Week 1 was a wild ride, to say the least. We saw upsets, big performances, and unfortunately injuries. I sifted through the stats and snap counts to try and find potential waiver wire additions after our first full week of football. 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
Kamu Grugier-Hill, Houston Texans
Week 1 Stats: 18 tackles (14 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended
Kamu Grugier-Hill was a waiver wire wonder last year for IDP managers who were lucky enough to add him to their rosters. With Houston making a bunch of random linebacker signings this offseason, there may have been a slight concern if he would return to an every-down role. Those questions seem to have been answered in Week 1, with Grugier-Hill playing all 92 of Houston's defensive snaps. Grugier-Hill and Christian Kirksey both played every defensive snap and Kevin Pierre-Louis was used sparingly seeing 22 defensive snaps (24%).
Not only did Grugier-Hill see the field a ton but he produced a stellar 18 tackles (14 solos) on the day. Grugier-Hill is likely only available in shallower leagues, but if he's sitting on your waiver wire, scoop him up.
Pete Werner, New Orleans Saints
Week 1 Stats: 13 tackles (12 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble
Pete Werner is a second-year player many IDP analysts and managers were excited about heading into this season. However, there were some reservations about his snap share with him possibly losing snaps in New Orleans' sub-packages. Werner got the start as expected in Week 1 and played a solid 61 defensive snaps (81%).
Certainly a promising start for Werner from a playing time perspective to kick off the season. Even more, promising for IDP managers was his team-high 13 tackles (12 solos). Werner is likely another shallower league add but it's worth taking a look after his hot start.
Quincy Williams, New York Jets
Week 1 Stats: 6 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
Quincy Williams was a nice surprise waiver wire pickup last season as he finished the year with 91.5% snap share over his last eight games. The Jets did decide to bring in Kwon Alexander as a late July signing to make things a little murkier in the linebacker room. However, in Week 1 it was Williams (51 defensive snaps/91%) seeing the field considerably more than Alexander (37 defensive snaps/66%).
As long as Williams holds down the other full-time spot next to C.J. Mosley, he should be productive again this season. Williams is a solid pickup after his nice start to the year notching six solo tackles and a sack.
Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas Cowboys
Week 1 Stats: 9 tackles (6 solos)
Last season, we saw Leighton Vander Esch's weekly snap share roller coaster up and down throughout the year. This year, Vander Esch is off to a promising start after playing 53 defensive snaps (85%) against the Buccaneers Sunday night. Vander Esch only topped that 85% snap share total one-time last year (88% in Week 17) so to say Week 1 was a welcomed sight would be an understatement.
To no surprise, Micah Parsons spent a good chunk of his time lined up along the defensive line against Tampa Bay. As long as he stays healthy, Vander Esch will be relied upon to hold it down in the box. Let's continue to monitor his snaps, but Vander Esch should have a steadier weekly role this season.
Divine Deablo, Las Vegas Raiders
Week 1 Stats: 7 tackles (4 solos)
The Raiders linebacker unit was one trickier to try and figure out before we saw regular season action. Unfortunately, 2021 IDP standout Denzel Perryman suffered an ankle injury and only logged 26 defensive snaps. Divine Deablo ended up leading the unit in snaps with 63 (94%) and was also tasked with being the defensive play-caller. Veteran Jayon Brown logged 44 defensive snaps (66%) in his first game as a Raider.
If Deablo continues to see this kind of workload he has a chance to be a true breakout in his second season. Deablo is a young, intriguing player worthy of a waiver wire pickup. Let's also monitor Perryman's status as the week progresses.
Quay Walker, Green Bay Packers
Week 1 Stats: 8 tackles (7 solos)
Rookie Quay Walker looked the part in his first regular season game. Walker was all over the field and was a near-every-down player until an unfortunate shoulder injury knocked him out of the game early in the fourth quarter. He's certainly not going to be available in dynasty leagues but if Walker was passed up in redraft leagues due to his questionable role, pick him up. However, monitoring his shoulder injury status will be important as we get more information this week.
Also notable is that Krys Barnes suffered an ankle injury after stepping in for Walker. It doesn't sound season-ending for Barnes, but he will be out a while. Isaiah McDuffie was the next man up after Barnes exited the game.
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