Joshua Abbe | October 2nd, 2019
A quarter of the season has come and gone, and defenses are starting to mold their chemistry together. Some guys are standing out with their breakout seasons while others are taking it to slow still getting their legs from under them. No significant injuries happened this weekend unless you have Davante Adams or maybe Mitchell Trubisky but plugging in those IDP players to fill the voids should be helping. Let’s recap from last week’s picks.
Starting with the low lights that were rather disappointing is Stephon Tuitt with one measly tackle in what should’ve been a very nice matchup against the Bengals, but double teams seemed to be the focal point in taking him out the game. Then in speaking of taken out of the game, Jaire Alexander as well had just one tackle after a stellar week three. In the review of the game, the Eagles ran the opposite side of the field and rarely targeted those wideouts Alexander shadowed. It proved to work as they got the win over the Packers, but a shame considering how well he’s played to date.
Coming through for the week was Shaquil Barrett notching four tackles (three solo), one tackle for loss, a sack, an interception, forced fumble, and two passed defended. Proving to continue his breakout season, there doesn’t look like regression anytime soon. Going into New Orleans with a backup quarterback and run game with running back Alvin Kamara, I don’t see him slowing down week five and on. If you can make a trade for him, I’d buy him now because he could help you along the way to playoffs.
Sleeper pick Khari Willis came up huge in the loss to the Oakland Raiders this past Sunday. He played every snap during the game and with Malik Hooker out, he should see playing time for the next month or so. He racked up nine tackles (eight solo) with a pass defended and with the Kansas City Chiefs coming up next Sunday night, he should see a lot passes his way and a run game that still performs. Someone has got to tackle these guys.
Now with the first quarter being done with and positive feedback through four weeks, I’ve decided to expand the IDP Report list for the upcoming week five to dig a little deeper into those who might still be available on waivers or making moves for rest of the season.
Defensive Line
Robert Quinn, Dallas Cowboys
Since returning from suspension Quinn has been on a tear out the gate. He’s recorded six tackles and three sacks in the two games back. He’s was on the field for 70 percent of the time Sunday and with the Packers coming to town in week five he will look to keep up the consistency. With more playing time his conditioning should start to get up to game speed and make an impact on an already solid Dallas defense.
Nick Williams, Chicago Bears
Williams has been very solid as of late. With Khalil Mack getting the spotlight in one of the best defenses in the NFL, Williams’ workload has increased with injury to Akiem Hicks (knee), getting at least one sack in his last three games bringing his total to four on the season to go along with his 12 tackles in the four weeks. If Hicks continues to miss time, Williams should then produce, becoming a viable IDP option starting Sunday against a poor offensive line verse Oakland.
Linebacker
Clay Matthews, Los Angeles Rams
The cagey vet has been in what seems like a resurgence as of late with his new team. Matthews has five sacks total through four weeks with one in each game of the four. That’s 2.5 more than what he had in 2018! He also has 14 tackles and two forced fumbles to add on as well. They face a run happy team in Seattle as the Seahawks have not made it a secret, they like to run the ball. Dealing with injuries or desperation for a change, Matthews is a nice start Sunday.
Terrell Suggs, Arizona Cardinals
Speaking of veterans, Suggs at the age of 36 and playing like he’s in his late 20’s and hasn’t missed a beat. He’s playing 63 percent of all snaps and is halfway to his sack total from last year with 3.5. He makes his impact against very poor offensive lines and this week should be no exception as he gets the Cincinnati Bengals who is as worse as they come. Very good filler here for bye weeks or needing upside.
Defensive Back
Eric Weddle, Los Angeles Rams
Weddle is one of the best as it comes to be a tackling machine and last Sunday, he showed it with 15 tackles (10 solo) and two defended passes. That brings his total to 34 tackles (20 solo) through four of the 2019 season. He gets a very enticing matchup Sunday with the Seahawks who like to run the ball, but also Russell Wilson throwing the ball deep providing ample opportunities for Weddle in his free safety position.
Quincy Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars
Williams is listed on Sleeper as OLB, LB, and DB so I’m going to sneak him in as defensive back for this week. The third-round rookie has been as consistent as it comes through four weeks racking up 28 tackles (18 solo) and with going to Carolina Sunday, he faces a Panthers offense with one of the best running backs in the league. Williams’s usage is somewhat concerning but it’s continuing to grow which is positive for him.
Sleeper
Todd Davis, LB, Denver Broncos
Davis returned from a preseason calf injury in week three to knock the rust off and it showed in week four. He recorded 12 total tackles (seven solo) on Sunday and through the two games he’s played, he’s only sat out one snap being 138 out of the 139. Up against a Chargers offense getting back Melvin Gordon and already having a dynamic playing in Austin Ekeler, the run game should be in full force come Sunday. The Broncos lost Bradley Chubb to an ACL tear, so the volume should continue again.
Remember at any time when you click that follow button, fill free to fire those questions my way! IDP will continue to grow in fantasy football. Stay ahead of the competition with my IDP Reports. Good luck and go get ’em!
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