Analyzing IDP Trends From Week 2

Week 2 is an important week for many reasons. First, it helps humble those who succumbed to Week 1 hype. However, it also provides additional data to reference against Week 1. It allows us to double-check if player usage was a fluke or the real deal. This week’s IDP Trend Analysis article breaks down some of the most important factors impacting player value this season! Let’s dive in:

EDGE Rasheem Green is back in the Houston defensive line rotation.

After missing Week 1, Green made an immediate impact for the Texans in Week 2. He earned four pressures for two sacks on 54% of snaps, a stat line almost the same as teammate edge rusher Jerry Hughes’ from last week. It’s clear that Houston is using a balanced rotation at edge that can be productive for the players involved. Green (and Hughes, for that matter) should be in the mix for an emergency start in moderately deep IDP leagues.

The Browns do not use a full-time linebacker.

Managers were excited about the potential upside for linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah entering the season, and his recent production is likely adding fuel to the fire. They should exercise some caution regarding his weekly production floor, though. Owusu-Koramoah has played 80% of snaps through two weeks, and teammate LB Anthony Walker has quietly earned 72% of snaps during that time. Because these players are not on the field for every down, there is some weekly volatility risk in play, and managers should temper their expectations about how safe a start they truly are.

LB Jerome Baker played 59% of his snaps on the defensive line in Week 2 for Miami.

He also played on the defensive line 18% of the time in Week 1. With seven tackles through two weeks of football, there is cause for concern regarding his future production. Linebackers have a lower tackle efficiency when they line up at that position, and if this trend continues, Baker could let managers down in IDP leagues.

LB Logan Wilson played 100% of snaps in Week 2 for Cincinnati.

Managers were likely disappointed after Wilson earned only three tackles in his game against the Cowboys. They should not rush to sell him after one down week, though. Linebackers that play every snap are a rare and valuable commodity in IDP leagues, but even they can have a down week. Wilson will certainly bounce back soon.

LB Isaiah Simmons played 22% of snaps in Week 2 for Arizona.

Managers were already worried about Isaiah Simmons after recording only three tackles in Week 1, but the panic alarm is likely sounding again after Simmons’ two tackles this past week. One of the main reasons he has been a letdown thus far is his snap location. Over the past two weeks, Simmons has been in the slot for 40% of his defensive snaps, which is not desirable for an IDP linebacker because it leads to lower tackle efficiency. Additionally, linebackers Nick Vigil and Tanner Vallejo saw more snaps than Simmons in Week 2. While Simmons likely won’t play as limited a role going forward, managers should reevaluate how they feel about him strictly because of his low tackle efficiency.

LB Anthony Barr played 87% of snaps in Week 2 for Dallas.

While I don’t expect this to continue, Barr did play more defensive snaps than Micah Parsons. Barr tallied six tackles and played on the defensive line for 29% of those snaps. Barr should be monitored as he may be an asset worth rostering in moderate to deep leagues.

S Brandon Jones played only 64% of snaps in Week 2 for Miami.

After playing every down in Week 1, Jones saw a reduced workload this past week with the return of teammate S Eric Rowe. Jones expected to be a full-time starter for the Dolphins, but this hiccup in snap volume could prove to be worrisome for his production this season. Monitor his usage next week before coming to any major conclusions, though.

S Nick Cross played only 65% of snaps in week 2 for Indianapolis.

In Week 1, Cross played 100% of snaps, but his volume dipped this past week in a brutal loss to the Jaguars. Cross didn’t appear on any injury report during the game and backup safety Rodney McLeod also saw 49% of snaps while rotating with Cross. As Jon Macri noted on Twitter, Cross saw his final snap of the game late in the third quarter. Teammate S Julian Blackmon exited the game with a shoulder injury, so managers should monitor his status going into Week 3. If Blackmon is good to go, consider benching Cross for a week until confidence in his playtime is restored.

S Mike Edwards has played 100% of snaps through two weeks for Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers’ safety room is shaping up differently than expected going into the season. The departure of S Jordan Whitehead last season meant that there was an opening for someone to handle valuable snaps at safety alongside teammate S Antoine Winfield Jr When S Logan Ryan signed with the team this offseason, managers were unsure who that player might be. As it turns out, Winfield Jr. is actually manning the slot cornerback role for the team this year, leaving Edwards and Ryan to handle the safety work together. While Ryan has been somewhat productive with limited work in certain personnel groupings, Edwards has played every single snap. Through two weeks, he has played about 50% of his snaps in the sweet spot and managers should be rostering him in most league formats.

S Lamarcus Joyner has played 100% of snaps through two weeks for the New York Jets.

Following his 8-tackle performance in Week 2, managers might be eyeballing Joyner as a potential add in deeper leagues. He has played 66% of his snaps at free safety so far this season, so managers shouldn't be too quick to trust this level of production every week. While there is no denying his upside, Joyer should only be in starting consideration in leagues where other deep safeties are also in play.