IDP Dynasty Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week Two

Dane Belton

Jason King Posted On September 19, 2022

One of the great things about playing IDP is it gives you another path to wins. So if you’re like me and have a handful of Trey Lance shares that you were counting on to be a difference-making QB2, staying on top of your IDP game can help make up for those losses on the offensive side of your fantasy football squad. I stay up late Sunday nights to write this weekly waiver wire column and help you keep your dynasty roster stocked with relevant IDP options.

Before you dig in this week, keep in mind this advice is geared more toward 14- and 16-team dynasty setups, or 12-team setups with fairly large roster limits (65 spots or so). The reason is there are plenty of sites, podcasts and Patreons (and good ones – this is not a dig) providing what I would consider obvious waiver wire advice for leagues that are of the “start eight IDPs” variety with combined defensive lines and defensive backs. My goal is to write this for managers who must dig deeper on the wire in order to stay ahead for both this season and future years.

With that in mind, I’m probably not going to list many IDPs you can find in my top 150 rankings – so this column won’t include the popular picks this week like Trevis Gipson and Dre’Mont Jones. I’ll list some obvious “shallow” league options but I don’t plan to go into much detail on those players unless there’s some growing dynasty (this season and beyond) appeal.

Also, not everyone I list is a recommended add. Sometimes I may just want to write up a player to convince you not to waste your FAAB on him.

Thanks for bearing with the repeat introduction but I wanted to set some context for why this waiver wire list should look a bit different than others you’ll find. With that out of the way, it’s time to hit the wire!

Edge Rushers

Justin Hollins, LAR

Trying to find the Rams edge to roster outside of Leonard Floyd may be an exercise in futility. Last week Terrell Lewis was clearly the better option, and this time it’s Hollins, who tallied four solo tackles and an assist, and registered a strip sack of Marcus Mariota on the final play of the game. I like Hollins’ talent, but I doubt I’ll ever have enough confidence in him to check the box next to his name on any given Sunday morning.

Alex Wright, CLE

The rookie third-rounder had a quiet week two with one pass defensed, but it makes sense to pounce on Wright in case he shows out with more work. Additional snaps may come soon, as Jadeveon Clowney was reported to be sporting a walking boot on his right leg after rolling an ankle in the third quarter. If Clowney misses time, Chase Winovich will certainly see an uptick in usage as well, and he’s worth a flier in deep, big-play formats. Wright is the much better addition – especially for dynasty – and his play has been encouraging through two weeks. I also thought he showed well in the preseason.

Alex Wright looks good. Moves Eagles backup RT Jack Driscoll, easily sheds, explodes inside and finishes the tackle. I have him as my No. 11 dynasty #FFIDP rookie edge; the 3rd-rounder could be Cleveland's long-term answer next to Garrett. pic.twitter.com/6rxZzwi1SC

— Jason King (@good2bjking) August 21, 2022

Revisits from Week One

Malik Reed, PIT – In his first full game filling in for T.J. Watt, Reed tallied four total tackles and a quarterback hit. Not bad but not great; at least the snaps will be there until Watt’s return.
Jihad Ward and Oshane Ximines, NYG – The Giants again were without rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux and second-year man Azeez Ojulari, and Ward (four total tackles – two for loss) and Ximines (two total tackles, a sack and a pass defensed) were again productive. Once the starters return, neither will have fantasy value.

Interior Defensive Linemen

Matt Ioannidis, CAR

The versatile Ioannidis is seeing plenty of volume, and the last time/only time he saw more than 800 snaps (2019), Ioannidis was a fantasy DT1. He picked up his first sack as a Panther in week two, and if you’re strong enough to slide by with DT2 numbers as your starter at defensive tackle, Ioannidis may be a seriously cheap plug-and-play starter for you moving forward.

DeMarvin Leal, PIT

Leal should be rostered in all defensive tackle-premium formats of course, but he’s also worth consideration in general 14-team or larger leagues – especially those with taxi squads, where he can be stashed as he develops. The third-round pick is a really good prospect, but he needs some time to add weight and strength to survive inside the tackles in Pittsburgh. For a big man he’s quick twitch and loose though, and Watt’s injury is allowing him to get some snaps on the edge in the short term. Expect similar stat lines (two total tackles and a pass defensed) moving forward in 2022, so be patient. Larry Ogunjobi is on a one-year contract and the great Cameron Heyward is 33 years old, and the path is there for a future starting fantasy defensive tackle.

Food for Thought

Sebastian Joseph-Day, LAC – The new Charger rebounded from a week one dud with a respectable four-tackle performance. He’s firmly in my top 150 and shouldn’t be available, but I did see him dropped in a couple of my 12-team leagues so I’m mentioning him here. Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson are going to soak up the snaps on the interior on L.A., and the production will come.
Shy Tuttle, NO – What in the Sam Hill got into Shy Tuttle this week? I did not expect the primary nose tackle to lead the Saints in total tackles with two solos and seven assists, notch half-a-sack, and add a quarterback hit and pass defensed. Nor do I expect it to ever happen again.

Revisits from Week One

Grover Stewart, IND – I mentioned previously that playing nose doesn’t typically lead to consistent fantasy production. What do I know? For the second straight week, Stewart logged five total tackles. So if you’re desperate for a tackle, go for it. At least Stewart’s a very good nose tackle.

Off-Ball Linebackers

Anthony Barr and Leighton Vander Esch, DAL

Neither has much appeal from a dynasty perspective, but with Micah Parsons seeing so much time on the edge, both Barr (five solos – one for loss – and four assists on the season) and Vander Esch (ten solos – one for loss – and six assists plus a sack and a pass defensed in 2022) are seeing enough volume to merit fantasy consideration.

Jayon Brown, LV

I’m not sure how much longer Denzel Perryman will be out with an ankle injury suffered in week one, but as long as he’s inactive, Brown will be the beneficiary. Once a valued IDP asset in Tennessee, Brown fell out of favor with the Titans – likely due to a lengthy injury history – and struggled to find a strong demand for his services despite his coverage prowess at linebacker. Brown isn’t seeing the same snap volume as teammate Divine Deablo, but he’s getting enough to be viable, and posted eight solos plus four assists against Arizona. If he’s somehow still out on waivers, grab him and hang on even if Perryman looks set to return in week three.

Nick Vigil, ARI

Absolutely no one has ever been excited to roster Vigil, but he is a productive linebacker when mixed with volume. All those snaps in Arizona are currently going to Zaven Collins, but should the sophomore find himself in the doghouse (hey, it’s Arizona) or injured, Vigil would be in line for volume. “Next man up” most certainly wouldn’t be Isaiah Simmons, who played just 15 snaps in week three, according to Pro Football Focus. Snapping up Vigil now could pay dividends down the road.

Food for Thought

Kwon Alexander, NYJ – I’m not telling you to not add Alexander, but he’s still the third linebacker in the Gang Green pecking order. He could have weeks like this (six solo tackles – one for loss – and one assist) against run-heavy teams, but barring an injury or a benching of C.J. Mosley or Quincy Williams, don’t expect this production to be the norm.
Robert Spillane, PIT – Devin Bush actually has looked decent through two weeks, but Spillane is still Pittsburgh’s preferred LB2 against the run. There’s not much to get excited about here, and a stat line of three solos and three assists might be about as good as it gets, but I know some of you are already desperate for anything resembling an LB4.

Revisits from Week One

Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed, IND – Shaquille Leonard was again inactive, and it again opened the door for productive days from Franklin (eight solos, two assists, one tackle for loss) and Speed (five solos, two tackles for loss). You can bet after Sunday’s embarrassment in Jacksonville that Leonard will be back on the horse in week three. It may make sense to hang on to both Franklin and Speed if you can spare the roster spots; otherwise you’re justified to let either or both walk once Leonard appears ready to return.
Frankie Luvu, CAR – If Luvu (ten solo tackles – four for loss – and a pass defensed) wasn’t a full-time defender for the Panthers on Sunday, he was close, and he was certainly full of fantasy goodness. If for some reason he’s still hanging out on your waiver wire, fix that pronto.

Safeties

Dane Belton and Julian Love, NYG

We may see plenty of big nickel and dime for the Giants given the current state of the linebacker corps. Love, who had a huge week two with seven solos and a sack, is spoken for in most leagues as the full-time starter next to Xavier McKinney. The rookie Belton (four solos plus a tackle and fumble recovery on special teams) may be available though, and he’s worth grabbing leagues with really deep benches or good-size taxi squads. I don’t know that you’re going to want to start him, but he projects as a downhill defender who could find value in case of injury or if Love departs in free agency next off-season.

Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott, LAR

Rams safeties are frustrating from a fantasy perspective, and in general it’s recommended to look elsewhere for your starting lineup unless you’re the set-it-and-forget-it-for-the-season type. Fuller, who played scant snaps in the season opener and was given his walking papers by more than a few fantasy managers, saw an uptick in usage in week two and responded with six solo tackles and two assists. Scott still saw the field more than Fuller or Taylor Rapp, but only managed three total tackles. Whether it’s that the Rams are taking a scaled-back approach with Fuller coming off off-season ankle surgery, or that Scott has simply impressed the staff to the point that he’s the preferred option, I don’t know. All three L.A. safeties are rosterable, but again, they’re tough to trust with starts.

Jonathan Owens, HOU

Owens is the proverbial “nobody from nowhere,” but he’s starting to make a name for himself in Houston. The fourth-year safety has now racked up 17 solos and eight assists through two weeks, and you can’t not start him if you have him rostered. Jalen Pitre seemingly has the other safety spot locked down, and with just Eric Murray and M.J. Stewart to contend with, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Owens turned into a snap monster in 2022.

Jabrill Peppers, NE

Peppers has typically been more associated with potential than production, and the former first-round pick’s dynasty value plummeted after he signed with the Patriots in the off-season. Relegated to the free agent pool just about everywhere, Peppers is going to be worth adding this week following Kyle Dugger’s knee injury. Who knows when we’ll find out any details or if Dugger will be expected to miss time – the Patriots treat injuries like most presidential administrations treat classified documents – but Peppers (two solo tackles and one assist in week two) is a box safety who can be productive when given snaps.

Caden Sterns, DEN

Sterns seemingly saw his 2022 value tank when the Broncos brought back veteran Kareem Jackson for another go during the off-season, but Justin Simmons’ quad injury last Monday night will provide the promising second-year safety from Texas with plenty of opportunity to carve out a role in Denver’s 2023 plans. Sterns is off to a good start, and collected five solo tackles and an assist in his first start this season.

Food for Thought

Andre Cisco, JAC – I really like Cisco the player, and he led Jacksonville with four solo tackles (plus two assists and an interception) in a shutout of the Colts, but he’s mostly playing deep safety. He’s going to be a good NFL safety but I’m dubious about his fantasy relevance for now.
Lamarcus Joyner, NYJ – He led Gang Green in tackles (six solos, two assists) in Cleveland, but this is not the fantasy safety you are looking for. And at almost 32 years of age, Joyner’s certainly not the dynasty asset you’re seeking.
Rodney McLeod, IND – Like Joyner, McLeod is not a short- or long-term fantasy asset. He finished with four solo tackles and two assists in an expanded role following Julian Blackmon’s shoulder injury. Hard pass.

Revisits from Week One

Darrick Forrest, WAS – With Kamren Curl (thumb) sidelined for a second consecutive week, Forrest reaped the rewards with eight solo tackles and two assists. Sure, the production will drop to zero once Curl is back in the lineup, but he’s worth rostering in case Curl continues to need recovery time. After that, I’m not sure if there’s such a thing as a fantasy safety handcuff, but in leagues with deep rosters, I’d consider hanging on.
Talanoa Hufanga, SF – Could it be possible that Hufanga really is a star in the making? Or at least a fantasy star? He got snatched up anywhere available after a massive opener. Hufanga was at it again against Seattle with five solo tackles (one for loss), an assist and two passes defensed.

Cornerbacks

Coby Bryant and Michael Jackson, SEA

Say what? I don’t know if either will see meaningful snaps next week, but how can you not love seeing a Coby Bryant and a Michael Jackson playing together in the same defensive backfield? What I don’t love is having no idea why Sidney Jones didn’t see action – he’s obviously clogging up a roster spot at this point. Jackson, who returned a blocked field goal for a score and picked up five solos and an assist on defense, may have beaten Jones out for a starting cornerback spot.

Artie Burns and Justin Coleman were inactives, and Coleman’s absence opened the door for Bryant, the rookie from Cincinnati, to man the nickel defender role. He proved capable with four solos and an assist, and he’s worth keeping an eye on if corners are hard to come by in some of your leagues.

Decobie Durant, LAR

One of last week’s recommended adds, Troy Hill, exited Sunday’s win over Atlanta early with a groin injury, and Durant made the most of the opportunity with an interception, a sack and a couple of tackles. A fourth-round pick, Durant will surely be tested in week three in a fantasy-friendly matchup against Arizona if Hill indeed misses time.

Revisits from Week One

Nate Hobbs, LV – I said last week that it wouldn’t surprise to see Hobbs with CB1 numbers on the season at the conclusion of 2022, and that prediction looks spot on through two weeks. Hobbs again knocked it out of the park with nine solo tackles and two assists.

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Jason King

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Jason is a lifelong Steelers fan and proud alumnus of NC State University. He caught the fantasy football bug in 1996, and has a strange but strong affinity for IDP dynasty leagues with multiple copies of players. When he's not thinking about fantasy football, he's doing something with his two children, dabbling with photography or fixing something around the house.