IDP Waiver Watch: Week Four

Brandon Salamat Posted On September 26, 2017

With week three of the NFL season in the books, have we already hit the panic button on this fantasy season, or are we treading along? As we head into week four, now is the time to figure out your team and see what you’re going to do with it. Whether you’re contending and have some assets and don’t need to upgrade a starting position, or you’re heading the opposite direction, then you’ll be looking at which vets you have that could get you some building blocks heading into 2018.

There weren’t many injuries that happened in week three though (thank God!), just a couple of bumps and bruises.

Noah Spence, DE TBB suffered a shoulder injury.

Lavonte David, LB TBB had an ankle injury and is out indefinitely.

With that said and the Bucs already missing Kwon Alexander, if you picked up Kendall Beckwith last week then you should be okay in the short term. Vontaze Burfict owners will be glad to get their elite LB back in week four, hoping he’ll play the remainder of the season.

We’re approaching slim pickings already, but again your league may vary and the guys available might be a bit more expanded. Let’s take a look at some players that may provide good depth going forward or if they’ll help you right now until one of your studs come back.

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Linebackers

Patrick Onwuasor, LB BAL

It looks like the Kamalei Correa experiment is done with and Onwuasor has taken over or played more snaps than last couple games. In week three, he saw 40 snaps while Kamalei finished with 23. Although it appears to be just an early down role, in deep leagues where just about any LB helps – Onwuasor could be of some assistance. He did manage to finish the game against the Jaguars with seven tackles and that’s pretty much his ceiling. He won’t wow you, but if you’re looking for a serviceable LB4/Flex he’s possibly worth a shot.

Carl Lawson, LB CIN

I believe he just has the LB tag on MFL, but DE/EDGE tag on ESPN and other sites which boosts his value. He had his breakout game against the Packers with 4 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3 QB hits while playing a season-high 54 snaps. If your host site has Lawson as a DE, I would definitely pick him up this week, just remember he’s not always going to play 50+ snaps as he’s in rotation with Willis and Smith. But he has the highest ceiling among the three, with his week three performance as an indicator. Now, if you’re on MFL but in a big play league and starting at least 3 LBs, you can give Lawson a look if you have someone to drop. He faces the Cleveland offensive line in week four and is definitely a plug and play option.

Toddy Davis, LB DEN

Davis is one of those adds if you’re in a deep league that rosters 60 or more guys. Yes, he did have a solid game against the Bills with 10 tackles, 1 sack and 2 TFLs while playing a season-high 41 snaps (still off thefield in sub packages) and this will continue as Marshall is the lone ILB in Denver to play every snap. There’s going to be inconsistency from Davis, but if you’re picking him up, he’s nothing more than a bye week filler as it’s about that time soon enough. Two down or situational LBs aren’t much use in standard leagues (12 teams 2-3 LB starters), but if you’re hurting with injuries and there’s not much on waivers give Davis a look.

John Simon, LB IND

Simon put up 6 tackles, 1 sack and 2 TFLs against the Browns, and he’s been averaging roughly 5 tackles and nearly a sack a game so far. He’s been one of the bright spots on the Colts defense and should continue to do so with a Seattle Seahawks matchup in week four. Simon makes a decent plug and play option in big play leagues as your LB3/Flex.

Defensive Backs

Josh Jones, S/LB GBP

He’s the hot add this week after a beastly performance against the Bengals in week three. After not playing in week one, minimal snaps in week two, to playing every down in week three, there’s definitely some steam picking up here. Should you go add him? Absolutely, and if his snap increase were due to injuries then he’s showcased why he should stay on the field because he looked absolutely phenomenal out there at ILB. If you watched the game, it’ll remind you of Deone Bucannon (for real this time, since his name gets thrown around a lot in comparisons to some) as Jones played 50 of his 61 snaps at ILB and was able to get to the QB twice while racking up 12 tackles (11 solo). He should be 100% owned in dynasty. He was my DB4 amongst the rookies and inside my top 15 rankings in dynasty. So enough already, go add him now – the rookie can ball!

Miles Killebrew, SS DET

Killebrew saw an increase in snaps due to Tavon Wilson not playing, and he took advantage of it. He put together 9 tackles against the Falcons and may have earned snaps in the near future, but as long as Tavon is going to be out then Killebrew makes a solid DB2 starter for your team.

Cornerbacks

Terrance Mitchell, CB KCC

He shouldn’t be available right now if you’re in a CB required league. But he should be owned and inserted into your weekly starting lineup, assuming you start at least two corners. He had another big game against the Chargers in week three, recording 9 tackles, 4 PDs and 2 INTs, and has 18 tackles through three games so far. Playing across Marcus Peters helps, and he faces the Redskins in week four.

Tre’Davious White, CB BUF

I’ll admit White is proving me wrong. He’s definitely shown me more through the first three games than what I saw on film when I was watching CBs from the draft. He’s having a heck of a start to his rookie season. He’s put together 16 tackles, 1 INT and 7 PDs through three games and I don’t see that slowing down. He is a great CB option in week four against the Falcons.

Ken Crawley, CB NOS

With all the injuries in the Saints secondary already, Crawley is stepping up and becoming the one to own there. He put together 9 tackles and 2 PDs against the Panthers and thetrend should continue against Jay Cutler and the Dolphins in week four. He might even sneak in an interception.

Buster Skrine, CB NYJ

Skrine has put together a handful of good games throughout the season. In week three, he did so again with an 8 tackle, 1 sack performance against the Dolphins. He makes another good plug and play option in week four as he faces Blake Bortles and the Jaguars. He might also be the lone NYJ CB you can trust on a weekly basis.

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