Welcome back, IDP fantasy managers! This week in The Blindside, we’re diving into the IDP data to highlight which players will deliver matchup-winning performances and who might find themselves on your bench. Week 8 offers a rare occasion in the season with no bye weeks. Let’s look at some key insights you need to help maximize your lineup’s potential.
Our writers answer all start/sit questions on Discord before the games exclusively for the #Nerdherd. The advanced metrics used in this article are courtesy of Fantasy Points Data Suite, use code NERDS for 25% off your own data suite subscription or All-in bundle.
IDP Fantasy Start Candidates
Defensive Line (DL)
Zaven Collins | Arizona Cardinals
Zaven Collins has been relatively inconsistent this season. The Arizona Cardinals defender is now in his second season as a full-time EDGE player. He recorded just 3.5 sacks in 2023 and finished with 10 fantasy points or more in 27% of games. The Tulsa product is off to a stronger start in 2024 with much higher tackling volume. Collins has already eclipsed 31 tackles this season; he had 41 in all of 2023.
Although he’s been inconsistent, the Cardinals EDGE defender has a favorable matchup this week against the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the 8th-most sacks in the NFL this season. Zaven Collins has a 53% defensive snap share on the season and is coming off playing 61% in Week 7 (Fantasy Pros), which is the most of any Cardinals EDGE players.
Linebacker (LB)
Tremaine Edmunds | Chicago Bears
Tremaine Edmunds is one of the most unsexy linebackers in IDP fantasy leagues. The former Buffalo Bills LB has always been consistent, but he has never solidified himself as one of the highest-scoring players. Edmunds has eclipsed 200 fantasy points in all 6 of his NFL seasons so far. He’s currently on pace to accomplish this for a 7th-consecutive season.
Tremaine Edmunds has a 97% defensive snap share on the season. He is LB40 in fantasy points per game through the first 7 games of the season. The Chicago Bears LB has always relied on his high tackling volume to score fantasy points. He has a matchup against one of the NFL’s best offenses in the Washington Commanders, who allow 16.9 tackles per game to the LB position. Week 8 should be a good test for the Bears’ defense, and we can expect many opportunities for the Chicago linebackers.
Defensive Back (DB)
Amani Hooker | Tennessee Titans
Amani Hooker is quietly producing another solid year for IDP fantasy managers. The former Iowa Hawkeye has multiple 20-point performances this season and has eclipsed 10 fantasy points in all but 1 game in 2024. He has played 100% of the defensive snaps in all but 1 game in which the team gave Jamal Adams snaps, who has been released by the team.
Amani Hooker is DB40 in FPPG this season and is averaging 4.6 tackles per game. Amani Hooker gives you consistent performances at the DB position without the fear of costing you a pivotal matchup during the season. The Titans’ secondary faces a favorable matchup in Week 8 with the Detroit Lions, who allow the 6th-most tackles per game to the safety position.
Defensive Tackle (DT)
Adam Butler | Las Vegas Raiders
Adam Butler has taken advantage of the playing time since defensive tackle Christian Wilkins’ injury. The veteran DT first appeared on the radar ahead of Week 6, which we covered HERE. The Raiders interior defender has tied his total in tackles (28) from a season ago. He’s also on pace to eclipse his career-high total set in the 2020 season while playing for the New England Patriots. Butler offers tackling upside as a DT, which is rare; he has at least 5 tackles in 3 of his last 4 games. A favorable matchup with the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs lies ahead. Kansas City allows the 5th-most tackles to the DL position.
IDP Fantasy Streaming Options
This week’s streaming options at defensive tackle include Javon Kinlaw. The former 1st Round pick in the 2020 NFL draft has had an excellent season playing alongside star DT Quinnen Williams. Kinlaw has 12 tackles in his last 3 games. The New England Patriots allow the 2nd-most sacks in the NFL this season.
Brian Bresee is an alternate option for streaming at the DT position in Week 8. The former Clemson Tiger was an IDP fantasy waiver wire add ahead of Week 4. Brian Bresee has recorded 4 sacks and 1 forced fumble this season. He should have a chance to sneak in as a top-12 performer at the DT position this week. He faces the Los Angeles Chargers, who allow the 4th-most tackles to the DL position this season.
Cornerback (CB)
Riley Moss | Denver Broncos
Riley Moss has been one of the best waiver wire adds of the season. The Denver Broncos cornerback is DB14 in FPPG this season. Moss is the second Iowa Hawkeye to appear as a start recommendation this week. The Denver Broncos CB is averaging 6 tackles per game this season. Using Brad Custer’s (@MonCalFF) Positional Advantage chart and has a 13% favorable positional advantage in Week 8. The Carolina Panthers are 1 of 11 teams to allow 90 tackles to the CB position this season. IDP fantasy managers should have no concerns with starting Riley Moss in their lineups.
The Week 8 streaming options at the cornerback position include Christian Benford of the Buffalo Bills and Jarvis Brownlee of the Tennessee Titans. Both players face top-10 favorable matchups and have each eclipsed double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games.
IDP Fantasy Sit Candidates
Defensive Line (DL)
Derick Hall | Seattle Seahawks
Derick Hall has been very effective this season, relying heavily on impact plays. The Seahawks EDGE rusher has 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 defensive touchdown. Hall has produced at least 1 impact play in 5 of 7 games this season. On the flip side, he also has 2 tackles or less in 4 of 7 games this season.
As much as IDP fantasy managers enjoy riding the hot hand, we can’t ignore the data. Derrick Hall has the most significant opposing positional advantage (-36%) ahead of this week’s matchup. The Buffalo Bills allow the least amount of sacks per game this season and enable the 3rd-fewest tackles per game to defensive linemen.
Linebacker (LB)
Cody Barton | Denver Broncos
I must be crazy to recommend a sit for the LB3 overall in Week 8. Trust me, there’s a method to the madness. Cody Barton had his best game of the season where he arguably scored 2 defensive touchdowns if it wasn’t for a debatable offsides call. The veteran defensive signal-caller has been very matchup-dependent this season. He has scored fewer than 10 fantasy points in 57% of his games this season. The Broncos linebackers face a Carolina Panthers team that allows the 3rd-fewest tackles per game to the position. As mentioned in the opening, this is a week with no teams on bye, and there are stronger matchups for this Week 8 slate at the LB position.
Defensive Back (DB)
Jeremy Chinn | Washington Commanders
Jeremy Chinn played the fewest snaps (37) in any game this season. This is directly related to a big blowout win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. The hybrid defender has failed to record double-digit fantasy points for the 4th time in 7 games this season.
Jeremy Chinn is averaging a modest 4.4 tackles per game this season and has only recorded 2 impact plays. This week, he has an unfavorable matchup against the Chicago Bears, one of only 6 teams to allow less than 75 total tackles to the safety position in 2024. IDP fantasy managers should be concerned that last week’s snap usage was attributed to the blowout rather than Chinn losing snaps for performance.
IDP Fantasy Injury Updates
Troy Andersen | Atlanta Falcons
The top-scoring linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons remains sidelined heading into another divisional matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Troy Andersen leads all linebackers in FPPG this season despite missing the last 3 games. The Atlanta defense needs one of their best players back, especially with an opportunity to sweep their divisional rival and own the tiebreaker for the playoffs. Troy Andersen was ruled out for his 4th-straight game.
Nate Landman will be the top beneficiary for the third week since returning from injury. He takes over the top LB spot for the Falcons. The 3rd-year LB played 100% of the defensive snaps last week. He should have a great opportunity against Tampa Bay; he recorded 12 tackles and 1 forced fumble against them last season.
IDP Fantasy Six Pack of Facts
- Tackle Heavy System: Both Zaire Franklin and Grant Stuard eclipsed 15 tackles in Week 8.
- There were 6 Players with 2 sacks or more and 5 IDPs with 1 Defensive TD in Week 8.
- Injuries Suck: Four different IDPs averaging 20 FPPG are out for the season before Week 8.
- Nick Cross and Budda Baker are the only Non-LBs in the top 10 in tackles.
- Player on the Rise: Nick Bonitto has recorded a sack in 5-straight games
- The DL position has boasted the top IDP scorer in 6 of 7 weeks (Troy Andersen only LB).
Weekly IDP Fantasy Roster Management
IDP Fantasy Tip of the Week
The midway point of the season is upon us. By now, you have a good idea of what direction you are heading in. In some scenarios, your injured reserve roster spots look like one of the best fantasy rosters you’ve ever seen. Don’t get discouraged; continuing to field a competitive team despite multiple critical injuries can be difficult.
If you are not the first to listen to the IDP fantasy players to add every week, you can find yourself paying a premium for players who were free at one point. This is why being active on the waiver wire greatly benefits IDP managers. As the injuries start to mount for your league mates, you want them to come to you for players you acquired with blind bid dollars (BBD) or free agent auction budget (FAAB). This is the easiest way to acquire late-round rookie picks, which can become highly productive IDPs for your roster.
Stay ahead of the rest of your league; use our data to identify trends and matchups that can help you sell a player for more than they are worth. Take advantage of the depth of your league and the positions of need. Don’t be the chaser; make your league mates chase you.
IDP Fantasy Final Thoughts
In IDP fantasy football, staying informed is your best advantage. You can give your team the advantage weekly by understanding which players to start, avoiding tough matchups, and keeping up with injury updates. Remember our roster-building tip of the week: minor adjustments and strategic choices separate good teams from great ones. As always, you can contact me on Twitter (X) @Glosser13. I look forward to being available for any IDP advice you may need. Enjoy the full slate of games, and good luck this week.
Also, check out the Positional Matchups with IDP matchups to focus on by staff writer Brad Custer (@MonCalFF):
All of my IDP Nerds, don’t forget to join the live #NerdHerds Discord channel for Sunday mornings. The team is looking forward to answering your IDP lineup questions.
