Linebackers
Jayon Brown and Luke Masterson (LVR): With Blake Martinez retired to go play Pokemon and Divine Deablo shut down for the season, Brown and Masterson are your Raider linebackers for the rest of the season. Brown has been more than serviceable before, and while he may still be rostered, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was available in most dynasty formats. Masterson will definitely be there for you. He got 72% of the snaps last week and chipped in with a couple of solos and four assists in his first start. Better things will come.
Isaiah McDuffie (GBP): DeVondre Campbell is likely back soon, and Quay Walker (definitely already rostered in most leagues) is a stud in the making. But don’t sleep on McDuffie. He came through with 13 total tackles last week with Krys Barnes also shelved. McDuffie played 82% of the snaps and clearly would be a plug-and-play linebacker if Campbell continues to heal up and/or Walker gets dinged somehow.
Kaden Elliss (NOS): He might already be gobbled up by a savvy owner who predicted Elliss would play well in Pete Werner’s stead, but in shallow bench leagues, he may still be out there. Werner’s injury doesn’t sound too serious, but if he re-aggravates the ankle, Elliss would put up some solid across-the-board stats for the Saints defense.
Defensive Linemen
Jerry Hughes (DE - HOU): This is a call for those that are in win-now mode in their dynasty leagues that may need some bye-week punch. Look, Hughes is feast or famine for sure, but when he feasts, it can turn up some big points. He has 26 fantasy points in the past two contests, and the Texans really don’t have much of a pass rush besides him. The upcoming schedule may produce some famine, but there could be a few feasts left in him this year.
Julian Okwara (DE - DET): Aidan Hutchinson is heating up and commanding double teams right now. Enter Okwara, who’s had some flashes where he shows an ability to score fantasy points. He sacked Justin Fields twice last week and has some decent matchups down the stretch. Defensive line is again a thin position in terms of finding free agents, so look for good matchups for guys like Okwara that can get to the opposing quarterback.
Khalen Saunders (DT – KCC): For those in leagues that break apart the defensive line position into tackle and end, Sanders is worth a look. He’s on a two-game sack streak and has shown he can help out in the run game.
Defensive Backs
Kader Kohou (CB – MIA): The rookie corner rule is in full effect here. He’s had a game with eight solos (two weeks ago against the Bears), and a game with three pass breakups (last week against the Browns). Miami’s on bye this week, so just grab and stash this guy for leagues that start cornerback independently. The down-the-stretch schedule is quite favorable. He’s been playing just about every snap for the past three weeks.
Kareem Jackson (S –DEN): Justin Simmons is dinged again, opening up Jackson to do a bit more for the Bronco secondary, mostly in the tackle category. He’ll mix in the occasional pass breakup too. This week’s matchup against the Raiders could prove favorable, but the Panthers the week after may not net the same production.
Damontae Kazee (S – PIT): If Minkah Fitzpatrick misses more time this season, Kazee is a proven vet that can fill up the box score. In his first action of the season last week, he posted three solos, an assist, and a pick. There's a high floor here since we know what Fitzpatrick usually brings to the table, and Kazee is not terrible.
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