IDP Dynasty Sleepers: Week 9

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 Chazz Surratt, NY Jets

It sounds like he's dealing with a heel issue, but first of all, C.J. Mosley is dealing with a neck/spine issue and secondly, the guy's name is Chazz!  Gotta like that!  If Mosley misses time (and it sounds like he probably will), then Surratt is a solid add.  Obviously, Quincy Williams will take the lead and Jamien Sherwood's value will see a bump, but those guys are likely gone in most dynasty leagues.  Take a flier on Surratt, who had some promise coming into the league and now may get his shot.

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Omar Speights, LA Rams

Speights was a pre-season sleeper of mine, as many depth chart sites listed him as a starting linebacker for the Rams.  Well, as it turns out, he wasn't.  But it appears that he'll get his chance now with Troy Reeder on injured reserve.  Speights logged three solos and an assist in just 22 snaps this past week.  Expect Christian Rozeboom to likely see the biggest increase in value, but Speights could also be busy.  He's just a rookie, so if you want to stash him on your taxi squad for now, that would be advisable.  

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Malik Harrison, Baltimore

Bit of a deeper dive here, as Harrison hasn't really done much to make you say "Wow!", but to be honest, Trenton Simpson has been pretty meh himself, taking the vacated spot of Patrick Queen.  Harrison has been hurt for a couple of weeks but found himself around the ball quite a bit in the first month's worth of action, logging seven assists in those games.  If Simpson continues to disappoint, who knows what could happen.  Worth a flier in deeper formats.

Dynasty Sleeper: DL Arden Key, Tennessee

Two things could happen here:  one, Key gets traded to a contender, where his pass-rush abilities are better utilized, or two, he sticks on the Titans and gets an increase in snaps if the Titans end up dealing a fellow pass-rusher.  Either way, Key has had three sacks in the past two contests, and there are some juicy matchups left for the Titan defense.

Dynasty Sleeper: DL Calais Campbell, Miami

This is certainly not a recommendation for fantasy players looking to bolster their taxi squad or plan for the future.  This is a recommendation for those in leagues that separate the tackle and end positions and need some steady production.  Campbell has double-digit fantasy points in each of the past two games, stuffing the run well in the process.  The upcoming schedule for the Dolphin defense is likely going to result in more run stops for Campbell.

Dynasty Sleeper: DL Nolan Smith Jr., Philadelphia

Smith has actually been somewhat disappointing, but we know that the Eagles tend to rotate a ton of linemen in and out, and some players tend to get more playing time depending on the style of offense they are facing off against.  Smith is at least out-snapping the wily vet Brandon Graham (who will be a 37-year-old free agent as of the 2025 season).  Bryce Huff and Josh Sweat seem to run hot and cold, so why not add Smith and plop him on your taxi squad (assuming your league allows third-year pros to be there) for the rest of the season and see how he finishes off the 2024 campaign?

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Josh Jobe, Seattle

With Coby Bryant moving to safety, Jobe has seen a bunch of snaps over the past two weeks.  In those contests, he has accrued eight solos, five assists, and three pass breakups.  While the Rookie Corner Rule doesn't apply here (he's in his third season), it stands to reason that Jobe will continue to get tested as opposing quarterbacks do their best to avoid Devon Witherspoon on the other side.  

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Eric Murray, Houston

Murray is no spring chicken, so this recommendation is for those needing some bye-week coverage or a third defensive back down the stretch.  Jimmie Ward is nursing a groin injury, so Murray's role may continue to be strong.  Murray has been playing 80%-plus of the snaps recently, finds himself knocking a pass down pretty much every week, and usually ends up with 5-6 combined tackles.  In deeper leagues, he could really help your team.

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Christian Izien, Tampa Bay

With all of the injuries in the Buccaneers' defensive backfield, it looks like Izien is due for some more playing time.  When Antoine Winfield Jr. was out during the beginning of the season, Izien's production spiked.  It looks like he'll see more snaps again so he's worth plugging into your lineup in deeper leagues.