Week 2 IDP Starts and Sits

Who should you start and sit in Week 2 of your IDP league? If you only have one IDP flex spot, start a linebacker who racks up a ton of tackles. If you are in a league with multiple IDP positions, then read on to get a leg up on your opponents.

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Before we get to my Week 2 IDP starts and sits, let’s check in on last week’s recommendations

All points/projections are from ESPN’s standard IDP scoring.

Week 1 IDP Suggested Starts

Josh Hines-Allen, Jaguars DL: 19.25 points (7.0 projected)

Anthony Hill Jr., Titans LB: 16.5 points (8.4 projected)

Jaquan Brisker, Steelers DB: 14 points (9.1 projected)

Week 1 IDP Suggested Sits

Nik Bonitto, Broncos DL: 2.25 points (7.0 projected)

Robert Spillane, Patriots LB: 11.25 points (10.9 projected)

Kam Curl, Rams DB: 3.0 points (9.9 projected)

There is an edge to be gained week in and week out if you know where to look. Let’s keep it going in Week 2.

Check out all of our Week 2 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings | MOP Rankings

Week 2 IDP Starts

Rueben Bain Jr., Bucs DL

Some rookies, such as Anthony Hill Jr. of the Titans and Jacob Rodriguez of the Dolphins, who are the top two tacklers in the league thus far, had impressive debuts. Other rookies, such as Rueben Bain Jr. of the Bucs, did not. The 15th pick in April’s draft registered just one tackle against the Bengals and was largely bottled up by Amarius Mims. That should change in Week 2 with the Bucs hosting the Cleveland Browns. Bain has a great opportunity to make an impact against a Cleveland offensive line that surrendered five sacks in Week 1. Bet on the talent to announce itself in a big way on Sunday.

Barrett Carter, Bengals LB

Are you a believer in the new-look Bengals defense? They forced four turnovers in Week 1 against the Bucs, including a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. Carter, the 2025 fourth-round pick out of Clemson, combined for the hit on Baker Mayfield that caused the fumble. Expect more disruptive plays out of Carter this season, especially with defensive tackles Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen plugging up blockers ahead of him. Carter is a good add for the season and a worthwhile start in Week 2 against Houston. The Texans allowed three sacks to the Bills in Week 1 and are still trying to find some sort of rhythm in the running game behind a revamped offensive line.

Joshua Metellus, Vikings DB

Metellus flies under the radar on a Vikings defense that gets after opposing quarterbacks and held teams to fewer than 20 points per game last season. Linebacker Blake Cashman is an IDP star, Dallas Turner was a first-round pick, and Andrew Van Ginkel looks like an actual Viking.

Metellus has quietly been cleaning things up on the back end in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ blitz-happy scheme. Had he not missed the final three games last season with a torn labrum, he likely would have had more than 100 tackles for a third straight season.

Metellus didn’t do much in Week 1 against the Packers (four tackles), and Minnesota faces a Bears team in Week 2 that just put up 59 points. It seems counterintuitive, but this is a good spot for him. The Bears ran 70 offensive plays on Sunday. That means more opportunity for Metellus to make plays and earn you points. He had two 10-plus-tackle games last season, and one of them was against the Bears. I like Metellus to easily outscore his projection this week. Start him in Week 2 if you can.

Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!

Week 2 IDP Sits

Greg Rousseau, Bills DL

Rousseau had a monster day in Week 1 against the Texans. He had two sacks, two forced fumbles, four solo tackles, and a pass defended for a whopping 23.5 points. That was the second-most among DL behind only T.J. Watt of the Steelers, who had two sacks to go along with a pick-six.

Don’t expect another huge day from Rousseau in Week 2. He dominated a weak Texans offensive line on Sunday, but now faces a much tougher test against the Lions on just three days’ rest. Rousseau is a Week 2 IDP sit for me.

Arvell Reese, Giants LB

The No. 5 overall pick in April’s draft made five tackles on Sunday night against the Cowboys. He certainly looked the part physically. The mental aspect left a lot to be desired, though. Reese’s coverage bust allowed Javonte Williams to walk into the end zone in the fourth quarter. Expect Rams head coach Sean McVay to use all of his tricks to make the rookie linebacker think about his assignments on Monday night. If he’s thinking and not reacting, he’ll be slowed down just enough to minimize his effectiveness. Reese is a tantalizing talent, but I would keep him on the bench in Week 2.

Cam Lewis, Bears DB

ESPN has Lewis as the No. 9 DB for Week 2, but I don’t see the case. The Bears signed him to a two-year, $6 million contract in March, but he’s never been a starter in his career. His strength is his versatility, and that was on display in Week 1 as he filled in at safety for the injured Xavier Woods. Lewis made six tackles, five of which were solo.

If Woods misses more time, Lewis should put up similar numbers. If Woods returns, then Lewis slides back in as Chicago’s nickel corner. Either way, I don’t expect a big day from Lewis against the Vikings in Week 2. I’d rather play Bears first-round rookie safety Dillon Thieneman, who had 10 tackles and a pass defended in his NFL debut.