Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Four

Jonathan Greenard | © Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Tim Riordan Posted On September 23, 2024

As the NFL Calendar flips over to week four, we’ve started to learn some things about the NFL and its impact on IDP leagues. We’ve seen passing numbers way down through the first couple of weeks, leading to higher rushing numbers and more tackles for front seven players. We’ve seen that the Vikings, Jets and Texans are getting to the quarterback with relative ease. Meanwhile, the Browns, Titans, Bears and Bucs have given up the most sacks against them. In IDP dynasty leagues, depending on how deep your rosters go, it’s much easier to stream players for specific matchups than it is for your offensive players. While the pickups in this article will focus mostly on the long-term, be sure to look out for lower-rostered players who are going into juicy matchups this week. Be sure to check out the IDP rankings over at 4for4 to help you find the best streaming options each 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

Jonathan Greenard, DE MIN, 33%

The Vikings and Brian Flores have dominated the NFL up to this point, holding the Giants, 49ers and Texans to six, 17 and seven points respectively over the first three weeks. In all three games, someone has had a multi-sack game, and this week it was Jonathan Greenard, who got to the Texans quarterbacks three times in the win. The Vikings have a deep rotation of pass-rushers, so it will be tough to trust a player like Greenard week-to-week, but three-sack upside is tough to ignore.

Dondrea Tillman, DE DEN, 0%

Tillman made his first appearance in an NFL game this week, and he certainly made the most of it. The 26-year-old, who won a USFL Championship with the Birmingham Stallions earlier this year, got two sacks and three tackles in the Broncos win over the Buccaneers. If he can continue to get snaps, we know he can get to the quarterback. He had 8.5 sacks during his three years with the Stallions. The Broncos get the Jets next week, who have given up five sacks through three games.

Derick Hall, DE SEA, 9%

Hall had the best IDP game of his career on Sunday, getting two sacks and forcing a fumble against the battered Dolphins offense. The Seahawks were dealing with several injuries in the front seven, leading to increased opportunities for Hall, and the second-year player out of Auburn took advantage of it. Hall has seen his opportunities increase this season with Uchenna Nwosu sidelined, so follow their injury reports this week to make sure he doesn’t make a return next week.

Kyle Van Noy, DE BAL, 10%

Van Noy has been absolutely incredible this season, despite it being his 11th season in the league. He’s now racked up multi-sack games in back-to-back weeks and looks to be the Ravens’ best pass-rusher. At his age, he is not a full-time player anymore. Despite that, he is making an impact in IDP leagues. Next week, the Ravens get Packers and Jordan Love, who could be a bit slow in his first game back from his MCL injury (assuming he does come back next week). It could be a prime spot for KVN to get into the backfield once again.

More Options to Consider: Will McDonald, DE NYJ, 25%; Pat Jones, DE MIN, 27%; Ogbo Okoronkwo, DE CLE, 4%; Jadeveon Clowney, DE CAR, 15%;

Linebackers

Daiyan Henley, LB LAC, 17%

Junior Colson was out this week, and Henley played every defensive snap in his place. He recorded a career-high 12 total tackles and made several plays in pass protection. He barely saw any playing time in his rookie season last year, but he’s seen an increased role for the Chargers this year and has taken complete advantage of it. He leads the team with 26 tackles through three games.

Tyrice Knight, LB SEA, 15%

Fifth-round rookie Knight looked solid in his first career start, filling in for the injured Jerome Baker. Knight had six tackles, but he wasn’t a full-time player on the field. Follow the injury reports this week for Baker, because if he returns, Knight goes back to being a rotational option.

Anthony Walker, LB MIA, 12%

David Long left this game early with a hamstring injury and Walker took his place, taking every snap while Long was sidelined. It wasn’t a great IDP performance, but if Long is out again next week, Walker can expect to have a massive role. The Titans have been a very friendly team for opposing defenses this year, so there could be plenty of opportunities for big plays if Walker is on the field.

Malcolm Rodriguez, LB DET, 10%

Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes are dealing with injuries after week three and Malcolm Rodriguez took advantage, playing on 86.4% of defensive snaps this week. It was a quiet game with just five total tackles, but that could increase next week against Seattle, if Anzalone and Barnes are still sidelined. The Seahawks and Geno Smith love to pepper the middle of the field, creating opportunities for linebackers to make plays.

More Options to Consider: Troy Andersen, LB ATL, 35%; EJ Speed, LB IND, 38%; Troy Reeder, LB LAR, 17%; Jamien Sherwood, LB NYJ, 9%, Jahlani Tavai, LB NE, 28%; Christian Rozeboom, LB LAR, 12%;

Defensive Backs

Quentin Lake, S LAR, 15%

Lake has racked up double-digit total tackles in each of the first three games this season, including another 10 against the 49ers on Sunday. He has garnered poor marks in coverage, including a 56 from Pro Football Focus through the first two games, but that is a recipe for IDP success in the secondary. You can’t make a tackle in coverage unless the ball is caught.

Jamel Dean, CB TB, 7%

Dean is another secondary player who did not have a good day on Sunday, but he racked up a ton of tackles because of it. Dean led all defensive backs with 13 total tackles in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, as Bo Nix kept on targeting his assignment throughout the game. The Bucs are desperately missing Antoine Winfield Jr, who has missed the last two games with a foot injury. While he’s been out, Dean has seen a lot more snaps in the Bucs secondary.

Brandon Joseph, S DET, 0%

At the end of the Lions game, Brian Branch collided with Trey McBride and left the game with a concussion. It was a scary situation, but he’ll need to make his way through the protocol before he gets back on the field. This is a risky pickup, as Joseph has never recorded a single tackle over the first two seasons of his NFL career. But, with Branch and Ifeatu Melifonwu injured, Joseph may be the only safety left to play alongside Kerby Joseph. Brandon Joseph may be a very sneaky deep league pickup.

Jonathan Jones, CB NE, 7%

Jones racked up seven tackles on Thursday Night and now has 18 total tackles on the season. Combine that with a forced fumble, and he had a very nice day for IDP managers. Jones has been the topic of trade rumors as the Patriots descend to the bottom of the league. While he’s on the Patriots, he should see continued success for IDP, but a potential trade could be worrisome.

Other Players to Consider: Jaylon Jones, CB IND, 5%; Christian Izien, S TB, 10%

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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.