The bye weeks are back, as we have four teams with the upcoming week off (Denver, Detroit, Jacksonville, and San Francisco). 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
Blake Cashman, Houston Texans
Week 8 Stats: 5 tackles (4 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
The Houston linebacker unit was a situation of interest as they were coming out of their Week 7 bye. The main intrigue surrounding the group concerned the unit's snap share distribution. Here's how it all shook out: Blake Cashman 61 snaps (91%), Henry To'oto'o 33 snaps (49%), Denzel Perryman 32 snaps (48%), and Christian Harris 11 snaps (16%). As you can see, Cashman was the only one to receive a full-time role in Week 8.
Over his last three games, Cashman carries a rock-solid 95.7% snap share. He's also been productive for both NFL purposes and us IDP gamers alike. Right now, Cashman appears to be the only Texan linebacker to trust. However, this is still a situation to monitor, as things can change quickly. If Cashman is still sitting on the waiver wire in shallower leagues due to the uncertainty with the Houston linebacker group, scoop him up.
Jack Sanborn, Chicago Bears
Week 8 Stats: 8 tackles (7 solos)
In unfortunate injury news, Tremaine Edmunds suffered a knee injury during the second half of Chicago's Week 8 game against the Chargers. The injury looked bad, but Edmunds is said to have dodged a season-ending knee injury. We are currently awaiting more news on his potential timetable, as there is a chance he will miss time.
With Edmunds out, Jack Sanborn picked up some extra reps. Sanborn is typically the third wheel of the Chicago linebacker trio, carrying just a 39% snap share on the season. Sanborn played 32 snaps (46%) Sunday night, producing a solid eight-tackle outing. If Edmunds is forced to miss any time, Sanborn is his likely replacement. We saw Sanborn be productive for us last year when given ample playing time, making him a prime waiver wire target if he is tasked with filling in for Edmunds.
Jahlani Tavai, New England Patriots
Week 8 Stats: 7 tackles (3 solos), 1 pass defended
In yet more unfortunate news, Ja'Whaun Bentley suffered a hamstring injury in Week 8 and was unable to return to the game. With Bentley out, Jahlani Tavai saw a boost in his workload, playing a season-high 72 defensive snaps (94%). Tavai had typically hovered around the 60-70% snap share range this season.
If Bentley is forced to miss time, Tavai looks to be the prime beneficiary for us IDP gamers. Tavai's potential full-time workload makes him a target off the waiver wire if you're looking for linebacker help. Just make sure to monitor Bentley's participation throughout the week.
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Defensive Line/Edge Rusher
D.J. Wonnum, Minnesota Vikings
Week 8 Stats: 3 tackles (1 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 3 QB hits
Since Marcus Davenport (ankle) was placed on IR, D.J. Wonnum has seen his role grow. Over his last three games, Wonnum holds an 84.3% snap share, playing a season-high 63 defensive snaps (93%) against Green Bay in Week 8. Wonnum also has three sacks over that three-game stretch, two of which came this past week.
Wonnum's pressure numbers aren't anything to get excited about, but he has been seeing really solid snap volume lately. On top of the ideal volume, Wonnum has a solid Week 9 matchup against Atlanta on tap. If you're looking for edge rusher help off the waiver wire, Wonnum is a name to consider.
Darrell Taylor, Seattle Seahawks
Week 8 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
With Uchenna Nwosu (pectoral injury) lost for the season, Darrell Taylor will be one of the pass rushers tasked with stepping up for the Seattle defense. Taylor drew his second start of the season in Week 8, playing 59% of the snaps for the second game in a row. Taylor got home for a sack this week, giving him two-and-a-half sacks over his last two contests.
Rookie Derrick Hall (30 snaps/38%) and newly signed Frank Clark (22 snaps/28%) were also involved this week. Seattle also made a splash before the trade deadline, acquiring Leonard Williams from the Giants. Lots is going on along the Seahawks front, but Taylor is still a nice redraft target and dynasty stash as an upcoming free agent this offseason. Matchup-wise, Taylor gets Baltimore this week and then has a spicy matchup against Washington in Week 10.
Christian Barmore, New England Patriots
Week 8 Stats: 5 tackles (3 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
After a bit of a slow start, Christian Barmore is picking things up of late. Barmore now has sacks in back-to-back games, bringing his total to three on the year. Barmore will look to keep the streak going as he draws a plus matchup against Washington's offensive line and sack magnet Sam Howell in Week 9. If you're looking for help in true-position or DT-required formats, Barmore is a solid waiver wire pickup if he's still floating around. He's also someone to consider in deeper DL-grouped formats if you're in a pinch with injuries and bye weeks.
Defensive Backs
Tony Adams, New York Jets
Week 8 Stats: 10 tackles (7 solos), 1 tackle for loss
It was a very productive Week 8 for Tony Adams, as he produced his first double-digit tackle output of the year. Adams played all 75 defensive snaps on Sunday, with 53 coming up in the box and slot area, per Pro Football Focus. If you're looking for safety help off the wavier wire, Adams is worth considering.
Markquese Bell, Dallas Cowboys
Week 8 Stats: 6 tackles (5 solos)
Markquese Bell is a defensive back by designation on various sites (MFL, Yahoo, Sleeper), but he spends most of his time in the box, helping pick up the slack since Leighton Vander Esch went down. Bell played 39 snaps (53%) in Week 6, then saw his role grow a bit, playing 45 snaps (73%) in Week 8, coming out of Dallas' bye week. Of those 45 snaps in Week 8, 35 came aligned up in the box area, per PFF.
Ideally, we'd like more volume for Bell. However, if he continues to hover around that 70%+ snap share, his role is conducive enough to provide us with some IDP production. If you pick up Bell off the waiver wire, watch his snap share trajectory.
Damontae Kazee, Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 8 Stats: 5 solo tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defended
Minkah Fitzpatrick suffered a hamstring injury in Week 8 after logging just eight snaps on the day. The Steelers play this Thursday night, and coach Mike Tomlin has already ruled him out for this week. Damontae Kazee picked up some added snaps after Fitzpatrick's exit, seeing a season-high 94% snap share. Although, he did have some struggles. Kazee is someone to consider in deep-roster leagues, as he should see added work again with Fitzpatrick unavailable for Week 9.
Jalen Ramsey, Miami Dolphins
Week 8 Stats: 1 assisted tackle, 1 interception, 1 pass defended
Jalen Ramsey (knee) made his season debut on Sunday and wasted no time making his presence felt in the Miami defense. Ramsey played 49 defensive snaps (92%) in his first game, snagging an interception against division rival New England. The Dolphins take on Kansas City in Week 9, meaning Ramsey could be busy as the Chiefs try to keep up with Miami's potent passing game. If Ramsey is sitting on your waiver wire in CB-required formats, he's worth the mouse click.
Final Thoughts
As usual, this article was written before the conclusion of Monday night football, as Detroit and Las Vegas went 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.