We are four weeks in, and the injury bug continues to bite. Before you know it, we will have bye weeks to contend with on top of everything else. 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
Kwon Alexander, New York Jets
Week 4 Stats: 7 tackles (2 solos)
I mentioned Kwon Alexander in last week's article as a potential beneficiary after the unfortunate Quincy Williams ankle injury. Williams was unable to practice all week and was inevitably ruled out for Week 4. Alexander did indeed see an uptick in playing time as he logged a season-high 59 defensive snaps (93%) in Week 4. Marcel Harris subbed in for Williams last week and ended up playing 28 defensive snaps (44%) this week.
If Williams continues to miss time, Alexander looks to be the linebacker gaining an expanded role next to C.J. Mosley. If you passed on Alexander last week to see how this thing played out, I get it. However, if Alexander is sitting on your waiver wire and you have the room, he's worth a pickup. Monitoring Williams' status will be important, but Alexander looks to be significantly involved while he's out—however long that is.
JaWhaun Bentley, New England Patriots
Week 4 Stats: 9 tackles (3 solos)
Ja'Whaun Bentley had failed to eclipse an 80% snap share in New England's first two games (72% in Week 1 and 61% in Week 2). However, over his last two games, Bentley has seen healthy workloads of 56 defensive snaps (93%) in Week 3 and 68 snaps (93%) in Week 4. Bentley also paced the Patriots' defense with nine tackles this week, although only three were solos.
Will this snap share increase be steady and stick? It's anybody's guess, and Bill Belichick definitely wouldn't tell us even if we asked. The increased role is a positive sign for Bentley and he's worth a waiver claim if you're looking for linebacker help. There are rumblings the Patriots may sign 32-year-old Jamie Collins off the couch. But I'm not sure it will affect Bentley's role as much as some of the other Patriot linebackers.
Deion Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Week 4 Stats: DNP
Deion Jones will be eligible to return in Week 5 after being placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury to start the season. There was plenty of noise around the Falcons moving on from Jones via trade or release this offseason. They also recently restructured his contract, which is interesting. However, as things sit, Jones is still in Atlanta.
The big question is, what will his role look like in his return? Mykal Walker and Rashaan Evans have been holding down the full-time linebacker roles through the first four weeks. I wouldn't expect Jones to immediately displace one of them his first week back. Jones will likely be eased back in, and the Atlanta linebacker snap counts will be a priority on the checklist once they are all active together.
There is a chance Jones earns a starting role once again at some point, which is intriguing enough to warrant a waiver addition. However, only do so in deeper leagues where you have the room on your roster. Adding Jones will require patience and could also result in a boom/bust scenario. It's worth a mouse click, but only if your roster allows you to take the chance.
Tae Crowder, New York Giants
Week 4 Stats: 11 tackles (7 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 2 QB hits, 1 forced fumble
Tae Crowder made this article back in Week 1 as the season kicked off. We've cycled through a plethora of linebackers since then, so revisiting certain situations is inevitable. Crowder started with a seven tackle (4 solos) outing in Week 1 but only combined for seven total tackles (2 solos) through Week 2 and Week 3.
Crowder had a much better Week 4 outing (see stats above) and has back-to-back 100% snap shares with a 96% snap share on the season. Jaylon Smith was recently brought in and played 31 snaps (50%) this week, just ahead of rookie Micah McFadden's 27 snaps (44%). Crowder has his blemishes but is still the only Giants full-time linebacker. Honestly, if he gets beat out by Jaylon Smith at this point, that's all you need to know. In Week 5, the Giants head to London to take on Green Bay and its two-headed monster at running back. Crowder could be busy again this week if you're looking for a spot start and he's available.
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Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts
Week 4 Stats: 15 tackles (8 solos)
Speaking of revisiting situations, Zaire Franklin has made this article a couple of times already with Shaquille Leonard's early absences. Leonard did make his return this week but, unfortunately, suffered a concussion and has already been ruled out for Thursday night.
Oddly enough, Bobby Okereke was displaced from the starting lineup in Leonard's return. However, Okereke (38 snaps/70%) did end up out-snapping E.J. Speed (18 snaps/33%). Franklin was the only Colts linebacker to play all 54 snaps on Sunday and easily paced the team with 15 tackles (8 solos). The big takeaway here is to continue holding Franklin until further notice. Also, check your waiver wire in short bench leagues in case he was mistakenly dropped with Leonard's return—it’s at least worth a look.
Defensive Line/Edge
Denico Autry, Tennessee Titans
Week 4 Stats: 2 solos tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 3 QB hits, 1 forced fumble
Denico Autry has quietly been putting up steady pressure numbers to start the year. Through four games, Autry boasts a solid 13.9% pressure rate, and his 16 pressures are currently top 10 in the league, per Pro Football Focus. Autry was a handful on Sunday, getting home for two sacks in a big division game against Indianapolis.
Autry also holds a steady 62% snap share on the season. Even more enticing is the fact that he squares off against a Washington offensive line that allowed 17 sacks in its first four games. If you’re looking to add some juice to your Edge/DL group, Autry is a fine waiver wire pickup.
Jason Pierre-Paul, Baltimore Ravens
Week 4 Stats: 4 tackles (3 solos)
Well, it didn’t take long for Baltimore to put newly signed 33-year-old Jason Pierre-Paul to work. The Ravens were without Justin Houston (groin), and Pierre-Paul played a hefty 55 snaps (86%) in his Baltimore debut. Pierre-Paul may not be the player he used to be, but that kind of volume is notable as a DL/Edge defender.
Pierre-Paul did produce a respectable four tackles (3 solos) and three pressures in his debut. He also draws a Cincinnati offensive line that is right up there with Washington in sacks allowed so far. If Houston is unable to go this week, Pierre-Paul should see a healthy volume once again and is worth a look if you need DL/Edge help in deeper leagues.
Baron Browning, Denver Broncos
Week 4 Stats: 2 tackles (1 solo)
Baron Browning made some noise this preseason after we saw Denver make the switch to playing him at Edge full-time. However, it’s been a slow start to the season for the second-year man out of Ohio State. The Denver defense will likely be relying on Bowning to step up in the coming weeks now that Randy Gregory is slated to miss time. Gregory suffered a knee injury in Week 4 and will require arthroscopic surgery, which will sideline him for 2-6 weeks.
Browning saw a season-high 43 defensive snaps (57%) this week and should have a steady role with Gregory out. Browning has flashed his talent, and this is a prime opportunity for him to show he can produce consistently. In leagues where he has DL/Edge eligibility, Browning is worth a pickup to see if he can flourish with his extra opportunity.
Jarran Reed, Green Bay Packers
Week 4 Stats: 8 tackles (4 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
Jarran Reed had himself a day against New England on Sunday. Reed got home for his first sack as a Packer while also adding eight tackles (4 solos) on the day. Reed boasts a 67% snap share on the season and has a steady role along the Green Bay defensive front. Green Bay’s defense gets a beatable Giants offensive line this week, making Reed a nice play in true position or defensive-tackle required formats where he carries the designation.
Defensive Backs
DeShon Elliot, Detroit Lions
Week 4 Stats: 11 tackles (9 solos)
DeShon Elliot had by far his best IDP outing of the season in Week 4 as his 11 tackles (9 solos) led all Detroit defenders. Elliot played all 67 of Detroit's defensive snaps on Sunday, and 37 of those came up in the box/slot area, per Pro Football Focus. It marks Elliot's highest snap total up there so far this season, and it is certainly intriguing.
With Tracy Walker out, it was rookie Kerby Joseph next to Elliot at safety this week—both played all 67 snaps. It appears Juju Hughes was indeed a one-week wonder. Joseph primarily aligned deep at free safety in his first significant game action. Elliot is a solid waiver pickup with the hopes he continues to see a few extra snaps up in the box.
Dane Belton, New York Giants
Week 4 Stats: 4 tackles (3 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 fumble recovery
The Giants and IDP managers alike were without a key player for most of the game Sunday as Julian Love exited with a concussion. Dane Belton saw his role expand significantly after being used sparingly in Week 3 (11 snaps). Belton played 46 snaps (74%) against Chicago, and 28 of those were up in the IDP sweet spot (box, slot, and DL), per Pro Football Focus.
If Love is unable to go this week, Belton will once again be the likely beneficiary and waiver wire replacement to target. The Giants did bring in Landon Collins for a visit on Monday. This situation is one to monitor throughout the week.
Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills
Week 4 Stats: 8 tackles (7 solos)
The Bills were without both starting safeties last week as Jordan Poyer (foot) and Micah Hyde (neck) were both out. Poyer returned to action this week, but unfortunately, Hyde is out for the season. Damar Hamlin was next to Poyer in the starting lineup this week, with both players playing all 70 defensive snaps against Baltimore.
Hamlin turned in a solid eight tackle (7 solos) day and looks to have the upper hand over Jaquan Johnson for the spot next to Poyer. Hamlin is worth a look if you're safety unit could use some depth.
Rudy Ford, Green Bay Packers
Week 4 Stats: 7 tackles (6 solos)
Final Thoughts
We’ve covered a lot through the first five weeks and still have a long way to go. Make sure you keep adding depth to your roster as the fantasy season shows no mercy. 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.
Thanks for taking the time to read my article. Feel free to reach me on Twitter @KBellf54 with any questions or feedback.