RADIO
With the fantasy season past its mid-point, some of us are starting to think ahead. That’s why, as you’ll see below, we are considering some big-name fantasy defenders who are readily available and worth adding for the playoffs. These recovering stars are risky, but they hold more upside than almost any other players currently available in most leagues. So, if you’re in a position to plan ahead and stash for the future, you should start doing so now.
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in a position of buying strength or stability, one other thing to consider is the playoff schedules of players you’re looking to deal or add. Just like you would with offensive players, you should consider what opponents are on tap for the last four weeks of the season, and consider just how much those matchups could impact your mercurial tacklers. The Lions have a particularly attractive DB schedule for the fantasy playoffs, for example.
One other thing to consider is buying low on defenders like T.J. Watt or the Jaguars’ linebackers. Watt was underwhelming for fantasy purposes in his return from injury, and it’s possible some of his managers are starting to worry he’s not who they hoped he would be when they stashed him for months. Meanwhile, the Jags have two elite fantasy LBs on bye this week and their managers could be struggling to contend. It doesn’t hurt to offer them a good and available LB so you can stash them on your bench.
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Potential Fantasy Playoff Stars Readily Available on Waivers
Arik Armstead, DL/DT, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers keep announcing Armstead is close, and one of these days, it'll be true. The one thing missing from San Francisco's defensive front is a dominant interior pass rush, which Armstead offers when healthy. He's been given plenty of time to heal, and his fantasy playoff schedule is soft up the middle, especially Tampa and Washington. You could add a very good DL3 if there’s room on your bench.
Deion Jones, LB, Cleveland Browns
Available in 97.8% of leagues, Jones has seen over 70% of the Browns' snaps in each of the past two weeks. He's also registering fantasy totals that exceed many players rostered in far more leagues. With two plus matchups during the fantasy playoffs, Jones could help a lot of teams down the stretch.
Chase Young, DL, Washington Commanders
This name may appear obvious, but Young was rostered in just 5.7% of ESPN and Yahoo IDP leagues as of this writing. You know we love the talent, and he has one of the best fantasy schedules moving forward. Four of Washington's next six opponents rank in the bottom half of the NFL in Adjusted Sack Rate, with three ranking in the bottom three. If Young has a healthy return, he and his teammates could be forces over the next few weeks.
Marcus Williams, DB, Baltimore Ravens
Williams is rostered in just 4.8% of IDP leagues due largely to his injury status. Williams was on a roll to start the year and had cemented a place in our DB1 tier. The Ravens are now saying he's close to returning, yet he's available in most leagues. A top-ten DB should not be available in any IDP leagues. Stash him if you can.
Kerby Joseph, DB, Detroit Lions
Available in 96.7% of leagues, Joseph is arguably the top safety on a Lions' defense that can't stop anyone. Joseph and Malcolm Rodriguez are under-rostered IDP options at the front of a bad defense that sees the tenth most plays run in the NFL. Joseph has a chance to be a DB2 in the fantasy playoffs with the Vikings, Panthers, Jets, and Bears on the schedule.
Casual IDP Streamers and Fades for This Week
Stream: Nicholas Morrow, LB, Chicago Bears
Morrow is a staple in many deep IDP leagues, but he's more of a streamer in casual formats. This week he gets an Atlanta Falcons offense that ranks second highest in rushing rate and third worst in Adjusted Sack Rate. Morrow is a worthwhile streamer in casual leagues if you need a bye-week replacement.
Stream: Jeremy Chinn, DB, Carolina Panthers
Chinn was dropped in 45% of IDP leagues after his injury and is now available in 92.9% of leagues. This is a reminder he's out there and has been designated to return from IR. There's a chance Chinn doesn't play this week, but he's worth stashing even if he doesn't. If the Southern Illinois alum does play, Baltimore offers a solid matchup for a safety who has played in the box for nearly half his snaps over the past two years.
Fade: Bills Pass Rushers
Gregory Rousseau’s availability is currently in question. It could seriously damage the upside and depth of Buffalo’s rotation if he’s out. The Browns also sport a respectable 6.8% Adjusted Sack Rate, average the tenth fewest pass attempts per game, and allow the tenth fewest sacks in the NFL. Our tune changes if Jedrick Wills Jr. doesn't play this week, but reports indicate he will. If he does, fade Buffalo's edges.
Fade: Roquan Smith, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Fading Smith may seem odd, but this recommendation is for casual and shallow leagues. We acknowledge Smith could break the bye with an enhanced understanding of Baltimore's scheme and destroy Carolina. However, we remain uneasy about Baltimore's history with fantasy LBs. We also worry that the Panthers average the fewest offensive plays per game in the NFL. Those concerns are enough to drop Smith from our top-five LBs this week.
Premium Scoring & Deep League Streamers and Fades for This Week
Stream: Josh Uche, DL/LB, New England Patriots
We were fans of Uche coming out of Michigan, so his mini-breakout in the past two appearances wasn’t a big surprise. He's a creative and quick pass rusher who should continue to see increased snaps under Belichick. The former Wolverine simply feels like a Patriot and reminds us a bit of Matthew Judon.
Zach Wilson's mobility tends to make things harder on opposing pass rushers, but the Jets surrender 8.7 pressures off the edge per game. While New York isn't the ideal matchup for Uche, his recent performance and a glut of injuries on the Jet's offensive line make him a viable play in deep or Premium leagues. Consider him a DL4 flyer.
Stream: Juan Thornhill, DB, Kansas City Chiefs
Thornhill underwhelmed in his last appearance against the Chargers, but things have changed since then. With Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, and Gerald Everett all ailing, this offense is one-dimensional. The Chargers average the third-most pass attempts in the NFL this season, yet they have no deep threat and no intermediate threat that can stay on the field. This situation should offer opportunities to Thornhill, who plays all over the formation.
Fade: A.J. Terrell, DB/CB, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are optimistic Terrell will play this week, but he shouldn’t play for you, even in CB-mandated leagues. The Bears average the fewest pass attempts per game in the NFL this season, and during Justin Field's recent ascension they've averaged the second-fewest. That low rate, coupled with Terrell’s injury and Chicago’s minimal outside passing volume (13.6 targets per game), make the Clemson corner a risky play.
Fade: Jaire Alexander, DB/CB, Green Bay Packers
The Titans average the second-fewest offensive plays in the NFL, and they were the third run-heaviest team in the NFL even before Malik Willis' two-week reign. With the Packers' offense struggling prior to last week and De'Vondre Campbell possibly out, expect Tennessee to have a real chance to win this on the ground. That spells low volume for Alexander and high volume for Green Bay linebackers.
Defensive Tackles to Consider for This Week
Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys
This former Bruin is a vastly underrated interior presence, and he lines up against one of the worst pass-blocking guards in the NFL this week. Ed Ingram leads all offensive guards in total pressures allowed this season, surrendering four per game. He’s also earned PFF’s tenth-worst pass-blocking grade amongst guards with 100+ snaps this year. Odighizuwa is a definite gamble worth making this week.
D.J. Jones, Denver Broncos
Both of the Raiders' starting guards have allowed 20+ quarterback pressures this season, with both ranking in the bottom 16 in that category. Their center also grades as the second worst run blocker amongst all centers, according to PFF. There is weakness up Las Vegas’ middle, meaning Jones is a fine streamer.
Cornerbacks to Consider for This Week
P.J. Williams, CB, New Orleans Saints
Williams is the primary fantasy beneficiary when Marshon Lattimore is out, which could be the case again this week. If Lattimore is out, Williams should see serious participation against the NFL's third-most pass-oriented offense. That's good news for a corner who's averaged nine Standard IDP scoring points per game this season when he sees over 75% of the snaps.
Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Los Angeles Chargers
Samuel has played two games against Patrick Mahomes in his career. In those two games, he has one interception and two near interceptions. The FSU alum fills the gaps easily, playing a variety of positions, and will come in to help on tight ends when needed, and that plays well against the Chiefs. He's available in 98.4% of IDP leagues, so he’s a cheap flyer with big play potential.
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