The League Winners are getting defensive. In addition to our Weekly Start or Sit column found here, we are now offering a weekly IDP Sit or Start column for all you IDP fans out there. So without further delay, let’s take a look at IDP Sit or Start Week 3.
IDP Start or Sit Week 3 – Start
Defensive Linemen
Aidan Hutchinson – Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons
Hutchinson’s stat lines haven’t jumped off the page so far this season, but for anyone who has watched him play, it’s clear to see he is wreaking havoc on opposing players. The Falcons are a run-heavy team that seems allergic to throwing the ball. Look for the Lions to stack the box upfront, allowing Hutchinson to run wild all day. I project a multi-sack game for the sophomore defender.
Zaven Collins – Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys
Collins was all over the field in Week 2 as he racked up two tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. All this after moving from inside linebacker to pass rusher in the offseason. He seems to have found his niche and is beginning to excel. This week, the Cardinals defense is going to be on the field a lot against the high-flying Cowboys offense. This should give Collins ample opportunity to compile stats.
Kwity Paye – Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens
In Week 2, Paye served as a pass rusher for the Colts and recorded four tackles, two of which for a loss. He also added one sack on the way to a solid outing against the Jaguars. This week, he faces a solid yet slightly disjointed Ravens offense and should have plenty of opportunities. Paye has seen his snap share increase dramatically and could be on his way to a massive breakout.
Defensive Backs
La’Jarius Sneed – Kansas City Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears
Sneed was a monster in Week 3 against the Jaguars. He recorded seven tackles and a fumble recovery on his way to a monster day, shutting down Calvin Ridley in the process. He has been elite to start this season and, if his current level of play continues, the interceptions, tackles and sacks are sure to continue piling up. In Week 3, he faces a Bears offensive line that is among the worst in NFL history. Sneed may be in store for a career game against the Bears.
Jaquan Brisker – Chicago Bears vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Brisker has been one of the lone bright spots for the Bears early in the 2023 season. He has recorded at least five tackles in both games. His role in this defense has increased with Eddie Jackson now dealing with a foot injury. If Jackson is unable to play in Week 3, Brisker could be in line for a monster game. The sophomore safety will have his hands full against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. This matchup should provide him with ample opportunity to produce for fantasy.
Jevon Holland – Miami Dolphins vs. Denver Broncos
Holland has started the season off with back-to-back games with double-digit tackles. He had 14 against the Chargers and 11 against the Patriots. The third-year safety is coming off an impressive sophomore season and appears to be coming into his own. Look for Holland to continue to pile up tackles left and right. He is currently a must-start in all IDP formats.
Linebackers
Zaire Franklin – Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens
Franklin has been an absolute beast through the first two games of the season. He had 17 tackles against the Jaguars and 13 tackles against the Texans. He has been all over the field and has made his presence known on every defensive play. This week, he faces the Baltimore Ravens and with him being in on every defensive snap for the Colts, he should be considered a must-start in all IDP leagues.
Josey Jewell – Denver Broncos vs. Miami Dolphins
Jewell has led the Broncos on tackles through the first two games of the season with a total of 15. The veteran is coming off a strong 2022 campaign and remains a critical piece of this Broncos defence. This week the Dolphins will be on the field often ,and Jewell will have multiple chances to increase his team-leading tackle total.
TJ Edwards – Chicago Bears vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Edwards posted 14 tackles in Week 1 against the Packers and 12 more in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. The Bears offense is inept, and that forces their defense to spend a ridiculous amount of time on the field. If the Bears offense continues to struggle, Edwards should find himself top-five in tackles come season’s end. This week figures to be a prime example of the situation as the Chief’s offense will be on the field for much of the game. Look for Edwards to top his season high in tackles and hit 15 in a one-sided matchup.
IDP Start or Sit Week 3 – Sit
Defensive Linemen
Za’Darius Smith – Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans
Za’Darius Smith has gotten off to a slow start in 2023. Add in the fact that he left Monday Night Football in Week 2 with what appeared to be a leg injury, and he could be severely hampered in Week 3, if he plays at all. Keep an eye on his practice reports throughout the week. But even if he is trending towards playing, Smith is a must-sit against a bruising Titans offense that figures to battle hard for every yard.
Quinnen Williams – New York Jets vs. New England Patriots
Williams had six tackles in the Jets Week 2 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but he has yet to record a sack through the first two games. The former All-Pro tackle is typically consistent and is good for a sack per game, but this year it has been a struggle for him to get going. The Patriots tend to scheme to avoid their opponent’s strengths and Bill Belichick will make sure Williams gets double-teamed early and often. Look for his two-game sack drought to turn into a three-game drought.
Trey Hendrickson – Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Rams
Hendrickson had one sack and three tackles in Week 2, but his fantasy ceiling was limited by his snap share. He split snaps with rotational player Joseph Ossai, and it ultimately prevented him from having a much larger day. Hopefully, his play will lead to an increase in snap share for him, but as of now, he is a risky start as a part-time player against a puzzling Rams offense.
Defensive Backs
Harrison Smith – Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Smith started Week 2 at safety against the Buccaneers and managed to record four tackles. The alarming part for the former stud’s fantasy value is his inability to put any pressure on the quarterback this season. He has ten tackles through two games in 2023 but hasn’t come anywhere near getting through to the quarterback. Sit Smith this week if you have other options and hold onto him until he finds his game again.
Eddie Jackson – Chicago Bears vs. Kansas City Chiefs
As mentioned before, in addition to struggling with his play, Jackson now appears to be nursing a foot injury. It remains to be seen whether or not he will be able to suit up in Week 3 and whether he will be a full go if he does play. The coaching staff seems to indicate that he is likely to play, but even if he does, he is likely to see a significant dip in performance due to the injury and is best left on the bench this week.
Isaiah Simmons – New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers
In his debut with the Giants since coming over from the Cardinals, Simmons played only 14 defensive snaps and recorded just one tackle. Week 2 was not much more productive for the superstar, as he recorded only two tackles. Simmons is still getting acclimated to his new defense and scheme and could use a few more weeks on your bench before he is ready to fire up as a full-go.
Linebackers
Jack Campbell – Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons
Campbell totalled six tackles in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. Campbell’s play and stat line were impressive because he wasn’t a starter and came off the bench. He has more than enough talent to be a solid contributor for fantasy teams, but until his role in the offense increases, he can’t be trusted in your lineup.
Willie Gay – Kansas City Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears
Gay’s 2023 season is off to a rough start. He has recorded only five tackles through two games. He dealt with a shoulder injury for much of last season and appears to be out of rhythm. The veteran has put up back-to-back fantasy duds, and against a Bears offense that figures to spend most of the game on the bench, he is not a playable defender this week.
Devin Bush – Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers
Bush had a rough season debut in Week 1 against the Rams, as he totalled only one tackle in the loss. He then suffered a shoulder injury and was forced to miss the Seahawks Week 2 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Bush is hopeful to return in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers but did not look impressive and is best left on your bench until he can get fully healed up and become a reliable contributor once again.
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