IDP Waiver Wire: Week 3

Even after the frenzy of Week 2 waivers, there are still some good names out there for your IDP squad given the injuries and other developments we saw this past weekend.

Playing IDP can, at times, add to the frustration of an already maddening fantasy football experience. Every stadium has its own stat crew—some are very generous with giving out assisted tackles, while some are tighter than Ebenezer Scrooge.

IDP scoring is not an exact science like the offensive side of the ball, where a catch or run of seven yards is exactly that, but who tackles him is anyone’s guess. As you continue forward, it’s crucial to play the waiver wire game to keep maximizing your starting lineup each and every week. With that in mind, here’s a look at some guys to consider adding this week to help you in Week 3 and beyond. 

Defensive Line

Jonathan Allen, Washington Football Team

Allen is not the sexiest name in Washington’s herald defensive line crew, but he is probably the cheapest and most available. Now usually I do not like to play DT unless it is a league-required position (DE usually offers more upside), but I am willing to make an exception for Allen. With Young and Sweat drawing a lot of attention, Allen is a run stuff mauler in the middle. Allen has posted sacks in back-to-back weeks and looks to continue that streak against Josh Allen this week. Allen also posted 5 solos, 1 assist, and 2 sacks this past week on just 56 snaps—that’s really solid! 

Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens

Oweh sure left his mark on the epic Sunday night game versus the Kansas City Chiefs. It was Oweh who single-handedly punched out the ball from CEH and then recovered the ball icing the game and giving the Ravens the win. Oweh had a sack in Week 1, so he is definitely making those big splash plays we all love. Oweh is also getting in on more tackles as his snap count increased from 56% in Week 1 to 75% in Week 2; a number that we should only see increasing in the coming weeks. Learning from all-world defensive lineman Calais Campbell doesn’t hurt your stock either!

Defensive Back

James Bradberry, New York Giants

For the record, I am not a CB streamer but Bradberry is not a streaming CB—he is quickly becoming a set-it-and-forget-it type of player. Always taking on the opposing team’s #1 WR, Bradberry is always going to see PD and tackle opportunities coming his way. This week he gets Calvin Ridley, so make a claim and reap the benefits. Bradberry has played 100% of snaps, so you never have to worry about him coming off the field for certain coverages or packages which only adds to his appeal.

Bradberry had 5 solos in Week 1 and 6 this last week. He also added a pick! Matty Ice is going to push the ball around the field this week and look for Bradberry to be on the receiving end of a pass or two.

Taron Johnson, Buffalo Bills

I know what you are thinking: You said you were not a CB streamer and here you go with another CB this week! Johnson is a true slot cover corner: quick, twitchy, and always around the football. This fourth-year pro is just coming into his own as one of the unsung leaders of the up-and-coming defense in Buffalo.

What I really like about Johnson is that D-line really is starting to gel and forcing QBs to throw quickly, and that means a lot of underneath passes; right where Mr. Johnson likes to play. He has scored 18 and 16 in the first two weeks of the season and will see that 90% plus snap count continue this week against Washington. 

Linebacker

Denzel Perryman, Las Vegas Raiders

This one-time San Diego Charger was always more of a player by name than actual stats. Never scoring more than 150 points for an entire season, Perryman already has posted back-to-back 18-point weeks to start the season. Wearing the green dot as the defensive play-caller, Perryman is on the field for 75% of the plays, making him an easy start in 12-team leagues where you start three or more LBs. Chucky loves his gritty veteran guys and no one is grittier, or more veteran, than Perryman. 

Justin Strnad, Denver Broncos

IDP is more about opportunity than draft capital. Every year, there are waiver wire wonders who come out of nowhere to lead their real team (and the teams of fantasy football managers) to glory. This is where Justin Strnad enters the conversation.

The former Demon Deacon has had his fair share of injuries coming out of college and throughout his first few seasons as a pro. Strnad came into the game on Sunday after Josey Jewell suffered a season-ending injury and posted a very respectable stat line with 4 solos and 2 assists. I really like Strnad’s role next to AJ Johnson going forward. Johnson is more of the blitzing LB, leaving Strnad to soak up the tackles behind that underrated D-line that should keep him very clean. 

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Hopefully, you can find some of these names available on your waivers, and more importantly, useful to your squads. See you back here next week.

Hope you have a good one, kids!

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Photo attribution:

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