IDP Waiver Wire Week 3

Photo: USA Today Sports

Just like Week 1, Week 2 was a roller coaster of emotions with upsets and wild comeback victories. There was plenty to take in and 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

Frankie Luvu, Carolina Panthers

Week 2 Stats: 10 solo tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 pass defended

Frankie Luvu made this article last week and was the biggest surprise of all the linebackers on the list. I understand if managers were apprehensive about adding Luvu after Week 1, but this looks to be the real thing. Luvu led the Panther linebackers in playing time once again with 70 defensive snaps (96%), just ahead of Shaq Thompson, who saw 67 defensive snaps (92%).

Luvu did play about one-third of his snaps on the defensive line last week, but that number came down to about one-fifth this week. A promising trend as spending more time in the box is a positive move for his tackle output. If Luvu was slept on after his surprising Week 1, pick him up after two weeks of solid playing time and production.

Ernest Jones, Los Angeles Rams

Week 2 Stats: 12 tackles (5 solos), 1 tackle for loss

The Rams have typically only featured one consistent IDP-relevant linebacker in their defense. Could we be seeing a bit of shift? Ernest Jones saw his snap share increase from 58% (34 snaps) in Week 1, to 79% (48 snaps) in Week 2. Jones put his added snaps to good use producing a team-high 12 tackles (5 solos) and one tackle for loss.

It's only a two-week sample size, but Jones' role seems to be trending in the right direction. However, it will be important to keep tabs on his snap shares week-to-week, as the season is young. Hopefully, Jones can consistently hover around a 75%-80% snap range going forward. Jones is off to a nice start in his second season and is worth a pickup where available, just keep an eye on his playing time.

Malcolm Rodriguez, Detroit Lions

Week 2 Stats: 8 tackles (5 solos), 1 QB hit

Sixth-round rookie and Hard Knocks star Malcolm Rodriguez is one of the exciting young players on this feisty Detroit Lions team. Rodriguez saw his snap share increase from 60% (46 snaps) in Week 1, to 73% (54 snaps) in Week 2. The rookie's role is trending in the right direction and he's produced a solid 14 tackles (9 solos) and one tackle for loss through his first two professional games.

Currently, Alex Anzalone is the full-time linebacker and play caller for the Detroit defense. Anzalone's struggles are well documented and Rodriguez could supplant him if/when the Lions feel he's ready. Rodriguez is an exciting young player and his potential to seize a full-time role is appealing. Managers should still navigate this situation with a little bit of patience, but adding Rodriguez now is the type of preemptive move that could pay off.

Drue Tranquill, Los Angeles Chargers

Week 2 Stats: 7 tackles (4 solos), .5 sack, 1 QB hit

The Chargers linebacker unit is always one of the trickier situations to get a grasp on. In Week 1, we saw Kenneth Murray lead the way in playing time with 41 defensive snaps (71%), followed by Drue Tranquill's 35 snaps (60%), and Kyle Van Noy's modest 28 defensive snaps (48%). However, there was a shift this week as Tranquill paced the group with a solid 84% snap share (48 snaps). Murray's role was reduced as he saw only 27 defensive snaps (47%) and Van Noy's role remained the same as he played only 26 snaps (46%).

While this group could still be a headache, Tranquill's ascension in Week 2 is a positive sign. When given a healthy snap share, Tranquill has proved to be a useful IDP asset. Tranquill is a deeper league add If you have room, as we see if this week's positive snap share trend holds.