Surviving the Grind

It is already here! Can you believe we’re nearly halfway through the fantasy season? If you’ve managed to dodge the injury bug and navigate the bye-week storm so far, hats off to you. Keep grinding.

But for the rest of us? It’s been a battle. Some of our IDP cornerstones have gone down for the count and a few aren’t coming back in 2025. We’re talking Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Roquan Smith, Devin Lloyd, Quincy Williams, the Seattle DBs, T.J. Edwards, Blake Cashman, and Khalil Mack! All hit by the injury wave and I am sure I am forgetting several. And if it’s not that, it’s our “set and forget” guys like Logan Wilson and Zaire Franklin suddenly seeing inconsistent snaps and unpredictable results. Just when you think you’ve patched things up, Brian Branch and Jalen Carter go and get suspended, throwing another wrench in your lineup. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, the bye week tidal wave hits. Depth gets tested. Benches get exposed. And the real managers separate themselves from the rest.

I’m Michael Pelton, an IDP diehard out of Ohio and I’ve got some matchup-based calls to help you steady the ship and fight through the chaos. Let’s get after it. 

*This is in reference to a balanced scoring system & using a platform that allows dual designation*


Greenlight  

DL – Christian Elliss vs. Titans – Sneaky DL1 Upside This Week

He has been flying a bit under the radar this season sitting at DL29, but if your league lets you slot him in as a defensive lineman, he’s staring down a juicy matchup against the Titans.

Tennessee has been a goldmine for opposing DLs lately. Over the last three weeks, they’ve given up generous points Texans, Cardinals, and Raiders Defensive Lineman, that’s a clear trend you can exploit. There’s also chatter out of Tennessee about the new coaching staff wanting to “shake things up” on offense which could mean more chaos, more pressure opportunities, and more big-play chances for Elliss. Now, it is not all great, he hasn’t topped an 80% snap share yet this season, so there’s still some risk baked in. But if you’re hurting at DL or need a solid streaming option with top-12 upside, Elliss could be your plug-and-play this week.

Bottom line: He’s got the matchup & the momentum  all he needs now is the snaps.



DB – Chamarri Conner – Heating Up at the Right Time

The Chiefs aren’t exactly known for their IDP firepower, but over the past couple of seasons, they’ve quietly produced some solid fantasy contributors out of their secondary. This year, that breakout candidate looks to be Chamarri Conner. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster season for him, but he’s coming off a huge DB4 performance last week, where he racked up 12 tackles against the Lions. Now he draws another juicy divisional matchup against the Raiders, who have been giving up a ton of production to opposing secondary’s — especially in recent weeks versus the Bears and Colts.

Through six weeks, Conner sits at DB17, and more importantly, he’s trending up right when managers need it most. His confidence is building, his role is growing, and this matchup sets up perfectly for another big outing.

Bottom line: Conner’s getting hot and it’s time to ride the wave. If you need help at DB, he’s a strong Week 7 plug and play with DB1 upside.



LB – K.J. Britt/Dodson vs. Browns – Back on the Radar

I’ll admit it, I was a Britt truther last season. I really thought he was going to lock down that LB2 role in Tampa Bay and never look back. Boy, was I wrong. But hey, that’s the beauty of fantasy football. Sometimes you’ve got to shoot your shot, miss, and still have the confidence to fire again and here we are. I’m taking another shot on K.J. Britt.

Last week, he logged a 90% snap share and racked up 13 tackles coming in at LB15, showing real signs of life and production when given the opportunity. This week’s outlook, though, hinges on Dodson’s progress through the concussion protocol. If Dodson sits, Britt should once again be in line for a full workload. The good news? Cleveland has been generous to opposing linebackers, giving up strong fantasy numbers week after week. Whether it’s Britt or Dodson out there, this matchup sets up nicely for whoever gets the go ahead.

Bottom line: If Britt gets the nod, don’t hesitate to plug him in. This could be the week he finally delivers on that LB2 potential we all hoped for.


Pump the Breaks 

DL – Dorrance Armstrong vs Cowboys – Tough Matchup Ahead

For starters, we all know what kind of monster that Cowboys offensive line is; they’re  flat out hard to beat. As mentioned earlier, Dallas has not been kind to opposing defensive linemen this season, and that trend doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon.

Armstrong has been a steady contributor, currently sitting at DL9 on the year, so if you’ve been starting him, you’ve likely been feeling good about the return. But over the last few weeks, his production has started to taper off, and he hasn’t looked quite as dominant. To make things more complicated, he banged up his leg last game and rotated in and out of the lineup. Sure, he still managed to notch a sack, but that injury risk paired with a brutal matchup makes him a tough sell this week.

Bottom line: Don’t force it. If you’ve got depth on your roster, this might be the week to give Armstrong a breather. The Cowboys’ line is a brick wall right now, and with the injury lingering, it’s smarter to play it safe.



DB – Marcus Jones vs. Titans – Proceed with Caution

Marcus Jones has been one of the hot waiver adds this week, especially in deeper IDP leagues. But after digging into the numbers a little more, I pulled back a few of my own claims — and here’s why.

On paper, Jones looks great sitting at DB11 on the season. But dig deeper and you’ll see a lot of that production comes from high-variance plays. A sack against the Saints, an interception versus the Jets, and even a punt return touchdown against the Panthers. Don’t get me wrong, that’s impressive versatility, but it’s also tough to count on week after week. In IDP, we want stable production, tackles and snap counts that tell us a player is consistently involved. Big plays are great bonuses, not the foundation. And right now, Jones’ numbers look more like fool’s gold than a sustainable DB1 profile. Add in the fact that the Titans offense has struggled to push the ball downfield, and that limits his upside even more.

Bottom line: Don’t chase the highlight reel. Jones is talented, but his current pace isn’t built to last. If you’re looking for a reliable DB1, it’s best to sit this one out and wait for more stable usage before buying in.



LB – Pete Werner vs. Bears – Fading from the LB1 Picture

The Bears haven’t been the toughest matchup for opposing linebackers, but they’re far from the easiest. Sure, we’ve seen guys like Devin White and the Raiders’ LB corps post big numbers against them earlier this year, and Bobby Wagner had success as well. But for me, this isn’t really about Werner or the Saints’ defense, it’s about the matchup ceiling, and this one just doesn’t move the needle.

Werner’s current ranking as LB10 feels a bit inflated. Once again, splash plays like his sack and a fumble recovery have helped prop him up the leaderboard. Those are great when they come, but they’re tough to count on weekly. Meanwhile, we’re seeing young linebackers emerging and a few veterans finding new life across the league, which could push Werner out of the LB1 mix as soon as this week. Last week was the first sign of that shift as he slipped down to LB13, and for the first time all season, his snap percentage dipped noticeably. That’s not the direction you want to see trending.

Bottom line: Werner’s steady, but the well is drying up. He’s more of a safe LB2 play than a top tier difference maker.



That wraps up my Week 7 IDP matchup breakdowns, hope it helps you navigate the chaos and keep stacking those wins! 


Connect with Me
If you want to talk more IDP, bounce trade ideas, or just chop it up about fantasy football, you can find me here:

X (Twitter): @MkP419
Discord: MkPelton52
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Come hang out, share your takes, and let’s keep building those championship rosters together.

– Rankings Referenced: https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/reports/leaders/db.php?year=2025&start=1&end=6

– Snap Counts Reference: https://www.footballguys.com/stats/snap-counts/teams