IDP Improvements: Moves to Make Before Week Three

Ernest Jones | © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jason Abbey Posted On September 18, 2024

Every week is eventful for IDP fans, but week two was something else. We witnessed career performances from IDP stars like Aidan Hutchinson and Fred Warner, a slew of unfortunate injuries to key players, and the emergence of youngsters such as Will McDonald and Chamarri Conner. We look at some of the moves you can make in preparation for week three to stay ahead of the competition.

KJ Britt, LB TB – Bench

Britt appeared to be the heir apparent to Devin White heading into 2024. The Buccaneers leaned heavily upon him when White missed time last season, and Todd Bowles praised Britt’s leadership qualities during training camp.

Unfortunately for Britt’s fantasy owners, he has split time with SirVocea Dennis behind Lavonte David in the last two games. Dennis’s snap share grew from 36% to 52% in game two, while Britt’s shrank from 66% to 48%.

Britt may yet assume a full-time role if an injury occurs, but it appears he’s nowhere near the solid option many considered him to be. It is, perhaps, yet another reminder for us not to get overly caught up in off-season buzz.

Baylon Spector, LB BUF – Add

Spector’s inclusion in this article marks a duo of linebackers who should be added following injuries to players ahead of them. He was the main beneficiary of the pectoral injury to Terrel Bernard , which will keep him sidelined for multiple weeks.

The 2022 seventh-round pick was highly productive, finishing with 11 combined tackles on 82% of the snaps after Bernard exited. Spector’s teammate Dorian Williams, who had a healthy 85% snap share in week one alongside Bernard, only played 70% of the snaps in week two.

Baylon Spector playing the inside shoulder of the LT to stay in his gap, then banging off contact & making the stop. #Bills #BillsMafia #GoBills

pic.twitter.com/vWwieF1sgP

— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) September 14, 2024

Approach this situation with caution. Spector is relatively unknown – he played more snaps against the Miami Dolphins than he did in the two years prior. He is by no means a safe choice to remain the sole every-down Bills linebacker in Bernard’s absence.

If you have the roster room, and if they are available, consider adding both players. Spector, at least, should be available on waivers in almost all leagues.

Jamien Sherwood, LB NYJ – Add

C.J. Mosley injured his foot against the Tennessee Titans and did not return. Jamien Sherwood was busy in his stead, racking up ten combined tackles and a pass breakup.

We don’t know the severity of Mosley’s injury or how much time he will miss. Monitor the situation closely as the week unfolds and consider putting in a waiver claim for Sherwood if Mosley looks like he may miss time.

Ernest Jones, LB TEN – Start/Trade for

Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said Jones’ role would grow as he became more comfortable with the team. Jones clearly settled in quickly, as he went from being third in the rotation behind Kenneth Murray and Jack Gibbens in the season opener to playing every down against the New York Jets last weekend.

Jones parlayed his increased opportunity into production, leading the team with ten combined tackles. He played well and, as the most talented linebacker on the roster, should remain heavily involved going forward.

It’s very unlikely that Jones will be available on waivers, and the window to trade for him – if there ever was one – has now closed. However, his manager may be more amenable to letting him go than they would have been a month ago. Test the water in a trade.

Devin Lloyd, LB JAC –Trade away

Lloyd’s inclusion will be contentious as he deserves to be a full-time linebacker. He demonstrated significant improvement in his sophomore year and has played very well to start 2024.

Unfortunately, he’s coming off the field far too often. In week one, he played 75% of the snaps, and in week two, his role reduced to only 67%. Foyesade Oluokun has also seen a diminished role as Myles Cole, Ventrell Miller, and Chad Muma have leeched snaps.

It’s possible that Lloyd and Oluokun may return to every down roles in the near future. Still, if you can trade Lloyd for a similarly talented linebacker who has a larger role, then why not? Players like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Ernest Jones will finish ahead of him in 2024 if their recent usage continues.

Will McDonald IV, EDGE NYJ – Add/Trade for

McDonald’s performance in week two was exactly what the New York Jets hoped for when they selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In just one game, the 25-year-old matched his sack tally from his rookie season by taking down Will Levis three times. He also added a forced fumble, and four tackles – three of which went for a loss.

WILL MCDONALD.

THIRD DOWN SACK! pic.twitter.com/EhaLbNIedP

— New York Jets UK & IE (@NYJetsinUKandIE) September 15, 2024

The possibility that Hasson Reddick may end his protracted holdout threatened McDonald’s short-term fantasy upside. The veteran would surely assume a significant role should he return, and the Jets’ insistence on rotating three to four edge rushers behind Jermaine Johnson meant guys like McDonald might struggle for playing time.

However, that outlook changed during the Jets’ win over the Titans as Johnson suffered a torn Achilles. It was a bitter blow for an ascending player, but it presents McDonald with an opportunity even if Reddick returns to the fold. The youngster should be added in all leagues.

Yaya Diaby, EDGE TB – Keep the faith/Start

Diaby owners may be worried about his lack of production to start the season. Through two games, he has zero sacks and only two combined tackles.

However, that doesn’t tell the whole picture. Diaby, who had nine sacks on only 30 pressures last year, is merely suffering from a lower conversion rate of pressures to sacks in his second season.

The young edge rusher has still produced a 20.3% pressure rate, is tied for third among all edge rushers with 12 pressures, and ranks fourth at the position with a 37.9% win rate. Furthermore, he has led all Bucs’ edge rushers in snaps in both games. Better days are ahead.

Alontae Taylor, CB NO – Trade Away

Taylor has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, producing three sacks in week one and amassing nine combined tackles in week two. Kudos to him, and any fantasy managers who started him for those games.

Savvy IDP managers know Taylor won’t keep up this pace. We know cornerbacks are the most inconsistent position in IDP, and the drop-off from someone like Taylor to a replacement CB available on waivers is likely to be small. Still, some managers invest too heavily in the position, and now is the time to take advantage if you can.

Chamarri Conner, S KC – Leave on waivers/Trade away

Conner had a huge week against the Cincinnati Bengals. The young DB produced six combined tackles, a sack, and recovered a fumble which he returned for a touchdown.

Chamarri Conner with a SCOOP AND SCORE TD!

That’s why we play through the whistle! pic.twitter.com/TJYjCyqk47

— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) September 15, 2024

Let someone else make the mistake of adding Conner from waivers. He played only 58% of the snaps in week one and 45% in week two. He would need to surpass someone on the depth chart before becoming a consistent fantasy option.

Conclusion

We’re still working with a tiny sample size of only two games, but trends are developing that provide insight into what moves we should be making in IDP.

Replacing injured players is key for week two, and while we need to be careful not to invest too heavily in guys who are likely to only play a handful of games, those games could still make the difference. It’s not only important to consider what value guys like Spector, Sherwood, and co. have for your team – we also need to weigh up what it means to stop your competitors from obtaining them.