UPGRADES
DE Datone Jones, GB (3 solos, 2 sacks)
After posting a sack last week against the Bears, Jones followed up with a 2-sack game against the Eagles this week. While he hasn’t seen any change in playing time leading up to this mini-breakout (he’s still only playing about a third of snaps), Jones is a talented rookie who was drafted in the first round this year. Probably worth an add in deeper dynasty leagues.
DE Vinny Curry, PHI (3 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 1 PD)
Last year’s 2nd round pick is playing limited snaps, but he’s been productive with 3 sacks in his last 4 games. There were some rumors that the Eagles shopped him at the trade deadline, but apparently there wasn’t much interest. In any event, he’s another young pass rusher that fantasy owners should be aware of.
DE Cliff Avril, SEA (2 solos, 1 sack)
Avril continues to play a part-time role in Seattle’s deep defensive line rotation, but it seems to be helping him get to the QB. He’s picked up at least a partial sack in 3 of his last 4 games now and will try to keep things going next week when the Vikings come to town.
DT Kevin Williams, MIN (2 solos, 5 asst, 2.5 sacks)
There was a time not too long ago when Williams was one of the best 2 or 3 interior pass rushers in football. He hasn’t been much of a factor for awhile, but he showed new signs of life this weekend when he blew up for 7 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks in a Thursday night game against Washington.
LB Vincent Rey, CIN (10 solos, 5 asst, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PD)
After being inserted into the starting lineup to replace Rey Maualuga at middle linebacker last week, Rey didn’t show a whole lot with just 5 solo stops. He exploded onto the scene this week, however, as he was filled up the stat sheet with 15 combined tackles, 3 sacks, a pick, and 3 pass deflections. He looked good against both the run and pass and looks like he could provide a clear upgrade at the position over the mostly ineffective player he replaced.
LB Ahmad Brooks, SF (4 solos, 1 asst, 3 sacks, 1 PD)
Brooks doesn’t get nearly as much attention as Aldon Smith or the inside linebackers in San Francisco get, but he’s quietly putting together a very solid season. With 3 sacks of Cam Newton this week, he’s on a pace for 50+ solo tackles and double digit sacks. The 49ers welcomed Smith back to the team this week with limited snaps, but that should only help divert some attention away from Brooks.
LB Sio Moore, OAK (8 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack, 1 FF)
The rookie Moore continues to impress despite playing less than a full-time role. He saw a bit more playing time this week and responded with his best game yet as he collected 10 tackles, a sack of Eli Manning, and a forced fumble. He’s a young speed merchant who should continue to improve on a defense that is desperate for playmakers.
LB Paul Worrilow, ATL (10 solos, 9 asst)
While it’s true the Falcons defense is spending more time on the field than they are used to given the team’s offensive struggles, the number of snaps have not been extremely high. Worrilow has still managed to get involved in enough plays to pile up a ridiculous number of tackles though. He was credited with 19 combined tackles last week against the Panthers and followed that up with another 19 combined tackle game this week against the Seahawks.
S Andrew Sendejo, MIN (8 solos, 8 asst)
The Vikings have lost both starting safeties (Harrison Smith, Jamarca Sanford) to injuries recently and that has created a great opportunity for Sendejo to take over a full-time role. He saw a ton of time inside the box against the run-heavy Washington offense this week and responded with 16 combined tackles in the game. It’s possible that Sendejo has played well enough to keep the starting safety job next to Harrison Smith long-term.
S James Ihedigbo, BAL (6 solos, 3 asst, 2 INT, 3 PD)
While many expected the rookie Matt Elam to become the safety to own in Baltimore this year, it has actually been the veteran Ihedigbo who has emerged as a much more reliable fantasy option. He was extremely active on Sunday in an overtime win over the Bengals as he collected 9 combined tackles along with a pair of interceptions. He was almost the goat of the game as he tipped the game-tying Hail Mary pass into the air that was easily caught by A.J. Green.
S Antrel Rolle, NYG (10 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack)
Apparently, Rolle didn’t lose any momentum he had going into the team’s bye week. Over the past 3 games he’s played, it would be difficult to find a more productive IDP option. During that span, he’s been credited with 19 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble. With the Packers coming to town next week, look for it to continue.
CB Lardarius Webb, BAL (2 solos, 3 asst, 1 INT, 6 PD)
Webb has not played up to his normal standards for much of this year but he looked like his old self on Sunday while matched up primarily with AJ Green. He was targeted over and over but came out ahead most of the time, finishing with an amazing 6 passes defensed including an interception. Webb was a key reason why the Ravens won that game and it could be a big confidence booster for him.
DOWNGRADES
DE Mario Williams, BUF (0 tackles)
Even though he still ranks among the league leaders in sacks, Williams has cooled off of late. He posted just a single solo tackles last week and followed that up with a goose egg this week. He’ll get a chance to rebound next week against the Jets.
DE Brian Robison, MIN (0 tackles)
After blowing up with a pair of sacks last week against the Cowboys, Robison came back to Earth this week. Despite playing over 70 snaps, he failed to get credit for even a single assisted tackle. Obviously, the Vikings are struggling on both sides of the ball these days so that makes Robison and Allen risky starts during most matchups.
DE Shea McClellin, CHI (DNP)
McClellin enjoyed a breakout game against the Packers on Monday Night Football with 3 sacks last week and looked like things were turning around for the former 1st round pick. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury in practice later in the week and had to miss this week’s game against the Lions. Tough break for the player and the team that really could have used him in a key divisional matchup.
LB Sean Lee, DAL (1 solo, 2 asst)
Anyone that watched the Sunday night game on NBC likely saw Lee leave the game early with a hamstring injury. The Saints were able to move the ball at will on Dallas after he left the game and it looks like things could get rough for the Cowboys in the weeks ahead. Lee is expected to miss 3 to 4 weeks with this injury and they were already on pace to put up one of the worst defensive years in history. Bruce Carter figures to see the biggest upgrade in his production as a result of this injury, but Justin Durant could also be worth a look as a short-term fill in.
LB Jamari Lattimore, GB (0 tackles)
Lattimore went from being a starter a couple weeks ago to a little used backup this week. The return of Brad Jones inside and Clay Matthews outside did not leave many snaps for Lattimore, but he’s still a player to keep on your radar in case a new opportunity presents itself.
LB David Hawthorne, NO (1 solo)
Hawthorne had been making a big impact for the Saints defense in recent weeks, but he was limited by a toe injury in practice last week and wound up playing very little as a result. Watch this weeks’ injury report closely as he has a great matchup coming against the 49ers on Sunday.
S Earl Wolff, PHI (1 solo, 1 asst)
Wolff is a promising rookie safety who is still adjusting to the speed of the NFL game. Unfortunately, he left the game early this week with a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for several weeks at least. That creates a new opportunity for Patrick Chung who is healthy again (for the time being).
S Yeremiah Bell, ARI (2 solos)
Bell has a 100 solo tackle season on his resume from his time in Miami, and even though he’s 35 years old he has shown some flashes of his old form at times this year. However, he’s playing behind one of the best ILB tandems in the league in Arizona this year and that figures to keep his tackle opportunities to a minimum most weeks.
CB David Amerson, WAS (0 tackles)
Amerson is a rookie who has started about half the games so far this year. When he’s in the lineup, he tends to get picked on a bit which has helped him put up some solid numbers at times. His playing time was reduced this week though and that might be something that continues as Washington tries to find some solutions to their leaky pass defense.
CB Jason McCourty, TEN (1 solo)
The former CB1 who has averaged almost 80 solo tackles the past two seasons has not been nearly as productive in 2013. In fact, apart from one huge game against the Seahawks in week 6, he’s been little more than a backup-quality fantasy option. With just 3 solos over the past two weeks, it’s certainly time to bench him if you haven’t already.