Hello fellow IDP Nerds. Glad to have you back for another edition of Man Coverage. This is where we discuss the start and sit options for your weekly matchups in IDP fantasy football. I hope you all enjoyed another successful, productive week out of the IDP on your respective dynasty rosters. We came in with another very successful week with 73.3% accuracy. Among those players considered as ‘hits’ this week was Demarcus Lawrence, who came in as the number two overall IDP scorer last week. This brings our season total to 73.3% accuracy for the second consecutive week. Let’s hope we can keep up with this high level of accuracy as the season progresses. Week four is right around the corner so let’s see what our best options are for this week’s matchups.
Check out the teams putting together the start/sit columns this season. Follow us, friend us, tweet us. We look forward to hearing from you!
- Changing the Call (QB): Jayson Snyder (@Spydes78)
- The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver (@DarthDbacks)
- Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook (@THEtristancook)
- 12 Formation (TE): Ethan Wyatt (@ethanAwyatt)
- Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown (@FFEvanlution)
- IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser (@Glosser13)
NOTE: Rankings are based on a 12-team PPR league. So, saying WR2 means top 24, or TE1 means top 12, etc. and are pulled from Fantasy Pros consensus expert rankings.
Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints
Start
Pete Werner LB, New Orleans Saints
We are reaching the point of Pete Werner being a household name as an IDP stud at the linebacker position. Petre Werner led the Saints in tackles again last week. He’s averaging 10 tackles per game in 2022 and currently leads the team in total and solo tackles.
While Werner is playing at a very high level, he struggles with coverage. That should not affect his fantasy production, as his tackle floor is very safe. IDP managers can feel free to wake up early Sunday morning to watch Werner pile up tackles over breakfast as the Saints take on the Vikings in London.
Cleveland Browns @ Atlanta Falcons
Start
Jacob Phillips LB, Cleveland Browns
There’s no way to spin it; injuries in fantasy football are the worst. The loss of Anthony Walker Jr. is a tough one for dynasty managers. The silver lining is that Jacob Phillips will get a chance to step up as a big-time fantasy producer. The third-year pro from LSU has played sparingly over his first few seasons. He’s played over 40 snaps three times in his career. In those games, he’s scored 21, 34, and 21 fantasy points, respectively. That means as a full-time linebacker for the Browns, and he’s averaging 25.3 fantasy points per game.
The Browns linebackers will have a nice matchup against a run-heavy Atlanta Falcons offense with Marcus Mariota at quarterback. Atlanta has given up at least six tackles to a starting linebacker in their first three games, including nine tackles to a linebacker in two of those contests. This week, Jacob Phillips is a nice option for managers who have had him stashed on their bench or were lucky enough to grab him off of waivers.
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens
Start
Matt Milano LB, Buffalo Bills
The unsung hero of the Buffalo Bills defense is Matt Milano. The former Boston College linebacker scored double-digit points in the team’s first three games. Milano has averaged 4.6 tackles per game and has a pick-6 already this season. The Bills’ top two linebackers never come off the field, and as long as he remains healthy, Matt Milano will continue to be a reliable fantasy scorer.
Matt Milano will play a huge role in slowing down Lamar Jackson, who is coming off nine total touchdowns over the past two games. In the past two meetings with Baltimore, he’s averaged 8 tackles per game and 16 fantasy points. The Bills best coverage linebacker is playing at a very high level but will need to be on his game to help slow down a high-scoring Ravens offense. I’m confident in starting Milano as an LB2 or LB3 this week.
Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys
Start
Dorance Armstrong DL, Dallas Cowboys
Dorance Armstrong has been one of the pleasant surprises for the Dallas Cowboys defense early in the season. He has looked very solid in the past two games scoring a total of 37 fantasy points while gathering three sacks. His tackle numbers remain very low, but his ability to get in the backfield and bring down opposing quarterbacks has been great to watch. Armstrong can work one-on-one most of the time playing with Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence and has taken full advantage of that. Armstrong draws a matchup with the Washington Commanders, who have allowed the second-most sacks (15) in the NFL this season. He has a good chance to keep his sack streak alive and reward dynasty managers in Week 4.
Seattle Seahawks @ Detroit Lions
Sit
Charles Harris DL, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions veteran leader up front has been solid again this season. Harris has collected 11 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble through three games. He has continued to prove himself to the Lions’ front office despite not being rewarded with a long-term contract. Charles Harris will face the Seattle offensive line this week, who surprisingly have only allowed six sacks this season which is tied for the fifth-fewest in the NFL. Dynasty managers will have to count on Harris as a high-volume tackler this week to justify starting him. He only managed two stops in his last matchup with Seattle last season. I would not feel confident enough to have Charles Harris in my starting lineup this week.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Houston Texans
Start
Jalen Pitre DB, Houston Texans
Jalen Pitre has been an absolute stud for the Houston Texans’ defense. The rookie defensive back turned in an elite performance in Week 3 with eight tackles, a sack, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. Pitre has continued to impress me, and he’s becoming a plug-and-play starter for IDP managers. There should be little to no debate when deciding to put him in your lineup every week. He’s averaging 7.6 tackles per game and has already registered four impact plays. The sky’s the limit for the rookie defensive back.
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
Start
Rashad Weaver DL, Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans defense found a bit of their old self last week by playing defense and running the ball. The Titans’ defense still has a long way to go, but they have some intriguing young defensive talent. Rashad Weaver is my favorite of that group and a player that I believe can step up in a big way.
The Titans’ young pass rusher has collected 39 fantasy points this season on six tackles and three sacks. He’s stepped up big time with the loss of Harold Landry and the injury to Bud Dupree. Over the past two weeks, Weaver has played 79 of his 92 pass-rushing snaps. As his usage becomes more consistent, I believe so will his numbers. This player deserves to be in your rotation among the defensive line in #FFIDP leagues.
Chicago Bears @ New York Giants
Sit
Tae Crowder LB, New York Giants
The idea of a player being the top linebacker option for a team usually bodes well for dynasty managers. In this case, not so much. Tae Crowder has been very average since being named the top guy for the Giants this season. His tackle numbers are far too inconsistent, and he plays on a defense that needs to be much better at bringing down ball carriers. Over the first three games this season, the New York Giants linebacker has seen inconsistencies in his play, snaps, and tackle production. I have reservations about having him in my lineup in Week 4.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Philadelphia Eagles
Start
Devin Lloyd LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Devin Lloyd is the second rookie to earn a must-start this week. The Jaguars linebacker has been as good as advertised this season. He’s averaging 24.1 fantasy points per game over the first month of the season. He has a safe tackle floor for a rookie with 24 total tackles over the first three games.
The Jaguars’ front seven will be tested all game long by a run-heavy Philadelphia Eagles offense. The dual-threat ability of Jalen Hurts will put significant pressure on the linebackers, and I’m intrigued to see how the rookie linebacker responds this week. Until he proves otherwise, I’m confident with Devin Lloyd in my lineups.
New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Start
Alex Highsmith LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the first plus matchup for Alex Highsmith and the Steelers’ defense since the injury to star EDGE rusher T.J. Watt. Despite a massive 29-point outing in default dynasty nerds IDP scoring last week, the matchup wasn’t great on paper. Alex Highsmith will face the New York Jets this week, which allow the seventh most sacks in the league. The Steelers’ best pass rushing option has collected 4.5 sacks on 10 pressures this season. He should be a lock to finish as a top 12 defensive lineman with a relatively easy matchup against the Jets offensive line.
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Sit
Isaiah Simmons LB, Arizona Cardinals
There’s nothing that makes me sadder than the usage and play of Isaiah Simmons. The former Cardinals first-round pick has been misused, and he’s become an afterthought for IDP managers. Simmons is a very talented player who can’t seem to find his role in the Arizona defense.
Isaiah Simmons played 61 snaps in Week 1 for Arizona. Over the past two weeks, he’s played 31 total. He has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff and is not seeing the field with any consistency. He’s failed to record a double-digit fantasy performance this season, and he’s just taking up a roster spot. Situations can change rapidly in fantasy football, but this particular scenario looks very bad for Simmons’ future value. IDP managers must resist the temptation for now and not start the former Clemson star unless the situation improves quickly.
New England Patriots @ Green Bay Packers
Start
Quay Walker LB, Green Bay Packers
Is it possible to rename this week’s article, ‘Start Your Rookies Week’? Quay Walker is the next man up to hit the start recommendations for week four. The former Georgia Bulldog is coming off his first career 50+ snap game. He has eclipsed 10 points or more in each of his first three games and is averaging 12.3 fantasy points per game. According to Pro Football Focus, he has only missed one tackle this season and none in the past two weeks.
The Green Bay linebackers will be busy on Sunday with a matchup against the New England Patriots, who will lean heavily on their running game to protect veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer. I expect Quay Walker to turn in one of the best performances of his young career and reward the dynasty managers who have him in their lineup this week.
Denver Broncos @ Las Vegas Raiders
Start
Josey Jewell LB, Denver Broncos
The return of Josey Jewell was beautiful for IDP managers who stashed him. The veteran linebacker returned with a huge game last week, scoring 29 points on nine tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Jewell brought some consistency to the linebacker position and picked up where he left off after missing all but two games last season.
The Denver Broncos will lean heavily on their linebackers to clean up tackles. This week, a big division matchup with the desperate Las Vegas Raiders is on tap. Jewell has averaged 7.5 tackles per game over his last six games against the Raiders. IDP managers have no issues relying heavily on recency bias, and Josey Jewell proved he could be a difference maker in your lineup.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sit
Carlos Dunlap DL, Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have gotten great production from late off-season signing Carlos Dunlap. The veteran pass rusher has two sacks and a forced fumble over his first three games with the Chiefs. Dunlap has recorded 16 fantasy points in two of three games and is playing a healthy amount of snaps.
This matchup between the Chiefs and Buccaneers is a tough one for IDP managers. They are two of the best Quarterbacks and offensive lines in the NFL. If you’re deep at the defensive line, I would advise steering away from this matchup with pass rushers from either team. There are much better options available.
Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers
Start
Nick Scott DB, Los Angeles Rams
This season, Nick Scott has been a nice find for IDP managers on waivers. The former Penn State defensive back has found a role in the Rams’ defense. Scott has collected 17 tackles this season and notched two double-digit performances already. The injuries and inconsistent play at the safety position have allowed Scott to make plays. He has not disappointed and found himself playing a career-high 83 snaps in week three. IDP managers can keep riding the hot hand here and have Nick Scott in their lineup on Monday Night.
The Wrap-up
That will wrap up this week’s content. I’m looking forward to another exciting slate of games this Sunday and Monday and hope you are all too. Please feel free to reach out with any tough lineup decisions you have this weekend. I would be more than glad to help. Good luck this week, IDP nerds, and I’ll catch up with you all next week to talk more about IDP dynasty fantasy football.
