The NFL trade deadline arrives this week, and a major part of one of those trades is discussed below. The bye weeks continue to bedevil fantasy managers working on setting their lineups, as they also deal with continuing devastating injuries to key players. Thus, the importance of studying the waiver wire and free agent markets is as vital to fantasy success as ever.

Bye Weeks coming up: Week 9-Detroit, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Washington; Week 10-Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New York Giants; Week 11-Denver, L.A. Rams

Elevator Going Up

Linebackers

Shaq Thompson CAR

Previously profiled in the Week 2 IDP Report, the Panter LB picked up where he left off due to a foot injury that held him out of action for three weeks. He collected 10 total tackles (TT) this past week (eight solo), and also picked off a pass (INT) and defended one as well (PD). He should continue to produce big time numbers as he steps back into an every down role on the Carolina defense.

T.J. Edwards PHI

Edwards racked up 13 TT in Week 8 against the lackluster Lions, two for a loss of yards (TFL). He also put up a QB hit/hurry on the Lion signal caller Goff (QH). He is stepping into the role previously held by Alex Singleton, who is discussed below in the falling player profiles. Edwards is trending toward the realm of every down LB but is not there…yet.

Ernest Jones LAR

It is always a pleasant experience to have an IDP fill up the stat sheet, as Jones did in Week 8 against the host Texans: nine TT (seven solo, one TFL), half a sack, two QH, an INT and a PD. With the trade of Kenny Young to the Broncos, Jones was delivered an opportunity to show his value and he delivered big time. Of course, the team did just (s)

Von Miller LAR (DE only in ESPN leagues)

Miller arrives from the Mile High City, after sitting out inactive in Week 8. He has 4.5 sacks on the season, and although he has not been a stand out LB in the first half of the season, he now heads to a top team and joins Aaron Donald on the Ram defense. His production to date has allowed his ownership to languish, so go on and pick him up quick if he is available in your league(s).

Baron Browning DEN

Browning played 68 of 70 snaps on defense last week, having apparently moved ahead of Justin Strnad on the defensive depth chart in Denver. He is coming off an eight TT effort (five solo, one TFL), and now that Von Miller has heading to LA, he should continue to see plenty of action in the season’s second half.

Defensive Linemen

Josh Allen DE JAX

Allen had his first multiple sack game in Week 8, collecting two against the host Seahawks, to go with his six TT (five solo, four (!) TFL). He also contributed a couple of QH. His tackle production makes him worth a roster spot, and the big plays are the cherry on top of the sundae.

Zach Allen DE ARI

Our second Allen this week gets an upgrade with the injury suffered by J.J. Watt (potential season-ending shoulder surgery on the horizon). He will see a significant uptick in playing time (PT), and is working on consecutive games where he has collected a sack.

D.J. Wonnum DE MIN

Minnesota is going to be without their star DL Danielle Hunter, which will allow Wonnum to step in as the new starter at left DE. He is going to have a chance to demonstrate his value going forward, with a couple of decent but not superb matchups to get comfortable on tap.

Christian Wilkins DT MIA

In a DT-mandatory league, Wilkins has been a top option. He has 39 TT on the season (25 solo), and has contributed big plays too, with two sacks, a pair of PDs and a forced fumble (FF) on his resume. Miami may not have a ton to offer for fantasy owners, but Wilkins is worth a roster spot. 

Defensive Backs

Erik Harris S ATL

Harris is a fine source of tackles, coming off a seven TT effort in Week 8 (five solo). With another pair of PDs, he now has seven of those plays on his stat line for the season, demonstrating his ability to be around the ball frequently.

Vonn Bell S CIN

Bell is consistent as a tackle provider at safety, although the knock on him is the lack of big play production. He did contribute both a FF and FR this past contest, but his primary use is in tackle-oriented leagues. He has a so-so matchup on tap against the in-state rival Browns, and then is on bye, so he is a player you can wait to add to your roster, although he does have some good matchups in store for the fantasy playoffs.

Xavier Woods S MIN

Woods had a superb game against his former team in Week 8, racking up eight TT (four solo) together with a sack, and INT and a FF. Tackles and big plays make for a valuable asset at DB in IDP leagues.

Escalator Going Down

Linebackers 

Alex Singleton PHI

The Eagles took Singleton out of the starting rotation at LB, turning to T.J. Edwards instead. His snap count has been trending in the wrong direction for a couple of weeks, and it looks as though Philly is turning away from him, as should you if he is on your roster.

Defensive Linemen

Kenny Clark DT GB

Despite playing 90% of snaps the Packer defense was on the field, he collected a paltry two assists. He was entirely goose-egged on the stat sheet the prior week, so his production of late has been less than stellar. Unless he turns things around quickly, he is not worth a roster position.

Defensive Backs

None to speak of, save those on the Injury Report below.

Matchups to Exploit

Remember, the first team listed is the one to use your IDPs against. Do not go crazy, and play a LB5 against the Chiefs, but certainly you will do well if you own a top DL on the Rams or Patriots or a top DB on the Panthers that you can plug in this week, for the most part.

Inside Linebackers

Kansas City Chiefs vs Green Bay

Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati

Outside Linebackers

Las Vegas Raiders @ New York Giants

Dallas Cowboys vs Denver

Carolina Panthers vs New England

Defensive Ends

Philadelphia Eagles vs Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings @ Baltimore

Carolina Panthers vs New England

Tennessee Titans @ L.A. Rams

Defensive Tackles

Tennessee Titans @ L.A. Rams

New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta

Carolina Panthers vs New England

Safeties

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans

Dallas Cowboys vs Denver

New England Patriots @ Carolina

Cornerbacks

New England Patriots @ Carolina

Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo

Waiver Wire Targets

This section is intended to serve as a shortened cheat sheet listing those waiver wire targets you should be considering if you need to plug a hole in your starting lineup. All these players are spotlighted above, and you can read my comments about them in the "Elevator Going Up" section of this article. This group consists of those that you may have a chance of locating on your league's waiver wire in that they are owned in significantly less than 50% of leagues. Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.

Linebackers

Shaq Thompson CAR

T.J. Edwards PHI

Ernest Jones LAR

Von Miller LAR (DE only in ESPN leagues)

Baron Browning DEN

Defensive Linemen

Zach Allen DE ARI

D.J. Wonnum DE MIN

Christian Wilkins DT MIA

Defensive Backs

Erik Harris S ATL

Vonn Bell S CIN

Xavier Woods S MIN

Ouch (My Aching Roster)

All the injury reports below need evaluation prior to kickoff.  Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. Consider the list below as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.

Linebackers

Zaven Collins ARI shoulder

Kylie Fitts ARI concussion IR

Zeke Turner ARI shoulder IR

Malik Harrison BAL calf

Daelin Hayes BAL ankle IR

L.J. Fort BAL knee-ACL IR

Khalil Mack CHI foot

Jeremiah Attaochu CHI pectoral IR

Jordan Evans CIN knee IR

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah CLE ankle IR

Jacob Phillips CLE biceps IR

Montrel Meander CLE Achilles IR

Jabril Cox DAL knee-ACL 

Francis Bernard DAL hamstring IR

Bradley Chubb DEN ankle IR

Micah Kiser DEN groin IR

 Andre Mintze DEN hamstring IR

A.J. Johnson DEN pectoral IR

Josey Jewell DEN pectoral IR

Natrez Patrick DEN leg IR

Romeo Okwara DET Achilles IR

Shaun Dion Hamilton DET IR

Chauncey Rivers GB knee-ACL IR

Za’Darius Smith GB back IR

Randy Ramsey GB leg IR

Dylan Moses JAX knee

Anthony Hitchens KC triceps

Javin White LV knee

Darron Lee LV undisclosed

Nicholas Morrow LV ankle IR

Kenneth Murray LAC ankle IR

Von Miller LAR ankle

Justin Hollins LAR pectoral IR

Jerome Baker MIA knee

Brandon King NE thigh

Terez Hall NE undisclosed PUP

Anfernee Jennings NE undisclosed IR

Harvey Langi NE knee-MCL IR

Cameron McGrone NE knee-ACL

Raekwon McMillan NE knee-ACL IR

Chase Hansen NO groin IR

Quentin Poling NO undisclosed

Lorenzo Carter NYG ankle

Carter Coughlin NYG ankle IR

Llerson G. Smith NYG hamstring IR

Justin Hillard NYG ankle IR

Blake Martinez NYG knee-MCL IR

T.J. Brunson NYG knee-ACL IR

Jamien Sherwood NYJ Achilles IR

Blake Cashman NYJ groin IR

Hamsah Nasirildeen NYJ undisclosed IR

Melvin Ingram PIT groin

Azeez Al-Shaair SF concussion

Dre Greenlaw SF groin IR

Ben Burr-Kirven SEA knee-ACL IR

Fashaan Evans TEN ankle

Derick Roberson TEN knee IR

Jayon Brown TEN knee IR

Rashad Weaver TEN lower leg IR

B.J. Bello TEN ankle IR

Jared Norris WAS shoulder IR

Jon Bostic WAS pectoral 

Defensive Linemen

DE

J.J. Watt ARI shoulder

Dante Fowler ATL knee IR

Derek Wolfe BAL back IR

Bryan Cox BUF Achilles IR

Austin Larkin CAR groin

Darryl Johnson CAR hamstring IR

Joseph Ossai CIN knee-Meniscus IR

Wyatt Hubert CIN pectoral

Takkarist McKinley CLE groin

Demarcus Lawrence DAL foot IR

Joel Heath DET knee-ACL IR

Kingsley Keke GB concussion

Tyquan Lewis IND knee IR

Malik Herring KC knee-ACL

Joshua Kaindoh KC ankle IR

Patrick Jones II MIN knee

Janarius Robinson MIN lower body IR

Chase Winovich NE hamstring IR

Henry Anderson NE pectoral IR

Payton Turner NO calf

Bryce Huff NYJ back

Kyle Phillips NYJ ankle PUP

Vinny Curry NYJ illness

Carl Lawson NYJ Achilles IR

Brandon Graham PHI Achilles IR

Calvin Taylor PIT undisclosed

Stephon Tuitt PIT undisclosed IR

Tyson Alualu PIT ankle IR

Maurice Hurst SF calf

Dee Ford SF concussion

Jalen Jelks WAS undisclosed IR

DT

Rashard Lawrence ARI calf

Xavier Williams ARI undisclosed

Jack Crawford ARI undisclosed IR

Deadrin Senat ATL undisclosed IR

Xavier Kelly BAL Achilles IR

Justin Zimmer BUF foot 

Daviyon Nixon CAR knee IR

Trysten Hill DAL knee-ACL PUP

Brent Urban DAL triceps IR

Neville Gallimore DAL elbow IR

Mike Purcell DEN thumb

Kevin Strong DET concussion IR

Jaleel Johnson HOU back

Vincent Taylor HOU ankle IR

Rob Windson IND hip IR

Jay Tufele JAX hand IR

Khalen Saunders KC knee

Gerald McCoy LV knee IR

Sebastian Joseph-Day LAR chest

Michael Pierce MIN elbow 

Jaylen Twyman MIN pelvis

Byron Cowart NE undisclosed PUP

Jalen Dalton NO triceps IR

Carlos Davis PIT knee IR

Maurice Hurst SF calf

Javon Kinlaw SF knee IR

Marcus Webb SEA undisclosed IR

Sam Renner TB undisclosed

Teair Tart TEN groin

Trevon Coley TEN foot IR

Defensive Backs

S

James Wiggins ARI knee

Charles Washington ARI hamstring IR

Khalil Dorsey BAL undisclosed IR

Myles Hartsfield CAR wrist IR

Eddie Jackson CHI hamstring 

Deon Bush CHI quadriceps IR

John Johnson CLE neck

Jamar Johnson DEN quadriceps

Essang Bassey DEN knee-ACL PUP

Duke Dawson DEN knee-ACL, MCL PUP

Mike Ford DEN knee IR

Corey Ballentine DET hamstring IR

Terrence Brooks HOU chest IR

T.J. Carrie IND undisclosed IR

Khari Willis IND calf

Julian Blackmon IND Achilles IR

Roderic Teamer LV shoulder IR

Dayan Ghanwoloku LAR undisclosed

Darious Williams LAR ankle IR

Sheldrick Redwine MIA undisclosed

Jason McCourty MIA foot IR

Jonathan Jones NE shoulder IR

Joshuah Bledsoe NE wrist

Nate Ebner NYG ankle

Jabrill Peppers FS knee-ACL IR

Joshua Kalu NYG pectoral IR

Lamarcus Joyner NYJ triceps IR

Anthony Harris Phi hand

Nathan Meadors PHI hamstring 

Jimmie Ward SF quadriceps

Tarvarius Moore SF Achilles PUP

Jaquiski Tartt SF knee IR

Jason Verrett SF knee-ACL IR

Marquise Blair SEA kneecap

Darrick Forrest WAS hamstring IR

CB

Isaiah Olier ATL knee IR

Chris Westry BAL knee-Meniscus IR

Marcus Peters BAL knee-ACL IR

Iman Marshall BAL knee IR

C.J. Henderson CAR shoulder

Juston Burris CAR groin IR

Jaycee Horn CAR foot IR

Troy Pride CAR knee-ACL IR

Trae Waynes CIN hamstring IR

A.J. Green CLE groin

Denzel Ward CLE hamstring

M.J. Stewart CLE hamstring IR

Trevon Diggs DAL ankle 

Maurice Canady DAL concussion IR

Reggie Robinson II DAL toe IR

Bryce Callahan DEN knee

Michael Ojemudia DEN hamstring IR

A.J. Parker DET shoulder 

Ifeatu Melifonwu DET thigh IR

Jeff Okudah DET Achilles IR

Kevin King GB shoulder

Jaire Alexander GB shoulder-AC joint IR

Will Redmond GB toe IR

Bopete Keyes IND hamstring

Trayvon Mullen LV toe IR

Damon Arnette LV groin IR

Asante Samuel Jr. LAC concussion

Michael Davis LAC hamstring

Patrick Peterson MIN hamstring IR

Shaun Wade NE concussion

Keith Washington NO wrist

Ken Crawley NO hamstring PUP

RoDarius Williams NYG knee-ACL IR

Quincy Wilson NYG ankle IR

Zane Lewis NYJ knee-MCL IR

Zach McPhearson PHI hamstring

DeMarkus Acy PIT knee-ACL IR

Deommondore Lenoir SF personal

Carlton Davis TB quadriceps IR

Sean Murphy-Bunting TB elbow IR

Caleb Farley TEN knee-ACL IR

Kristian Fulton TEN hamstring IR

William Jackson WAS knee

Greg Stroman WAS undisclosed

Darryl Roberts WAS quadriceps IR

Terry McTyer WAS knee-ACL IR

As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, you can also send a message to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a personal response from the writer of this article. Naturally, the more detail you can send about your league, such as number of teams, platform you play in (Yahoo, ESPN, etc.), scoring and roster system, the better the ability to provide accurate advice.