Start Your Studs

Week 10 reminded me of one important thing which is have your bench, but don’t get cute. This isn’t the time to outthink yourself 🧠 . The fantasy season waits for no one, and we’ve officially hit the stretch where trust, discipline, and awareness separate contenders from the rest. Be thankful for what you have 🦃 your studs are the ones who got you here. Depth matters, but there’s a fine line between managing and over-managing. The only time you pull that emergency lever between the seats is when an injury forces your hand. Otherwise, ride with the guys who’ve carried you this far.

By now, we’ve done the work. We drafted our cores, built depth through waivers, and adjusted along the way. But this time of year always brings chaos and managers get restless. They start tinkering, chasing upside, dropping steady producers for flavor-of-the-week fliers. And that’s how you lose focus right before the finish line. Who is going to be running out of the tunnel for your squad when it counts the most?

This article takes a look at the IDP side of the game. We look at who is top 12 so far this season at their respective positions (DL,LB, DB) and see if there is reason to pump the brakes 🛑 on their weekly matchup. On the other side, we take a look a players within those same positions and try to see who might finish within the top 12 ⚡ that is currently outside of it.

Through five installments, we’ve been on point calling hits ⚡ like Barrett Carter, Tyrel Dodson, Cole Bishop, and Tatum Bethune, while steering clear of tough weeks 🛑 from Devin White, Tuli Tuipulotu, Derwin James, and Nik Bonitto. Sure, not every call is perfect but that’s fantasy. But as the great Matthew Berry once said:

“We are such creatures of the moment we forget that, well, football is a violent sport and it’s a sport played with a leather ball that is an oblong shape. Injuries and weird s*** happens every single year.”

Set your lineup. Stay steady. Start your studs.

*This is in reference to FantasyPros Week to Week Rankings & using a platform that allows dual designation*

⚡ Green Light – DL: Jaelan Phillips vs.

(Season Rank: DL35 through Week 10)

Cedar Point is right up the road from me, and I can count on one hand how many times I’ve been on a rollercoaster 🎢 and that’s exactly what Jaelan Phillips has been for IDP managers. A first-round talent (18th overall) who’s shown flashes of dominance but battled injuries year after year. Many managers lost faith, but if you’ve kept him or grabbed him off waivers recently, it’s time to buckle up again.

For me, it’s the perseverance that stands out. He’s fought through everything and lately, we’re seeing the payoff. Phillips has been DL19 over the last three weeks, and this feels like that “turning the corner” moment after an injury-plagued stretch. What really impressed me was how quickly he made an impact after being traded, stepping right into his new defense and immediately making noise 🔊 .

Now looking ahead to Week 11: the Lions are giving up the third-most tackles to opposing DEs and the most to opposing LBs in the league. That sets up beautifully for Phillips and the Eagles’ front seven to keep the heat coming.

Last 3 Weeks Snap Share: 80% → 80% → 79%

Bottom line: The talent’s never been in question. The situation’s catching up to it. Fire up your Eagles defenders, this group is starting to look dangerous.


⚡ Green Light – LB: Devin Lloyd vs.

(Season Rank: DL58 through Week 10)

Lloyd’s flashed some serious upside this season, enough to make you wonder just how big an impact he could have for both the Jags and our fantasy rosters. Like so many this year, he was on pace for a career stretch before the injury bug caught up 🤕.

But here’s the good news: he’s back and officially off the injury report for the first time in three weeks. I was cautious about his first game back, but he went out and logged a 96% snap share, leaving little doubt he’s back in full swing .

Before the setback, Lloyd sat at LB16, and there’s every reason to believe he can pick up right where he left off. Even better this week’s matchup is tailor-made for production. The Texans have allowed the fourth-most tackles to opposing LBs this season, giving Lloyd a great shot to reestablish himself as a reliable LB2 with LB1 upside down the stretch.

Last 3 Weeks Snap Share: 0% → 0% → 96%

Bottom line: Lloyd is healthy, locked in, and stepping into one of the best tackle matchups you could ask for. If you’ve been waiting to fire him back up the wait’s over. Plug him in with confidence and let him anchor your lineup ⚓.


⚡ Green Light – DB: Xavier Watts vs.

(Season Rank: DB31 through Week 10)

Watt was one of those players I was instantly sold on after our league drafts and he’s done nothing but reward that faith. The rookie earned a starting role right out of the gate and has already surpassed every early expectation. Last week, he logged a career-high 11 tackles, showing the instincts and range that made him a Day 2 pick.

This week’s matchup? Even better. The Panthers rank top-five in tackles allowed to opposing safeties, meaning Watt should be right in the thick of the action. His snap share has been perfect, 100% all season long — no rotation risk, no smoke and mirrors, just solid opportunity 📈.

Last 3 Weeks Snap Share: 100% → 100% → 100%

Bottom Line: Watt’s proving the hype was real — steady snaps, strong production, and an elite matchup on deck. Lock him in and let the rookie eat 🍝.




🛑 Pump the Brakes – DL: Montez Sweat vs.

(Season Rank: DL10 through Week 10)

Look, I’ve been a huge Sweat fan for a long time and when he got traded to Chicago, I thought they’d build that defense around him. It seems like that’s finally starting to happen. Over the last three weeks, he’s been on a mission, ranking as the DL5 during that span. Some of that success might even be thanks to rookie Austin Booker drawing extra attention and letting Sweat get his 💪.

But before we go all-in, let’s keep it real, there are a few red flags 🚩 here. His % share has been trending down 📉, and this week’s matchup isn’t doing him any favors. The Vikings rank near the bottom of the league in tackles allowed to opposing defensive linemen, meaning opportunity could be limited.

Last 3 Weeks Snap Share: 81% → 76% → 71%

Bottom Line: Sweat’s heating up, but this isn’t the matchup to bet the house on. Keep him in lineups if you must, just temper expectations. 🥶


🛑 Pump the Brakes – LB: Bobby Wagner vs.

(Season Rank: LB2 through Week 10)

I’ve never tamed a bull, but this feels like my first try 🐂. Wagner is one of the 🐐’s in our IDP world 🌍 — 35 years old and still sitting as the LB2 on the season. Unreal. If this take catches some heat, I’ve already braced myself. But, like always, let’s dig into what the numbers are telling us.

Over the last three weeks, Wagner’s slipped to LB28, and that’s where my first concern kicks in. The production hasn’t been bad, just not elite by his standards. The bigger issue is the matchup: Miami ranks in the bottom 25% of the league in tackles allowed to opposing linebackers. That means the volume might not be there for one of his signature stat-stuffing games.

Last 3 Weeks Snap Share: 100% → 100% → 100%

Bottom Line: Wagner is as steady as they come, but the matchup doesn’t favor a big week. You’re not benching him — just expect more floor than ceiling in this one.


🛑 Pump the Brakes – DB: Tyson Campbell vs.

(Season Rank: DB10 through Week 10)

This one’s straightforward. Campbell started the season on fire 🔥 with the Jaguars, but since moving to Cleveland, he’s landed at DB36 during that time. While i can appreciate the contribution so far this season, it’s not enough to lean on right now. In fact, I’m not just pumping the brakes, I’m stopping the car and letting him out ✌️.

The matchup is brutal: The Ravens rank last in the league in tackles allowed to opposing CBs. Starting Campbell here is essentially banking on a big play, and at this point in the season, we need consistency, not hope.

Last 3 Weeks Snap Share: 84% → 65% → 86%

Bottom Line: Sit him this week. The upside isn’t worth risking a key roster spot when you need floor from your starters. 🚗💨



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Come hang out, share your takes, and let’s keep building those championship rosters together!


References
– Tackles Allowed by Team/Position: PFF – Macri
– Rankings: FantasyPros Week-to-Week Leaders