IDP Dynasty Sleepers: Week 11

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 Anthony Walker Jr., Miami

This recommendation is more for those owners that will be bitten by the bye-week bug in the next few weeks, not for those looking to stash a 'backer on their taxi squad, since Walker is 29 years old as it is.  But check it out; he's had 12 assisted tackles over the past two games, which indicates that he's around the ball a lot.  Those assists could easily turn into solos, or if nothing else, the fact that he's around the ball a lot means that fumble recoveries could also be in play.  Walker also pitched in with an interception this past week.  But the real telling stat is that David Long Jr has been benched in Walker's favor, so at least for now, Walker is a high-floor volume tackler who is a solid bye-week replacement in all dynasty formats.  And perhaps he has a couple more years left in him to boot.

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Amari Burney, Las Vegas

This recommendation isn't necessarily about Burney as much as it is about Divine Deablo, who's looked pretty pedestrian for the Raiders.  Yes, Robert Spillane usually fills up the box score, but there are tackles to be had for this defense, and Deablo's just not cutting it.  Plus, he's an unrestricted free agent in 2025 and could easily be shown the door.  Burney flashed for a couple of games last season and remains on the team, so if you're in a deeper league that starts 3+ linebackers, add and stash if you have the room on your taxi squad.

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Nathaniel Watson, Cleveland

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will undoubtedly be the leader of the Brown linebacking corps for the foreseeable future, but beyond that?  Jordan Hicks is 32, and Devin Bush, while a fine stand-in, has never really been given the keys as a full-timer for this squad.  Watson, a rookie out of Mississippi State, has a tremendous athletic profile (6-0, 233 lbs.) and could challenge Mohamoud Diabate for the second linebacker spot for the Browns next season.  Like Burney, he's a fine stash if you have the room on your taxi squad.

Dynasty Sleeper: DL Payton Turner, New Orleans

Turner was a hot first-round name coming out of the University of Houston but fell out of favor fairly quickly.  It's hard to believe he's still just 25 years old, so there's plenty of tread left on the tires.  Cameron Jordan has to be on his last legs, and Carl Granderson can't do it all.  Or do you think Chase Young is the answer?  Turner's remained a part of the rotation but never gets more than 40 or so percent of the snaps.  Once Jordan hangs up his cleats, it might be time for Turner to get a starting nod.  Turner filled the box score with a handful of tackles, sacks, and even pass deflections.  He's probably not taxi squad eligible in your league, but if you have some open roster spots, he's worth a look, especially considering how shallow the DL pool tends to be.

Dynasty Sleeper: DL Calijah Kancey, Tampa Bay

If you're in a league that breaks apart the defensive line positions, Kancey is likely gone.  But he's now a name to know in all formats, as he's not only tackling with some regularity but has four sacks since Week 6.  Offensive lines won't be able to handle both him and Vita Vea, so Kancey's definitely on our radar here as a fantasy producer.  While he's not there just yet, we get some Aaron Donald vibes here as an ex-Pitt Panther and undersized interior lineman who can just wreck a game if he's feeling it.

Dynasty Sleeper: DL D.J. Wonnum, Carolina

Don't look now, but there's been a Wonnum sighting.  In his first game action of the 2024 season, Wonnum blew up with six total tackles, a forced fumble, and a sack.  Granted, it was against the hapless G-men, but Wonnum made Charles Harris (who'd been on a nice streak himself) useless.  The Panthers will want to audition fringe players like Wonnum for the remainder of the season, so you may be able to squeeze out some decent production from him to round the season out.

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Arizona

Filling in for Jalen Thompson last week, Taylor-Demerson had himself a fine outing with six total stops and a pair of pass breakups.  Budda Baker obviously fills up the box score himself, but Jalen Thompson's always been able to produce alongside Baker.  So if Thompson misses an extended stretch, the rookie out of Texas Tech could be an admirable fill-in for the rest of the season.  Not to mention, Thompson is owed a pretty penny in his final contract year in 2025, so if Taylor-Demerson shines in his stead, the team could very well let Thompson walk.  At minimum, this is a nice taxi squad stash.

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Nazeeh Johnson, Kansas City

While this doesn't qualify as a Rookie Corner Rule situation (Johnson is in his third year), it may be a matter of him playing opposite a Shutdown Corner (Trent McDuffie).  Chamarri Conner has played admirably in the slot, but Johnson put up slot-like numbers this past Sunday, tallying 10 total tackles and a sack.  If he continues to start opposite McDuffie, he may be tested, and therefore rack up some tackles and pass breakups.  Worth a shot in leagues that start cornerback separately.

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Mike Brown, Tennessee

With Quandre Diggs shelved, Brown has snatched a starting safety spot opposite Amani Hooker.  And in doing so has eight solos and six helpers over the past two contests.  While the Titan defense continues to prove strong, they have deficiencies on offense that'll keep their defenders on the field a bit.  Brown could be a high-floor volume tackler for the rest of the season and beyond, especially considering that Diggs was a trade candidate at the deadline before getting hurt.