We're in the full swing of the NFL season now that three weeks are in the books. Roles are still changing across the league, and unfortunately, injuries are starting to pile up. We'll pick through some of the most noteworthy IDP developments in preparation for Week 4.
Risers
Holcomb played sparingly in the first two weeks of the season after returning from a serious knee injury that sidelined him for all of 2024. The Steelers were in search of an answer to their early season run-defense woes, and Holcomb was one of the shifts in personnel they made in Week 3. He played 52 percent of defensive snaps against the Patriots, almost exclusively on early downs. That should set him up to tally a lot of tackles, despite the near certainty that he'll remain a part-time player while pairing with Payton Wilson.
Strnad has played 80 percent of defensive snaps in the last two weeks and has five tackles in all three games this season. Those aren't outstanding numbers, but he's also added in some splash plays, tallying two sacks and a pass defensed. Strnad hasn't been included on this list in the first two weeks of the season because there was uncertainty surrounding the status of Dre Greenlaw (calf), who would have taken over the majority of Strnad's defensive snaps. Now that Greenlaw is on IR, Strnad has a clear path to playing time and fantasy IDP relevance for the foreseeable
We're in the full swing of the NFL season now that three weeks are in the books. Roles are still changing across the league, and unfortunately, injuries are starting to pile up. We'll pick through some of the most noteworthy IDP developments in preparation for Week 4.
Risers
Holcomb played sparingly in the first two weeks of the season after returning from a serious knee injury that sidelined him for all of 2024. The Steelers were in search of an answer to their early season run-defense woes, and Holcomb was one of the shifts in personnel they made in Week 3. He played 52 percent of defensive snaps against the Patriots, almost exclusively on early downs. That should set him up to tally a lot of tackles, despite the near certainty that he'll remain a part-time player while pairing with Payton Wilson.
Strnad has played 80 percent of defensive snaps in the last two weeks and has five tackles in all three games this season. Those aren't outstanding numbers, but he's also added in some splash plays, tallying two sacks and a pass defensed. Strnad hasn't been included on this list in the first two weeks of the season because there was uncertainty surrounding the status of Dre Greenlaw (calf), who would have taken over the majority of Strnad's defensive snaps. Now that Greenlaw is on IR, Strnad has a clear path to playing time and fantasy IDP relevance for the foreseeable future.
As an outside corner, Rodgers doesn't play a position that typically brings much fantasy IDP value. However, it's impossible not to at least mention his incredible performance in Week 3, when he returned an interception and a fumble for touchdowns and also forced two fumbles. Rodgers is very unlikely to return much fantasy value in traditional formats moving forward, but his performance Sunday was likely the best we'll see from an individual all season.
Kinchens had a promising rookie season but typically needed an injury in the Rams' secondary to see a full allotment of snaps. That's changed to begin the new campaign, as Quentin Lake has worked exclusively as the slot corner. With Kinchens earning full-time snaps as the free safety, he's delivered four, 10 and seven tackles to begin the year.
T.J. Edwards is dealing with a lingering hamstring injury, which could be an issue that pesters him for the next several weeks. Sewell stepped in to lead the Chicago inside linebackers in snap count, and he has played 98 and 99 percent of snaps in the two games Edwards has missed, while turning in nine and 11 tackles. So long as Edwards is sidelined, Sewell is a must-start IDP option for leagues that reward tackles.
Tremaine Edmunds deserves an honorable mention. He's received some criticism for underwhelming on a big contract for much of his time in Chicago, but he was all over the field in Sunday's win against Dallas. In addition to his 15 tackles, Edmunds also picked off a pair of passes to help secure the Bears' first win of the season.
Carolina rookies
We've seen a couple defenses remade quickly by rookies, including Carolina's division rival in Atlanta. The Panthers started to showcase their own draft class more heavily Sunday, coincidentally in a beat down of the Falcons. Much of that has to do with injury, but Nic Scourton particularly saw his snap rate jump to 85 percent on defense in the absence of Patrick Jones (hamstring).
Next, Princely Umanmielen played more than 50 percent of defensive snaps in Week 3 after logging his first career sack in Week 2. Finally, Lathan Ransom got some snaps in three-safety formations and forced a fumble late in the game.
All three players are more suitable for a watch list than actionable additions right now, but the Panthers needed to increase the talent on their defensive unit and they may have done so successfully with significant investment in the 2025 draft.
Fallers
Wilson was one of my favorite breakout fantasy IDP picks of the preseason, but he's been maligned for poor tackling to begin the season. As noted above, he's begun to split time with Holcomb at inside linebacker. Wilson still managed seven tackles, so it was tempting to leave him off the list, but that type of performance is very unlikely to be sustainable unless he can regain a full snap count.
Gray looked to be the Titans' preferred option working alongside Cody Barton, but Kyzir White took on 38 percent of snaps in his Tennessee debut in Week 3. Assuming the duo continues to operate in a timeshare, neither is likely to be a reliable fantasy contributor. Much like the end of 2024, the second inside linebacker position in Tennessee looks to be a mess.
Jets linebackers
Both the Jets and Giants are dealing with significant injuries in the middle of their linebacker corps. Quincy Williams suffered a shoulder injury Sunday and would be a significant loss for the Jets and fantasy managers alike. Marcelino McCrary-Ball was the clear beneficiary, but he reportedly suffered a hamstring injury to close the game. This is a situation to monitor during the week, but for now it's another fantasy-relevant position without a clear occupant.
Bosa took a step back in 2024 but had been back in form through two games in the current campaign, forcing two fumbles while picking up two sacks. He departed Sunday's win over the Cardinals with a knee injury, which was later confirmed to be an ACL tear. Bosa's season is now over, and there should also be questions about his potential to make an impact upon his return in 2026.
