Linebackers

Quincy Williams (JAC): Still no word on Telvin Smith’s availability in 2020, so Williams could conceivably be the WLB starter next season: a position that obviously has yielded great production in the past. Williams was hurt mid-season but when healthy has been a producer in the tackle categories. Would like to see him fill up other parts of the box score, so, for now, his ceiling is a low-level LB2. His price tag is likely not too crazy so if he’s available and you need some LB depth on your taxi squad moving into the 2020 season, Williams is a solid add if available in trade or by chance if he’s on your waiver wire, grab him now.

Joe Walker (ARI): Walker was a camp favorite on the Eagles a few years ago, but tore his ACL and kind of disappeared. He’s re-emerged for the Cardinals, logging 50%+ of the snaps 3 of the past 4 weeks. Jordan Hicks never comes off the field and is a box score filler supreme, so Walker’s upside might be on the limited side, but when given playing time, Walker’s produced tackles. Worth watching or an add in larger leagues.

JahlaniTavai (DET): He won’t be on many waiver wires but I’m definitely an advocate of his. Jarrad Davis will patrol the middle but all other ‘backers on the Lions are JAGs, so we’re expecting Tavai’s snap counts to continue to increase. And if Davis were to ever see extended time away, Tavai’s stock would soar.

Defensive Linemen

Josh Tupou (DT – CIN): Geno Atkins has been a force in the middle for the Bengals for many years, but he’s 31. Tupou is massive and had a breakout game 2 weeks ago against the Raiders. Sign of things to come? The undrafted 3-year vet continues to see solid snap counts, so those in DT-start leagues should put this name on their watch lists.

Rodney Gunter (DE – ARI): Terrell Suggs can’t last forever and Chandler Jones on the other end could mean good things for a guy like Gunter. Gunter’s shown a nose for the football and the quarterback when given regular playing time. Suggs’ contract is voidable in 2020 and is a free agent in 2021. At some point, Gunter could be a starter. Worth keeping on your watchlist for now.

Defensive Backs

Taylor Rapp (S – LAR): If you can sell the current Rapp owner on his value decreasing with John Johnson’s return in 2020, go for it. You might be getting value. Rapp will continue to make plays for the Rams defense. He’s been a tackling machine and has a good number of pass breakups to his credit as well. With Eric Weddle in the twilight of his career, it’d be foolish to think the Rams wouldn’t be using the younger Rapp more and more moving forward.

Jamel Dean (CB – TBB): Since logging extended playing time starting Week 9, Dean has been a pass breakup machine. He has 13 pass breakups since then. In the pass-heavy NFC South, Dean will continue to see a ton of opportunities. With Vernon Hargreaves sent packing, Dean will see more snaps. A great late-season add in leagues that start CB.