IDP Dynasty Sleepers: Week 14

IDP Dynasty Sleepers examines an array of linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs you should target. Depending on the makeup of your leagues, these players could be trade targets or solid grab-and-stash types who might be found on the waiver wire.

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, Cincinnati

Davis-Gaither has been on the radar for a few years now as he's been the primary backup whenever guys like Logan Wilson or Germaine Pratt are on the mend.  Well, with Wilson out this past weekend, Davis-Gaither racked up an impressive NINE helper tackles, along with four solos.  That kind of volume tackling bears mention, and if you're in a larger league with fairly deep benches, this guy should at least be back on the radar as a plug-and-play high-floor volume tackler should one of the big two Bengal linebackers be out.

Dynasty Sleeper: LB Otis Reese IV, Tennessee

Not sure what Tennessee is going to be doing at linebacker in 2025 and beyond.  Kenneth Murray Jr. fills the stat sheet but isn't really a huge difference-maker in terms of actual football.  Jack Gibbens gets run, but is he "just a guy"?  Jerome Baker?  Feels like he's just a stopgap for the rest of this season.  Reese has nice size (6-3, 214 lbs.) for this position within the Titan defense, so watch the snap counts carefully here in the last month of the season.  Reese seems like the kind of linebacker who could sneak into a starting lineup and produce fantasy stats.  Also, as a bonus, take a look at James Williams.  Or perhaps even Luke Gifford if you're really digging deep.  Both Titan linebackers have been seeing some snaps.

Dynasty Sleeper: LB J.J. Russell, Tampa Bay

K.J. Britt rolled his ankle last Sunday, and the next man up was Russell.  Obviously Lavonte David is the linebacker to own on this defense, but he will be 35 years old soon and an unrestricted free agent in 2025.  We all know how productive Buccaneer linebackers can be, so mark Russell down as one to watch here these last few games of the season.

Dynasty Sleeper: DL Amaré Barno, Carolina

Barno was activated off IR and promptly went for three solos and a sack against the Bucs this past weekend.  The Panthers will be in a position to audition younger defenders like Barno for the last month of the season, as most of their edge guys are older or could be construed as stopgaps.  Long and rangy at 6-6, Barno has shown pretty good tape as an edge defender.  Worth a look, especially in those leagues that break apart DE/DT.