IDP Dynasty Sleepers, Week 5

Photo: USA Today Sports

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 that it opens your eyes to some of the gems that can be found on your leagues' waiver wires!

Linebackers

Nate Landman (ATL): It seems like every season, a linebacker comes out of nowhere to post great stats – at least consistent tackles. This season, it very well could be Landman, who takes over for the promising Troy Andersen, who has found himself on the injured list. Kaden Elliss, who lines up on the other side, isn’t really a volume tackler; he’s more of a big-play kind of linebacker. So enter Landman, who logged 82% of the snaps this past week in Andersen’s stead and came through with 10 total stops (eight solo). The undrafted second-year player from Colorado is in line for plenty of playing time, which should equate to a high floor due to the tackle volume expected. Andersen will be back next year and Elliss isn’t going anywhere, so Landman may be a one-year filler. But if you’re looking for a consistent LB2-type, Landman is your guy.

Ezekiel Turner (ARI): We spotlighted fellow Cardinal linebacker Krys Barnes here a couple of weeks ago, but at this point, it looks like it could be Turner who gets the nod alongside Kyzir White. White is a production machine, so the upside may be limited for Turner, but there are tackles to go around. With just 38 snaps this past Sunday, Turner came through with 10 total tackles (four solos). If you need some linebacker depth now that bye weeks are upon us, Turner fits the bill.

Jahlani Tavai (NEP): It’s difficult recommending Patriot defenders, at least the front seven, because of the rotations and inconsistency that come with it. But Tavai has put up some flashes of production in the past and proved he can do more than tackle this past week when he logged a sack and a pass deflection to go along with his six combined stops. Tavai is a solid add and start in leagues that start three or four linebackers.

Defensive Linemen

Nik Bonitto (DE – DEN): The Denver defense has been horrible, but for fantasy purposes, it’s actually a good thing because guys like Bonitto, who’s in a bit of a timeshare with Jonathon Cooper (who we recommended here previously, and is doing well himself), Randy Gregory and Frank Clark (when he returns). But the second-round pick from Oklahoma is hot right now, logging 2.5 sacks against the hapless Bears this past week. Look for him to continue his solid play against the Jets this coming week. Defensive line is once again a fairly shallow pool, so recognizing and adding players with big-play upside like Bonitto is key.

David Onyemata (DT – ATL): Onyemata had some productive seasons with the Saints, and now he’s back with his old defensive coordinator and playing the same role as he did with the Saints. He’s filling up the box score, not necessarily with tackles (only five solos thus far), but coming through with 1.5 sacks last week and has three pass breakups thus far. In leagues that break apart the defensive line positions, he’s worth adding, considering the upcoming matchups look favorable.

Yetur Gross-Matos (DE– CAR): This guy is the definition of a fantasy football tease: oozing talent and pedigree, but has just been wildly inconsistent for his four years in the NFL. He lacks the upside of Brian Burns, who mans the other end, but Gross-Matos has seen an uptick in snaps over the course of the season, and his sack totals mirror that increase in play. Justin Houston will still see some time as a situational pass-rusher, but Gross-Matos could render him less useful if the ex-Nittany Lion keeps producing.

Defensive Backs

Devon Witherspoon (CB – SEA): Quite simply, this guy is an animal. Yes, the Seahawks have a bevy of great young cornerbacks, but none of them offer the big-play AND tackle production potential that Witherspoon comes with. He’s had two massive games in a row and, at this point, appears to be startable in all formats.

Rudy Ford (S - GBP): Darnell Savage is having a solid start to his season, too, but Ford has been hot over the past couple of weeks, seeing plenty of time near the line of scrimmage. Of course, his pick-six certainly helped the bottom line last week, but the tackle volume could be there, too, especially against run-heavy teams. Ford is a nice add at this point and should be considered a DB2 or bye-week filler.

JuJu Brents (CB – IND): Over the past two weeks, Brents has 74% and 96% of the snaps as the third corner. The rangy rookie out of Kansas State can rack up tackles (eight solos last week) and fill up other stats, too (forced fumble and fumble recovery two weeks back). The Colts seem to really like his aggressive play and nose for the football, so expect to see a lot of Brents, who will be a solid weekly play in leagues that break apart the defensive back positions.