Hey IDP Nerds! We’re now in the “meat and potatoes” of the season! Heading into Week 8, whether it’s because of injuries or bye weeks, you might have some holes in your roster that need to be filled. I’ll cover each of the three main IDP positions, and, as usual, I’ll be using the Dynasty Nerds’ preferred IDP scoring system, IDP123.

Defensive Line

Dorance Armstrong, DAL

Week 7 Stats: 31 snaps (53%), 15 pts

Dorance has been quietly putting together a solid year. He has six sacks in seven games—only one less than Micah Parsons. Armstrong doesn’t have the same tackle floor as Parsons, but they can be a solid streaming option against the Bears in Week 8. 3-5% of your FAAB should be enough to roster him.

Grover Stewart, IND

Week 7 Stats: 44 snaps (75%), 19 pts

Grover Stewart is no Deforest Buckner, BUT he has registered double digits in four of seven weeks. Last week he tallied 12 tackles and has two sacks on the year. Stewart has a solid matchup coming up with the Commanders coming into town. You can probably roster him for a minimum bid, but in a league requiring defensive tackles, he’s worth throwing 5% FAAB his way.

Darrell Taylor, SEA

Week 7 Stats: 31 snaps (44%), 18 pts

Taylor is having a decent season so far. He has a sack in the past two weeks and a juicy matchup against Daniel Jones and the Giants. He could be a desperation streaming option while you work through the bye weeks.

Linebackers

Akeem Davis-Gaither, CIN

Week 7 Stats: 32 snaps (68%), 16 pts

Davis-Gaither is seeing an increase in playing time with Logan Wilson injured. While he’s not a 3-down linebacker, he has been incredibly efficient. Wilson is set to miss a few more weeks, so Davis-Gaither is a flex option in deeper leagues.

Defensive Backs

Ryan Neal, SEA

Week 7 Stats: 71 snaps (100%), 32 pts

Seattle seems to have found their replacement for Jamal Adams. Neal has played 100% of the snaps for the past three weeks and put up solid fantasy numbers. If you’re looking for a solid defensive back to hold down your rosters during the bye weeks, then Neal is a solid choice!

Cameron Dantzler, MIN

Week 7 Stats: 50 snaps (100%), 22 pts

Dantzler has had double-digit scoring games every week without registering an interception. This type of consistency is something you want. He has a solid matchup upcoming with either Teddy Bridgewater or rookie Skylar Thompson likely at QB for the Dolphins. Don’t throw too much, if anything, at him on waivers, but a minimum bid would get you a solid streaming option.

Keanu Neal, TB

Week 7 Stats: 41 snaps (82%), 13 pts

For our second Neal in this week’s article, we head down to the opposite end of the country. Neal has been one of those players I want to succeed. He’s been around for a while but has been plagued by injuries. Antoine Winfield is going to miss this week with a concussion so you could start Neal in a pinch. Don’t throw much at him, though. He isn’t a long-term solution.

The Wrap-Up

I hope these players can help you through the upcoming bye week and the recent slew of injuries.

Stay tuned for Jon Glosser’s Weekly Start/Sit article!

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