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 will be 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
Chiefs (vs. Vikings) – Players with elevated value: Damien Wilson, Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland.
As we've seen over their last few home games, even if the Chiefs are missing some of their top pass rushers, they can put some serious heat on QBs at Arrowhead. Knowing this, as well as understanding that the best way to attack KC is on the ground, Mike Zimmer's coaching staff will be happy to dial up the rushing attempts for Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, which should keep the Chiefs' LBs busy all day. The only thing that would get the Vikings out of their shell would be a KC blowout, which isn't very likely.
Browns (at Broncos) – Players with elevated value: Joe Schobert, Adarius Taylor and Mack Wilson.
Since the Broncos have been playing excellent defense lately while also stifling opposing passing attacks, they typically can keep games close throughout, especially on their home field.
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 will be 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
Chiefs (vs. Vikings) – Players with elevated value: Damien Wilson, Anthony Hitchens and Reggie Ragland.
As we've seen over their last few home games, even if the Chiefs are missing some of their top pass rushers, they can put some serious heat on QBs at Arrowhead. Knowing this, as well as understanding that the best way to attack KC is on the ground, Mike Zimmer's coaching staff will be happy to dial up the rushing attempts for Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, which should keep the Chiefs' LBs busy all day. The only thing that would get the Vikings out of their shell would be a KC blowout, which isn't very likely.
Browns (at Broncos) – Players with elevated value: Joe Schobert, Adarius Taylor and Mack Wilson.
Since the Broncos have been playing excellent defense lately while also stifling opposing passing attacks, they typically can keep games close throughout, especially on their home field. That allows the offensive play calling to lean heavily toward the run, which also keeps the ball out of Bronco QB Brandon Allen's hands. This should be another week in which Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay can total a minimum of 30 touches, which should ensure a productive day for the Cleveland run stoppers.
Patriots (at Ravens) – Players with elevated value: Dont'a Hightower, Elandon Roberts, Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy.
Both the Ravens and the Patriots are near the top of the league in terms of plays run per game, and the Ravens are one of the few teams able to pull off that feat while being a run heavy team. Also, their solid defense allows them to keep games close enough so that they're able to run the ball at any point during their games. The coaching staff certainly won't want Lamar Jackson throwing the ball often against a defensive scheme that's certain to confuse him, so expect them to test the NE LBs on the ground.
Pass Rushers
49ers (at Cardinals) – Players with elevated value: Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner.
Although the Cardinals have made life a little easier on Kyler Murray be reducing the amount of 4-WR sets they run, they still get into too many obvious passing downs and they also don't have a strong offensive line. Not only will the 49ers completely neuter Arizona's rushing attack, but they'll have Murray running for his life as this dynamic pass rush likely will be able to frequently pin their ears back and force him to take more sacks than he'd prefer.
Bills (vs. Washington) – Players with elevated value: Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy, Star Lotulelei and Ed Oliver.
Despite playing on the road, this appears to be a game the Bills should be able to control, as they face a Washington team that's been struggling most weeks on offense. Once they're able to establish a lead, Washington will be forced to abandon coach Bill Callahan's archaic run model, and the pass rush will be able to take advantage of one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Look for the Bills' defense to have one of their better sack totals of the year.
Eagles (vs. Bears) – Players with elevated value: Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Fletcher Cox and Nate Gerry.
After getting its rushing attack going (finally) for the first time all season in last week's game, Chicago likely will have very little success on the road when trying to run on one of the best run defenses in the league. Once the Bears are stuck in obvious passing downs, Mitchell Trubisky, who may be one of the worst decision makers in the league, will find himself taking far too many sacks, which will make the Eagles' pass rushers strong plays this week.
Defensive Backs
Ravens (vs. Patriots) – Players with elevated value: Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Jimmy Smith (questionable), Brandon Carr and Earl Thomas.
Even when they're winning games handily most weeks, the Patriots are throwing the ball at one of the highest clips in the league. When doing his weekly game plan, Bill Belichick will quickly identify the area in which to attack the Ravens is their secondary. Also, New England runs one of the highest play totals in the league, so add it all together, and the Ravens will be chasing around Patriots' receivers more than they'd like,
Seahawks (vs. Buccaneers) – Players with elevated value: Shaquill Griffin, Tre Flowers (questionable), Jamar Taylor and Marquise Blair.
Despite the Seahawks not being a shut down unit against the run, they are much more stout at home, and since the Buccaneers are far from committed to establishing a rushing attack, it'll be an easy decision for Bruce Arians to attack Seattle through the air. With Seattle not possessing a lethal pass rush, Jameis Winston should have enough time to keep the chains moving by throwing the ball, and the Seahawks are unlikely to have an answer for either Chris Godwin or Mike Evans. Expect the Seattle DBs to have a productive afternoon.
Vikings (vs Chiefs) – Players with elevated value: Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes, Mike Hughes and Anthony Harris.
Whether Patrick Mahomes returns (as of press time, Matt Moore is expected to start one more game at QB), the Chiefs have not had a dynamic rushing attack this season, and they're unlikely to have much success moving the ball on the ground against the Vikings. Although Minnesota isn't the same defense on the road, they'll have success stuffing run plays against an offensive line with two injured starters. Obviously, Andy Reid has never needed an excuse to pass the ball all day but passing is his best chance to attack this defense, so look for a high-volume attack through the air, leading to a strong day for the Vikings' DBs.
