Linebackers
Elandon Roberts (NEP): Roberts has been on my watchlist for about a year now, and his production ebbs and flows, which makes him a risky proposition in terms of a weekly start, unless you’re looking for a low-level LB3 that can rack up some tackles. But in dynasty formats where you have a nicely-sized taxi squad, Roberts is worthy of stashing. He has a ton of athletic ability and a nose for the football. Big fan of Roberts’ game, he just needs to put it all together.
Eli Harold (DET): For those of you in big-play scoring formats, Harold is worth a look. He now has three sacks on the season, with a pair coming last week against Tom Brady. He’s not going to rack up a ton of tackles, but against offenses with porous OLs and/or green quarterbacks, he could be valuable. Only 24, Harold’s best football may be ahead of him.
Ramik Wilson (LAR): Mark Barron has yet to PRACTICE this season, let alone play. Cory Littleton has been stellar with Barron out, but Wilson’s stat line last week (6 solos, 3 assists, 1 pass breakup) was solid. Wilson is available in my 12-teamer and a couple of my larger-format leagues. If you need a decent fill-in now that bye weeks are upon us, Wilson could prove useful if Barron continues to sit (which it would appear he is going to).
Defensive Linemen
Stephen Weatherly (DE – MIN): Our thoughts are with Viking DE Everson Griffen, who’s dealing with some mental health issues right now, that’s a given. In the meantime, though, his replacement Stephen Weatherly has been pretty solid. Weatherly had 5 solos, 2 assists and a sack against the Bills last week. We’re not expecting that kind of production on a weekly basis, but the rangy lineman out of Vanderbilt is just 24 (Griffen is 30) and could prove valuable down the road as well as in the short term while Griffen gets right.
Margus Hunt (DE – IND): Time to jump back on the Hunt bandwagon. Hunt came out guns blazing to start the season, logging a pair of sacks against the Bengals. After a quiet-ish game against the Redskins, Hunt blew up again with another sack, 4 solos, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery against the Eagles. Those that are in win-now mode in their dynasty leagues should grab Hunt in preparation for great matchups against the Jets, Bills, and Raiders. Those that are rebuilding can probably let someone else spend.
Jarran Reed (DT – SEA): The Seahawk defense is looking for a new identity after the Legion of Boom has been decimated. Not saying Reed is going to be the new face of the defense, but Reed has been a stalwart on the line, playing in 80%, 77%, and 85% of the defense’s snaps thus far. He had a very respectable 5 solos Week 1 and then 2 sacks last week. He’s a nice plug-and-play option this week against Josh Rosen and the Cards, and a solid long-term option for those that are in leagues that start the DT position separate from DL.
Defensive Backs
Brian Poole (CB – ATL): Not sure if it’s been the absence of Keanu Neal or just great matchups; perhaps a little bit of both. But Poole has been rock-solid in three games thus far in 2018. He now has 22 solo tackles on the season to go along with a pair of pass breakups. And two sacks, which is a nice stat to see out of a cornerback. Poole’s schedule the next month is solid so get him on your squad and in your lineup. Those that are in leagues that break apart CB from the DB spot should spend more.
Rafael Bush (S – BUF): This is a speculative watch-lister only, as Bush’s playing time has been all over the place. Somehow, though, Bush has racked up solos (13) and assists (6). Should something happen to Jordan Poyer, Bush’s value would rise dramatically. No need to add yet, just someone to keep tabs on if you’re thin at DB and are looking to win your league this year. Rebuilding franchises can pass, as he’s 31 years old.
Antone Exum (S – SFO): Exum started in place of the injured Jaquiski Tartt on Sunday and took advantage of his chance to shine. He recorded 9 solos, a sack and forced a fumble. Tartt’s shoulder injury may linger, or if it doesn’t, Exum may still be given significant playing time, as FS Adrian Colbert suffered a hip injury in the game and could miss time as well.
