This article attempts to immediately highlight defensive players whose production was significantly better or worse than normally expected for the prior week of games. Note there is sometimes limited information available when this article is written, but I will try to give everyone an early look at players who are moving up or down in value among IDP circles. When warranted, I'll also call out some players under No Change that tries to explain why the stat lines may be misleading. It’s difficult to give waiver advice for IDPs since there is such a wide variety of lineups and scoring systems, but hopefully, the information provided can help inform your waiver, trade, and upcoming lineup decisions. If you have any questions about specific players or situations, feel free to email me or reach out via twitter.
Email: rudnicki@footballguys.com
Twitter: @a_rudnicki
LA CHARGERS @ OAKLAND
Upgrades:
DE Clelin Ferrell, OAK (5 solos, 3 asst, 2.5 sacks, 2 TFL, 3 QH, 1 PD)
Fellow rookie Maxx Crosby out-snapped Ferrell this week 70 (91%) to 56 (73%), but Ferrell was much more productive. He collected 2.5 sacks (his first since week 1) and also finished 2nd on the team in tackles with 8 while also tipping his 4th pass of the year. You can see the talent he has, but he just needs to become more consistent as is the case with most young players. Crosby has been more consistent but lacks the upside of Ferrell. The Raiders also signed Dion Jordan over the weekend, who just completed a 10-game suspension for PEDs.
LB Drue Tranquill, LAC (6 solos, 8 asst)
The Chargers rookie started the game and wound up playing all 58 defensive snaps. The Chargers have been searching for answers at the linebacker position for some time so perhaps Tranquill can emerge to finally provide some stability at the position. The coaches have been talking him up in recent weeks and seem like they are ready to see what he can do. He made the most of his playing time this week as he was credited with 14 combined tackles while spending most of the time playing alongside Thomas Davis (6 solos, 5 asst) in the team’s nickel packages while Denzel Perryman was active but did not play.
Downgrades:
S Karl Joseph, OAK (4 solos, 2 asst, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PD)
Joseph played the entire game and came down with a game-clinching interception at the end of it. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious foot injury on the play and was placed on injured reserve, thus ending his season. To replace him, the team signed D.J. Swearinger Sr who was cut by Arizona earlier this year but was quite productive during his time in Washington.
DETROIT @ CHICAGO
Upgrades:
DE Trey Flowers, DET (6 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 2 QH)
Flowers has been putting up solid numbers of late despite playing less than 60% of the defensive snaps over the three previous games combined. He saw a big boost in his workload this week, however, and was on the field for 50 of 57 snaps (88%). That contributed to him posting one of his best stat lines of the year and he now has 4 sacks over his last 3 games with some favorable matchups looming on the schedule.
LB Nick Kwiatkoski, CHI (8 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 INT, 1 PD)
The Bears lost Danny Trevathan early in the game with a gruesome elbow injury but Kwiatkowski was a more than capable fill-in. He collected 9 tackles with a sack on his 65 snaps (78%) while also adding an interception. It doesn’t sound like a short-term injury for Trevathan so Kwiatkoski likely warrants a big upgrade this week, as well as a slight increase for Roquan Smith.
Downgrades:
LB Danny Trevathan, CHI (2 solos, 1 asst, 1 QH)
Trevathan has played nearly every snap for the Bears this year but was forced to leave the game early this week. He posted 3 tackles on just 17 snaps (20%) but suffered an elbow injury while bringing down the quarterback. Nick Kwiatkoski (8 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 PD) replaced him and posted huge numbers in relief.
BALTIMORE @ CINCINNATI
Upgrades:
S Jessie Bates, CIN (7 solos, 1 asst, 1 INT, 1 PD)
There have been very few positives for the Bengals this season but Bates remains a bright spot on defense. He had a remarkable rookie season last year with 73 solos and 36 assists from the free safety position and could top both numbers this year. Bates has at least 6 solo tackles in 4 straight games now and is on pace to finish the year with 85.
CB Marcus Peters, BAL (5 solos, 1 asst, 1 INT, 1 PD, 1 TD)
Peters has only been a member of the Ravens for 3 games and has already scored two defensive touchdowns for them. That gives him 3 on the season and 6 for his career. Even with the return of Jimmy Smith to the lineup this week, Peters still saw 64 snaps (85%) and remains an elite fantasy option due to his big-play prowess.
Downgrades:
None
BUFFALO @ CLEVELAND
Upgrades:
DE Trent Murphy, BUF (6 solos, 1 asst, 1 TFL)
Murphy had a very unusual start to the season as he was credited with 0 solo tackles through 4 games but had an interception and 3 passes defensed in the same span. Over his last 4 games, however, he’s been playing more like what was expected of him and has been a strong fantasy start in 3 of them with the Dolphins and Broncos coming up on the schedule.
S Damarious Randall, CLE (5 solos, 2 asst, 1 PD)
Randall returned to the lineup this week from a hamstring injury and was able to play all 69 defensive snaps. Although he’s missed 4 games with injuries, he’s been a very productive player whenever he’s been in the lineup.
CB TreDavious White, BUF (6 solos, 4 PD)
White was primarily matched up against Odell Beckham this week and helped limit him to just 5 catches on 12 targets for 57 yards. The Bills have been asking White to shadow the opposing team’s #1 WR of late and he has risen to the occasion. He’s on pace to top 60 solo tackles and has been a top-10 fantasy cornerback over the past month.
Downgrades:
DE Myles Garrett, CLE (1 solo, 2 QH)
Garrett posted 10 sacks in his first 7 games but has now gone sackless in his last two. He had a higher workload than normal this week with 65 snaps (94%) due to the absence of Olivier Vernon but was kept in check by the Bills. While Garrett is an elite pass-rushing talent, his tackle production has been underwhelming this year.
ATLANTA @ NEW ORLEANS
Upgrades:
DT Grady Jarrett, ATL (2 solos, 1 asst, 2.5 sacks, 2 TFL, 5 QH)
Jarrett continues to produce like an elite player despite the overall struggles of the Falcons this year. He added 2.5 sacks this week to bring him up to 5.5 on the year and is on pace to top 80 combined tackles.
Downgrades:
LB Deion Jones, ATL (2 solos, 3 asst)
Jones hasn’t looked like himself for much of this year but he has seen a noticeable dropoff in production the past two games. In week 8 against Seattle, he was credited with just 4 combined tackles on 54 snaps and then this week he was credited with 5 stops on 67 snaps. Meanwhile, Foye Oluokun was credited with 8 tackles (7 solos) on just 30 snaps (43%).
CB Marshon Lattimore, NO (1 solo, 1 asst, 1 PD)
Lattimore’s production had fallen off of late so this may not be a huge loss for fantasy players, but he was forced to leave the game after just 34 snaps this week. He’s considered week to week with a hamstring strain and his replacement P.J. Williams figures to see plenty of targets next week against Tampa Bay.
NY GIANTS @ NY JETS
Upgrades:
DT Dalvin Tomlinson, NYG (2 solos, 7 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH)
The addition of Leonard Williams crowded the picture at defensive line for the Giants but Tomlinson has remained their primary run stopper at nose tackle. He was credited with 9 tackles on 33 snaps (51%) and now has 2 sacks in the past three games.
S Jamal Adams, NYJ (8 solos, 1 asst, 2 sacks, 2 QH, 1 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD)
Adams went from posting 0 sacks in his first 7 games of the year to posting 3 in his last two games. He was able to knock the ball loose on both sacks this week and recovered one to return it 25 yards for a touchdown. While not normally known for his big plays, Adams has done his part for a struggling Jets team this year with 2 touchdowns on his only two takeaways (1 interception and 1 fumble recovery).
Downgrades:
CB Janoris Jenkins, NYG (4 solos, 1 PD)
Jenkins has been one of the more productive cornerbacks in the league this year while averaging about 4 solo stops and 1 pass defensed per game with 4 interceptions. He left the game early this week with a concussion but fortunately, he has a bye before facing the Bears in week 12.
ARIZONA @ TAMPA BAY
Upgrades:
CB Jamel Dean, TB (2 solos, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 4 PD)
Dean was victimized for 3 touchdown passes a week ago against Seattle, but the rookie responded with a much better game this week. He was often targeted by Arizona in the passing game but came up with an interception and 4 passes defensed on just 32 snaps (46%). Vernon Hargreaves was temporarily benched for lack of effort and M.J. Stewart suffered an injury, so there is a chance that Dean could be given a bigger role in the weeks ahead.
Downgrades:
LB Joe Walker, ARI (1 QH)
Walker got the start at inside linebacker this week but was only on the field for 24 defensive snaps (28%). He did still see 84% of the special teams snaps in the game, which indicates his drop in playing time wasn’t due to an injury. Meanwhile, Haason Reddick saw his playing time bounce back to 64 snaps (75%) and he responded with 7 tackles. The Cardinals also made a curious move to sign Zach Brown and cut him a few days later so they are likely searching for a better option alongside Jordan Hicks.
CB Patrick Peterson, ARI (3 solos)
Peterson played most of the game but left with a calf injury after 71 snaps (84%). He was listed as “day-to-day” after the game and may not be fully healthy for a rematch with the 49ers next week.
KANSAS CITY @ TENNESSEE
Upgrades:
DT Chris Jones, KC (4 solos, 3 asst, 2 sacks, 1 TFL, 2 QH, 1 FF)
Jones returned to the lineup a week ago and played less than his normal workload at 63% of the defensive snaps. The Titans offense this week only generated 39 tackle opportunities with 19 pass attempts but Jones played 44 of 52 snaps (85%) and finished with 7 tackles with 2 sacks and a forced fumble. With 5 sacks in 7 games played, he is one of the elite options at his position and should also get a boost from the return of Frank Clark (4 solos, 1 sack, 1 PD).
CB LeShaun Sims, TEN (9 solos, 3 asst)
With Malcolm Butler placed on injured reserve last week, Sims saw a huge increase in playing time as he was on the field for 77 of 82 snaps as the team’s #3 cornerback. While his numbers were helped by the matchup and the fact the Chiefs completed 36 passes, he figures to be a clear weak link in this secondary and therefore should be picked on quite often.
Downgrades:
DE Emmanuel Ogbah, KC (3 solos, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH)
Ogbah picked up his 3rd sack in the last 4 games this week before leaving the game with an injury after just 23 snaps (44%). It was revealed on Monday that he suffered a torn pec and will be lost for the season, which puts more pressure on Frank Clark, Tanoh Kpassagnon and Alex Okafor when he returns.
MIAMI @ INDIANAPOLIS
Upgrades:
LB Jerome Baker, MIA (7 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 1 QH, 1 FF)
As the only clear every-down linebacker on one of the league’s worst teams, Baker has seen a lot of tackle opportunities so his 43 solos in 9 games may be somewhat underwhelming. Despite some disappointing games early in the season though, he has picked up the pace of late. In the last 3 games, Baker has been credited with 20 solo stops and 4 assists with a sack and forced fumble.
Downgrades:
DE Taco Charlton, MIA (1 solo, 1 QH)
Charlton posted 4 sacks in his first 5 games as a Dolphin and looked like a steal for IDP leagues, but he’s gone cold of late. Despite playing about 80% of the defensive snaps over the past two games combined, he has collected just 1 solo tackle in that span. Considering the Dolphins won both games, it’s surprising he wasn’t more productive given the additional opportunities to rush the passer.
LB Anthony Walker, IND (3 asst)
Walker’s playing time has remained steady at approximately 75% of the defensive snaps for the past few weeks. While he’s had some productive games, including 10 combined tackles a week ago, he was a non-factor this week. The Dolphins offense generated 26 rush attempts and 50 tackle opportunities but Walker was credited with just 3 assists on 48 snaps while Darius Leonard finished with 13 tackles on 66 snaps. Even backup Bobby Okereke was more productive with 3 solos and 1 assist on just 19 snaps.
CAROLINA @ GREEN BAY
Upgrades:
LB Preston Smith, GB (5 solos, 1 asst, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 4 QH)
Smith continues to provide consistent production just about every week. He added 2 more sacks this week to pull into a tie for 3rd in the league with Myles Garrett, but what helps sets him apart is how consistent he has been. Despite being an edge rusher who is grouped among linebackers, he’s only had 2 poor starts all year where he didn’t register at least 4 solos or a big play.
CB Kevin King, GB (9 solos, 1 TFL, 2 PD)
King has missed parts of several games this year with injuries but has also been highly productive throughout. In addition to his 41 solo tackles in 10 games, he has 3 interceptions, a sack and 10 passes defensed. That type of all-around production is exactly what you look for in a fantasy cornerback since he has the consistency to rely on each week with the upside to post big games from time to time.
Downgrades:
None
LA RAMS @ PITTSBURGH
Upgrades:
LB Clay Matthews, LAR (2 solos, 1 asst, 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, 2 QH, 1 PD)
Matthews was on his way to a career season with 6 sacks in the first 5 games before suffering a broken jaw in week 5. He sat out the previous four weeks to recover but returned to action this week and picked up right where he left off with another 1.5 sacks. That gives him 7.5 sacks in 6 games played and makes him one of the most efficient pass rushers in the league this year.
LB Mark Barron, PIT (10 solos, 1 PD)
The veteran linebacker has seen a steady rise in playing time over the past few weeks from 67% to 75% to 92%. The Rams offense generated 49 tackle opportunities in the game and Barron was credited with 10 solo stops.
Downgrades:
LB Devin Bush, PIT (2 solos, 1 asst)
Bush has been a top-5 linebacker for the first half of the year but it seems the coaches decided to sit him for much of the game this week. He had played close to an every-down role in all games thus far but was on the field for just 35 snaps (45%) this week and finished with his lowest output as a result.
MINNESOTA @ DALLAS
Upgrades:
DE Demarcus Lawrence, DAL (5 solos, 3 asst, 1 TFL, 1 QH)
Lawrence hasn’t been as productive rushing the passer this year as we have seen from him in the past, but he showed more of a well-rounded game this week. He finished 3rd on the team in tackles with 8 despite playing just 51 snaps (67%) and also has 2 sacks in his last 3 games.
CB Mike Hughes, MIN (7 solos, 2 PD)
The former 1st round pick got a chance to play a full-time role thanks to an injury to Trae Waynes. Hughes played a season-high 65 snaps this week and spent most of the game matched up against Amari Cooper, who finished with 11 catches on 14 targets. He’s a young unproven corner who should continue to be tested by opposing quarterbacks.