The fantasy season barrels on and Week 10 could give us some significant changes in the IDP landscape, with several trades already occurring and a few more likely to come. For now, we'll recap the Week 9 action with a look ahead to the next slate of games.
Risers
Dante Trader 
, S
Trader is a name to monitor as someone who could emerge in the second of the season. The Dolphins have signaled their intent to turn 2025 into a rebuilding year (with more trades to potentially come by Tuesday afternoon), so it makes sense for them to give their fifth-round rookie additional playing time. His snaps spiked due to an injuries to Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu in Week 9, but that should become more permanent.
Cedric Gray 
, LB
Gray didn't see a change in role, but it's worth noting his ascendence to being an elite fantasy linebacker. He racked up 16 tackles in Tennessee's Week 9 loss and now has double-digit stops in five of his last six games. There have been several high-profile linebackers to disappoint this season, but Gray is in the midst of a breakout that isn't getting enough attention because the Titans are a bad team.
Kyle Dugger 
, S
After falling out of favor in New England, Dugger immediately played 92 percent of snaps in his debut with Pittsburgh. The team had to shuffle its secondary around due to a number of injuries and illness, so it's unclear whether Dugger's return to the IDP radar is permanent or a one-week mirage.
There were some other notable changes to the Pittsburgh defense. Jalen Ramsey shifted from playing primarily corner to safety, giving him more IDP appeal while getting Brandin Echols more consistent run in the slot. Finally, Payton Wilson had the breakout performance many had imagined from him at the start of the season, racking up 14 tackles while also playing a key role in causing turnovers. That performance came in the absence of Cole Hoclomb.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson 
, CB
Gardner-Johnson has had a hard time finding a permanent home since being traded by the Eagles this offseason. Perhaps the third time is the charm, as he settled into the starting slot corner role for Chicago. He tallied six stops with a sack in his team debut. While the sack may not be replicable moving forward, Gardner-Johnson is back on the fantasy IDP radar for deeper/CB-specific leagues.
Antonio Johnson 
, S
Eric Murray suffered what appears to be a serious neck injury and landed on injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders. That opened up opportunity for Johnson, who took advantage by tallying seven tops across 62 defensive snaps. He should have the runway to keep that production for at least the next three games. Jacksonville likely would have wanted to get a look at Caleb Ransaw – its third-round pick in 2025 – but he too is on IR.
Tyrice Knight 
, LB
Knight lost his role to Drake Thomas in Week 4 and was limited almost exclusively to special teams snaps for the next several games. He looks to be in line for renewed opportunity with Ernest Jones' (knee) battling a knee injury. After Jones had his leg rolled up on just before halftime, leaving Knight to log 60 percent of defensive snaps while making 10 stops. While Knight was benched, he was always productive for fantasy IDP purposes and would be once again, if given the chance.
Ty Okada is a bonus riser. He's been mentioned in the past, but he had an excellent showing in the first game with Julian Love (hamstring) on IR.
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles 
, LB
Flannigan-Fowles has the potential to be the key pickup of the week, as he logged his first significant snap count of the season after Darius Muasau (ankle) departed. Flannigan-Fowles went on to record eight tackles in a full-time role and will be a key IDP option if Muasau remains sidelined.
Fallers
JD Bertrand 
, LB
Bertrand looked to be the beneficiary of Divine Deablo's (forearm) unfortunate injury. Things started well enough, as he logged 86 and 99 percent of defensive snaps in Weeks 7 and 8. However, that dropped to 44 percent in Week 9, with Ronnie Harrison nearly even splitting reps. Bertrand was still the more productive of the duo, but his path to production isn't as clear as it appeared.
Jaden Hicks 
, S
Hicks has never been a full-time player this season, but he posted some productive IDP lines thanks to playing primarily in the box. He appears to have completely lost his defensive role, however, as he logged only four defensive snaps against the Bills on Sunday. Chamarri Conner took over fully at safety, while rookie Nohl Williams shifted to the third cornerback role.
Troy Dye 
, LB
Dye was hanging onto a role even after Denzel Perryman returned from injury, though that came to an end in Sunday's win over the Titans. Dye played only four defensive snaps and is a clear drop in all fantasy IDP formats.
