Analyzing IDP Trends From Week 4

Week 4 was the week of the concussion. Most of this week’s transactions are because of various concussions to defensive players and how their backups performed. So who should you be adding off the waiver wire this week? Let’s dive in:

The Carolina Panthers have the sixth-fastest pace of play while running the lowest amount of offensive plays per game and the 3rd highest opposing defensive plays per game.

The Pittsburgh Steelers also have very similar metrics. If these metrics continue, opposing defenses have a good chance to play a higher-than-average number of snaps. More snaps lead to more production and more fantasy points scored. Consider these matchups for a tiebreaker only.

The Green Bay Packers have the slowest pace of play in the league while running the 11th most plays per game and the lowest amount of opposing defensive plays per game.

If this trend continues, opposing defenses could see a slight dip in the expected number of defensive snaps they play. Fewer snaps lead to less production and fewer fantasy points scored. Consider this matchup only for tiebreaker purposes when making lineup decisions.

LB Bobby Okereke played only 70% of defensive snaps for Indianapolis in Week 4.

The Colts' defense struggled mightily at times against the Titans this past week. As a result, Okereke was benched for a period in favor of E.J. Speed. To add insult to injury, Shaquille Leonard suffered a concussion in his first game this season and is already declared out for Week 5. Expect Zaire Franklin to have a full-time role on Thursday, and exercise some caution in starting Okereke until confidence has been restored in his playing time. This wouldn’t be the first time the Colts outright benched a player this season. Just ask safety Nick Cross.

LB Jacob Phillips played 100% of defensive snaps for Cleveland in Week 4.

I told you! Not that this was a particularly impressive prediction, but Phillips is now an extremely valuable asset. I hope you capitalized on your chance to add him. Even with linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah starting the game, Phillips played every snap, the first time any Browns linebacker played 100% of defensive snaps all season. Phillips wore the green dot, which should give managers confidence in his workload for the remainder of the season.

LB Divine Deablo has played 100% of the snaps for Las Vegas since Week 2.

Denzel Perryman was injured in Week 1 but made his return for the Raiders in Week 4. Unfortunately, Perryman suffered a concussion which knocked him out of the game. Despite Perryman’s starting status, Deablo still played a full-time role and wore the green dot on defense as well. Managers should no longer have concerns about his usage as it appears Deablo is a locked-in starter for the remainder of the season.

LB Drue Tranquill played 100% of snaps for the LA Chargers for the first time this season.

No linebacker had played 100% of snaps for the Chargers this season until now. In addition to playing every snap, Tranquill also wore the green dot and called plays for the defense. It’s tough to be sure if this trend will continue, but managers rostering Tranquill should be optimistic that his value may rise along with his consistency.

S Kerby Joseph played 100% of defensive snaps for Detroit in Week 4.

In week 3, Tracy Walker suffered a season-ending injury. He was replaced by JuJu Hughes for the remainder of the game. However, it was not Hughes that played every snap in Week 4 but Joseph, the 3rd round rookie. Joseph played 31% of his snaps in the sweet spot and played the deep safety role more than DeShon Elliot. Joseph should be considered for an add in deeper leagues where other free safeties are also rostered. This might also boost production for Elliot, who played 60% of his snaps in the sweet spot.

S Damar Hamlin played 100% of defensive snaps for Buffalo in Week 4.

In Week 3, Hughes and Jaquan Johnson played 100% of snaps in relief of injured Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. With Poyer back in the starting lineup in Week 4, only one backup would see a full-time role. Hamlin played 53% of his snaps in the sweet spot and earned eight tackles. If this usage continues, he will be a moderately valuable asset that is worth an add in IDP leagues where at least 3 safeties are rostered per team.

S Dane Belton played 74% of defensive snaps for the New York Giants in Week 4.

Julian Love exited Sunday's game early with a concussion and is questionable for Week 5. Belton played every snap afterward and is in line for a start next week should Love miss more time. He played 61% of his snaps in the sweet spot and should be considered for a one-week rental in deep leagues.

S Rudy Ford played 76% of defensive snaps for Green Bay in Week 4.

Adrian Amos suffered a concussion early in the Packers’ game against the Patriots, and Ford played every snap after he exited. Ford played 45% of his snaps in the sweet spot and could be a one-week rental option in deep leagues if Amos misses time.

S Sean Chandler played 43% of defensive snaps for Carolina in Week 4.

Jeremy Chinn suffered a hamstring injury early in the Panthers’ game against the Cardinals this week. While it is still not clear how much time Chinn will miss, it seems likely that he will miss at least one game. Chandler played 45% of his snaps in the sweet spot and could be in a position to have a full-time role should Chinn miss time. It is also worth noting that cornerback Myles Hartsfield, who typically plays in the slot, also saw a significant increase in snaps and was used a bit more as a safety in this game as well. Managers should keep an eye on both players in deep leagues if they need a defensive back in a pinch.

S Tre Norwood played 63% of defensive snaps for Pittsburgh.

Terrell Edmunds suffered a concussion in the Steelers’ game against the Jets this week, and Norwood played every snap after he exited. Norwood played only 36% of his snaps in the sweet spot but earned seven tackles during that time. Should Edmonds miss this next week, managers should consider Norwood for a start in deep leagues where other free safeties are also being started.