If you’re staring at your roster right now feeling like you’ve been hit by a freight train, you aren’t alone. Week 8 of the 2025 season is basically the "Bye-nado." We are losing massive chunks of the IDP elite. No Maxx Crosby. No Byron Young. No Jared Verse. Even the rookie sensation Travis Hunter is off the board this week. It’s a mess, honestly.
When you lose about 40 players from the standard weekly rankings, the "start your studs" rule starts to feel like a cruel joke because your studs are currently sitting on a couch in Las Vegas or Detroit.
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IDP Week 8 Rankings: The Scramble for Volume
Most people think IDP is just about finding the guys who hit the hardest. That’s a mistake. In a week like this, it’s about snap share and opportunity. If a guy isn't on the field for 90% of the defensive plays, he’s a liability in your lineup right now.
Take the linebacker spot. Zack Baun is the name on everyone’s lips this week. The dude is a tackle machine for the Eagles and with the Giants on the schedule, he’s basically a lock for double-digit points. He’s currently my LB1 for a reason. He’s playing almost every single snap and the Giants' offense is, well, the Giants' offense.
Then you’ve got Jamien Sherwood over with the Jets. With the Bengals coming to town, Sherwood is going to be busy. Joe Burrow is going to throw, but he’s also going to check it down, and Sherwood is the guy who’s going to be there to clean up the mess.
The Defensive Line: Who’s Actually Left?
With Crosby and Hutchinson out of the picture for the week, the DL rankings look a little weird. You’ve got Nik Bonitto sitting at the very top. Sounds crazy? It shouldn't. He’s facing a Cowboys team that is giving up pressures like they’re handing out candy.
- Nik Bonitto (DEN) vs. Cowboys: The matchup is just too juicy to ignore.
- T.J. Watt (PIT) vs. Packers: It’s T.J. Watt. You don't bench him. Ever.
- Myles Garrett (CLE) vs. Patriots: The Patriots' offensive line is struggling, and Garrett is healthy.
- Will Anderson Jr. (HOU) vs. 49ers: A tough matchup, but his win rate is elite.
I’m also keeping a close eye on Derrick Brown in Carolina. He just went off for two sacks last week. People think he’s just a run-stuffer, but he’s getting into the backfield way more often lately. He’s a DT1 this week against Buffalo, especially since Josh Allen tends to hold onto the ball a split second longer than he should.
Secondary Saviors and Bye-Week Band-Aids
The defensive back position is where most managers lose their matchups. They chase interceptions. Interceptions are basically gambling. You want the guys who are forced to tackle because their cornerbacks can't cover or their front four can't stop the run.
Derwin James is back to his usual self, playing nearly 100% of the snaps. He’s the DB1 this week. But if you’re looking for a sleeper, check out Kool-Aid McKinstry. The Saints rookie has been racking up solo tackles like a veteran. He’s got four "spike" weeks already this season. If you're in a corner-required league, he's a gold mine.
Then there’s the Kyle Hamilton situation. He’s been dealing with a groin issue, but he practiced in full. If he’s active against the Bears, you play him. The Ravens' defense is finally getting healthy, and Hamilton is the chess piece that makes it all work.
What Most People Get Wrong About Matchups
Matchup "rankings" usually look at points allowed to a position. That’s lazy. You have to look at game script.
For example, Jeffery Simmons is a great player. But he’s questionable with a hamstring and he’s facing a Colts team that doesn't give up sacks. If the Colts get an early lead, they’re just going to run Jonathan Taylor up the middle all day. Simmons might get some tackles, but his "big play" upside is capped. That’s why he’s sliding down the IDP week 8 rankings.
On the flip side, look at the Vikings edge rushers. The Chargers are allowing the fifth-most pressures in the league right now. Brian Flores is going to send the house. This makes someone like Dallas Turner a high-ceiling play even if his floor is a bit shaky. He’s going to get home at least once.
Injury Red Flags You Can't Ignore
We have some serious names on the "maybe" list this week.
- Roquan Smith (Hamstring): He practiced in full, which is a massive relief for Ravens fans and fantasy managers. He’s an auto-start.
- Terrel Bernard (Ankle): The Bills are optimistic, but ankles are tricky for linebackers who need to lateral. If he’s out, Baylon Spector becomes a must-add.
- Trey Hendrickson (Hip): He re-aggravated it. He says he’s playing, but keep an eye on the inactives 90 minutes before kickoff.
Actionable Steps for Your Roster
Stop chasing the "big name" players who are only playing 50% of the snaps. Go to your league's waiver wire and look for Shemar James (Cowboys) or Cedric Gray (Titans). These are the guys stepping into massive roles due to injuries and they are actually producing.
Honestly, the biggest advice I can give for Week 8 is to embrace the chaos. Your team won't look pretty. You might be starting a rookie cornerback you’ve barely heard of. But if that rookie is playing 70 snaps against a high-volume passing offense, he’s better than a "star" on a bye.
Check your scoring settings too. If your league rewards "Tackles for Loss" (TFL), guys like A'Shawn Robinson become much more valuable than they appear in standard tackle-heavy rankings. He’s been feasting lately.
One last thing: don't ignore the "Green Dot" players. These are the guys with the communication headsets in their helmets. They almost never leave the field. In a week where you need every point, a linebacker who never hits the sidelines is your best friend. Look at Bobby Okereke or Alex Singleton. They aren't flashy, but they are the heartbeat of your IDP squad.
Get your lineups locked. Double-check those Sunday morning inactives. It's going to be a wild one.
To get the most out of your IDP roster this week, manually check the snap counts from Week 7 to see which injury replacements actually stayed on the field for the whole game, as those players are the most likely to repeat their performance. Focus your waiver wire claims on linebackers facing the Giants, Panthers, or Browns, as these offenses are currently conceding the highest tackle-to-snap ratios in the league. Finally, ensure you have a backup plan for Sunday afternoon starters like Terrel Bernard by stashing a late-game pivot like De'Vondre Campbell or a similar veteran just in case of a late scratch.