Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Nine

Sunday brought us a showdown between the top two picks in the NFL Draft, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. Chicago fans, Washington fans, and fantasy managers are psyched about what they have in these two rookie assets, but what about the top IDP rookies this season? Typically, IDP rookies take much longer to make an impact at the NFL level than offensive players. Occasionally, a pass-rusher will start racking up sacks right away, or a defensive back may rack up tackles because they’re struggling to cover their assignment.

On the defensive line, Jared Verse of the LA Rams has been the most impressive 2024 rookie thus far. He has 29 total tackles and has already racked up two-and-a-half sacks, leading the way amongst all rookie linemen so far this season.

At linebacker, a second-round pick for the Packers Edgerrin Cooper has been the best so far. He has two-and-a-half sacks himself, and in week eight he had his best game of his young career. He got a sack, eight total tackles and he forced a fumble.

In the defensive backfield, second-round safety Tyler Nubin has been racking up tackles all season long. Going into this week’s Monday Night game, Nubin has had at least eight total tackles in four straight weeks. He’s yet to make an impact with the ball in the air, but he has forced a fumble and recovered another one.

All of these rookie IDP options are over the 35% rostered threshold we use for this piece, but there are some deeper rookies available in more leagues that may be worth a pickup this week. We’ll get into some of them below, along with all of the top options at each level of the defense.

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

Arden Key, EDGE TEN, 5%

Arden Key failed to get a sack through the first six weeks of the season. Last week, he finally got into that category. This week, he got to the quarterback twice for a huge game. He had six total tackles (three solo), which was also a season-high for Key. The Titans haven’t had many opportunities to commit to rushing the passer, but next week they’ll get to play against the Patriots and their struggling offensive line. It could be another big game for Key.

Za’Darius Smith, DE CLE, 15%

At 32 years old, Za’Darius Smith is still making a major impact as a pass-rusher. He got a sack in his second-straight game, and he’s up to five of them on the season. He is a big-play or bust player, so you’ll need to play the matchups with Smith. Next week, against the Chargers, may not be the best spot to play him.

Jer’Zhan Newton, DT WAS, 21%

Newton had the best game of his rookie career, totaling three tackles and forcing a fumble in the Commanders’ win over the Bears. He hasn’t had the most productive season, but he is starting to come on. Newton should be viewed as more of a stash-and-hope for the future more than a pickup-and-play this week.

Other Players to Consider: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE NYG, 17%; Anfernee Jennings, EDGE NE, 12%; Chauncey Golston, DE DAL, 5%; Kobie Turner, DT LAR, 30%, Calijah Kancey, DE TB, 21%; Dre’Mont Jones, DE SEA, 13%; A’Shawn Robinson, DT CAR, 6%

Linebackers

Jamien Sherwood, LB NYJ, 28% or Chazz Surratt, LB NYJ 3%

It’s been an incredibly disappointing season for CJ Mosley fantasy managers. The latest issue came in pre-game this week, when Mosley suffered a neck injury. He didn’t play a single snap, leaving Sherwood to play 65/67 snaps, and Surratt to be the rotational piece. As each week passes, it seems like Mosley is farther and farther away from regaining his starting role when he does finally return to full strength. Sherwood has logged 45 total tackles over the last four weeks, 22 of them solos. Surratt should only be seen as an option in deep leagues.

Mohamoud Diabate, LB CLE, 3%, Devin Bush, LB CLE, 13% or Winston Reid, LB CLE, 3%

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was the biggest downer injury this week in IDP fantasy football. He was having a big day in a shocking win for the Browns, but he was carted off the field in the third quarter and didn’t return. Diabate was JOK’s immediate replacement after he left. The second-year linebacker out of Utah logged eight total tackles while wearing the green dot. He also deflected a pass and logged a TFL. He’s likely to be JOK’s fill-in if his injury extends into next week. Devin Bush could continue to play a larger role in the offense while Winston Reid could be rotated in more for deep leagues.

Troy Andersen, LB ATL, 37% or JD Bertrand, LB ATL, 6%

Troy Andersen missed another game this week, but he seemed close to making a return. When he does come back, he should be on rosters, which is why I’m including him here even though he’s slightly over the 35% threshold. If he does miss another game though, Bertrand got the start in his place this week. The rookie didn’t do much, and isn’t very highly touted, so he is a long shot to produce much.

Pete Werner, LB NO, 31%

Werner played in his first game since week four and logged nine total tackles in the loss to the Chargers. Seven of his tackles were solo and two of them were in the offensive backfield. He did have to leave the field during this game, but it didn’t seem like it was a big deal. Keep an eye on injury updates for him throughout the week.

Other Players to Consider: David Long, LB MIA, 22%; Eric Wilson, LB GB,7%; DeMarvion Overshown, LB DAL, 29%; Cody Barton, LB DEN, 31%; Ventrell Miller, LB JAX, 19%, Neville Hewitt, LB HOU, 9%; Christian Elliss, LB NE, 5%;

Defensive Backs

Tre’von Moehrig, S LVR, 18%

Moehrig continues to rack up tackles in the Raiders secondary, but he added an interception of Patrick Mahomes to go along with nine total tackles this week. It was his second pick of the year, and the second time in two weeks that he got nine total tackles.

AJ Terrell, CB ATL, 15%

AJ Terrell has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL this year, and he’s recently ramped up his IDP production as well. He had seven total tackles, six of them solo, and he had his second interception in the last three weeks. He’s defended four passes over the last three weeks as well. He’ll likely find himself lined up against CeeDee Lamb plenty of times next week, so he’ll have his hands full covering one of the best receivers in the league.

Brandon Jones, S DEN, 31%

Brandon Jones led the Broncos in tackles on Sunday, totaling 12 total and seven solo in a win over the Panthers. It is the second time in three weeks that Jones has reached 12 total tackles. He has come through with a solid floor of production this season and has the ability to make some big plays as well. The Broncos’ defense continues to be one of the best in football, and plenty of their players are under-rostered in dynasty IDP leagues.

Other Players to Consider: Deommodore Lenoir, CB SF, 23%;Coby Bryant, S SEA, 6%; Christian Izien, S TB, 8%; Ja’Quan McMillian, CB DEN, 7%; Byron Murphy, CB MIN, 14%; Xavier Woods, S CAR, 15%