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After a Week 9 that many might call the "Week that went wrong," IDP managers must be baffled. Namely, managers and experts have to ask themselves how some of the NFL's brightest pass-blocking units suddenly collapsed on themselves like dying stars at the center of a fake universe. Seriously, what transpired on Sunday was more baffling than if the final Fast and Furious film focused on Dominic Toretto trying to save the Olive Garden staff from a crew of breadstick thieves because no one messes with his “family”… which is a great idea when you think about it!
Heading into Week 9, the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, and Buffalo Bills were considered the best of the best in terms of protecting the quarterback. The Rams were allowing the fewest sacks in the NFL, while the Bills were second-best in the category and the Cowboys fifth. In terms of Adjusted Sack Rates, Los Angeles ranked first while Buffalo and Dallas tied for fifth-best. Pro Football Focus largely agreed with those metrics too, ranking the Rams first amongst their pass-blocking grades and the Cowboys fourth. So why did Los Angeles suddenly surrender an uncharacteristic 15 pressures and five sacks, while Dallas tripled its sack exposure and Buffalo gave up an incredible 23 pressures? Is this something IDP and regular fantasy managers should be aware of, perhaps even targeting these units with their pass rushers in future weeks?
For the most part, the poor performances of these pass-blocking units should be considered an aberration. There are seemingly no significant injuries to explain the uptick in pressure for Los Angeles, while Dallas should improve as Dak Prescott and Tyron Smith heal. The metrics still view these teams as serious problems for opposing pass rushers, so you shouldn’t take too much from their Week 9 duds…. Well, actually, there is one thing to take away from these duds, and that's that Jeffery Simmons is a stud. The Mississippi State product is finally breaking out, and he just so happens to qualify for our IDP Waiver Column thanks to his roster rate falling below 20% in IDP leagues.
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Kyle Dugger, DB, New England Patriots
Rostered in 14.0% of IDP leagues
Expect several managers to drop Dugger after his stinker against Carolina. It was a bad performance and his first true dud of the season. This disappointment was directly related to New England’s ability to set the pace and Carolina’s offensive inefficiency, however. Consider the sophomore to still be a borderline DB1 option this week, and he could be a bargain with his roster rate likely to go down.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 2%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 4%
Jeffery Simmons, DL, Tennessee Titans
Rostered in 9.8% of IDP leagues
Simmons is a mandatory addition to this list after he obliterated the Rams on Sunday Night Football. By collecting nine pressures and three sacks against Matthew Stafford and company, the Mississippi State product made a previously impervious pass protection unit look weak. Simmons’ spot on this list isn't simply about one big game on national television, however.
The former Bulldog has been a consistent DT1 and DL3 option for us since the beginning of the 2020 season, and he's elevated his game recently. Since Week 5, he has averaged 6.4 pressures, 4.4 hurries, one sack, and one quarterback hit (which is separate from a sack) per game. Those are all good indicators of sustainable success.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 2%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 7%
Nasir Adderley, DB, Los Angeles Chargers
Rostered in 7.2% of IDP leagues
This season, Adderley has only two games with fewer than seven tackles. He also occasionally contributes in the kick return game and with pass deflections. While the Delaware product isn't a big-play threat, his consistency with solo tackles make him a worthwhile DB3 or a DB2 in very deep leagues.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 0%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 2%
Trey Hendrickson, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
Rostered in 5.5% of IDP leagues
Hendrickson is one of several players to make this list, despite their bye week coming in Week 10. Though there are many managers who cannot afford to carry a defensive player on their bench during a bye, Hendrickson is worth the roster spot in deeper leagues. The former Saint has at least one sack in seven of nine contests so far, which is rare consistency at his position.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 3%
Kamren Curl, DB, Washington Football Team
Rostered in 1.9% of IDP leagues
One of our favorites from last season, Curl's arrow is pointing up. Landon Collins is rightfully seeing more snaps in the box lately, and that's allowed Curl to play more of the freelancing safety role that helped him become a DB1 in fantasy as a rookie. With the Washington safety available in 98% of leagues and his team coming off a bye, you should be able to add him for free and reap the rewards of a cheap DB3 with DB1 upside.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 3%
T.J. Edwards, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
Rostered in 2.7% of IDP leagues
The Eagles changed their defensive rotation and scheme two weeks ago, and it appears to be working. Philly's changes have directly benefited Edwards, whose snap percentage has doubled over the past two weeks, allowing him to collect double-digit takedowns in both contests. He's popping on tape as well, leveling opposing defenders with some big hits. Consider him a comparable fantasy asset to what Alex Singleton was before this defensive shakeup, meaning Edwards is a low-end LB2 right now.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 3%
Xavier McKinney, DB, New York Giants
Rostered in 4.7% of IDP leagues
It's relatively surprising to see McKinney's roster rate so low given the first-round grade people like Mel Kiper and Daniel Jeremiah gave him last year given his role on a dominant Alabama defense in college and his four interceptions over the Giants' past four games. While the second-year safety won't appeal to everyone with his bye coming this week, the former Crimson Tide's upcoming schedule makes him worth stashing if you can. With the pass-happy Tampa Bay and Miami offenses on deck in Weeks 11 and 13, McKinney makes for a terrific streamer in those weeks.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 0%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 2%
Jayron Kearse, DB, Dallas Cowboys
Rostered in 3.7% of IDP leagues
Kearse is a similar fantasy option to Adderley, but we honestly think he's a slightly better asset even if he's rostered in half as many leagues. Kearse has been dubbed a defensive leader for Dallas and he made calls for that unit against Denver. He's in on plays even when he doesn't get you a stat, and he should continue to collect opportunities. He's a high-floor DB3 option.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 3%
Josh Bynes, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Rostered in 2.0% of IDP leagues
A late bloomer, Bynes is forcing his way onto the field more and more with the Ravens. If you watched him against Minnesota, you noticed he was in the frame for nearly every Vikings rush attempt or screen. With Patrick Queen playing on the outside, Bynes looks at home as the Ravens’ instinctive run stuffer. He is a deep league addition for now, but keep an eye on this player. He could be a rare 32-year-old breakout.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 0%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 1%
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