Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 3

Michael Bennett, Defensive End

One premier defensive end who hasn’t disappeared off of the waiver wire yet is Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett. Bennett has been largely a rotational pass-rush specialist over the last few years, but that hasn’t stopped him from being an IDP force to contend with. Thus far this season, he is the seventh-highest scoring defensive end in balanced scoring, and despite a Week 2 bust against the Green Bay Packers, I think Bennett is well worth a pickup and start in Week 3.

One of the big reasons Bennett only racked up 4.5 points last week is Aaron Rodgers’ mobility. He was able to break the pocket on every play and extend them if he had to. Against the Chicago Bears’ Jimmy Clausen in Week 3, Bennett will be able to do what he want to the poor backup. The Bears’ offense is a mess in general, and tackle chances of Matt Forte also abound.

Bennett is available in 81.6% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for around 3.0 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a total score of 4.69 balanced fantasy points in Week 3.