IDP Improvements: Moves to Make Before Week Three
Week two was eventful for IDP fans. We witnessed some impactful rookie performances, a slew of unfortunate injuries, and the re-emergence of veteran players we had all but written off. We look at some of the moves you can make in preparation for week three to stay ahead of the competition.
Dennis Gardeck, DE ARI – EXERCISE CAUTION
Gardeck has produced three sacks in two games and ranks in the top ten among all edge rushers in many IDP scoring formats.
However, his snap share is relatively low compared to his peers in those rankings because the Arizona Cardinals employ a deep rotation at the position. Through two games, Zaven Collins leads the team with 58% snap share, Gardeck is second with only 43%, and four other edge rushers have played between 18% and 39% of the available defensive snaps.
Image courtesy of Tom Kislingbury
Furthermore, Gardeck’s sack against the New York Giants was his only pressure on 16 pass-rush attempts.
Gardeck is unlikely to sustain his efficiency as a pass rusher. His production arguably warrants a more significant role, and his involvement did increase last weekend, but I recommend exercising caution unless that trend continues.
Ivan Pace Jr., LB MIN – START
Pace Jr.’s emergence continued in week two. On Thursday Night Football, the undrafted rookie earned the Minnesota Vikings’ second-highest defensive PFF grade, his snap share increased to 79%, and he finished with eight tackles and a sack.
Many of us saw this coming. I suggested fantasy managers add Pace Jr. in last week’s article after being impressed with his performances in week one and the preseason.
Ivan Pace Jr was such a steal for the Vikings
Film Breakdown: https://t.co/a2JGTV3bZ9 pic.twitter.com/vZv7JTKDbe
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 18, 2023
The pecking order among Vikings’ linebackers is clearly defined after only two weeks. Jordan Hicks is the every-down guy, Pace Jr. is next in line with an expanding role, and Asamoah is an afterthought.
The rookie has immediate value as an LB3 with the potential and opportunity to climb into LB2 territory. He’s justifiably a hot commodity in redraft and dynasty formats.
Henry To’oTo’o, LB HOU – ADD
Christian Harris, LB HOU – DROP
One month ago, it was widely expected that Houston Texans rookie To’oTo’o would need to bide his time behind veterans Denzel Perryman, Christian Kirksey, and second-year player Christian Harris.
To’oTo’o’s path to playing time became a little clearer after Kirksey suffered a hamstring injury in the preseason and was released on cut-down day.
Still, To’oTo’o opened the season as the Texans’ third linebacker, barely ahead of Cory Littleton, with Perryman and Harris dominating the snap share in week one.
However, despite the off-season hype surrounding Harris, his involvement was significantly reduced in week two. To’oTo’o was the primary beneficiary, earning 81% of the available defensive snaps against the Indianapolis Colts, more than double that of Harris.
The sample size is small, and To’oTo’o missed a couple of tackles, but he has a chance to emerge as a viable starting option in deep IDP leagues as an LB3 if he retains the role.
Nicholas Morrow, LB PHI – TRADE AWAY
Morrow will be a popular waiver option after earning the surprise start ahead of Christian Ellis last week.
The veteran was brought up from the practice squad and led the unit with a 95% snap share in the Philadelphia Eagles’ win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football.
“We are really confident in him,” head coach Nick Siranni said of Morrow earlier in the week, adding, “We believe in the things that he can do, we believe in his style of play, his physicality, being able to line up the defense.”
Sirianni’s kind words and Morrow’s performance in week two suggest the veteran should remain the co-starter alongside Zach Cunningham until Nakobe Dean returns from IR. But what then?
The Eagles had no intention for Morrow to play such a significant role after placing him on the practice squad a few weeks ago, so it would be no surprise if he once again found himself the odd man out once Dean returns.
In redraft formats, I would suggest you add and start Morrow, but this is a dynasty-focused article, and Morrow’s sell window may be limited to only a handful of games. You could wait until further news on Dean’s return becomes available if you’re thin at the position, but it might be too late to recoup any value for Morrow at that point.
Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB CAR – ADD
Shaq Thompson suffered a “significant” ankle injury in week two and is expected to miss extensive time. Grugier-Hill stepped up in Thompson’s absence and played a full-time role for the remainder of the game, collecting six tackles and a sack.
Grugier-Hill has been a mediocre player throughout his career, and the Carolina Panthers could sign a linebacker to compete at the position. Still, for now, the role is his.
K’Von Wallace, S ARI – ADD
Budda Baker was placed on IR with a hamstring injury last week. K’Von Wallace played every down in Baker’s place, spent most of his snaps in the box, and finished with eight combined tackles and two QB hurries.
Viable starting safeties are more abundant than most other positions in IDP, but Wallace’s box usage piques my interest.
Tracy Walker, S DET – ADD
Walker was the odd man out after the Detroit Lions restocked its secondary by drafting Brian Branch and signing CJ Gardner-Johnson in free agency.
Unfortunately, Gardner-Johnson tore his pectoral and is expected to miss extensive time, opening the door for Walker to fill the void. Third-year player Ifeatu Melifonwu is also an option at the position.
Conclusion
Finding a balance between stocking your dynasty roster with young, ascending IDP assets and plugging holes with serviceable veterans is the name of the game following a week beset with injuries to notable starters. As always, remaining active on waivers is vital.
