the team in pass break ups (2) and interceptions (2). Plus, he tied the team lead with ten tackles. Running Back Aaron Jones injured his hamstring last week. The Packers may be down their top runner. This means the game script could be more pass friendly. If so, then Bates is in line to dominate again.
DB-Trevon Diggs (DAL) vs. New York Jets (START)
Diggs will look to bounce back after a meh performance saved by a forced fumble. He faces one of the best in the game, Garrett Wilson. The matchup may favor Diggs. Aaron Rodgers is done for the year. Which means shaky Quarterback Zach Wilson gets the reigns. Wilson did pull off the win against the Bills. A game in which it could be argued the defense won. If so, the Cowboys defense was way more dominant in their week 1 victory. Wilson will be a top target for Wilson allowing Diggs plenty of opportunity to bounce back. He may even get an interception this game.
SIT
DL- Drake Jackson (SF) vs. Los Angeles Rams (SIT)
Jackson made the most of his opportunities. He posted 3 sacks on only 44% of his snaps. However, Nick Bosa was not 100%. Head Coach, Kyle Shanahan, has said Bosa should be at full capacity going into week 2. This means he may be up to his usual 45-55% of snaps. As efficient as Jackson was it may not hurt him. Their opponent this week is against the Rams. A team that allowed no sacks against Matthew Stafford. Right Tackle, Rob Havenstein, had a pass blocking grade of 75.6 on PFF. If they try to break it inside then Right Guard, Joseph Noteboom, will be ready after receiving a pass blocking grade of 73.1 in week 1 on PFF. This will be a more difficult offensive line matchup for Jackson and will the full return of the dominant starter, Nick Bosa, I’m benching Jackson this week even with his efficiency.
DL-Michael Danna (KC) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (SIT)
Danna had a career best in both snaps’ percentage (84%) and tackles (6) last week. This could largely be because star Defensive Lineman Chris Jones was awaiting a new deal. Jones got that and may be eligible to return this week against the Jaguars. Regardless, Danna looks to match up against Left Tackle Walker Little who played every snap and had the highest pass blocking grade for the Jaguars (76.4). He only allowed one pressure on the quarterback, no sacks. Danna’s career game may be in for a rude awakening come this Sunday.
LB-Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (CLE) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (SIT)
He played 76.8% of snaps leading all linebackers for the team. He only came away with three tackles. PFF gave him an overall grade of 51.9. The defense was led by their secondary and the monsters on the edge. I would think the Steelers will try to establish the run after only ten attempts week one. This would allow Edge rushers Za’Darius Smith and Myles Garrett opportunity to get to the ball before Owusu-Koramoah. Even with being on the field I was not impressed with his efficiency. He is on my bench this week.
LB-Christian Rozeboom (LAR) vs. San Francisco 49ers (SIT)
He saw 68% of the defensive snaps in week 1. However, he received a pass coverage grade of 32.5. Plus, a miss tackle percentage of 33.3%. He now goes against Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers. As a team, they had nine miss tackles forced. They know how to get away. Rozeboom had six tackles this past week. This week he might have a harder time connecting to achieve those tackles.
DB-J.C. Jackson (LAC) vs. Tennessee Titans (SIT)
Jackson is facing the Tennessee Titans this week. A team that would much rather run the ball with Derrick Henry than pass with Tannehill. He did not record one tackle last week. This caused him to receive an overall grade of 45. His game was turned around by grabbing one interception on the day. For a team that likes to run (Tennessee) against a defender that had trouble getting a tackle (Jackson), I think the bounce back game for this cornerback will have to wait another week.
That is my week 2 start/sits for the IDP positions.
Thank you for reading. Follow me on X at @ThePPRShow for more! Peace & Love!
For additional IDP lineup advice, check out our Start/Sit Tool and our Week 2 IDP Rankings.