This article immediately highlights defensive players whose production was significantly better or worse than normally expected for the prior week of games. Note there is sometimes limited information available when this article is written. Still, I will try to give everyone an early look at players moving up or down in value among IDP circles. It isn't easy to give waiver advice for IDPs since there is a wide variety of lineups and scoring systems, but hopefully, the information provided can help inform your waiver, trade, and upcoming lineup decisions. I'm also going to try and group edge rushers with the understanding that classification as a defensive end or linebacker will often depend on your league setup/host. If you have any questions about specific players or situations, please email me or reach out via Twitter.
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DEFENSIVE LINEMEN/EDGE RUSHERS
DE Maxx Crosby, LV (6 solos, 2 asst, 3 sacks, 3 TFL, 3 QH on 100% of snaps)
Crosby was already an elite IDP option, but the team could see some improvement following the recent coaching change. With 8 tackles and 3 sacks this week against a terrible Giants team, he’s now averaging 4 solo tackles and 1 sack per game with another plus matchup coming against the Jets.
DE Micah Parsons, DAL (5 solos, 4 asst, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 3 QH on 82% of snaps)
Parsons hasn’t always played up to his potential this year and came into the game with just 22 combined tackles in 7 games. He turned things around on Sunday, however, and racked up 9 tackles with 1.5 sacks against one of the best offenses in the league.
DE Boye Mafe, SEA (5 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 FR on 55% of snaps)
Seattle added Frank Clark and Leonard Williams to their defensive line recently, but Mafe is emerging as their best and most consistent pass rusher. He has recorded a sack for six straight games and should be able to keep the streak going next week against Washington.
DE Alex Highsmith, PIT (2 solos, 2 asst, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 5 QH on 85% of snaps)
The Steelers are winning on the strength of their defense this year, and Highsmith helped lead the way this week with a huge game against a rookie quarterback. He collected 4 tackles, 2 sacks, and 5 quarterback hits in the game and remains a strong DE2 option.
DE Byron Young, LAR (8 solos, 2 asst, 2 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 FF on 85% of snaps)
The Packers' offense had one of their most productive games of the year with 38 rush attempts and 62 tackle opportunities generated. That helped boost the numbers for the Rams IDPs, but it was a couple of defensive linemen who stood out. The rookie Young has been one of the year’s most pleasant surprises and his 2-sack outing brings the 3rd-round pick up to 5 in 9 games.
DE Cameron Jordan, NO (3 solos, 4 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 QH on 82% of snaps)
At 34 years old, Jordan no longer appears to be the impact player he used to be and now has just 2 sacks through nine games played. He now has 12 combined tackles and a sack over his last two games and should be able to build on those numbers next week against Minnesota.
DE Za'Darius Smith, CLE (3 solos, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 2 QH on 58% of snaps)
Smith had not been able to take full advantage of all the attention that Myles Garrett draws, but there have been some signs of a turnaround. He picked up a sack this week to give him 2 in the past 3 games and has a couple of key divisional matchups coming in the weeks ahead.
DT David Onyemata, ATL (5 solos, 5 asst, 1 sack, 1 FF on 68% of snaps)
The Vikings offense generated 33 rush attempts and 62 tackle opportunities in this game, which helped boost the numbers for many Falcons IDPs. Onyemata stood out, however, with 10 tackles and a strip-sack. He now has 17 tackles and 2 sacks over his last three games.
DT Cameron Heyward, PIT (4 solos, 2 asst, 1 TFL on 55% of snaps)
The Steelers got some much-needed reinforcement on their defensive front this week as Heyward was activated from IR. He suffered a groin injury in week 1 and underwent surgery, but looked good over 41 snaps on Thursday night against the Titans.
DT Kobie Turner, LAR (7 solos, 3 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH on 86% of snaps)
The rookie 3rd-round pick has averaged more than 40 snaps per game as part of a rebuilt Rams defensive front. While Aaron Donald still attracts most of the attention, players like Turner can take advantage. The Packers offense generated a lot of tackle opportunities in this game, contributing to Turner playing a season-high 86% of the snaps.
DT Deatrich Wise Jr NE (3 solos, 5 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH on 69% of snaps)
One week after Wise played just 42% of the snaps, he was back to a more normal 69% of the workload this week against the Commanders. He had his most productive game of the season, too, with 8 tackles and a sack, which should be enough to hold off the rookie Keion White for a bit longer.
DT Calais Campbell, ATL (4 solos, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH on 53% of snaps)
Campbell is 37 years old but doesn’t look ready to retire anytime soon. He picked up another sack this week to give him 3 in his last five games, and he’s proving to be a quality addition to a young Falcons defense.
DT Calijah Kancey, TB (4 solos, 1 sack, 3 TFL, 1 QH on 82% of snaps)
Kancey was a first-round pick who needed some time to recover from a calf injury he picked up early in training camp. He has been playing a key role in Tampa since week 6 and now has a pair of sacks over his last four games with more likely to come.
DT Kentavius Street, ATL (2 solos, 3 asst, 1 TFL, 1 FR on 63% of snaps)
Street went from barely playing as a backup with the Eagles to a 63% workload with the Falcons. He was picked up via trade to replace the injured Grady Jarrett and quickly made an impact with 5 tackles and a fumble recovery on 47 snaps.
DT Dalvin Tomlinson, CLE (2 solos, 2 asst, 2.5 sacks, 2 TFL, 3 QH on 63% of snaps)
This has been a very quiet year for Tomlinson as he came into this week with just 3 solo tackles, 7 assists, and half a sack in eight games played. He exploded for 2.5 sacks against an overmatched Cardinals team but will find things much more difficult next week against Baltimore.
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