This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISING
Josh Sweat, DE, Eagles 
The Eagles proved their confidence in Sweat by signing him to a three-year, $40 million contract Saturday. At the time of the deal, he was in a three-man rotation at defensive end with Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett. However, Graham tore his Achilles during Sunday's loss to the 49ers, so both Sweat and Barnett should receive bumps in playing time moving forward. A 2018 fourth-round pick, Sweat posted 38 tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups over 14 games last season.
Melvin Ingram, LB, Steelers 
T.J. Watt went down with a groin injury during the Week 2 loss to the Raiders, and his status is in question heading into a Week 3 matchup against the Bengals. The Steelers have an incentive to exercise caution with the 26-year-old linebacker, as they signed him to a four-year, $112.01 million contract less than two weeks ago. Ingram is a proven pass rusher who will be a capable placeholder who could handle every-down duties next week if Watt misses time. The matchup is ideal, too, as Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been sacked nine times through two games.
Quandre Diggs, FS, Seahawks 
The Seahawks' high-powered offense causes their opponents to pass a ton, and Diggs has capitalized with 19 tackles through two games. With a suspect cornerback corps in Seattle, it's not surprising that Diggs is needed as insurance over the top, but he's a physical run-stopper as well. The floor he
RISING
Josh Sweat, DE, Eagles
The Eagles proved their confidence in Sweat by signing him to a three-year, $40 million contract Saturday. At the time of the deal, he was in a three-man rotation at defensive end with Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett. However, Graham tore his Achilles during Sunday's loss to the 49ers, so both Sweat and Barnett should receive bumps in playing time moving forward. A 2018 fourth-round pick, Sweat posted 38 tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups over 14 games last season.
Melvin Ingram, LB, Steelers
T.J. Watt went down with a groin injury during the Week 2 loss to the Raiders, and his status is in question heading into a Week 3 matchup against the Bengals. The Steelers have an incentive to exercise caution with the 26-year-old linebacker, as they signed him to a four-year, $112.01 million contract less than two weeks ago. Ingram is a proven pass rusher who will be a capable placeholder who could handle every-down duties next week if Watt misses time. The matchup is ideal, too, as Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been sacked nine times through two games.
Quandre Diggs, FS, Seahawks
The Seahawks' high-powered offense causes their opponents to pass a ton, and Diggs has capitalized with 19 tackles through two games. With a suspect cornerback corps in Seattle, it's not surprising that Diggs is needed as insurance over the top, but he's a physical run-stopper as well. The floor he has provided in the tackling department combined with his ceiling — he posted 13 pass breakups and eight interceptions over 21 games with the Seahawks before 2021 — could provide him with more IDP relevance moving forward.
Jeremy Chinn, FS, Panthers 
Chinn is off to a slow start with just six solo tackles through the first two games. Fantasy managers should hold the line, as we know Chinn has the talent after he produced 117 tackles, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and two touchdowns as a rookie. Don't miss out on his upside in Week 3, as the Texans will likely roll out rookie Davis Mills for his first career start because Tyrod Taylor is dealing with a hamstring injury. The turnover upside is high, and we should expect his tackles to come around soon anyway.
Greg Rousseau, DE, Bills 
The Bills focused on their pass rush this offseason, and it's already paying dividends. Rousseau, their first-round pick, sacked Dolphins quarterback Jacoby Brissett twice in Sunday's blowout win. He also added five tackles. It's worth taking a flier on Rousseau if you can afford a bench spot.
FALLING
Bobby McCain, S, Football Team 
McCain made the rising column last week, and perhaps it was a bit premature. Of course, he deserved it after seemingly winning the starting job with an 85 percent snap share and 10 tackles in Week 1. However, Kamren Curl out-snapped him in Week 2, and it'll be tough to depend on either player if they continue to rotate like this. The duo combined for just five tackles against the Giants on Thursday anyway.
Micah Parsons, LB, Cowboys 
Parsons started at defensive end with both DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) and Randy Gregory (COVID-19 protocol) out Sunday. The rookie excelled in the new role, as he sacked Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert once and hit him four total times. That's a problem for fantasy purposes. We previously expected Parsons to have a solid floor with his tackling volume, but that will be less dependable when he's lining up with his hand in the dirt. Lawrence likely won't be back until November, either, so Parsons could stay in this role for a while. He's a hold for the time being, but fantasy managers shouldn't feel comfortable starting a DE in their LB slot.
Note: It's worth keeping an eye on Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith. Both players logged fewer than 25 percent of the snaps in Week 1. However, Parsons' move to defensive end means there's an opportunity for both players to make an impact at linebacker. They combined for 16 tackles and a sack in Week 2.
Xavier McKinney, S, Giants 
Neither McKinney nor Jabrill Peppers are full-time players through two weeks, and it's going to be difficult for fantasy managers to pinpoint the IDP producer moving forward. Logan Ryan — who has produced 17 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery thus far — is the safety to roster in this defense. Cornerback James Bradberry is a preferred secondary option over both McKinney and Peppers as well.
