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:
- Preston Smith OLB (GB): 1 solo, 85% defensive
- Benardrick McKinney LB (HOU): 3 solos, 4 assists, 1 pass defended, 100% defensive snaps
- Thomas Davis LB (LAC): 4 solos, 2 assists, left the game with a leg injury, 61% defensive snaps
- Ezekiel Ansah DL (SEA): 1 solo, 1 pass defended, 3 QB hits, 47% defensive snaps
- Lawrence Guy DT (NE): 4 solos, 3 assists, 64% defensive snaps
- Sheldon Richardson DT (CLE): 1 solo, 4 assists, 1 QB hit, 90% defensive snaps
- Adrian Phillips S (LAC): 2 solos, 2 assists, 40% defensive snaps
- Julian Love S (NYG): 4 solos, 3 assists, 1 forced fumble, 97% defensive snaps
- Adoree Jackson CB (TEN): 2 solos, left the game with a knee injury, 21% defensive snaps
Linebackers
Anthony Walker LB (IND):
It can be easy to be overshadowed by Darius Leonard, but Walker has put together a great season in his own right. With 82 total tackles to this point, he is on pace for a second consecutive double-digit tackle season and he is taking on a Tampa Bay offense that has allowed an average of 25 tackles per game to opposing linebackers. Jameis Winston also leads the league in turnovers and is ripe for the picking. Walker is coming off a game with 12 total tackles, half a sack, and a forced fumble and has a great matchup this week.
James Burgess LB (NYJ):
It has been a waste of a season for the Jets this year and a revolving door at linebacker. Burgess has come in and played 100% of defensive snaps over the past three games while C.J. Mosley nurses a groin injury. In that time, Burgess has 26 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. This week Burgess gets to take on a Miami team that is down to their fourth option at running back and has been a mystery from week to week. All of the numbers point to a great matchup for Burgess this week even if it is not a great one for the Jets as a team.
Donald Payne LB (JAX):
Things are quickly turning in Jacksonville. With Myles Jack missing time due to injury, the door has been opened for Payne to play in an every-down sort of role. With little competition for tackles, Payne was able to put up 13 total and a sack last week. There is always the chance that Jack returns to the lineup and Payne loses most of his value, but he is worth a look as the fantasy playoffs roll on. The Chargers will lean on the run game to try and spell a struggling Philip Rivers and that should lead to ample tackle opportunities for whoever is starting at linebacker.
Defensive Linemen
Carlos Dunlap DL (CIN):
The Bengals finally secured their first win of the season and that was in large part due to Dunlap. He dominated the Jets offensive line to the tune of seven total tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, and six total quarterback hits. He was all over the stat sheet and has a great matchup against a Cleveland team that just allowed five sacks in a loss to the Steelers. Dunlap has 19 total tackles and 4.5 sacks in the last three weeks and has a great matchup in what should be the first week of the fantasy playoffs.
Ed Oliver DL (BUF):
It can be hard to trust rookie lineman, especially against a Ravens offense that has looked unstoppable. Their one weakness in the past few weeks has been interior lineman, and Oliver looks like a great plug-and-play option this week. He is coming off a game with four tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble against Dallas on Thanksgiving and has 4 total sacks in his past three games. Do not let the running ability of Lamar Jackson scare you and ride the hot hand with Oliver.
Bruce Irvin DL (CAR):
It may have been an embarrassing loss for Carolina last week against Washington, but Irvin has been very productive. He had three tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble last week and will be taking on an Atlanta offensive line that has allowed 15 sacks in their past two games. Irvin has seen a steady increase in his snap percentage and saw a season-high last week with 86%. His numbers are trending in the right direction and Carolina needs to make a big statement this week if they want to get back on track.
Defensive Backs
Malcolm Jenkins S (PHI):
Despite being a well-known safety and putting up solid numbers over his career, Jenkins has been forgotten about and left off many rosters this season after an extremely slow start. He has made a big turnaround in recent weeks with 20 total tackles and 2 sacks in the past three weeks. Jenkins gets a great matchup against a struggling Giants offense that is without many of its big weapons. Jenkins is worth the grab in your league if other owners have moved on from him.
Mike Hughes CB (MIN):
How many times are the Vikings going to watch Xavier Rhodes get burned before they make some sort of move? Rhodes has been great for Minnesota in the past, but he has proved to be a liability on the field. Enter Hughes who has shown he can be a reliable corner for the Vikings. Minnesota is going to have to employ more nickel packages this week to try and prevent Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay from running wild all over them again. Look for Hughes to get more playing time this week and fall somewhere in the 5 tackle range from the corner spot.
Andrew Wingard S (JAX):
Ronnie Harrison was unable to suit up last week and that made for a very productive day for Wingard. He put up 6 solos, an assist, and a sack while playing 75% of defensive snaps. There is the chance that Harrison comes back, but Wingard played well enough last week to garner more attention in that defense. The Chargers have struggled on offense to this point and there should be plenty of points to go around for the Jacksonville defense.