It’s starting to get real, we’ve officially hit double digits in the week column. In Week 10, we have four more teams on bye (Baltimore, Cincinnati, New England, and New York Jets). I did my best to navigate through the snaps and stats to find some potential waiver wire options for your IDP leagues. Please keep in mind there are many fun ways to play this IDP game we love, and if you ever have any league-specific questions feel free to reach out. Alright, let’s get to it.
Linebackers
Blake Martinez, Las Vegas Raiders
Week 9 Stats: 11 tackles (8 solos)
Until now, Blake Martinez has had a minimal role since joining the Raiders. That scenario seems to be changing, but unfortunately, it comes at the expense of young IDP-darling Divine Deablo. Deablo entered Week 9 a bit banged up but was able to give it a go. However, Deablo suffered a forearm injury that knocked him out of this week's game, and he was spotted wearing a cast on the sidelines. Not good, not good at all.
With Deablo unavailable, Blake Martinez led the linebacker unit with 63 defensive snaps (91%). Denzel Perryman was second to Martinez logging 52 snaps (75%). Martinez's 11 tackles (8 solos) paced the Raiders as he produced his most extensive IDP output since landing in Las Vegas. If Deablo is indeed forced to miss extended time, Martinez looks to be the prime beneficiary. Martinez isn't flashy, but the dude racks up tackles when given a hefty workload. Scoop him up where you can as we await more information on the severity of Deablo's injury.
Jack Sanborn, Chicago Bears
Week 9 Stats: 7 solo tackles
In Chicago's first game without Roquan Smith, we were all waiting to see who would get extended time alongside Nicholas Morrow. As many fans and IDP enthusiasts had hoped and predicted, it was undrafted rookie Jack Sanborn. Sanborn played a season-high 50 defensive snaps (88%), second to only Morrow's 57 snaps (100%). Joe Thomas was the only other linebacker to see time, playing 26 defensive snaps (46%). A.J. Klein only saw time on special teams in his first game as a Bear. Monitoring these snap counts will be a priority once again after Week 10.
Although he went undrafted, Sanborn is one of those tough Wisconsin linebackers who can fit the run. Sanborn flashed a bit in the preseason, and it appears Chicago wants to see what they have in their undrafted rookie linebacker. Sanborn may have been a popular speculative pickup last week after the big trade news. However, check your waiver wire and see if the young buck is still looking for a home.
Terrel Bernard, Buffalo Bills
Week 9 Stats: 7 tackles (2 solos)
With Matt Milano (oblique) unavailable this week, Buffalo turned to third-round rookie Terrel Bernard as his replacement alongside Tremaine Edmunds. Bernard saw his highest involvement of the season, playing 59 defensive snaps (98%). Edmunds and Bernard were the only Buffalo off-ball linebackers to play any defensive snaps against the Jets in Week 9.
If Milano misses any more time, Bernard looks to be his replacement. For dynasty purposes, it's also important to note Edmunds is in the final year of his deal. If Bernard happens to be available, he's worth a taxi squad stash in dynasty leagues with the Edmunds contract situation looming. Bernard is also worth a look in deeper redraft leagues as we get more info on Milano's timetable.
Elandon Roberts, Miami Dolphins
Week 9 Stats: 9 tackles (5 solos)
For the first time this season, Elandon Roberts out-snapped teammate Jerome Baker. Roberts played a season-high 57 defensive snaps (77%), while Baker played a season-low 45 snaps (61%). Will this trend continue? It's anybody's guess after just one week, but the situation warrants more investigation as we roll into Week 10.
Roberts isn't a flashy IDP asset by any means, but if you need a bye week or injury fill-in in there are worse options. This is especially true if he continues to see a slight role increase. In deeper leagues where you could use some linebacker depth, Roberts is worth a look. Just continue to monitor his weekly workload.
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Derrick Barnes, Detroit Lions
Week 9 Stats: 12 tackles (4 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended
Lions rookie and the IDP-adored Malcolm Rodriguez suffered an elbow injury early in Detroit's Week 9 game against Green Bay. Rodriguez tried to gut it out with the injury but could only play a few more snaps after he exited. This opened the door for Derrick Barnes to see some extended playing time. Barnes ended up playing a season-high 50 defensive snaps (68%), turning in a solid day with 12 tackles (4 solos) and a sack.
Barnes was a rookie last season and has struggled during his brief career. However, this week was a step in the right direction for the second-year pro. Barnes stepped up when Detroit needed him and played his best game to date. Hopefully, for Lions fans and IDP managers alike, he continues to do so if Rodriguez is forced to miss time. Barnes is only worth a waiver addition in deeper leagues as we await more news on Rodriguez's elbow situation.
Defensive Line/Edge
Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts
Week 9 Stats: 8 tackles (7 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
Kwity Paye made his return to the Colts' starting lineup in Week 9 after missing the past three games with an ankle injury. While it was his first game back, Paye didn’t require any easing in as he played 46 defensive snaps (73%). Paye also wasted no time getting to work, producing a season-high eight tackles (7 solos) and getting home for his fourth sack of the season.
Paye was a popular IDP breakout candidate heading into his second year, and the ankle injury looks like just a minor setback. With a positive box score output and five pressures in his first game back, Paye got right back to business. If Paye was dropped in shallower redraft leagues after his injury, scoop him up.
Jerry Hughes, Houston Texans
Week 9 Stats: 5 tackles (4 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits
The last time we saw Jerry Hughes in this article was way back in the Week 2 edition. Hughes had a stellar Week 1 outing, but it’s been a bit hit-and-miss since then. However, Hughes has been hot the last two weeks producing an impressive seven tackles (6 solos), four tackles for loss, and three sacks over that stretch. Snap-wise, Hughes’ role has been steady as he boasts a 61% snap share on the season.
The 34-year-old pass rusher has been playing some good football lately, and he has some solid matchups coming up. In Week 10, Hughes squares off against a Giants offensive line who have allowed 25 sacks on the season. In Week 11, Hughes has another juicy matchup against Washington, who has surrendered 29 sacks on the year. With his fine play and exploitable upcoming matchups, Hughes is a solid pickup if you need DL/Edge help.
Josh Paschal, Detroit Lions
Week 9 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos), 2 QB hits
Josh Paschal had sports hernia surgery in the Spring and wasn’t able to make his rookie debut until Week 7. However, the second-round rookie has been heavily involved in his return to the team. In his first three games, Detroit has heavily relied on Paschal as he boasts an 87% snap share with 178 defensive snaps played. Charles Harris (groin) did make his return this week but only played 10 snaps in his first game back.
While the snaps have been plentiful, the production has been modest to start for Paschal. However, he’s coming off his most productive outing in Week 9. Paschal was disruptive against rival Green Bay, registering two quarterback hits and five pressures, per Pro Football Focus. In Week 10, Paschal draws another division rival, squaring off against the Bears and Justin Fields, who has been sacked a league-high 33 times. The snap share is there as is the matchup for Paschal if you need some DL/Edge reinforcements in deeper leagues.
Defensive Backs
Eric Rowe, Miami Dolphins
Week 9 Stats: 7 tackles (6 solos)
What a difference a week makes. Last week, Eric Rowe was a surprising gameday inactive in the wake of Brandon Jones being lost for the season. In Week 9, Rowe was back in the starting lineup and played 57 defensive snaps (77%). Even more encouraging was the fact Rowe played 50 of his 57 snaps uptight in the box and slot areas, per Pro Football Focus. Jevon Holland was back to primarily aligning at free safety after last week’s shift in deployment.
This is more of what we were hoping for out of Rowe after Jones went down. Hopefully, he can continue to hold down this IDP-productive role for us going forward. While it’s been a tale of two stories through two weeks, Rowe’s potential warrants a waiver wire addition. Just make sure to monitor his weekly involvement.
Andrew Adams, Tennessee Titans
Week 9 Stats: 7 tackles (6 solos)
With Amani Hooker (shoulder) unavailable, Andrew Adams was back into the starting lineup and a full-time role in Week 9. The Tennesee defense saw the field a ton, and Adams played a whopping 97 defensive snaps (97%) against Kansas City. Adams saw the majority of his time aligned at free safety, playing 61 of his 97 snaps there, per Pro Football Focus. Joshua Kalu manned the slot role with Hooker out, logging 62 defensive snaps (62%) in Week 9.
Adams has been more involved lately with Tennesee using more three-safety looks. However, if Hooker misses more time, it makes his snap share easier to project. If you’re looking for an injury or bye-week fill-in, Adams is a name to consider. Just make sure you keep tabs on Hooker’s practice participation throughout the week.
Troy Hill, Los Angeles Rams
Week 9 Stats: 7 tackles (4 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 2 passes defended
Troy Hill made his return in Week 8 after missing the past four games since suffering a groin injury back in Week 2. In Week 8, Hill only saw a modest 22 defensive snaps (42%). However, in Week 9, Hill’s usage ramped up to 83 defensive snaps (99%). Hill saw 61 of his 83 snaps in the slot (per Pro Football Focus) and was busy in the box score (see stats above). Hill has a favorable matchup on the menu against Arizona in Week 9. He makes for a solid option in corner-required formats and can also be considered in deeper defensive-backs-combined leagues.
Final Thoughts
News broke that Xavier McKinney was placed on the reserve non-football Injury list after suffering a hand injury while on vacation. His potential replacement will be a situation to monitor throughout the week. Rookie Dane Belton is a candidate for a role expansion, and he would get my vote as the speculative pickup. Although, Landon Collins could see more work, and Jason Pinnock could also be involved as he profiles more as a free safety. Nothing is for certain at the moment, but I wanted to touch on the subject while wrapping this thing up.
Make sure you stay tuned throughout the week as our fantastic IDP staff here at Footballguys will keep you up to date on all things defense. Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you all back next week.