Once again, we have four teams with the upcoming week off (Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia, and the Los Angeles Rams). I did my best to sift through the snaps and stats to find some potential waiver wire options for your IDP leagues. Please keep in mind there are many fun ways to play this IDP game we love, and if you ever have any league-specific questions, feel free to reach out. Alright, let's get to it.
Linebackers
Kwon Alexander, Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 9 Stats: 2 solo tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defended
In unfortunate injury news, Cole Holcomb’s season is over after suffering a nasty knee injury on Thursday night. After Holcomb’s exit, it was Kwon Alexander who stepped into his vacant lead role. Alexander played a season-high 64 defensive snaps (86%) in Week 9 after holding just a 57% snap share through the first seven games.
Alexander only notched two solo tackles against Tennesee but snagged his first interception of the season. However, with Alexander’s workload set to increase, there should be better days ahead in the tackle department. If you’re looking for linebacker help off the waiver wire, Alexander is a prime target as the projected new signal caller for the Steeler defense.
Tyrel Dodson, Buffalo Bills
Week 9 Stats: 10 tackles (8 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit
Tyrel Dodson’s usage at the Buffalo LB2 spot has been a roller coaster since Matt Milano went down. Dodson and rookie Dorian Williams have been tasked with filling in at different rates, making it tough to trust either player most weeks. However, in Week 8, Dodson played 42 snaps (62%), while Williams only saw the field on special teams. In Week 9, Terrel Bernard suffered a concussion in the first half and was later ruled out for the game. Dodson assumed the lead duties after Bernard’s exit, playing a season-high 67 snaps (96%), while Williams stepped in to play 31 snaps (44%) as well.
Dodson is coming off a season-high 10-tackle outing and appears to be running ahead of the rookie Williams. However, his role could expand even more if Bernard cannot clear concussion protocol throughout the week. Dodson is worth a waiver pickup in his own right, but Bernard's managers may also want to add him as insurance with Buffalo playing next Monday night.
Elandon Roberts, Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 9 Stats: 9 tackles (4 solos), 1 tackle for loss
Elandon Roberts is a run-stopper with just a 40% snap share on the year. However, he has been an efficient tackler (20.8% tackle rate) when he gets his opportunities. In Week 9, Roberts hit the 50% snap mark for just the second time this season, producing a solid nine tackles (4 solos) and one tackle for loss. Kwon Alexander is likely to get the biggest boost in playing time with Cole Holcomb lost for the season, but Roberts could see a few extra reps as well. Roberts is worth a deep-league add if you’re hurting for depth at linebacker.
Segun Olubi, Indianapolis Colts
Week 9 Stats: 6 tackles (4 solos), 1 interception, 1 pass defended
The Colts defense was without Zaire Franklin (knee) for the first time in Week 9. It wasn’t Shaquille Leonard (39 snaps/55%) or E.J. Speed (32 snaps/45%) who led the linebacker unit in snaps, but second-year man Segun Olubi—yeah, I know, who? Olubi had played just nine defensive snaps all year before playing all 71 snaps in Week 9.
It was a solid IDP showing for Olubi, who produced six tackles (4 solos) and snagged an interception in his first game seeing significant snaps. Although, he likely goes back to his special teams role if Franklin makes his way back for Week 10. However, Week 9 played out as it did, and we must take notice. Franklin managers and IDP gamers in deep-roster leagues may want to consider Olubi if they have the room to see how this all shakes out. Olubi is only likely relevant if Franklin misses another week, so monitor his status closely this week if you make the move.
Isaiah McDuffie, Green Bay Packers
Week 9 Stats: 7 tackles (6 solos), 2 tackles for loss
With Quay Walker (groin) unable to go this week, it was Isaiah McDuffie back in the starting lineup. It was a solid day for McDuffie, as he played 54 snaps (93%), producing seven tackles (6 solos) and two tackles for loss against the Rams. McDuffie is the Packers' top reserve at linebacker, as he previously filled in for De’Vondre Campbell when he missed time this season. McDuffie makes for nice Walker insurance or a streamable option in deeper leagues, should Walker be out once again in Week 10.
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