As the season progresses it is hard to find those diamonds in the rough or that guy that no one has heard of. This week we are going to examine the plethora of injuries across the league and who the most likely successor is to that starting job as well as highlight some prime matchups as well as surprising performers to this point. This article will also highlight a few long-term and speculative players that could see their value rise over the course of the season.
Linebackers:
LB Denzel Perryman (LV vs MIA)
The veteran linebacker has been putting up solid numbers in the first 2 weeks of the season and it is time to start taking the Raiders seriously. Perryman had 6 solos and 6 assists and a tackle for loss last week and is playing roughly 75% of defensive snaps right now. This week he will be facing a team that could be without its starting quarterback again this week and could try to feature Myles Gaskin and the running game. Look for Perryman to extend his solid start to the season and approach double-digit total tackles again this week.
LB Nick Bolton (KC vs LAC)
Another rookie is getting their chance early in the 2021 season. Bolton saw 83% of defensive snaps on Sunday night against the Ravens and produced 8 solos, 1 assist, and 1 tackle for loss in the plus matchup against run-heavy Baltimore. This week he will take on a Chargers offense that loves to throw the ball and is coming off a loss. This could be one of the best games of the week with there being plenty of opportunity over the middle to tackle Austin Ekeler. Look for Bolton to stay around 80% of defensive snaps played as he creeps closer to double-digit total tackle territory.
LB Alex Anzalone (DET vs BAL)
The rough opening schedule to the season continues for the Lions when they take on the Ravens in week 3. However, this creates a plus matchup for linebackers on the defense and Anzalone has played every snap on defense so far this season. He had 8 solos and 2 assists on Monday Night Football against the Packers and could easily see those numbers against the run-heavy Baltimore offense. Detroit is still trying to figure a lot of things out on both sides of the ball but look for Anzalone to produce this week in a great matchup against the Ravens.
Defensive Line:
DE Gregory Rousseau (BUF vs WFT)
It will be back-to-back weeks that the Bills defense will be playing against backup quarterbacks. Rousseau is coming off a big week where he played 66% of defensive snaps, had 3 solos, 2 assists, 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss. He appears to be the real deal in Buffalo and is only going to get more playing time as the season continues. Jump on Rousseau now while he has a great matchup against Washington and look to keep him for the rest of the season.
DE Payton Turner (NO vs NE)
Continuing the theme of rookie rushers, Payton is going to see the field more with Marcus Davenport on the IR. He did not see any snaps in week 1, played 41% after the Davenport injury in week 2, and should hover somewhere over 50% in week 3. He is coming off a 4 solo, 1 assist, 1 sack, and 3 tackle for loss performance and will get to chase rookie quarterback Mac Jones this week. Turner can be viewed as a viable starter while Davenport is injured but has his best matchups this week against the Patriots and next week against the Giants.
DE Trey Hendrickson (CIN vs PIT)
We talked about Hendrickson when he was with the Saints a lot last season, and despite moving to Cincinnati for a full-time role he is still being overlooked. In week 2 he walked away with 1 solo, 2 assists, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Ben Roethlisberger has been tough to wrangle across his career, but the Steelers offense looks out of sorts so far. Look for the Bengals to let Hendrickson loose this week to try and cause as much trouble in the backfield as possible.
Defensive Back:
S Grant Delpit (CLE vs CHI)
IT has been a slow start with Delpit not playing week 1 and seeing just 43% of defensive snaps in week 2. However, he had a huge impact with his 5 total tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. This is going to garner more playing time for the rookie and could not come at a better time. With a week 3 matchup against a Chicago offense that is transitioning to a rookie quarterback, Cleveland is going to send everything they have at Justin Fields to spoil his first career start. Look for Delpit to be very active around the line of scrimmage and see his % of snaps increase to the 60% range.
S Nasir Adderley (LAC vs KC)
Adderley had a very solid performance against the Cowboys this past weekend with 8 solos, 1 assist, and a pass defended. He is playing alongside Derwin James and remains a viable IDP starter. He is walking into a plus matchup against Kansas City and their pass-happy offense. Look for Adderley to monitor the middle of the field and have plenty of tackle opportunities against Travis Kelce and crew. This week should see positive results due to the high volume of opportunities against the Chiefs.
S Rayshawn Jenkins (JAX vs ARZ)
If you are looking for a solid fill-in option this week then Jenkins fits that role. He has played every snap on defense for the Jaguars so far and has 12 total tackles, a tackle for loss, and 2 passes defended this season. He does not have big flashy numbers but is putting up consistent solo tackle numbers right now. He has a plus matchup against an Arizona offense that has been challenging safeties across the middle. Jenkins has a chance to surpass his 6 solo tackle average on the season and should continue to see a lot of the field with how poorly the offense has been playing.
Last Week:
- LB Isaiah Simmons: 6 solos, 2 assists, 1 forced fumble, 82% defensive snaps
- LB Jordyn Brooks: 3 solos, 6 assists, 82% defensive snaps
- LB Cole Holcomb: 4 solos, 2 assists, 100% defensive snaps
- DT Cameron Heyward: 4 solos, 3 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended, 85% defensive snaps
- DE Josh Allen: 1 solo, 2 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit, 1 sack, 71% defensive snaps
- DE Jadeveon Clowney: 1 solo, 2 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 2 QB hits, 75% defensive snaps
- S Kyle Dugger: 3 solos, 1 assist, 75% defensive snaps
- S Taylor Rapp: 7 solos, 2 assists, 1 QB hit, .5 sack, 99% defensive snaps
- S Juan Thornhill: 14% defensive snaps
