It’s that time again, IDP Nerds, your weekly start/sit recommendations are hot off the press. Before we dive into last week’s results, I want to thank you for your support and for keeping the IDP brand of Dynasty Nerds alive and well. Last week we came in at an 80% hit rate and have had three straight weeks over a 70% hit rate. It’s encouraging that we can assist you with those tough lineup decisions. Being a voice for the IDP community is a good feeling. In the season, our hit rate is 74.98%, and we look to keep building on that and become one of your most trusted IDP resources every week.
Check out the teams putting together the start/sit columns this season. Follow us, friend us, and tweet us. We look forward to hearing from you!
- Changing the Call (QB): Jayson Snyder (@Spydes78)
- The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver (@DarthDbacks)
- Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook (@THEtristancook)
- 12 Formation (TE): Ethan Wyatt (@ethanAwyatt)
- Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown (@FFEvanlution)
- IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser (@Glosser13)
NOTE: Rankings are based on a 12-team PPR league. So, saying WR2 means top 24, or TE1 means top 12, etc., and are pulled from Fantasy Pros consensus expert rankings.
New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers
Start
Rashan Gary LB/DL, Green Bay Packers
In my world, Rashan Gary is a borderline stud, especially in leagues where he has defensive line eligibility. However, the numbers on sleeper don’t reflect this. Regardless, this is the perfect week to have Gary in your lineup, playing a New York Giants offensive line that is giving up an average of 3.5 sacks per game in 2022. The Giants’ offensive line has allowed the sixth most sacks this season. The Green Bay EDGE rusher has five sacks over his first four games and averages 20.5 fantasy points per game. If you combine his hot streak with the plus matchup, this is a no-brainer for him to be in your starting lineup.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills
Start
Devin Bush LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Devin Bush looks to be finding himself again if he can stay healthy. He’s ready to reward dynasty managers with a bounce-back season. The former Michigan linebacker has played over 50 snaps in three of four games this season. He’s averaging 15 fantasy points per game over his last two games.
The Steelers’ linebackers rely on their speed to make plays on the perimeter. As of late, Bush has seemed more comfortable, recording 17 tackles over his last two games. IDP managers should ride this hot streak while it lasts. A matchup with a high-powered Buffalo Bills offense should allow many opportunities to rack up a potential double-digit tackle game in Week 5.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Cleveland Browns
Start
Jacob Phillips LB, Cleveland Browns
Jacob Phillips should be a viable starting option for you every week. The former LSU Tiger has played 101 snaps over his last two games. He’s scored 35 fantasy points over those two games. The injury to Anthony Walker Jr. has afforded Phillips a great opportunity to prove he can be a big-time player.
The Los Angeles Chargers gave up at least six tackles to both starting linebackers last week. Jacob Phillips has 14 tackles and a sack over his last two games as a starting linebacker for the Browns. IDP managers must be thrilled to find a starting linebacker option on waivers just a month into the season.
Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Sit
Rayshawn Jenkins DB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Rayshawn Jenkins has been a matchup-based defensive back over his six-year career. He’s averaging 13.25 fantasy points per game this season in Dynasty Nerds IDP scoring. The Jacksonville defense has kept their team in nearly every game this season. Jenkins has played a major role in that with his veteran leadership. The former Miami Hurricanes defensive back has struggled over his last three games against the Texans. He’s averaged just three tackles per game. This is not a plus matchup for a defensive back that is primarily a streaming option.
Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings
Start
D.J. Wonnum LB/DL, Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota defense has been rock solid for IDP over the first month of the season. They have produced plug-and-play starters at all three levels of their defense. D.J. Wonnum has been the surprise of the front four with two sacks over his first four games. He has eclipsed 10+ fantasy points in three of those four games in that stretch. The Vikings’ pass rusher will face a Chicago offensive line that has given up four sacks per game this season. No fear, IDP Nerds; start your Minnesota EDGE rushers with confidence.
Detroit Lions @ New England Patriots
Sit
Kerby Joseph DB, Detroit Lions
The blessing and curse of rostering rookies in IDP leagues is that you never know what you’ll get. Kerby Joseph was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The rookie was unexpectedly forced into a starting role with the injury to Tracy Walker. In his absence, Joseph started and played 70 snaps scoring just six fantasy points. We’ve seen some consistent scoring rookie defensive backs this year. Unfortunately, the Lions’ rookie is not one of them. The depth at defensive back available weekly on waivers is enough for me to recommend sitting Kerby Joseph in Week 5.
Seattle Seahawks @ New Orleans Saints
Start
Uchenna Nwosu LB/DL, Seattle Seahawks
Uchenna Nwosu has been a big surprise for IDP managers this season. He’s averaging 15.5 fantasy points per game and has created at least one impact play in every game. The Seattle pass rusher has been a consistent scorer and reliable for IDP managers in 2022. He has above-average PFF grades as a pass rusher, run defender, and overall. The Seattle front four will play a below-average New Orleans Saints offensive line who have allowed the fifth most sacks this season. Uchenna Nwosu is easily the Seahawks’ best pass rusher, so I like his chances to score big this week.
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
Start
Jaelan Phillips DL, Miami Dolphins
This one is a gut call this week, Nerds! I like the matchup for Phillips, although the numbers aren’t great this year. This is a game I think Miami will need their defense to carry them. The second-year pro has had success against the New York Jets with 21 fantasy points against them in two meetings. Jaelan Phillips’s sack numbers and pressure numbers are down this year, but he has all the tools to have a big game. The Jets have allowed the 11th most sacks this season. I have a feeling he will be a double-digit scorer in Week 5.
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Start
Keanu Neal DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay defense has ruled out veteran defensive back Logan Ryan this week. I see this opening up more opportunities for Keanu Neal, who has yet to play more than two snaps in a game before Ryan’s injury last week. In his absence, Neal played 46 snaps and recorded six stops. This isn’t quite the same as Keanu Neal, who recorded over 200 fantasy points in three seasons. However, this is a chance to show the team that drafted him and let him leave in free agency that he can still make plays.
Tennessee Titans @ Washington Commanders
Start
Rashad Weaver DL, Tennessee Titans
I offered this freebie after Week 1 in the guest appearance waiver wire article. I see a potential IDP stud in Rashad Weaver. The Titans pass rusher has four sacks in his first four games, including a dud against the Buffalo Bills. He has averaged 47 snaps per game and scored double-digit fantasy points in 75% of his games this season. IDP managers know to ride the hot hand, especially at a position as thin as the defensive line.
San Francisco 49ers @ Carolina Panthers
Sit
Brian Burns DL, Carolina Panthers
I’m asking you to be realistic on this one. You obviously wouldn’t sit Brian Burns if you don’t have a very good player you’re considering playing. I’m not here to bash Burns. We all know how great he is. This is more of a matchup-based decision in a scenario where you are stacked at the position. The 49ers’ offensive line has been very solid this season, and the Panthers are likely to get blown out in this one. If you have multiple players close this week, I would strongly consider having Burns on your bench.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals
Start
Kyzir White LB, Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are flying under the radar this season, no pun intended. Kyzir White is averaging 12.5 fantasy points per game and has been quietly consistent. The Arizona Cardinals allowed 18 tackles to the Panthers’ starting linebackers last week. I would expect White to remain a tackle-dependent IDP until further notice. His tackle numbers should remain consistent, especially against a pass-heavy Kliff Kingsbury offense.
Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Rams
Start
Nick Scott DB, Los Angeles Rams
Nick Scott is another week two waiver wire darling for IDP managers who needed defensive back help. He’s also heading into Week 5 as the only truly healthy safety. The Rams are likely to be without Jordan Fuller and potentially Taylor Rapp as well. Scott has averaged over five tackles per game. I look for him to be a nice option for the Rams this week to have a high-volume tackle game.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens
Start
Patrick Queen LB, Baltimore Ravens
It’s shaping up to be a nice bounce-back season for the former LSU linebacker. Patrick Queen has two 20+ point fantasy performances so far this season and looks to add another in a big matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals this week. Queen will key in on Joe Mixon, who received a huge workload last week. The third-year linebacker has averaged six stops a game this season while also collecting 1.5 sacks. He’s starting to earn back the trust of IDP managers. He should be in your lineups on Sunday Night Football.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs
Start
Johnathan Abram DB, Las Vegas Raiders
Johnathan Abram always shows up against the division rival Kansas City Chiefs. In his last four games against them, he’s averaging 8.8 tackles per game. The Raiders defensive back has yet to score less than 10 fantasy points against the Chiefs over his short career. Most dynasty managers expect a shootout on Monday Night, and Abram will surely have his hands full trying to stop Travis Kelce. He’s coming off his first sub-10-point fantasy game of the season. IDP managers can expect a bounce back in primetime.
The Wrap-up
As always, I appreciate you IDP Nerds stopping by. We are officially starting quarter number two of the fantasy season. I wish you guys the best of luck this week, as the decision on whether you are a contender or not is inching closer. The IDP team is looking to put together some content for buyers and sellers, so be on the lookout for that. That is it for this week.
I look forward to dropping some more IDP knowledge on you at the same time next week.
