IDP Improvements: Moves to Make Before Week Four

Micah Parsons | © Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

Jason Abbey Posted On September 25, 2024

We’re only three weeks into the 2024 NFL season, but you probably have a good feel about whether your fantasy team will be a contender or a pretender. Whether you’re sitting pretty at 3-0, struggling mightily at 0-3, or are somewhere in between, this article suggests some roster moves you can make in week four to stay ahead of the competition.

Jordyn Brooks, LB MIA – Start

Anthony Walker, LB MIA – Add

Brooks had a quiet start to the season, managing only four tackles in week one and five in week two. Impatient IDP managers who were stacked at linebacker may have benched him. Fantasy managers in shallow leagues may have even dropped him. With the benefit of hindsight, those moves appear premature.

It may have been overlooked that the Dolphins averaged fewer than 50 snaps per game through the first two weeks. In week three, the Dolphins played 64 snaps against the Seattle Seahawks, which is right around the league average. Brooks had his most productive game yet, amassing nine combined tackles, a hit, and a hurry against his former team.

David Long, who outproduced Brooks through the first two games, managed only two tackles before leaving with a hamstring injury. Whether Long returns for week four or not, Brooks is an every-down linebacker and should be trusted as a low-end LB2. If Long misses time, Anthony Walker should also be added from waivers.

Daiyan Henley, LB LAC – Start

Henley’s fantasy managers feared he would be mired in a three-way rotation when Jesse Minter announced his intentions to keep his linebackers “fresh.” That rotation was evident in week one and may yet return once Junior Colson returns to health. Until that happens, Henley is the only linebacker the Los Angeles Chargers trust to play every down.

Jesse Minter’s decision to prioritize Henley over Denzel Perryman in snap share seems justified. Henley is superior in coverage to his teammate and has greater potential to improve his overall game. Many considered him a project despite being drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but his progression has been impressive.

Daiyan Henley led the team in tackles again & he's getting better & better at attacking the line of scrimmage pic.twitter.com/8LLXjRktvZ

— Garrett Sisti (@GarrettSisti) September 23, 2024

Henley should be considered an LB2 while Colson is out. Unfortunately, once Colson returns, and unless Minter changes his approach, Henley’s value is more in the high-end LB4 range. Still, considering Perryman is only under contract through 2024, Henley’s dynasty managers should be optimistic about his long-term outlook.

Trenton Simpson, LB BAL – Bench

Many of us expected Simpson to become a full-time linebacker following the departure of Patrick Queen, and after a shaky start in the season opener, those predictions appeared accurate as he played 100% of the snaps against the Las Vegas Raiders in week two.

Unfortunately, Simpson’s snap share dropped to only 51% against the Dallas Cowboys last weekend. He played better than he did against the Raiders, but it is unclear whether his performance will be rewarded with a more significant role going forward. He should be benched until the situation becomes clearer.

Nick Herbig, EDGE PIT – Add

Alex Highsmith exited the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers after picking up a groin injury. He is an impact player and his absence will be felt. He is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks.

Herbig is set for an expanded role until Highsmith returns, and the Steelers’ faith in the sophomore appears justified. Herbig rushed the passer only 81 times as a rookie in 2023 but still produced three sacks, a 12.3% pressure rate, and a 23.3% win rate. The sophomore also excelled against the Chargers last weekend, and not solely because of the two sacks he produced. His 40% win rate ranked sixth among all edge rushers.

Nick Herbig is Mini Watt. A future star. pic.twitter.com/BVKNiAYskC

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 22, 2024

It is too early to judge whether Herbig can capitalize on his fine start and become a consistently impactful player, and his opportunities will undoubtedly be limited once Highsmith returns to partner T.J. Watt on the edge. Still, in the meantime, he should be added from waivers based on what we’ve already seen.

Micah Parsons, EDGE DAL – Trade for

Shrewd IDP managers will understand that Parsons has been unfortunate not to convert his 18 pressures – which rank second among all edge rushers – into more than one sack this season.

Impatient IDP managers will criticize Parsons’ lack of production and suggest he has not played well.

If the Parsons manager in your league falls into the latter category, send a trade offer. Health permitting, any doubts that Parsons remains an elite edge rusher will be dispelled soon enough.

Jason Pinnock, S NYG – Trade away

Pinnock’s IDP managers have undoubtedly enjoyed his productive start to the season. The 25-year-old has produced three sacks and a pass breakup in three games. That’s the good news.

The bad news – and a fact known to the vast majority of IDP managers – is that Pinnock will not maintain this level of production. His tackle efficiency was poor last season and has been poor so far in 2024. When those big plays dry up, and they will, you may be left holding a DB with a low weekly floor.

Most IDP managers wouldn’t trade for a defensive back like Pinnock, but maybe your league has a manager who will.

Conclusion

Three games are still a small sample size, so try to avoid being too disappointed with the lack of production from proven players. Parsons is the best example in this article. Josh-Hines Allen and Josh Sweat also qualify and could be acquired more cheaply. There are younger examples, too, such as Jalen Carter and Yaya Diaby – both demonstrated potential last season, have been unfortunate not to generate more sacks this season, and will become more productive if they continue to play at the same level. Now is the time to capitalize on the impatience of other IDP managers before it’s too late.