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What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to our weekly columns to help you win on the defensive side of the ball. Today we are here to review some IDP waiver wire pickups for Week 3.
The following players are not necessarily “must start” players for IDP leagues, but rather, players that currently have below 25% ownership levels (in Yahoo! Leagues) and are suggested deep-league IDP additions for this week.
Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 3. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!
Linebackers - Week 3 IDP Waiver Adds
Deion Jones, Falcons
Matchup: @ Saints
Ownership: 3%
Atlanta’s second round pick has been a favorite of mine since the preseason, as I was the lone writer to pick him to win Defensive ROY in the RotoBaller preseason predictions column (which you can find here). The LSU product has been something the Falcons defense has lacked for years; a young, athletic linebacker with speed. They have not been shy about playing Jones, who has been on the field for just under 85% of defensive snaps. Jones is not yet on the “must own” radar, but for deeper IDP leagues, he is an intriguing option this week against the high-octane (especially at home) Saints offense and could provide solid returns for owners beyond this week.
Melvin Ingram, Chargers
Matchup: @ Colts
Ownership: 5%
Ingram had a monster game last week (3 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble) against the Jaguars shaky, patchwork offensive line. The enticing matchups keep coming for Ingram, who will go up against the Colts weak offensive line (sound familiar?) that has allowed 7 sacks thus far, which is already tied for the second highest total in the league and for yet another year, seem hellbent on getting Andrew Luck injured. Ingram won’t rack up the tackles, but a chance for multiple sacks seems likely.
Mason Foster, Redskins
Matchup: @ Giants
Ownership: 13%
Foster was a tantalizing linebacker prospect in IDP leagues during the first few years of his career as a member of the Buccaneers. Foster's career was seemingly in turmoil when he signed with the Redskins last year, being used primarily in a reserve role. However, this season has been a renaissance of sorts for Foster, starting both games for the Skins, compiling 24 total tackles thus far (13 solo) while playing roughly 75% of snaps.
Kiko Alonso, Dolphins
Matchup: vs. Browns
Ownership: 15%
Alonso was an IDP superstar during his 2013 rookie season, piling up over 150 total tackles! A 2014 training camp ACL tear, followed by a lost 2015 season in Philadelphia all but wiped Alonso off IDP radars as a blossoming star. While Alonso certainly is not the player he was in Buffalo, he has rebounded in Miami this year, racking up 22 total tackles through the first two weeks. With the Browns expected to lean heavily on their ground game in Week 3 to aid rookie quarterback Cody Kessler, Alonso figures to be in on plenty of stops, and a turnover is always in play given whom the Browns will line up behind center.
Karlos Dansby, Bengals
Matchup: vs. Broncos
Ownership: 24%
Dansby has had a great career to this point, and while he is currently on the back nine of it, he continues to shine as a steady IDP contributor. The veteran has been on the field for just about 90% of Cincinnati’s defensive snaps thus far, and will get one more week with heavy usage as Vontaze Burfict serves the final game of his three game suspension. Dansby figures to be in on a ton of action this week, going up against a top 5 Broncos rushing attack. Look for a third straight game with double digit total tackles for Dansby.
Defensive Linemen - Week 3 IDP Waiver Adds
Benson Mayowa, Cowboys
Matchup: vs. Bears (Sunday night)
Ownership: 0%
This one is a bit of a shot in the dark, and is completely reflective of the matchup and opportunity. From a matchup standpoint, the Bears have looked inept on offense through two weeks, and will be starting the awful Brian Hoyer at quarterback this week. They have allowed a league-high eight sacks in that timespan and have not looked capable of protecting consistently. From an opportunity perspective, Mayowa, signed as a free agent this spring, has seen 80% of defensive snaps thus far and will be on the field plenty this week given the Cowboys depleted/suspended defensive line.
Leonard Williams, Jets
Matchup: @ Chiefs
Ownership: 22%
Williams is not yet spoken about in the same light as All-Pro defensive line mates Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, but he should be. The second-year pro is wreaking havoc for the Jets this season, proving to be a high upside play (2.5 sacks in Week 1) while also providing a safe floor when he doesn’t collect a sack (4 tackles and a fumble forced in Week 2). Given the talent, matchup (7 sacks allowed by the Chiefs offensive line) and usage (on the field for 93% of snaps), Williams is a strong play this week and is creeping towards “must own” status, particularly in IDP leagues that force owners to start defensive linemen.
Defensive Backs - Week 3 IDP Waiver Adds
Keanu Neal, Falcons
Matchup: @ Saints (Monday night)
Ownership: 1%
Neal was the Falcons first round pick in this years draft, but a late preseason knee injury has kept him off the field. After finally being able to practice this week, Neal is expected to debut Monday night against the Saints and their high-octane passing attack. To what extent Neal plays is yet to be determined, but the Falcons recognize that they need an upgrade in their defensive backfield, and Neal was a true tone-setter at safety in college. This could end up being a speculative long term add that could prove to be beneficial later in the season, or perhaps even this week.
Tyvon Branch, Cardinals
Matchup: @ Bills
Ownership: 4%
Branch has long been an IDP staple at defensive back for his tackling prowess. An offseason move to the Cardinals, one of the deepest and most talented defensive back situations in the NFL, appeared to diminish his IDP value significantly. Arizona has found a way to move Branch around the formation and keep him on the field (playing on 80% of snaps through two weeks), leading to his impressive total of 16 solo tackles. This weeks matchup isn’t great, but Branch is still a talented and a productive piece that could provide a low floor for IDP owners starting multiple defensive backs.
Reggie Nelson, Raiders
Matchup: @ Titans
Ownership: 14%
Like Branch, the veteran safety has long been a useful IDP defensive back that made an offseason move this spring. The Raiders pass defense has been abysmal this season, and although the Titans don’t feature a high-powered passing offense, one would assume they will look to exploit Oakland through the air. Nelson, who has not missed one defensive snap this season, should see plenty of action this week as he looks to add to his 20 total tackles this season. There is a chance that first round rookie Karl Joseph, who has inexplicably not seen the field on defense yet, will finally log some snaps this week, but it shouldn’t impact Nelson too significantly yet.
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
