Welcome to the Week 4 IDP Waiver Wire. Here, we highlight the players you should prioritize as we head into Week 4. We will be targeting players who are seeing excellent usage and whose role in their defensive scheme would indicate an increase in fantasy production as the season progresses. This column is written by aaron St. Denis, FSAN’s IDP Expert and perennial Top 5 ranker in the Fantasy Pros Accuracy Competition. Aaron was ranked 32nd overall in 2023 and 3rd overall in 2024. Rostership numbers will be from Sleeper Fantasy IDP leagues.
Week 4 IDP Waiver Wire Targets- Defensive Linemen
Cameron Heyward, Steelers (7% Rostered) | $3-5
Heyward was solid in Week 3 against the New England Patriots, totalling 6 tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble. This is a solid improvement after recording only 8 tackles through the first two games of the year.
The veteran lineman may not be the ceiling play he once was, but he is a consistent asset for those in IDP leagues. For as long as he is healthy, he will continue to remain a player with a 10-point floor. He can be started safely every week, knowing that the floor is with the hope of occasionally catching a ceiling performance like the 22-point game we saw in Week 3.
Kris Jenkins, Bengals (0% Rostered) | $1-2
The second-year linemen out of Michigan were not good through two weeks, totaling only 5 tackles, but he exploded onto the fantasy radar in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings. Jenkins racked up 6 tackles and 1.5 sacks en route to a massive performance.
Cincinnati is without Joe Burrow, and as a result, without a sustainable offense. This has meant that the Bengals’ defense spends extended periods of time on the field. It’s not going to be pretty for a now-awful Bengals team, but IDP managers can take advantage of this great opportunity to put up IDP points.
Maliek Collins, Browns (0% Rostered) | $1-2
Collins did literally nothing in limited playing time through two weeks this season, but was elevated to starter status for the Browns in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers. He parlayed that newfound playing time into 5 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The 9-year veteran Collins has provided a solid push on the interior defensive line across his years in the NFL and appears to be able to do so even at his advanced age. Myles Garrett is going to command attention, which should leave Collins with ample opportunity to beat inferior opponents.
Week 4 IDP Waiver Wire Targets- Defensive Backs
Isaiah Rodgers, Vikings (0% Rostered) $2-4
Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals saw Rodgers play the game of his life. He posted 3 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, and scored 2 touchdowns. Don’t get me wrong, he will likely never do anything like this again, as he totaled a whopping 39 fantasy points, but it serves to show just how much of an impact he can make.
Rodgers is playing right around 70% of defensive snaps for the Vikings, but that is certain to increase into a higher snap count in the coming weeks. He is available in most IDP formats, and until quarterbacks stop targeting him, he is going to see large enough volume to sustain high IDP production. Let’s just hope his success doesn’t lead to him being the next stud defensive back that teams avoid at all costs.
Jalen Pitre, Texans (7% Rostered) $1-2
Pitre has been solid and consistent, but hasn’t hit his ceiling yet this ceiling. He recorded tackle totals of 5, 6, and 3 through the first three games of the season. Luckily for IDP managers, his season-low in tackles was aided by his first interception of the year.
He has been dealing with a rib injury this season, which has limited his explosiveness so far this season, but if he can get back to full health, he has the potential to be elite for IDP managers. If he can maintain his consistent tackle numbers and add in a turnover on occasion, he can be exactly what you need on your roster.
Chau Smith-Wade, Panthers (0% Rostered) $1-2
Smith-Wade became a blip on the fantasy radar for the first time this season in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. The second-year defender recorded only 3 tackles through two games, but exploded against Michael Penix Jr. He racked up tackles and a pick-six for the Panthers and showed his potential as a fantasy asset in deeper leagues.
As a rookie, he operated as the team’s slot corner but battled illness, which limited his playing time and production. He he can remain healthy this year, he can quickly become a household name in IDP leagues. Smith-Wade may be more of a stash than anything right now, but he is worth monitoring as a potential sophomore breakout.
Week 4 IDP Waiver Wire Targets- Linebackers
Tyrel Dodson, Dolphins (13% Rostered) $10-12
Dodson is quickly becoming an IDP fantasy stud. He shouldn’t be available on your waiver wire, but if he is, be sure to empty your FAAB budget to acquire him. He is one of two Dolphins linebackers who are playing 100% of the team’s defensive snaps, alongside Jordyn Brooks. Dodson has been so effective that it is actually hurting the fantasy value of Brooks because he is consistently drawing defenders to the ball.
He has recorded 33 tackles in three games and added a sack in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills. Dodson is elite. He plays an elite snap share and produces at an elite level with it. Dodson is going to be a top-5 linebacker by this time next year if he continues to produce at this level. Add him now if you are lucky enough to have him on your waiver wire in a shallow league.
Christian Rozeboom, Panthers (7% Rostered) | $4-6
For a linebacker who is playing between 50-65%, he has sure been productive. He has at least 7 tackles in all three games this season, with a season-high of 9 in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Rozeboom was an elite producer during his time in Los Angeles and has given every indication that he will continue to be elite in Carolina. When Rozeboom’s snap share does ramp up to 100% of defensive snaps, he will be an elite-level producer. Add him now if he is available in your league.
Cole Holcomb, Steelers (0% Rostered) | $3-5
Holcomb played little to no snaps through the first two weeks of this season. In Week 3 against the New England Patriots, he finally found his way onto the field for 50% of the team’s defensive snaps due to Payton Wilson apparently being relegated from a 100% snap share down to 47.3% due to struggling play.
It’s uncertain exactly what is going on in Pittsburgh, but for now, Holcomb could be worth a stash in case he can return to his prior fantasy value. It could just be the coaching staff sending a message to Wilson, but for now, it’s a situation to monitor.
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