Fantasy Football Week 3 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups: Trenton Simpson, Damar Hamlin, Pat Jones and More
These are the IDP options you should be targeting to add and potentially stream in Week 3.
Linebackers
Trenton Simpson, Baltimore Ravens
Simpson replaced Patrick Queen in Baltimore this season and was a popular IDP sleeper this draft season. After a disappointing Week 1 as far as usage goes, he played 100% of the snaps in Week 2. It's not clear exactly where his usage will fall from week to week, but we expect him to remain in the 85% to 100% snap range moving forward. On a defense that makes a lot of big plays and his solid tackling abilities, strong production should be on its way sooner rather than later.
Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions
This is more than likely just a one-week fix, but with Alex Anzalone sidelined with a concussion, Campbell looks to see a 100% snap count. He stepped into the role in Week 2 after the Lions' star linebacker was forced from the game. This opportunity should lead to impressive production from the talented young linebacker, assuming Anzalone is forced to miss Week 3. If you do decide to scoop up and stream Campbell, be sure to monitor the injury report and make sure Anzalone is inactive before starting him.
Baylon Spector, Buffalo Bills
The Bills' top linebacker Terrel Bernard is expected to miss about a month with a strained pec. Spector slipped into his spot after he was forced from the game on Thursday Night Football. He could be a solid option who you can potentially get starter value out of for at least four weeks. Dorian Williams should also be a nice pickup, but we already featured him last week and wanted to get you some new names to target.
Daiyan Henley, Los Angeles Chargers
Junior Colson was forced from the Chargers Week 2 matchup with a hamstring injury and Henley became an every-down linebacker in his absence. Hamstring injuries tend to linger so we'd expect Colson to miss at least a few weeks. Despite getting a late start in this one, Henley ended up leading the team in tackles with 10 (six solo). He should be a viable starting option for a few weeks.
Jamien Sherwood, New York Jets
C.J. Mosley was forced from last week's game against the Tennessee Titans with a toe injury. It sounds like he avoided a serious injury, but with the Jets playing on a short week Thursday we'd expect him to sit out this week. Sherwood moved into an every-down role in Week 2 once Mosley left and we anticipate him maintaining the same role on TNF assuming Mosley misses the game. You could always add Sherwood and just cut him to go with another option if Mosley is a surprise active.
Tyrice Knight, Seattle Seahawks
You may be picking up on a theme here. Jerome Baker left Week 2 with a hamstring injury and Knight slid into an every-down role once he was out. If Baker is forced to sit out this week, then Knight is expected to get a near 100% snap count. There were a lot of injuries to starting LBs this week which should give you a bunch of streaming options.
Jahlani Tavai, New England Patriots
Tavai was another popular sleeper in fantasy drafts this summer. After disappointing usage in Week 1, he may have been cast to waivers in most leagues. Ja'Whaun Bentley went down with a shoulder injury in Week 2 and Tavai became an every-down linebacker like most IDP experts projected heading into the season. If Bentley is forced to miss time, Tavai becomes a potentially solid option.
Defensive Backs
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans
The Texans are currently without their top three safeties. Starting free safety Jalen Pitre was out Week 2 and is very questionable for Week 3 while strong safeties Jimmie Ward and Eric Murray are in the same boat. Steward made the most of his opportunity last week racking up 10 tackles (six solo) and forcing a fumble. As long as the other safeties, especially Pitre, don't come back this week, Stewart has a clear path to production. We'd expect him to get another start, but be sure to monitor the injury reports before plugging him in.
Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills
Hamlin is playing every snap in Buffalo and led the team in tackles in Week 2 with 10 (eight solo). With Bernard and Taron Johnson sidelined for about a month, it should open up even more tackling opportunities for Hamlin. He should be in line for major production as a tackler even if he lacks big-pay ability.
Defensive Linemen
Will McDonald, New York Jets
The Jets are searching for a pass rush after being continuously spurned by Haason Reddick. McDonald managed three sacks this week and surely the team will hope that continues and give him every opportunity to make it continue. This may be more of a speculative add because aren't so sure how good he is, but he could end up being a huge long-term value off the waiver wire if he hits.
Pat Jones II, Minnesota Vikings
Through two games, Jones has amassed nine tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble. Coming out back-to-back multi-sack games to start the season, we have to take notice. This is a guy a lot of experts pegged to be a breakout player this season and the reason the team let most of their pass rushers leave this offseason. He isn't a lock to keep up this production, but he is worth picking up and can even be plugged in as a streamer this week if needed.
