IDP Dynasty Sleepers, Week 18

Photo: USA Today Sports

Linebackers

Robert Spillane (PIT): Trust me, I checked; this guy’s available in some IDP dynasty leagues. He needs to be rostered now and for the foreseeable future. Myles Jack, despite being off the injury report, has had his snap counts dwindle over the past three weeks, while Spillane hasn’t come off the field. Reports are that Spillane is committed to watching tape on all of the playmaking linebackers in the league and wants to become a game-changer, not just a volume tackler. Devin Bush’s snap counts are down, too, so it is pretty obvious that Spillane is the linebacker to own here (I mean, minus T.J. Watt).

Tanner Muse (SEA): Jordyn Brooks has an ACL injury, which means Cody Barton slides over, and Muse enters the weakside spot. This may be a short-term add if Brooks can recover quickly but ACLs can be tricky. Obviously, both the middle and weak-side linebacker spots in this defense put up points, so get Muse on your roster just in case Brooks is shelved. Plus, he’s a free agent in 2024.

Jaylon Smith (NYG): We’ve featured Smith here before, but we’ll add him here again since he still appears on many free agent lists. He’s pretty much a shoo-in for double-digit fantasy points every week since no one else on the Giants can tackle outside of Julian Love in the backfield. Smith seems like a candidate to stick on this roster and be a productive tackler yet again. A perfect high-floor LB3 in most leagues.

Defensive Linemen

Morgan Fox (DE - LAR): Fox is really coming on strong with the sacks here at the end of the season. He’s 28 and not built like a typical edge rusher, but finds a way to get to the opposing quarterback. He has four sacks in the past four games and a respectable 9 solos. The Rams desperately need an effective pass rusher to go alongside the likes of Leonard Floyd and Aaron Donald, and Fox seems to fit the bill. Worth rostering in larger leagues.

Yetur Gross-Matos (DE - CAR): This guy was widely heralded coming out of Penn State but just hasn’t really gotten it together yet. He only has 2.5 sacks on the season, which is a disappointment to say the least. But he does have a respectable 34 assisted tackles, which proves he’s around the ball a lot, especially for a defensive end. The talent and opportunity are both there, and he’s still just 24 years old. Worth a stash in most leagues.

Zach Sieler (DT – MIA): Another repeat recommendation here, but he’s worth mentioning again since he appears on many free agent lists. Even if your league combines defensive tackles and ends, he’s worth a look. A must-have in leagues that break them apart. He is 27, gigantic, and makes tackles (40 solos and 27 helpers this season). He also has all of his 3.5 sacks in the second half of the season.

Defensive Backs

Nahshon Wright (CB – DAL): With the injury to Anthony Brown, Wright has stepped in and has been a tackling machine (12 solos the last two weeks) and breaks up passes (four in two games). He’s an excellent option to grab-and-stash in leagues that start cornerbacks separately. He may have a full-time gig come 2023 with plenty of tackle and pass-breakup opportunities given who’s opposite him.

Marcus Epps (S - PHI): Last week, we recommended Reed Blankenship and still do, but we’ll also plug Epps, who has 13 solos in the past two games. We know that Eagle safeties score well and have high floors, so Epps is a solid add here at the end of the ’23 season.

Landon Collins (S - NYG): What’s going on here? Collins looked pretty good in Week 16 when he saw 46% of the snaps. Week 17? A bump up to 55% of the snaps and got his owners 22-plus points. Who knows where he’ll end up in 2023: New York? Linebacker? All we know is that he is talented and, at 28 years old, may still have some tread on the tires. Savvy dynasty owners should recognize the talent and scoop him up if they have room on their roster.