RADIO
So far this season has been loaded with disappointments in the fantasy football realm. Kadarius Toney isn't playing, everyone on the Panthers has forgotten D.J. Moore and Christian McCaffrey can catch, and the NFL has unanimously decided this is the year we bury the running back position in a grave so deep you could safely store nuclear waste in it. However, there is one upside to how this season has played out so far.
As we predicted early in our columns last fall, this rookie class is incredibly strong on defense. In particular, the freshman members in the secondary are thriving for many IDP managers. Jalen Pitre (who we mention below) looks like a steal, Jaquan Brisker is making plays, Derek Stingley is active in the box score, Devin Lloyd already plays like an LB1, and Aiden Hutchinson flashed with a hat trick. That list doesn’t even include the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Kyle Hamilton, or Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Considering that long list of talented performers and some surprisingly hot starts to this season, IDP managers must be encouraged about the influx of new young talent on that side of the ball. While offenses are struggling, IDP managers are reaping the benefits of a talented young class. It’s an exciting time to play IDP, and to try to recruit new converts. With that addressed, fans can always contact me on Twitter if they have questions or concerns. Otherwise, let's get to it!
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Risers Who Are Real
Jalen Pitre, DB, Houston Texans
Two interception games won't come often to anyone, including Pitre. However, this kid had a lot to like even before his big game against Chicago. The Baylor product came out of college with plus recognition, solid ball skills, and he was a better tackler than most former corners. We were high on him in dynasty formats all spring, and he's returning on your investment earlier than we could’ve hoped for.
Thanks to a high tackle rate, over seven tackles per game, this Big 12 alum comes with a good floor and ceiling. He also has favorable matchups over the next two weeks against a Chargers team that throws a lot with an injured QB missing his left tackle and a Jaguars team that should offer opportunities for tackles and turnovers. Consider Pitre a terrific dynasty stash but also a viable starter in redraft.
Roger McCreary, DB, Tennessee Titans
The book on McCreary coming out of college was he had really good instincts, was a tenacious cover man, and was a good tackler who lacked length and ball skills. Those traits are proving true early in his rookie season and are helping him stack up impressive fantasy stats early.
Because this former Auburn Tiger is willing in run support and isn't a huge threat to poach balls from the offense, opposing offenses give him ample opportunities to make plays. We expect that to continue even after Tennessee gets its true #1 cornerback, meaning McCreary should have a relatively high weekly floor in leagues that require you to start two CBs.
Casual Scoring Streamers and Fades for This Week
Stream: Rashad Weaver, Tennessee Titans
Rostered in less than 1% of IDP leagues, Weaver is tied for eighth in the NFL with three sacks across three games. He also has a plus matchup with a Colts offensive line that isn't what it once was. Indy has allowed 21 pressures and six sacks off the edge this season. They also have the sixth worst Adjusted Sack Rate in the league. Weaver is a DL3 streamer with increased sack potential this week, though the risk of this game leaning run-heavy lowers his floor.
Stream: Mykal Walker, LB, Atlanta Falcons
Walker has proven capable of notching big plays and a competitive tackle total as a fill-in for Deion Jones this season. He now gets a Browns offense that is the second most run-heavy team in the league and is involving their tight end more in the passing game of late. There is a good enough floor/ceiling combo here to consider Walker a low-end LB2 in even shallow formats.
Stream: Quay Walker, LB, Green Bay Packers
This is the second week in a row we are telling you to stream Walker, but he is a readily available option (2.8% rostered) with another great matchup on tap. Mac Jones isn't expected to play for New England, but he will be hampered if he does. Look for the Patriots to limit their pass plays and deep strikes regardless of who is under center. That means lots of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson touches are on tap, offering a high-volume opportunity to Green Bay linebackers.
Fade: Josh Allen, DL, Jacksonville Jaguars
If you've been relying on Allen as your DL2 this year, the odds are you have to start him. This week he gets a tough Eagles matchup, though. While Jalen Hurts has been taken down for seven sacks, only two (plus eight pressures) have been surrendered by their offensive tackles. Allen has only taken four snaps on the interior this year, meaning he should run up against those tackles regularly.
If Trevor Lawrence keeps his hot pace up, this game could become a shootout that affords Allen additional attempts at a sack on Sunday. However, the path toward those sacks isn't exciting. Manage your expectations here and consider benching Allen for the twenty or so options that offer a better floor/ceiling combo this week.
Premium Scoring & Deep League Streamers and Fades for This Week
Stream: Anthony Brown, CB, Dallas Cowboys
The Washington Commanders' offense currently ranks top-five in both plays per game and passing rate, and their quarterback is notoriously careless with the football. That should result in several big-play opportunities for Trevon Diggs and Brown.
Brown has played 100% of Dallas' coverage snaps this year, and he's finished with no fewer than six tackles in any of those games. He also should see each of Washington's three productive pass catchers this week, and we expect at least eight to ten passes to come his way. Brown is a streaming option as a CB2 or a high-end DB4 in Premium scoring this week.
Stream: Desmond King, DB, Houston Texans
Desmond King plays 81.3% of his snaps on the interior, and Keenan Allen plays approximately 56% of the time in the slot. There is optimism that Allen will play this week after a limited practice on Wednesday. We also expect that with Rashawn Slater out and Justin Herbert still struggling with a rib injury, Herbert will focus on the short to intermediate area of the field more often.
King is a player with strong ball skills and a history with the Chargers as a long-time Bolt himself. There is narrative here and opportunity, making King a solid streamer in deeper IDP formats and leagues that place a premium on PDs and INTs.
Fade: Andre Cisco, DB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Cisco is primarily a deep safety for Jacksonville, spending just 11.5% of his time in the box since 2021. The Eagles are a stingy passing offense that runs the ball 49.52% of the time, averaging a middling 32.7 pass attempts per game, and they field a quarterback who’s thrown just one interception all season. Cisco's opportunities for a big play, tipped passes, and tackles should all be capped this week. Fade him in both Casual and Premium scoring.
Fade: Uchenna Nwosu, DL, Seattle Seahawks
If you’re relying on Nwosu, odds are you play in a deep or Premium format. That means you need him to get a sack to pay off, more so than most. The Lions’ starting tackles have allowed just one sack and ten pressure this season, and Nwosu plays exclusively on the edges. We would have a hard time fielding Nwosu in Premium scoring this week, even as a DL4.
Defensive Tackles to Consider for This Week
A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Los Angeles Rams
The 49ers’ offensive line is quickly becoming a liability. It had flaws at center and inexperience at the guard positions before Trent Williams went down, but things should get worse without the All-Pro tackle. Now we expect George Kittle to block on passing downs far more often to compensate for Williams’ absence, and we also expect the guards to throw more assists to the edges as well.
With Aaron Donald demanding most of the attention from the 49ers' blockers this week, Robinson could slip by unnoticed. Jimmy Garoppolo is not the threat to run or evade the pass rush that Trey Lance was, either. There is sneaky upside for Robinson this week in leagues that require you to play a DT.
Justin Jones, DT, Chicago Bears
Jones has earned at least 62% of the Bears' defensive snaps in every game this season, generating four pressures, one sack, and 12 tackles. Like most interior defensive linemen, he isn't a high-floor option most weeks. He has a solid matchup against the Giants, though.
Every lineman on New York's offensive line has earned a negative pass-blocking grade except Andrew Thomas. Two of their interior blockers have poor run-blocking ratings per PFF, and that interior has allowed 20 pressures and three sacks despite low volume. This could be a solid matchup to stream someone like Jones.
Cornerbacks to Consider for This Week
Nik Needham, CB, Miami Dolphins
With Xavien Howard questionable against the Bengals, Needham could be Miami's de facto top corner and the primary defender on Ja’Marr Chase. If Howard plays, he should shadow Chase, leaving Needham to take most of the snaps outside with Tee Higgins. Chase and Higgins take 75.5% and 80% of their snaps outside, respectively. Needham plays 68.6% of his downs outside, meaning he should challenge one of them a majority of this game.
Because Higgins is averaging a healthy 8.5 targets per game over his past two contests and Chase is averaging 11.7, both of Miami’s top two corners should see plenty of opportunities if they play. If Needham is the only one playing, he should see even more attention as Joe Burrow is unlikely to avoid him when Chase or Higgins lines across that way.
Jaycee Horn, CB, Carolina Panthers
The son of Joe Horn has 30.7% more coverage snaps than any corner on the Panthers, and he is the likely shadow option to follow Marquise Brown if Carolina uses that tactic. Brown is averaging 14 targets per game over the past two weeks, and he’s arguably the only high-end healthy weapon the team has. With the Cardinals running the third most pass-oriented offense in the league and unable to establish the run, there should be a good opportunity for Horn to accrue stats.
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