This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISING
Ja'Whaun Bentley, LB, Patriots 
Dont'a Hightower opted out last season, and Bentley stepped in with 91 tackles across 13 games. When Hightower returned this year, many thought Bentley would lose some playing time, but he hasn't lost a step. In fact, he has registered 20 tackles and two pass breakups while handling more reps than Hightower through three games. Bentley doesn't add much upside as a pass-rusher, but his steady tackling floor is useful for fantasy purposes.
Tae Crowder, LB, Giants 
Crowder is listed as a starting inside linebacker, but he logged fewer than 50 percent of the snaps in each of the first two weeks. However, he garnered a major opportunity when Blake Martinez left Sunday's loss to the Falcons with a knee injury, and he capitalized with a team-high 11 tackles. We don't know how serious Martinez's injury is, though it was a noncontact injury, which is always cause for concern. There should be a diagnosis by the time waivers clear; pick up Crowder even if Martinez misses just one game.
Adrian Amos, SS, Packers 
Amos was impressive through his first two seasons in Green Bay, but he didn't top 84 tackles in a season and was an undependable fantasy option as a result. However, in new DC Joe Barry's system, Amos has been flourishing, putting up 24 tackles so far. His coverage numbers should rise eventually -- he produced nine pass breakups and two picks in 2020 -- and Barry has seemed willing
RISING
Ja'Whaun Bentley, LB, Patriots
Dont'a Hightower opted out last season, and Bentley stepped in with 91 tackles across 13 games. When Hightower returned this year, many thought Bentley would lose some playing time, but he hasn't lost a step. In fact, he has registered 20 tackles and two pass breakups while handling more reps than Hightower through three games. Bentley doesn't add much upside as a pass-rusher, but his steady tackling floor is useful for fantasy purposes.
Tae Crowder, LB, Giants
Crowder is listed as a starting inside linebacker, but he logged fewer than 50 percent of the snaps in each of the first two weeks. However, he garnered a major opportunity when Blake Martinez left Sunday's loss to the Falcons with a knee injury, and he capitalized with a team-high 11 tackles. We don't know how serious Martinez's injury is, though it was a noncontact injury, which is always cause for concern. There should be a diagnosis by the time waivers clear; pick up Crowder even if Martinez misses just one game.
Adrian Amos, SS, Packers
Amos was impressive through his first two seasons in Green Bay, but he didn't top 84 tackles in a season and was an undependable fantasy option as a result. However, in new DC Joe Barry's system, Amos has been flourishing, putting up 24 tackles so far. His coverage numbers should rise eventually -- he produced nine pass breakups and two picks in 2020 -- and Barry has seemed willing to send Amos on the blitz. I've seen enough to lock in Amos as a viable starter in the DB slot for fantasy purposes.
Logan Wilson, LB, Bengals 
Wilson won the starting job during training camp and has left no doubt through three games, producing a team-high 28 tackles and three interceptions. Given that he's active as a run-stopper and in coverage, Wilson has both a high floor and a high ceiling. The Bengals will play the Jaguars in Week 4. Rookie QB Trevor Lawrence has thrown at least two interceptions in every game.
Jordan Poyer, SS, Bills 
Poyer suffered an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter and was held out due to the blowout nature of the Bills' win over Washington. However, he was spotted jumping around in the tunnel after the victory, and he confirmed after the game that his injury was minor. The Bills' Week 4 matchup against the Texans is juicy, as QB Davis Mills made some rookie mistakes in his debut and could be due for a turnover or two against a pass rush like the Bills'.
C.J. Mosley, LB, Jets 
Many have forgotten how good Mosley is because he has only played two games since 2018 because he battled a groin injury in 2019 and opted out in 2020. However, he's an explosive athlete who posted 237 tackles, 12 pass breakups and three sacks over his last two seasons in Baltimore, and he has proven that dominance so far this year, recording 24 tackles (13 solo). He's a starting fantasy LB, but if you still have doubt, he'll have plenty of opportunities to rack up tackles in Week 4 against the Browns, who lead the league through three weeks with 102 rushing attempts.
FALLING
Troy Reeder, LB, Rams 
The Rams' defense supported two fantasy-viable inside linebackers last season. However, only Kenny Young has been useful through three weeks, as Reeder has recorded just nine tackles. This isn't a slump, either. Reeder has played fewer than 70 percent of the offensive snaps in each game, so he'll need an injury to Young to get going.
Chandler Jones, LB, Cardinals 
Despite being a dominant real-life player, fantasy managers should fade Jones in Week 4 against the Rams. Jones hasn't surpassed 59 tackles since 2013 when he notched 79, so his weekly value depends on sacks. QB Matthew Stafford has stayed upright this year with just three sacks in as many weeks.
Shaquill Griffin, CB, Jaguars 
Griffin sustained solid tackling upside at cornerback for the Seahawks, posting three straight campaigns with 60-plus stops. He's on the same track this season with 15 tackles, but the matchup isn't ideal. QB Joe Burrow is throwing the ball sparingly with just 75 passing attempts, so Griffin's fantasy floor is low enough to push managers elsewhere.
