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Like clockwork, every NFL season brings a new set of players who disappoint for weeks on end, only to explode on your bench. The most impatient of fantasy managers will likely rage drop these tortoise-type players. That’s why countless fantasy teams saw Myles Gaskin, Chase Claypool, and Kadarius Toney gorge their fantasy benches with points this week. These late bloomers simply took too long to blossom, and now that they have, fantasy managers are left to wonder whether they will wilt or overwhelm the rest of this season.
While this boom-or-bust balance is frustrating in all fantasy formats, nowhere is it more evident than in IDP leagues. As we discussed last week, defenders are, by nature, more inconsistent than offensive skill players. Sacks come less often than catches, and tackles are harder to come by than yards. In short, you can’t judge an elite defender in the same way you would a running back or receiver. The perfect example is Derwin James, who racked up an impressive 19.5 standard IDP points this past weekend despite the fact he was rostered in only 40% of IDP leagues. That means 60% of IDP managers could have benefited from his Week 5 breakout. However, they didn't because they chased a bigger name (Jalen Ramsey) or were scared off by the former Seminole’s steady but underwhelming start.
James’ wasted Week 5 should serve as a stark reminder to IDP managers who chase big plays every week. You must trust in the talent of guys like James and Jeremy Chinn and realize that their “slow” starts aren’t the liability you think they are. When these players consistently give you six tackles per game, don't undervalue that. Those tackles give you a weekly basis on which you can rest until their big game finally comes... And with that addressed, let’s get to our weekly list of priority IDP waiver additions. As always, to qualify for this list, the defender must be rostered in less than 20% of IDP leagues.
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Matthew Judon, DL, New England Patriots
Rostered in 19.2% of IDP leagues
Judon continued his torrid start to the 2021 season in Week 5, collecting another two sacks against the Houston Texans. The Patriots' free-agent addition now sits second in the NFL in sacks, and he remains one of the most efficient pass-rushers on the season. There is zero reason why he should be rostered in less than 20% of IDP leagues at this point. Make Judon your top priority if he is available in your league and you need DL help.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 3%
FAAB in Deeper IDP Leagues: 7%
Taron Johnson, DB, Buffalo Bills
Rostered in 17.8% of IDP leagues
After headlining this list last week, Johnson collected 12 tackles and one pass deflection against the Chiefs. The Bills’ least-known defensive back has now gotten his hand on at least one ball each week this season, and Buffalo’s high-powered offense will continue to force opponents to throw. Expect Johnson to lose eligibility for this list soon as a perennial DB2 option in leagues that reward PDs.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 2%
FAAB in Deeper IDP Leagues: 5%
Sebastian Joseph-Day, DL, Los Angeles Rams
Rostered in 16.1% of IDP leagues
In five contests this season, Joseph-Day has collected at least eight tackles in three of those matchups. Considering this rare tackle upside and Joseph-Day’s two sacks on the season, it’s fair to see why many are now considering the Rutgers alum as a DL2 option. While inconsistency at his position is expected, Joseph-Day should provide some short-term reliability with premium matchups against the Giants, Lions, and Texans over his next three games.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deeper IDP Leagues: 3%
Jaylon Smith, LB, Green Bay Packers
Rostered in 11.1% of IDP leagues
Our preseason prediction on Smith was that he would struggle to find time on the Cowboys’ starting defense, but he could see his fantasy stock rebound if he left town. The first part of that prediction came true, and now it’s time to see about that second part.
The former Notre Dame star is still fast and versatile, and he has an obvious starting spot waiting for him on this Packers defense next to De’Vondre Campbell. We could see Smith hit the ground running as the Packers eagerly use him to fill that void in the middle of their defense. That could be enough for the Cowboys' castoff to earn LB2 caliber stats by mid-season. Stash Smith for now, but wait for consistent snaps before you start him.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deeper IDP Leagues: 3%
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Cleveland Browns
Rostered in 3.9% of IDP leagues
While the man known as "J.O.K." saw a career-high 91% of the Browns' snaps last week, his skeptics will likely attribute that spike in playing time to the pass-heavy game script that the Chargers forced on Cleveland. Those same skeptics will also remind J.O.K. fans that the Browns just activated Anthony Walker off of IR, and Walker’s return will surely bring competition for snaps.
Those concerns held by Owusu-Koramoah skeptics are valid, as the rookie could very well find himself in a timeshare all year. However, there is no denying that the Notre Dame product is one of Cleveland’s best defenders when he’s on the field. Expect J.O.K. to come at no cost in most fantasy formats, so he is worth a stash in deeper or dynasty IDP leagues, even if he doesn’t produce consistently as a rookie.
FAAB in Dynasty IDP Leagues: 2%
FAAB in Deeper IDP Leagues: 3%
Quandre Diggs, DB, Seattle Seahawks
Rostered in 6.7% of IDP leagues
Another repeat member of this list, Diggs continues to put up DB1 caliber production despite being forgotten by rankers and IDP managers alike. Diggs has played in just one game this year where he didn’t accrue at least nine tackles or an interception, which is startlingly consistent production. Diggs also has a favorable schedule ahead of him, with turnover-prone quarterbacks opposing him in each of his next three matchups. Consider Diggs a short-term streamer with the potential to be your every-week starter.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 3%
Charles Harris, DL, Detroit Lions
Rostered in 0.6% of IDP leagues
A perpetual disappointment as a former first-round draft pick who failed in Miami and Atlanta, Harris is having an unheralded renaissance in Detroit so far this season. This year, the Missouri alum has played in just four games, yet he already has a career-high four sacks. Harris’ playing time is also on the upswing, thanks partly to Romeo Okwara’s season-ending injury.
With seven of his final 12 games coming against offensive lines that rank in the bottom half of the NFL in sacks allowed, Harris has definite streamer appeal in deeper IDP leagues. Consider Harris a DL3 in sack-premium formats, with DL2 upside.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 0%
FAAB in Deeper IDP Leagues: 4%
Kyle Dugger, DB, New England Patriots
Rostered in 1.4% of IDP leagues
The Dugger breakout we’ve been waiting for may finally be here. He’s averaging over six tackles per game on the season, playing on over 70% of his team’s snaps in every game, and he’s got a favorable schedule with the Cowboys, Jets, and Chargers next on tap. Expect Dugger to get plenty of opportunities these next few weeks, allowing him to qualify as a low-end DB2 in most formats.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deeper IDP Leagues: 3%
Gregory Rousseau, DL, Buffalo Bills
Rostered in 1.0% of IDP leagues
Despite averaging less than half of his team’s snaps each week, this former Hurricane is a terrific streamer over the next few weeks. Not only is he flashing on the field when given the opportunity, but his next two games are against teams with the third-worst Adjusted Sack Rate (Titans) and the seventh (Dolphins). He is the definition of a deep league streamer who has already produced two starter-caliber fantasy weeks in the first five contests of his career.
FAAB in Dynasty IDP Leagues: 2%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 2%
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