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 Jamin Davis (WFT vs NO)
It may be a fight to get Davis off the waiver wire as he will likely be one of the most added names this week. The rookie out of Kentucky is slated to see a big jump in playing time with the injury to Jon Bostic and he has all of the tools to produce at an LB1 level. His best game of the season came in his loan start against Buffalo where he ended up with 6 total tackles on 52% of defensive snaps played. Look for him to easily surpass those numbers this week with increased opportunity and playing time.
LB Alec Ogletree (CHI vs LV)
As we quickly start to approach Bye weeks for many clubs it is time to start looking around for guys that have been overlooked. Ogletree had a strong camp and came into the season with high expectations for the Bears. He disappointed through the first three weeks but finally broke out with 10 solos, 2 assists, and a pass defended in week 4. This week he will look to show some consistency against a Las Vegas team that committed to running the ball with Josh Jacobs back. Ogletree is capable of another double-digit tackle performance this week.
LB Pete Werner (NO vs WAS)
There has been a steady increase in opportunity and production for Werner so far this season. He has wrestled snaps away from Zach Baun and is making the best of it. Werner came away with 10 total tackles and a tackle for loss on 63% of defensive snaps last week. He will take on a Washington Football Team that lacks a true identity and is struggling this season. Look for Werner to continue to build as the season progresses and earn a bigger role each week.
Defensive Linemen
DE Everson Griffen (MIN vs DET)
Griffen is riding a two-game sack streak and is playing well opposite Danielle Hunter. He had three solos, a sack, and a tackle for loss against the Browns last week and the Vikings will take on a Detroit team that likes to find new and creative ways to lose games. Griffen is a former pro-bowler that has had sustained success over the past five years. As long as Hunter is on the other side, Griffen should continue to benefit from the sliding coverage.
DL Matt Judon (NE vs HOU)
One of the few bright spots in the early New England season has been Judon. He has been entirely unblockable early this season and has one of the highest pressure rates in the league. He blew through an elite Tampa Bay pass blocking unit with five pressures and a sack last week and gets a great matchup against A Houston team that has not been able to stop anyone. Teams will eventually catch up and change their game plan to block him but ride the train while Judon is getting through and has a great matchup this week as well.
DE Emmanuel Ogbah (Mia vs TB)
It has not been a great start to the season for Ogbah and the Dolphins. He has just 1.5 sacks on the season and has become somewhat of an afterthought after a great 2020 season with 9 sacks. The lack of production does not tell the whole story with Ogbah. He already has 7 quarterback knockdowns this season compared to 11 all of last season. He is getting there and hitting the quarterback. These numbers suggest there are more sacks to come as the season wears on. Even against a tough Tampa Bay offensive line, Ogbah has a chance to add to his sack total.
Defensive Backs
S Caden Sterns (DEN vs PIT)
Sterns is the type of player we like to call out each week. He has not seen a large chunk of defensive snaps, but he is making the best out of every opportunity. In his last 20 snaps, he has 5 solos, 2 tackles for loss, 2 passes defended, 2 sacks, and an interception. He is buried behind Justin Simmons, but these numbers are too good to ignore. The Broncos will take on a Pittsburgh team that has struggled on offense and Sterns could see the field more as they try and cover the plethora of receivers for the Steelers.
DB Eric Stokes (GB vs CIN)
The rookie has played 100% of defensive snaps over the past two weeks and the Packer defense has played well overall. He has a combined 13 tackles, 3 passes defended, and an interception over those two games and should look to build t his week against the Bengals. Joe Burrow and company love to air it out and Stokes should benefit from more tackle opportunities because of it.
DB Byron Murphy (ARZ vs SF)
There are a lot of things going right for Murphy this week. He has been solid at knocking down passes all season, has a respectable tackle floor, and has a great matchup against San Francisco. He will either get a Jimmy Garoppolo with a bad calf or the first start of an inaccurate Trey Lance. Neither quarterback will have star tackle Trent Williams and that will make for a great day for the Arizona defense. Murphy may be in line for his best game of the season with everything looking to go in favor of Arizona this week.
Last Week:
- LB Tae Crowder (NYG vs NO) 4 solos, 5 assists, 100% defensive snaps
- LB Nick Vigil (MIN vs CLE) 1 solo, 3 assists, 100% defensive snaps
- LB Quincy Williams (NYJ vs TEN) 10 solos, 2 assists, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended, 1 sack, 97% defensive snaps
- DE Romeo Okwara (DET vs CHI) 24% defensive snaps (injured, out for season)
- DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (IND vs MIA) 1 assist, 83% defensive snaps
- DE Darrell Taylor (SEA vs SF) 2 solos, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit, 1 sack, 43% defensive snaps
- S Marcus Maye (NYJ vs TEN) 7 solos, 2 assists, 100% defensive snaps
- S Brandon Jones (MIA vs IND) 3% defensive snaps
- S Anthony Harris (PHI vs KC) 1 solo, 2 assists, 100% defensive snaps
