Walking the IDP Waiver Wire: Week 2

Here are some IDPs worth scooping off your waivers following Week 1 action.

Sep 13, 2022

Welcome back! If you are new to this article, thank you for taking the time to read through some of the names that may help lead your team to glory, bragging rights, and some cash. If you have read some of the previous articles in this series, I hope that you have found it to be informative, useful, and, of course, insightful.

The names on these lists are for deeper leagues. Typically, these players were not drafted in 12 team leagues that start 3 or 4 at each position. We are looking at players who are rostered in less than 5% of leagues that will more than likely be available in most leagues. Some of the players you can pick up will end up being season long starters and true difference makers for your squad. Defensive players, more so than their offensive counterparts, vary from year to year based on several things including coaching change, defensive alignment, and snap rotation. There seems to be less turnover on the offensive side of the ball, which is all the more reason to load up on offensive guys in your draft and then attack the waiver wire during the first few weeks of the season. With that said, let’s dive into this week’s Walking the Waiver Wire!

Defensive Line

Gregory Rousseau, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo’s defensive line looked like they were playing with a cheat code last Thursday night. Their rotation of Von Miller, AJ Epenesa, Carolos Basham, and Jordan Phillips was making Matthew Stafford’s life very hectic all night long. All those players played well, but I was most impressed with Gregory Rousseau.

Rousseau played 45 snaps, which was just under 70% of snaps, and put up 4 tackles, 1 sack, and a pass defense. This second-year pro is just learning the position and just oozes with physical upside. With the other players in this rotation drawing attention, Rousseau will continue to see some very healthy stat lines.

Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers

With the sad news that the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the entire NFL, will be without TJ Watt for a while, the Steelers defense needs someone to step up and put pressure on opposing quarterbacks so their secondary can continue to make plays.

Enter Alex Highsmith. Highsmith put up a season’s worth of stats in Week 1: 6 tackles, 3 assisted tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. What makes Highsmith even more intriguing is his duel designation in many leagues. He probably can more than hold his own as a linebacker in most leagues but having the defensive lineman tag makes him a cheat code. (Note: Highsmith exited Week 1 with what appeared to be an arm injury. If he can’t go in Week 2, Malik Reed becomes a nice pickup.)

Dominique Robinson, Chicago Bears

Probably the most shocking score of the weekend was the Bears over the 49ers in the monsoon at the Midway. The Bears defense used the home-field advantage to make Trey Lance look very ho-hum. The rookie Dominique Robinson had 1.5 sacks in the game but what is exciting is that he also was productive in stopping the run, with 5 tackles and 2 assists. Robinson did all of this on 28 snaps. I fully expect that number is going to be increasing in the coming weeks.

Linebacker

Jordan Hicks, Minnesota Vikings

Jordan Hicks is maybe the most disrespected linebacker in the NFL. Over his 8 NFL seasons—from his days in Philadelphia and Arizona, then landing in Minnesota—all he has done is put up great numbers at the linebacker position. Last year, he was supposed to be replaced by Zavon Collins, a first-round draft pick, but it was Collins who watched all season from the sideline as Hicks put up a top 20 season. Hicks was to play second fiddle to Eric Kendricks this season, but in Week 1, Hicks once again was outplaying his competition to the tune of 9 tackles, 5 assists, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. Next week Hicks and the Vikings get to play one of the most run-heavy teams in the league in Philadelphia. Could this be a revenge game?

Frankie Luvu, Carolina Panthers

All offseason, the Panthers appeared to be led by Shaq Thompson and new addition Damien Wilson, but come Week 1, it was Frankie Luvu who led all linebackers in Carolina with 68 snaps in the game against Cleveland. I know… who?

And more importantly, he wore the coveted green dot as the leader of the defense. Although he didn’t have a monster game (just 5 tackles and 1 assist), it is his time on the field which makes him very appealing. Luvu should get more than a few tackle opportunities next week against Saquon Barkley and the Giants.

Divine Deablo, Las Vegas Raiders

You read about a cheat code in Highsmith earlier. Well, Divine Deablo is also one of those players who may have dual eligibility in your league and if he does… oh man, are you in luck. Deablo is listed as a defensive back in many leagues but is playing linebacker for the Raiders and manning the green dot. Deablo had a modest game on Sunday with 4 tackles and 3 assists against the Chargers, but with fellow linebacker Denzel Perryman exiting with an ankle injury, Deablo will likely be asked to step up and assume an even bigger role on the defense.

Defensive Back

Marcus Williams, Baltimore Ravens

Marcus Williams had himself a day on Sunday against Joe Flacco and the Jets. With Chuck Clark and Kyle Hamilton, and given Williams’ alignment (typically deep), it was fair to wonder how useful Williams would be for IDP. Williams played all 84 snaps in the game, which wasn’t surprising given his payday. What was surprising was his production: 10 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, and 1 INT. If the Ravens can have leads in most games, the secondary will have their opportunities to make plays. I fully expect Williams to feast next week against Tua and the Dolphins.

Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers

Shout out Jase Abbey for this one! Another player from the monsoon at the Midway, Talanoa Hufanga is maybe the answer the 49ers have been searching for to be that hard-hitting safety. Putting up almost a similar stat line to Marcus Williams with 9 tackles, 2 assists, and 1 INT of his own, it is Hufanga’s box presence that makes him very appealing in lineups. Watching that game, Hufanga was near the ball almost every single play, and if he can continue that tenacity on a weekly basis, he will be greatly rewarded in the stat column, as will you in your starting lineup.

Marcus Epps, Philadelphia Eagles

The revolving door at safety for the Eagles has been something the front office has been trying to figure out since Brian Dawkins left. Well, they may finally have an answer in Marcus Epps. Epps had a nice day against the Lions with 8 tackles and 2 assists. Epps played all 69 snaps for the Eagles, which is a great sign for how the coaching staff feels about him and his decision-making on the field. Epps will get plenty of chances to make plays against Justin Jefferson and the Vikings next week.

There you have it: waiver wire adds for Week 2! Please feel free to reach out to me at @Boobam131 for any questions, waiver wire adds, or trade ideas you might have for any of your teams. I am always willing and excited to help out. Also: be sure to comment on this article if the names on the list are too deep for your leagues, not deep enough, or just right. I truly want to help make your teams contenders!

Have a great week and we will catch up with you next week.

Subscribe to The IDP Show so you don’t miss an episode!

Get 80% OFF an All-22 Fantasy subscription with the code IDPSHOW10 #ad

Order The IDP Draft Kit today for just $20: theidpdraftkit.com