After dealing with six teams on a bye last week, we have all 32 teams back in action for Week 8. 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
Drue Tranquill, Kansas City Chiefs
Week 7 Stats: 2 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended
In unfortunate injury news, Nick Bolton suffered a dislocated wrist in Kansas City’s game this week and is reportedly slated to miss up to two months. Like earlier this season, when Bolton dealt with an ankle injury, Drue Tranquill took over his lead duties in the middle of the Chiefs’ defense. Tranquill gave us solid production while previously filling in for Bolton, producing 25 tackles (17 solos) and holding a 94% snap share from Week 3 through Week 5.
Once Bolton returned, Tranquill returned to his more limited role in Week 6. Things were trending that way once again this week until disaster struck with Bolton. The Chiefs will now rely on Tranquill to step up again, with Bolton unavailable for an extended time. If Tranquill is sitting on your waiver wire, he’s a priority add this week.
Jamin Davis / David Mayo, Washington Commanders
Davis Week 7 Stats: 7 tackles (2 solos)
Mayo Week 7 Stats: 11 tackles (9 solos)
In yet more unfortunate news, Washington linebacker Cody Barton suffered an ankle injury during the first half of this week’s game. Barton could not return to action and was later seen in a walking boot. We will have to wait to get more news on the severity of the injury, but it seems Barton could miss some time. Barton had played every defensive snap through Washington’s first six games.
After Barton’s departure, Jamin Davis took over his lead duties for the Washington defense. Davis saw his heftiest snap share on the season in Week 7, playing 67 of Washington’s 68 defensive snaps. Davis holds an 80% snap share on the year, but if Barton is out for an extended time, he will vault into an even more prominent role. If Davis is sitting on your waiver wire in shallower leagues, he’s a solid add with Barton potentially missing time.
With Davis sliding into the lead role, David Mayo stepped in to help fill his vacant spot with Barton out. Mayo played 41 snaps (60%), producing a team-high 11 tackles (9 solos). Khaleke Hudson also saw his most action on the season, logging 26 snaps (38%), making him a name to keep in mind here as well. However, if you’re looking for a deep-league linebacker pickup, Mayo would be the preferred choice after what we saw this week.
Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions
Week 7 Stats: 4 tackles (1 solo)
Is it finally Jack Campbell time in Detroit? After seeing frustrating, fluctuating snap shares to start the year, Campbell saw his biggest workload in Week 7, playing 54 defensive snaps (90%). Campbell’s previous highest snap share was 61% (35 snaps) in Week 4. Alex Anzalone continued in his every-down role, while Derrick Barnes saw 41 snaps (68%) as well in Week 7.
There is a chance what took place this week was matchup-oriented, as Detroit schemed to deal with Baltimore’s offense. However, Detroit has been experimenting with using Campbell more aligned both in the box and defensive line since back in Week 3. Either way, this is a situation to get ahead of where you have the room in case the volume sticks.
The extra snaps didn’t lead to much production in the box score this week, but hopefully, it’s better days ahead should Campbell continue to see healthy snap shares. Campbell is worth a look off the waiver wire in redraft leagues, but make sure to continue to monitor the situation going forward.
Josh Woods, Arizona Cardinals
Week 7 Stats: 6 tackles (4 solos)
Kyzir White holds down the lead role in Arizona, but it’s been Josh Woods running at the other linebacker spot when he’s been healthy. Woods has appeared in four games this season, supporting a 72% snap share on the year. Woods has eclipsed the 80% snap share mark twice this season, once back in Week 5 (83%) and then again this week, as he played 52 defensive snaps (87%) against Seattle.
Woods doesn’t carry week-to-week full-time volume, but he plays enough to warrant consideration in deeper leagues. In Week 8, Woods also draws a favorable matchup against Baltimore. If you’re looking for linebacker options in those deep roster leagues, Woods is worth considering.
Luke Masterson, Las Vegas Raiders
Week 7 Stats: 5 tackles (3 solos), 1 pass defended
With Divine Deablo (ankle) forced out early in this week’s contest, Luke Masterson was tasked with extra work. Masterson saw by far his biggest workload of the year, playing 44 defensive snaps (62%). If Deablo is forced to miss time, Masterson looks to be first up to fill the void next to Robert Spillane. Masterson is on the IDP radar in deeper leagues, and Deablo managers may want to pick him as insurance with the Raiders playing on Monday night.
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Defensive Line/Edge Rusher
Boye Mafe, Seattle Seahawks
Week 7 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit,1 pass defended
Is four straight games recording a sack considered a streak? I’m guessing Boye Mafe would tell you it is, and that’s the current run he is on. Mafe is enjoying a nice sophomore campaign, as he’s eclipsed his rookie sack total of three from last year in just five games played this season. Mafe carries a 62% snap share on the year, seeing a season-high 79% (52 snaps) in Week 7. The Seattle defense will continue to lean on Mafe, with Uchenna Nwosu looking at season-ending surgery on his injured pectoral.
Pressure-wise, Mafe has been pretty solid so far, as his 13.4% pressure rate is almost two points above the league average, per Pro Football Focus. Mafe will look to keep the momentum going as he draws a solid matchup against Cleveland in Week 8. If your edge rusher unit needs a boost, Mafe is worth a look off of the waiver wire if available.
Anfernee Jennings, New England Patriots
Week 7 Stats: 6 tackles (5 solos), 1 tackle for loss
After the Patriots lost star pass rusher Matt Judon (torn biceps), Anfernee Jennings has seen his role grow along the defensive line. Over his last three games, Jennings holds an 81% snap share, playing a season-high 69 defensive snaps (97%) in Week 7. While he’s yet to register a sack, Jennings has 17 tackles (13 solos), including two for loss, over that three-game stretch.
While his pressure numbers aren’t ideal, the appeal with Jennings is the volume. Jennings’ hefty snap shares provide a weekly floor, as seen by his back-to-back six-tackle outings. If you’re looking for DL/edge rusher reinforcements, Jennings is a name to consider off the waiver wire.
Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens
Week 7 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos), 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble
After missing the past four games with an ankle injury, Odafe Oweh returned to the Baltimore defense this week. Oweh played 40 defensive snaps (53%) in his first game back, with only Jadeveon Clowney (44 snaps/59%) seeing more snaps from Baltimore’s edge rusher group. Oweh hit the ground running in his return, getting home for a sack, forcing a fumble, and generating four pressures against a tough Detroit offensive line, per PFF.
Oweh will have an easier matchup this week, as Baltimore takes on Arizona, who come in 22nd in Footballguy Matt Bitonti’s offensive line rankings. Baltimore’s edge unit has been banged up all year, so getting Oweh back is a welcomed sight. He could also be a welcomed sight for IDP managers looking for defensive line help off the waiver wire this week.
Calais Campbell, Atlanta Falcons
Week 7 Stats: 4 tackles (1 solo), 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble
It seems Father Time hasn’t caught up to Calais Campbell just yet. The 37-year-old now has sacks in back-to-back games, showing he still has juice left in the tank. In Week 8, Campbell will look to keep the streak alive as he goes against Tennesee’s poor offensive line. If you’re looking for defensive tackle help in true-position or DT-required leagues, Campbell is worth considering if he is available and if he carries the designation.
Defensive Backs
Jonathan Owens, Green Bay Packers
Week 7 Stats: 1 solo tackle
Darnell Savage reaggravated his previous calf injury against Denver this week and could not return after his first-half exit. Jonathan Owens stepped in for the Packer defense, playing 32 defensive snaps (54%) on the day. Alignment-wise, Owens saw 20 snaps up in the box and slot area, with another 12 coming deep at free safety, per PFF.
Right now, it’s being reported that Savage could be out for multiple weeks. With Savage out, Owens is his likely replacement next to Rudy Ford on the back end. Owens didn’t record much in the stat column this week. However, he has a plus matchup for safeties against Minnesota in Week 8. If you’re looking for safety help in deep leagues where options are scarce, Owens is a name to consider.
Kyler Gordon, Chicago Bears
Week 7 Stats: 7 tackles (4 solos), 1 QB hit
Kyler Gordon (broken hand) returned from IR in Week 6 after missing the previous four games. Gordon played just 35 snaps (61%) in Week 6, as Chicago might have been easing him back in. In Week 7, Gordon’s snaps increased to 49 (75%), with 44 of those snaps coming in the slot, per PFF, as he held down the nickel role. The increased playing time is a move in the right direction, and hopefully, it continues. Gordon has a favorable matchup against the Chargers on tap this week, making him a solid target in CB-required leagues if he’s still sitting on the waiver wire. He’s also worth considering in DB-grouped formats where you start three to four players as well.
Final Thoughts
As usual, this article was written before the conclusion of Monday night football, as San Francisco and Minnesota go to battle. 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.