This article attempts to immediately highlight defensive players whose production was significantly better or worse than normally expected for the prior week of games. Note there is sometimes limited information available when this article is written, but I will try to give everyone an early look at players who are moving up or down in value among IDP circles. When warranted, I'll also call out some players under No Change that tries to explain why the stat lines may be misleading. It’s difficult to give waiver advice for IDPs since there is such a wide variety of lineups and scoring systems, but hopefully, the information provided can help inform your waiver, trade, and upcoming lineup decisions. If you have any questions about specific players or situations, feel free to email me or reach out via Twitter.
Email: rudnicki@footballguys.com
Twitter: @a_rudnicki
ARIZONA @ SEATTLE
Upgrades:
DE Carlos Dunlap, SEA (2 solos, 2 asst, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 3 QH)
Dunlap made a big impact in this key divisional matchup while handling a season-high 76% of the snaps. In his three games with Seattle, he has played at least two-thirds of the defensive snaps in each and has averaged a sack per game. Compared with his time in Cincinnati this year when he had one sack in seven games and was benched on early downs, he’s back in consideration as an every-week starter for fantasy purposes.
LB Isaiah Simmons, ARI (9 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 QH)
De'Vondre Campbell was in the starting lineup this week but only played 26 snaps (39%) while dealing with a calf injury suffered in Week 10. That created an opening for the rookie Simmons to play a season-high 45 snaps (68%) and he was very active with 10 tackles plus his first career sack. As a top-10 pick, Simmons is the future starter at inside linebacker and appears ready for a bigger role so it will be interesting to see if the coaches stick with him even after Campbell returns to full strength.
Downgrades:
LB De'Vondre Campbell, ARI (1 solo)
Campbell started but played at less than 100% while nursing a calf injury. He has been productive this year with 46 solo tackles and 17 assists through his first eight games, but the team invested a lot in Isaiah Simmons. Even if Campbell can hold onto the starting job when healthy, Simmons is likely to earn more playing time going forward and would be a natural fit in the nickel packages.
TENNESSEE @ BALTIMORE
Upgrades:
LB Matt Judon, BAL (4 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 3 QH)
Judon had a quiet start to the season as he only collected a sack in one of his first seven games played. Over his past three games, however, he appears to be heating up with 12 solos, 3 assists, and a pair of sacks.
Want to see the rest?
Become a Season Long Pro to view the full version of this page.
"Footballguys is the best premium
fantasy football only site on the planet."
Matthew Berry, ESPN
With our
Money Back Guarantee
you have nothing to lose
More articles from Aaron Rudnicki
See all
More articles on: DB
See all IDP Matchups to Exploit and Avoid: Week 17 - Larkin |
 IDP Dynasty Sleepers, Week 17 - Tietgen |
 Eyes of the Guru IDP Info, Week 16 - Norton |
More articles on: DL
See all IDP Matchups to Exploit and Avoid: Week 16 - Larkin |
 IDP Dynasty Sleepers, Week 16 - Tietgen |
 IDP Matchups to Exploit and Avoid: Week 15 - Larkin |
