IDP Waiver Wire Week 4

It feels like the injury bug is biting extremely hard early in this fantasy season. This article will discuss several injury replacements, especially at the linebacker position. I did my best to sift 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

Micah McFadden, New York Giants

Week 3 Stats: 10 tackles (9 solos), 4 tackles for loss

Micah McFadden’s role as the other linebacker in New York isn't quite a full-time gig, but it has been steady. McFadden has a 73.7% snap share through the first three games while recording two double-digit tackle games in Week 1 and Week 3. McFadden seemed to have a nose for the ball against San Francisco this past Thursday night, racking up a team-high 10 tackles (9 solos) and four tackles for loss.

While McFadden has had a steady role, newly acquired Isaiah Simmons has had a minimal one. Simmons has yet to crack a 30% snap share in the first three games to start the year. McFadden has been prone to miss a few tackles (22.6% missed tackle rate), so let’s hope he cleans that up a bit. However, with all the injuries hitting the linebacker position this year, McFadden is worth a waiver wire pickup if you need some help.

Drue Tranquill, Kansas City Chiefs

Week 3 Stats: 8 tackles (4 solos), ½ sack, 4 tackles for loss

With Nick Bolton (ankle) out for Week 3, Drue Tranquill stepped into his vacant lead role. Tranquill had been used sparingly for the first two weeks before leading the Chiefs’ linebackers in defensive snaps in Week 3 with 42 (82%). Leo Chenal was next with 34 snaps (67%), while Willie Gay Jr trailed both with 21 (41%). With the game against Chicago firmly in hand, the Chiefs gave most of their defensive starters a break at the end.

Tranquill’s appeal is tied to Bolton’s availability for Week 4. If Bolton is unable to go again, Tranquill is a solid option. However, if Bolton can make it back this week, Tranquill will be tough to trust. Tranquill is a nice waiver add for Bolton managers looking for insurance and is also worth a look in deeper roster leagues as we see how this situation shakes out.

Isaiah McDuffie, Green Bay Packers

Week 3 Stats: 6 tackles (5 solos)

A banged-up Packers team took another hit in the first half of this week’s game when De’Vondre Campbell was forced out with an ankle injury. Isaiah McDuffie was tasked with filling in for Campbell, seeing 37 defensive snaps (61%) against New Orleans. Eric Wilson also rotated in but only logged eight defensive snaps on the day.

Green Bay has a short week as they take on rival Detroit at home this Thursday night—not ideal for Campbell’s availability. If Campbell isn’t ready, McDuffie looks primed to inherit the bulk of his workload. McDuffie is on spot start alert in deeper leagues and makes for nice Campbell insurance where other options are scarce. Just make sure to monitor Campbell’s status before putting him in your lineup.

Drew Sanders, Denver Broncos

Week 3 Stats: 1 assisted tackle

Highly touted IDP rookie Drew Sanders finally saw meaningful snaps this Sunday. Unfortunately, it came at the expense of teammate Josey Jewell, who suffered a groin injury against Miami. Sanders played 44 defensive snaps (60%) in Week 3 after only playing four total defensive snaps over the first two games.

Alex Singleton stepped into the lead role after Jewell exited, with Sanders assuming the other spot alongside him. While Sanders saw a vastly increased workload, it didn’t lead to much in the production column. However, he has plenty of talent to turn that around should he continue to see more snaps in Jewell’s absence. Sanders is worth a preemptive pickup in redraft leagues where you have the room while we await more news on the severity of Jewell’s injury.

Deion Jones / Kamu Grugier-Hill, Carolina Panthers

Jones Week 3 Stats: 4 tackles (3 solos), 1 interception, 1 pass defended

Grugier-Hill Week 3 Stats: 10 tackles (7 solos)

Unfortunately, the Panthers lost Shaq Thompson for the season in Week 2 to a leg injury. After Thompson left the game against New Orleans last Monday night, it was Kamu Grugier-Hill who stepped in. Grugier-Hill played 60 defensive snaps (78%), compiling six tackles (5 solos) and a sack on the day. It was assumed he would step into Thompson’s now vacated role.

Naturally, Deion Jones was in the starting lineup with Frankie Luvu for Week 3 and not Grugier-Hill like we expected. Even worse, Luvu was forced out of this week’s game early due to a hip injury. Jones played 52 snaps (69%), while Grugier-Hill logged 50 snaps (67%). Neither saw a full-time workload, but both had productive days.

Carolina is running low on healthy options at the linebacker position. If Luvu misses any time, both Jones and Grugier-Hill will be leaned on. Jones is likely more widely available after last week’s events and might have a slight upper hand after drawing the start this week. However, if you can scoop both off the waiver wire, it might not be a bad idea as we sort this all out.

Defensive Line/Edge Rusher

Samson Ebukam, Indianapolis Colts

Week 3 Stats: 4 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble

After a pretty quiet Week 1, Samson Ebukam has now gone back-to-back weeks getting home for a sack. Ebukam has been solid playing opposite of Kwity Paye for the Colts' defense, as the duo have combined for five sacks over the first 3 games. Snap share-wise, Ebukam sits at 59.7% on the year, eclipsing the 60% mark in each of the last two games.

Ebukam will have a chance to keep the sack streak going with matchups against the Rams and Titans offensive lines. Both teams rank as bottom-five units in Footballguy Matt Bitonti’s offensive line rankings. If you’re looking for edge-rusher help, Ebukam is an excellent waiver-wire addition with his favorable upcoming matchups and solid play of late.

Leonard Floyd, Buffalo Bills

Week 3 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 QB hits

The Buffalo defense brought the heat against Washington this Sunday. Buffalo got home for nine sacks against the Commanders in Week 3, with two of those belonging to Leonard Floyd. Floyd had been dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 2 but was able to go and make his presence felt.

The Buffalo defense will have a much tougher task against the potent Miami offense in Week 4—they’ll need their pass rush to stay hot. However, it gets more favorable after that with matchups against Jacksonville and the New York Giants in Week 4 and Week 5, respectively. If you’re looking for defensive line help, Floyd is worth a look in deeper leagues where you start 3-4 DL/edge-rushers.

Tuli Tuipulotu, Los Angeles Chargers

Week 3 Stats: 4 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 4 QB hits

With Joey Bosa (hamstring) seeing his snaps scaled back the past two weeks, rookie Tuli Tuipulotu has been getting more work and playing very well. Tuipulotu has held a 77% snap share in both games the past two weeks, logging at least 50 snaps in each contest. Production-wise, the rookie now has sacks in back-to-back games over his first two career starts. Tuipulotu was a menace against Minnesota in Week 4, generating nine pressures on the day, per Pro Football Focus.

The Chargers have a Week 5 bye, so it seems likely they would continue to scale back Bosa’s workload for another week—especially with the rookie playing so well. With another potential week of added snaps, Tuipulotu is a worthy waiver wire option to see if he can stay hot.

Defensive Backs

Brian Branch, Detroit Lions

Week 3 Stats: 11 solo tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 passes defended

Week 3 marked Brian Branch's first time on the field for every down, and the rookie delivered in a big way. Branch played all 67 defensive snaps against Atlanta on Sunday, producing a team-high 11 tackles (all solos) and three tackles for loss. Branch’s usage was ideal for IDP production, as he spent 61 of his 67 snaps aligned in the slot (46) and box (15) areas, per PFF. Branch is excelling as Detroit’s slot defender and should provide some nice weekly outputs for us IDP gamers with a full-time snap share. Scoop up the rookie off the waiver wire where you can.

Amani Hooker, Tennesee Titans

Week 3 Stats: 11 tackles (9 solos)

Amani Hooker missed Tennesee’s Week 2 game after failing to clear concussion protocol during the week. Hooker was back on the field in Week 3, playing 69 defensive snaps (97%) and compiling a team-high 11 tackles (9 solos). Of his 69 snaps, Hooker saw 40 of them come uptight in the box and slot area, per PFF. Hooker is a solid producer when healthy and is a fine option off the waiver wire if you’re looking for some help at safety.

Jimmie Ward, Houston Texans

Week 3 Stats: 8 tackles (5 solos)

Jimmie Ward (hip) made his season debut in Week 3 for the Texans, playing 69 defensive snaps (95%). Ward’s return was a welcomed sight, as Houston is still without Jalen Pitre (chest). It was a solid return for Ward, as he notched eight tackles (5 solos) in his first game action. Alignment-wise, Ward just about split his snaps evenly between playing deep at free safety and up in the box or slot area. After being unavailable for the first two weeks, Ward is likely available in a variety of leagues.

Adrian Amos, New York Jets

Week 3 Stats: 7 tackles (6 solos), 1 pass defended

With Tony Adams (hamstring) out for Week 3, Adrian Amos got his first start of the year for the Jets defense. Amos played all 72 defensive snaps, producing an admirable seven tackles (6 solos) and one pass defended. Amos is a deep-league waiver wire option, as he should continue to start if Adams is unable to go. Just make sure to check Adams’ status before rolling him out.

Final Thoughts

As usual, this article was written before the conclusion of Monday night football. We have another double-header this week, so there is plenty more IDP info to digest. If you have any questions regarding those two games or anything else IDP-related, don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks for stopping by, and I 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.