This is one of the two bye weeks that test our mettle as fantasy football owners, and our ability to select wisely from the waiver wire. Of course, there is always the possibility you drafted with an eye to bye week absences, but then the injuries pop up, and all those plans made back in August or early September seem overly optimistic now. Time to look to see which IDP are rising against the tide and coming into their own to assist you with your quest to take home the league championship. And take note of some defensive players that you might want to consider letting go of as their production wanes. 

Bye Weeks coming up: Week 7-Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans; Week 8-NONE; Week 9-Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers

 

Fantasy Football IDP Risers – Elevator Going Up

Linebackers

Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguar linebacker is resumed playing nearly every down (97% in Week 6) now that the Jacksonville squad has returned from their London journey, and picked up nine total tackles (TT) against the Colts (seven solo), with a pair of pass deflections/defenses (PD) to add to his big-play value.

Dorian Williams, Buffalo Bills

The rookie saw the majority of snaps in place of the injured Matt Milano, and collected 10 TT (six solo) against the Giants in Week 6. He was able to get some pressure on the QB, being credited with a QB hit/hurry (QH) in the contest as well.  

Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs

Bolton returned to action and was handed a full workload on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage, resulting in some tackle value with four TT (three solo). He was another LB who picked up some big play value, snagging an INT and also getting a PD on his stat sheet.

Jahlani Tavai, New England Patriots

He picked off one pass and deflected another (INT, PD) while also racking up seven TT (five solo) in Las Vegas in Week 6’s tilt. The matchup this coming week against the visiting Bills holds promise on the fantasy point production front.

Defensive Linemen

Byron Young, DE, Los Angeles Rams (LB status on Yahoo)

Young saw a majority of the defensive snaps last week, and made the most of it, collecting six TT (three solo), a sack, a pair of QH and also forced a fumble (FF). Playing alongside Aaron Donald frees the rookie up to rush the QB, and he now has three sacks on the season.

Anfernee Jennings, DE, New England Patriots (LB status on Yahoo)

The season-ending injury to Matt Judon has allowed Jennings to ramp up his playing time (PT) on the defense, seeing 81% of the snaps in Week 6. He had a respectable six TT (five solo) with one of the tackles being for a loss of yards (TFL). On ESPN leagues, being able to roster an LB as a DL is an added value.

Randy Gregory, DE, San Francisco 49ers

He is not playing a ton of snaps since coming over to the 49ers from Denver, but he was productive in limited PT, collecting three TT (three solo, two TFL) as well as a trio of QH. He has joined a strong defensive squad, and if he can add some additional snaps to his weekly ration, he could become a valued pick up for those seeking DL help.

Justin Madubuike, DT, Baltimore Ravens

He is collecting sacks at a fast pace, the two he racked up against host Titans giving him 4.5 on the season so far. He also had five TT (four solo, two TFL) as well as an impressive four QH. In leagues that mandate a DT slot, he could be quite the value to snap up off the wire.

Defensive Backs

Justin Reid, S, Kansas City Chiefs

The Week 7 matchup against the Chargers promises to be fruitful for Chief safety, who is coming off a fine effort in Week 6: five TT (four solo, one TFL), a sack, a QH, an INT and a PD. Tackles and big plays combined to make him a solid DB to plug in, and his bye week is not until Week 10.

Andre Cisco, S, Jacksonville Jaguars

Another safety that contributed both some tackle production and big-play value in addition. Cisco had five solos while playing nearly every down on defense (94%). The big plays were in the pass-defense realm, with an INT and PD against the visiting Colts.

Taron Johnson, CB, Buffalo Bills

Double-digit tackles are always a key component for a player to rise in the IDP world, and Johnson racked up 15 TT in Week 6 (nine solo). The matchup against the Patriots this coming week should result in another fine potential value for the DB.

 

Fantasy Football IDP Fallers – Escalator Going Down

Linebackers

Drue Tranquill, Kansas City Chiefs

With the increased role of Nick Bolton in the Chief linebacking corps, Tranquill’s value has been dramatically reduced. He is being relegated to a part-time role in KC, and did have a sack in Week 6, but his prospects are dimmed currently.

Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings

Pace is another LB who is seeing his value fall due to reduced PT, as he was on the field for just 18% of the defensive snaps in Week 6. With no tackles and just a QH and PD last contest, he is a liability in your lineup.

Defensive Linemen

Dennis Gardeck, DE, Arizona Cardinals 

Gardeck had a fast start to the season, but his PT never moved up and he has collected just two tackles in each of his last two games, with nothing else to show on the stat sheet. 

Bryan Bresee, DT, New Orleans Saints

The rookie has been zeroed out on the fantasy point front for two weeks now, and that just will not do for your IDP production. He has the potential to develop into a fine player but is not useful at present.

Defensive Backs

Marcus Epps, S, Las Vegas Raiders

Epps was on the field for the defense for every one of the snaps in Week 6, and put up a meager two assisted tackles for that effort. No big play production to speak of this season, either, which makes him a burden for his fantasy owners.

Julian Love, S, Seattle Seahawks

The return of Jamal Adams to the Seattle secondary has impacted Love’s value drastically. A part-time safety who offers limited tackle numbers is not an IDP to be on your roster.

 

NFL Week 7 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 Colts or Jaguars, but certainly you will do well if you own a top DE playing on either side of the Giant/Commander contest or a Miami defensive back going against the Eagles that you can plug in this week, for the most part.

Linebackers

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New Orleans

Baltimore Ravens vs Detroit 

Indianapolis Colts vs Cleveland

Cleveland Browns @ Indianapolis

Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay

Defensive Ends

Washington Commanders @ New York Giants

New York Giants vs Washington

Detroit Lions @ Baltimore

Chicago Bears vs Las Vegas

Defensive Tackles 

Cleveland Browns @ Indianapolis

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta

Indianapolis Colts vs Cleveland

New England Patriots vs Buffalo

Safeties

Minnesota Vikings vs San Francisco

Philadelphia Eagles vs Miami

Miami Dolphins @ Philadelphia

New Orleans Saints vs Jacksonville

Cornerbacks

New York Giants vs Washington

Los Angeles Rams vs Pittsburgh

Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City

Philadelphia Eagles vs Miami 

Cleveland Browns @ Indianapolis

New England Patriots vs Buffalo

Week 7 IDP 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

Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars

Dorian Williams, Buffalo Bills

Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs (Owned in 71% of Yahoo leagues, only 42.1% of ESPN)

Jahlani Tavai, New England Patriots

Defensive Linemen

Byron Young, DE Los Angeles Rams

Anfernee Jennings, DE New England Patriots

Randy Gregory, DE San Francisco 49ers

Justin Madubuike, DT Baltimore Ravens

Defensive Backs

Justin Reid, S Kansas City Chiefs

Andre Cisco, S Jacksonville Jaguars

Taron Johnson, CB Buffalo Bills

 

Week 7 IDP Injuries – 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

Jessee Luketa Arizona Cardinals shoulder

Malik Harrison Baltimore Ravens concussion

Jadeveon Clowney Baltimore Ravens knee

Odafe Oweh Baltimore Ravens ankle

Malik Hamm Baltimore Ravens ankle IR

Tyus Bowser Baltimore Ravens knee NFI-R

Yetur Gross-Matos Carolina Panthers hamstring

Frankie Luvu Carolina Panthers hip

Marquis Haynes Carolina Panthers back IR

Akeem Davis-Gaither Cincinnati Bengals knee

Devin Harper Cincinnati Bengals hamstring

Anthony Walker Cleveland Browns concussion

Jordan Kunaszyk Cleveland Browns knee-MCL IR

Leighton Vander Esch Dallas Cowboys neck IR

Amen Ogbongbemiga Los Angeles Chargers hamstring

Joey Bosa Los Angeles Chargers toe

Marcus Davenport Minnesota Vikings ankle IR

Trey Flowers New England Patriots foot PUP

Josh Uche New England Patriots foot

Matt Judon New England Patriots biceps IR

Demario Davis New Orleans Saints knee

Dre Greenlaw San Francisco 49ers hamstring

Anthony Nelson Tampa Bay Buccaneers concussion

Luke Gifford Tennessee Titans hamstring

Drew White Washington Commanders knee PUP

Defensive Linemen

DE

L.J. Collier Arizona Cardinals biceps IR

Brent Urban Baltimore Ravens neck

Greg Rousseau Buffalo Bills foot

Yannick Ngakoue Chicago Bears back

Josh Paschal Detroit Lions knee IR

Maxx Crosby Las Vegas Raiders knee

Keion White New England Patriots concussion

Payton Turner New Orleans Saints toe IR

Azeez Ojulari New York Giants ankle IR

Michael Clemons New York Jets ankle

Robert Beal, Jr. San Francisco 49ers hamstring IR

James Smith-Williams Washington Commanders foot

Jonathan Allen Washington Commanders knee

Montez Sweat Washington Commanders finger

DT

Ed Oliver Buffalo Bills toe

Devonte Wyatt Green Bay Packers knee

Hassan Ridgeway Houston Texans calf IR

Davon Hamilton Jacksonville Jaguars back IR

Sebastian Joseph-Day Los Angeles Chargers knee

Otito Ogvonnia Los Angeles Chargers kneecap PUP

Larrell Murchison Los Angeles Rams knee

Christian Barmore New England Patriots knee

Milton Williams Philadelphia Eagles ankle

Jalen Carter Philadelphia Eagles ankle

Austin Faoliu Seattle Seahawks knee PUP

Bryan Mone Seattle Seahawks knee-ACL PUP

Vita Vea Tampa Bay Buccaneers foot

Teair Tart Tennessee Titans toe

Phidarian Martus Washington Commanders calf IR

Defensive Backs

S

Budda Baker Arizona Cardinals hamstring IR

Jalen Thompson Arizona Cardinals hamstring

Marcus Williams Baltimore Ravens hamstring

Jeremy Chinn Carolina Panthers quadriceps

Xavier Woods Carolina Panthers hamstring

Vonn Bell Carolina Panthers quadriceps

Terell Smith Chicago Bears illness

Eddis Jackson Chicago Bears foot

Juanyeh Thomas Dallas Cowboys hamstring

C.J. Goodwin Dallas Cowboys pectoral IR

Kareem Jackson Denver Broncos neck

Justin Simmons Denver Broncos knee

Emmanuel Moseley Detroit Lions knee-ACL IR

Eric Murray Houston Texans knee IR

Tony Brown Indianapolis Colts back

Roderic Teamer Las Vegas Raiders hamstring IR

Brandon Facyson Las Vegas Raiders shin IR

Raheem Layne Los Angeles Chargers knee IR

Alohi Gilman Los Angeles Chargers heel

Jason Taylor II Los Angeles Rams groin IR

Nik Needham Miami Dolphins Achilles PUP

Kyle Dugger New England Patriots foot

Jabrill Peppers New England Patriots knee

Jonathan Jones New England Patriots knee

Cody Davis New England Patriots knee PUP

J.T. Gray New Orleans Saints hamstring

Tyrann Mathieu New Orleans Saints foot

Jarrick Bernard-Converse New York Jets foot PUP

Justin Hardee New York Jets hamstring IR

Reed Blankenship Philadelphia Eagles ribs

Justin Evans Philadelphia Eagles knee IR

George Odum San Francisco 49ers thigh

Kamren Curl Washington Commanders ankle

CB

Antonio Hamilton Arizona Cardinals groin

Garrett Williams Arizona Cardinals knee-ACL NFI-R

Kevon Seymour Baltimore Ravens ankle

Damarion Williams Baltimore Ravens ankle IR

Kaiir Elam Buffalo Bills ankle 

Cam Lewis Buffalo Bills undisclosed

Dana Jackson Buffalo Bills foot

Jaycee Horn Carolina Panthers hamstring IR

Greg Newsome II Cleveland Browns hamstring

Brian Branch Detroit Lions ankle

Tyson Campbell Jacksonville Jaguars hamstring

Gregory Junior Jacksonville Jaguars hamstring IR

Christian Braswell Jacksonville Jaguars hamstring IR

Jakorian Bennett Las Vegas Raiders shoulder

Tyler Hall Las Vegas Raiders ankle

Nate Hobbs Las Vegas Raiders ankle

Deane Leonard Los Angeles Chargers hamstring 

Jalen Ramsey Miami Dolphins knee-meniscus IR

Kader Kohou Miami Dolphins neck

Xavier Howard Miami Dolphins groin

Akayleb Evans Minnesota Vikings oblique

Shaun Wade New England Patriots shoulder

Jack Jones New England Patriots hamstring IR

Lonnie Johnson New Orleans Saints hamstring

Cordale Flott New York Giants ankle

Adoree’ Jackson New York Giants neck

Aaron Robinson New York Giants knee-ACL/MCL PUP

Sauce Gardner New York Jets concussion

D.J. Reed New York Jets concussion

Brandin Echols New York Jets hamstring

Bradley Roby Philadelphia Eagles shoulder

Darius Slay Philadelphia Eagles knee

Darrell Luter, Jr. San Francisco 49ers knee PUP

Artie Burns Seattle Seahawks hamstring 

Coby Bryant Seattle Seahawks toe IR

Elijah Molden Tennessee Titans hamstring 

Caleb Farley Tennessee Titans back PUP

Kendall Fuller Washington Commanders knee

Christian Holmes Washington Commanders hamstring

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.