Week 1 of the NFL season always has the most actionable information for fantasy managers. While we may have opinions on expected player usage going into the season, our expectations should shift with new data. I'm here to share some of the most important trends that impact IDP player value.
Minnesota LB Ivan Pace Jr played above Brian Asamoah (68% to 3%)
Pace earned a 12% tackle efficiency which was significantly better than teammate Jordan Hicks' 5% rate. Pace should be one of the hottest IDP waiver adds this week.
Buffalo LB Terrel Bernard played 100% of defensive snaps in Week 1.
One of my favorite players of the offseason finally got his chance to start and he showed out with a 21% tackle efficiency while playing alongside Matt Milano. If he is available in your league, add him and start him if needed.
The linebacker and second safety position in Pittsburgh is a mess for now.
Cole Holcomb played 78% of snaps, followed by 69% from Kwon Alexander and 43% from Elandon Roberts. Managers should exercise caution before starting any of these players. Meanwhile, at safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick was the only Steeler to play 100% of snaps - and played 47% in the sweet spot. He played there only 30% of the time last season. This looks like an upgrade for Fitzpatrick if he continues this usage. Behind him, Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal split time. Mike Tomlin does not care about your fantasy team. Oh yeah, TJ Watt is so back.
The Cleveland Linebacker situation is still gross.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah led the position group with a 77% snap share. Anthony Walker played 59% and rotated with Sione Takitaki, who played the other 41%. JOK is the only Cleveland linebacker that can be somewhat reliably started right now. S Grant Delpit is the tackle machine you want in this defense.
Jordyn Brooks is not human.
Just 8 months after ACL surgery, he started, played 64% of snaps, and earned a 23% tackle efficiency. He's only going to get better as his playing time increases. Devin Bush can be dropped in shallower formats.
Continue reading this content with a ELITE subscription.
An ELITE subscription is required to access content for IDP (individual defensive players) leagues. If this league is not a IDP (individual defensive players) league, you can edit your leagues here.
Christian Rozeboom is the #2 LB for the Rams.
Rozeboom played 68% of snaps and earned 18% tackle efficiency. He should be rostered in most formats but only started in deeper ones.
Miami LB Andrew Van Ginkel played more snaps than David Long Jr./a> (64% vs. 21%)
Van Ginkel earned a 10% tackle efficiency rate, which should regress positively. Both safeties had above-expectation games, and once that levels out, the linebackers should score more in future weeks.
Jack Gibbens is the LB2 in Tennessee.
Gibbens played 65% of snaps and earned a 17% tackle efficiency. While his Week 1 production will likely regress and fluctuate throughout the season, he is a player who fantasy managers in moderately deep leagues need to add if he's still available.
Lavonte David suffered a concussion late in the Buccaneers' victory.
While he only missed three snaps, it appears that rookie LB SirVocea Dennis is in line to replace him should he miss time. Devin White and Lavonte David combined for a 16% tackle efficiency as this defense has been known for producing productive IDP linebackers. If David misses time, Dennis should be a viable fantasy starter.
Washington LB Cody Barton out-snapped Jamin Davis (100% to 65%)
Davis had an almost 10% higher tackle rate, but this should even out a bit. Managers should be hesitant to trust either player as it appears their tackle floor is lower than desirable. In deeper leagues, they will be necessary starting options, however.
Denzel Perryman is the only full-time linebacker in Houston.
Perryman earned an 18% tackle efficiency rate, which is incredibly high but not uncommon coming from him. Meanwhile, Christian Harris played 72% of snaps with a tackle efficiency of 13%; still startable in deeper formats but worrisome for shallow leagues.
Philadelphia S Reed Blankenship played a full-time role.
Blankenship overcame the addition of Terrell Edmunds and Sydney Brown and remains a starter in 2023. He played 18% of his snaps in the sweet spot and earned a 14% efficiency. Surprisingly, neither Edmunds nor Brown started opposite him, but Justin Evans. Also, LB Nakobe Dean was injured and is expected to miss a month. Christian Elliss will replace him in the meantime unless Rashaan Evans starts over him.
K'Von Wallace is the strong safety in Arizona.
Wallace played all but one snap with a 51% sweet spot rate, earning a tackle on 10% of his snaps. Jalen Thompson is the slot corner now, which is a slight downgrade for him, but he is still startable in deep leagues.
Bryan Cook is the starting free safety in Kansas City, not Mike Edwards.
He played every snap and spent 20% of them in the sweet spot, earning a 9.8% tackle efficiency. LB Drue Tranquill, on the other hand, was a minimal participant and can be dropped in shallower formats.