Each week I’ll be discussing the top IDP performers from the weekend, any big injuries, which players should be on a milk carton and who top waiver wire pick-ups are.

Let’s take a quick glance at the top performers from Thursday and Sunday.

TOP FIVE DL:

1. FLETCHER COX (PHI): 17.00 points (6 tackles, 1 FR, 1 TD)
2. GERALD MCCOY (TBB):  16.50 points (8 tackles, 1 sack)
3. CAMERON WAKE (MIA):  16.50 points (3 tackles, 2FF, 2 sacks)
4. JJ WATT (HOU):  15.75 points (3 tackles, 1 FR, 1 sack, 1 blocked kick)
5. JUSTIN SMITH (SF):  15.00 points (6 tackles, 2 sacks)

TOP FIVE LB: 

1. SIO MOORE (OAK):  27.00 points (13 tackles, 2 FF, 1 sack)
2. JEROD MAYO (NEP):  21.25 points (12 tackles, 1 FR, 1 sack)
3. LUKE KUECHLY (CAR):  19.50 points (9 tackles, 1 FF, 1 sack)
4. PAUL POSLUSNZY (JAC):  17.25 points (12 tackles)
5. MILES BURRIS (OAK):  16.50 points (13 tackles [5 assist])

TOP FIVE DB: 

1. HARRISON SMITH (MIN):  25.25 points (2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 int, 1 TD)
2. ERIC BERRY (KCC):  23.25 points (15 tackles, 1 PD)
3. LEODIS MCKELVIN (BUF):  22.50 points (13 tackles, 1 FF)
4. ANTOINE CASON (CAR):  19.50 points (9 tackles, 2 PD, 1 INT)
5. DONTE WHITNER (CLE):  18.75 points (13 tackles)

MILK CARTON 

• SHELDON RICHARDSON, DL (NYJ):  zero points, what happened?
• CHAD GREENWAY, LB (MIN): 2 tackles, its a fluke and don’t expect this next week against NEP
• AARON WILLIAMS, DB (BUF):  3 tackles, just a bad match-up not much opportunity

INJURT REPORT

It was a big blow for Derrick Johnson owners, but depending on your league size and how many starters you use, you’ll find a serviceable replacement on waivers. If you’re in a dynasty league and absolutely need the roster space (because of the possibility of no IR slot), you can go ahead and drop Johnson, especially if you have solid depth.  Clowney’s injury is another bummer, it really puts a damper on his chance to win defensive rookie of the year award.

WEEK 2 WAIVER WIRE PICK-UPS

LINEBACKERS:

BROOKS REED (HOU):  With Clowney out owners could be struggling to find a replacement. Look no further than Reed who has looked impressive against the Redskins.  He put together five tackles and one sack, and with Clowney now out and Texans have shallow depth at OLB. Reed is going to be asked to do a little more and with that could increase his stats. I viewed him as a decent LB4 option heading into season; now he can become a viable LB3 asset to your team that starts three or more linebackers.

SIO MOORE (OAK):  Nick Roach was ruled out of the game against the Jets and Sio Moore got the opportunity to shine. Moore put up an impressive 13 tackles (11 solo), one sack and twi forced fumbles, which was good enough for No. 1 overall linebacker (not including Monday Night Football).  Is this a fluke? Absolutely not. He was on my breakout list for linebackers and, being that he was in a positon battle with Burris this off-season, Moore kind of sunk in the IDP world and became a forgotten man.  With a performance like Sio had it’ll be hard to keep him off the field, but I’d still go and pick him up as your LB3 or LB4 going forward because once he gets that starting job you’re going to see numbers like this more times than not.

VINCENT REY (CIN):  With Burfict suffering a concussion and his week two status in the air, Rey becomes a solid add if you have any dead weight on the end of your bench that you can dispose of.  Unless you’re a Burfict owner and want a productive replacement IF he misses any time, then I’d definitely make a move to acquire Rey.  When Rey started for Maualuga last season he went off, being one of the top producing LB’s in the two weeks and even had 3-sacks in one game.

EMMANUEL LAMUR (CIN):  There’s a possibility Lamur is still sitting on your waiver wire, and if he is I would not walk but run and acquire Lamur as soon as you can.  He had an injury scare during the game but came back and finished and put up a stellar line as his first game being a starter; 11 tackles (5 solo) 1-int 1-PD.  His breakout campaign has gotten off to a great start, expect more of the same week in week out. I had Lamur as a solid LB3 heading into the season. If he continues putting up numbers like this, he’s going to be a solid LB2 option and an every week starter for you.

JOSH MAUGA (KCC):  The Chiefs suffered a big blow when Derrick Johnson was lost for the season with an achilles injury.  Mauga will be asked to do a bit more now with James Michael-Johnson. Of the two I prefer taking a look at Mauga as he put up eight tackles on Sunday.  You could definitely find better on waivers if you’re a Derrick Johnson owner, but if you’re in a deep league and there are slim pickings on waivers, take a look at Mauga as he can provide immediate production. But temper expectations and don’t expect Derrick Johnson numbers.

JELANI JENKINS (MIA):  I’ve mentioned Jelani as a dynasty watch because he was the future OLB in Miami, but as injuries piled up with Ellerbe and Misi, Jelani is the next man up and he filled in pretty well.  I’d keep Jelani on your radar, especially if Ellerbe is forced to miss some time.  (update: Ellerbe lost for the season, Jenkins time has come, I’d grab him if you need depth, LB3 upside)

JAMARI LATTIMORE (GBP):  Not necessarily a quick add, but I’m here to let you know to keep a radar out on Jamari because he could sooner or later be asked to take care of the inside.  Granted Brad Jones was terrible on Thursday night and probably still facing the lingering effects from his quad injury. One has to wonder when McCarthy will make the switch to a younger and faster Lattimore.  When called up, Lattimore can be a serviceable LB in leagues that start three or more.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (DT/DL): 

SEN’DERICK MARKS (JAC):  Marks has become one of the underrated DT’s in the game and is becoming a force. He put up five tackles & one sack in Sunday’s game against the Eagles. He’s definitely going to match his four sacks he had last year and then some.  In DT required leagues, Marks makes a case as a DT1 and in mixed leagues I view Marks as a DL3 option as your bye week starter or match-up starter.

WALLACE GILBERRY (CIN):  Gilberry did what Gilberry did last season; rush the passer and get to the quarterback.  He racked up four tackles, one sack and one pass deflection.  You can almost guarantee one sack for Gilberry week in and week out as he doesn’t get the attention Dunlap and Atkins draw.  If you’re looking for small upside at DL or need a DL in a sack heavy league, look no further.  Gilberry is in a rotation with Hunt but has proven that even with rotational snaps he still produces.

RYAN DAVIS (JAC):  If you like to stream DL, then Davis deserves to get a look as he had an impressive two sacks and a fumble recovery in week one against the Eagles.  He’s in rotation with Clemons and Branch along that frontline but worth a look, especially in deep leagues.  He could become the “William Hayes” type DL where he gets snaps here and there but makes the best out of them. Hayes used to wreck havoc with minimal snaps.

EVERSON GRIFFEN (MIN):  If he’s somehow still on your waiver wire, I’d make a move to acquire him. In leagues where you start 2DL, Griffen is a solid consideration as your DL2 as he has my vote of confidence for his breakout season.  He tarted it off with getting two sacks against the Rams and it should only get better as he faces the Patriots, Saints and Falcons next three weeks.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (CB/S): 

ANTOINE CASON (CAR, CB):  In CB required leagues, Cason makes a solid play as your CB2, but in mixed leagues he becomes a good DB to stream.  Cason had himself a game against the Bucs: nine tackles, two pass defelctions and one interception.

BYRON MAXWELL (SEA, CB):  There’s a slight chance nobody drafted or picked up Maxwell prior to week one, and if he’s sitting on your waiver, I’d pick him up as your DB3 with DB2 potential. Playing opposite Sherman only helps Maxwell’s case as seen on Thursday night. The Packers only threw to Maxwell’s side which is why he had numbers of five tackles, two pass deflections and one interception.  Definitely consider Maxwell near the top of CB’s to stream going forward.

DJ SWEARINGER (HOU, S):  Could Swearinger be the younger version of Bernard Pollard? If Sunday was any indication, then that’s the type of IDP Profile DJ is carving up.  He can’t cover to help to save his life, but he sure can utilize that hit stick and play up in the box.  I had DJ stamped as a decent DB3 option but thought he could leap into the DB2 discussion going forward. He put up right tackles and one sack against the Redskins on Sunday.

RAHIM MOORE (DEN, S):  Moore is back and looks much improved.  With a presence like TJ Ward, it’ll allow Moore to roam the field more, and it showed as he picked off two passes from Andrew Luck on Sunday night.  I expect his tackles to fluctuate around 3-6 per game, which isn’t bad but getting turnovers will help his value.  Going forward, as long as he can avoid the injury bug, Moore has DB3 value.