Week 11 Linebackers
Cole Holcomb (WAS): Holcomb has scored the 2nd-most points of any rookie linebacker this season, trailing only Devin Bush. On a team devoid of any real linebacker talent, he could easily sneak into high-end LB2 status next season, right from the get-go. If his current owner (assuming he’s owned, he probably is) is willing to let him go at the right price, you might be getting a steal. So in some respects, he’s not your traditional sleeper, but he is certainly undervalued in other respects.
Preston and Za'Darius Smith (GBP): Go grab whichever Smith suits your fancy for the stretch run; look at the Packers’ schedule for the fantasy playoffs: Redskins, Bears, Vikings. They have 18.5 sacks between them and show no signs of slowing down, especially when the weather is going to start favoring the defenses. Preston is only 26 and Za’Darius is 27, so both could provide for decent bye week or LB3 level help for the foreseeable future.
Nick Kwiatkoski (CHI): Kwiatkoski’s 2019 value fully hinges on the health of Danny Trevathan, as when Trevathan (or Roquan Smith) sits, Kwiatkoski simply goes off. Case in point, Week 4: 9 solos, 1 forced fumble, 1 sack. Or Week 10, 9 solos, 1 INT, 1 sack. Trevathan has a bum elbow and could sit against the Rams this week. According to some sources, IR is a possibility for Trevathan, which would make Kwiatkoski a huge add for the rest of the season. And in the spirit of this column, I would be remiss in mentioning that Trevathan will be 30 come the 2020 season, where he’ll be a free agent. The Bears could easily turn to the younger Kwiatkoski to pair with Smith moving forward.
Week 11 Defensive Linemen
David Onyemata (DT – NOS): The Saints have rotated their interior linemen quite a bit this season, but only one has really produced consistent numbers. Onyemata is a beast and a force on the inside, similar to what teammate Sheldon Rankins once was. It wouldn’t surprise me if Onyemata led the team in snaps for interior linemen in 2020 and his stats would take a little boost as a result. If you’re in a league that separates DT from DL, he should be rostered.
Matthew Ioannidis (DE – WAS): Nothing fancy here, just consistency. Jonathan Allen’s stock is rising on the other end, but Ioannidis is probably the best value of this pair of Redskin defensive ends. It could be that his current owner would part with him if the deal was right. With the amount of time the Redskins defense should spend on the field, Ioannidis’ stats could see a decent jump; if nothing else, remain consistent.
Nick Williams (DE – CHI): Williams has quietly posted 6 sacks this season, and has a pair of pass breakups to boot. Over the past six weeks, he is the 25th-best DL in terms of per-game points in standard IDP scoring. With Khalil Mack on the other edge, Williams is sometimes the forgotten man and could see an uptick in production in 2020 if his snap count remains in the 50+% range. The only thing to watch would be the return of Akiem Hicks. If Hicks returns to form in 2020, Williams’ value takes a hit. Worth a prospective add-and-stash in deep leagues.
Week 11 Defensive Backs
D.J. Swearinger (S – OAK): With Karl Joseph and Lamarcus Joyner on the mend, the Raiders have signed the ex-Cardinal/Redskin. Swearinger can put up some decent tackle numbers and had 10 pass deflections in both of the past two seasons. He could provide some late-season help for a team looking for a steady DB2 option.
Joe Haden (CB – PIT): Haden, in standard IDP scoring, has put up solid numbers this season. He is questionable this week against Cleveland (which would be a great matchup), so you should tread carefully if you’re looking for a starter this week. But his remaining schedule is juicy so if you’re hurting at the DB spot, Haden is worth a look.
Vernon Hargreaves (CB – FA): Hargreaves was unexpectedly let go by the Bucs this week. Don’t worry, though, a player like this always lands on his feet. He’s always been a high-volume tackler from the cornerback spot and usually gets a good number of pass breakups to boot. If he’s added this season, great. Guaranteed he’s on a roster and likely a starter in 2020 and could once again provide value-level production. ** UPDATE: Looks like Hargreaves was claimed by the Texans. He should battle with the newly-acquired Gareon Conley as the #2 CB for the Texans; a spot that could yield decent fantasy production.
