September 26, 2023

Mitch Blatt's top IDP waiver wire adds and defensive streamers for Week 4 of the 2023 fantasy football season. These LB, DL, and DB have matchups worth exploiting.

Kyle Hamilton truthers, rejoice! The second-year Ravens safety had his biggest fantasy game of his career. He sacked Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew three times and forced a fumble in the Ravens' loss to Indianapolis. Hamilton is a full-field playmaker, and he started showing it late last season. Unfortunately, he's probably not available on your waiver wire.

Do you know who is available, though? Buffalo linebacker Terrel Bernard. Bernard is replacing Tremaine Edmunds, and he's doing a good job of it. He has made interceptions in two straight games to go with 24 tackles and other big plays.

Bernard is the number one waiver wire add I am recommending this week. In addition, I have found a dozen LB, DB, and DL you should consider to improve your IDP team as we head into Week 4.

IDP Adds In Shallow Leagues

Terrel Bernard, LB, BUF

Bernard sacked Washington QB Sam Howell twice in Buffalo's 37-3 win over the Commanders. The Bills sacked Howell nine times in total and picked him off four times. Howell has one of the highest times-to-throw and one of the highest sack rates in the NFL, so he is an easy target. Bernard won't be making multiple sacks every game. However, he is a consistent tackle producer and a good add in most IDP leagues. 

Kenneth Murray, LB, LAC

Kenneth Murray has had an up-and-down career, and now he is up again. He was selected in the first round of the 2020 draft and started his rookie season for the Chargers, playing 93% of the snaps and making 107 combined tackles. This past offseason, the Chargers declined to exercise Murray's fifth-year option.

But Murray is starting again. He entered the season as the Chargers' No. 2 linebacker, which would put him in the role of playing 75 to 90% of the snaps each week. (He was on the field for 90% of the snaps in Week 1 and made three total tackles.) Then No. 1 LB Eric Kendricks went down with a hamstring injury and he has missed Weeks 2 and 3. Murray moved up to the every-down role and made 19 combined tackles in those games. 

Hamstring injuries have a tendency to linger, so Kendricks may miss Week 4, too. We must watch the upcoming practice reports to gain insight into his status. Even if Kendricks is back, Murray should maintain value if he's on the field for 90% of the snaps.

Don't Add: Nick Niemann, LB, LAC

Nick Niemann moved up from No. 3 LB to No. 2 LB with Kendricks' injury. He was semi-productive, with 17 combined tackles in Weeks 2 and 3. However, Niemann had zero snaps in Week 1 when Kendricks was healthy. The moment Kendricks returns to the lineup, Niemann has almost no value.

Jordan Whitehead, DB, NYJ

Since he began the season with three interceptions and two total tackles in Week 1, Jordan Whitehead has transformed into a tackle machine. He made seven solo tackles in Week 2 and nine solo tackles in Week 3. One possible reason for his increase in tackles? He has been lining up in the box lately: 31 box snaps in Week 2 and 24 in Week 3 (compared to just three in Week 1).

Kyzir White, LB, ARI

Last season, Kyzir White was the Eagles' No. 2 linebacker. He signed with the Cardinals to be their LB1, and he's been doing it well. He has made seven or more combined tackles every game and added impact plays, including a sack in Week 2 and an interception in Week 3. He should be a starting LB2/LB3 in balanced-scoring leagues.

Jessie Bates III, DB, ATL

In his first season as a Falcon, Jessie Bates is having the best season of his career. He is grading at 91.2 in PFF, including scoring about 85.0 on run defense, tackling, and coverage. He has made three interceptions and 17 solo tackles in three games, and he has only missed one tackle. Sleeper's numbers suggest he's available in 40 to 50% of IDP leagues.

IDP Adds In Deep Leagues

Henry To'oTo'o, LB, HOU

The Alabama product has been the most productive rookie linebacker so far. He has made 20 combined tackles, including 12 solo tackles and one pass defense. As a rookie on a DeMeco Ryans-coached team, his role could expand further as the season goes along.

Micah McFadden, LB, NYG

Now in his second season, Micah McFadden is starting to solidify his role as the Giants' No. 2 linebacker. He has been on the field for 74% of the team's snaps. He has made 26 combined tackles and one QB hit. Isaiah Simmons, the all-purpose defensive playmaker the Giants traded for during the preseason, has not threatened McFadden's playing time. Simmons has only played 25% of the snaps. 

Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, LAC

The rookie pass rusher from USC has made a sack in each of the past two games while playing 77% of the snaps. He made a total of seven tackles in those games. PFF has rated his pass-rushing play as 69.0, which is as good as Leonard Floyd and Bradley Chubb. 

Geno Stone, S, BAL

Since Marcus Williams tore his pec in Week 1, Geno Stone has been starting at safety. Williams opted for surgery and is expected to miss "most of" the season. While Williams' possible return date is unclear, Stone will be starting for at least a few more weeks and likely many more. He has been playing well. 

Stone made six solo tackles and two assists in each of the past two games. He made an interception in Week 2 and held opposing receivers to a 55.6% catch rate. 

Kei'Trel Clark, CB, ARI

A rookie, Kei'Trel Clark spent three years at Louisville, where he made five interceptions and 127 tackles. His three picks in 2021 were fifth-most in the ACC, and he led the ACC in passes defended in 2020 and 2021. 

Clark's ball skills have translated to the NFL, where, after three weeks, he ranks fifth in the league with four passes defended. He has also made 18 combined tackles, 16 of which were solos, which is quite a lot for a cornerback.

Alontae Taylor, CB, NO

Alontae Taylor is leading the NFL with seven passes defended. This second-year player was widely heralded as a breakout candidate in the preseason. He had played gritty in his rookie season and led the team in passes defended. Now, he is coming through as expected. 

Not only is he playing the ball well, but he is also making plays behind the line of scrimmage. He has made four tackles for loss and one sack.

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