Linebackers
Gerald Hodges (ARI): With Josh Bynes out, Hodges is manning the middle for the Cardinals and making the most of it. He has 19 solos in the past two weeks and a very favorable fantasy playoff schedule. Is he a true sleeper in the dynasty sense? One could argue. He's 27 and you could surmise there will be tackles to go around in 2019 when Bynes is back and healthy. Grab him now if you're needing a fill-in 'backer for the fantasy playoffs, and see where things stand come pre-season next year.
Austin Calitro (SEA): When given a full set of snaps, Calitro has produced. K.J. Wright just cannot get on the field and is a free agent in 2019. The Seahawks could certainly opt to stick with Calitro on the weak side. Just 24, the undrafted rookie could easily post LB3 numbers with LB2 upside in 2019 even with the stat-gobbler Bobby Wagner patrolling the middle.
L.J. Fort (PIT): Word is that Ryan Shazier has started jogging, but he's still a long ways away from playing football again. Vince Williams and Jon Bostic have been fair to middling as the main tacklers for the Steelers, so there will be some opportunities for guys like Fort. Fort out-snapped Bostic 83% to 17% in the Steelers' last contest. This is a situation to watch, and if you have the roster room, you could do much worse than Fort. Even alongside Williams, he could post LB4 numbers with LB3 upside.
Defensive Linemen
Mario Edwards (DE - NYG): Edwards was once a solid prospect out in Oakland, but just never panned out. The Giants are certainly bereft of talent on the front of their defense, and Edwards could easily become an integral part of the defense in 2019. Even with limited snaps (17% in each of the past two games), Edwards is posting some stats. Not an add just yet, but certainly, a name to watch as the Giants will need playmakers in the front seven.
B.J. Hill (DE - NYG): If Edwards fizzles, it may be because Hill shines. Hill's seen a slight uptick in snaps the past month or so and has made the most of it. He's shown the ability to chip in with tackles and recently, ability to get to the quarterback. His 3 sacks last week were his only tackles, but those 15 fantasy points surely could have helped a fantasy team or two. The former third-rounder could be a mainstay on the Giants line in 2019 and beyond.
Bilal Nichols (DE - CHI): Not an add just yet, as there are already plenty of playmakers on the Bear defensive line (Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks), but keep Nichols on your watchlist. He's filled up the stat sheet quite nicely in his rookie season. We'll need to see consistent snap counts in order to recommend an add, and right now his counts are all over the place. But we like the stat-sheet-stuffing.
Defensive Backs
M.J. Stewart (CB - TBB): It looked like Stewart was going to be one of those rookie corners who got early playing time and was tested early. That's how things were playing out before he got hurt. Stewart will likely be a starter in 2019 and could still benefit from quarterbacks testing him despite not being a rookie anymore. Stewart had 27 solos and an impressive 3 pass breakups in just 8 games before getting hurt. In leagues that start CB, he'll be a solid weekly starter in 2019.
Desmond King (CB - LAC): Initially, there was talk of the Chargers using King at safety, but he's proven versatile enough to stick at corner. And King has answered the call with a ton of stats; not just tackles. He's broken up passes, he's picked balls off, he's scored touchdowns. The Charger defense looks to be for real and there will be stats to grab even with Derwin James around.
Karl Joseph (S - OAK): Not sure what was up early on this season with Joseph just not getting snaps. But the counts are up and the stats have reflected the increased playing time. Once thought of as a stud-in-the-making, Joseph's game has tailed off. But he's the kind of guy you can get on the cheap; maybe even on your league's waiver wire. At a minimum, the owner might be willing to part with him for pennies on the dollar. If given regular playing time in 2019, Joseph could seriously rebound.
