Linebackers
Blake Cashman (LB – NYJ): Cashman reminds me a lot of Cole Holcomb, who we profiled last week. Absolutely blew up in his pro day at Minnesota, and could be a very poor man’s Luke Kuechly. Unlike Holcomb, though, he doesn’t have a clear path to regular playing time. With C.J. Mosely out, Cashman and Neville Hewitt will see increased playing time, though. Cashman “cashed” in with 2 solos, 4 assists, a half-sack, and a pass breakup with that increased playing time last week. If the Jets continue to mail it in, Cashman may carve out a regular role. Should definitely be on someone’s roster, if all it is happens to be a taxi squad stash.
Sam Eguavoen (LB – MIA): Speaking of mailing it in, the Dolphins have apparently already done so and the season is only a couple weeks old. Eguavoen is getting 90+% of the defensive snaps and has 7 assists thus far. That is an indicator that the guy’s around the football and only good things can happen when you’ve got a nose for the football. He has good size (6’1”, 225 lbs.) and there’s clearly plenty of opportunity on the Dolphins right now.
Mack Wilson (LB – CLE): Wilson is buried behind the steady Christian Kirksey, but injuries happen and Kirksey will be a free agent in 2022. Can you wait that long for Wilson? If you need a solid taxi squad stash, Wilson is a candidate. He had an outstanding pre-season and has the pedigree and measurables to be a solid 3-down linebacker.
Defensive Linemen
Charles Omenihu (DE – HOU): With JadaveonClowney in Seattle, there will be opportunities opposite J.J. Watt. Will it be Whitney Mercilus or could the young Omenihu step up? I may be biased as a Texas Longhorn fan but I love Omenihu’s hustle and he’s got the size/frame to be a solid pass rusher who can also log tackles. In his first NFL action, he logged a sack/forced fumble. Keep an eye on his snap counts over the next week or two and jump on him if they increase.
Chase Winovich (DE – NEP): Hate to put stock in any Patriot defender since their value jumps all over the place it seems, but Winovich has been on the field 50+% of the time thus far this season, a nice number for a Pat rookie. The Pats really don’t have much in terms of a consistent pass rush, so if the ex-Wolverine can impress good ol’ Bill Belichick, he may have some long-term fantasy value.
Isaiah Mack (DT – TEN): This is a deeper dive here, but thinking about long-term opportunity for Mack on the Titan line. Mack is better suited inside but has the chops to move outside in certain situations. He logged his first NFL sack last week. Another situation where you can watch the snap counts and if they rise, he could be a nice addition in leagues that start DT separately.
Defensive Backs
Khari Willis (S – IND): He may be gone in your league, but take notice that his snaps went from 25% to 50% in the span of a week. Clayton Geathers is injury-prone and is only signed through this season so who knows what could happen. One to watch, for sure. He logged 6 solos and an assist in only half the Colts’ defensive snaps last week against the Titans
Jimmy Moreland (CB – WAS): Lots of injuries to Redskin corners right now, so Moreland is getting plenty of snaps and is making the most of it. And he’s playing opposite Josh Norman, so he will be seeing plenty of balls come his way. He has 9 solos and a pass breakup so far this season and if the playing time remains consistent, he could be a huge value in leagues that play CB separate from the DB spot.
Kendall Sheffield (CB – ATL): Deeper dive here, but I love Sheffield’s measurables coming out of Ohio State and only getting a handful of snaps last week resulted in a couple of solos and a forced fumble. For those of you in leagues that start CB separately, put him on your watch list.
