Analyzing IDP Trends From Week 5

This week I’ll be breaking down a few linebacker situations that you need to monitor and a few safety spotlights! It’s a bit of a shorter one, so buckle up and let’s get it rolling!

LB Cody Barton has played 62% and 77% of defensive snaps over the last two weeks for Seattle.

This contrasts his 94%, 96%, and 100% snap rates over the first three weeks. Thankfully, Barton averaged about 10 combined tackles a game over that stretch, so managers aren’t feeling the dip in volume yet. That being said, if his snap count remains limited, he may become a less reliable starter. Managers might look to sell high off of this recent performance and target a full-time player who may be underperforming.

LB Alex Singleton played 54% of defensive snaps for Denver.

LB Josey Jewell suffered a knee sprain halfway through the Broncos’ shootout with the Colts. His status is week-to-week, so Singleton should see a full-time workload until Jewell returns. Managers should expect production similar to Singleton’s first two games this season. He should be added in leagues that roster all other 3-down linebackers.

LB Rashaan Evans played 100% of defensive snaps for Atlanta.

In my Week 3 recap, I said that Evans likely would not have another 100% snap game this season. He responded by playing 100% of snaps over the next two weeks. The Falcons traded Deion Jones to the Cleveland Browns, allowing Evans to continue being a productive IDP linebacker for the remainder of the season. Mykal Walker got banged up in Week 5 allowing for rookie linebacker Troy Andersen to see some playing time. Should walker or Evans miss any time this season, expect Andersen to step into a highly productive role. He may be worth a stash in deeper leagues where other backup linebackers are also rostered.