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Welcome back, IDP Nerds! The Week 8 IDP Start/Sit is here, and injuries and bye weeks continue to make lineup decisions difficult for IDP managers. We’re nearly halfway through the fantasy football season, and we’ve seen enough to know that even some of the more reliable players aren’t producing like we’d hoped. That doesn’t mean we should give up on them completely. Sometimes all it takes is the right matchup to get a player back on track. We’ve got a few of those opportunities this week, along with some players whose recent production has us looking in another direction. Before we get into our Week 8 Starts, Sits, and Streamers, let’s take a look at how our Week 7 recommendations performed.
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IDP Start/Sit Accuracy Report
After a perfect 6/6 on our Starts in Week 6, we came back down to earth in Week 7. We finished with 7 hits on 13 recommendations for a 53.8% hit rate, including 3/6 on Starts. Jermaine Johnson and Kam Curl were frustrating misses, finishing with 9 and 9.5 fantasy points, respectively, just short of our double-digit threshold. Jacob Parrish was our third missed Start. We also hit on 2 of our 3 Sit recommendations, with Uchenna Nwosu delivering a zero-point performance against Kansas City. Derrick Barnes was our lone Sit miss with 11 fantasy points, although that was still below the 16 points per game he was averaging entering the matchup.
Our streamers finished 2/4 for the second consecutive week, with Will Lee and Jahdae Barron delivering at cornerback while both defensive tackle recommendations missed. Defensive tackle continues to be one of the toughest positions to find reliable streaming production, with just 30 players averaging at least 10 fantasy points per game through 7 weeks. That’s not an excuse for the misses, but it does show how limited the options can be for managers in DT-premium leagues. We’ve had better luck with our cornerback streamers by targeting players who are seeing consistent snaps and favorable matchups. We’ll stick with that approach and hopefully put together our first 4/4 week on streamers.
| Category | Week 7 | Season |
| Starts | 3/6 (50.0%) | 29/41 (70.7%) |
| Sits | 2/3 (66.7%) | 8/20 (40.0%) |
| Streamers | 2/4 (50.0%) | 11/26 (42.3%) |
| Overall | 7/13 (53.8%) | 48/87 (55.2%) |
Notable Performances: Bobby Okereke and Demetrius Knight Jr. both finished as top-20 linebackers in Week 7, delivering strong performances for IDP managers.
Injury Exclusions: 0
Our Starts have been carrying us this season, hitting on 29 of 41 recommendations (70.7%) through 7 weeks. Overall, we’re at 55.2%, which is right around where we were before Week 7. I’m happy with how our Starts have performed, but our Sits and Streamers haven’t been nearly as consistent. The cornerback recommendations have been better lately, but we still haven’t put together the type of week I’d like from our streamers. We’ll see if we can change that in Week 8.
Players to Start | Week 8 IDP Fantasy Football
Defensive Line | Week 8 IDP Start/Sit
Josh Hines-Allen | DL | Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s been a frustrating start to the season for IDP managers who invested in Josh Hines-Allen. The Jacksonville veteran was once one of the most reliable defensive linemen in fantasy football, but through 6 games, he’s sitting at DL41 overall as a high-end DL4. The opportunities haven’t disappeared, with Hines-Allen playing 80% of the defensive snaps and recording 12 pressures this season. The problem has been turning those opportunities into production, with just 1.5 sacks to show for it. I’m not ready to give up on a player with his track record, especially with a familiar opponent on the schedule this week.
The Indianapolis Colts have allowed 2.7 sacks per game this season, including 4 last week. Things aren’t getting any easier after trading eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle, a player who hadn’t allowed a sack in 275 pass-blocking snaps this season. Hines-Allen has enjoyed plenty of success against Indianapolis, averaging 25 fantasy points across their 2 meetings last season. With the Colts already struggling to protect their quarterback and now losing one of the best offensive linemen in football, I like Hines-Allen’s chances of getting back on track. It hasn’t been easy trusting him this season, but I’m willing to bet on the veteran delivering for IDP managers in Week 8.
Kwity Paye | DL | Las Vegas Raiders
After opening the season with a 33.8-point performance that made him a must-add on IDP waiver wires, Kwity Paye has cooled off considerably. That Week 1 performance still accounts for nearly half his fantasy production this season. Paye has become a boom-or-bust option for IDP managers, but the playing time remains encouraging. He’s second among Las Vegas EDGE defenders with a 60% defensive snap share and posted a 61.4 pass-rush grade in Week 7 against a Los Angeles Rams offense that has allowed the fifth-fewest sacks this season. We haven’t seen the consistency we’d like from Paye, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore him when the right matchup comes along.
That brings us to the New York Jets, who have allowed the fifth-most sacks and seventh-most tackles per game to opposing EDGE defenders this season. The Jets are also allowing a 10.4% quarterback pressure rate, the second-highest in the NFL. We discussed how favorable this matchup has been for defensive linemen in last week’s article, and I’m going right back to it in Week 8. Paye isn’t someone I’m trusting as an every-week starter, but the Jets have struggled to protect their quarterback, and the opportunities should be there for him to make an impact. There’s always a risk when starting a player who relies heavily on sacks, but all signs point toward this being a potential boom week for Paye. I’m willing to take that chance in my lineup.
Linebacker | Week 8 IDP Start/Sit
DeMarvion Overshown | LB | Dallas Cowboys
Every time IDP managers start getting excited about DeMarvion Overshown, it feels like another injury comes along and derails the hype train. As much as I want to be cautious, I just can’t help buying back in. Overshown returned from his Week 1 injury to play 65% of the defensive snaps for Dallas in Week 7. He’s played just 5 quarters this season, but the production has been impressive, recording 13 tackles and an interception on only 94 defensive snaps. There’s little doubt in my mind that Overshown is the best linebacker on this struggling Cowboys defense. The sample size is small, and I understand the hesitation, but sometimes you have to trust what you’re seeing on the field.
If there’s ever a week to take a chance on Overshown, it’s this one against the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona is allowing the most tackles per game to opposing linebackers and is one of just 2 teams surrendering at least 20 tackles per game to the position. The matchup couldn’t be much better for a player who has been making tackles whenever he’s on the field. I’m not overly concerned about his 65% snap share in his first game back, especially with how badly Dallas needs playmakers on defense. There’s some risk here if his playing time remains limited, but I’m betting on his talent and the matchup. Overshown is going back into my lineup in Week 8.
Daiyan Henley | LB | Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have been one of the bigger disappointments for fantasy managers this season, and that extends to the defensive side of the ball. Daiyan Henley, who has been one of the team’s most productive tacklers over the past few seasons, has been a difficult player for IDP managers to trust. Henley enters Week 8 as the LB57 overall, averaging fewer than 12 fantasy points per game. He’s surpassed 20 fantasy points just once this season despite playing 89% of the defensive snaps. The opportunities have been there, but the production hasn’t been what we’ve come to expect from the Chargers linebacker.
Coming off the bye week, Henley has an excellent opportunity to get back on track against the Los Angeles Rams. Over their last 3 games, the Rams have allowed a league-high 23 tackles per game to opposing linebackers. With that type of matchup and his consistent playing time, Henley is due for a game that exceeds his season average of fewer than 12 fantasy points. We aren’t necessarily expecting an LB1 performance, but there’s enough opportunity here for Henley to deliver a productive week. I’m trusting the matchup and putting him back in my lineup for Week 8.
| Player | Pos | Team | Opponent | Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hines-Allen | DL | JAX | IND | START |
| Kwity Paye | DL | LV | NYJ | START |
| DeMarvion Overshown | LB | DAL | ARI | START |
| Daiyan Henley | LB | LAC | LAR | START |
| Kevin Winston Jr. | DB | TEN | CIN | START |
| Minkah Fitzpatrick | DB | NYJ | LV | START |
| Laiatu Latu | DL | IND | JAX | SIT |
| Patrick Queen | LB | PIT | CLE | SIT |
| Chuck Clark | DB | DET | MIN | SIT |
Defensive Backs | Week 8 IDP Start/Sit
Kevin Winston Jr. | DB | Tennessee Titans
Kevin Winston Jr. returned to the Tennessee Titans lineup in Week 7 after missing the previous two games and didn’t miss a beat. The second-year safety delivered his best performance of the season with 27.5 fantasy points. Winston has been one of the more pleasant surprises for IDP managers this season, especially considering he’s playing a larger role as a deep safety. Despite that usage, he’s recorded at least 7 tackles in 80% of the games he’s played, including two performances with double-digit tackles. His 17.58 fantasy points per game rank seventh among all defensive backs this season. Winston currently sits at DB38 overall, but that’s largely due to the two games he missed with an injury.
Winston has earned his place in IDP starting lineups, and I don’t see any reason to change that in Week 8. The Tennessee safety draws a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, who are allowing nearly 15 tackles per game to opposing safeties this season. Cincinnati also allowed two safeties to finish with double-digit fantasy points in Week 7. The matchup gives Winston another opportunity to build on what has already been an impressive season. His consistent tackle production has made him a reliable option regardless of where he’s lining up, and I’m expecting that to continue against the Bengals.
Minkah Fitzpatrick | DB | New York Jets
After missing the first 3 games of the season, Minkah Fitzpatrick quickly became a player IDP managers might have forgotten about. The veteran safety hasn’t wasted any time reminding us what he’s capable of. Since returning in Week 4, Fitzpatrick ranks as the DB3 overall, recording double-digit fantasy points in 3 of his 4 games, including performances of 20 and 30 fantasy points. He’s also recorded 36 tackles over that stretch, averaging 9 per game. Those are impressive numbers for a player who has spent most of his career playing primarily as a deep safety, but his role with the New York Jets has looked much different this season.
In Week 7, Fitzpatrick played 40% of his snaps in the box and another 13% as a slot defender. That increased involvement closer to the line of scrimmage has created more tackle opportunities, and IDP managers are seeing the results. He’ll look to keep that production going against the Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed 109 tackles to opposing safeties this season, the fourth-most in the NFL. Between his recent production, increased tackle opportunities, and favorable matchup, there’s plenty to like about Fitzpatrick heading into Week 8. I’m keeping him in my lineup and expecting another productive performance.
Players to Sit | Week 8 IDP Fantasy Football
| Player | Pos | Team | Opponent | Why We’re Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laiatu Latu | DL | IND | JAX | DL98; Jaguars allow 8th-fewest sacks and 2nd-fewest EDGE tackles |
| Patrick Queen | LB | PIT | CLE | Browns allow just 14.6 LB tackles per game; Queen scored 9 points in their last meeting |
| Chuck Clark | DB | DET | MIN | Reduced box usage with Brian Branch back; Vikings allow 7th-fewest safety fantasy points |
- Laiatu Latu | DL | Indianapolis Colts: It’s never easy recommending that IDP managers sit players you believe in, but the numbers aren’t giving us much reason to trust Laiatu Latu right now. The Indianapolis pass rusher has struggled to produce this season, failing to record more than 3 tackles in a game since Week 2 and still searching for his first full sack of the year. Latu enters Week 8 as the DL98 overall, averaging fewer than 9 fantasy points per game. Things aren’t looking any easier this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have allowed the eighth-fewest sacks and second-fewest tackles to opposing EDGE defenders this season. Between the lack of production and a difficult matchup, I’m keeping Latu on my bench until he gives us a reason to trust him again.
- Patrick Queen | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers: Recommending a Sit for a linebacker playing 100% of the defensive snaps is never an easy decision, but that’s where we find ourselves with Patrick Queen this week. The Pittsburgh linebacker has been inconsistent for IDP managers, recording single-digit fantasy points in 4 games this season while reaching double digits in the other 3. This is a matchup-based recommendation against a Cleveland Browns offense that has been one of the tougher opponents for linebackers. Cleveland is allowing just 14.6 tackles per game to the position and held Queen to 9 fantasy points in their earlier meeting this season. He’s also averaged just 10.6 fantasy points across his last 3 matchups against the Browns. The playing time makes Queen difficult to bench, but the matchup and recent history are enough for me to look elsewhere in Week 8.
- Chuck Clark | DB | Detroit Lions: I won’t blame IDP managers who disagree with this recommendation because Chuck Clark has been one of the more consistent defensive backs in fantasy football this season. He’s averaging 16 fantasy points per game, the 13th-most among defensive backs, and had reached that average in all but one game before Brian Branch returned to the lineup. In Branch’s first game back, Clark recorded a season-low 11 fantasy points while seeing his box usage decrease. Branch played just 67% of the defensive snaps, so there’s reason to believe his involvement will continue to increase as he gets healthier. It’s only a one-game sample, but the early signs aren’t encouraging for Clark’s fantasy value. The matchup doesn’t help either, with Minnesota allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing safeties while running pass plays at the second-lowest rate in the NFL. I’m getting ahead of what could be a decline in Clark’s production and recommending IDP managers consider other options in Week 8.
DT-Premium & CB-Premium Streamers | Week 8 IDP Start/Sit
DT Streamers: We’re going back to Keeanu Benton (Pittsburgh) after featuring him in this week’s IDP Waiver Wire article. Benton has recorded at least 3 tackles in 4 straight games and scored double-digit fantasy points in each of his last 3. He managed just 8.8 fantasy points against Cleveland in Week 4, but the Browns are allowing the most sacks per game this season. His recent tackle production makes him a solid option even if he doesn’t record a sack. Braden Fiske (Los Angeles Rams) is another player worth considering after recording 6 tackles and a sack over his last 2 games. Fiske is playing just 53% of the defensive snaps this season, which makes him a riskier option, but the Chargers are allowing the second-most sacks per game. The matchup gives him an opportunity to deliver for IDP managers in DT-premium leagues.
CB Streamers: C.J. Henderson (Atlanta) returned from injury and immediately stepped back into a full-time role, playing 95% of the defensive snaps. He’s averaged 8 tackles over his last 3 complete starts, excluding the game he left early due to injury, and ranks ninth among cornerbacks in fantasy points per game this season. Henderson faces Tampa Bay, which is allowing the sixth-most tackles per game to opposing cornerbacks. Tarheeb Still (Los Angeles Chargers) is another cornerback I’m willing to trust after recording double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games. Despite the Week 7 bye, Still ranks as CB18 in fantasy points per game since Week 5 and has played at least 93% of the defensive snaps in 4 straight games. He’ll face a Rams offense that has allowed 107 tackles to opposing cornerbacks, the second-most in the NFL. Both players have the playing time and favorable matchups we’re looking for when streaming cornerbacks.
IDP Hidden Gems | Week 8 IDP Fantasy Football
Before we wrap up, here are five takeaways from Week 7 and what we’ve learned through the first seven weeks of the 2026 NFL season.
- The Emergence of the Buccaneers Defensive Line: Through the first four weeks of the season, Tampa Bay had just one defensive lineman ranked inside the top 70 overall, with A’Shawn Robinson sitting at DL66. Things have changed in a hurry. Since Week 5, both David Walker and Yaya Diaby have ranked among the top six defensive linemen in fantasy football. The duo has combined for five sacks over that stretch, accounting for 31% of Tampa Bay’s total sacks this season. The question for IDP managers is whether something has changed with this defensive front or if favorable matchups are driving the recent production. Either way, these are two players worth monitoring as we head into the second half of the season.
- Veteran Linebackers Continue to Deliver Elite Production: We’ve spent plenty of time discussing the youth movement at linebacker following a loaded 2026 NFL Draft class, but let’s give some credit to the veterans who continue to produce. Alex Singleton (LB1), Fred Warner (LB4), and Blake Cashman (LB6) are all 29 or older and rank among the top six linebackers in fantasy football. All three are averaging at least 20 fantasy points per game this season. The excitement surrounding younger linebackers is understandable, especially in dynasty leagues, but these veterans are proving that consistent production still carries plenty of value for managers looking to compete.
- Green Bay Defensive Backs Are Carrying IDP Lineups: It’s hard to ignore what the Green Bay secondary has done for IDP managers through seven weeks. Evan Williams sits at DB1 overall with nearly a 20-point lead over the next closest defensive back. He’s also the only defensive back to play all seven games while averaging at least 20 fantasy points per game. Keisean Nixon has been the top-scoring cornerback this season, and Green Bay is the only team with five defensive backs ranked inside the top 40 overall. We’ve talked about the depth and replaceability of the defensive back position, but the Packers are showing just how valuable consistent production from one secondary can be.
- The Advantage of Balanced IDP Scoring: IDP analysts have spent years debating what makes the perfect balanced scoring system. I’ve always believed there isn’t one perfect answer, but the Dynasty Nerds scoring format does a good job of keeping offensive and defensive players competitive with each other. Through seven weeks, an IDP has been the highest-scoring fantasy player overall in six of them. That doesn’t mean defensive players should automatically be drafted ahead of offensive stars, but it does show the value they can bring to a dynasty roster. I’ve always encouraged managers to remain flexible during startup drafts rather than forcing a specific roster build. In balanced scoring leagues, being willing to invest in elite IDP talent can give you another way to build a competitive team year after year.
- Huge Trade Alert — Jeffery Simmons Heads to Chicago: It’s not often we see a defensive player of Jeffery Simmons’ caliber traded during the season, but the Chicago Bears made a major move by acquiring the veteran defensive tackle from Tennessee in a deal involving two first-round picks. Simmons enters Week 8 as the fifth-highest-scoring IDP and DL3 overall, making him one of just four defensive players averaging more than 20 fantasy points per game. He now joins a Chicago defensive front featuring breakout EDGE Austin Booker, who currently ranks as DL12. I’m interested to see how this move plays out for Simmons and his fantasy value. Joining a defensive front with Austin Booker should give opposing offensive lines another player to worry about. We’ll see if that leads to more opportunities for Simmons or if it takes some time for him to adjust to his new team.
Final Thoughts | Week 8 IDP Start/Sit
Week 8 gives us another opportunity to take advantage of favorable matchups while dealing with injuries, bye weeks, and players who haven’t lived up to expectations. We’ve got a few risky calls this week, but I like the opportunities these matchups present. We won’t get every recommendation right, but hopefully we can get a few struggling players back on track and help IDP managers come away with some wins this week.
That wraps up another edition of the Week 8 IDP Start/Sit. As always, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter/X @Glosser13 or find me on Reddit u/IDPGlosser if you have any IDP lineup questions or need advice. I appreciate everyone who continues to follow along each week. Good luck in Week 8, IDP Nerds!
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