Analyzing IDP Trends From Week 9

This week, I'll discuss some usage changes, injury news, and which players managers should - and should NOT - look to as replacements.

The Bills were without multiple starters on defense in Week 9.

Safety Micah Hyde has been out for a few weeks already, but safety Jordan Poyer has also missed time intermittently. Since his injury, Damar Hamlin has filled in for Hyde, and Jaquan Johnson has been the second backup when needed. Managers should know how the depth chart stacks up because these starting roles are valuable. On that same note, starting linebacker Matt Milano was also inactive for this game, and backup Terrell Bernard filled in once again. He has now played a full-time role filling in for both Milano and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Bernard is worth adding in moderately deep leagues as an injury stash with significant upside should one of the two Buffalo starters miss any more time.

LB Jack Sanborn played 88% of defensive snaps for Chicago.

This one is pretty straightforward. Last week, I mentioned that Sanborn had an opportunity to take over the starting role vacated by Roquan Smith. After putting up seven combined tackles in Week 9, managers can be confident that Sanborn is in contention for a weekly start. He may be a somewhat volatile asset as he is not a 100% snap player yet, but he needs to be rostered in most IDP leagues.

S Eric Rowe played 77% of defensive snaps for Miami in Week 9.

Well, this was surprising! Last week, Rowe was a healthy scratch and did not play, but he was once again elevated to active status on Sunday and started for the Dolphins. This shifted teammate S Jevon Holland back to a deep safety role and significantly hindered his tackle efficiency. Rowe played 53% of his snaps in the sweet spot, leading to seven combined tackles. While he is still a limited-volume player, there is a chance his role increases further. With usage like this, managers might consider him a starting option in deep IDP leagues.

LB Blake Martinez played 91% of defensive snaps for Las Vegas in Week 9.

Linebacker Divine Deablo suffered an elbow injury early in the Raiders game vs. the Jaguars. As his replacement, Martinez played almost every snap afterward and racked up 11 combined tackles. Managers need to keep an eye on the practice reports to see if Deablo is at risk of missing next week. If he’s out, Martinez is in consideration for a start in most formats. If Deablo is active, Martinez will be downgraded to a severely limited player once again.

LB Derrick Barnes played 68% of defensive snaps for Detroit in Week 9.

Barnes’ usage came after an injury occurred to starting linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. He earned 12 tackles and a sack on just 50 snaps. While Rodriguez was able to return to the game for a few snaps, he aggravated his earlier injury and might miss time. If he is inactive for Week 10, managers should expect Barnes to handle Rodriguez’s part-time linebacker role for the Lions and elevate him to starting status in moderately deep IDP leagues.

Green Bay EDGE Rashan Gary is out for the season with a torn ACL.

The Packers have been plagued by injuries this season, and Gary is yet another example. Rookie Kingsley Enagbare and Jonathan Garvin rotated in as his replacements. They combined for zero sacks and two tackles, so managers should not have high hopes for any consistently start-worthy performances from either player.

LB Quay Walker played 100% of defensive snaps for Green Bay in Week 9.

DeVondre Campbell was inactive vs Detroit due to injury allowing Walker to take over the lone full-time role for the Packers. He only managed five tackles and missed two tackles as well. The secondary linebacker role on the defense was manned by a platoon of Krys Barnes and Isaiah McDuffie. While it remains unclear how much time Campbell will miss, managers should not look to either backup as a starting option in his absence.