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Welcome back, IDP Nerds! We are already approaching Week 3 of the NFL season. IDP managers have been aggressive on the waiver wire, knowing early-season roster moves can often set the year’s tone. This Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups breaks down the top defensive line (DL), linebacker (LB), and defensive back (DB) pickups, highlights key IDP trade targets, and flags players you can safely drop. I’ll also point you toward IDPs to watch who could potentially have long-term dynasty value. With this up-to-date IDP advice, you’ll be better equipped to manage your roster effectively.
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Players to Add | Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups
Full Chart of Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups
These are the DL, LB, and DB top adds for Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups
| Player | Position | Team | FAAB % | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Herbig | DL | Pittsburgh Steelers | 15–20% | Replacing Alex Highsmith, led Steelers in snaps and pressures. |
| Tavius Robinson | DL | Baltimore Ravens | 5–10% | Double-digit fantasy points both weeks, steady usage. |
| Noah Sewell | LB | Chicago Bears | 15–40% | Played every snap after T.J. Edwards reinjury; tackle-heavy role. |
| Justin Strnad | LB | Denver Broncos | 5–10% | 5 tackles + sack in each game, holding value while Greenlaw heals. |
| Andru Phillips | DB | New York Giants | 3–5% | 11 tackles and heavy snaps; frequently targeted in coverage. |
| Craig Woodson | DB | New England Patriots | 5–10% | Has fully replaced Kyle Dugger as starting safety. |
Best Defensive Line Waiver Pickups | Week 3 IDP
| Player | Team | FAAB Tier | Week Snapshot | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Herbig | PIT | Aggressive (15–20%) | 3 tackles, 1 INT, 78.5% snaps | Filling in for Alex Highsmith; led all EDGE defenders in snaps and pressures. |
| Tavius Robinson | BAL | Speculative (5–10%) | 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 65.8% snaps | Breakout candidate with Van Noy injured; double-digit points both weeks. |
Nick Herbig | Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-15% FAAB
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has been impacted by injuries to start the 2025 season. Mike Tomlin’s defense truly has a next-man-up mentality. Nick Herbig finds himself in a familiar spot, filling in for injured teammate Alex Highsmith. Last season, in five starts, Herbig set career highs in snaps (50%), sacks (5.5), and pressures (18). His 14.8% pressure rate (PFF) led all Steelers’ pass rushers in Week 2.
Tavius Robinson | Baltimore Ravens | 1-5% FAAB
The Baltimore Ravens bounced back big in Week 2 after allowing 41 points in their opening game. Tavius Robinson has been a pleasant surprise for Baltimore; he has double-digit fantasy points in both games this season. He led all pass rushers in defensive snaps (65.8%) and is likely to continue that usage with an injury to veteran Kyle Van Noy. IDP managers can expect a potential breakout year from Robinson in this Baltimore defensive scheme.
Linebacker Adds (LB) | Week 3
| Player | Team | FAAB Tier | Week Snapshot | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Sewell | CHI | Moderate (15–30%) | 7 tackles, 61% snaps | Played 100% snaps when Edwards re-injured hamstring; must-add. |
| Justin Strnad | DEN | Speculative (5–10%) | 10 tackles, 2 sacks, 80.3% snaps | Short-term value while Greenlaw is sidelined; strong fill-in. |
Noah Sewell | Chicago Bears | 15-30% FAAB
The injury to veteran linebacker T.J. Edwards was not on the radar for IDP managers, as it was not considered serious. Edwards returned to an every-down role last week but reaggravated the injury in the early third quarter. Noah Sewell stepped in as he did in Week 1 and played 100% of the defensive snaps. Sewell collected five tackles for the second straight game and is believed to assume the LB2 role in this defense until Edwards can return. This is a must-add player for IDP managers who need LB help.
Justin Strnad | Denver Broncos | 1-5% FAAB
The dynasty linebacker waiver wire is always slim pickings, even two games into the season. Justin Strnad is a player who has stood out early in the season. The Denver Broncos defense features Alex Singleton, as it’s true every down LB, but Strnad has started the season strong with 10 tackles and a sack in each game. He is filling in while Dre Greenlaw works his way back from an injury last season. When Greenlaw returns, it will likely be the end of Strnad’s value, but until then, he’s worth an add to fill in if you’re desperate at the position.
Defensive Back Adds (DB) | Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups
| Player | Team | FAAB Tier | Week Snapshot | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andru Phillips | NYG | Speculative (3–5%) | 11 tackles, 79.8% snaps | Heavily targeted (15 times in Week 2); tackle floor is strong. |
| Craig Woodson | NE | Speculative (5–10%) | 6 tackles, 93% snaps | Replaced Kyle Dugger; safe floor, potential dynasty riser. |
Andru Phillips | New York Giants | 1-5% FAAB
The easiest position to stream weekly in IDP fantasy football is defensive back. It’s difficult to recommend a higher than 5% FAAB spend on these players, but that won’t stop me from giving you the data to help make this decision easier. Andru Phillips is coming off a great game with 11 tackles and an interception against the Dallas Cowboys, who targeted him 15 times. Phillips still hasn’t earned an every-down role, but he’s playing enough that opposing quarterbacks are targeting him heavily in the pass game. His tackle numbers should continue to make him a starting DB in the short term.
Craig Woodson | New England Patriots | 1-5% FAAB
I had my doubts about rookie Craig Woodson’s usage after Week 1. The New England Patriots have frustrated fantasy managers for years with consistency. However, I’ve seen what I need to see, and the former California DB should give you a safe floor in IDP leagues. He doesn’t offer that difference-making potential at the position, but he can give you a safe tackle floor, and if he can find a way to collect some impact plays, his dynasty value should increase.
Drop Candidates to Make Room For Sleepers
| Player | Team | Reason to Drop | Suggested Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braden Fiske | LAR | 6th in DL snaps, usage declined | Colby Wooden (DL, GB) |
| Trenton Simpson | BAL | Lost LB2 role to rookie Teddye Buchanan | Teddye Buchanan (LB, BAL) |
| Kyle Dugger | NE | Lost starting job to Craig Woodson | Craig Woodson (DB, NE) |
Week 3 Top DL LB DB Trade Targets
| Player | Position | Team | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nic Scourton | DL | CAR | Buy-low | Third-most snaps at EDGE; Panthers invested heavily in pass rush. |
| Divine Deablo | LB | ATL | Win-now Buy | Plays 100% snaps; underrated LB2 floor with upside. |
| Malachi Moore | DB | NYJ | Dynasty Stash | Played 100% snaps when Tony Adams left; flashed with 5 tackles. |
IDP Scouting Notes | Week 3 Players to Watch for Dynasty
| Player | Team | Role | Why to Monitor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Sawyer | PIT | EDGE rotation | First career sack in Week 2; led Steelers in PFF pass rush grade. |
| Derrick Barnes | DET | LB2 role | 6 tackles per game; heavy snaps, reliable depth. |
| Billy Bowman | ATL | DB rotation | 10 tackles, 1 INT, 0.5 sack through 2 games; matchup dependent. |
See Jon’s Dynasty IDP Rankings featuring over 200 players
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FAQ | Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the top Week 3 IDP waiver wire pickups for fantasy football?
A: Nick Herbig (DL, Pittsburgh Steelers), Noah Sewell (LB, Chicago Bears), and Andru Phillips (DB, New York Giants) are among the best Week 3 IDP adds. Each has seen increased snap share and early-season production, making them strong waiver targets. You can compare their rest-of-season outlook in the Dynasty IDP Rankings.
Q: How much FAAB should I spend on Week 3 IDP waiver wire players?
A: Spend 15–30% FAAB on priority players like Sewell or Herbig, 5–10% on mid-tier adds such as Tavius Robinson or Justin Strnad, and 1–5% on streaming DBs like Andru Phillips or Craig Woodson. You can also reference your roster needs with the Nerds App to calibrate bids.
Q: Which IDP players can I drop after Week 2?
A: Braden Fiske (DL, Rams), Trenton Simpson (LB, Ravens), and Kyle Dugger (DB, Patriots) are seeing reduced roles and can be safely dropped to free up roster space for breakout candidates like those highlighted above.
Q: Who are the best IDP dynasty stashes heading into Week 3?
A: Craig Woodson (DB, Patriots), Malachi Moore (DB, Jets), and Jack Sawyer (DL, Steelers) are promising dynasty stashes. Each is earning meaningful snaps early and could develop into long-term starters. Check their college tape in the Dynasty Nerds Film Room to evaluate their upside.
Q: What positions should I prioritize on the IDP waiver wire?
A: Linebackers (LB) should be prioritized first for their consistent tackle volume, followed by defensive linemen (DL) for sack upside, and defensive backs (DB) for matchup-based streaming value. For weekly projections, visit the Dynasty Nerds Rankings hub.
Q: Are there any IDP trade targets to pursue after Week 2?
A: Nic Scourton (DL, Panthers) and Divine Deablo (LB, Falcons) are strong trade targets. Scourton has strong usage metrics and is undervalued, while Deablo plays every snap and offers a steady LB2 floor. Get trade value comparisons using the Dynasty Nerds Trade Calculator.
