Linebackers
Tyrel Dodson (BUF): This is both a short and longer-term recommendation, as the Buffalo linebacking corps has been beset by injuries. Both Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds are off to rough starts in 2020, and Dodson has been a beneficiary. Dodson looked sharp last week, playing all 74 defensive snaps and logging six solos, two assists, and breaking up a couple of passes. If your dynasty team is hurting at LB, Dodson looks like he could be a solid play in the short term as well as being a good stash. Even with limited snaps Week 1, he managed to log a sack and a trio of assisted tackles.
Eric Wilson (MIN): Wilson looked solid in 2019 when given regular playing time. Now that Anthony Barr is shelved for the season, Wilson's role is going to increase at least for the remainder of this crazy season. That being said, Barr is under contract until 2024, which doesn't exactly bode well for Wilson long-term. But you could conceivably grab Wilson now, plug him in as a decent LB3 or bye week filler, and then decide what to do with him in the off-season. Perhaps the Barr owner would toss you a draft pick for some insurance.
Alex Highsmith (PIT): Highsmith is a prototypical Steeler OLB; rangy and athletic, standing at 6'4" and weighing in at a solid 242 pounds. Bud Dupree was given a ton of cash on a one-year deal in 2020 and if his play is uninspired, it stands to reason Highsmith could benefit in 2021 and beyond. Not worth adding quite yet, but he's a guy I have on my radar as one to watch in the coming weeks to see if his snap counts rise.
Defensive Linemen
Trey Hendrickson (DE - NOS): For the short-term, Hendrickson is filling in admirably for the injured Marcus Davenport. Long-term, Hendrickson could certainly pencil in as a starting DE for the Saints once Cameron Jordan (who is 31 and is only signed through this season) calls it quits. One would think that the Saints re-sign their star DE, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Hendrickson has been solid in 2020, registering nine solos and two sacks already. Another recommendation that could be viewed as both a short and long-term value. Hendrickson is just 25 and proved capable in 2019 with limited snaps.
Michael Danna (DE - KCC): Danna is undersized for an edge rusher (just 6'2" but a stout 255 pounds), but his numbers look promising to start the 2020 campaign, playing about half of the defensive snaps. Frank Clark is playing under the franchise tag and has been unimpressive thus far in 2020. If you're looking for a dice roll at the DL spot, Danna could fit the bill. If nothing else he belongs on your watch list.
Jaleel Johnson (DT - MIN): Anytime an interior lineman logs seven solos in the first two games of the season, you should take notice. In leagues that break apart DT from the DL spot, you look for outlying stats like this in order to beat your fellow owners to the wise plucks off the wire. So far, Johnson has no sacks but did have 3.5 last season. At 6'3", 316 pounds, Johnson is what we like to call a "space eater", and could prove useful against run-heavy teams if you're looking for a cheap source of tackles at the DT spot.
Defensive Backs
Andrew Wingard (S - JAC): Last week we highlighted fellow Jaguars safety Josh Jones, and while we'll stick by that recommendation, it looks like Wingard will have some value too. Jones might just be the steadier tackler but Wingard could be the guy who fills up the stat sheet a bit wider. Wingard was impressive in Week 2, logging seven solos. It remains to be seen what happens when Jarrod Wilson is healthy, but for now, both Jaguars safeties look like nice plays, both in the short and long term. Wingard, an undrafted, second-year pro from Wyoming, is just 23 and looks like a good pickup at this point.
Lamarcus Joyner (CB - LVR): Joyner is now classified as a corner in MFL, which makes him valuable in those leagues that break apart the DB spot. Joyner obviously has safety skills, as evidenced by his six solos against the Saints last week. As a corner, he will be given more opportunities at pass breakups and perhaps the occasional pick. He is a little long in the tooth at 29 years of age, so you'll need to get usage out of him this year and perhaps next. Still, if you're looking for a good source of tackles at the CB spot, Joyner has proven he can stuff the stat sheet.
Jeff Gladney (CB - MIN): Gladney only logged a handful of snaps Week 1, but in extended nickel action Week 2, he registered six solos. He looks like a stud in the making, and the Vikings obviously thought highly of him, drafting him 31st overall in the 2020 draft. His numbers could dip Week 3 against the run-heavy Titans, but let's see what he does against a team like the Texans Week 4, who could spread the ball around to various receivers. Definitely a name to watch if you're in leagues that start CB.
