Let's take a quick look at a few linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs who are either good grab-and-stash types or those that you should target in trades. Hope you enjoy the article and it opens your eyes to some of the gems that can be found on your leagues' waiver wires!
Linebackers
Robert Quinn (CHI): With Khalil Mack shelved and the Bears in dire need of playmakers on both sides of the ball, Quinn has stepped his game up recently. If you’re in a big-play league and in win-now mode, the 31-year-old veteran has a juicy matchup against the Lions on Thanksgiving and could prove useful as an LB3 if you’re desperate.
Kwon Alexander (NOS): He’s somehow still just 27 years old, so there’s definitely tread on the tires. Demario Davis is a beast, but there are tackles to be had on this defense, and Alexander did rack up 6 solos last week at the Eagles. Good matchups are on the horizon, so he’s a solid win-now add, or a stash for next year if you’re thin at linebacker.
Quincy Roche (NYG): He’s listed as a linebacker at MyFantasyLeague, but he’s more of a defensive end. That said, he’s seen a nice jump in snap counts over the past month’s worth of games and has a pair of double-digit fantasy outings in a row. If he gets switched over to DL, it’s probably for the best as the position is super thin. Right now, though, he’s a decent add as a linebacker in big play formats. A rookie with nice size (6’4”, 245 lbs.), he should see plenty of snaps as the season winds down.
Defensive Linemen
Zach Allen (DE – ARI): Allen is the perfect complement to Chandler Jones on the other end of the Cardinal line. He’s only 24, so plenty of room for growth for the ex Boston College star. He’s chipped in with 4 solo tackles in each of the past two contests, and while Arizona’s on their bye, Allen remains a nice add with some solid matchups upcoming. A good DTS stash too.
Bryan Mone (DT – SEA): Mone is the prototypical inside lineman for the Hawks. A space-eater at 366 pounds, Mone seems to always be around the ball (18 assisted tackles on the season and six in the past two weeks), and came through with 1.5 sacks last week against the Cardinals. He won’t be much of a sack master, but if you’re in a league that separates DT from DE, he’s worthy of a spot in deeper formats.
Trevis Gipson (DE – CHI): As we said with Robert Quinn, above, there is room on the Bear front seven for someone to step up in Khalil Mack’s absence. If it’s not Quinn, it very well could be Gipson, who’s had some solid outings in the first half of the season as well as last week against the Ravens. Gipson is just 24 so he’s a candidate to simply stash too.
Defensive Backs
Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB – TBB): The 3-year vet from Central Michigan returned to action against the Giants on MNF, with some sort of RoboCop kind of brace on his arm. Didn’t slow him down one bit, picking up seven solos on the night. He’s been a high-volume tackler for the Bucs when healthy, so gotta think he’ll be a welcome addition to their defensive secondary as the season winds down. With opposing offenses needing to throw quite a bit to keep up with the Bucs, he should have plenty of tackle and pass breakup chances.
Jayron Kearse (S– DAL): There’s not much flashy about his game, but he makes 4-5 solos and usually breaks up a pass each game. Good for double-digit fantasy points most weeks. There are excellent matchups coming up for the Dallas D in terms of tackles and big plays, so Kearse is a super-safe DB2 in most formats. He appears to be available in a lot of leagues.
A.J. Terrell (CB – ATL): Terrell’s had three very solid outings in a row, and the second-year pro from Clemson appears to be rounding into form as both a tackler (12 solos in the past three weeks) and pass defender (3 breakups against the Saints). If you’re in a league that separates CB from S, he’s a solid weekly play. Still just 23, Terrell has plenty of life left in his game, too.