IDP Dynasty Sleepers: Week 8

IDP Dynasty Sleepers examines an array of linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs you should target. Depending on the makeup of your leagues, these players could be trade targets or solid grab-and-stash types who might be found on the waiver wire.

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Grant Stuard, Indianapolis

We all know how productive the Colt linebackers can be if thrust into a role where they see regular snaps.  With E.J. Speed sitting this past week out, Stuard entered the fray and "just" had 11 solos and eight helpers.  That kind of tackle volume on a regular basis makes you an LB1, for sure.  Speed's knee forced him to miss this past week, but there's some hope he can return in Week 8.  That said, Stuard is definitely a grab-and-stash type.  Also, an honorable mention to Jaylon Carlies, who's listed as a safety on the Footballguys depth chart tool but is a linebacker on a few other depth chart sites and, most importantly, MyFantasyLeague.  Carlies, with only 30% of the snaps, logged five solos and a sack.  Carlies, a rookie, is also a solid grab-and-stash.

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Trevor Nowaske, Detroit

For those of you in big-play formats, look at the undrafted second-year pro out of nearby Saginaw Valley State.  He has a sack in each of the last two contests and could be the pass-rush presence the Lions will need with Aidan Hutchinson nursing his broken leg.  Nowaske also chipped in with four solos last weekend; if he's able to log that many solos on a regular basis he will also have value in more standard formats.  

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Christian Elliss, New England

Elliss found himself in a starting role this past Sunday and came through with nine total tackles.  Raekwon McMillan, more of a two-down thumper, was relegated to spot duty (13% of the snaps), while Elliss logged 69%.  Elliss will likely never put up LB1-type numbers, but if he's getting regular snaps for this defense, he will have a decent floor with some upside.  

Dynasty Sleeper: DL A.J. Epenesa, Buffalo

Epenesa has always flashed talent, hovering on the edge of rosterability, and it looks like he might be starting to put things together.  He has three sacks and a pass breakup in the last two games, not to mention seven total tackles.  He won't be a volume tackler in this defense, but in the right matchup where he's going to have a chance at sacks, he's a nice play.  Definitely worth stashing as depth, if nothing else, since we all know how shallow the DL pool can be.

Dynasty Sleeper: DL Adam Butler, Las Vegas

You're not going to get a ton of sacks or other big plays out of Butler, but if you happen to be in a deeper format that starts defensive tackles separately, he's been making some stops for this Vegas D.  With their offense struggling and the team often behind, you will find a lot of opposing offenses running the ball quite a bit.  That favors guys like Butler, who will make stops on the interior of the Raider line.  He has 19 solos and 9 helpers thus far this season.  The remaining schedule doesn't appear - at least on paper - to be super-favorable, but the Raiders will be trailing in most of these contests so he's worth a look.

Dynasty Sleeper: Josh Paschal, Detroit

If Trevor Nowaske is not working for you, perhaps Paschal would fit the bill.  He will see plenty of pass-rush opportunities now that Aidan Hutchinson is out.  Like Nowaske, Paschal logged four solos and a sack this past week.  With defensive line being so shallow, Paschal is worth grabbing to see if he can continue with both the tackles and sacks for this Lions defense.

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Coby Bryant, Seattle

Bryant has officially switched over from corner to safety for the Seattle D.  He obviously brings good ball skills to the table as a former corner.  He had a pick last week and chipped in with 11 total tackles.  Julian Love will continue to produce for this defense, but there may be enough plays in the defensive backfield for both Love and Bryant to be worthwhile.  Unlike defensive line, there seem to be a bevy of defensive backs that are on the wire.  So don't overspend on Bryant, but he's definitely intriguing. 

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Malik Mustapha, San Francisco

He may be only a short-term answer for your fantasy squad, but then he could go back to being quality depth in case Talanoa Hufanga is back for the Niners.  Mustapha was a force this past Sunday, with twelve total tackles.  And some of his hits were jarring, so perhaps a forced fumble or two may be in his future.  The rookie out of Wake Forest has ideal size and strength that fits this defense to a T.  A solid add, even if it's a stash on your taxi squad.

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Max Melton, Arizona

He was already seeing 50%+ of the snaps for the past few weeks, but with Sean Murphy-Bunting going out with an injury this past Monday night, Melton was in for 79% of the snaps against the Chargers.  Melton came through with an impressive eight solos, forced fumble and a pass breakup.  If he gets continued increases in playing time, the Rookie Corner Rule may apply here.  Worth a shot in leagues that start cornerbacks separately.