Week 8 is now in the books. There are numerous storylines to track, but perhaps the most significant is the overlooked IDP players who showed out in Week 8. There were a lot of defensive fireworks in Week 8, so there are more than a few intriguing names on the waiver wire in leagues of all sizes. Let’s take a look at some of the names that may be worth some of your free agent budget.
Week 9 IDP Waiver Wire
Linebacker
Nakobe Dean (LB – PHI): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Nakobe exploded for 11 solos, one assist, and two tackles for loss against Washington while playing 69 percent of the snaps. The strong performance, coupled with the increase in snaps, puts Dean back in the LB2 conversation heading into Week 9. Nicholas Morrow played under 40 percent of the snaps for the second straight week, leaving a clear path for Dean to reclaim his full-time role within the next couple of weeks. It will be worth monitoring the playing time between Zach Cunningham and Morrow, but it is Nakobe who will be the every down linebacker in this defense. Dean has a plus matchup on tap against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, giving him a higher floor than we have seen in the last couple of games. Add and start him everywhere for what should be a productive stretch for the talented youngster.
Drue Tranquill (LB – KC): 7% rostered on Yahoo
Drue Tranquill is now the Chiefs’ top healthy linebacker, and if his Week 8 line of seven solos, four assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble is any indication, he is primed for LB2 status or better going forward. His rostership numbers suggest that he is already taken in most competitive leagues, but not all of them. He will be productive enough that every manager should take a quick look at their wire to see if Tranquill somehow slipped through the cracks when another manager was dealing with a bye week crunch at another position. Add the middle linebacker wherever possible with an eye on starting him as an LB2 option for a plus Week 9 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Leo Chenal (LB – KC): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Leo Chenal has also become a fantasy option for the Kansas City Chiefs. With Nick Bolton on IR with a dislocated wrist and Willie Gay dealing with a tailbone injury he suffered in Week 8, it is Tranquill and Chenal who will look to dominate snaps in Week 9. There is a chance Gay returns for Week 9, so plan your bids accordingly, but Chenal may be in the process of passing the inconsistent Gay on the depth chart anyway. He was impressive in Week 8, racking up six solos, four assists, one sack, and two tackles for loss against the Denver Broncos. He is a strong stash target in leagues of all sizes and can be trotted out there as an LB3 option for those missing starters due to a bye. Add Chenal wherever possible.
Elandon Roberts (LB – PIT): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Elandon continues to impress for the Pittsburgh Steelers despite playing limited snaps. He posted four solos, one assist, 1.5 sacks, and one tackle for loss in Week 8 despite playing just 44 percent of the snaps and has now posted four or more solos in three of his last four games. The fact that he is able to produce like an LB3 despite consistently being held under the 50 percent mark suggests that Elandon has found an ideal scheme fit. Add Roberts wherever needed as an intriguing LB3 option for a Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Devin Lloyd (LB – JAC): 4% rostered on Yahoo
Lloyd is heading for a bye but warrants inclusion on this list nonetheless. No one with his talent should be sitting on wires in competitive leagues, especially weeks after returning from injury and no byes in Week 8. Lloyd impressed again in Week 8, reeling off seven solos, two assists, and one pass defended. An LB1 in waiting; add and start Lloyd as an LB2 option for Week 9 and beyond.
Others to consider: Denzel Perryman (LB – HOU): 1%, Blake Cashman (LB – HOU): 2%, Demario Davis (LB – NO): 6%, Germaine Pratt (LB – CIN): 7%, Jack Gibbens (LB – TEN): 3%, David Mayo (LB – WAS): 1%
Defensive Line
Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE/LB – NYG): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Kayvon went off in Week 8, racking up six solos, three assists, three sacks, and three tackles for loss in what will likely go down as one of the best games of his career. He was dominant against the New York Jets offensive line and will look to carry his momentum into a tasty matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders struggle to protect their quarterback, which should give Kayvon an excellent opportunity to push his season sack total to double digits. Suddenly tied for third in the league with 8.5 sacks, Kayvon needs to be rostered universally, now. Add and start the talented future DL1 everywhere.
George Karlaftis (DE – KC): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Seventh in the league with 39 pressures, Furious George is finally climbing up the sack leaderboard. Now at six sacks following his four solos, three assists, 2.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble performance in Week 8, it is time that Karlaftis starts to get the respect that he deserves. He is taking it by force on the field and should be considered an ascending DL3 going forward. His production profile screams DL2; only low solo totals have kept him out of that conversation, even before his Week 8 breakout. Add Furious George wherever possible with an eye on starting him as a DL3 for Week 9.
Baron Browning (DE/LB – DEN): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Denver is on bye in Week 9, but Browning looked too good to ignore, even if you have to stash him for a week. Still available in most non dynasty leagues, Browning needs to be rostered in all competitive formats. He recorded four solos, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble on 59 percent of the snaps in just his second game back from a torn meniscus that knocked him out of the 2022 season. Browning is a correlative factor in why the team moved on from Von Miller and Bradley Chubb and showed a flash of what the Broncos must have seen in him this past weekend. Treat Browning as a DL2 option during the byes. Add the emerging star pass rusher everywhere.
Boye Mafe (DE – SEA): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Boye set a new Seattle Seahawks record in Week 8 by recording a sack in his fifth straight game. Finishing the day with three solos, five assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovered, Mafe has solidified himself as a DL2 play for the rest of the byes. He has just the five sacks on the season, but his streak suggests that he may finally be making good on the potential that had Pete Carroll gushing this offseason. Leonard Willams’ arrival will only help Mafe, especially if they allow him to play 50 percent or more of his snaps on the inside. Target Mafe in all competitive leagues as a DL2 option for a plus matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8.
Jeffery Simmons (DT – TEN): 5% rostered on Yahoo
Simmons flashed the upside that has made him a coveted IDP target in Week 8, racking up six solos, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Simmons is and has been a DT1 play who doubles as a DL2/3 option. He is far too talented to be available in any competitive league’s. Correct that on this week’s waiver run.
Others to consider: Harold Landry (DE/LB – TEN): 1%, Preston Smith (DE/LB – GB): 0%, Jaelan Phillips (DE/LB – MIA): 1%, Jonathan Greenard ( DE – HOU): 4%, Jermaine Johnson (DE – NYJ): 1%, Denico Autry (DT/DE – TEN): 4%
Defensive Back
Kyle Dugger (S – NE): 6% rostered on Yahoo
Kyle Dugger’s inconsistent play slipped him down into the DB2 conversation, and then he goes and reminds us all of why he was such a coveted DB1 play. Dugger finished Week 8 with seven solos, two assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, one interception, and one pass defended. The inconsistency has been alarming this season, as Dugger has two back-to-back stretches with two or fewer solos. However, he may be finding his groove as he now has back-to-back games with seven solos. With his recent play putting him back in the DB1 mix, Dugger is safe to trust as a top-15 option for a plus Week 9 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
Reed Blankenship (S – PHI): 7% rostered on Yahoo
The DB2 in fantasy points per game and DB14 overall, despite missing two games, Reed needs to be rostered in all competitive leagues. Sydney Brown shared the forks with Kevin Byard and Blankenship during Week 8, suggesting Reed’s role is secure going forward. He finished Week 8 with seven solos, two assists, one interception, and one pass defended. Add the breakout IDP star wherever available.
Geno Stone (S – BAL): 1% rostered on Yahoo
A backup leads the NFL in interceptions. As insane as it sounds, Geno likely would not even have been on the field if Marcus Williams had been healthy. Stone played less than 50 percent of the snaps in both of the games Williams was active this season. He played just 30 percent of the snaps in the game that Williams made it through healthy. Geno finished Week 8 with three solos, one assist, one interception, and one pass defended. He has an interception in three straight games and needs to be rostered as long as Williams is sidelined. One would hope he could see an expanded role when both Williams and Hamilton are healthy, but with Patrick Queen and Arthur Maulet playing so well, it may be an uphill battle as long as the rest of the defense stays healthy. Regardless, Stone should be stashed even when Williams returns. Add the talented safety wherever available.
Ryan Neal (S – TB): 4% rostered on Yahoo
Ryan Neal flashed his vintage form in Week 8, racking up 10 solos and three assists. He is a strong DB3 option during the byes who can jump into the DB2 conversation with the right matchup. Neal’s production tapered off after a strong start to the season, but has now put together back-to-back strong outings, and with no bye left for the Buccaneers makes for a high-upside DB3 play for the next five weeks at a minimum. Add Neal wherever needed.
Josh Metellus (S – MIN): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Metellus continues to shine in his nickel role, most recently recording five solos, three assists, one interception, and one pass defended. He has recorded five or more solos in three of his last four games and should be considered as part of the DB2 conversation going forward. Add the DB13/S9 overall wherever available.
Others to consider: Tony Adams (S – NYJ): 0%, Jamal Adams (S – SEA): 3%, Jalen Thompson (S – ARI): 2%, Alohi Gilman (S – LAC): 1%, Markquese Bell (S – DAL): 0%, Percy Butler (S – WAS): 0%, Donovan Wilson (S – DAL): 6%
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
