2023 NFL Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Adds

“Oh, my darling, knock three times
On the ceiling if you want my waiver wire adds
Twice on the pipe
If the answer is no”
–Tony Orlando and Dawn (probably)

Knock on wood, but it appears we may have avoided any big IDP injuries this week! We are still awaiting news on Nick Scott, Eddie Jackson, Micah Hyde, and James Houston IV, but any week without major injuries is a win for us.

There is still gold to be mined in the waiver wire hills though, whether you have underperformers or need some depth. Don’t worry though, I am here with my helmet and pick axe to help you hit that vein!

As always these waiver additions are mainly redraft-focused and looking at deeper leagues; if you have questions for shallow leagues, where you start 2 DL/2 LB/2 DB many of these are likely a bit deeper than you need. All statistics are courtesy of Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted, and the base scoring we go off of you can find here. Please feel free to reach out to us for questions on any specific league; the more info you have the better!

And now, let’s go to a clip.

Bye Weeks: None yet, we are only going into Week 3 you doofus.

2023 NFL Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Adds – Linebackers

Terrel Bernard, Linebacker, Buffalo Bills
Rostered: ESPN 8.2%, Yahoo 1% Sleeper 0%

The Buffalo Bills linebacker battle this offseason was to see who would be the guy next to Matt Milano. Terrel won that battle, and his 88 total defensive snaps are an exact match for what Matt has this year. Dorian Williams and Tyrel Dodson have a combined 14 defensive snaps.

His stats are nothing amazing (7 solos, 10 assists, 1 pass deflection) but the playing time and tackle production are both nice to see. He should get better as the season goes on, as he only played 110 defensive snaps all of last year (his rookie year).

He is not yet someone who you would want to start in every league, but he has clear value in tackle-heavy leagues and is a great reserve player in most IDP leagues.

Robert Spillane, Linebacker, Las Vegas Raiders
Rostered: ESPN 2.7%, Yahoo 2%, Sleeper 0%

Divine Deablo was the name people were watching for the Raiders linebackers this offseason, but Robert is looking like a better acquisition at cost.

Divine: 11 solos, 8 assists, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection (94% snap share)
Robert: 13 solos, 8 assists, 2 TFL, 1 sack (100% snap share)

Divine was being drafted ahead of Robert all offseason, and while we have 15 games yet to be played, Robert needs to be rostered at this point, even in basic IDP leagues.

Kaden Elliss, Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons
Rostered: ESPN 4.2%, Yahoo 5%, Sleeper 0%

A 2019 7th-round pick of the Saints, Kaden found a role for himself on the Saints last year and ended with a very respectable line of 78 combined tackles, 7 TFL, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 pass deflections. He followed former Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen to Atlanta when Ryan became the Falcons’ defensive coordinator this year.

So far this year Kaden has a 100% snap share to go with 12 solos, 3 assists, 1 TFL, and 1 sack. Like Robert Spillane, Kaden should be rostered in virtually every IDP league at this point.

Kyzir White, Linebacker, Arizona Cardinals
Rostered: ESPN 10.2%, Yahoo 4%, Sleeper 0%

Kyzir followed new Arizona Head Coach Jonathan Gannon from Philadelphia after last year. He did alright last year with 110 combined tackles on only a 76% snap share over all 17 games.

In his first two games as a Cardinal, he has a 100% snap share to go with 10 solos, 6 assists, 2 TFL, and 1 sack. He is the clear main middle linebacker for them and will continue to have viability as long as he holds that role, which should be most of the year, barring injury.

2023 NFL Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Adds – Defensive Backs

Jason Pinncok, Safety, New York Giants
Rostered: ESPN .3%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 0%

The 2021 5th-round pick of the Jets made some noise for the Giants in Weeks 11 – 15 last year, but he was not viewed by many as a likely starter going into this year. Well, he has a 99% snap share this year and has made himself as a viable IDP player. He had 3 solos and 2 assists in Week 1 against the Cowboys, in a game where Dallas did not have to do much on offense to coast to victory.

In Week 2 against the Cardinals, he had 10 solos, 3 assists, and 3 TFL. The playing time and production are there, and if he keeps this up he may find himself as a name to know in dynasty leagues.

Darnell Savage, Safety, Green Bay Packers
Rostered: ESPN .8%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 0%

While he is getting some snaps in the box and at cornerback, Darnell is the primary free safety for the Packers. He has played in 91% of the Packers defensive snaps this year, including 100% in Week 3.

He has at least 8 combined tackles each week, and on the year he has 11 solos, 6 assists, and 1 TFL. With the Packers’ defense not as stout as we expected so far, Darnell looks to have value in leagues going forward.

Alohi Gilman, Safety, Los Angeles Chargers
Rostered: ESPN 4.4%, Yahoo 2%, Sleeper 0%

Derwin James of course the bigger name at safety and has (slightly) better production this year, but Alohi is not far off. Both have played 100% of the defensive snaps for the Chargers this year.

Derwin: 13 solos, 4 assists, 1 TFL, 2 pass deflections
Alohi: 12 solos, 5 assists

The Chargers face the Vikings this year, who are first in fantasy points allowed to opposing safeties. Alohi is a great play this week and may end up having rest-of-the-season value.

Akayleb Evans, Cornerback, Minnesota Vikings
Rostered: ESPN .5%, Yahoo 1%, Sleeper 0%

Week 3 has the Vikings playing the Chargers, and the Chargers are third in points allowed to opposing cornerbacks in this young year. Akayleb is the CB 2 for the Vikings right now and has played 93% of the Vikings defensive snaps. He has 7 solos, 4 assists, and 3 pass deflections so far this year, with at least 4 tackles each week. He’s a good streaming CB option this week if you are looking for one.

2023 NFL Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire – Defensive Linemen

Chase Young, Defensive End, Washington Commanders
Rostered: ESPN 9%, Yahoo 4%, Sleeper 2%

Chase did not play in Week 1 against the Cardinals while recovering from a stinger he suffered in the preseason. He played 71% of the defensive snaps in Week 2 against the Broncos, which was only one snap less than fellow defensive end Montez Sweat.

The former #2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Chase’s rostership is a lot lower than it should be. He dealt with injuries the past two years, but he is still an immense talent and he si looking for a new contract after this year. Week 2 he had 2 solos, 1 assist, 2 TFL, 2 QB hits, and 1 sack. The Eagles may not be the best matchup in Week 3, but better matchups are ahead and Chase should be rostered.

Jermaine Johnson II, Defensive End/Edge, New York Jets
Rostered: ESPN 1%, Yahoo 1%, Sleeper 0%

A lot was expected out of Jermaine last year after being the 26th overall pick in 2022, but he did not do much in the 14 games (zero starts) he played in. Reports were good coming out of camp for him and he has a decent 69% snap share in the first two games. In those games he has 8 solos, 1 assist, 2 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 QB hit. Progress should continue to come for him, and while he is more rostered in dynasty leagues he has viability in redraft leagues as well. If the Jets’ offense can be competent (big “if”, I know) this would only help his pass-rushing chances and stats.

Denico Autry, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle, Tennessee Titans
Rostered: ESPN 1%, Yahoo 3%, Sleeper 0%

Denico is near the top of defensive ends this year with 7 solo tackles on the year. He also has 1 assist, 2.5 sacks, and 2 TFL, with at least 1 sack each game this year. His 62% snap share on the year isn’t great, but he is producing with it as the Titans have a (mostly) healthy defense that is playing well. He has been a useful IDP player every year (except 2019) since 2018 and he should have a much higher roster rate.

Harrison Phillips, Defensive Tackle, Minnesota Vikings
Rostered: ESPN 7.3%, Yahoo 2%, Sleeper 0%

After coming over from Buffalo, Harrison had a career year last year, with 59 combined tackles for the Vikings. Through two games he has 21 combined already (12 solo, 9 assists). He also has 1 pass deflection and half a sack already; his career highs for those categories are 1.5 sacks and 2 pass deflections.

Part of this is his usage. With Dalvin Tomlinson off to Cleveland, Harrison has about an 83% snap share on the year, which is fantastic for a defensive tackle. Keep riding the hot hand here as he has viability in DL leagues, and in DT-required leagues, I’d consider him an every-week play until we see otherwise.

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