Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Three

We’re two weeks into the season, and dare I say, I feel back in the groove? I felt pretty rusty with the routine last week, but after writing this column on Sunday evenings and strictly enjoying football on Monday nights, Tuesday’s late evenings are dedicated to working waivers. I hope this weekly piece makes your life a bit easier, whenever it is you comb through what’s available in your IDP leagues.

Before you dig in this week, keep in mind this advice is geared more toward 14- and 16-team dynasty setups, or 12-team setups with fairly large roster limits (65 spots or so). The reason is there are plenty of sites, podcasts, and Patreons (and good ones) providing what I would consider obvious waiver wire advice for leagues that are of the “start eight IDPs” variety with combined defensive lines and defensive backs. My goal is to write this for managers who must dig deeper on the wire in order to stay ahead for both this season and future years.

And of course, not every IDP listed here is a good dynasty stash. Dynasty rosters need those short-term values too though, and this early in the season it’s worth it to churn a few end-of-your-roster-types to see if an IDP available on waivers is making a leap in play rather than just taking advantage of a good matchup.

Now let’s hit the wire!

Edge Rushers

Jonathon Cooper, DEN

Every year since coming into the league as a seventh-round pick, Cooper shows up in this waiver wire column early in the season. He’s capable of big weeks, and that’s just what he had in week two, with two sacks (one caused a fumble) among his eight combined tackles. Cooper is worth rostering in 16-team leagues, and should Frank Clark remain sidelined with a hip injury, Cooper might have some starting appeal for you against Miami.

Zach Harrison, ATL

Sure, the Falcons have a big and mostly ineffective edge rotation with Bud Dupree, Arnold Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter, and versatile veteran Calais Campbell, but Harrison offers the best upside of any of them. Coming off a mostly disappointing collegiate career at Ohio State, the third-round rookie boasts the size and length (6-foot-5, 272 pounds, and long 36-inch arms) Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen is looking for. He hasn’t yet had a noticeable game – he has two solo tackles and four assists through two weeks – and he doesn’t flash with a bendy pass rush, but he’s explosive off the line. Harrison is just a stash-and-see prospect, but he’s worth a roster spot in 16-team leagues.

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, TB

Tryon-Shoyinka may be available in some 12-team leagues after a disappointing sophomore campaign. The light may now be coming on for the 2021 first-rounder, and if that is indeed the case, week two will go down as his breakout after two sacks of Justin Fields on three quarterback hits, and four solo tackles.

Andrew Van Ginkel, MIA

After masquerading as an off-ball linebacker in week one, Van Ginkel was back to outside linebacker in week two, and seemed pretty happy to be back on the edge. With Jaelan Phillips inactive with a back injury suffered late last week, Van Ginkel got the start and played 65 snaps – his highest defensive snap count since November 2021. And, I mean this, he was all over the place, registering a sack on three quarterback hits, defending a pass, and adding two solo tackles and four assists. Should Phillips miss week three, Van Ginkel merits starting consideration against the Broncos.

Interior Defensive Linemen

Keeanu Benton and Demarvin Leal, PIT

The Steelers placed Cameron Heyward on injured reserve earlier this week due to a torn groin muscle that required surgery. No current Steelers defensive tackle will replace Heyward and his production, but we should get good looks at both the rookie Benton and Leal, the versatile second-year lineman in his second season. Benton has the more desirable size and is the better all-around prospect, while Leal has more pass rush juice. Ultimately I’m not sure either is worth a roster spot in anything less than a 16-team league.

Note I submit this column following Sunday Night Football, and Monday night’s game against Cleveland should provide a good bit of clarity.

Harrison Phillips, MIN

Last week I listed Phillips as a pick for the desperate. Sometimes desperation works out, as Phillips certainly did in week two with seven solo tackles, six assists, and half-a-sack. In a new defense under Brian Flores, Phillips has some intrigue. For dynasty purposes, he’s just 27, and with a possible contract extension next off-season, there’s potential for a good depth tackle and spot starter.

Revisits from Week One

Osa Odighizuwa, DAL – He came through with another sack to go along with two solo tackles, making him a high-end DT1 through two weeks following a two-sack, four-tackle week one. He needs to be owned in all defensive tackle-required leagues.

Off-Ball Linebackers

Krys Barnes, ARI

Josh Woods’ injury opened the door for Barnes to a big role, and the former Packer responded with six solo tackles (one in the backfield), an assist, and a pass defensed. Clearly, he’s worth consideration if Woods remains out, otherwise he’s waiver wire fodder in most leagues. His dynasty value is zilch.

Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow, PHI

Cunningham’s a revisit from week one, and he’s pretty clearly locked into the No. 2 linebacker spot in Philly. On the street all off-season, the NFL’s leading tackler in 2020 led the Eagles in combined tackles with eight while playing 53 of 58 snaps. Morrow, meanwhile, was a big surprise with 55 snaps played. He only mustered three solo tackles and a quarterback hit (plus a fumble recovery on special teams), but relayed plays for the defense with Nakobe Dean sidelined through at least week five with a foot injury. It’s been quite a month for Morrow, who was released in late August, re-signed to the practice squad, and finally called up to the active roster following Dean’s injury.

Jamien Sherwood, NYJ

Quincy Williams suffered a knee injury of unknown severity on Sunday, and if he misses time, Sherwood is the next man up. He looked capable of respectable production with three solo tackles and four assists on 27 snaps. Keep your fingers crossed that Williams’ injury isn’t serious, and be ready to hop on Sherwood in waivers.

EJ Speed, IND

Speed had a nice week with six solos and a sack, but I’m not going overboard with him. Houston was wretched in this game, and the Colts got to CJ Stroud six times. Still, if you’re worried about Shaq Leonard and his two back surgeries, Speed should be a target where available.

Food for Thought

Nate Landman, ATL – Let’s hope Troy Andersen returns for week three, for Landman leaves much to be desired. Coming off a three-solo, one-assist performance against Green Bay, no one should see Landman as a viable fantasy option should Andersen remain sidelined with a concussion.

David Long, MIA – Did anyone cut Long after his disappearing act in week one? I actually did in one 14-team league before adding him back Sunday morning. And it’s a good thing I did, as the former Titan played 62 snaps en route to a sack on two quarterback hits and seven combined tackles. If he was dropped in any of your leagues, scoop him up.

Kenneth Murray and Nick Niemann, LAC – With Eric Kendricks and rookie Daiyon Henley inactive due to injuries, Murray (ten total tackles – two for loss – plus a sack) and Niemann (eight combined tackles) were forced into serious action. Murray’s likely taken; don’t overspend your FAAB if he’s not. We know what he is. If you’ve got a deep bench and roster spots to churn, be my guest with Niemann in the event the Chargers are again in such dire straits at linebacker.

Henry To’oTo’o, HOU – I’m in ten leagues that utilize IDPs, and To’oTo’o isn’t available in any of them, so I’m assuming the same is true for all your dynasty leagues. But if he is, the rookie fifth-rounder from Alabama is your waiver wire priority this week after seemingly taking over for Christian Harris as the No. 2 linebacker and posting four solos and three assists.

Drue Tranquill, KC – Stud Nick Bolton briefly left the Chiefs game during the first half with an ankle injury, and it served as a good reminder that Tranquill should be rostered. The former Charger, who signed a one-year deal with Kansas City in the off-season, could only be considered for lineups if Bolton or Willie Gay were to miss games. But there’s LB1 or LB2 upside in any of those weeks, and of course, there’s always a possibility Tranquill finds full-time work as a free agent next off-season.

Safeties

Rudy Ford, GB

You could do worse at safety than Ford, a versatile safety who any given week could play half his snaps in the box or on the line, as he did in week two. The resulting stat line of five solo tackles and two assists is totally acceptable in some deeper leagues. For now, he’s relegating Jonathan Owens to backup duty. And I’d be more worried about Ford’s staying power as a snap hog should he have better competition behind him.

Elijah Hicks, CHI

A seventh-round selection in 2022, Hicks may be pressed into more snaps than desired. Eddie Jackson, whose 2022 season ended last November with a Lisfranc injury, hurt the same foot early in the second half and didn’t return, leaving Hicks to pick up the slack. If you depend on Jackson for safety starts or depth, keep your eye on injury news, and add Hicks if the news is bad.

Taylor Rapp, BUF

Though Rapp’s fantasy star has fallen mightily over the past two seasons, he could find value this season in Buffalo. He saw just six snaps in a low-volume game against the Raiders, but Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer are both 32, and both dealt with varying degrees of injuries last season. Plus, it’s worth noting that Hyde missed time this week with a hamstring injury. Once the Bills find themselves in game scripts leading to higher snap counts, the starting safeties will have value. Rapp’s likely more of a “watch list” guy than a waiver add, but at some point this season, Rapp’s likely to be playing starter snaps. And if he performs well, he could play himself into a new contract and a starting position in Buffalo in 2024 with Hyde’s contract voiding.

Geno Stone, BAL

Listed last week as a deep league target after Marcus Williams tore a pectoral muscle, Stone is more than that headed into week three. The fourth-year safety out of Iowa collected a red-zone interception on Cincinnati’s opening drive of the second half to go along with seven solo tackles and two assists, cementing himself in Williams’ full-time safety spot. He should make for a good spot-starter going forward.

As for Ar’Darius Washington, I fear his time in Baltimore’s lineup could be coming to a close. Coming off a big week one that included a sack, Washington had a nice statistical week with five combined tackles, a quarterback hit and a pass defensed. But Tee Higgins ate him up in big moments – no surprise given Washington’s 5-foot-8 stature. That’s not a fair fight, and Baltimore can’t afford to put him on the field and in that position. You can take a shot at him in a really deep league, but I’d be worried to ever check the box next to his name.

Food for Thought

Adrian Amos, NYJ – It seems it’s the year of the hamstring injury, and pre-season darling Tony Adams is the latest to fall victim. At the time of this writing I don’t know how severe Adams’ injury is, but if he misses time, Amos (four combined tackles on 53 snaps) is the primary beneficiary.

M.J. Stewart, HOU – The Texans were without starters Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward, and I guess as long as one of them is out of the lineup, Stewart (six solos, four assists, and a forced fumble) is roster-worthy. I hope I’m never in a situation where I have to plug him into my lineup though.

Delarrin Turner-Yell, DEN – Serious IDP degenerates might consider Turner-Yell off the wire this week. I suppose there’s a chance Kareem Jackson is suspended for his nasty hit on Washington tight end Logan Thomas, just one week after giving Jakobi Meyers a concussion. Should Jackson be suspended, Denver may have to turn to Turner-Yell. We know Caden Sterns is out for the season, and J.L. Skinner might not be ready to play a big role as he recovers from a torn pec suffered seven months ago.

K’Von Wallace, ARI – Budda Baker sat with a hamstring injury, and the additional playing time helped Wallace net eight combined tackles. There’s zero dynasty appeal here, so unless you just need a short-term fill-in now that Baker is going on IR, take a pass.

Revisits from Week One

Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus, MIN – This Vikings safety group is a good one, and while Harrison Smith has long been the tackle stalwart, it’s been Bynum who so far has been the surprise top tackler. Bynum racked up six solos and nine assists while playing all 77 snaps in a prime matchup with Philadelphia. Metellus, who missed game time with a shoulder injury, still collected six solos and three assists on 56 snaps. Should Metellus miss any time, Theo Jackson played well in his absence.

Alohi Gilman, LAC – Again, I have a hard time putting any amount of trust into Gilman. And if you added him and played him this week, six total tackles was likely a disappointment, even if it didn’t kill you.

Jason Pinnock, NYG – He had a disappointing week one, but rebounded in a big way against Arizona with ten solo tackles – three in the backfield – and three assists. He may be better than I give him credit for. If available, add him and I think you could consider him an S2 until further notice.

Cornerbacks

Tre Brown, SEA

I was pretty surprised Brown beat out Michael Jackson for the starting outside corner spot opposite Riq Woolen to start the season, and he’s proven so far to be a capable playmaker. He filled up the stat sheet against Detroit with a sack, an interception of Jared Goff that Brown returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble to end the first half, and four solo tackles. In 14- and 16-team cornerback-required leagues with two required starters, he may be worth consideration for your CB2 spot.

Food for Thought

Mario Goodrich, PHI – The Eagles lost slot defender Avonte Maddox to a torn pec during Thursday night’s win over Minnesota, and while I’m not sure they’ll stick with Goodrich as the direct replacement, the 2022 UDFA from Clemson did indeed fill in and collect three solos and an assist on 39 snaps after Maddox departed. This one’s for really, really deep leagues only.

Revisits from Week One

Jakorian Bennett, LV – The rookie fourth-rounder followed up a solid CB2 week with another one, notching five solo tackles and four assists against Buffalo. If you need him, keep it rolling against Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

Akayleb Evans, MIN – It was a great matchup, and Evans came through with seven total tackles and a pass defensed in a loss to Philadelphia. He should be safe to fire up again in week three at home against the Chargers.

Deommodore Lenoir, SF – For the second consecutive week, Lenoir hit big with eight solo tackles, one assist, and a key interception. I’m firing him up again Thursday night at home against the Giants.