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
Leonard Floyd (LAR): With the Rams adding Von Miller, this defense is going to get scary-good. Floyd is already having a terrific season, logging 6.5 sacks. He may not be a volume tackler and he is 29, so this is definitely a win-now suggestion in big-play leagues only.
Mack Wilson (CLE): Don’t look now, but Wilson has two double-digit fantasy scoring efforts in a row. The Browns’ linebackers are hard to gauge from a fantasy perspective but Wilson does have size, speed, and pedigree on his side. He’s just 23 so his best days could definitely be ahead of him. There are some very good matchups for the Browns on the horizon in terms of tackles from the linebacker spot, so if this trend continues, Wilson could easily slide in as an LB3 in most formats.
Kwon Alexander (NOS): Pete Werner was pretty fantastic for the Saints for a 3-week run there, but it’s no coincidence that he only scored 7 fantasy points last week, where Alexander came through with 11. Alexander was once a mega-stud fantasy linebacker for the Niners and is still just 27 years old, so it stands to reason he could regain at least some of that production. Worth a shot.
Defensive Linemen
Shelby Harris (DE – DEN): You can look at this two ways: either Harris will have to step up and be the main pass rush presence for Denver with Von Miller departed, or he could be stymied since they won’t have much of anything else pass-rush-wise. Harris won’t ever be much of a tackler, but he seems to be around the ball a lot (14 assists this season) and has 2.5 sacks to boot. Worth adding as depth in case you need it; only if you’re in win-now mode though, since he’s 30.
DreMont Jones (DE – DEN): If you’re looking at the Miller trade and want to add an end that will be around longer than Harris, Jones is your guy. He had his first double-digit fantasy outing last week against the “Football Team” and could get some more run as Denver looks to a youth movement.
Josh Sweat (DE – PHI): Watching tape on Sweat shows that he’s definitely one of Philly’s best pass rushers. He came through with a pair of sacks against the hapless Lions, and there are a handful of matchups coming up for the Eagles that savvy owners may like in terms of big-play production. Look for Sweat to add 5-6 more sacks this season, which could help in deeper formats.
Defensive Backs
Marcus Epps (S – PHI): Epps, with journeyman Anthony Harris sidelined the past couple of weeks, has produced. He’s a volume tackler in a spot that has historically scored well. He’s just 25 and the Eagles are definitely going to give him a shot. There are some excellent matchups coming up, so plug him in as a DB2 and there may be some DB1 value here.
Elijah Molden (CB– TEN): Now that the rookie out of Washington is starting, he’s been racking up tackles (12 Weeks 6-7) and has also been batting down passes (2 last week). The tackles may be up and down, but if he continues to start, he will be tested and the tackle opportunities could be there along with pass breakup chances. Nice add-and-stash in leagues that start CB separate.
Brandon Facyson (CB – LVR): Cornerback has been a revolving door for the Raiders this season, and once Facyson slid into a starting role, he’s produced. There’s potential for not only a lot of tackles but pass defenses as well. There's a stretch of 3-4 real nice games on the docket, so plug him in if you are in need of a solid corner with a lot of upside. He’s 27, so this is a win-now suggestion.