IDP Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 7

Oct 20, 2020

Mike Ehrmann/Gety Images

The big-name to hit the injury report as lost for the year - Devin Bush. It was a non-contact injury, but Bush tore his ACL and looks to be gone for the year. A few other names we'll want to monitor as the week goes on - Mike Hilton, Mike Hughes, Malik Jackson, Juston Burris. I've got some names to look for your on your wire, and as always, be prepared to hit your wire when any news breaks regarding positive COVID tests. Reference my past IDP waiver wire articles here, as those names will still apply if they're available.

As we look ahead to Week 7, here are the IDPs I'm suggesting to target on your waiver wire this week.

Linebacker

Krys Barnes, LB, Green Bay Packers

We'll have to see how close Christian Kirksey is to returning, but it looks like Green Bay likes this kid. He and Ty Summers rotated in their one-LB sets, however, it was Barnes who received most of the playing time against Tampa in Week 6. Barnes was on the field for 88% of the snaps and wore the dot when on the field. The return of Kenny Clark helped open gaps for the linebackers to make plays. Barnes is a good tackler and, one of the first tackles he made, was on Ronald Jones and he met him with his chest. He also was around to clean up the missed tackles left by the defensive backs. Barnes finished with a 17.5% tackle rate - resulting in 10 tackles. As long as Kirksey is out, Barnes will be worth the add.

Alex Singleton, LB, Philadelphia Eagles

It appears we have a new play-caller in Philadelphia. If you have watched Nathan Gerry for any length of time, you'll notice he doesn't belong on the field. Week 6, might have started the process of decreasing his snaps. Singleton looked poised and ready to go after the ball. He was in a position to make tackles and I thought he had a sack on Lamar Jackson, but he just made a crazy throw to Nick Boyle for a TD. Singleton doesn't get bullied and sheds blocks. He also has good closing speed.

Ja'Whaun Bentley, LB, New England Patriots

"Hello, darkness, my old friend..." as I suggest a New England linebacker. I don't think he was ready for the play-calling duties and since Devin McCourty took over, he's recorded 18 tackles in the last two games - including 12 against Denver in Week 6 - resulting in a 16.8% tackle rate. With the responsibility lifted, he can concentrate on getting to the ball and making tackles. His 95% usage rate was the highest since being on the field for all 63 snaps in Week 2.

Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Dallas Cowboys

Did someone drop LVE earlier in the year to make room for another defender? Vander Esch, remarkably, returned just four weeks after collarbone surgery and appeared in 52% of the snaps. He finished with three tackles, but the fact he was on the field was amazing in and of itself. It sounds like he feels good after the adrenaline wore off, so he should be good to go for a full complement of snaps going forward. He and Jaylon Smith should help shore up the defense that's been gashed against the run recently.

Robert Spillane, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

So, what's a Robert Spillane? Well, the big injury of the week - Devin Bush. It appears as if he'll miss the remainder of the year with a torn ACL. Spillane stepped up and played in the remaining 30 snaps in relief. Much like every other Pittsburgh defender, he doesn't appear to be out of place and plays with physicality. A few plays that stood out, first, a tackle on Kareem Hunt out of the backfield. He met him head-on and almost prevented a first-down. He lit up Austin Hooper on a pass that limited any yards after the catch. Finally, he also lit up Hooper on a screen that resulted in a -6 yard play. Spillane finished with five tackles and a 16.7% tackle rate. Once he got ahead of speed and started downhill, he was a heat-seeking missile. Mike Tomlin loved his play, however, he did say he wasn't sure who'd wear the dot in Week 7 and if he'd play every snap.

Tomlin says he "doubts" Spillane will play all the defensive snaps in replacing Bush. Not sure who will wear green dot this weekend. #Steelers

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) October 20, 2020