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 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
E.J. Speed (IND): Is Shaquille Leonard still not right? He only got 71% of the snaps this past Sunday, with Speed getting 54%. There could be some crossover where both are on the field along with Zaire Franklin, but it bears mentioning that Speed has double-digit fantasy points in both weeks of this young season. We all know how well these Colt linebackers can score so Speed is worthy of being on a roster.
Nick Niemann (LAC): Definitely not a super-sexy pick to stuff the stat sheet, but he could be a cheap source of tackles (5 solos, 4 assists this past Sunday) if Eric Kendricks is set to miss any more time. Kenneth Murray is likely owned, but Niemann’s probably available. He has good size (6-foot-3 and 244 lbs.) and is quite rangy. He may see additional snaps for the next couple of weeks leading into the Chargers’ Week 5 bye. If you’re struggling at your LB3 spot, he’s got a fairly high floor, especially if Kendricks is out.
Jamien Sherwood (NYJ): Speculative add here, considering C.J. Mosley is 31 and Quincy Williams is 27. Sherwood is more of a box safety who lines up with the linebackers, which bodes well for his long-term value in this defense once Mosley hangs them up. Worth adding and stashing in most league formats.
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Defensive Linemen
Harrison Phillips (DT – MIN): I had to double-check what MyFantasyLeague said his age was (just 27), as it seems like he’s been in the league for over a decade. He’s always been a space eater who gobbles up ball carriers on the inside of the line, and now that he’s with the Vikings, he should have ample opportunities. He’s got 12 solos, 9 helpers, a pass breakup, and a half-sack already this season. In leagues that break apart defensive tackles from the defensive line, he’s a must-add at this point, and even in leagues that combine the two spots, he’s worthy of a hard look.
Jonathan Cooper (DE – DEN): Cooper made some appearances on this article last year after a two-week sack streak but was at that point listed as a linebacker. Now listed as a defensive end on MyFantasyLeague, his value pops up a bit. After a quiet Week 1, he exploded with eight combined tackles and a pair of sacks against the Commanders. Can he keep that up? Probably not, but the ex-Buckeye has the pedigree and opportunity to excel for the Bronco D.
Jermaine Johnson (DE– NYJ): In larger leagues, he was probably drafted as a rookie, but in 12-team formats, he may still be on the wire. He’s got fantastic size (6-foot-5 and 262 lbs.) and is a quick-twitch athlete with a library of moves to get to the opposing quarterback. What’s nice to see, however, is the fact that he has four solo stops in each of the first two weeks. Certainly worth looking at, especially if you have some room on your taxi squad.
Defensive Backs
Camryn Bynum (S – MIN): Is Bynum the safety to own for the Vikings now? Harrison Smith is 34 years old and only has seven solos and three assists thus far on the season, compared to Bynum’s 11 and 14. The Vikings’ defense will continue to see plenty of tackle opportunities on the back end, so it stands to reason that Bynum will end the season with more tackles than Smith. Some solid matchups are on the horizon, so get Bynum onto your squad and into your lineup.
Christian Gonzalez (CB - NEP): Gonzalez is definitely the real deal. Considered one of the best pure athletes coming into the NFL as a rookie this past summer, Gonzalez is off to a terrific start, logging 11 solos, a pick, a sack, and two pass breakups. He’s also seen 100% of the snaps over the first two weeks of the season. With all the injuries that the Patriots’ corners have right now, and with as productive as Gonzalez has been, there’s no reason to think those numbers will slow much. Definitely worth having on a roster if not starting in all formats.
Geno Stone (S – BAL): Marcus Williams has opted not to have surgery on his pectoral injury, but he’ll likely sit for at least a few more weeks. That leaves the door open for Stone to get a ton of snaps. Even if Williams returns and produces, the Ravens have been employing a three-safety system that could allow Stone to remain on the field. He came through with seven solos, two assists, and a pick against the Bengals this past weekend, and while Kyle Hamilton will probably siphon off a lot of production, it stands to reason that Stone could also post solid numbers.