Here are players to consider starting and sitting this week, along with analysis to help you make your IDP roster decisions.
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Start
Jurrell Casey (DL – TEN)
Casey should be a busy man in Week 4, as the Eagles have no reason to air the ball out against the Titans, who have struggled to put points on the board. They may use a timeshare approach, but it’s all the same to Casey who’ll eat up the tackles. Of the four primary D-lineman on the team, he’s got nine solo tackles to their three combined. He’s also added three sacks, though it’s hard to see him finding his way back to Carson Wentz behind that bulletproof offensive line.
Brandon Graham (DL – PHI)
Knowing what we do about the Titans and how Marcus Mariota can’t accurately throw the ball, there’s likely to be plenty of tackle opportunities for Graham this week. Through three games, the Titans have allowed 58 total tackles to defensive lineman, which is the second-most in the league. He’s overdue for a sack, and while it’s not a great matchup for that, there’s always that possibility. He at least provides a stable floor this week.
Josh Bynes (LB – ARI)
There’s been a lot of changes on the Arizona defense, including the emergence of Bynes, who now has 27 tackles on the season, though he’s yet to find a sack or tackle for loss. He’s sticking to his zone and the plays have shifted his way. Through three weeks, nobody has allowed more linebacker tackles than the Seahawks. They’ve also allowed a massive 10 sacks to linebackers, so it’s possible that Bynes gets his first one of the season.
Eric Kendricks (LB – MIN)
It’s rare that the Vikings are projected to lose a game, but when it does happen, their linebackers should be worth more on the IDP front, as they’ll have much more tackle opportunities. With Todd Gurley averaging over 20 carries per game, Kendricks will have his chances to score on Thursday night. This defense should be out for blood.
Von Miller (LB – DEN)
How long do you expect the Chiefs to go without allowing a linebacker sack? It’s now been three weeks, but Patrick Mahomes will meet his match in athleticism with Miller. In fact, you may see him just fall down at the sight of Miller once he makes it past Mitchell Schwartz. Miller already has four sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss through three weeks and has been one of the lone bright spots on the Denver defense.
Tahir Whitehead (LB – OAK)
As much as we’d like to say that the Browns simply unleash Baker Mayfield in his first start, they’re likely going to try and run the ball quite a bit to take the pressure off while on the road. Whitehead has been known to get into the backfield and get tackles for loss, though he’s done it just once this year. With the Browns running the ball an average of 32.7 times per game, it’s no wonder they’ve allowed 88 tackles to linebackers through three games, which is second-most in the league.
Tre Boston (DB – ARI)
Boston has been a welcomed addition to the Cardinals defense, even if it meant pushing Budda Baker to cornerback (where he’s not very good). The Seahawks are apparently trying to run the ball more to ease the pressure on Russell Wilson, and Boston’s been able to average just over six tackles through three games. His opportunity should be there against them and there’s no reason to doubt one of the players who’s looked good in Steve Wilks’ scheme.
Kenny Moore (DB – IND)
Moore has played much better than anyone has expected him to in 2018, but he’ll have his hands full in Week 4 against both Will Fuller and Deandre Hopkins. The Texans are allowing defensive backs the most points per game through three weeks, as there have allowed 91 total tackles, including 70 solo. With Lamar Miller struggling to find much room and Indianapolis’ run defense, the wide receivers should be targeted a whole bunch.
Sit
Akiem Hicks (DL – CHI)
Unless Hicks finds his way into the backfield for a sack, he’s likely to let you down here. The Bucs haven’t been able to move the ball on the ground at all, and it’s why their rushing attempts are down in the bottom half of the league. Bears opponents are running the ball just 19.3 times per game (3rd-lowest). The math just doesn’t add up for a high-floor play this week.
Larry Ogunjobi (DL – CLE)
It’s been a great start to the season for Ogunjobi, who now has 18 total tackles, including five for a loss, and three sacks. While that’s great, he’s going to have the toughest matchup of the season in Week 4, as the Raiders offensive line is one of the best in the business. Donald Penn hasn’t done great in his move to right tackle, but he’s a veteran presence who should bounce-back. The Raiders have allowed just three sacks to defensive lineman despite Penn’s slow start.
Ezekiel Ansah (DL – DET)
When playing Ansah, you’re doing so hoping that he’ll find his way into the backfield and sack the opposing quarterback, though that’s unlikely to happen against the Cowboys. He’s been on-and-off the field this year and has very little to show for it, as he’s totaled just one sack and three solo tackles. Wait for him to show you that he’s healthy before plugging him in.
Damon Harrison (DL – NYG)
If you’ve missed the first three weeks, the Saints aren’t running the ball very well. In fact, their 21.0 rushing attempts per game rank as the 5th-lowest in the league. On top of that, their offensive line is one of the best in the league, making Harrison’s projection drop quite a bit this week. There are better options out there.
Myles Jack (LB – JAC)
Some will say that Jack is a great start against a Jets offense that’s averaged 28.3 carries per game but don’t overlook the fact that they’ve led for the majority of their three games. If you think the Jets are going to be in a position to run the ball that much against the Jaguars, go ahead and start Jack. After an ugly loss at home last week, the Jaguars should win this game by a landslide, making Jack a little less appealing. Oddly enough, the Jets have only allowed linebackers 47 total tackles.
Nick Vigil (LB – CIN)
If you’ve watched the Falcons, they’re moving the ball through the air with ease and the run game has taken a back seat. Through three games, no team has allowed fewer points to the linebacker position than the Falcons. Vigil has been a great fill-in while Vontaze Burfict has been suspended, but it’s not a great week to play him.
Kentrell Brice (DB – GB)
Brice hasn’t quite lived up to the standards set by Morgan Burnett in Green Bay, as he’s trailed off the last two weeks with just six solo tackles and four assists without a single interception or pass defensed. Look for the Packers to play a ball control style offense that limits the Bills plays.
Marcus Williams (DB – NO)
When playing free safety, you’re going to want opposing quarterbacks to take shots down the field, but when you’re playing Eli Manning, that’s unlikely to happen. His offensive line hasn’t given him much time to throw and Pat Shurmur adjusted to that last week, having Manning get the ball out within 2.4 seconds. He’s not making many tackles back there, so if he’s not seeing many targets, it’s a problem for fantasy production.
Here are my full IDP rankings for the week.
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Mike Tagliere is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeTagliereNFL.