2025 IDP Waiver Wire for Week 7

Photo of Jorge Edwards Jorge Edwards Follow on X Send an email October 14, 2025Last Updated: October 20, 2025
1,223 11 minutes read
2025 IDP Waiver Wire for Week 7

Welcome to the 2025 IDP Waiver Wire For Week 7!

The Godfather of IDP, Gary Davenport, is on leave this week, which means you get me as I break down my recommendations for players to pick up off your IDP league’s waiver wire. Most times when I write IDP waiver wire articles, my bias is sometimes slanted towards conventional positional alignment, such as DL, LB, and DB. That will not be the case this week. HOWEVER, don’t worry, you conventional savages, you’ll still get your Defensive End, Linebacker, and Safety fix. Be patient with me.

So sit back and enjoy the ride with this ’90s toys collecting, sleep-deprived, job-furloughed IDP fantasy football junkie/analyst.

via GIPHY

*Rostership Percentages based on REDRAFT league percentages ONLY*

Disclaimer: Waiver Wire Rostership Percentages from Sleeper, ESPN, & Yahoo, as well as the Combined Rostership Percentages, will not exceed 30%. Also, fantasy point scoring will be represented from FantasyPros IDP scoring, which can be found here. Base metrics provided by FantasyData and advanced metrics via PFF and NFL Pro.

IDP PICKUP OF THE WEEK

LB Tatum Bethune, San Francisco 49ers

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (0%), ESPN (0%), & Yahoo (0%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 0%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 11 Total Tackles (5 Solo/5 Assisted)

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

Losing Fred Warner for the season sucks hard, no matter how many ways you slice it. That being said, Bethune coming on in replacement for Warner on Sunday versus Tampa Bay and putting up double-digit tackles certainly should raise some eyebrows for fantasy managers. Bethune posted a 17.8% tackle rate opposite Dee Winters in Week 6, and seeing as there is no real competition behind Bethune for significant snaps and the necessity of him being on the field, it is for this reason I’m making him my IDP waiver wire target for the week.

WEEK 7 IDP WAIVER WIRE TARGETS

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

DT Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (11%), ESPN (35.2%), & Yahoo (33%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 26.4%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 6 Total Tackles, 2 TFLs, and 1 Sack for 16.5 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • 14.6% Pressure Rate
  • 8.2% Tackle Rate
  • DT1 in Fantasy Points Per Game with an 18.8 PPG average

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

Tied as the DL6 in terms of fantasy points per game so far this season, the DL14 in 2024, the DL17 in 2023, etc., it’s kind of a shock he’s available in so many leagues. Yes, I know people gravitate, rightfully so, toward EDGE rushers as their defensive linemen, but I’m sorry ELITE is ELITE, and to steal AEW’s slogan, “Jeffery Simmons is ALL ELITE.”

He’s a MUST START in Defensive Tackle ONLY leagues and a MUST ROSTER for those thin at the defensive line position on their “conventional” fantasy rosters.

DT Byron Murphy II, Seattle Seahawks

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (3%), ESPN (6.2%), & Yahoo (4%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 4.4%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 4 Total Tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 Sack for 14.3 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • 14.8% Pressure Rate and 3 Sacks
  • PFF’s Best Rated Defensive Linemen on the Seahawks
  • PFF’s 9th Best Rated Defensive Tackle in the NFL during that timespan

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

Byron Murphy II is a lost name in IDP circle at the Defensive Lineman position for IDP managers, but is starting to assert himself in Defensive Tackle ONLY leagues. While only the DT30 in term of fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, coming off a two sack performance against one of the tougher offensive line matchups in the Jaguars in Week 6, per PFF, Murphy II will look to continue his hot streak against Houston, Washington, & Arizona over the next three games played with Houston and Arizona being in the Top 12 in fantasy points allowed to the Defensive Tackle position.

DE Alex Wright, Cleveland Browns

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (0%), ESPN (0.1%), & Yahoo (0%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 0.03%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 7 Total Tackles and 1 TFL for 10 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • 10.8% Tackle Efficiency
  • Week 6 Snap % of 59.7% (tied for first at EDGE for Cleveland)

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

Whoa, whoa, whoa, why am I focused on Tackle Efficiency numbers from my defensive linemen and not pressure rate?! The answer is an elevated fantasy point floor. You see, the “magic pill” at defensive line is an IDP that not only delivers IMPACT plays but also boasts decent tackle numbers, elevating their fantasy floor. This theme will be brought up many times throughout this article.

Over the past three weeks, Alex Wright has been competing with Isaiah McGuire to determine who will hold down the EDGE 2 role opposite Myles Garrett in Cleveland. By the looks of his Week 6 snap percentage, Wright has taken that job.

Over the next three games against the Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets, Alex Wright will find himself in advantageous matchups in terms of fantasy points allowed to the Defensive End position, making him an exciting streaming option during “Bye Week Hell”!

Linebackers

LB Drake Thomas, Seattle Seahawks

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (0%), ESPN (0.4%), & Yahoo (0%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 0.13%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 9 Total Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, and 1 PD for 16.3 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • Tackle Efficiency of 9.5% & Pressure Rate of 57% (Yes, you read that right)
  • The LB14 in PPG averages at a 13.7 PPG average

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

Be careful, here. What is the expression, “Jack of all trades, master of none”? That’s what Drake Thomas has shown fantasy managers to be so far this season. Yes, the fantasy point numbers per game have been solid, but the tackle numbers, the lifeblood at the linebacking or ANY IDP position, are lacking. Bailed out by IMPACT plays the past two of three weeks, Thomas is very much an emergency bye week fill-in until his tackle efficiency and numbers rise and be more consistent.

That being said, in 14 or 16-team leagues, he is a solid add based on scarcity at the position in larger leagues and the increase in snap percentage over the past three weeks, which has firmly planted him as the LB2 on the Seahawks.

LB Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (7%), ESPN (10.1%), & Yahoo (9%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 8.7%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 11 Total Tackles and 2 PDs for 12.8 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • 22.9% Tackle Efficiency
  • Missed Tackle Rate of only 6.8%
  • PFF’s No. 1 overall Run Defender and 5th best-ranked Linebacker overall
  • LB2 in fantasy points scoring with a 17.7 PPG average

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

Ok, ok, Cedric Gray. You’ve proven that you and Drake Maye are the two best football players to come out of UNC this decade (Yes, I know that’s bold, lol).

No, but seriously, Gray is the PERFECT example of how, as the Macho Man Randy Savage would say, ” The Cream Always Rises To The Top….oh YEAH!” We all knew the talent was there for him coming out of college; he just needed a consistent opportunity. He has that now.

Gray is not only an excellent Bye Week fill-in for fantasy managers, but is in the discussion of being a definitive high-LB2 rest of season. Either way, being rostered in only 8.7% of leagues across Sleeper, ESPN, and Yahoo, you should be making him one of your top priorities this week if you haven’t already.

LB K.J. Britt, Miami Dolphins

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (0%), ESPN (0.4%), & Yahoo (0%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 0.13%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 13 Total Tackles (6 solo/7 assisted) for 14.3 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • 19.3% Tackle Efficiency
  • Led the Dolphins’ linebackers in total tackles in Week 6 with 13
  • PFF’s 15th-best-ranked Run Defender in Week 6
  • Back-to-back weeks as the starting LB2 on the Dolphins in terms of snaps

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

K.J. Britt played 95% of snaps in Week 6 versus the Chargers, posting an ELITE 21.3% tackle efficiency for the Dolphins. While strictly playing in the Box and not being asked to do much in coverage and nothing at all from DL alignments, Britt filled in perfectly for Tyrel Dodson as well as IDP managers this past week. Pick up Britt, if you haven’t already, and play him for as long as Dodson is out.

LB Barrett Carter, Cincinnati Bengals

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (0%), ESPN (0.3%), & Yahoo (0%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 0.1%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 10 Total Tackles (7 solo/3 assisted) for 12.8 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • 18% Tackle Efficiency in Week 6
  • In Week 6, he played 100% of snaps throughout the game against Green Bay
  • In the same week, he finished at the LB24 for fantasy managers using FantasyPros IDP scoring

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

It was Barrett Carter, not Demetrius Knight, who was the rookie who led the team in snaps as the LB1 for the Bengals this past week against Green Bay. Playing the majority of his snaps in the Box, Carter and his 18% tackle efficiency ensured that he had one role, and one role only on Sunday, which was to stop the run.

Over the next three weeks, Carter could potentially face the Steelers (12th in fantasy points allowed to LBs), the Jets (6th in fantasy points allowed to LBs), and the Bears (20th in fantasy points allowed to LBs) as the permanent LB1 on this roster. Given how Bye Weeks are about to get crazy over the next month, scoop him up now before he heats up and your fellow IDP managers start swooning over him TOO LOUDLY.

LB Germaine Pratt, Indianapolis Colts

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (10%), ESPN (3.6%), & Yahoo (3%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 5.5%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 11 Total Tackles (8 solo/3 assisted) for 14.3 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • In Week 6, his first game with the Colts, Pratt posted a 17.2% Tackle Efficiency metric
  • He finished as the LB14 for the week in fantasy points scored

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

Familiarity is a luxury most of us would enjoy regularly. A sense of normalcy, if you will. For Germaine Pratt, reuniting with his old defensive coordinator from a season ago brought metrics and fantasy production that made him an LB2 for fantasy managers in PPG in 2024. Firmly taking over the LB2 role on the Colts this past week, playing 69.5% of snaps near the line of scrimmage, he went from delivering LB3/LB4 fantasy production numbers, which he had in Las Vegas, to LB2 numbers this past week for Indy.

For those concerned about sample size and wondering if he can be trusted for fantasy under Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme, go back and look at his numbers from 2024, and you’ll see that he’s one of the safest bets as an LB2 on your roster as you’ll find on the waiver wire going forward rest of season.

Defensive Backs

S Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (9%), ESPN (1.1%), & Yahoo (1%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 3.7%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 9 Total Tackles & 1 TFL for 13.8 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • 11.9% Tackle Efficiency
  • In Week 6, led the safety group in D-Line, Box, and Slot Cornerback Snap Percentages as the team’s third starting safety
  • Finished as the S7 in PPG in Week 6 and DB 15, overall, with 13.9 fpts

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

Imagine that, you give one of the top defensive backs in the 2025 draft class, a defensive back that specializes at stopping the run, a full-time role and good things happen from a fantasy perspective?!

Madness, madness I say!

I’m also saying that Emmanwori is starting to work his way into keeping a full-time role in this Seahawks’ secondary. Once Julian Love and cornerback Devon Witherspoon return from injuries, it’s Ty Okada that should be relegated to backup duties, and it is Emmanwori remaining in a full-time starting role doing what he does best. Add him to your rosters ASAP, starting this week!

S Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (0%), ESPN (0.5%), & Yahoo (0%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 0.17%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 5 Total Tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 Sack for 12.5 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • 12.8% Tackle Efficiency (Before Week 7 MNF)
  • 40% of Snaps have come from playing a combination of DL & Box Snaps (Before Week 7 MNF)
  • Has been the S8 in fppg with a 10.7 ppg average and the DB 20 overall (Before Week 7 MNF)

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

Supported by the 13th-highest solo tackle floor among all DBs over the past three weeks, Reaves has filled in admirably for Will Harris since he went on IR. While Reaves and FS Quan Martin have been sharing a similar role, it has been Reaves who has been playing closer to the line of scrimmage and assisting in not only run support but in rushing the Quarterback.

While the schedule for the Commanders doesn’t bode well in terms of fantasy points allowed to the safety position over the next three weeks, weeks 8-10 are THE HEAVIEST this season in terms of teams on bye. As a result, Reaves’ and his modest floor could actually provide you with solid DB2 scoring production during that time.

CB Marcus Jones, New England Patriots

Percent Rostered on Sleeper (6%), ESPN (9.1%), & Yahoo (41%):

Combined Consensus Rostership Percentage: 18.7%

Base Statistics of The Week:

  • 5 Total Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, and 3 PDs for 17.75 fpts

Advanced Statistics Over Past Three Weeks:

  • 12.5% Tackle Efficiency
  • 77.3% Slot Cornerback Snap Percentage
  • PFF’s Highest Graded Defensive Back, overall, on New England
  • Tied for 1st in Interceptions among all Slot Cornerbacks
  • The DB 8 in Fantasy Points Per Game with 13.9 PPG

IDP Waiver Wire Analysis:

When recommending any DB for fantasy purposes, especially CBs, you HAVE to make sure their fantasy floor is elevated enough to the point that they have legitimate standalone value even if they don’t make an impact play on defense.

The good news for IDP managers, not only in CB-specific leagues or “conventional” DB leagues, is that Marcus Jones fits the bill. His solo-to-assist tackle numbers are exactly where you want them to be, and his tackle efficiency metrics over the past three weeks have been on par with the average for linebackers!

There are only a few slot cornerbacks that I would trust to put into my DB roster spot so far when healthy this season: Devon Witherspoon, Kenny Moore, and Marcus Jones. With games against the Titans (allow the 22nd most fantasy points to cornerbacks), Browns (allow the 5th most fantasy points to cornerbacks), and Falcons (allow the 3rd most fantasy points to cornerbacks) coming up, Jones is a must-pickup for you this week and is a great short-to-long-term play.

Thanks for checking out my recommendations for your league’s 2025 IDP Waiver Wire for Week 7. You can find all of our IDP Waiver Wire articles for 2025 by clicking here!

Jorge B. Edwards is an FSWA member, FantasyPros ECR ranker & award winner, and creator of FANTASY IN FRAMES, specializing in IDP, Redraft, and Dynasty Fantasy Football. Follow him on Twitter/X at @JorgeBEdwards. 

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Photo of Jorge Edwards Jorge Edwards Follow on X Send an email October 14, 2025Last Updated: October 20, 2025
1,223 11 minutes read
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