Analyzing IDP Trends From Week 11

Photo: Imagn Images

Week 11 once again had primarily linebacker usage changes, but two safeties had noteworthy performances as well! Let's dive in.

LBs Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith played 100% of defensive snaps for Baltimore in Week 11.

The Ravens have not had two linebackers play 100% of snaps in the same game at any point this season until now. This usage could be a result of the specific weekly matchup against Baker Mayfield and the Panthers, but there’s also a chance we see Queen and Roquan share the field more in the future. In any case, managers should be optimistic about both players’ production going forwards but hesitant to upgrade them to full-time guys until we see them do it again. Queen’s 12-tackle performance does seem to be an outlier.

LB Jayon Brown played more defensive snaps for Las Vegas than teammate LB Denzel Perryman.

This one’s pretty simple. Expect Brown to be the sole full-time linebacker for the Raiders until Divine Deablo returns from IR. Perryman remains a deeper league upside play if he can remain an efficient tackler.

LB Mykal Walker has played 81% of Atlanta's defensive snaps over the last two weeks.

Walker has been a full-time player in healthy games this season, but his usage rate seems to have changed as of Week 10. Rookie Troy Andersen is starting to see more use as a rotational defender and has played 26% and 35% of defensive snaps in Weeks 10 and 11, respectively. It might be too soon to add him in shallower redraft leagues where he is not rostered, but Walker is no longer locked in as a starter in every league format. If this usage continues, his production and consistency will likely dip, and managers might want to explore other options in his stead.