This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
With rosters of all shapes and sizes, IDP advice can be a bit tricky, so the purpose of this article is to point out players whose values are elevated for the upcoming week. Some of these players will be superstars, while others are players found on many waiver wires. We'll look at team positional groupings based on the potential for a favorable game script. Whether you're streaming IDPs each week or have a stocked roster, this "one size fits" all approach hopefully will help most everyone find a weekly edge.
Linebackers
Broncos (vs. Titans) – Players with elevated value: Todd Davis, Josey Jewell (questionable) and Malik Reed.
Even though they'll be on the road, the Tennessee defense should be able to significantly contain the Broncos offense, which should make this one of the lower scoring games of the week. In that scenario, the Titans can be expected to lean heavily upon Derek Henry and the rushing attack, which makes this an excellent week to start the Denver run stoppers.
Titans (at Broncos) – Players with elevated value: Jayon Brown, Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry.
On the other side of the ball, the Broncos should be willing to match the Titans by countering with their own excellent rushing attack. Although this could be a low-scoring game, it should be close, and Phillip Lindsay along with Royce Freeman should give the Tennessee linebackers all the work they can handle.
Bengals (at Ravens) – Players with elevated value: Nick
With rosters of all shapes and sizes, IDP advice can be a bit tricky, so the purpose of this article is to point out players whose values are elevated for the upcoming week. Some of these players will be superstars, while others are players found on many waiver wires. We'll look at team positional groupings based on the potential for a favorable game script. Whether you're streaming IDPs each week or have a stocked roster, this "one size fits" all approach hopefully will help most everyone find a weekly edge.
Linebackers
Broncos (vs. Titans) – Players with elevated value: Todd Davis, Josey Jewell (questionable) and Malik Reed.
Even though they'll be on the road, the Tennessee defense should be able to significantly contain the Broncos offense, which should make this one of the lower scoring games of the week. In that scenario, the Titans can be expected to lean heavily upon Derek Henry and the rushing attack, which makes this an excellent week to start the Denver run stoppers.
Titans (at Broncos) – Players with elevated value: Jayon Brown, Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry.
On the other side of the ball, the Broncos should be willing to match the Titans by countering with their own excellent rushing attack. Although this could be a low-scoring game, it should be close, and Phillip Lindsay along with Royce Freeman should give the Tennessee linebackers all the work they can handle.
Bengals (at Ravens) – Players with elevated value: Nick Vigil, Preston Smith and Jordan Evans.
Not only are the Bengals one of the worst teams in the league against the run, they'll be facing a Baltimore offense that has no issues running the ball 40 times when game script dictates it. It's quite possible that the Ravens may have the highest number rushing attempts on this week's schedule, so expect big numbers from the Cincinnati LBs.
Pass Rushers
Patriots (vs. Giants) – Players with elevated value: Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy, Dont'a Hightower and Deatrich Wise.
It would be a shock if the Patriots didn't play most of this game with a sizable lead. This isn't the scenario the Giants want Daniel Jones to be in, but that seems exactly what's about to happen, so look for the New England pass rush to plenty of opportunities to pile up strong sack numbers as big home favorites on a short week.
Panthers (at Buccaneers) – Players with elevated value: Mario Addison, Brian Burns (questionable) and Bruce Irvin.
There have been few pass rushes as devastating as Carolina's through this point in the season. Even though they'll be on the road, between the mediocre offensive line of the Buccaneers along with their propensity to hold the ball while downfield pass routes develop, this is a perfect recipe for the Panthers' pass rushers to continue posting big production.
Ravens (vs. Bengals) – Players with elevated value: Pernell McPhee, Matt Judon and Patrick Onwuasor.
Although Baltimore doesn't have the amazing pass rush they've possessed over the years, they still have the ability to take advantage of good situations. Well, the situations don't get much better than this, as they'll be facing a Cincinnati offense with a dreadful offensive line that struggles to protect Andy Dalton. In addition, there's a great chance the Bengals will be playing from behind, which further improves the outlook for the Baltimore pass rush.
Defensive Backs
Vikings (vs. Eagles) – Players with elevated value: Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander (questionable).
Although the Eagles have a good rushing attack, they are quite likely to be severely overmatched playing against a Minnesota defense that's nearly impenetrable against the run on its home field. Look for Philadelphia to put the game in Carson Wentz' hands, as he gives them the best chance to pull off a road victory, but that also puts the Vikings defensive backs in a position that could lead to big production.
Texans (at Chiefs) – Players with elevated value: J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and D.J. Reader.
With one of the biggest Vegas totals of the season, this is a game where the Chiefs will look to pick on a very vulnerable Houston secondary. Even though Kansas City has a strong rushing attack, there won't be much need to test Houston in its area of strength. Expect the defensive backs to be chasing around the Chiefs receivers for most of the afternoon.
Falcons (at Cardinals) – Players with elevated value: Vic Beasley, Takkarist McKinley and Grady Jarrett.
Not that the Cardinals care much about running the football in the first place, but with their defense unlikely to slow down the Falcons offense, they'll need to put this game on the shoulders of Kyler Murray. Although Arizona hasn't been able to sustain a ton of drives, they should have enough success moving the chains that Murray will throw the ball nearly 40 times, making this a great day to use the Atlanta defensive backs.
