Linebackers
Duke Riley (PHI): Trying to not be too reactionary here, but we will spin Riley's big Week 5 off as a potential sign of things to come for the journeyman 'backer from LSU. Still only 26 years old, Riley has been getting fairly consistent snaps for the Eagles, who desperately need a regular tackler on their defense. Nathan Gerry has been fairly steady but hasn't really stood out. That said, there are tackles to be had here and Riley was brought in to compete for regular snaps for this defense. You may not get his services this week due to his rib injury, but it also may mean you can get him on the cheap.
Dakota Allen (JAC): Another guy dealing with injury but could be a nice fill-in is the ex-Red Raider. Filling in for the injured Myles Jack, Allen racked up an impressive five solos and two helpers last week. We know that this position scores well for the Jaguar defense and that Jack has not been a model of health so it stands to reason that Allen would be a nice taxi squad stash in case Jack were to ever miss significant time.
Zaire Franklin (IND): It's quite apparent that the Colts have a bevy of great fantasy linebackers; Darius Leonard, Anthony Walker, and Bobby Okereke have all proven to be absolute studs when given regular playing time. Next in line behind this trio appears to be Franklin, who racked up four solos and three assists in only 26 snaps last week while Leonard was out. Check out Franklin's scouting report out of Syracuse and tell me he's not a great taxi squad stash.
Defensive Linemen
Emmanuel Ogbah (DE - MIA): Seems like this guy's been in the NFL for a decade, but he's just 26 and appears to be hitting his stride with the Dolphin D. He has at least a half-sack in all but one game this season and has two in the past two contests. If you can do an FCFS add for him now, go for it, as the Jets won't offer much in the way of pass protection for the statuesque Joe Flacco. Ogbah doesn't offer much in the way of consistent tackles, but if he can be a steady source of sacks then he's worth adding to your roster as a DL2 or bye week filler.
Dalvin Tomlinson (DT - NYG): This space-eating interior lineman does more than just gobble up between-the-tackles runners, he is also producing in big play formats, with five tackles for loss and also has a pair of pass breakups this season. He's been pretty consistent in terms of tackling and showed us that he can sack the quarterback as well (3.5 sacks in 2019). Worth an add in leagues that start DT separately.
Derrick Nnadi (DT - KCC): The Chiefs sport an aggressive defensive scheme that usually has its ends going full-on and letting its interior linemen like Nnadi plug up the middle. This can sometimes result in solid tackle numbers for a DT, as evidenced by Nnadi's outstanding seven helpers in Week 2. He is not flashy but does get consistent snaps (just not all of them) for the Chiefs. Still just 24, his best years are definitely ahead of him as he anchors the middle of the line.
Defensive Backs
Daniel Sorensen (S - KCC): It's pretty simple; you let the Honey Badger make all the splashy plays and Sorensen just takes the leftovers, which in this case are consistent tackles. Juan Thornhill was brought in to be the future and while he is getting consistent snaps, Sorensen continues to do more with less while Mathieu is in more of a hybrid role. Sorensen has 11 solos in the past two games and the middle of the Chiefs' schedule (minus their bye) looks like it could prove fruitful in terms of tackles and big plays. That all said, he is 30 years old so he's best suited for the squad that is looking to win now and just needs some DB depth.
Taron Johnson (CB - BUF): Levi Wallace has been the #2 corner while Josh Norman was on IR, but with Wallace out, Johnson has seen more snaps and has delivered consistent tackles from the nickel spot. Even with tackling machines Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde patrolling the middle of the field, Johnson has managed 26 solos in the first five weeks of action this season. If you're looking for a cheap source of consistent tackles, Johnson is worth adding and starting against pass-heavy offenses.
Tashaun Gipson (S - CHI): If you're managing a contending team and need a bye-week filler for the next month, Gipson's prospects look pretty good. Games against the Panthers, Rams, Saints, and Titans all should make for a wide range of playmaking opportunities. Like Sorensen, he's 30, so not a grab-and-stash type. Rather, he can get you through some bye weeks or fill in if your regular DB2 is hurting.
