This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
With rosters of all shapes and sizes, IDP advice can be a bit tricky, so the purpose of this article is to point out players whose values are elevated for the upcoming week. Some of these players will be superstars, while others will be found on many waiver wires. We'll look at team positional groupings, based on the potential for a favorable game script. Whether you're streaming IDPs each week or have a stocked roster, this "one size fits" all approach hopefully will help most everyone find a weekly edge.
Linebackers
Lions (at Bears) – Players with elevated value: Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard and Christian Jones.
When the Bears had a great setup to run the ball in Week 8 against the Chargers, they turned David Montgomery loose to the tune of 27 carries. Although the Lions have some "names" on their defense, they simply have been weak across the board, but especially against the run. Expect the Bears to take the heat off Mitchell Trubisky by leaning on their rushing attack, making the Lions' run stoppers better lineup options than they usually are. It also helps that the Bears are at home, where they should be able to keep this game close enough to keep leaning on the run.
Bengals (vs. Ravens) – Players with elevated value: Preston Brown, Nick Vigil and Jordan Evans.
Not only are the Ravens near the top of the list in terms of plays run per game, but they also
With rosters of all shapes and sizes, IDP advice can be a bit tricky, so the purpose of this article is to point out players whose values are elevated for the upcoming week. Some of these players will be superstars, while others will be found on many waiver wires. We'll look at team positional groupings, based on the potential for a favorable game script. Whether you're streaming IDPs each week or have a stocked roster, this "one size fits" all approach hopefully will help most everyone find a weekly edge.
Linebackers
Lions (at Bears) – Players with elevated value: Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard and Christian Jones.
When the Bears had a great setup to run the ball in Week 8 against the Chargers, they turned David Montgomery loose to the tune of 27 carries. Although the Lions have some "names" on their defense, they simply have been weak across the board, but especially against the run. Expect the Bears to take the heat off Mitchell Trubisky by leaning on their rushing attack, making the Lions' run stoppers better lineup options than they usually are. It also helps that the Bears are at home, where they should be able to keep this game close enough to keep leaning on the run.
Bengals (vs. Ravens) – Players with elevated value: Preston Brown, Nick Vigil and Jordan Evans.
Not only are the Ravens near the top of the list in terms of plays run per game, but they also are one of the run-heaviest squads as well. Despite this being a divisional game on the road, Ryan Finley will make his first NFL start at QB for the Bengals, and that should lead to the Ravens being able to play with a lead, which should keep them from having to lean on Lamar Jackson's arm too much. Look for a busy day for the Cinci LBs as they chase down both the RBs and Jackson.
Dolphins (at Colts) – Players with elevated value: Jerome Baker, Raekwon McMillan, Sam Eguavoen and Charles Harris.
As of now, the Colts are expected to be without T.Y. Hilton, who is in the second week of what's expected to be a multiweek absence, and the status of Jacoby Brissett likely will be unknown until midweek. That should lead to Indy leaning heavily upon its rushing attack, especially on its home field in a game the team should have little trouble controlling. It'll also help that Miami is one of the worst teams in the league at stopping the run, but that won't keep their LBs from piling up stats all afternoon. Don't be surprised to see Marlon Mack flirt with 30 carries this weekend.
Pass Rushers
Saints (vs. Falcons) – Players with elevated value: Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport and Sheldon Rankins.
Not only do the Falcons appear to have checked out behind apparent lame-duck head coach Dan Quinn, but their offensive line has been a turnstile most of the season. Between the Saints likely being able to roll out to a lead, and Atlanta's run game simply not very good, there should be plenty of opportunities for the pass rush to make Matt Ryan uncomfortable. And don't forget, when the Saints are at home, their defense can be "lights out," and this pass rush could easily catch fire.
Ravens (at Bengals) – Players with elevated value: Patrick Onwuasor, Matt Judon and Jaylon Ferguson.
Although Ryan Finley is probably ecstatic to make his first NFL start, he may not feel so giddy after playing the Ravens. Of course, being on his home field helps, as opposing defenses often aren't quite as lethal on the road, but in a game in which Baltimore could dominate, and while facing a decimated offensive line, this may be one of the best games the Ravens' pass rush will have this season. Even if the game somehow stays close, the inability of the Cinci running game to produce is certain to provide plenty of obvious passing situations and the production it provides to DBs.
Rams (at Steelers) – Players with elevated value: Dante Fowler Jr., Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers and Samson Ebukam.
An easy schedule has allowed the Steelers to have offensive success with second- and third-string QBs on the field since Ben Roethlisberger was lost for the year. Even though they'll be on their home field, smoke and mirrors may not be enough for the Pittsburgh offense to get by against the Rams defense this weekend. Even though the coaching staff may try to have Mason Rudolph get the ball out quickly, if no WRs are open, he'll be forced to take more sacks than he'd like.
Defensive Backs
Buccaneers (vs. Cardinals) – Players with elevated value: Vernon Hargreaves, Carlton Davis, Mike Edwards and Jordan Whitehead.
There are very few defenses that shut down the run as well as the Bucs, and as a result, opposing offenses have little choice other than to throw the ball against their awful secondary. With the Cardinals having such a favorable matchup in the passing game, Kyler Murray could see a season-high in passing attempts if all works out well, but in any case, the Bucs DBs will have a productive afternoon in the stat column.
Saints (vs. Falcons) – Players with elevated value: Eli Apple P.J. Williams, Marshon Lattimore, Vonn Bell and Marcus Williams.
Playing behind a bad offensive line, the Falcons have struggled to get their running game going against good defenses. Well, that's what's setting up this week, as the Saints at home are a brick wall against the run, so Ryan will have no choice other than to throw the ball upward of 40 times. In addition, there's a strong likelihood the Falcons will have to go to their hurry-up offense if they fall way behind. Put it all together and we can anticipate strong tackle numbers for the NO secondary and maybe a pick or two.
Cardinals (at Buccaneers) – Players with elevated value: Byron Murphy, Budda Baker, Patrick Peterson and Tramaine Brock.
The Cardinals have been a solid unit against the run, and if we combine that with the Bucs mediocre rushing attack, the end result should be another game with Jameis Winston having to carry the offense. Not only should the DBs pile up a solid number of tackles, but with an above-average pass rush, we know that Winston can quickly become a turnover machine, so don't be surprised to see the Arizona secondary pick of some passes as well.
