IDP Start-Sit, Studs and Duds: Week 4

These times are sent to try men's souls.

Every IDP manager went into the season with the same feelings of hope and excitement. Convinced that the team they drafted was solid. Anxiously awaiting the opportunity to show what that team could do.

Three weeks into the season, there's anxiety for a much different reason.

The first edge rusher drafted on average (Myles Garrett of the Los Angeles Rams) has as many tackles and sacks as I do thanks to knee surgery. One of the first linebackers drafted (Jordyn Brooks of the Miami Dolphins) ranks outside the top-40 in fantasy points. Last year's high-scorer at safety (Kam Curl of the Rams) has done absolutely nothing this season.

Hope has turned to dread. Excitement to despair. Championship aspirations are now 0-3 desperation.

It's enough to make you miserable.

If it helps any, those managers floundering out of the gate aren't alone. In the King's Classic Dick Butkus Division, FBG's John Norton and I are a combined 0-6 to start the season. My team has been absolutely decimated by injuries. Let's put it this way—my first pick was Garrett. Not my first IDP, mind you. My first pick overall.

De'Von Achane was my second. No lie.

With all that said, I am many things. Some would say unattractive. Others would say a dimwit. A walking collection of vices and bad habits. But what I ain't is a quitter. And I'm not going to let you quit, either.

So shake it off, Sunshine. We have a week to win and a mat to get up off of.

Each week during the 2026 season, I'll point out some Individual Defensive Players who could exceed expectations this week (Studs), as well as some that, for whatever reason, are riskier than normal (Duds).

This isn't necessarily to say every "Stud" is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every "Dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual).

Numbers in parentheses denote ranking in fantasy points allowed to that position in 2026 in The Godfather's Default IDP Scoring. 

IDP Stud of the Week

LB Kaden Elliss, New Orleans (vs. Atlanta) (1)

It was Elliss' three years in Atlanta that got him a fat payday from the Saints in free agency--$33 million over three years. Over those three seasons with the Falcons, Elliss topped 100 tackles three straight times (including 151 stops in 2024) and added an impressive 12.5 sacks. While talking to reporters, Elliss said he expects to have a similar impact in his second stint in New Orleans.

"There are a lot of ways to do it, and the way they do it is a lot of the same things I've done, and it's a lot of different things that I haven't done before," he said. "It's really cool to learn from them. They're special minds, and Brandon's got a really special defense here. Everybody is bought in, everybody is dialed, and I'm excited to play my part in it."

The big plays haven't been there yet, but over his first three games with the Saints, Elliss is on pace to top 135 total tackles. Monday night the Saints face a Falcons team that ran the ball a whopping 41 times last week against the Green Bay Packers. Given how much the Saints have struggled to stop the run, you can bet the rent that Atlanta is going to pound away with Bijan Robinson.

IDP Dud of the Week

LB Jack Campbell, Detroit (at Carolina) (32)

Entering the 2026 season, Campbell was considered a rising star in both NFL and IDP circles after finishing second in the league in tackles in 2025. But through three games at least, Campbell has been anything but—his 19 tackles rank third on his own team, he's being picked on in coverage on the regular, and Campbell himself told reporters he hasn't played well.

It starts with me, and I feel like it's on me. I gotta be better," Campbell said. "And I ain't got no other thing to do but look in the mirror and be better, so that's really where it starts. It starts with us. Every time I lace up my cleats, I'm going 100%. Yeah, put it on me. I've gotta be better. Especially for the offense and for all these guys in the locker room."

Part of the trouble is schematic—the Lions are asking Campbell to play more coverage, and the team is far more zone-heavy than a year ago. Part is game script—with a potent offense and non-existent defense, opponents are taking to the air out of necessity this year. Now Campbell gets the worst fantasy matchup for linebackers this season. Goodie.

Week 4 IDP Studs