Eyes of the Guru IDP Info: Week 4

Photo: USA Today Sports

Guru's IDP Notes on Arizona

Mack Wilson Sr. followed a strong week one by all but vanishing in week two when he played just 23 snaps. He bounced back with a solid week three at 3-5-1. Most importantly, Wilson saw his largest share of playing time this season, with 87% participation. One thing that helped his cause was lining up on the edge at times. With the Cardinals short on pass rushers and Wilson showing that he can get home, this might be the answer that works for everyone.

I'm not sure how a player can go 1-9 but it's a safe bet that the stat crew was a critical factor in Kyzir White doing so. There is nothing to see here besides the side note that the Cardinals' home stat crew gives way too many assists and not enough solo tackles.

Owen Pappoe showed up in week three with four tackles and an assist. The production might earn him a little more playing time, considering he did it on eight plays.

Guru's IDP Notes on Atlanta

With Nate Landman on IR, Troy Anderson has been on the field for nearly every defensive snap over the last two games. The way he has played, it is hard to see Landman getting back into the mix whether he comes back later this year or not until next. With seven tackles and five assists, Anderson led the Falcons in week three. I expect he will become an every-week must-start for us in short order if he's not there already.

Matthew Judon has already proven that he can be productive with the Falcons. There is one negative in that he has played less than 60% of the snaps in each of the last two games. The Falcons ran with a four-man rotation in those two games with all four guys getting at least 30 snaps.

Guru's IDP Notes on Baltimore

Week three told us that the Ravens are probably a defense that will look different from week to week based on the matchup. In weeks one and two, Baltimore fielded two linebackers on nearly every play, with Trenton Simpson seeing 70% of the action. In week two, Simpson played every snap. Last week, however, the Ravens used a lot more big nickel. They ran two linebackers roughly half of the time, with three safeties on the field for every play. Eddie Jackson received a little more than half of the playing time as the third safety with Ar'Darius Washington collecting the rest.

One option the three-safety package allows for is to move Kyle Hamilton around in search of weaknesses to exploit. After totaling six tackles and three assists in the first two games, Hamilton went 7-5 versus Dallas.

Nnamdi Madubuike and Odafe Oweh were shut out of the box score versus Dallas, but there is nothing to see here. The two played 73% and 61% of the snaps, respectively, which is their normal workload.

Guru's IDP Notes on Buffalo

The Dorian Williams we are seeing this season looks nothing like the one who struggled when his opportunity came as a rookie. Williams is playing well and managed to lead the team in tackles on Monday night at 8-3. Those numbers are particularly impressive, considering he played less than 60% of the snaps in the blowout win over Jacksonville. Even in close games, Williams is not on the field for every snap. Once Terrel Bernard returns, that could mean a little inconsistency.

Baylon Spector made his first career start versus Jacksonville. He was in the lead role, playing every snap until the starters were pulled. His numbers were less impressive than in week two when he came off the bench but that is more of a reflection on the game script than a walk back in performance. With the Ravens next on the schedule, Spector remains a viable starter for us if Bernard misses another game.

The Bernard watch is on. The Bills elected not to put him on IR, hoping he could be back before the four-week minimum. It would seem a long shot for him to get back out there in week four, but Bernard has not been ruled out.

After logging almost 80% of the snaps in week one, Gregory Rousseau has seen his playing time drop over the last two games. He saw less than 60% of the action against Jacksonville. We can chalk this one up to the score and game script, but his lone tackle was still very disappointing. While it is starting to look like his huge week one was an outlier, I suggest hanging on for one more week before giving up.  

Guru's IDP Notes on Carolina

Quarterback was not the only position for the Panthers to see new faces in week three. Jordan Fuller landed on IR Tuesday with a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Nick Scott during the game, and Scott is the favorite to handle the position until Fuller returns.  

Other personnel notes include Josey Jewell falling below 70% participation. The team went with more nickel looks, putting Troy Hill in an expanded role. That ate into Jewel's playing time a bit, but rookie Trevin Wallace took a bigger bite, poaching eleven snaps in his first action of the season on defense.

The Panthers signed Charles Harris off the street ahead of week two. In week three, he started and had a 70% share of the playing time. His numbers were not eye-catching, but Harris is worth a spot on our watchlist in deeper formats.   

Mike Jackson turned in seven solo stops and a pass defended in the opener. In week three, he had nine, with an interception and three passes defended. While there was a slow week two in between, it is clear that opponents are targeting him often.

Guru's IDP Notes on Chicago

Darrell Taylor had a great first week, so what did the Bears do? They cut his snaps from 38 in week one to 27 in week two and 15 in week three.

Gervon Dexter Sr. had a sack in each of the first two games and five combined stops in week three. There is no shortage of playing time for him either as Dexter logged 88% versus the Colts. His numbers have not yet been flashy but they are solid and consistent at a position that is always thin.

Guru's IDP Notes on Cincinnati

The Cincinnati defense surrendered 38 points to a rookie quarterback, who led his team to points on every drive. This unit has been gutted by injuries on the interior line, and Jayden Daniels shredded their secondary. This is not the most talented group in general, but much of the responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who called a horrible game. That has little to do with the IDP game, but as a Bengals homer, I had to vent.

One fantasy-related note: Rookie Kris Jenkins Jr. returned to action after missing the first two games with a thumb injury. He debuted as the third man behind Zach Carter and Jay Tufele, but Jenkins could ascend quickly if B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins miss much more time due to their hamstring injuries. Keep an eye on this young man.  

Guru's IDP Notes on Cleveland

Myles Garrett went into week three with two sore feet. He went down late in the fourth but managed to finish the game, albeit with just one tackle on the stat sheet. Garrett will have an MRI this week and is considered day-to-day. Even if he plays this week, don't expect much from Garrett as he will not be anywhere near 100%. He has a history of playing through some painful injuries. He also has a history of poor production when doing so. Have a backup plan, and if it's a good one, use it.

Garrett was the only Cleveland edge defender to play more than 50% of the snaps in week three. If he sits, Ogbo Okoronkwo and Za'Darius Smith would be the starters.

Things are looking up for Jordan Hicks. His 5-3 mark in week three was respectable, but the more important point is that he's played more than 85% of the snaps in consecutive games.   

Guru's IDP Notes on Dallas

Is it too much to ask for a little consistency from the Dallas coaching staff? DeMarvion Overshown and Damone Clark seem to be taking turns from week to week. Overshown played 58% in week one, 31% in week two, and 78% of the snaps in week three. Clark's time has been 34%, 69%, and 19%. Either of these players would give us useful production if they got all the snaps, but Overshown has been the best on the field. The question is, does the coaching staff see it that way, and will it make a difference in their approach if they do?

Guru's IDP Notes on Denver

In possibly the biggest IDP news of the week, Alex Singleton suffered a torn ACL on Sunday and is lost for the season. That will force the team to give Cody Barton a bigger role. With Drew Sanders on IR and unlikely to be ready until late in the year at best, Justin Sternad is in line for the start this week. Denver added Kwon Alexander on Wednesday as well. He could/should push for playing time in short order once he is up to speed with the defense.  

Denver elected to place Baron Browning on IR, making Nik Bonitto a starter for at least four games. Bonitto stepped up in his first start, getting to Baker Mayfield for one of the team's seven sacks. That and his history as a starter for the first half of last season suggest he will be a good option for us over the next month or so.

Zach Allen was down late in the 4th quarter. He walked off and looked okay, but watch the practice reports just in case.

Guru's IDP Notes on Detroit

Alex Anzalone traveled with the Lions but did not clear concussion protocol in time to suit up against the Cardinals. He should be available for week four, which is a good thing for the Lions since they sent Derrick Barnes to IR with a knee injury. This is not how we wanted to see Jack Campbell move into the starting role, but he is there nonetheless. Campbell played every snap but was unimpressive in the box score at 2-3. Don't let that scare you off, though. This was a game script thing. Arizona ran the ball all of thirteen times. That said, the Seahawks might not be a significantly better matchup, at least not unless Ken Walker III returns. No linebacker has more than three solo stops against them in the last two games.

The loss of Barnes means a bigger role for Malcolm Rodriguez as well. He jumped up to 86% in week three but that was because Anzalone was out.

Barnes was not the only Lions starter to land on IR this week. He was joined by Alim McNeill (shoulder) and Marcus Davenport (elbow). The loss of McNeill means a bigger role for rookie Mekhi Wingo, while Davenport will be replaced by a platoon that includes Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike.

Brian Branch had a big game, going 6-3 with a pair of passes defended before leaving with a concussion. It looked like he was knocked out for a few seconds on the play, so his recovery could take a bit. Brandon Joseph covered the last few plays at free safety and could be in line to start versus Seattle. This would be a good time for the team to get Ifeatu Melifonwu back, but who knows if that is a possibility. The team is not giving us much information about him.