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
Carter Coughlin (NYG): We highlighted Tae Crowder here before and he remains a solid medium-to-long term add, but we'll bring Coughlin up here this week as his snaps have been steadily increasing since Kyler Fackrell got hurt. And since then, he's flashed some solid play; especially last week where he logged five solos and a couple of assists. We've said there's room for a second linebacker along with Blake Martinez that can put up stats for this Giants defense. If it's not Crowder or Fackrell, it very well may be Coughlin. He's one to watch going into the 2021 season.
Reggie Ragland (DET): Ragland is on a one-year deal with the Lions and with the youth that Detroit has at the position, it stands to reason he may be elsewhere in 2021. What we like about Ragland is he is a no-nonsense run stopper that in the right defense, could put up LB3 type numbers if he gets the requisite snaps. Still just 27, Ragland may land somewhere where his talents are better utilized. If you're in a deeper league, keep an eye on where Ragland ends up in 2021. He could represent some solid (and cheap) value.
Mack Wilson (CLE): Because he was highly-touted coming out of Alabama and had a fantastic preseason leading into the 2019 season, Wilson's likely rostered. That being said, he may be someone you could land on the cheap in the off-season due to his unimpressive 2020 campaign. Malcolm Smith, who's been just as unimpressive, is 31 and on a one-year deal. B.J. Goodson, who's been solid this year, is also on a one-year deal. Could they cut bait with these two and replace them with Wilson and Sione Takitaki, who has flashed production this season? If someone's willing to part with Wilson for peanuts, it's a gamble worth taking because he has LB1 potential.
Defensive Linemen
DaRon Payne (DT - WAS): This Football Team is putting a really good defense together if they haven't already. Chase Young and Montez Sweat are game-wreckers on the edges. Jonathan Allen and Payne are disrupters in the middle. Payne fills up the gaps, logging tackles (mainly assists, though) but also gets to the quarterback and knocks down passes. This entire line is worth owning since they will all have big weeks while still remaining consistent to a degree.
Austin Bryant (DE - DET): The Lions may have found themselves a player in Romeo Okwara. If he continues to develop, whoever lines up opposite him may represent some value. Trey Flowers will be back and will likely have the first crack at the position, but before getting hurt this season he was incredibly inconsistent. Why not add a freak like Bryant (6'4", 261 lbs. out of Clemson) who could be first in line if Okwara's 2020 stats were a mirage or if Flowers is unimpressive in 2021.
Dawuane Smoot (DE - JAC): Josh Allen will be back in 2021 and is likely to continue towards stardom, but the other end spot could be up for grabs. Smoot has a nice sack-to-tackle ratio (4.5 sacks with just 20 total tackles). While fairly undersized, Smoot's draft profile reads well and you should be able to land him in just about any format. He is definitely one to watch going into the summer of 2021.
Defensive Backs
A.J. Terrell (CB - ATL): This guy's a stud. He's been on an absolute tear since Atlanta's Week 10 bye and could carry those numbers right through into 2021. He's shaping up to be a high-volume tackler from the corner spot while also chipping in with pass breakups and even forcing fumbles. He should be one of the top fantasy corners in 2021, so in leagues that start that position independent from safety, he's a must-have. He'll probably put up DB2 numbers in leagues that combine the two spots.
James Bradberry (CB - NYG): Still only 27, Bradberry's got a few solid years left in him, and if he can somehow start adding a few more tackles each week, could be a top option at the corner spot. He almost always breaks up at least one pass per game and even forces a fumble or two.
Jarrod Wilson (S - JAC): Wilson's battled injuries in the first part of the season and just hasn't looked 100% since coming back. Give him the off-season to get right and he will be back in full force in 2021 and should be one of the bigger values at the position. He is clearly the cream of the crop in the Jaguar safety room. Add him now and plug him in as your DB2 and reap the benefits when he puts up borderline DB1 numbers.
