As the season progresses it is hard to find those diamonds in the rough or that guy that no one has heard of. This week we are going to examine the plethora of injuries across the league and who the most likely successor is to that starting job as well as highlight some prime matchups as well as surprising performers to this point. This article will also highlight a few long-term and speculative players that could see their value rise over the course of the season.
Last Week
- Clay Matthews OLB (LAR): 2 assists, 69% defensive snaps
- Neville Hewitt ILB (NYJ): 4 solos, 3 assists, 1 pass defended, 98% defensive snaps
- Nathan Gerry LB (PHI): 1 solo, 5 assists, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovery, 54% defensive snaps
- Chad Thomas DE (CLE): 5 solos, 2 tackles for loss, 68% defensive snaps
- Maxx Crosby DE (OAK): 3 solos, 1 assist, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 84% defensive snaps
- Javon Hargrave DL (PIT): 2 solos, 2 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 67% defensive snaps
- Juston Burris S (CLE): 1 solo, 1 assist, 2 passes defended, 100% defensive snaps
- Eddie Jackson S (CHI): 4 solos, 2 assists, 100% defensive snaps
- Kenny Moore CB (IND): 5 solos, 3 assists, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, 100% defensive snaps
And now, let's look at this week's sleepers.
Linebackers
Preston Smith OLB (GB):
After an embarrassing loss to the 49ers last week, Green Bay is going to have to do something special to get back on track this week. They take on a Giants team that has been reeling all season and are allowing the 3rd most points to opposing outside linebackers. Smith may not have the strongest tackling numbers, but he has 10+ sacks and could get home again this week on Daniel Jones. Look for the Packers defense as a whole to play much better this week and for Smith to have at least one sack.
Benardrick McKinney LB (HOU):
Zach Cunningham is the name that most people think of in the Houston defense, but McKinney has held his own so far this year. He has seen a steady increase in his tackling numbers. He has 19 total tackles in his past 2 games and had his second double-digit tackle performance of the season last week. McKinney has a great matchup against a Patriots offense that has struggled in recent weeks and continues to play near 100% of snaps every week.
Thomas Davis LB (LAC):
Even with the hot start to the season, many people soured on Davis after his mid-season slump. He went from playing nearly 95% of defensive snaps and amassing 38 tackles in his first 4 games to just 77% and only 25 tackles in weeks 5 through 8. Davis is coming off a Bye and back to back double-digit tackle performances and will be taking on their division rival in the Broncos. The Broncos love to run with Phillip Lindsay and Davis should have a chance to face a rookie quarterback and hover around 10 total tackles again this week.
Defensive Linemen
Ezekiel Ansah DL (SEA):
We have talked about Jarran Reed this season and Jadeveon Clowney has been a force for Seattle, but both are currently sidelined with injury and Ansah has the best chance to fill in. Ansah put up his best numbers of the season last week with 4 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. This week, he takes on a Vikings offensive line that has struggled to protect Kirk Cousins and is allowing an average of 2 sacks per game to opposing defensive lines. Ansah also has the opportunity to rack up the tackles if he can chase down Dalvin Cook as the Vikings have run the ball more than any other team this season.
Lawrence Guy DT (NE):
The Patriots defense has been out of this world so far this season and Guy seems to be benefitting from their success as of late. Guy has his best game of the season against Dallas last week with 8 total tackles and will be taking on a Texans offensive line that has struggled to protect Deshaun Watson. He has provided steady tackling performance in recent weeks and has a great chance to notch a sack against a beleaguered Texans offensive line.
Sheldon Richardson DT (CLE):
We recommended Chad Thomas last week to fill on for Myles Garrett and he had an average performance against Miami. However, it was Richardson who provided the push up front and filled the pass rush void left by Garrett. Richardson had 5 total tackles, a tackle for loss, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble. Larry Ogunjobi comes back from his one-game suspension this week, but the Browns defensive line has provided consistent pressure in recent weeks. Look for Richardson to cause havoc up the middle again this week in the rematch against Pittsburgh.
Defensive Backs
Adrian Phillips S (LAC):
It is easy to forget about a player who went on the IR earlier in the season. Phillips was slated to return on November 14th and has now had 2 full weeks, including a Bye, to get back into game shape. The Chargers secondary has been difficult to predict, but Phillips had 14 tackles over the first 2 games before he went down with an injury. Look for him to slide back into his starting role this week and provide help over the top on Courtland Sutton and come up and play the run more than any other Chargers safety.
Julian Love S (NYG):
In another blow to the Giants season, starting strong safety Jabrill Peppers is dealing with a traverse fracture in his back. Love filled the role when Peppers went down last week and is a good bet to get the starting nod this week. Michael Thomas also has a chance to play some snaps for New York and we will have to watch their practice reports this week. The Giants defense has been porous up front and the safety position has been a gold mine of tackles and points. Fire up Love if he gets the starting nod this week.
Adoree Jackson CB (TEN):
Malcolm Butler went down with an injury and Jackson has seen the greatest increase in playing time since that happened. Jackson has put up 20 total tackles and 3 passes defended in the past 2 games. The Titans take on a Colts team that has been very run-heavy in the past few weeks and may not be the best matchup, but when they do throw, they will most likely avoid Logan Ryan and target whoever is being covered by Jackson. There is a great chance at 5+ solo tackles this week and that is a good stat line in any league that requires you to start a corner.