Hey IDP Nerds! We’re entering our first week of bye weeks, and you may be scrambling to find someone on waivers to start while your starters take some much-needed rest. We’ll cover each of the three main IDP positions, and, as usual, we’re using the Dynasty Nerds’ preferred IDP scoring system, IDP123.

Defensive Line

Baron Browning, DEN

Week 5 Stats: 43 snaps (54%), 26 pts

Being a Buckeye and Bronco fan, this was the ONLY bright spot in an otherwise horrendous game on Thursday night. Browning was all over Matt Ryan all night. He left the game early with a wrist injury, which is considered day-to-day. I am still trying to add him wherever possible. He’s the clear replacement for Randy Gregory, who is on IR for at least the next few weeks.

Carl Lawson, NYJ

Week 5 Stats: 49 snaps (73%), 19 pts

Lawson missed all of 2021 with an ankle injury and began this season with less-than-stellar performances. However, he’s registered double-digit points in consecutive weeks, with sacks in each game. He’s getting solid playing time and high praise. He currently has the second most QB hits this season, so we expect him to convert those into sacks as the season progresses. Lawson is an excellent option if you are heading into this first bye week and need some help at the defensive line.

Jason Pierre-Paul, BAL

Week 5 Stats: 45 snaps (71%), 18 pts

I wasn’t sure what to expect when Baltimore signed JPP a couple of weeks ago. Since joining the team, he has played 86% and 71% of defensive snaps. He made his presence known Sunday night, registering a sack and two pass deflections. He seems like he’s the clear starter next to second-year pass rusher Odafe Oweh. He’s got a juicy matchup against Daniel Jones, who has already been sacked 15 times this season. Throw a few FAAB bucks his way, especially if you need a streaming option this week.

Linebackers

My compatriot Jon Glosser covered three formerly top-tier linebackers in last week’s article. I wanted to provide managers with an update on how these players are being used.

• Jaylon Smith – Week 5 stats: 41 snaps (65%), six tackles, eight points – He’s not being used full-time so you can keep him on the bench for now.
• Blake Martinez – Week 5 stats: seven snaps, one tackle – It doesn’t look like he’s threatening to challenge Deablo or Perryman for playing time anytime soon.
• Joe Schobert – Week 5 stats: ten snaps, zero points – He was also essentially a non-factor for the Titans, even with Cunningham out. Hold on to him if you want to.

Kwon Alexander, NYJ

Week 5 Stats: 63 snaps (94%), 18 pts

Quincy Williams is still battling an ankle injury and will probably miss another week. Kwon Alexander is his clear replacement and registered ten tackles in Week 5. If Quincy misses more time, Kwon is worth stashing, especially with bye weeks coming up.

Alex Singleton, DEN

Week 3 Stats: 43 snaps (54%), 18 pts

Josey Jewell is dinged up again with a knee injury. He’s considered day-to-day, and Alex Singleton is the apparent plug-and-play replacement. Singleton may not be a good player, but he does manage to be near the action enough to rack up tackles, which is all we care about in IDP fantasy football. If you dropped him when he was relegated to special teams, you might want to consider adding him again if you need a bye-week linebacker. Don’t waste too much FAAB, though.

Tyrel Dodson, BUF

Week 3 Stats: 63 snaps (84%), 27 pts

Tremaine Edmunds was sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Dodson stepped into a starting role nicely. He racked up 11 tackles and a sack. If Edmunds misses more time, Dodson looks to be the clear replacement for now. Put in a minimum FAAB bid, and hold onto him if Edmunds misses the week six matchup against the Chiefs.

Defensive Backs

C.J. Gardner-Johnson, PHI

Week 3 Stats: 69 snaps (100%), 31 pts

Since joining the Eagles in the offseason, CJGJ hasn’t made too much of an impact. He has, however, been playing 100% of the defensive snaps. Week 5 was his best week yet, tallying ten tackles (all solo) and an interception. He’s still available in most leagues unless you’re playing with a Saints or Eagles fan.

Cameron Dantzler, MIN

Week 2 Stats: 50 snaps (100%), 22 pts

Dantzler has had double-digit scoring games every week without registering an interception. This type of consistency is something you want. He has a solid matchup upcoming with either Teddy Bridgewater or rookie Skylar Thompson likely at QB for the Dolphins. Don’t throw too much, if anything, at him on waivers, but a minimum bid would get you a solid streaming option.

Juston Burris, CAR

Week 2 Stats: 65 snaps (97%), 17 pts

Jeremy Chinn is heading to a short-term stint on IR after a significant hamstring strain. Juston Burris started at strong safety for him this week and had a solid game. If you’re looking for a temporary replacement for Chinn, then Burris is your guy. Throw 3-5% FAAB his way.

The Wrap-Up

I hope these players can help you through the upcoming bye week and the recent slew of injuries.

Stay tuned for Jon Glosser’s Weekly Start/Sit article!

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