Linebackers
Austin Calitro (SEA): Put Calitro back on your radar now that Mychal Kendricks broke his leg. Those needing a cheap source of tackles should look to Calitro this and next week with K.J. Wright likely sidelined. And as mentioned before, Wright is a free agent in 2019 so Calitro is a nice long-term stash too.
Elijah Lee (SFO): Gone is Reuben Foster and we’ve seen two linebackers thrive for the Niners before. Plenty of room for both Lee and Fred Warner to make tackles and big plays for this defense. Lee is a plus athlete that shows both range and ability to get to the opposing quarterback. Definitely a stash candidate for those with weaker linebacker corps in dynasty formats.
Kamu Grugier-Hill (PHI): Grugier-Hill is a solid add for Weeks 15-17 given the decimation at linebacker and defense in general for the Eagles. Nigel Bradham is the guy to own to close the season but is likely on a roster already. Like the long-term prospects for Grugier-Hill as he’s just 24 and was being considered for the starting weakside linebacker job when the season kicked off. Definitely a watch candidate if you don’t need him during your fantasy playoffs.
Defensive Linemen
Denico Autry (DT – IND): Autry has 39 fantasy points (by way of five sacks) the past two weeks. His huge effort against the Texans led him to being named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. The Colts desperately need a pass rush presence and Autry could be that guy. Those looking to beef up their defensive line – especially those in leagues that split out defensive tackles – could look to Autry in 2019 and beyond.
Dalvin Tomlinson (DE – NYG): Hard to believe Tomlinson is just 24 as it seems like he’s been in the league for several years. Also hard to believe he’s listed as an end given his beefy size. Either way, he is racking up a decent amount of assisted tackles, which leads us to believe that he’s around the football quite a bit. Those assists could easily turn into solos and/or fumbles caused/recovered. Worth keeping an eye on or stashing on your taxi squad over the off-season.
Eddie Goldman (DT – CHI): Given the playmakers behind him and to each side, guys like Goldman, and Bilal Nichols, covered previously, will have some room to move. We started watching Goldman back in 2015 when he had 4.5 sacks with limited snap counts. He hasn’t bested that number yet but the talent is there. In deeper formats that split out defensive tackles, he should be on your watch list.
Defensive Backs
D.J. Reed (S – SFO): There has been so much shuffling around in the Niner defensive backfield this year we are hesitant to recommend him as a long-term hold, but for the time being he looks to be penciled in as a starter and just dropped 27 points against the Broncos. Don’t expect that kind of output every week but he’s got three solid matchups to close the 2018 season. And expect him to be in the running for a starter spot in 2019.
Jalen Ramsey (CB – JAC): For those of you in smaller leagues and/or in leagues that don’t break out cornerback, he might be on your wire. And he’s just too talented to be there. No, he might not be a weekly starter, but against the right opponent he could put up some big numbers. He has double figures in three of the past four contests and has been racking up tackles in the process. He’s always been a source of pass breakups so the consistency is going to be there. Still just 24, Ramsey could slide in as your third defensive back or bye-week backup that’ll consistently get you 10-15 points.
Anthony Harris (S – MIN): Harris has been a cheap source of tackles the past two weeks (12 solos, four assists) in filling in for Andrew Sendejo. Sendejo is really just a guy, so Harris’ final weeks of the 2018 season could easily be an audition for a starting gig next to Harrison Smith. Historically, this spot hasn’t resulted in a ton of fantasy production but you could certainly do worse for your LB3 or bye week filler in a 16-team dynasty league.
