Years ago, when Deone Bucannon introduced himself as a “money linebacker” on Sunday Night Football, the audience had a good laugh. The term was a reference to his defensive responsibilities but conjured images in the minds of viewers of the huge game checks that Bucannon was earning at that time. Memes popped up in the following days of Bucannon on top of piles of money and gold coins. Hopefully, following the guidance given in this column will have your rosters overflowing with a wealth of IDP riches. We’ll primarily focus on edge rushers but will also hit on some of the other players and situations that are likely to impact teams in big play leagues. We will cover risers and fallers in the format, injury situations fantasy general managers need to know, and upcoming matchups to target.
Note: The defensive player injuries covered in this column are not an exhaustive list, but an attempt to cover the situations most likely to impact big play IDP squads. For more extensive coverage of injury situations, see Jene Bramel’s latest Injury Rounds column.
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Seahawks defensive end Ezekiel Ansah’s snaps rose slightly in his second game back from injury. Ansah is hard to trust because of his propensity to get hurt, but the surrounding talent on the defense is likely to help Ansah be a productive player if his snaps continue on an upward trend.
Panthers rookie defensive end Brian Burns had a fantastic week on the stat sheet, but we need to be careful about expectations going forward. Since Bruce Irvin returned from injury, we have seen a steady decline in snaps. Volume is important for IDP and ignoring lack of opportunity will burn you.
Buccaneers linebacker Devin White returned to the active list this week. Some owners may have thrown him in, but ended up burned when he remained on the sidelines and did not play a single snap. We will need to see White’s playing time return to normal before we can trust him in our lineups going forward.
As has been the case in years prior, we cannot trust the Chargers to use their linebackers in a consistent and predictable way. Thomas Davis dropped to 66% usage, and no other linebacker posted a snap percentage greater than that mark.
Defensive end Unchena Nwosu of the Chargers logged a ridiculous 93% of the snaps. As long as Melvin Ingram III remains sidelined, Nwosu is worth plugging and playing.
Because Clelin Ferrell was out, Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby played nearly every snap on Sunday. If Ferrell remains out or misses time in the future, Crosby is someone to think about tossing into a lineup due to sheer volume.
As expected, Colts safety Khari Willis is a full-time player with both Malik Hooker and Clayton Geathers out of commission. He is startable in all IDP formats.
Kemal Ishmael ended up playing 66% of the snaps on Sunday and newly-acquired Jonathan Cyprien managed to get the other third. Until we have more clarity in this situation, neither is startable.
The Cardinals’ safety situation seems like one to avoid for now. Deionte Thompson played only 63% of the snaps and it is still possible that the team will elect to sign a stopgap veteran in the near future.
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Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks left Sunday’s contest with an elbow injury. Roy Robertson-Harris replaced him in the lineup and could continue to do so if Hicks cannot go next week.
Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones strained his groin and his week six status is up in the air.
Rams pass rusher Clay Matthews is out for at least six weeks with a broken jaw. Most general managers were not relying on Matthews, but those that were will need to make other plans.
Indianapolis pass rusher Kemoko Turay suffered an ankle dislocation against the Chiefs and is likely out for the remainder of the year.
Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens injured his groin against the Colts. If Hitchens misses significant time, we will want to think about rostering his replacement, whoever that ends up being. Damien Wilson is the most likely choice.
Buffalo linebacker Matt Milano injured his hamstring. The Bills have a bye and that is fortunate for Milano and company. We will see if he is able to go in week seven.
Ravens safety Tony Jefferson tore his ACL and is out for the year.
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Dallas Cowboys Pass Rushers vs. New York Jets Offensive Line
One of the better pass rush groups will square off against football’s worst pass protecting line. The Jets allowed 10 sacks in their last game and the bleeding will not stop this week. Demarcus Lawrence and Robert Quinn are must-starts this week.
New England Patriots Pass Rushers vs. New York Giants Offensive Line
New England Patriots Defensive Backs vs. New York Giants Passing Attack
New England’s defense is hot and the Giants’ offensive units are not. The last two games have seen Daniel Jones hit the deck and turn the ball over at an increased rate. The problem is that Jamie Collins, Kyle Van Noy, and Donta Hightower continue to be used at variable snap rates each week, which makes predicting production difficult. All three are boom-bust plays. The McCourty twins also both have a chance of getting a takeaway here.
Seattle Seahawks Pass Rushers vs. Cleveland Browns Offensive Line
The Browns struggled mightily to protect Baker Mayfield on Monday night and will likely do the same against a Seahawks pass rush that is waking up. Break ties in favor of playing Jadavenon Clowney and Ezekiel Ansah this week.
Washington Pass Rushers vs. Miami Dolphins Offensive Line
Washington Defensive Backs vs. Miami Dolphins Passing Attack
Washington has not often made the list this year. However, with a favorable matchup and the possibility of a short-term boost from the coaching change, it is very possible that Ryan Kerrigan, Matt Ionidas, or Jonathan Allen will find their way to the quarterback in this one. Additionally, Miami’s quarterbacks have combined for seven interceptions this year, so it is possible that Josh Norman, Quinton Dunbar, Landon Collins, and Montae Nicholson are in line to add to that total.
Carolina Panthers Pass Rushers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Line
In this divisional matchup, no one should be surprised if Jameis Winston finds himself on his back a fair amount. Carolina’s pass rush is legitimate and the Buccaneers offensive line is allowing 3.6 sacks a contest, including a 4.0 average over their last three games. Mario Addison, Gerald McCoy, Bruce Irvin, and Brian Burns all get a bump in terms of likelihood of posting a sack this week. As mentioned earlier, be careful about starting Burns if you have better options in terms of players who will get volume.
Baltimore Ravens Pass Rushers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Line
The Bengals are a mess both offensively and defensively and are giving up four sacks a game on average. Matt Judon and Pernell McPhee each have three takedowns on the year and both are likely to come away with at least one more when they face Andy Dalton and company.
Kansas City Chiefs Pass Rushers vs. Houston Texans Offensive Line
While Houston surprisingly did not take a sack against Atlanta in a blowout win, they will not be so fortunate against a motivated Kansas City team that is still feeling the sting of a defeat at the hands of the Colts. Frank Clark is a great play this week. Emmanuel Ogbah also is startable in big play formats if Chris Jones sits with his injury.
San Francisco 49ers Defensive Backs vs. Los Angeles Rams Passing Attack
Jared Goff has been turning the ball over with regularity, with a league-leading seven interceptions through five games. Ahkello Witherspoon, Richard Sherman, Tavarius Moore, and Jaquiski Tartt all see a bump in the probability they get their mitts on a pick.
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Jacksonville Jaguars Pass Rush vs. New Orleans Saints Offensive Line
Not only is Teddy Bridgewater quick with his delivery of the football, but his offensive line is completely stymying pass rushers this year. The Saints did not allow a sack to previously red-hot Shaq Barrett or any of his teammates and have given up only a little over a sack a game on average. Yannick Ngakoue, Calais Cambell, and Josh Allen are unlikely to get sacks or forced fumbles in this contest.
Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Backs vs. Houston Texans Passing Attack
While Deshaun Watson has been under duress often this year, he has not been throwing interceptions under pressure. Tyrann Mathieu, Bashaud Breeland, and Juan Thornhill are unlikely to come away with one in this game.
New Orleans Saints Defensive Backs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Passing Attack
The Jaguars are very conservative with the football and that has been reflected in Garden Minshew’s lack of turnovers on the year. While Marcus Williams has two interceptions so far, do not expect him, Eli Apple, Marshon Lattimore, or Vonn Bell to come up with one here.
