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 Jacoby Windmon, Carolina

Well, we wrote about fellow Panther linebacker Claudin Cherelus last week, but we noted that since he was injured, another young prospect could be filling in for these last few weeks.  It looks like it's Windmon, who accrued four solos and four assists and chipped in with a sack and pass breakup this past week as well.  That's the kind of box score stuffing we like to see out of a young linebacker.  With more production like that, he may end up being the Robin to Josey Jewell's Batman in 2025.

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Ty Summers, NY Giants

Bobby Okereke is shelved for the season, Micah McFadden came down with a neck injury, and Darius Muasau has already been covered in this article.  So we will point out that Summers had seven total tackles filling in for McFadden this past week.  He did so with only 29 snaps to boot.  If McFadden is out, Summers could be a cheap source of tackles this coming week.  And who knows how the Giants will shuffle their linebacking corps in 2025 and beyond.  Worth a look.

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Owen Pappoe, Arizona

With Mack Wilson Sr. out, we expected Krys Barnes to step in and fill his shoes.  Well, Barnes only got 12 snaps, while Pappoe got 25.  Something to see here?  Maybe.  Barnes is a journeyman who can be servicable when called upon, but Pappoe's younger with more upside.  In deeper formats, he's worth rostering, but you'd have to be really struggling to fill your third linebacker spot if you start him this week.

Dynasty Sleeper: DL Nolan Smith Jr., Philadelphia

This guy needs to be rostered in every format right now.  Three of his past four games have resulted in solid fantasy stats, and he's a regular part of the usual Philly rotation at defensive line.  He has the size, speed, pedigree, and everything you'd want in an edge rusher.  With some of the current Eagle pass rushers getting up in age, now's the time to snatch Smith up and plug him in with regularity come 2025.

Dynasty Sleeper: DL Zacch Pickens, Chicago

The Bears have quietly built a pretty formidable (and young) interior of their line with Pickens and Gervon Dexter Sr. Pickens won't get a ton of sacks, but it looks like he's around the ball quite a bit from reviewing tape and did manage to get to Jared Goff this past Sunday.  If you're in a league that breaks apart the two linemen spots, he's worth a look, especially as the Bears surround him and Dexter with talent on the edges.

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Marte Mapu, New England

Mapu has spent time as a linebacker for the Pats but is listed as a safety at MyFantasyLeague.  Jabril Peppers was a healthy scratch for the Pats this past weekend, with Mapu lining up next to Kyle Dugger.  Mapu came through with seven total tackles, a forced fumble, recovery and a couple of pass breakups.  He's an interesting prospect as a guy who can play back or come up closer to the line of scrimmage.

Dynasty Sleeper: DB Josh Jobe, Seattle

In only nine games, Jobe has seven passes defensed and 25 solo stops.  He's a good fit playing across from Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen.  Both of them are far more adept at shutting down opposing wideouts, so Jobe will continue to get tested by the opposing quarterback.  Coby Bryant has completely shifted to free safety, so Jobe's job looks safe moving forward.