Let's face it, dynasty is tough. Owners in leagues of all sizes and scoring systems are always looking for an edge over their competition. The goal of this article is to highlight a trio of linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs that can either help you right away or represent good grab-and-stash adds. These players were found in at least one of my many leagues (some 12-team, some 14-team, some 16-team), representing a variety of scoring (standard, big play, etc.). I try to not be too reactive to big scoring occurring in the prior week, but sometimes those outbursts can't be ignored. Hopefully, these players represent good value for your dynasty teams moving forward!
Linebackers
Alex Highsmith (PIT): Devin Bush will certainly be back in 2021 and will gobble up most of the stats, but there is room on this defense for another linebacker (other than T.J. Watt) that can score some fantasy points. Vince Williams is proving to be "just a guy" and Robert Spillane is clearly a temporary fill-in. Highsmith is best suited on the outside but has shown his tackling chops as well., showing some ability to line up elsewhere. What we like about Highsmith is his size and ability to fill up the box score with a variety of stats. As a rookie, he represents a nice grab-and-stash since there are always points to be had on the Steeler D.
David Mayo (NYG): Purely speculative add here should Blake Martinez ever miss time. Mayo is no Martinez but could be in line for some huge tackles stats if the stud Martinez were to ever miss any time. In 2019, Mayo proved he was totally capable of filling the box score with not only tackles but sacks and other stats as well. If you have an extra spot on your roster he's worth looking at; or if you have Martinez, this is a situation where "handcuffing" does make some sense.
Denzel Perryman (LAC): Perryman was once an every-week start for the Chargers, but his play declined and so went his snaps. With Kyzir White on the COVID list last week, Perryman stepped in and while the stats weren't mind-blowing, it showed that Perryman would be an option should White miss more time. Perryman most certainly has talent; perhaps he will land elsewhere as a free agent in 2021. Worth grabbing here at the end of the season to see if his play improves.
Defensive Linemen
David Onyemata (DT - NOS): Those in leagues that start DT independently of DE should grab the big interior lineman now. He is showing incredible versatility and the Saints have a great set of opponents in terms of Onyemata's ability to not only rack up a few tackles but get to the quarterback.
Josh Sweat (DE - PHI): Philly's defense is pretty set in their ways in terms of rotating defensive linemen, and especially edge rushers, but Sweat is proving to be one of the better options for them whenever he gets regular snaps. He has 20 solos and 4 sacks on the season and 10 of those solos have been since Week 8. He will come with some inconsistency, but in larger leagues, he should be rostered and plugged in as a DL2 or during bye weeks as he's able to rack up 3-4 tackles and get you a sack.
Raekwon Davis (DT - MIA): Davis has the size (a monstrous 6'7", 310 lbs.) and pedigree (56th pick in 2020 out of Alabama) to succeed in the NFL. He's listed as a tackle but projects more as an end. That said, he's proven that he can rack up some tackles, and perhaps the sacks and big-play stats will start happening once he's getting regular snaps. Shaq Lawson and Emmanuel Ogbah are the regular edges for Miami, but Lawson is no spring chicken and Davis' snaps have been rising since the first part of the season. Worth a gamble, especially since he is DT-eligible at MyFantasyLeague.
Defensive Backs
D.J. Reed (S - SEA): Reed's designation at MFL is safety, but with Quinton Dunbar shelved, Reed has stepped in at corner and has been putting up huge stats over the past month's worth of games. Seattle's secondary continues to get shredded, which is great for fantasy production. Pick up and plug Reed in with confidence for the rest of the season, and consider him a nice sleeper for 2021 and beyond.
Nik Needham (CB - MIA): Needham had a few stretches in 2019 where he put up some really nice stats, especially in the pass breakup department. It looks like he may be on one of those streaks now despite playing third fiddle to Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. The next three contests could give him a decent opportunity should your CBs in start-CB leagues be hurt or just not performing.
Donovan Wilson (S - DAL): The team cut bait with Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix before the season started, instead opting to go with Darian Thompson. Thompson's fell out of favor recently, being replaced by the former Texas A&M Aggie. Wilson has been filling up the box score the past three games, and with the Cowboys clawing their way towards an NFC East title, they will need playmakers like Wilson to continue putting up those stats. He's a solid DB2/3 in most leagues right now, and could be a nice option in 2021 and beyond if he continues this kind of play.