Every week throughout the NFL season I will bring you an IDP article talking about anything and everything that consists of IDP. I will talk about IDP Breakout players, keep tabs on possible waiver-wire additions and some IDP Sleeper plays during the year. It should be fun. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite Breakout IDP Performances and Waiver-Wire Moves headed into Week 8 of the NFL Season.
IDP Waiver Wire and Breakouts for Week 8
Drue Tranquill, LB Kansas City Chiefs
With the terrible news that absolute IDP stud and former fellow Mizzou alum Nick Bolton has a dislocated wrist and will have surgery, this gives Drue Tranquill a prime opportunity.
The Kansas City Chiefs linebacker is a prime pick-up candidate with Bolton, who is expected to miss two months, out for such a long period of time. Tranquill came out of nowhere last season for the Los Angeles Chargers to have a very productive IDP season. It was a bit of a surprise when he joined the Chiefs as there wasn’t a clear-cut starting role for him in Kansas City. He now finds himself in a prime role for the Chiefs.
This is a prime position to produce on this Chiefs’ defense. Tranquill didn’t have a starting spot to start the season, but he had some nice performances when Bolton was hurt earlier in the season. Tranquill has averaged double-digit points this season, so now he gets a chance to expand his role.
He is the top waiver-wire pickup this week.
Oren Burks, LB San Fransisco 49ers
This is completely a stash pick if you are desperate for linebacker help in your league and you have the space on your roster, but Oren Burks could be the man for you. Currently, he isn’t a starter for the San Francisco 49ers, but if Drew Greenlaw or Fred Warner miss any time, Burks becomes a viable starter.
He has seen decent production when either of those two guys miss time, and in deep leagues there are not a lot of LB options sitting out there during these thin weeks.
Anfernee Jennings, LB/Edge New England Patriots
Since Matt Judon’s season-ending injury, the question was who would replace him on the Patriots’ defense? In the last three weeks since Judon’s injury, the snap share for Anfernee Jennings has gone from 64% to 81% to 97%.
The former third-round pick out of Alabama hasn’t recorded a sack yet, but he has 12 tackles and two tackles for a loss in the last two games. He is getting the opportunity now, so the production should come. If you need help on the edge, Jennings could be a nice pickup going forward.
Boye Mafe, LB/Edge Seattle Seahawks
With his counterpart on the other side of the line Uchenna Nwosu now injured for the season, the pressure is going to be on Boye Mafe to step it up for the Seattle Seahawks. Nwosu has been productive over the last month, leading all Seahawks defenders in total pressures and sacks.
Derick Hall and Darrell Taylor will have to replace Nwosu on the other side. They are deeper adds once we see who grabs a hold of that role, but for now, get Mafe if you can. He can be a nice fill-in with all the current injuries and bye weeks.
Jabrill Peppers, S New England Patriots
This is a blast from the past. Jabrill Peppers was once thought of as one of the next great safeties in the league. The former first-round pick and Michigan Wolverines star has bounced around the league the last couple of seasons.
He didn’t live up to his potential with the Cleveland Browns or the New York Giants, but he has become a mainstay in the secondary for the New England Patriots this season. Peppers has 46 tackles, two tackles for loss, four passes defended, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovered.
It seems like Peppers’ role is set, and he is someone who is going to get you tackles out of the secondary every week. He has performed as a top 10-15 safety this season. If he is still available snag him up.
Darious Williams, CB Jacksonville Jaguars
If you are in a league that starts cornerbacks, see if Darious Williams from the Jacksonville Jaguars is available on your waivers. I’m in one league he was available last week. I snagged him up. Williams is currently the top-scoring cornerback in that particular league, averaging 17.5 points per game.
Williams already has 28 tackles, 11 passes defended, three interceptions, one INT returned for a touchdown, and two forced fumbles. The guy has been making plays all season. He isn’t a big name, so he has been overlooked in a lot of leagues, make sure to remedy that and get him on your roster.
Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty