IDP Upgrades: Week 8

Photo: USA Today Sports

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 moving up or down in value among IDP circles. It isn't easy to give waiver advice for IDPs since there is 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 with the understanding that classification as a defensive end or linebacker will often 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/X: @a_rudnicki

Upgrades

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN/EDGE RUSHERS

DE Myles Garrett, CLE (7 solos, 2 asst, 2 sacks, 1 TFL,2 QH, 2 FF, 1 PD, 1 BL on 77% of snaps)
Already an elite fantasy option at defensive end, Garrett is proving to be one of the most valuable overall IDPs in the league and a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. The Browns defense gave up a surprising amount of points this week, but Garrett saved the day with an incredible performance that included 9 tackles, a pair of strip-sacks, including one that was recovered for a touchdown, and a blocked field goal where he leaped over the offensive line.

DE Bradley Chubb, MIA (5 solos, 2 asst, 2 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 FF on 90% of snaps)
After making a limited impact over the first four games, Chubb has turned it around and looked like an impact player ever since. In his last three games combined, he’s collected 14 solo tackles, 6 assists, 3 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.

DE Michael Hoecht, LAR (4 solos, 3 asst, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 2 QH, 1 FF on 93% of snaps)
The Rams have relied very heavily on their starters this year due to a lack of quality depth behind them. Hoecht and Byron Young have already played over 400 snaps for an average of nearly 60 per game, and this was the fifth game out of seven where Hoecht played at least 90% of the snaps. Although he had solid tackle numbers previously, he had yet to record a sack before collecting two this week against the Steelers.

DE Shaquil Barrett, TB (4 solos, 3 asst, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 PD on 66% of snaps)
Barrett is still working his way back from a torn Achilles injury he suffered a year ago, so he likely doesn’t have the same explosiveness he’s used to. This game was a positive sign, however, as he was credited with 7 tackles while also picking up his second sack of the year.

DE Jaelan Phillips, MIA (5 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 QH on 69% of snaps)
Phillips did not make much of an impact last week after he returned from an oblique injury that kept him out most of the first month. He looked much more effective on Sunday night against the Eagles and tied for second on the team in tackles with 7 while also picking up a sack.

DE Chase Young, WAS (3 solos, 2 sacks, 3 TFL, 2 QH on 90% of snaps)
Young may not be the game-changer he was expected to become when he was drafted #2 overall, but he’s putting together a strong season. With 2 sacks this week, he’s now up to 5 sacks in five games played and might make the team regret declining his 5th-year option. With him and Montez Sweat both headed for free agency after this season, there is also a chance one or both could be traded before the deadline next week.

DE Za'Darius Smith, CLE (4 solos, 1 sack, 2 QH, 1 FF on 73% of snaps)
We’ll have to see if this is a breakthrough for him, but Smith had gone without a sack for his first five games of the year. He has reached double-digit sacks in his last three full seasons played, so there’s a chance he will heat up eventually.

DE Mike Danna, KC (4 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH on 73% of snaps)
The Chiefs defense is playing great this year, and there is no shortage of quality IDP options throughout their lineup. On the defensive line, Danna continues towards a breakout season with consistent play each week. With 6 tackles and another sack this week, he’s now up to 25 combined tackles and 4.5 sacks in seven games played while averaging nearly 50 snaps per game.

DE Josh Sweat, PHI (2 solos, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 2 QH on 78% of snaps)
While Haason Reddick gets most of the attention, Sweat is proving to be just as important of a player on the Eagles defense. Both play a similar workload, but Sweat is still just 26 years old and a better run defender. With 2 sacks against a very tough matchup in Miami this week, he now has 5.5 in seven games and has a very favorable matchup coming up against Washington.

DE Odafe Oweh, BAL (2 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 1 QH, 1 FF on 53% of snaps)
Oweh suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 that kept him out of the lineup for the past four games. He returned to action this week and looked good in a surprisingly easy win over the Lions.

DE Boye Mafe, SEA (2 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 PD on 79% of snaps)
Seattle has a deep group of pass rushers this year, but Mafe has started to emerge as a reliable option. His sack this week extended his streak to four games, and he also saw a season-high workload of 79% of snaps. However, the one knock against him has been limited production against the run and overall low tackle output with just 13 combined tackles in five games played.

DE Charles Omenihu, KC (2 solos, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 QH, 1 PD on 51% of snaps)
Omenihu sat out the first six games of the season while serving a suspension due to a domestic violence incident. He has been a productive part-time player in the past and managed to make an impact right away while handling 51% of the snaps, providing the Chiefs with another edge rusher to use up front.

DT Dexter Lawrence II, NYG (2 solos, 4 asst, 2 sacks, 1 TFL, 4 QH on 75% of snaps)
Lawrence has not been much of a factor this year, but he was likely the best player on the field this week. He finished the game with 6 tackles, a pair of sacks, and 4 quarterback hits as the Giants are now showing signs of life.

DT Justin Jones, CHI (2 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 PD on 66% of snaps)
The Bears defense kept the Raiders offense in check this week, and Jones now has 10 tackles with a sack over his last two games.