Linebackers
Mychal Kendricks (SEA): Somehow, all three of Seattle’s linebackers are viable fantasy options. Obviously you’d rather have the stat sheet stuffer in Bobby Wagner, but Kendricks is doing his best to fill it up too. He has four pass breakups, three sacks, a pick, and a forced fumble this season, all the while putting up respectable tackle numbers, too. He’s got a bye next week, but the remaining games (and especially during the fantasy playoffs) are nice matchups. A solid add for this year and a good backup to have moving forward.
Brandon Copeland (NYJ): Next man up time. C.J. Mosley is probably shelved for the season, Blake Cashman is on IR, and the Jets have turned to the undrafted journeyman Copeland. He was impressive in their loss to the Dolphins last week, piling up 8 solos and a sack. It’s evident that Copeland will get a healthy amount of snaps for the remainder of the season, and is worth gambling on for 2020 and beyond.
Dante Fowler (LAR): If you’re in a “big play” league where you get more points for sacks and forced fumbles and the like, Fowler is a nice plug-and-play against the right opponent. He exploded a couple of weeks ago, racking up 6 solos, 3 sacks, and a pass breakup. Starting him comes with some risk, as the tackles generally aren’t there, but if he can get to the QB, he can put some points up. Plus he’s only 25 and his best years may be ahead of him.
Defensive Linemen
Chase Winovich (DE – NEP): For those looking to stash guys on their DTS towards the end of the season, Winovich is an interesting name. He only has 7 solos and 3 assists through 9 weeks, but of those tackles, 4.5 of them went for sacks. He is a perfect fit for the Patriots’ scheme and could see an increased workload in 2020.
Christian Wilkins (DT – MIA): The big guy hasn’t done much of note this season but is showing signs of improvement after a 4-solo game against the Steelers and a 3 solo, 2 assist, 1 sack effort against the fledgling Jets. For those in leagues that split up DT from the DL spot, he’s most certainly rosterable.
Derek Wolfe (DE – DEN): Wolfe has flashed here and there over his 8-year career and is up to 5 sacks this season. The Broncos desperately need additional pass rush besides Von Miller with Bradley Chubb and Wolfe could be the source. If you’re hurting at DL you could take a stab at Wolfe after Denver’s bye, as there are a few good matchups on the horizon.
Defensive Backs
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (CB – NOS): Gardner-Johnson has seen a bump in playing time over the past three weeks in the dime package. With games against the Falcons and Bucs, his snap count should remain about the same and could reap the benefits. He has 11 solos and 4 pass breakups over the past two games. Plus his name is Chauncey so that’s a bonus. Worth a flier in deep leagues if his snap count remains high.
Andrew Adams (S – TBB): Due to injuries in the Buccaneer defensive backfield, Adams has seen a healthy snap count over the past three games. Jordan Whitehead will accrue most of the stats for the Bucs at the safety spot, but based on matchups it looks like Adams could be a viable DB2 in deeper formats for the rest of the season.
Troy Apke (S – WAS): Apke has 14 solos over the past three weeks, where he’s been the starter opposite Landon Collins. Following the Redskins’ bye this week, the matchups are actually pretty nice so if you’re hurting at DB Apke could be a decent fill-in. He’s only 24 and could slot in next to Collins next year if the team decides to move on from older veterans.