Week 3 is now in the books. There are numerous storylines to track, but perhaps the most significant is the overlooked IDP players who showed out in Week 3. There were a lot of defensive fireworks in Week 3, so there are more than a few intriguing names on the waiver wire in leagues of all sizes. Let's take a look at some of the names that may be worth some of your free agent budget.
Tremaine Edmunds (LB - CHI): 5% rostered on Yahoo
Edmunds turned heads in Week 3, delivering a vintage performance with six solos, nine assists, two interceptions, and two passes defended. Edmunds was quiet in Week 1, but has now strung together back-to-back strong outings, putting him on the LB2 map for the byes. He is an LB2/3 option for Week 4, but temper your FAAB bids due to the Week 5 bye for the Chicago Bears.
Mack Wilson (LB - ARI): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Mack Wilson was excellent in Week 3, racking up six solos, six assists, one tackle for loss, and two passes defended. Wilson now has four or more solos in each of his games so far and is settling in nicely as an LB3 with LB2 upside. He will double as an LB2 option during the byes and should be rostered in most, if not all, competitive leagues. Make the add where available.
Ivan Pace (LB - MIN): 4% rostered on Yahoo
Pace was excellent in Week 3, reeling off nine solos and three assists. Pace is starting to heat up for the Vikings, and now has 16 solos in his last two contests. The production propels him back into the LB2 conversation, even with a quiet Week 1 on the ledger. He should handle added volume with Blake Cashman sidelined as well. Add Pace where possible as an LB2/3 option.
Christian Rozeboom (LB - CAR): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Rozeboom was excellent in Week 3, racking up six solos and three assists. Rozeboom has opened some eyes by generating six or more solos in two of his three contests so far, putting him in the LB2 mix with plus matchups. He has just that in Week 4 against the New England Patriots, so add and start Rozeboom where needed
Eric Wilson (LB - MIN): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Eric Wilson showed up in Week 3, racking up five solos, two assists, and one fumble recovery. Wilson has been known to provide steady production when given extended snaps, and with Blake Cashman on IR until Week 7, he should get plenty of run. Add and start Wilson where needed.
Cole Holcomb (LB - PIT): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Holcomb was excellent in Week 3, racking up five solos, one assist, and one forced fumble. Holcomb started over Payton Wilson, and both looked better for it. Not only them, but the entire Steelers defense looked more like itself with Holcomb starting. He played just 50 percent of the snaps while Payton Wilson played 47 percent, so there is going to be a low floor for both for the time being, regardless of who is starting. With that said, the byes are approaching, and we have a new starter in Pittsburgh. Add Holcomb wherever possible.
Bryce Huff (DE - SF): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Bryce Huff was excellent in Week 3, tallying two solos, three assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended. Huff has recorded a sack in back-to-back games while playing a rotational role. With Nick Bosa now lost for the season, Huff will be leaned on heavily by the 49ers, but we still can't expect much more than 60 to 70 percent of the snaps. Add and start Huff everywhere as a DL3 option for Week 4 and beyond.
Jonathan Cooper (DE/LB - DEN): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Jonathan Cooper was excellent in Week 3, tallying two solos, two assists, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Cooper is up to two sacks on the season and should be rostered in much more than two percent of Yahoo leagues. Cooper has double-digit sack upside and should be rostered where possible, especially if you play on a provider where he has DL eligibility. Add and start him where possible for a tasty Week 4 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
George Karlaftis (DE - KC): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Furious George went off in Week 3, reeling off eight solos, two assists, one sack, three tackles for loss, and one pass defended. It was a monster performance that reminded us that a completely on Karlaftis is knocking on the door of the elite DL2 conversation for IDP. Treat him as such for a plus Week 4 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Dorance Armstrong (DE - WAS): 5% rostered on Yahoo
Dorance was excellent in Week 3, reeling off three solos, two assists, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Dorance now has a sack in three straight games to start the season and is staying busy in the solo department. We are not yet ready to anoint him a DL1 option, but he needs to be considered a DL2 going forward. Treat him as such for a plus Week 4 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Add Armstrong everywhere, and start him universally while he's cooking.
Montez Sweat (DE - CHI): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Montez showed up in Week 3, tallying two solos, one sack, and one tackle for loss. It has been a slow start for Sweat, but he has an excellent opportunity to keep the good times rolling in Week 4, thanks to a date with the Las Vegas Raiders. Make the add where needed.
Byron Murphy (DT - SEA): 4% rostered on Yahoo
Byron Murphy was at it again in Week 3, reeling off two solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Murphy is heating up and now has 2.5 sacks in his last two contests. His strong play has put him in the DL3 mix during the byes, and of course, he has worked his way into the DT1 conversation going forward. He has a plus matchup on tap against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4 and should be added and started where needed.
Isaiah Rodgers (CB - MIN): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Rodgers went bonkers in Week 3, going off with three solos, one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two passes defended, and two touchdowns. He was all over the field against the Bengals and will be one of the most talked-about IDP names all week. We are advised not to chase turnovers in IDP leagues, but this was head-turning nonetheless. For his part, Rodgers has recorded three or more solos in every contest this season and had a tackle for loss in each of his first two contests. His showing put him on the CB1 map in CB leagues, but he also warrants some DB3/4 love, especially during the byes. Add Rodgers to rosters where needed, especially in deeper formats.
Grant Delpit (S - CLE): 6% rostered on Yahoo
Delpit finally showed up in Week 3, racking up six solos, three assists, one tackle for loss, one interception, and one pass defended. Delpit had five solos total through the first two weeks of the season, so the production is a welcome sign for the former DB1 candidate. Delpit has settled in as more of a DB3 than DB2 through three weeks of the season, but will be back on the DB2 map during the byes. Add and start him as a DB3 with DB2 upside for Week 4, thanks to a plus matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Xavier Watts (S - ATL): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Watts continues to impress, most recently racking up eight solos and one assist against the Carolina Panthers. Watts has recorded six or more solos in two of his three contests so far and had a pick in the other. The young safety is making plays and has entered his name into the DB2 discussion, especially with the byes fast approaching. Watts should be rostered in all competitive leagues. Start him as a DB2/3 option for Week 4.
Jalen Pitre (S/CB - HOU): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Pitre was excellent in Week 3, reeling off three solos, one interception, and one pass defended. Pitre is playing nickel instead of safety, but has still provided solid DB3-level value for IDP managers. Treat him as such for a tasty Week 3 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Add Pitre where needed.
Kam Curl (S - LAR): 9% rostered on Yahoo
Kam Curl was excellent in Week 3, racking up six solos and three assists. Curl has recorded five or more solos in each game this season and is an easy DB1 play going forward. He should be rostered and started universally. Tap him as a DB1 option for a plus Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Add Curl wherever still available.
Jaylen Watson (CB - KC): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Jaylen Watson showed up in Week 3, tallying five solos, two assists, one interception, and two passes defended. Watson has been stacking tackles from his outside corner spot, recording five solos twice and six or more total tackles in each contest this season. He is worth a look in deeper DB leagues and belongs in the CB1 conversation until he cools down. Make the add where needed.