IDP Upgrades: Week 2

This article immediately highlights defensive players whose production was significantly better or worse than normally expected for the prior week of games. Note there is sometimes limited information available when this article is written, but I will try to give everyone an early look at players who are moving up or down in value among IDP circles. It isn’t easy to give waiver advice for IDPs since there is such a wide variety of lineups and scoring systems, but hopefully, the information provided can help inform your waiver, trade, and upcoming lineup decisions. I'm also going to try and group edge rushers together with the understanding that classification as a defensive end or linebacker will depend on your league setup/host. If you have any questions about specific players or situations, please email me or reach out via Twitter.

Email: rudnicki@footballguys.com
Twitter: @a_rudnicki

Upgrades

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN/EDGE RUSHERS

DE Josh Allen, JAX (8 solos, 2 asst, 3 sacks, 3 TFL, 2 QH on 79% of snaps)
Allen has shown flashes like this in the past that suggest he could become one of the better edge rushers in the league, but he often struggles with consistency. This is a great way for him to open the season, though, and it’s likely the improvements from the Jaguars offense will continue to give him plenty of opportunities to rush the passer each week.

DE Michael Danna (4 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 PD on 86% of snaps)
Danna came into this year with just 7 career starts over the previous 3 seasons, but he appears to be ready for a big role in Kansas City. He played a remarkable 86% of the snaps and was highly productive with 6 tackles and a sack. He and George Karlaftis could both see a heavy workload this year.

DE Will Anderson, HOU (4 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 QH on 75% of snaps)
The Texans traded next year’s first-round pick for Anderson, so they really need him to develop into the elite edge rusher they believe he can be. After one week, the results looked very promising as he piled up 6 tackles plus a sack and was also credited with 6 pressures.

DE Brian Burns, CAR (4 solos, 3 asst, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 FF on 96% of snaps)
In a game where the Falcons ran the ball 26 times and only completed 15 passes, Burns still managed to impose his will. He collected 7 tackles with 1.5 sacks and could join the ranks of the league’s elite pass rushers this year.

DE Montez Sweat, WAS (4 solos, 1 asst, 1.5 sacks, 2 TFL, 1 QH, 2 FF on 82% of snaps)
Sweat posted 8 sacks a year ago, but his overall season still felt disappointing, with just 27 solo tackles and 19 assists. He’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024 and has plenty of incentive to put up some big numbers this year. He took advantage of a great matchup this week with 1.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

DE Drake Jackson, SF (3 solos, 3 sacks, 2 TFL, 3 QH on 44% of snaps)
Jackson was a second-round pick last year who saw limited playing time as a rookie. While he is behind Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead on the depth chart, he showed his potential as a pure pass rusher this week with 3 sacks on 5 pressures.

DE Carl Granderson, NO (2 solos, 2 asst, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 4 QH on 75% of snaps)
Granderson set a career-high with 5.5 sacks a year ago but appears to be set up well for a bigger year in 2023. He had a great start to the season with 1.5 sacks and 4 quarterback hits while handling a heavy workload, and the Saints also have a very favorable schedule when you look at the quarterbacks they are going to face.

DT Derrick Brown, CAR (8 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 QH on 96% of snaps)
The former 7^th overall draft pick has shown steady improvement during his first 3 years in the league, and this could finally be his breakout season. He led the team in tackles with 9, including 8 solo stops plus a sack while handling an impressive workload.

DT Harrison Phillips, MIN (5 solos, 3 asst, 1 PD on 88% of snaps)
Phillips played 60 defensive snaps in the game, reflecting the limited depth the Vikings have at defensive tackle. While he may not offer much upside as a pass rusher, he is an efficient tackler who could be a low-end sleeper in DT-required leagues if that type of workload holds up under Brian Flores.

DT Jalen Carter, PHI (1 solo, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH on 50% of snaps)
The box score for Carter won’t stand out, as he picked up 1 sack on 40 snaps played. However, he generated consistent pressure up the middle, and his sack came on a key third down late in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. As with many young defensive tackles, the counting stats may take some time to show up, but he is likely going to become a problem for offensive lines soon enough.

DT Osa Odighizuwa, DAL (2 solos, 2 asst, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 3 QH in 39% of snaps)
This game got out of hand quickly, but Dallas collected 7 sacks, and 2 of them came from Odigizuwa. He was in the starting lineup, and the overall strength of this defensive group should provide him with favorable opportunities most weeks, even if their overall depth keeps his snap count low at times.

LINEBACKERS

LB Denzel Perryman, HOU (6 solos, 5 asst, 1 TFL on 95% of snaps)
Perryman has been up and down throughout his career but is primarily known as a very strong run defender who has some limitations in coverage. When he gets a chance to handle a 3-down role, he can be very productive, though, as we saw in 2021 with the Raiders when he posted 102 solo tackles with 52 assists. Given the heavy workload he saw this week and the lack of competition around him, he could be headed for a big year in the middle of a rebuilt Texans defense.

LB Zaire Franklin, IND (10 solos, 8 asst, 1 FF, 1 PD on 100% of snaps)
While it was encouraging to see Shaquille Leonard play 86% of snaps, given his injury history, it appears clear that Franklin is going to remain a force in the middle of the Colts defense. He was everywhere on Sunday and finished with 18 combined tackles on 70 snaps. It helped that the Jaguars ran the ball 35 times, but they only averaged 3 yards per carry as the Colts run defense kept them in check and took a lead into the 4th quarter.

LB Kwon Alexander, PIT (8 solos, 1 asst on 69% of snaps)
Although Alexander wasn’t in the starting lineup, he still wound up playing most of the game and led the Steelers in tackles with 9 stops. Cole Holcomb posted 5 tackles on 78% of the snaps, and Elandon Roberts added 7 tackles on just 43% of the snaps. Roberts mainly plays on early downs, so it’s likely that Alexander and Holcomb will be the most productive linebackers here in most weeks.

LB Germaine Pratt, CIN (7 solos, 4 asst, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 QH, 1 FF on 89% of snaps)
Pratt often gets overlooked in Cincinnati because he hasn’t always been a full-time player, but he’s strong against the run and tends to put up good numbers on a per-snap basis. He also came through with an impressive sack this week and forced a fumble that the Bengals recovered. The turnover at safety this year also may lead the Bengals to rely on him more heavily than they have in prior years.

LB Ivan Pace Jr, MIN (6 solos, 2 asst, 1 QH on 68% of snaps)
Most of the reports from the preseason indicated that Brian Asamoah would play a big role, but it was Ivan Pace Jr who got the start, while Asamoah only played 2 snaps on defense. Pace played very well and rewarded the coaching staff’s trust in him as he picked up 8 tackles plus a quarterback hit on 46 snaps. He is an undrafted rookie who is undersized at 5-foot-10, but he was highly productive in college.

LB Jack Gibbens, TEN (6 solos, 1 asst, 1 TFL on 65% of snaps)
Gibbens is a former undrafted free agent who spent most of last year on the team’s practice squad but started several games. While Azeez Al-Shaair is the only true 3-down linebacker in Tennessee, Gibbens beat out Monty Rice for the #2 linebacker job and should see enough time to be a low-end starter in deeper leagues.

LB Kyzir White, ARI (5 solos, 4 asst, 1 TFL on 100% of snaps)
The Cardinals are clearly in a rebuilding stage on both sides of the ball, and their defense figures to see a lot of snaps each week. That should bode very well for White, who played every snap at inside linebacker and led the way with 9 tackles. He already has a 90 solo tackle season on his resume from 2021 with the Chargers and could top those numbers this year.

LB T.J. Edwards, CHI (6 solos, 6 asst on 98% of snaps)
Tremaine Edmunds got the bigger contract in Chicago this offseason, but Edwards will probably wind up as the more productive player. Edwards seems better against the run, while Edmunds excels in coverage. Regardless, the Packers offense did not have much difficulty moving the ball against this Bears defense as they generated 57 tackle opportunities and helped both linebackers combine for 22 tackles in the game.

LB Bobby Wagner, SEA (9 solos, 10 asst, 1 TFL on 100% of snaps)
Wagner was already considered a top-10 linebacker, but he turned back the clock in his return to Seattle with an incredible 19-tackle performance. He was helped by a Rams offense that generated 40 rush attempts, even though they only gained 92 yards on the ground. Jordyn Brooks also contributed 12 tackles while playing 64% of the snaps in his remarkably quick return from a torn ACL.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

S Jessie Bates III, ATL (5 solos, 5 asst, 2 INT, 2 PD, 1 FF on 94% of snaps)
Bates had a very productive career with the Bengals and was a priority free-agent pickup for the Falcons this offseason. He showed why on Sunday with a huge game that included 10 tackles with 2 interceptions and another forced fumble. He’s always been a reliable tackler and underrated playmaker, but facing a rookie quarterback in his first start this week certainly helped.

S Grant Delpit, CLE (7 solos, 1 asst, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 PD on 98% of snaps)
The young safety posted 72 solo tackles a year ago and should be in line for another productive season as he continues to emerge as a leader of this group. The linebackers in front of him are not known for putting up big numbers, and Delpit sees enough time in the box to repeat as the team’s leading tackler. We saw the impact an improved pass rush could have on Joe Burrow and the Bengals this week, and that should also lead to consistent big-play opportunities on the back end.

S Antoine Winfield Jr., TB (4 solos, 4 asst, 1 sack, 2 QH, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 PD on 98% of snaps)
Regardless of what role he’s asked to play, it’s clear that Winfield is a playmaker. He helped set the tone on Sunday with several blitzes early on, including one that led to a strip-sack and fumble recovery. As an excellent tackler with great instincts, he is a huge piece of Tampa’s defense and a player you can likely rely on each week.

S Darnell Savage, GB (5 solos, 5 asst, 1 TFL on 81% of snaps)
There were some legitimate concerns about the safety position in Green Bay this preseason, but Savage may have helped put some of them to rest on Sunday. He stood out and looks poised to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 that saw him benched near the end of the year.

S Reed Blankenship, PHI (8 solos, 3 asst, 2 PD on 98% of snaps)
The Eagles parted ways with several key starters on defense last year, including both starting safeties. That created an opening, and Blankenship won a starting job thanks to a consistently strong performance throughout training camp. He continued that momentum into the season with a big game in week 1 that saw him collect 11 combined tackles with a pair of pass deflections. Justin Evans won the other starting spot while Terrell Edmunds was relegated to a depth role.

S Alohi Gilman, LAC (9 solos, 2 asst on 100% of snaps)
Derwin James draws most of the attention in the Chargers secondary, which allows Gilman to fly under the radar. He only started 5 games last season but still posted solid numbers and the Chargers believe he could be headed for a breakout year playing alongside James. While it wasn’t reassuring to see the Dolphins throw for 466 yards in the game, it did help Gilman finish as the team’s leading tackler and those could be the types of shootouts the Chargers often find themselves in this year.

CB Nate Hobbs, LV (8 solos, 4 asst, 2 TFL, 1 QH on 94% of snaps)
Hobbs has proven to be a high-end corner over his first two years in the league and he picked up right where he left off with an impressive 12 tackle showing on Sunday against the Broncos. While he can play lockdown defense and pile up tackles in bunches, the one area where he has been lacking is playmaking. If he can start to generate more interceptions and big plays, then a top-5 finish is certainly possible.

CB Kader Kohou, MIA (6 solos, 3 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH on 98% of snaps)
Kohou seemed headed for a demotion following the trade for Jalen Ramsey despite an impressive rookie season. With Ramsey not expected back anytime soon, Kohou figures to benefit, as we saw on Sunday with him collecting 9 tackles plus a sack.

CB Deommodore Lenoir, SF (8 solos, 2 asst on 87% of snaps)
The 49ers pulled out to an early lead, which forced Pittsburgh to abandon the run and throw the ball 46 times. That game script contributed to some impressive numbers from Lenoir, but that could also become a common occurrence for this team. Although a lack of big plays likely limits his upside, he is a productive tackler who can likely provide a reliable floor in most weeks.

CB Christian Gonzalez, NE (5 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 PD on 100% of snaps)
Gonzalez wasn’t brought along slowly as the rookie often matched up with a dominant receiver like A.J. Brown and held his own. He played physical and stood out as he piled up 7 tackles plus a sack and a key pass breakup late in the game.

DOWNGRADES

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN/EDGE RUSHERS

DE Rashan Gary, GB (0 tackles on 16% of snaps)
Gary’s numbers this week were disappointing, but there were still some encouraging signs as he recovers from a torn ACL. He only played 12 snaps in the game during obvious passing situations but still managed to generate consistent pressure on Justin Fields even though nothing showed up in the box score. If he can ramp up his playing time over the next few weeks, he should provide a big boost to the Packers pass rush.

DE Chandler Jones, LV (DNP)
The Jones situation is hard to get a read on, but he posted a tirade on social media last week that seemed to suggest he was not being allowed at the team facility. He was on the inactive list this week, and we aren’t sure if or when he’s going to return. While he was a disappointment last year, there was some hope he’d bounce back and serve as a mentor to their rookie Tyree Wilson, who wound up playing 50% of the snaps this week.

DE Haason Reddick, PHI (1 asst, 1 QH on 72% of snaps)
This is likely only a small downgrade, but it was disappointing to see Reddick finish with just 1 assist in a game where the Patriots fell behind so early. Despite the Eagles defense facing 54 pass attempts from Mac Jones, Reddick seemed like a non-factor for most of the game. He did have thumb surgery last month, so not sure if that limited him in any way.

DE Payton Turner, NO (1 asst on 11% of snaps)
Turner suffered a toe injury early in the game against the Titans that will require surgery. The former first-round pick has not been very productive during his first two seasons, and it looks like he will miss some time before he’s able to try and get his career back on track.

DT Cameron Heyward, PIT (1 QH on 21% of snaps)
Heyward has been one of the best interior pass rushers throughout his career. But he’s also 34 years old, so there are valid concerns about how much he’ll still be able to contribute. He was forced to leave the game early with a groin injury and didn’t get a chance to make much of an impact on this game. It seems likely that he will miss some time.

LINEBACKERS

LB Anthony Walker Jr., CLE (1 asst on 59% of snaps)
The Bengals offense struggled to generate much offense in the game and finished with just 36 tackle opportunities. That limited the tackle numbers for many of the Browns defenders overall, but it was still discouraging to see Walker finish with just a single assisted tackle on 33 snaps played. The workload was also concerning and suggests he may be limited to a 2-down role as the Browns' top three cornerbacks all played more than 90% of the snaps.

LB Jack Campbell, DET (2 solos, 1 PD on 38% of snaps)
Campbell was a high draft pick who many assumed would handle a 3-down role as the team’s new middle linebacker. Likely due in part to the matchup against Kansas City and his experience. However, he was not part of the starting lineup and wound up playing just 38% of snaps in week 1. Derrick Barnes (42%) and Malcolm Rodriguez (22%) also saw regular playing time, while Alex Anzalone (94%) was the only true 3-down player this week. Campbell should see more playing time in the weeks ahead, but you may want to keep him on the bench in the short-term.

LB Jordan Hicks, MIN (3 asst on 97% of snaps)
Hicks has been a very productive linebacker throughout most of his career, and he should be in line for another big year following the loss of Eric Kendricks. While he saw a huge workload in week 1, it did not translate to any production on the box score as he was credited with just 3 assisted tackles in the game. That’s concerning since Tampa generated 33 rush attempts in the game and 55 tackle opportunities. It’s likely an aberration but worth monitoring, given that he’s 31 years old and may start showing some age-related declines in performance.

LB Nakobe Dean, PHI (4 solos, 3 asst on 61% of snaps)
Dean started and was on his way to a productive game with 7 tackles on 49 snaps before leaving the game with a foot injury. Reports on Monday indicated he is expected to miss several weeks and will be replaced by Christian Ellis, although the team signed Rashaan Evans to their practice squad as well.

LB Isaiah Simmons, NYG (1 solo on 26% of snaps)
Simmons was picked up in a preseason trade from the Cardinals, but it looks like his role to start out the year at least will be limited. Micah McFadden played 74% of the snaps as their #2 linebacker, and Simmons only played 15 snaps in a reserve role.

LB Drue Tranquill, KC (1 solo, 1 asst on 19% of snaps)
Tranquill was a top-10 fantasy linebacker last year as he posted a 95-51-5 stat line with the Chargers. He signed with the Chiefs in free agency, where his path to a full-time role is blocked despite his strengths in coverage. Nick Bolton played 96% of the snaps this week, while Willie Gay Jr played 67%. Tranquill should see more playing time than the 19% he saw this week against some better matchups, but he likely needs an injury to become fantasy-relevant again.

LB Devin Lloyd, JAX (1 solo, 2 asst, 1 FR on 100% of snaps)
Lloyd may not warrant a big downgrade since he did play every defensive snap in the game, and that type of workload should lead to more consistent weekly production going forward. However, it was disappointing to see him finish with just 3 tackles on 72 snaps in a game where the Colts ran the ball 26 times and generated 54 tackle opportunities.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

S Jalen Pitre, HOU (2 solos, 1 QH on 45% of snaps)
Pitre was always going to have trouble living up to his huge rookie season, although he did have several blitz opportunities early this week that showed some glimpses of how he might be used this year. Unfortunately, he left the game early after taking a knee to the chest from Lamar Jackson and was sent to a local hospital with a bruised lung. He’s expected to make a quick recovery but still worth monitoring throughout the week.

S Kyle Hamilton, BAL (2 solos, 1 asst on 99% of snaps)
Hamilton is expected to take another step in his development this year after splitting time as a rookie. The workload was certainly encouraging but the production wasn’t as he collected just 3 tackles on 76 total snaps. The Texans offense did generate 56 tackle opportunities in the game, but Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen combined for 27 combined tackles and may help to limit Hamilton’s upside.

S Marcus Williams, BAL (3 solos, 1 asst, 1 PD on 31% of snaps)
Williams is a key part of the Ravens defense who helps stabilize things on the back end and prevent many big plays over the top. He had 4 interceptions in just 10 starts last year before going on I.R. and it looks like his 2023 season could also be in jeopardy. He left the game early with what’s feared to be a torn pectoral muscle, which would be a tough loss for a Ravens defense who are already without their top cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

S Tracy Walker III, DET (DNP)
It was only a couple years ago when Walker was one of the best and most productive players on the Lions defense. They’ve made several upgrades since then, however, and now he sits at least fourth on the depth chart at safety. He saw some time on special teams against the Chiefs but played 0 snaps on defense, while Kerby Joseph and C.J. Gardner-Johnson played all 65. He may need a change of scenery to reclaim a starting job, particularly after rookie Brian Brach had a pick-six in his debut.

S Brandon Jones, MIA (0 tackles on 2 snaps)
Jones has been a solid fantasy option in the past, but he was beaten out for a starting job by Deshon Elliott. Jones only saw two snaps on defense in the game, and it looks like he will need an injury or a benching to reclaim his fantasy value.

CB Jaycee Horn, CAR (1 asst on 38% of snaps)
Horn started the game as expected but suffered a hamstring injury late in the second quarter that limited him to just 20 snaps. The former first-round pick was replaced by C.J. Henderson, who could become a popular target for opposing QBs if Horn misses some time.

CB Kyler Gordon, CHI (1 solo, 1 PD on 45% of snaps)
Gordon left the game early with a hand injury and wound up playing just 27 snaps. There were some reports that it might be a serious injury and surgery being considered, so this could be a tough blow to a young Bears secondary. He was expected to be their most productive cornerback and would likely be replaced by Josh Blackwell.

CB James Bradberry, PHI (2 solos, 2 asst, 1 PD on 90% of snaps)
Bradberry played most of the game but was forced to leave the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion. He’s now in the protocol and seems unlikely to be cleared before Thursday night’s game against the Vikings. Josh Jobe filled in for him and would likely be an inviting target for opposing quarterbacks.

CB Roger McCreary, TEN (0 tackles on 88% of snaps)
McCreary is typically the slot cornerback for the Titans, which often provides him with plenty of tackle opportunities. After Kristian Fulton left the game with a hamstring injury, however, the Titans moved McCreary outside and played Elijah Molden in the slot. Molden wound up with 8 tackles and a pass defensed in the game as he was picked on by the Saints, while McCreary finished with no tackles.