Maybe you’ve lost one of your star players to injury? Or maybe your team has just had a rough start to the season and is in need of some re-investment. Whatever it might be, it makes sense to get ahead of your competition and utilise the waiver wire. These are the players you should be targeting in IDP fantasy ahead of Week 4.
Defensive line
Daron Payne, Washington Commanders – Payne has been Mr Reliable through the opening three weeks. He has scored 47 points, with at least 10 in each game. You can then add in the enticing schedule that he has ahead of him. His next three games come against the Cowboys, the Titans, and the Bears – all teams with weaknesses along the offensive line.
Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers – I know this might seem like I am stating the obvious, but Heyward is surprisingly available in 31% of IDP leagues. He might be getting older, but he has been as reliable as ever this season. Heyward has 42 points through three games and should be picked up if he’s available on waivers.
Deatrich Wise, New England Patriots – Wise has been getting plenty of backfield production so far this season, contributing four sacks and a forced fumble. He might be a little streaky from a fantasy perspective (40 of his 62 points this season came in Week 3), but he is the kind of player worth a stash. Right now he is rostered in just 8.3% of IDP leagues.
Linebacker
Alex Anzalone, Detroit Lions – Anzalone ticks a lot of boxes from a fantasy perspective. For starters, he is earning plenty of playing time with the Lions. He is also consistently around the action. He has had 25 tackles and a sack through three games. Anzalone is currently averaging an impressive 20 points per game.
Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts – I mentioned Franklin last week and he’s still a great pickup ahead of Week 4. He is getting lots of opportunities with Shaquille Leonard out injured and he is taking advantage. He is averaging 10 tackles and 20 fantasy points per game. Franklin is still rostered in less than 20% of IDP leagues.
Mykal Walker, Atlanta Falcons – This Falcons defense isn’t much good, but Walker has established himself as their LB1 this season. He is getting plenty of playing time and his consistent tackle volume makes him a very reliable play from an IDP perspective. He has scored at least 20 points in all three games the Falcons have played.
Defensive back
Jonathan Owens, Houston Texans – Owens has been excellent from an IDP perspective so far this season. Despite playing principally as a free safety he is getting a bucket load of tackles, with 36 through three games. Perhaps most encouraging is the fact that they are consistent from game to game, getting at least 10 in each.
L’Jarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs – Sneed seems to have become the Tyrann Mathieu replacement for the Chiefs this season. Steve Spagnuolo is using him across the defense, from the line and the box to boundary corner and free safety. Tackles are a reliable part of his game, but it is his use as a blitzer that makes him a great pickup.
Eddie Jackson, Chicago Bears – Despite being a fairly big name on defense, Jackson is somehow rostered in just 37.5% of IDP leagues. He has flashed some ball production so far this season, with two interceptions and a forced fumble in three games. He also has the tackles you want from a defensive back in IDP (21 through three games).
