IDP Improvements: Moves To Make Before Week Nine

IDP Improvements: Moves to Make Before Week Nine

Jonathan Greenard | © Brad Rempel-Imagn Image

The IDP landscape changes significantly from one week to the next, and staying on top of those changes is critical to fantasy success. Here, we look at some of the moves you can make in preparation for week nine to stay ahead of the competition.

Christian Rozeboom, LB LAR – Start

Omar Speights, LB LAR – Add

Troy Reeder was placed on IR ahead of the Los Angeles Rams’ surprise win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football, so Rozeboom and Speights may have been picked up from waivers in your league already. If not, grab them as soon as possible.

Rozeboom led all Rams linebackers with 94% of the available defensive snaps in Reeder’s absence. Unfortunately, he could not translate the opportunity into production, finishing with only six combined tackles, including four assists.

The 27-year-old has done little to deserve a full-time role. He performed poorly in 2023 and has demonstrated no improvement in 2024. Nevertheless, the early season trade of Ernest Jones and the injury to Reeder have thrust Rozeboom into consideration as a low-end LB2 until Reeder returns.

Speights first appeared on the radar of IDP managers in the preseason after two impressive performances against the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers. That buzz soon disappeared once the season started, as Speights didn’t play on defense through the first seven games.

The rookie only played 44% of the snaps in week eight, but he held his own and still managed more solo tackles than Rozeboom. It’s too early to say so with certainty, but it’s entirely possible that Speights could rise on the depth chart if he impresses.

Speights is currently ranked as DLF’s LB56. Managers in shallow IDP leagues probably cannot afford the roster spot, but he’s worth adding in deep leagues while we wait to see how the dust settles.

Devin Lloyd LB JAC – Trade away

The linebacker rotation in Jacksonville surprised many at the start of the season. Even the great Foyesade Oluokun wasn’t spared, but at least he played over 80% of the snaps before his injury, while Lloyd failed to surpass 75% in any of the first three games.

Oluokun returned from IR in week eight and dominated snap share at the position. Ventrell Miller, who had been productive in Oluokun’s four-game absence, out-snapped Lloyd for the first time this season, playing 60% of the defensive snaps to Lloyd’s 56%.

Given Lloyd’s superior play, Ryan Nielsen’s latest approach may confuse some, but the Jaguars defensive coordinator seems intent on continuing the division of duties at linebacker, and Lloyd has suffered more than most.

Lloyd possesses the ability to become an every-down linebacker again at some point, whether with the Jaguars or elsewhere. If you can afford to carry him until that point, benching him might be the best option. Otherwise, trading him for an ascending player such as Jamien Sherwood – a suggestion that would have seemed ridiculous only one month ago – suddenly seems appealing.

Jonathan Greenard EDGE MIN – Trade for

Greenard got off to a hot start in 2024, recording four sacks in his first three games. He has only one sack in three games since, but his performances have deserved more.

His 43 pressures currently rank third among all edge rushers, and his 17.8% pressure rate ranks fourth. Greenard is only five pressures shy of his career high in 2023 despite logging 163 fewer pass rush attempts.

Jonathan Greenard showing great effort as he works flat down the LOS & tackles the RB from the backside! #StopTheRun #Vikings #Skol pic.twitter.com/qT0uD1qPeW

— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) October 24, 2024

Greenard’s value has increased significantly since the start of the season, but if he continues to play at or near his current level, then it will only continue to rise. Test the water in trade talks with his current IDP manager – they may have cooled on him a little following his lack of sacks over the last month. Their loss could be your gain.

Myles Garrett EDGE CLE – Trade for

Garrett’s haters are out in full force because he has gone four games without a sack. Shrewd IDP managers will ignore the noise. Despite not recording otherworldly box stats in November, there is plenty of evidence to suggest Garrett is still playing at a very high level. His 17.1% pressure rate ranks seventh among 85 qualifying edge rushers who have played at least 100 pass rush snaps. His 37.9% win rate ranks second.

Last week, the Browns amassed 21 pressures against the Baltimore Ravens, the most pressures any team had generated against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in 2024. Garrett didn’t register a sack, but he was disruptive, accounting for eight hurries and one quarterback hit.

The sacks will come. Take advantage of any Garrett manager in your league who is buying into the misconception that he’s no longer one of the best edge rushers in the game.

Conclusion

Some of these moves, such as the suggestion to add Speights, are more speculative. Others, such as the recommendation to acquire Garrett, are based on hard facts and wouldn’t even be mentioned were it not for overreactions dominating IDP conversations on X.