With Week 3 in the books, it is time to look ahead to the waiver wire. There is often plenty of value on offer in IDP leagues early in the season, and these are some of the players you should be looking to target.
Defensive line
Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers – Gary still isn’t playing a high volume of snaps for the Packers, but my word is he making every single play count. He proved to be a game-wrecker against the Saints, chalking up three sacks and 34 fantasy points. He’s surprisingly still available in over 60% of IDP leagues, but I can’t see that continuing for much longer.
Tuli Tuipulotu, Los Angeles Chargers – Tuipulotu is getting plenty of playing time as a rookie. Through the past two weeks he has been on the field more than both Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. You should have no problem picking Tuipulotu up in your leagues ahead of a favourable matchup next weekend against the Raiders.
Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles face divisional rivals Washington in Week 4. Commanders quarterback Sam Howell was sacked a whopping nine times in Week 3 by the Bills and is being taken down more than six times per game. I expect this Eagles unit to feast next week and with Sweat available in more than 50% of IDP leagues he would be a smart pickup.
Linebacker
Micah McFadden, New York Giants – The Giants may have lost on Thursday night but McFadden really stood out on that defense. He rarely left the field and finished the game with 10 tackles, scoring 27 points in the process. He is also getting plenty of work as a blitzer in Wink Martindale’s defense. As things stand he is available in almost 85% of leagues.
Terrel Bernard, Buffalo Bills – Bernard made headlines in Week 3 after an explosive performance against Washington. He became just the third player in Bills franchise history to have two sacks and an interception in the same game. His 43 points were the most of any linebacker this weekend, and with plenty of playing time he’s a no-brainer addition.
Divine Deablo, Las Vegas Raiders – I still don’t understand how Deablo is available in almost 50% of IDP leagues. The converted safety has been an outstanding IDP asset so far this year. Through his three games he is averaging an impressive 18.7 points, including a 25 point outing against the Bills in Week 2.
Defensive back
Brian Branch, Detroit Lions – Branch had an outstanding game against the Falcons in Week 3. He finished up with 11 tackles, scoring 34 points in the process. He seems to be the kind of player with a real nose or the football and I’d bank him to continue putting up great numbers over the next few weeks.
Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts – Blackmon has been on top form for the Colts through recent weeks. After playing 84 snaps and racking up 10 tackles in Week 2, he played 72 snaps in Week 3 and scored an impressive 20 points. Blackmon has a run of good games ahead of him and he is still available in almost 90% of leagues.
