Now begins the full IDP Report with a full week of games behind us, and stats to analyze. There are certainly rising IDP to consider picking up for your rosters, and a boatload of injury information to consider when contemplating Week 2’s contests and those players you want to insert into your starting lineups.
Bye Weeks coming up: None until Week 5
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
B.J. Goodson CLE
Goodson had a nice opening game, playing the majority of snaps (49 of 59 defensive snaps against the Ravens) and collected nine total tackles (TT), five of those solos. He has a game against the in-state rival Bengals at home, and should be good for another batch of tackles.
Jon Bostic WAS
Bostic was called on to play every defensive snap with Thomas Davis out of action, and he put up eight TT in his time on the field. With Davis listed as questionable for Week 2, he could be in for another nice stat line when Washington heads out to the desert to take on the host Cardinals.
Defensive Linemen
Benson Mayowa DE SEA
Mayowa had a full stat line in the game in Atlanta: one solo tackle for a loss of yards (TFL), a sack, a QB hurry/hit (QH) and a pass deflection (PD). He saw action in 90% of the defensive snaps, and Seattle hosts the Patriots, who handed out the fourth highest fantasy point total to defensive ends in Week 1.
Takkarist McKinley DE ATL
McKinley was more of a pass rush specialist but looked solid against the run against the visiting Seahawks, snagging five TT (two solo, one TFL). He also contributed a whopping six QH and collected a sack.
Aldon Smith DE DAL
Smith has not played a down in the NFL since 2015, but came roaring back in 2020. He had 11 TT against the Rams (six solo, one TFL), leading his team in tackles. He also added a sack and a pair of QH to fill out the stat sheet. Week 2 is a good matchup against the Falcons, so there is a good chance for the fantasy goodness to continue.
Matt Ioannidis DT WAS
Ioannidis is a find in DT-mandatory leagues, although he is a decent option as a lower end DL, in deeper leagues. He had four TT against the Eagles, and also collected 1.5 sacks in Philly last Sunday.
Christian Wilkins DT MIA
Two DTs this week, something of a rarity here. Wilkins had six TT (five solo) with a sack of Cam Newton in his Week 1 performance. He also had a pair of PDs, matching his 2019 output in one game. The matchup this week does not profile as favorable, although Weeks 3 and 4 profile better for matchup purposes.
Defensive Backs
Marcus Maye S NYJ
Expect the Jets’ defense to see a lot of action this season, and that should translate into big stat lines for Maye. He collected 10 TT against the Bills (seven solo, two TFL) with two sacks, two QH, two PD and a forced fumble (FF) for good measure. The Jets have the 49ers coming to visit, which projects as a good chance to again provide fantasy value for his owners.
Jonathan Abram S LVR
The second-year player was injured in his first game last season, and returned to provide double digit tackles (13 TT, nine solo, one TFL). The Saints come to visit in Week 2, and that is generally better news for the opposition than taking on New Orleans in the Big Easy.
Jeremy Chinn S CAR
The rookie was on the field for every defensive snap in the opening game, and he was credited with seven solo tackles as part of his eight TT effort. He has multiposition versatility, having been drafted as a safety (and thus his designation on fantasy platforms) but actually played at strongside LB against the Raiders. If that continues, he may acquire dual position eligibility for fantasy owners, always a bonus.
Josh Jones S JAX
Jones may have landed in the perfect spot to revive his career, after departing from the Packers, and looks to have secured an every down role early in the season. He collected a dozen TT (six solo) against the visiting Colts.
Darian Thompson S DAL
It was Thompson’s pre-season performance that led to the departure of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix from the Cowboy roster, and while not a every down player in Week 1, he did collect 10 TT (nine solo) on 58 of 73 defensive snaps. Nice production and he seems poised to continue to be a favored IDP for the Cowboy defense, especially with the Falcons on the schedule this coming week.
Jaylon Johnson CB CHI
Johnson has been handed the starting job, filling the role of departed Prince Amukamara in the Windy City. Playing opposite Kyle Fuller , he deflected two Matthew Stafford passes and picked up six TT (five solo) against the host Lions. A good matchup for Week 2 is in store when the Bears host the Giants.
C.J. Henderson CB JAX
Henderson offered big play production in Week 1, picking off a pass (INT) and a trio of PDs were added to boot. He also had five solo tackles on the day. The ninth overall pick in this year’s draft looks like a strong fixture in the Jags defense going forward.
Casey Hayward CB LAC
The Charger CB had a dozen TT, all solos, Sunday against the host Bengals. Hayward was always known as a shutdown corner, limiting his fantasy value, but his Week 1 production hints at better things potentially for him. Week 2 sees him facing off against the Chiefs, and with them spreading the attack around, he should see action again.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
Corey Littleton LVR
It takes a bit of reach to list an IDP who collected five TT as a falling player, but he did play every down, and did not yield double digit tackle numbers. The Raiders brought him in to shore up their LB production, but Nick Kwiatkoski collected six TT on just 22 snaps compared to Littleton’s 67 snap count. Of course, Kwiatkoski is listed as questionable this week (see injury report below), so Littleton could rebound. Do not drop him yet, just keep an eye on his production.
Defensive Linemen
None to speak of, except those listed below in the injury report.
Defensive Backs
Again, look to the injury report for those DBs you want to avoid this week.
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 Browns, but certainly you will do well if you own a top LB on the Bengals, Bears or Seahawks or a DL on the Rams that you can plug in this week, for the most part. Please note that these suggestions are after only one week’s action, and as with any small sample size, subject to fluctuation with the accrual of addition statistical data.
Linebackers
Cleveland vs Cincinnati
New York Giants @ Chicago
New England @ Seattle
Defensive Ends
Philadelphia vs Los Angeles Rams
Tennessee vs Jacksonville
Defensive Tackles
Jacksonville @ Tennessee
Philadelphia vs Los Angeles Rams
New England @ Seattle
Safeties
Buffalo @ Miami
Atlanta @ Dallas
Cornerbacks
Indianapolis vs Minnesota
Buffalo @ Miami
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. Not all the players commented on are here necessarily every week (although this week they are), however, as there is no need to waste your time searching for players that are heavily owned. 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
B.J. Goodson CLE
Jon Bostic WAS
Defensive Linesmen
Benson Mayowa DE SEA
Takkarist McKinley DE ATL
Aldon Smith DE DAL
Matt Ioannidis DT WAS
Christian Wilkins DT MIA
Defensive Backs
Marcus Maye S NYJ
Jonathan Abram S LVR
Jeremy Chinn S CAR
Josh Jones S JAX
Darian Thompson S DAL
Jaylon Johnson CB CHI
C.J. Henderson CB JAX
Casey Hayward CB LAC
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
Tremaine Edmunds BUF shoulder
Del’Shawn Phillips BUF quadriceps
Matt Milano BUF hamstring
Jason Ferris CAR undisclosed
Robert Quinn CHI ankle
Mack Wilson CLE knee
Jacob Phillips CLE knee
Leighton Vander Esch DAL collarbone IR
Sean Lee DAL sports hernia IR
Mark Barron DEN hamstring
Von Miller DEN ankle
Randy Ramsay GB groin
Kamal Martin GB knee-meniscus IR
Curtis Bolton GB knee-ACL PUP
Jonathan Greenard HOU ankle
Quincy Williams JAX abdomen IR
Nick Kwiatkoski LVR pectoral
Tanner Muse LVR toe IR
Drue Tranquill LAC ankle IR
Justin Lawler LAR foot IR
Vince Biegel MIA Achilles
Ben Gedeon MIN undisclosed PUP
Cassh Makyua NE knee
Kiko Alonso NO knee-ACL PUP
Tae Crowder NYG hamstring
David Mayo NYG knee-meniscus IR
Blake Cashman NYJ groin IR
Avery Williamson NYJ hamstring
Patrick Onwuasor NYJ knee IR
Derick Roberson TEN knee
Thomas Davis WAS calf
Reuben Foster WAS knee IR
Defensive Linemen
DE
Charles Harris ATL ankle
Olivier Vernon CLE abdomen
Austin Bryant DET undisclosed PUP
Kemoko Turay IND ankle PUP
Alex Okafor KC hamstring
Danielle Hunter MIN neck IR
Kenny Willekes MIN leg IR
Marcus Davenport NO elbow
Anthony Lanier NO undisclosed
Jabari Zuniga NYJ quadriceps IR
Vinny Curry PHI hamstring IR
Bandon Graham PHI concussion
Derek Barnett PHI hamstring
Daeshon Hall PHI knee-ACL PUP
Ronald Blair SF knee-ACL PUP
Vic Beasley TEN knee
Ryan Bee WAS undisclosed IR
DT
Marlon Davidson ATL knee
Justin Madubuike BAL knee
Vernon Butler BUF hamstring
Geno Atkins CIN shoulder
Montravius Adams GB toe
Kenny Clark GB groin
Treyvon Hester GB undisclosed
Sheldon Day IND knee IR
Khalen Saunders KC elbow
Michael Barnett NE undisclosed IR
Beau Allen NE undisclosed IR
Javon Hargrave PHI pectoral
Jullian Taylor SF knee-ACL IR
Safety
Jalen Thompson ARI ankle
Kendall Sheffield ATL foot
Darqueze Dennard ATL undisclosed
Natrell Jamerson CAR illness
Shawn Williams CIN calf
C.J. Moore DET hamstring
Raven Greene GB quadriceps
Julian Blackmon IND knee
Jarrod Wilson JAX hamstring IR
Josh Jones JAX leg
Clayton Fejedelem MIA pectoral
Nate Brooks MI undisclosed
Myles Dorn MIN undisclosed IR
Xavier McKinney NYG foot IR
Will Parks PHI hamstring IR
Justin Evans TB foot PUP
Dane Cruikshank TEN undisclosed IR
CB
Josh Norman BUF hamstring IR
Stantley Thomas-Oliver CAR hamstring
Donte Jackson CAR ankle
Eli Apple CAR ankle IR
Trae Waynes CIN pectoral IR
Kevin Johnson CLE abdomen
Greedy Williams CLE shoulder
Jourdan Lewis DAL ankle
A.J. Boyne DEN shoulder
Justin Coleman DET hamstring IR
Jeff Okudah DET hamstring
Desmond Trufant DET hamstring
Mike Ford DET leg IR
Kabion Ento GB undisclosed IR
Gareon Conley HOU ankle IR
Charvarius Ward Kc hand
P.J. Williams NO hamstring
Montre Hartage NYG hamstring
Kyron Brown NYJ quadriceps PUP
Craig James PHI thigh IR
Jason Verrett SF hamstring
Adoree’ Jackson TEN knee IR
Kendall Fuller WAS calf
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. FANation Chat is now live on the site, to help you work through your fantasy football dilemmas. Or 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.