Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Two

Zack Baun | © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Tim Riordan Posted On September 9, 2024

After a long off-season, we finally have actionable stats to apply to our IDP analysis. While we’ve mostly been guessing about usage rates in the preseason, we now have the proof in front of us. We know who won the position battles, who will be on the field the most and how the new defensive systems will work. Now, we need to take that knowledge and turn it forward. Snap rates and tackles are the two most repeatable stats at IDP, so we’ll focus on some of the best players in each of those categories during our analysis of the IDP waiver wire this week.

As a reminder, these waiver wire suggestions are based on dynasty leagues that start seven defensive players, two at each position group and a flex. Some players profiled will be for deeper leagues, and others for more shallow leagues, but with no standard format for IDP leagues, we need to cast a wide net. I’ll be using roster percentage data from Sleeper.

Be sure to check out the DLF Expert IDP Rankings for our experts’ takes on how IDP players should be valued for dynasty leagues.

Defensive Linemen

Keion White, DE NE, 3%

The Patriots defense stepped up big-time on Sunday, holding the Bengals down to just 10 points in a surprise victory. White starred for New England, getting to Joe Burrow two and a half times and forcing a fumble. With Matthew Judon gone this year, White will be the Patriots primary pass-rusher. The 25-year-old is only in his second season and he showed a real nose for the quarterback in this game.

Keion White, good lord. pic.twitter.com/Joedx9vfsG

— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) September 8, 2024

Darrell Taylor, DE CHI, 3%

Just a few weeks after acquiring Taylor from the Seahawks, he’s already made a major contribution to the Bears defense. With 8 tackles in his Bears debut, he’s only 20 tackles away from his 17-game total last season. He also added two sacks and a forced fumble. Taylor totaled 9.5 sacks for the Seahawks in 2022, so we know he can get to the quarterback.

Boye Mafe, DE SEA, 2%

Coming off of a nine-sack season last year, Mafe got to the quarterback once again when he sacked Bo Nix in the opening game. While he only got the one sack, he forced eight pressures in the game. The only players who forced more were Micah Parsons with nine and Dexter Lawrence with eight.

Patrick Jones, DE MIN, 0%

Playing against the Giants seems to be a winning recipe for pass-rushers this season. Jones was the latest beneficiary for the Vikings, sacking Daniel Jones twice and adding on four tackles. Jones started earning snaps, and racking up tackles at the tail end of last season. He only had one sack last year, and he’s already doubled that output. He could be worth a stash to combine tackles and big plays from the defensive line position this year.

More Options to Consider: Rashan Gary, DE GB, 11%; Nnamdi Madubuike, DT BAL, 3%; Andrew Van Ginkel, DE MIN, 0%; Jonathon Cooper, LB DEN, 0%

Linebackers

Zack Baun, LB PHI, 0%

Baun had a dominant game on Friday night in Brazil, totaling 15 tackles and two sacks in the win over Green Bay. It was his first game for the Eagles after four seasons with the Saints. In those four seasons, he topped out at 27 tackles in a season. He’s already more than halfway there in one game. Baun took advantage of an opportunity for more snaps with Devin White unavailable, but he was used all over the field and he could be a breakout star at the position this year.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB CLE, 13%

After signing a massive extension this off-season, Owusu-Koramoah played 100% of the snaps for the first time in his career. He got nine tackles in his first game, if he keeps his snap share up like this, he should have a career season ahead of him.

Ja’Whaun Bentley, LB NE, 15%

Bentley will wear the green dot for the Patriots defense and should be on the field for almost every defensive snap. Bentley is getting up there in age at 28, but IDP is a year-to-year game, even in dynasty. With the Patriots lackluster offense, even in a win, the defense should be on the field for plenty of plays, and Bentley will be one of their leading tacklers.

Isaiah McDuffie, LB GB, 0%

To kick off his third professional season, McDuffie played on nearly every offensive snap. The Packers’ new defensive coordinator is Jeff Hafley, who coached McDuffie at Boston College before he joined Green Bay. While rookie Edgerrin Cooper could start nipping at his heels, McDuffie’s usage is worth noting. He got six tackles against the Eagles, but he won’t rack up many big plays. Keep an eye on his snap rate and if it starts to go down, be sure to move on.

More Options to Consider: DeMarvion Overshown, LB DAL, 2%; Trenton Simpson, LB BAL, 4%; Eku Leota, LB CAR, 0%; Mack Wilson, LB ARI, 0%

Defensive Backs

Alontae Taylor, CB NO, 1%

Three sacks in one game for a cornerback is eye-opening, it cannot be ignored. Even if it was against the Panthers and Bryce Young, it’s clear that Dennis Allen will be sending Taylor on blitzes from the outside. With his speed and aggressiveness, this could turn into even more sacks.

Julian Love, S SEA, 9%

Love was my top pickup at defensive back last week, and he had a huge week. With 12 tackles, only two defensive backs got more in week one. He also added a forced fumble and an interception. Love has the potential to be an elite option at defensive back this season.

Nick Cross, S IND, 0%

Tackles are the name of the game for safeties, and Nick Cross led all defensive backs with 14 in week one. He earned a starting job this pre-season alongside Julian Blackmon. The two of them combined for 27 tackles in this game. The first and second levels showed they could not slow down the Houston running game. Expect Josh Jacobs and the Packers to take advantage of this again next week.

Javon Bullard, S GB, 0%

Bullard had a big game in his debut with the Packers, totaling 12 tackles and playing 100% of the defensive snaps. The second-round pick had the best rookie IDP performance of the week. In dynasty leagues with deep rosters, he should be on teams.

More Options to Consider: Reed Blankenship, S PHI, 5%; Tyrique Stevenson, CB CHI, 1%; Daxton Hill, CB CIN, 8%, Riley Moss, CB DEN, 0%

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Tim Riordan

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Tim has spent over a decade in sports radio as a host, analyst, play-by-play broadcaster and a producer. He’s been called the Tom Brady of dynasty commissioners and an expert of player values.