We've already dealt with a myriad of injuries, and now bye weeks start coming into play. For the first round of byes, we have four teams with the week off: Cleveland, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and the LA Chargers. 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
Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas Cowboys
Week 4 Stats: 7 tackles (4 solos), 1 fumble recovery for a TD
It's been a slow start to the season production-wise for Leighton Vander Esch. However, Vander Esch has seen the field plenty, playing every snap in each of the past three games. In Week 4, Vander Esch's production saw a slight uptick, along with a big-time splash play as Dallas routed New England. Vander Esch's seven tackles paced the Cowboys, while he also recovered a fumble for a touchdown to aid his IDP output on the day.
The seven-tackle outing might not seem overly exciting, but considering he only had seven combined tackles over the previous two weeks, it's a move in the right direction. Vander Esch might not be the most appealing option at linebacker for IDP, but he is currently holding a full-time gig. Vander Esch is a fine waiver wire option as the injuries continue to pile up and the bye weeks start to creep in.
Nate Landman, Atlanta Falcons
Week 4 Stats: 10 tackles (8 solos)
In unfortunate news, the Falcons placed promising second-year linebacker Troy Andersen on IR with a pectoral injury. With Andersen out for the foreseeable future, it was Nate Landman entering the starting lineup in Week 4 against Jacksonville. Landman ended up playing 54 defensive snaps (82%), finishing the day second on the team with 10 tackles (8 solos).
After Kaden Elliss, Landman was the only other off-ball linebacker to get any run this week with Andersen out. It looks to be Landman's job to lose at the moment, making him worth a waiver pickup in deeper leagues. Let's make sure to continue to monitor the situation as we go.
Chad Muma, Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 4 Stats: 7 tackles (3 solos), 2 passes defended
After last week's game, the Jaguars announced they would be without Devin Lloyd for a couple of weeks as he required surgery on his thumb. With Lloyd unavailable, Chad Muma was thrust into the starting lineup for the first time this season. Muma played 57 defensive snaps (98%), producing seven tackles (3 solos) and two passes defended on the day.
With Lloyd out for Jacksonville's second London game, Muma will get another start in Week 5 against Buffalo. Muma is worth a look in leagues where you start three or four linebackers and need some reinforcements for this week. However, we'll need to monitor Lloyd's progress as we head into Week 6.
David Long Jr, Miami Dolphins
Week 4 Stats: 10 tackles (7 solos), 2 tackles for loss
David Long's involvement has been a roller coaster to start the year. Long's snap shares have varied from 21% (17 snaps) in Week 1 to 93% (54 snaps) in Week 4. While the Bills took it to the Dolphins this week, Long did produce a solid IDP output, compiling 10 tackles (7 solos) and two tackles for loss. When Long is healthy and receives adequate snaps, he's generally productive.
Long's biggest snaps shares (Week 2 and Week 4) came when Jaelan Phillips was unavailable. Jerome Baker had previously held a full-time role, and Andrew Van Ginkel had been stealing some available box snaps as well. Baker hasn't played overly well and has seen his role lessen in the past two games. Van Ginkel, on the other hand, has spent the majority of his time out on the edge when Phillips has been unable to go.
Hopefully, Long has proven enough to continue to see significant snaps when Jaelan Phillips does reenter the mix. Either way, Long is worth a waiver wire addition as we see how this all shakes out. Let's continue to keep close tabs on this tricky situation.
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Defensive Line/Edge Rusher
Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
Week 4 stats: 10 tackles (8 solos), 5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 pass defended, 2 forced fumbles
After a slow first three weeks to the season, Khalil Mack went nuclear in Week 4. Mack hadn't registered a single sack heading into this week before shredding the Las Vegas offensive line for six of them on Sunday. If you're looking for this week's IDP MVP, look no further.
The only issue in picking up Mack is he is heading into a Week 5 bye. However, I couldn't help but mention him after his massive Week 4 IDP outing. Coming out of the bye, Mack has tougher matchups against Dallas and Kansas City. Although, it gets much easier after that with the Bears and Jets on tap in Week 8 and Week 9, respectively. Mack carries a solid 83% snap share on the season, so he's seeing the field plenty to start the year. If you can stash Mack through the bye, scoop him up, and let's hope he stays hot.
Marcus Davenport, Minnesota Vikings
Week 4 Stats: 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
It took a few weeks, but we finally got to see Marcus Davenport get some significant run for the Minnesota defense. After only logging four defensive snaps through the first three weeks, Davenport was out there for 45 snaps (62%) against Carolina on Sunday. It was a solid showing for Davenport in his first serious game action, as he logged four tackles and got home for a sack.
Hopefully, the ankle injury is now behind Davenport, and he can continue to see his snap share hover around that 60% range. Davenport has a tougher matchup against the Chiefs in Week 5. However, he has a spicy Week 6 matchup against a Chicago offensive line who have surrendered 17 sacks on the year so far. If you're looking for edge-rusher help in deeper leagues, Davenport is worth a look and is likely available due to his lack of availability to start the year.
Dayo Odeyingbo, Indianapolis Colts
Week 4 Stats: 7 tackles (5 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 pass defended
While he hasn't started any games yet, Dayo Odeyingbo has a firm role in the Colts pass rush rotation. Odeyingbo has a 52% snap share on the year, playing at least 35 defensive snaps in all four games to date. It's also important to note that Kwity Paye suffered a head injury in Week 4 and will now enter concussion protocol throughout the week. If Paye is unable to clear protocol, Odeyingbo could be in line for his first start of the season.
After a quiet start to the year, Odeyingbo came to play in Week 4. Odeyingbo was disruptive off the edge, producing one and a half sacks, four quarterback hits, and generated six pressures on the day, per Pro Football Focus. Next up is the exploitable Tennesee offensive line in Week 5, who have allowed 16 sacks through the first four weeks. If you're looking for a deep league DE/edge-rusher play, Odeyingbo is worth considering after his strong week and enticing upcoming matchup.
Alim McNeill, Detroit Lions
Week 4 Stats: 2 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 QB hits
After a slow first two games, Alim McNeill looks like a player picking up steam for us IDP gamers. McNeill has been both productive and disruptive along the Detroit interior of late, producing sacks in back-to-back games, along with seven pressures over the span as well, per PFF. McNeill is trending up and has a solid Week 5 matchup against the Panthers who rank 23rd in Footballguy Matt Bitonti's offensive line rankings. If you're looking for help in those true-position or DT-required leagues, McNeill is a worthy option.
Defensive Backs
Rudy Ford, Green Bay Packers
Week 4 Stats: 8 tackles (7 solos), 1 interception, 1 pass defended
Rudy Ford has been a nice surprise for both Packer fans and IDP gamers alike. Ford boasts a 98% snap share on the year and has produced a solid 22 tackles (18 solos) over his last three games. Ford's interception this week was also one of the lone bright spots for the Green Bay defense who had a tough day against Detroit in Week 4. Alignment-wise through four games, Ford has spent 53% of his snaps at free safety and 45.3% of his snaps in the box and slot areas, per PFF. If Ford is sitting on your waiver wire and you need DB reinforcements, he's worth a pickup.
Jabrill Peppers, New England Patriots
Week 4 Stats: 8 tackles (5 solos), 1 tackle for loss
Jabrill Peppers has been a significant part of the New England defense to start the year. Peppers holds a 96% snap share on the season, compiling 27 tackles (17 solos), two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble over his first four games. In Week 4, Peppers saw some ideal IDP usage, with 43 of his 70 snaps coming in the IDP sweet spot (box, slot, and DL), per PFF. Peppers is worth considering if you're looking for safety help off the waiver wire.
Taylor Rapp, Buffalo Bills
Week 4 Stats: 6 tackles (5 solos)
The Bills were without Jordan Poyer (knee) this week, and Taylor Rapp saw his first start of the season in Week 4. Rapp has had a minimal role through the first three games before playing all 65 snaps against Miami on Sunday. If Poyer is unable to go again this week, Rapp would likely draw another start alongside Micah Hyde. If you're looking for a deep league fill-in, Rapp is likely available in a variety of leagues. Just make sure to check Poyer's status as the week progresses.
Final Thoughts
As usual, this article was written before the conclusion of Monday night football. This week, we are back to a single matchup as the Giants take on Seattle. If you have any questions regarding Monday night's game 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.