Linebackers
Romeo Okwara (DET): Okwara is likely only addable in big play formats, but in any league, where you have three consecutive games with a sack, you at least have to put him on your radar. With Ziggy Ansah out, Okwara has been the Lion defender that’s been putting pressure on the quarterback. If you’re in a big play league, grab Okwara now as he has a few good matchups left on the docket.
Barkevious Mingo (SEA): Is there a player in the NFL with a better name than Mingo? Come on. The Seahawks are 3-3 and not out of it yet, but they could be done if they keep losing. That being said, if K.J. Wright continues to sit, he may just sit for the remainder of the season. And if that happens, Mingo could continue to be a decent LB3. He’s barely come off the field the last two weeks and has 13 solos in those two games. Add him if you’re desperate or if Wright sits this week.
Adarius Taylor (TBB): Taylor will be the hot pickup of the week, with Kwon Alexander tearing his ACL. Alexander’s backup, Jack Cichy, is also out. So, Taylor is the next man up and secured 5 solos, 2 assists, and a sack in his 42 snaps last week. For the remainder of the season, Taylor is a sure-fire LB2. Add him now if you need linebacker help. He is also good Lavonte David insurance for 2019 and beyond.
Defensive Linemen
B.J. Hill (DE – NYG): The Giants are having a fire sale, and the departure of Snacks Harrison means Hill will get more snaps. He was already getting plenty and producing. He hasn’t topped double-digit fantasy points yet, but he does have a couple of sacks on the season. Definitely, a guy to watch, if not add, if you have space on your taxi squad.
Bilal Nichols (DE – CHI): Anytime you’re on a defense with a disruptive force like Khalil Mack, you are going to face a lot of one-on-ones. Nichols’ snap counts are kind of all over the place, but he is at over 50% of the team’s snap counts two of the past three weeks. The numbers that jump out at me, however, are the ability to make solos (3 solos in two games this season) and big plays (half a sack, and a forced fumble and fumble recovery). A rookie to watch, especially as this defense improves as a whole.
Deadrin Senat (DT – ATL): Purely a speculative/long-term add here in leagues that separate defensive tackles from the defensive linemen position. Senat’s playing time is all over the map, but he’s shown that he’s active in the tackling department. The tackles getting the majority of the snaps for the Falcons defense are all long in the tooth, so Senat could find his way to starter-level snaps as early as 2019. If you have a large taxi squad and are looking to make cheap adds, Senat should be on your watchlist.
Defensive Backs
Ronnie Harrison (S – JAC): The Jags have been running a lot of three-safety sets, resulting in Harrison getting 63% of the snaps last week. With those snaps, Harrison logged 4 solos and 2 assists. Harrison was a stud at Alabama and could easily replace Barry Church (30 years old) or Tashaun Gipson (28) in the next year or sooner.
Tre Flowers (CB – SEA): Flowers has had four outings resulting in double-digit fantasy points this season. What I like about Flowers is that he played safety in college, which means he has the ability to make the big play. He’s built like a typical Seahawk corner. And playing opposite a shutdown corner in Shaquill Griffin means he’s going to have plenty of opportunities.
Mike Mitchell (S – IND): Get this. Mitchell was signed off the street a couple weeks ago and is not only a starter for the Colts now, but was named Pro Football Focus’ number one safety over his two starts. With all the turnover and injuries at the safety spot for the Colts, he’s a nice short-term add for those that
