IDP Waiver Wire – Week 4
It feels like we’re at an all-time high for parity in the NFL. That may just be because few teams play their starters in preseason anymore, so there’s little cohesion at this point. Regardless, there are still a lot of unknowns as we try to figure out who are the best IDP options. Be patient and be willing to spend your FAAB or use waiver priority to improve your fantasy squad. Here are my Week 4 recommendations for redraft leagues.
Players from last week’s article that further solidified their value and should be rostered if available: Will McDonald IV, Damar Hamlin, and Jamel Dean.
Defensive Line
Devonte Wyatt, Packers
It feels like every Packer tallied a sack this week against the Titan’s porous offensive line. Some even snagged two like defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt. New defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, seems to be finding his stride with this group and everyone is benefiting in terms of IDP production. If you’re in a DT-required league, Wyatt would be a solid pickup as this Green Bay defense looks much more capable this season. His ownership sits around 3%.
Derick Hall, Seahawks
The Seahawks defense received a gift in facing Dolphins backup quarterback Skylar Thompson and they didn’t waste the opportunity to do damage. Derick Hall in particular had himself a very nice game. He racked up five tackles (four solo), two sacks, and one forced fumble. He’s also received a steady snap share of 66% the past two weeks. Star edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu returned to practice recently as he works his way back from a MCL sprain, so there is that threat to Hall’s role. However, Nwosu also missed most of last season with a pectoral tear. If your league has deeper benches, I’d recommend stashing Hall as he’s shown himself a capable pass rusher in a good defense. He’s sitting at 1% owned at the moment.
Other options: Tyquan Lewis (2%), Colts; and Mike Danna (4%), Chiefs
Linebackers
Nick Herbig, Steelers
Death, taxes, and the Steelers drafting good edge rushers. Nick Herbig took over for Alex Highsmith, who suffered a groin injury during Pittsburgh’s win over the Chargers in Week 3. He capitalized on that opportunity with a monster stat line of three solo tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble. If Highsmith were to miss time, there’s significant upside in adding the edge who will play opposite T.J. Watt. Herbig is eligible at both DL and LB in Sleeper. He’s only rostered in 2% of MFL leagues and readily available.
Dennis Gardeck, Cardinals
That’s back-to-back big games for the journeyman from Sioux Falls. After posting three sacks against the Rams in Week 2, Dennis Gardeck followed that up with four tackles and an interception in the Cardinals’ Week 3 loss to the Lions. I’m not looking to start him unless you are desperate to fill a spot in your lineup. However, he’s coming off a career-high six sack season in 2023 and is already making waves early in this campaign. So, he’s worth rostering and monitoring going forward. Gardeck’s ownership is surprisingly high at 6%, but he was available in all of my redraft leagues at the time of this article.
Other options: Anthony Walker, Kyle Van Noy (3%), Ravens; and Tyrice Knight (2%), Seahawks
Defensive Backs
A.J. Terrell, Falcons
This is a bit of a speculative addition. Terrell is on pace for 85 tackles this season. That would put him on track for totals close to his rookie and second year. In all likelihood, he probably won’t hit that mark and playing against two good passing offenses in Kansas City and Philadelphia probably helped elevate those totals, but it’s something worth monitoring. The Falcons are going to play the Saints (twice), Buccaneers (twice), and Cowboys in the next seven games. I like the odds that that leads to plenty of receiver targets Terrell’s way. He’s owned in 3% of leagues.
Chamarri Conner, Chiefs
Cornerbacks are tricky in IDP because they don’t offer as much stability in scoring as other positions. One way to approach the spot is to target players who produce splash plays. The “go big or go home” method. Chiefs’ nickelback/safety Chamarri Conner has come up huge the last two weeks in that department. Against the Bengals, he scooped and scored a Joe Burrow fumble. On Sunday Night Football versus the Falcons, he intercepted Kirk Cousins. His snap share also jumped up to 82%. All signs point to Conner’s stock rapidly rising as the Chiefs look for new players to anchor their defense. He’s rostered in just 4% of leagues.
Other options: Mike Jackson (<1%), Panthers; and Jaylon Jones (<1%), Colts
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