IDP Waiver Watch: Week Nine

Brandon Salamat Posted On October 31, 2017

Well ladies and gentlemen, we’re at the halfway point of the 2017 NFL Season and fast approaching crunch time in fantasy as we gear up for the playoffs. Luckily there weren’t many injuries in week eight, but there are a few that require attention to find replacements. A handful of the IDP studs that you invested in before the season started like Kwon Alexander and Keanu Neal have gotten back on track and are starting to hit form and reward their patient owners (like myself). You have to stay the course with these guys and just get through the storm because we do it to offensive players, right? We should develop that same patience with the studs in IDP.

Weekly Notes

AJ Klein, LB NOS

if you haven’t done it yet, he’s an easy drop in dynasty and redraft leagues. He’s a prime example of – although he’s playing every snap – not providing the production to go with it. In dynasty leagues, if you have an upside rookie on waivers or another young player with potential I’d suggest making that swap; especially if Klein doesn’t see your weekly starting lineup.

Mason Foster, LB WAS

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He was placed on season-ending IR over the weekend.

Jatavis Brown, LB LAC

It’s obvious he’s still bothered by his high ankle injury he suffered a few weeks ago, and his limited snap count is frustrating his owners (myself included). I don’t understand why the Chargers don’t just sit him for a couple of weeks to let him recover. As frustrating as it is you must hold him in dynasty but I understand the drop in redraft leagues. He’s still the far superior LB on the team. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Brown heals up during the bye week and we see his snaps back to normal in week ten.

Waiver Wire Watch

(Teams on Bye: Bears, Browns, Vikings, Chargers, Patriots and Steelers)

Linebackers

Martrell Spaight, LB WAS

With Mason Foster now out for the season, the ILB spot next to Zach Brown is up for grabs and Spaight should be first in line or see the more time there. In week eight, he saw 39 snaps and put up 7 tackles (5 solo) against the Dallas Cowboys. If you’re looking for LB help and your waivers are thin, if Spaight is available he’s worth a look. Especially during the last few bye weeks, he makes a decent plug and play option at LB3/4.

Will Compton, LB WAS

The counterpart to Spaight is Compton. Like I said, it could be a full blown rotation between the both of them with Washington playing to each of their strengths. Compton saw 29 snaps against the Cowboys and if it is a rotation then Compton would be out in nickel/dime packages. This has been the most snaps Compton has seen all season though – prior to the week eight game he has seen a total of 8 snaps during the season. I would only recommend him as an add if Spaight isn’t available and you’re in a 55 or more roster league where you could use some depth.

Eric Reid, LB/SS SF

News broke out earlier last week that the Niners will be converting Reid to LB. He’s an upcoming FA and if he does well, he could play elsewhere that could use him like Rams converted Mark Barron to WLB. It’s also noteworthy that he lost his SS spot to rising stud, Jaquiski Tartt. Reid is coming back from his knee injury and with Reuben Foster out again, things could look up for Reid going forward. He has played 33 snaps in week eight, with 27 of those coming at LB, while putting up 3 tackles against the Eagles. Don’t expect mind blowing numbers like he’s going to be the next best thing in SF, but he becomes at least a weekly DB2 starter in the near future.

Defensive Linemen

Vinny Curry, DE PHI

He’s been decent in Philly’s rotation, averaging about 35 snaps per game and has put up 15 tackles and 2 sacks his last 5 games. Curry seems to be better suited as a situational pass rusher and makes for a flier at plug and play options when you’re struggling with bye weeks coming up or when he has a plus matchup. The Eagles face the Broncos in week nine, and that’s a favorable matchup for Curry and the Eagles DL so if you’re looking for a DE2, he’s a decent option.

Trey Hendrickson, DE NOS

He put up 3 tackles 1 sack against the Bears in week eight, and will likely remain a situational pass rusher. He’s worth a look in dynasty leagues where you can afford the stash or need a wildcard spot starter. Hendrickson has a nice matchup in week nine against the Bucs.

Carl Nassib, DE CLE

It might have been a one time thing, but with Myles Garrett not playing in week eight, Nassib probably put together his best game of the season so far. He recorded 3 tackles, 1 sack and 2 PDs against the Vikings overseas. He’s worth keeping on queue in dynasty leagues, especially if Myles Garrett or Emmanuel Ogbah miss any time because he can step right in.

David Irving, DE DAL

He should be owned in all leagues, especially if you play on MFL (My Fantasy League) because he’s listed as a DT there and he’s been gold since he came back from suspension. Has already recorded 5 sacks in 3 games and has been a monster. Another good thing is that it hasn’t hurt Demarcus Lawrence. If Irving is on your waivers, make a move for him asap.

Defensive Backs

Adrian Phillips, SS LAC

Phillips had a career day against the Patriots in week eight by putting up 12 tackles and 1 PD, and he saw an increase in snaps last two weeks with 46 and 59. In that time period he also saw 25 and 44 of those snaps at WLB, looking like he’s been filling in for Jatavis. Yes, feel free to add him but after the bye week if Jatavis is healthy enough to take on a bigger workload. Denzel Perryman is coming back and that’ll move Phillips back to reserve role in the secondary, but if his play keeps up the Chargers will have to find a way to keep him on the field.

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