Linebackers

Nicholas Morrow (OAK): He’s made this list before, but warrants putting here again as he’s solidified himself as the second-best linebacker the Raiders have, playing a spot that typically produces decent stats. Having already had his bye week, he represents a solid LB3 for the remainder of the season and could put up starter-level production for the foreseeable future, considering he’s only 24 years old. Addable in just about all formats.

Blake Cashman (NYJ): Another repeat (Week 3), but bears mentioning again since he’s really looking good with a healthy number of snaps. Neville Hewitt has found his way back to the bench with C.J. Mosley back to action while Cashman has remained on the field. And he actually out-snapped the "stud" Mosley against the Pats last week, tallying an impressive six solos and two helpers. There certainly are stats to be had on this defense, especially with the offense looking like it can’t fight its way out of a wet paper bag. He’s likely gone in your league, but perhaps you can get him on the cheap. He may be available in shallower leagues, and I will again say that there’s some poor man’s Kuechly here. He really exhibits a nose for the football, and as the game slows down he will start making some big plays. Only a matter of time. Go get him.

Kemal Ishmael (ATL): He’s made the full transition from safety, and while he may not fill the box score up with big plays, he has 11 solos over the past couple of weeks (even with only playing 50% of the snaps last week) and has a nice matchup here this week against the Seahawks. Following his bye, the matchups look good too. If you’re struggling to fill your third LB spot, you certainly could do worse. Will he stay relevant past this season? He certainly could, as the Falcons don’t have consistent tacklers at the LB level past Deion Jones. Worth a speculative add, with the bonus you could use him to help out during bye weeks.

Defensive Linemen

DeMarcus Walker (DE – DEN): With Bradley Chubb shelved, Walker has stepped up. He has posted three double-digit efforts in the past month of work, getting four sacks in the process. The Florida State product flashed studly moments in college and is benefitting playing opposite Von Miller. Chubb will eventually return, but Walker could see spurts of action and could be the heir apparent to Miller. Worth a stash, or even spot starting in 2019-20.

Darryl Johnson (DE – BUF): Johnson logged a sack against the Titans two weeks ago but then didn’t see the field against Miami. Trent Murphy and Jerry Hughes have been dominating the snaps at the edge position but Johnson could push the elder statesman Hughes in 2020-21 if he exhibits productive snaps. Johnson has ideal size and athleticism to be a real force. Worth watching in larger formats, especially since DL has been paper thin yet again.

A’Shawn Robinson (DT – DET): Robinson should be owned in leagues that start DT separately. If you’re in such a league and he’s out there, go get him. Few tackles show the ability to stuff the stat sheet and Robinson is one of them. He’s got the pedigree and age is on his side. Robinson’s snaps have been consistent; actually rising a bit in the past few weeks.

Defensive Backs

Tavon Wilson (S – DET): Quandre Diggs has departed for Seattle, so Wilson should see a healthy bump in snaps moving forward. Once a fantasy stalwart, he could prove valuable to teams down the stretch and could be a solid DB2 in 2020-21 if he retains the job.

A.J. Bouye (CB – JAC): With Jalen Ramsey now in L.A., Bouye assumes the No. 1 corner role for the Jags. This could present additional opportunities for tackles, as evidenced by his six solos last week against the hapless Bengals. Let’s see if he’s able to produce similar results against a similarly-bad Jets squad. He could prove useful even in leagues that combine CB and S. He’s definitely an add candidate in leagues that split the positions.

Troy Apke (S – WAS): Apke, in Deshazor Everett’s absence, logged 55% of the snaps in the mess of a game against the Niners last week, but somehow logged 5 solos, an assist and even picked a ball off. If Everett is set to miss more time, the second-year pro out of Penn State could be a deeper sleeper. He has good size and is a good complement to Landon Collins who prefers to operate in or near the box.