IDP Waiver Wire Week 3

Photo: Orlando Ramirez, USA Today Sports

It's only been two weeks and it already feels like the injuries are piling on at a crazy rate. Like any grueling fantasy season, staying active is going to be crucial to your IDP roster as we navigate through the rough patches. 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

Cody Barton, Washington Commanders

Week 2 Stats: 10 tackles (4 solos), 2 QB hits, 1 fumble recovery

Cody Barton has yet to leave the field through the first two weeks of this young season. While Barton holds a 100% snap share after two contests, teammate Jamin Davis has just a 63.5% snap share at the other Washington linebacker spot. So far, it's apparent Washington is leaning on Barton to be the leader in the middle of its defense.

In Week 1, Barton produced a modest five-tackle outing. However, Barton had a much more IDP-friendly stat line this week, pacing the Washington defense with 10 tackles (4 solos). As the only current full-time linebacker in Washington, Barton is a solid waiver wire addition where available.

Terrel Bernard, Buffalo Bills

Week 2 Stats: 6 tackles (3 solos), 1 interception, 1 pass defended

Typically, this article gets written before Monday night's action concludes. Last week, I mentioned Terrel Bernard as a player of interest at the Buffalo LB2 spot for Monday night. In that Week 1 game, Bernard played all 54 defensive snaps, compiling a solid 11 tackles (4 solos). In Week 2, Bernard again held down the spot next to Milano, with both linebackers seeing an 85% snap share. The Bills took it to Las Vegas, so both linebackers got a rest at the end.

Bernard has been donning the coveted green dot and appears to have a firm grasp on the starting spot next to Milano. If he's still sitting on your waiver wire, Bernard is an excellent addition after his promising start to the season.

Kenneth Murray Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

Week 2 Stats: 10 tackles (5 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit

Kenneth Murray has had a sizeable role for the Chargers defense to start the year. In Week 1, Murray played 60 defensive snaps (90%) but produced just three tackles (2 solos). In Week 2, the Chargers were without Eric Kendricks (hamstring), meaning they needed to lean on Murray even more as he played all 65 defensive snaps. With rookie Daiyan Henley (hamstring) still unavailable as well, Ben Nieman (50 snaps/77%) was the other linebacker to see playing time of note.

After a slow Week 1 outing, Murray ramped things up in Week 2, compiling 10 tackles (5 solos), two tackles for loss, and a sack. Murray has been tough to trust in the past. However, given the state of the Chargers' linebacker unit, he should have a solid role for now. Murray is a fine waiver wire pickup, and his value would get a boost in Week 3 if Kendricks is unable to go again.

Henry To'oTo'o, Houston Texans

Week 2 Stats: 7 tackles (4 solos)

Denzel Perryman continues to hold down the lead role in Houston, but things seem to be changing at the spot next to him. It appears Christian Harris has potentially fallen out of favor in place of rookie Henry To'oTo'o. Harris saw his role diminish to just 22 defensive snaps (39%) in Week 2, as To'oTo'o (46 snaps/81%) saw his grow. The two flip-flopped from Week 1, where Harris played 46 snaps (72%) and To'oTo'o saw just 22 snaps (34%).

It was a respectable seven-tackle IDP output for To'oTo'o in his first career start. More importantly, he's entered the mix for a bigger role in the Houston defense. In dynasty leagues, make sure to check your waiver wire in case To'oTo'o is floating around. In deeper redraft leagues, To'oTo'o is worth a look after his uptick in involvement in Week 2. The Houston linebacker snaps after Perryman will be a position of interest in Week 3.

Zach Cunningham / Nicholas Morrow, Philadelphia Eagles

Cunningham Week 2 Stats: 8 tackles (5 solos), 1 tackle for loss

Morrow Week 2 Stats: 3 solo tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 fumble recovery

Let's start with Zach Cunningham, who I mentioned in last week's waiver wire article. Cunningham again had a prominent role, playing 53 defensive snaps (91%) against Minnesota Thursday night. As we hoped, it was a much more productive IDP showing for Cunningham as he notched eight tackles (5 solos) and one tackle for loss. While Nakobe Dean remains out, Cunningham is the Eagle linebacker to target where available.

Now for Nicholas Morrow. It was Morrow and not Christian Elliss who stepped into Dean's vacant role. Morrow played 55 defensive snaps (95%) in Week 2, filling in as the team's defensive play caller. Elliss was relegated to special teams, seeing just four defensive snaps. Morrow isn't an exciting IDP option, but if he's going to see this type of playing time, he's on the warm-body production radar in deep leagues.

In other news, Rashaan Evans is looking for work again, as his time with the Eagles has come to an end already.