Week 1 is now in the books. There are numerous storylines to track, but perhaps the most significant is the overlooked players who showed out in their season debut. There were a lot of defensive fireworks in Week 1, so there are more than a few intriguing names on the waiver wire in leagues of all sizes. Let’s take a look at some of the names that may be worth some of your free agent budget.
Week 2 IDP Waiver Wire
Linebacker
Rashaan Evans (LB – PHI): 0% rostered on Yahoo
The Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran linebacker Rashaan Evans to the practice squad on Monday. The news they received on Nakobe Dean was less than ideal, and a trip to IR has not been ruled out. Zach Cunningham still looms as someone who may take over in the middle due to increased familiarity with the system, but Evans should get ample playing time almost immediately due to a decided lack of depth at the position. Scoop Evans up as soon as he is available as an LB2 in waiting. Treat him as an 11 vs. 11 flex2 for Week 2.
Ivan Pace (LB – MIN): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Ivan Pace wound up second among Vikings linebackers in snaps. He apparently beat out Brian Asamoah for the starting job this offseason, partially due to Asamoah simply being unavailable due to injury. Asamoah fell so far that he was fourth among off-ball linebackers in snaps, also falling behind Troy Dye, who had 22 snaps to just two for Asamoah. Pace was rock solid for the Vikings, posting six solos, two assists, and one QB hit on 68 percent of the snaps. Pace should get every opportunity to hold onto the starting gig as long as he is playing well and is someone deep leaguers should be prioritizing on this week’s waivers. He is going to hover around 60-70 percent of the snaps as long as he starts, but proved that he has LB2 upside. Treat him as an upside LB3 for Week 2.
Germaine Pratt (LB – CIN): 4% rostered on Yahoo
Pratt was back to his old tricks in Week 1, racking up seven solos, four assists, one sack, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Often overlooked due to playing on the same team as Logan Wilson, Pratt is an LB2 with weekly LB1 upside. His rostership numbers suggest that he is still available in some competitive leagues, so be sure to check your wire just in case. Add Pratt wherever available.
Denzel Perryman (LB – HOU): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Perryman led the Texans linebackers with 95 percent of the snaps, recording six solos, five assists, and one tackle for loss. Christian Harris played just 72 percent of the snaps, having an excellent game in his own right, posting four solos, two assists, and one sack. If Perryman continues to play more snaps than Harris, he will have weekly LB2 value with the potential for matchup-based LB1 action, especially when they face Indianapolis, as they do in Week 2. Add and start Perryman for Week 2 wherever needed.
Kwon Alexander (LB – PIT): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Kwon was excellent for the Steelers on Sunday, racking up eight solos and an assist. He played a solid 69 percent of the snaps, not far behind the 78 percent Cole Holcomb saw. Elandon Roberts will continue to keep both from being every snap players, but Kwon should still be able to parlay his playing time into LB3 value going forward. He will have weekly LB2 upside, especially when the Steelers face off against run-heavy teams or in matchups where there are a lot of passes at or behind the line of scrimmage. Add Kwon wherever available, especially in deeper leagues.
Others to consider: Cody Barton (LB – WAS): 8%, Quincy Williams (LB – NYJ): 7%, Demario Davis (LB – NO): 7%, Divine Deablo (LB – LV): 6%, Jack Gibbens (LB – TEN): 1%, Christian Harris (LB – HOU): 1%
Defensive Line
Montez Sweat (DE – WAS): 6% rostered on Yahoo
Sweat never seems to get the respect due to a player who had eight sacks last season and has recorded seven or more sacks in three of his four seasons in the NFL. Sweat was elite in Week 1, racking up four solos, one assist, 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Sweat will boast even more upside if Chase Young ever gets healthy, as the former Ohio State product is the player that opposing offensive lines key in on. Sweat is an easy DL2 this season and should be considered a top-15 option going forward, especially by those who still play on providers where players like T.J. Watt and Hasson Reddick qualify as LBs only. Sweat should be rostered in all competitive IDP leagues.
Drake Jackson (DE – SF): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Drake went nuts in Week 1, destroying the Steelers offensive line for three solos, three sacks, and two tackles for loss on just 44 percent of the snaps. His performance undoubtedly earned him more snaps going forward, which is something that should help him be truly unlocked. Drake should already be rostered in all dynasty leagues, but redraft managers should make the add where feasible. His snap count keeps him as a DL3 option, but he could quickly ascend to the DL2 realm if that percentage rises.
Jonathan Greenard (DE – HOU): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Greenard started his season off with a bang, recording four solos, one assist, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Greenard recorded eight sacks just two seasons ago, and if he keeps playing 77 percent of the snaps, he is going to hit double digits in 2023, especially with Will Anderson occupying the bulk of the attention on the opposite end. Houston lost some depth this offseason, so Greenard will get all the snaps he can handle as long as he keeps being a factor against both the run and the pass. Add Greenard as a DL3 with top-15 upside.
Dennis Gardeck (DE/LB – ARI): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Who? In all seriousness, Dennis Gardeck was excellent in Week 1, posting an impressive three solos, one assist, two sacks, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble. He did so on just 39 percent of the snaps, so he is not someone those in shallower leagues should be chasing, but his performance was certainly eye-opening. Gardeck may be the top pass rusher on a roster devoid of edge talent, meaning his snaps could skyrocket by Week 2. Remember, Gardeck did have seven sacks back in 2020, so there is a history of production, even if (surprise, surprise) the Cardinals have misused him the last several years, making him a special teams player. Add Gardeck in deeper formats while adding him to your watch list in others.
Jaelan Phillips (DE/LB – MIA): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Jaelan Phillips flashed his tackle upside in Week 1, recording just 0.5 sacks but chipping in a fantasy production saving six solos and five assists. Jaelan is already locked in as a top-tier DL2 option, but if he can start being consistent in the tackle department, he will quickly earn top-five status. Yes, he is an LB only on Yahoo, but that is on your commissioner for making you play a non-novelty IDP league on that provider. Phillips needs to be rostered in all leagues in which you can start two or more defensive linemen. Treat him as a DL2/LB3 for Week 2.
Others to consider: Dorance Armstrong (DE – DAL): 0%, Jermaine Johnson (DE – NYJ): 1%, Leonard Floyd (DE – BUF): 2%, Derrick Brown (DT – CAR): 2%, Osi Odighizuwa (DT – DAL): 1%, Devonte Wyatt (DT/DE – GB): 1%, Jordan Davis (DT – PHI): 1%, Jalen Carter (DT – PHI): 6%
Defensive Back
Jessie Bates (S – ATL): 6% rostered on Yahoo
As expected, Jessie Bates had a field day against Bryce Young and co., recording five solos, five assists, two interceptions, two passes defended, and one forced fumble. Bates should have been drafted in all competitive leagues, so if you just so happen to find him on your league’s wire, add him immediately. Bates is back in the DB1 discussion until further notice, even if he doesn’t get to face Bryce every week. Treat him as just that for Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.
Jordan Whitehead (S – NYJ): 2% rostered on Yahoo
We all saw Jordan Whitehead become the stuff of Josh Allen‘s nightmare on Monday night. He finished the day with just one solo and one assist but more than made up for it with a game-altering three interceptions and three passes defended. Whitehead is a DB2 play most weeks, but his performance tonight highlights his upside. He may not get three more interceptions for the rest of the year, but his production shines a light on a longtime stalwart at DB who should be rostered in all competitive formats. The Jets defense is going to need to do all of the heavy lifting if Aaron Rodgers is out for an extended period of time. Roll with Whitehead as a DB2 play for Week 2 and beyond.
Reed Blankenship (S – PHI): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Reed Blakenship did his best CJGJ impression, exploding for nine solos, three assists, and one pass defended. He played almost every snap and should continue to be a fantastic IDP asset. He won’t be this good on a weekly basis, but he should be a consistent DB2-level option. Finding those in deeper leagues is often a challenge, and Blakenship has definitely fallen through the cracks in some competitive leagues. Add him wherever available. He’s a little banged up and is playing on a short week, but if he is active, tap him as a DB2 option for Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Dax Hill (S – CIN): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Dax Hill was excellent in Week 1, recording five solos, one assist, two tackles for loss, one interception, and one pass defended. He played nearly every snap and appears ready to cement himself as a DB2 option in redraft and potentially a name to add to the DB1 conversation in dynasty leagues. He is rostered in some competitive leagues, but his rostership numbers suggest he is still floating around in far too many. Check your wire, just in case. Tap Dax as a DB2 option for Week 2.
Alohi Gilman (S – LAC): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Alohi Gilman was active in Week 1, leading the team with 11 total tackles, with nine being solos and two assists. Gilman, for whatever reason, is yet another starter who does not get the IDP love he is due. Gilman flashed when on the field last season and is and has been the full-time starter since Nasir Adderley’s surprise retirement. Roll with Gilman as a DB3 with obvious DB2 upside for Week 2 and beyond. Add Gilman wherever needed.
Others to consider: Brian Branch (S/CB – DET): 2%, DeShon Elliott (S – MIA): 1%, Andre Cisco (S – JAC): 1%, Marcus Maye (S – NO): 0%, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (S – DET): 5%
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