RADIO
We've discussed Shaquille Leonard a lot in this space, but with good reason. IDP has always struggled to find transcendent talents you can rely on every week, but Leonard was just that for three seasons. He was our no-doubt top overall defender for three straight offseasons as a result, with few players having the potential to lead the NFL in both tackles and turnovers. Unfortunately, those days appear to be behind us. After Leonard had his second back surgery in six months, there are questions about where and if he may ever play again.
First among our concerns must be Leonard's health and longevity. The odds of retirement are low right now, as Leonard himself denied considering retirement two years ago despite rumors he had. However, back injuries are serious, and they tend to recur as individuals age. If Leonard did consider giving it up before, he’ll surely do so again after multiple back surgeries and head injuries. Of course, even if Leonard returns, we have no idea how effective he will be, or where he will be.
Diving into this year’s film, it is readily apparent that both Zaire Franklin and Bobby Okereke looked faster and more effective than Leonard. Indianapolis clearly preferred them both to this year’s Leonard, too. After auditioning Franklin and Okereke for the rest of this season, the Colts could save $4.2 million in cap space by designating Leonard as a post-June 1st cut and move on. The likelihood that Leonard could either share time in Indy or move to a new team next year renders him droppable in many dynasty formats.
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Top Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | T.J. Watt (Q) | Steelers | Bengals |
| 2 | Micah Parsons | Cowboys | Vikings |
| 3 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | Cardinals |
| 4 | Matthew Judon | Patriots | Jets |
| 5 | Myles Garrett | Browns | Bills |
| 6 | Aaron Donald | Rams | Saints |
| 7 | Brian Burns | Panthers | Ravens |
| 8 | Za’Darius Smith | Vikings | Cowboys |
| 9 | Maxx Crosby | Raiders | Broncos |
| 10 | Khalil Mack | Chargers | Chiefs |
| 11 | Danielle Hunter | Vikings | Cowboys |
| 12 | Alex Highsmith | Steelers | Bengals |
| 13 | Aidan Hutchinson | Lions | Giants |
| 14 | Javon Hargrave | Eagles | Colts |
| 15 | Cameron Heyward | Steelers | Bengals |
| 16 | Cameron Jordan (Q) | Saints | Rams |
| 17 | Montez Sweat | Commanders | Texans |
| 18 | Demarcus Lawrence | Cowboys | Vikings |
| 19 | Trey Hendrickson | Bengals | Steelers |
| 20 | Kwity Paye | Colts | Eagles |
| 21 | Deatrich Wise Jr. | Patriots | Jets |
| 22 | Von Miller | Bills | Browns |
| 23 | Gregory Rousseau (Q) | Bills | Browns |
| 24 | Jerry Hughes | Texans | Commanders |
| 25 | Haason Reddick | Eagles | Colts |
| 26 | Sam Hubbard | Bengals | Steelers |
| 27 | Denico Autry | Titans | Packers |
| 28 | Dre’Mont Jones | Broncos | Raiders |
| 29 | Preston Smith (Q) | Packers | Titans |
| 30 | Quinnen Williams | Jets | Patriots |
| 31 | Jeffery Simmons | Titans | Packers |
| 32 | Derrick Brown (Q) | Panthers | Ravens |
| 33 | Baron Browning (Q) | Broncos | Raiders |
| 34 | Chase Young (Q) | Commanders | Texans |
| 35 | Rashad Weaver (Q) | Titans | Packers |
| 36 | Deforest Buckner | Colts | Eagles |
| 37 | Daron Payne | Commanders | Texans |
| 38 | Jonathan Allen | Commanders | Texans |
| 39 | Grady Jarrett | Falcons | Bears |
| 40 | Josh Sweat | Eagles | Colts |
| 41 | Yannick Ngakoue | Colts | Eagles |
| 42 | Samson Ebukam | 49ers | Cardinals |
| 43 | Arnold Ebiketie | Falcons | Bears |
| 44 | Zach Allen | Cardinals | 49ers |
| 45 | Chris Jones | Chiefs | Chargers |
| 46 | Josh Uche | Patriots | Jets |
| 47 | Osa Odighizuwa | Cowboys | Vikings |
| 48 | Leonard Floyd | Rams | Saints |
| 49 | Carl Lawson | Jets | Patriots |
| 50 | Marcus Davenport (Q) | Saints | Rams |
DL Gamble(s) of the Week: Arnold Ebiketie, Atlanta Falcons
The Bears’ offensive line has improved its sack rate since Justin Fields went on his tear, but they are still surrendering 3.25 sacks per game during his hot streak. Worse, their line remains the worst in the NFL in Adjusted Sack Rate and sacks allowed. Things are getting better, but rookie tackle Braxton Jones has surrendered 29 pressures this season and has allowed three per game the past three weeks.
Ebiketie is playing over half of Atlanta’s snaps now, and he has shown flashes of what earned him a low first-round grade from us in this past NFL Draft. He’s also available in nearly every IDP league. He’s worth a flyer in deep formats, though his floor is low.
DL Fold(s) of the Week: Dorance Armstrong, Dallas Cowboys
Armstrong is in a slump of late, totaling just four tackles and a recovered fumble across his past three games. His playing time is still consistent, hovering around 50%, but his production is down. Now he gets a Vikings team that’s allowed only four total sacks and 2.7 quarterback pressures per game off the edge. Armstrong plays on the edge 89.6% of the time, putting him right up against Minnesota’s strength. The floor is low for Dallas’ #3 edge this week.
Top Fantasy Linebackers of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | C.J. Mosley | Jets | Patriots |
| 2 | T.J. Edwards | Eagles | Colts |
| 3 | Zaire Franklin | Colts | Eagles |
| 4 | De’Vondre Campbell (Q) | Packers | Titans |
| 5 | Rashaan Evans | Falcons | Bears |
| 6 | Bobby Wagner | Rams | Saints |
| 7 | Roquan Smith | Ravens | Panthers |
| 8 | Frankie Luvu | Panthers | Ravens |
| 9 | Bobby Okereke | Colts | Eagles |
| 10 | Cole Holcomb (Q) | Commanders | Texans |
| 11 | Mykal Walker | Falcons | Bears |
| 12 | Jordan Hicks | Vikings | Cowboys |
| 13 | Josey Jewell | Broncos | Raiders |
| 14 | Drue Tranquill | Chargers | Chiefs |
| 15 | Logan Wilson | Bengals | Steelers |
| 16 | Nicholas Morrow | Bears | Falcons |
| 17 | Eric Kendricks | Vikings | Cowboys |
| 18 | Demario Davis | Saints | Rams |
| 19 | Zaven Collins | Cardinals | 49ers |
| 20 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | Bengals |
| 21 | Myles Jack | Steelers | Bengals |
| 22 | Micah Parsons | Cowboys | Vikings |
| 23 | Nick Bolton | Chiefs | Chargers |
| 24 | Shaq Thompson | Panthers | Ravens |
| 25 | David Long Jr. | Titans | Packers |
| 26 | Isaiah Simmons | Cardinals | 49ers |
| 27 | Pete Werner (Q) | Saints | Rams |
| 28 | Christian Kirksey | Texans | Commanders |
| 29 | Fred Warner | 49ers | Cardinals |
| 30 | Malcolm Rodriguez (Q) | Lions | Giants |
| 31 | Denzel Perryman (Q) | Raiders | Broncos |
| 32 | Quincy Williams | Jets | Patriots |
| 33 | Dre Greenlaw | 49ers | Cardinals |
| 34 | Quay Walker | Packers | Titans |
| 35 | Jack Sanborn | Bears | Falcons |
| 36 | Tremaine Edmunds | Bills | Browns |
| 37 | Matt Milano | Bills | Browns |
| 38 | Deion Jones | Browns | Bills |
| 39 | Isaiah McDuffie | Packers | Titans |
| 40 | Kyzir White | Chargers | Chiefs |
| 41 | Sione Takitaki | Browns | Bills |
| 42 | Willie Gay Jr. | Chiefs | Chargers |
| 43 | Matthew Judon | Patriots | Jets |
| 44 | Ernest Jones | Rams | Saints |
| 45 | Christian Harris | Texans | Commanders |
| 46 | Alex Highsmith | Steelers | Bengals |
| 47 | Alex Anzalone | Lions | Giants |
| 48 | Patrick Queen | Ravens | Panthers |
| 49 | Leighton Vander Esch | Cowboys | Vikings |
| 50 | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Q) | Browns | Bills |
LB Gamble(s) of the Week: Quay Walker, Green Bay Packers
De'Vondre Campbell may miss another week, given he was out Sunday and has a quick turnaround for Thursday. If he does, the fantasy stock of Walker and Isaiah McDuffie inflates. While it was McDuffie who exploded in Campbell's absence last week, we are betting on Walker's talent in this scenario. With the Titans on tap, Walker could be an LB1 if Campbell misses again. If Campbell plays, Walker is a high-upside LB3. Either way, he’s worth rostering this week.
LB Fold(s) of the Week: Pete Werner, New Orleans Saints
Werner's health is in question this week, and he has an awful matchup if he does play. The Rams' offense possesses the third-lowest rushing rate in the NFL, and they dipped below their season average with John Wolford under center. They also ran the seventh fewest plays in the NFL with Wolford, who could start again if Stafford remains in concussion protocol as he was at the time of this writing.
Whoever is under center, the Rams’ play calling features Demario Davis' strengths better than Werner's. While Cooper Kupp's absence could force Los Angeles to run more, their lack of running game has had more to do with inability than refusal so far this year. Simply put, the Rams cannot run behind their poor offensive line, regardless of who is at RB or QB. That’s why we are fading Werner but leaving Davis in the LB2 conversation.
Top Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Derwin James | Chargers | Chiefs |
| 2 | Jordan Poyer (Q) | Bills | Browns |
| 3 | Jonathan Owens | Texans | Commanders |
| 4 | Harrison Smith | Vikings | Cowboys |
| 5 | Talanoa Hufanga | 49ers | Cardinals |
| 6 | Minkah Fitzpatrick (Q) | Steelers | Bengals |
| 7 | Donovan Wilson | Cowboys | Vikings |
| 8 | Trevon Diggs | Cowboys | Vikings |
| 9 | Jalen Thompson | Cardinals | 49ers |
| 10 | L’Jarius Sneed | Chiefs | Chargers |
| 11 | Grant Delpit | Browns | Bills |
| 12 | Julian Love | Giants | Lions |
| 13 | Richie Grant | Falcons | Bears |
| 14 | Jeremy Chinn (Q) | Panthers | Ravens |
| 15 | Eddie Jackson | Bears | Falcons |
| 16 | Kevin Byard | Titans | Packers |
| 17 | Jaquan Brisker | Bears | Falcons |
| 18 | Adrian Amos | Packers | Titans |
| 19 | Jalen Pitre | Texans | Commanders |
| 20 | Jaylinn Hawkins | Falcons | Bears |
| 21 | Patrick Surtain II | Broncos | Raiders |
| 22 | DeShon Elliott (Q) | Lions | Giants |
| 23 | Kerby Joseph | Lions | Giants |
| 24 | Marlon Humphrey | Ravens | Panthers |
| 25 | Jayron Kearse | Cowboys | Vikings |
| 26 | Charvarius Ward | 49ers | Cardinals |
| 27 | Marcus Maye (Q) | Saints | Rams |
| 28 | Jalen Ramsey | Rams | Saints |
| 29 | Justin Simmons (Q) | Broncos | Raiders |
| 30 | Vonn Bell | Bengals | Steelers |
| 31 | Nick Scott | Rams | Saints |
| 32 | Kyle Dugger | Patriots | Jets |
| 33 | Kamren Curl | Commanders | Texans |
| 34 | Jordan Whitehead | Jets | Patriots |
| 35 | Damar Hamlin | Bills | Browns |
| 36 | Kenny Moore II | Colts | Eagles |
| 37 | A.J. Terrell (Q) | Falcons | Bears |
| 38 | James Bradberry | Eagles | Colts |
| 39 | Roger McCreary | Titans | Packers |
| 40 | Jeff Okudah | Lions | Giants |
| 41 | Patrick Peterson | Vikings | Cowboys |
| 42 | Xavier Woods | Panthers | Ravens |
| 43 | Jessie Bates III | Bengals | Steelers |
| 44 | Marcus Epps | Eagles | Colts |
| 45 | Chuck Clark | Ravens | Panthers |
| 46 | Geno Stone | Ravens | Panthers |
| 47 | Marshon Lattimore (Q) | Saints | Rams |
| 48 | Jaire Alexander | Packers | Titans |
| 49 | C.J. Gardner-Johnson | Eagles | Colts |
| 50 | Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner | Jets | Patriots |
DB Gamble(s) of the Week: Trevon Diggs as a #1 DB
Diggs as a DB1 may be commonplace in some leagues, especially Premium scoring formats and leagues that start a CB. However, Diggs is usually too inconsistent to trust as a DB1 in your shallower leagues. Rather, he's typically a DB2 or DB3 with upside in those formats, given his inconsistent floor. Dallas’ matchup with Justin Jefferson considerably raises Diggs’ floor and ceiling this week, though. Shadowing Jefferson is enough to consider Diggs as your DB1 in all leagues.
DB Fold(s) of the Week: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, New York Jets
We love us some Sauce, but his matchup is less than ideal this week. As we've said in past columns, the Patriots offer one of the lowest-volume passing attacks in the NFL. They also don't have a clear receiver to shadow. The Pats and Giants are two of the worst fantasy matchups for corners every week. This week, that burden falls on Sauce. We are fading him out of our DB3 tier this week.
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