Welcome back, IDP fantasy managers to the IDP Waiver Wire Week 9. The second half of the season is upon us, where wins and losses become paramount. The IDP waiver wire can often be overlooked and can be such a massive advantage to fantasy managers. As offensive players across the league light up the scoreboard, the value of an elite defensive lineup has never been higher. Let’s break down the Week 9 must-add defenders to strengthen your roster and maximize your lineup’s potential.
High-Priority Pickups | IDP Waiver Wire Week 9
Defensive Line (DL)
Demarcus Walker | Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears’ defensive line has been heating up lately. The defense has racked up 6 total sacks over its past 2 games. The Bears’ defense ranks tied for 7th in the NFL with sacks per game (2.9). Chicago has 5 players playing at least 49% of the defensive snaps this season along its defensive line. The player leading that group is Demarcus Walker, with a 76% defensive snap share. Oddly enough, he’s the most available across IDP platforms among the group.
Demarcus Walker has been one of the hottest players at the DL position. The Florida State product is DL17 in fantasy points per game since Week 6. Walker has 12 tackles and 1 sack over his past 2 games and is on pace to set a career-high in tackles this season. The Chicago Bears EDGE rusher is an excellent addition to any IDP fantasy manager’s roster looking for added depth.
Linebacker (LB)
Mohamoud Diabate | Cleveland Browns
IDP waiver wire adds continue to feature Cleveland Browns linebackers. The team was dealt a significant blow with star LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah being carted off in Week 8. No update or timeline has been given for the potential return of the Cleveland LB.
In his absence, the team turned to second-year player Mohamoud Diabate. The former Utah LB had just 2 tackles as a rookie last season while battling injuries that kept him from reaching his potential. He has dealt with injuries this season but has found himself playing more snaps recently. Diabate has averaged 67% of defensive snaps since returning from injury in Week 6. He has recorded 6 tackles or more in 2 of his 3 games. Diabate should step in to a full-time role for the Cleveland defense. His high-volume tackling upside makes him a viable option for IDP fantasy managers.
Defensive Back (DB)
Coby Bryant | Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have seen the emergence of a young safety after veteran Rayshawn Jenkins was sent to injured reserve a few weeks ago. The safety position opposite Julian Love has major upside. Jenkins produced double-digit fantasy points in four of his first five games prior to injury.
Coby Bryant has stepped into this role with Rayshawn Jenkins sidelined. Bryant has back-to-back double-digit fantasy performances. The young Seattle DB has been DB5 since taking over a starting role. Bryant has significantly improved as a tackler, posting a tackling grade above 70.0 (Pro Football Focus) in 3 of his last 4 games. He can bring consistency to your starting lineup, and there’s an opportunity for him to keep the role when Jenkins returns from injury if he continues to play well.
Best of the Rest | IDP Waiver Wire Week 9
Defensive Line (DL)
Michael Hoecht | Los Angeles Rams
Are you guys ready for some Los Angeles Rams love? I promise it wasn’t planned this way. Michael Hoecht is an intriguing player at the DL position for our IDP waiver wire Week 9. Hoecht is coming off a career year with Los Angeles, recording 77 tackles and 6 sacks in 2023. He has 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 7 pressures over his last 2 games.
The Rams’ defensive front becomes very intriguing over the next 3 weeks, with games coming against teams allowing 2.6 sacks per game or more. In Week 9 alone, IDP waiver wire Week 9 is crucial for managers without T.J. Watt and Nick Bosa. This is a great spot start for the Rams defensive lineman.
Linebacker (LB)
Omar Speights | Los Angeles Rams
I can speak for most IDP fantasy managers when we say we have seen enough of Troy Reeder. The veteran linebacker has been productive, but he’s added very little value in dynasty leagues. The hype around undrafted rookie LB Omar Speights has had many of us just waiting for him to play more snaps. Unfortunately, it took Troy Reeder heading to short-term IR to make that happen, but here we are.
The LSU product played 22 snaps in his first game as a starter. He recorded 4 tackles and played all of his snaps in the team’s base package. Speights made an impression on head coach Sean McVay, and we likely see more of the young LB over the next month of the season. Speights finished as the 4th highest-graded player for the Rams in their Week 8 upset over the Minnesota Vikings. The IDP waiver wire Week 9 could be fantasy managers’ last chance to acquire the young LB before a potential boost in value.
Defensive Back (DB)
Demani Richardson | Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers remain one of the most confused front offices in the NFL. Fantasy managers are just begging them to commit to a compelling rebuilding season that would start with trading away some of their roster-clogging defensive veteran talent. We’d much prefer seeing what they have in their younger players.
IDP fantasy managers were able to see a glimpse of hope, with Demani Richardson earning a start in Week 8. The former Texas A&M standout went undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft and landed in a good situation with the Carolina Panthers defense—who have a weak depth chart at the DB position. Richardson made a strong impact last week. He earned his first start, led the team in tackles (11), and played 100% of the defensive snaps. We love to stay on brand here at Dynasty Nerds; Demani Richardson was covered in our Top 12 DBs ahead of the 2022 season.
Players to Monitor | IDP Waiver Wire Week 9
Terrel Bernard | Buffalo Bills
It has been a frustrating season for Terrel Bernard’s IDP fantasy managers. The former Baylor Bear is on track to potentially miss his fourth game of the season with an injury. The Bills linebacker is coming off a massive season in 2023 with 143 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 interceptions. Bernard finished as LB9 in FPPG last season in the middle of the Buffalo defense.
Baylon Spector has been the best option in Terrel Bernard’s absence. The backup LB had his best game of the season against the Dolphins in the same game Bernard left early due to injury. He recorded 10 tackles, which is his career high. The IDP waiver wire Week 9 monitored this situation, and as long as you have the roster space, I will keep Spector on the roster as insurance for the remainder of the season.
Summary | IDP Waiver Wire Week 9
That will do it for the IDP Waiver Wire Week 9! Keep a close eye on the names we’ve highlighted; these players have shown potential to provide solid production for your fantasy football teams. Don’t hesitate to make bold moves if your lineup needs a spark, and remember that staying proactive on the waiver wire often separates the contenders from the pretenders. Good luck, and may your IDPs score big this week!
