Linebackers
Monty Rice (TEN): With all the injuries to the Titan linebackers, Rice is the next man up and should be the leading tackler for the remainder of the season on this defense. He may be available in shallow-bench leagues or if you caught your leaguemates napping. He’s taxi-eligible, too, if you don’t need him right away. He could easily be one of the Titans’ top two linebackers in the next few years.
Jake Hansen (HOU): This is a deep dive pick here, but he’s shown a nose for the football in limited snaps and even has a sack this season. The Texans will certainly be in audition mode the next few weeks as the season wraps up, so you could get some garbage time stats from this guy in larger leagues. Or just stash on your taxi squad if you have the space.
Josh Uche (NEP): Matt Judon is a game-wrecker but is on the wrong side of 30, and we all know that Bill Belichick has a penchant for cutting bait on guys just before they fall off the cliff. Uche is the next man up and could be a similar game-wrecker in the next couple of years.
Defensive Linemen
A.J. Epenesa (DE - BUF): Von Miller is done for the season, and there’s no assurance he will even be back with the Bills next season. Gregory Rousseau is the logical choice as the pass-rusher du jour for this aggressive Bills defense, but Epenesa has shown promise. While he may not produce much tackle-wise, he’s a 50/50 shot to get a sack most weeks. He also bats down passes. And he’s only 24 with plenty of tread on the tires.
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Michael Hoecht (DT - LAR): Listen, no one can hold a candle to Aaron Donald, but in Donald’s stead, Hoecht has actually looked fairly decent, with six solos, a fumble recovery, and two sacks in a couple of games filling in for the all-world Donald. He’s not widely owned and could prove to be a valuable resource in leagues that split apart defensive ends and tackles, especially if Donald ends up hanging them up.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji (DE – ATL): Few ends that get his level of snap share get as many assisted tackles as this guy. When given regular snaps, this guy is around the ball. That allows for a fairly high floor in tackle-heavy scoring. This guy has nice size (6-foot-4 and 252 pounds), and the Falcons are desperate for anyone on the edge to step up.
Defensive Backs
Damarri Mathis (CB – DEN): Teams are opting to throw on this Denver defense, and the rookie Mathis has come through with 23 solos in the past four contests. He also chips in with the occasional pass breakup. Really worth a shot in leagues that break apart cornerback and safety.
Jimmie Ward (S –SFO): Talanoa Hufanga is the more flashy Niner safety with the big plays and big hair, but since returning from his injury, Ward has been the steadier performer. He has a pass breakup in each of the past month’s worth of games, and aside from a stinker against the Saints, he’s had three real solid contests.
Jerry Jacobs (CB – DET): This undrafted second-year pro out of Arkansas had an impressive box score this past week against the Vikings: five solos, two helpers, a sack, and a pass breakup. Since getting regular snaps, he’s been in double digits in three of four games. He’s trending in the right direction and could be busy this week against the Jets.