Aloha my fellow fantasy footballers and IDP managers, we have two games left in week 1 of the 2013-2014 NFL Season and it feels like it’s flying by already.  Seems like some teams and players still had week 1 jitters; it showed it some performances and some IDP studs didn’t do much of anything as well (Be Patient please).  Same goes for the rookies, there aren’t any Kuechly’s or Wagner’s in this years class but there is definite upside with them; so guys like Arthur Brown and Jonathan Cyprien whom barely gave you much of anything this week; be patient and the game will come to them.

First I’m going to do a quick recap of week 1’s top performers, mainly top 5 from each IDP position (DL, LB and DB).  I’ll get into a couple of honorable mentions, then dig right into the top five Waiver Pick-Ups.  Keep in mind these pick-ups also depend on your league, so if you have any questions feel free to hit me up via on my twitter @IDPwithBEE_DSE.

TOP 5 DL 

1. Robert Quinn, Rams: 3 tackles // 3 QB Sacks // 2 FF
2. Cameron Wake, Dolphins: 4 tackles // 2.5 QB Sacks
3. Dontari Poe, Chiefs: 6 tackles // 1.5 QB Sacks // 1 PD
4. Nick Fairley, Lions: 5 tackles // 1.5 QB Sacks
5. Jared Allen, Vikings: 4 tackles // 1 QB Sack // 2 PD

TOP 5 LB

1. Lavonte David, Bucs: 8 tackles // 1 QB Sack // 2 PD // 1 INT
2. Zach Brown, Titans: 8 tackles // 2 QB Sacks // 1 PD
3. Mason Foster, Bucs:  8 tackles // 2 QB Sacks
4. Erin Henderson, Vikings: 11 tackles // 1 PD // 1 INT
5. Justin Houston, Chiefs: 5 tackles // 3 QB Sacks

TOP 5 DB

1. Charles Tillman, Bears:  7 tackles // 2 PD // 2 INT
2. Duke Ihenacho, Broncos:  12 tackles // 3 PD
3. Barry Church, Cowboys: 8 tackles // 1 FF // 1 FR // 1 TD
4. Antoine Bethea, Colts:  11 tackles // 1 PD // 1 INT
5. LaRon Landry, Colts: 15 tackles (10 solo) // 1 PD

Honorable Mention:  Jerod Mayo, Patriots (LB):  15 Tackles (12 solo) – always a solid start, strong LB1

Shockers: Geno Atkins providing his owners with a doughnut, entire talented Bengals front four couldn’t register a sack.

5 Waiver Watch/Pick-Ups

• Tyrann Mathieu, Cardinals:  he may not start but you won’t keep this playmaker off the field as it showed when he forced the fumble off from Jared Cook.  I call Mathieu “Peanut 2.0” and if you don’t know who Peanut is, that’s Charles Tillman.  Eventually Mathieu will start and get majority of the snaps, he will be a strong DB2 going forward.  He posted 7 tackles and 1 Forced Fumble today against the Rams; expect more of that.  
• Duke Ihenacho, Broncos:  he won the strong safety job from Adams and quite frankly, Ihenacho is better.  He’s a solid in the box safety and will rack up the tackles as he did to start the season where he racked up 12 tackles.  Going forward Ihenacho is a DB2 option with ability to put up big weeks.  If he’s somehow still on your waiver wire, go get him.  
• Barry Church, Cowboys:  he had a tremendous game on sunday night against the Giants and the Cowboys lack any sort of safety depth.  Prior to his injury last season Church was very serviceable in leagues; and now he’s showcasing it again and with Monte’s scheme which is prime to turnovers; Church already forced one today.  Great pick-up for depth and will provide some solid DB2 type outing, 6-9 tackles per game is expected. 
• Justin Houston, Chiefs:  looks like Houston picked up where he left off last year, getting to the QB.  Starting off the season with 3 QB sacks puts him on pace to shatter the sack record (but that won’t happen).  Looks like Houston has improved once again though, gotten better and with the emergence of Poe it’ll make Houston’s job a little bit easier.  Can Houston get at least 1 QB sack every game? absolutely.  He has big play ability and gets slept on because of the bigger names out there (Aldon Smith, Terrell Suggs, Clay Matthews) and Houston does what they do.  If you need LB depth or a big play LB, i’d go get Houston.  
• Dontari Poe, Chiefs:  want to be a high risk/high reward type of owner on the IDP side?  Use that with Poe, i predicted he’d have a stellar 2013 campaign and he’s off to the right track.  He’s looking like his dominant self that we seen in college.  He’s hungry and you should reap the benefits while Poe eats (minus the BBQ though).  I’ve already picked up Poe in several leagues, especially leagues i couldn’t land Fairley.  You should do the same, good to have DL depth and you’ll be starting Poe often especially against that Raider and Chargers OLine he gets to meet 2x this year.     

Lastly, we have two Monday Night Football games approaching us as we near the end of week 1 (so fast!).  First up we got the Eagles & Redskins and to end week 1 we have the Texans and Chargers.  Here’s what we can look forward too from an IDP standpoint from these 2 games.

Eagles/Redskins:  Is Perry Riley ready take his game to another level? London Fletcher isn’t going to be around much longer.  Brian Orkapo is on a comeback, and if he’s healthy, he’ll be a dark horse to flirt with the most sacks this season.  I’m anxious too see if Rambo has recovered from that juke Chris Johnson gave him a few weeks ago; aggressive hitter and should be around the ball often.  One IDP to keep an eye on from the Washington side is Brandon Jenkins, if Orakpo or Kerrigan were to go down they have a solid backup because Jenkins can get too the QB.  On the Eagles side of the ball, I’m looking forward to the adjustment Brandon Graham and Trent Cole had to make to OLB and I believe rushing off the edge standing up suits Graham more; but he currently sits behind Barwin/Cole.  Will Mychal Kendricks up his game and ready to take on a bigger role? He has LB2 potential and Monday is a start to showcase it.  Are we going too see the revival of Pat Chung? He disappeared and got injured the past couple seasons in New England, maybe a fresh start a fresh team will do him some good? He’ll be able to roam free in the PHI defense.

Texans/Chargers:  This should be a nightmare game for the San Diego offensive line. Who is going to contain JJ Watt? Nobody.  Watt will be able to eat Rivers for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.  We’ll also see the return of MLB Brian Cushing who tore his ACL last season. The Texans need him in the middle.  Cushing should be a solid LB2 option for the rest of season but the key is how he looks on Monday, if no setbacks then start away.  I’m looking forward too seeing the DL duo of Corey Liuget and Kendall Reyes as both look to take the next step forward in their progression and Liuget has improved every year.  Freeney looked good in pre-season, his spin move still works but will he get around Duane Brown?  I’m sure the Chargers will move Freeney around to get him in space to get too Schaub.  With Manti Te’o out of this game look for Donald Butler to put up some stats; 10+ tackles isn’t out of the question because who else is going to wrap up?  Lastly, in the secondary I don’t have to say much about Eric Weddle as he’s consistent as they come, looking forward to newcomer Derek Cox as he should have multiple opportunities to get numbers as he’ll cover Andre Johnson all night.  With no Ed Reed in sight too, how will rookie DJ Swearinger do? he’s the future and kid can hit, he should be able to play in the box majority of the night because Chargers don’t have any sort of deep threat.  Kareem Jackson is bound for another solid season as he continues to develop, and Joseph is an All-Pro as the Chargers offense will struggle all night but that’s not my place as this is an IDP piece.

Stay Tuned for my Week 2 IDP Rankings, posted on Wednesday.