IDP Improvements: Moves to Make Before Week Four
We have three weeks of data to analyze, allowing us to identify specific trends and act upon them more confidently than we could previously. In this article, we use that information to suggest some of the moves you can make in preparation for week four.
Trey Hendrickson, EDGE CIN – START
Hendrickson followed up a dud in week two with a massive game against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football, leading the league with ten pressures, including two sacks.
Trey Hendrickson aka your QB's worst nightmare#LARvsCIN | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/sPgNhdSXmc
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 26, 2023
The veteran edge rusher has an excellent matchup in week four. Tennessee Titans right tackle Andre Dillard has allowed 16 pressures through three games, the second-highest number of any offensive tackle. He has also allowed six sacks, twice as many as any other player.
Sack volume is difficult to predict, but Hendrickson has a fantastic opportunity to add to his tally.
Dexter Lawrence, DT NYG – REMAIN PATIENT
IDP managers who invested heavily in Lawrence may be concerned with the early returns; the 25-year-old finished the 2022 season with a career-high nine sacks but has yet to register a single sack this season.
It’s too early to panic; the sacks will come if Lawrence continues to generate the rate of pressure we’ve seen in recent weeks. Per Pro Football Focus, he ranks third among all interior defensive linemen in pressures and boasts an impressive 23.8% win rate vs. blockers.
Lawrence has a favorable matchup against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend.
Nate Landman, LB ATL – ADD/START
2023 was supposed to be Troy Andersen’s breakout year. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old suffered a pectoral injury against the Detroit Lions in week three and has been placed on injured reserve.
Nate Landman filled in for Andersen in week two when Andersen missed the game with a concussion, playing all but one of the defensive snaps on offer, and it was Landman who was called upon again when Andersen exited the game last week.
The Falcons have utilized two full-time linebackers in 2023. Originally projected to be a two-down player, Landman could now be thrust into an every-down role.
There is a possibility that the Falcons will bring in another player to compete at the position, but for now, it’s Landman’s job to lose. For now, he should be considered an LB4 with the potential to rise in value.
Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE LAC – ADD
Tuipulotu has started his career impressively, producing five sacks and nine tackles in his first three games.
Tuli Tuipulotu had 9 pressures yesterday by the way. pic.twitter.com/IQoDcOtZRJ
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) September 25, 2023
This may be the best we see of the 21-year-old this season. His sack-to-pressure ratio is unsustainable, and he has only played so many snaps because Joey Bosa has been struggling with a hamstring injury.
However, it’s encouraging that Tuipulotu has earned the trust of the Los Angeles Chargers so early in his career. He has dynasty appeal and may even offer some value in redraft; Bosa has struggled with several injuries throughout his career, and Khalil Mack is in decline. The second-round rookie has risen to 21st in the DLF rookie IDP rankings.
David Long, LB MIA – BENCH
Long has had a productive stretch, registering 15 tackles and a sack in the last two games. He has produced one of the most efficient tackle rates at the position.
Don’t get carried away; the former Tennessee Titans’ linebacker has benefitted from the absence of Jaelan Phillips. Andrew Van Ginkel has seen additional time as an edge rusher in Phillips’ place, opening the door for Long to play a more significant role as an off-ball linebacker.
Long’s week one snap share was only 21%, and there’s a chance his role could diminish once again when Phillips returns from injury.
K’Von Wallace, S ARI – START
We recommended you add Wallace from the waiver wire last week after he stepped in to replace the injured Budda Baker and produced eight tackles. It is time to start Wallace after a second productive performance of seven tackles and a pass breakup.
The production of defensive backs can be volatile, but Wallace’s alignment offers optimism that his strong season can continue; the former Philadelphia Eagles safety has spent 65.1% of his time in the box or on the defensive line in the last two weeks. He could continue producing solid tackle volume if that usage continues.
Conclusion
Some fantasy managers may be panicking about the production of veteran studs who are yet to get going and talented rookies who have not earned a significant role. Consider taking advantage of this buy window if you can, trading away highly productive players who have stepped into more prominent roles because of injury, especially if they have a history of underperforming over a larger sample size.
