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2023 NFL Week 4 IDP Waiver Wire Adds
So yeah, I jinxed it. The first rule of NFL injuries is don’t bring up the lack of NFL injuries. Well, I did and we got hit. Derwin James, Dre’Mont Jones, Jaelan Phillips, De’Vondre Campbell, Nick Bolton, Josey Jewell, Frankie Luvu, Zaven Collins, and Trevon Diggs are just some of the names that did not play or played and left due to injury. One day I will learn to keep my yap shut (maybe…probably not).
In any case that leaves with more teams that have spots to fill off of waivers this week. 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!
Also! I won’t have an article next week. Sad, I know. I will be on special assignment for the SCP* and unable to get a whole write-up. Feel free to tag me on Facebook or Twitter (er…X?) if you have questions.
And now, let’s go to a clip.
Bye Weeks: None yet. But watch out. The bye weeks are coming.
2023 NFL Week 4 IDP Waiver Wire Adds – Linebackers
Kamu Grugier-Hill, Linebacker, Carolina Panthers
Rostered: ESPN 2.3%, Yahoo 15% Sleeper 0%
Kamu took over in Week 2 for Shaq Thompson who suffered a broken fibula in that game and is out for the year. Kamu finished Week 2 with 5 solos, 1 assist, and 1 TFL on a 78% snap share. Kamu followed that up with 7 solos and 3 assists in Week 3. He had a lower snap share though at 67%. Why is that? The Panthers signed Deion Jones once Shaq got hurt, and Deion was active and had a 69% snap share.
Frankie Luvu had been having a 100% snap share as the second middle linebacker, but he got a hip injury in Week 3 and only played 51% of the defensive snaps. It is a bit of a mess, but if Frankie Luvu is not able to play against the Vikings, both Kamu and Deion Jones would be viable plays.
Isaiah McDuffie, Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
Rostered: ESPN .1%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 0%
Start De’Vondre Campbell left after 11 snaps (18% of the defensive total) with an ankle injury, and the Packers have a short turnaround when they face the Lions this Thursday night. Isaiah ended up taking his spot and had a 61% total snap share. He ended the game with 5 solos and 1 assist. I don’t think he is a must-add, but he looks like the next linebacker up to take De’Vondre’s place if he cannot go. With the short week, I would be surprised to see De’Vondre play after not returning on Sunday.
Kwon Alexander, Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rostered: ESPN 3.6%, Yahoo 4%, Sleeper 0%
Who is fourth in linebackers (going into Monday night) in terms of solo tackles? I Kwon’t fool you, you figured it out. Kwon has 20 solos to go with 4 assists and 1 TFL. He has become the #2 Steelers inside linebacker after Cole Holcomb. Cole only has 18 combined tackles on the year compared to Kwon’s 24, despite Cole playing 38 more snaps than Kwon. In Week 4 the Steelers face the Texans, who are in the top 5 in tackles allowed to opposing linebackers.
Cody Barton, Linebacker, Washington Commanders
Rostered: ESPN 14.4%, Yahoo 6%, Sleeper 0%
Despite grading out worse this year so far than he did last year, Cody Barton continues to be a productive IDP player for us. He has been the main linebacker for the Commanders, with a 100% snap share compared to Jamin Davis’ 68%. He has 14 solos and 14 assists on the year to go with 1 fumble recovery. The next three weeks the Commanders play the Eagles, Bears, and Falcons, all of which are in the top 10 of points allowed to opposing linebackers this year. Cody Barton is a must-start in most leagues at this point.
2023 NFL Week 4 IDP Waiver Wire Adds – Defensive Backs
Vonn Bell, Safety, Carolina Panthers
Rostered: ESPN 3.8%, Yahoo 2%, Sleeper 0%
Vonn Bell was a regular IDP name from 2016 – 2021, but a down year in 2022 and changing teams in 2023 must have led to people forgetting about him. He has 100% snap share through three weeks to go with 13 solos, 4 assists, 2 pass deflections, and 1 interception. The Panthers face Minnesota in Week 4, and the Vikings are in the top five in points allowed to opposing safeties. With Minnesota struggling to run the ball, Bell should have plenty of opportunities for you in Week 4, and potentially the rest of the season.
K’Von Wallace, Safety, Arizona Cardinals
Rostered: ESPN 7.2%, Yahoo 1%, Sleeper 0%
Long-time star starting safety Budda Baker was put in IR ahead of Week 3’s win against Dallas, after also missing Week 2. K’Von Wallace has played 100% of the snaps in each of Week 2 and Week 3. He had 5 solos and 3 assists in Week 2, and 4 solos, 3 assists, and 1 pass deflection in Week 3. K’Von should be much more rostered while Budda is out and is at least worthy of a bench spot, if not a starting spot, in leagues.
Julian Blackmon, Safety, Indianapolis Colts
Rostered: ESPN .6%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 0%
A 2020 3rd-round pick of the Colts, Julian has played every snap of defense for the Colts this year. Half of his snaps have been in the box or along the defensive line, and another 24% have been as a slot corner. That is a great recipe for fantasy football success as a safety. On the year he has 16 solos, 11 assists, and 1 TFL. He has at least 5 combined tackles in each game so far this year. Julian is a top 24 safety in most leagues so far and should continue to have viability this year as such.
DaRon Bland, Cornerback, Dallas Cowboys
Rostered: ESPN 1.4%, Yahoo 2%, Sleeper 0%
Trevon Diggs is unfortunately out for the year with a torn ACL. After playing 79% of the snaps in Week 1 and 55% in Week 2, DaRon played 97% of the snaps against Arizona in Week 3 with Trevon out. Despite Arizona being a poor matchup for cornerbacks DaRon managed 4 solos and 1 assist. The Cowboys play the Patriots in Week 4 and New England is right at the top of points allowed to opposing cornerbacks on the year. DaRon has immediate viability as a streaming option and a potential year-long replacement (if you are into long-term relationships with your cornerbacks).
2023 NFL Week 2 IDP Waiver Wire – Defensive Linemen
George Karlaftis, Defensive End, Kansas City Chiefs
Rostered: ESPN 2.9%, Yahoo 5%, Sleeper 0%
This is a great example of where my dynasty brain gets in trouble. I see a name like Geroge Karlaftis and just assume he is highly rostered. It turns out he is not. The second-year defensive end out of Purude has 5 solos, 8 assists, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, and 1 pass deflection on the year.
The Patriots had 3 sacks and 7 QB hits against the Jets in Week 3 in a close game. Week 4 against the Chiefs will not be a close game for the Jets. They will have to throw to have a shot at keeping it close (they won’t, but they will try) and this will lead to more big play opportunities for Furious George.
Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End/Edge, Baltimore Ravens
Rostered: ESPN 1.1%, Yahoo 3%, Sleeper 0%
Here’s a blast from the past. Jadeveon never lived up to his #1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft billing, but he has had a solid career and can still get to the quarterback. Odafe Oweh was out for Week 3 after not practicing all week with an ankle injury. I would be surprised to see him play in Week 4. Fellow edge-rusher David Ojabo left Week 3 against the Colts with an ankle injury of his own.
Clowney has the highest number of snaps of any Baltimore edge-rusher at 142, which is 64% of their defensive snaps on the year. He has 6 solos, 2 assists, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, and 1 pass deflection. To add to that the Ravens face the Browns in Week 4, and Cleveland is where Jadeveon played his last two seasons. Deshaun Watson has been sacked 12 times and hit 7 other times already this year. This is a good spot to play Clowney.
Leonard Floyd, Defensive End/Edge, Buffalo Bills
Rostered: ESPN 1.4%, Yahoo 2%, Sleeper 0%
Week 4 may not be the best week to play Leonard. The resurgent Buffalo defense is facing the Miami Dolphins’ offensive juggernaut. Tua has only been sacked once in three games, and Leonard is more of a big swing at sacks type of play.
That said, in Week 5 the Bills get the Jets and in Week 6 they get the Giants, both of which have had big offensive line issues so far this year. With bye weeks starting up in Week 5, this is a bit of a look-ahead play. Trevor Lawrence has 6 sacks and 3 QB hits on the year, while Daniel Jones has 12 sacks and 10 QB hits. Add him now if you have room and look to play him in the weeks ahead.
Jonathan Harris, Defensive Tackle, Denver Broncos
Rostered: ESPN 0%, Yahoo 1%, Sleeper 0%
Well, if nothing else I am giving you a reason to watch this game. Both teams are trying to avoid going 0-4 and have huge questions ahead of time. Johnathan does not have a huge snap share on the year coming in at 62%, but he does have at least 4 combined tackles in each game this year. Chicago is still trying to run the ball to start games and if it is close one would think they would keep at it. As discussed in weeks and years past, if you are playing defensive tackle roulette, give me one with what seems like a safe tackle floor.
*Not really. But maybe.
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