Rizzla takes a look at some hot pickups for deeper IDP leagues and provides his IDP rankings for week eight.
This week we will highlight three players from the linebacker, defensive line and defensive back positions that are owned in less than ten percent of yahoo leagues who should be on rosters in competitive IDP formats.
LB – Jayon Brown (7 percent ownership)
The Tennessee Titans Jayon Brown has been rock solid this season. He comes into week eight with 33 tackles, 13 assists, six tackles for loss and two sacks. Brown who is operating as a near every down linebacker at 84 percent of the snaps leads the Titans in total tackles and solo tackles and is second on the team in sacks. Brown is a rising asset in IDP leagues who is pushing for every week LB2 status.
LB – Todd Davis (5 percent ownership)
Todd Davis is a solid deeper IDP league linebacker who has been a stout presence for the Denver Broncos. Davis has amassed 35 solo tackles, 16 assists, one tackle for loss, half a sack and an exciting pick six which he delivered last week versus the Arizona Cardinals. Since the Broncos run a 3-4 Davis is one of four linebackers seeing over 73 percent of the snaps. Davis leads the Broncos in total tackles and assists and is first among linebackers in solo tackles.
LB – Mason Foster (5 percent ownership)
Mason Foster is the every down linebacker for Washington who has racked up 28 solo tackles, 23 solo tackles, one pass deflection and two tackles for loss. Foster is on pace to smash his career high in assists but there should soon be a correction leading to an nfl average solo to assist ratio. Foster leads the team in solos, assists and total tackles.
CB – Daryl Worley (1 percent ownership)
Daryl Worley was a popular offseason sleeper candidate due to his ability to rack up tackles at the cornerback position. Worley is now healthy and off of his teams bye should be scooped up wherever needed either as a bye week filler or direct replacement to your current corner option. Worley has already racked up 12 total tackles, one pick and two tackles for loss which should be enough to pique anyone’s interest.
S – Damontae Kazee (8 percent ownership)
Damontae Kazee has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners this year as he has made the most of the opportunity afforded to him. Kazee has racked up an impressive 30 solos, six assists and three picks to go with a forced fumble and a tackle for loss. Kazee is an excellent redraft DB2 type who may be floating on your leagues waiver wire due to the Falcons bye. Teammate Brian Poole has been on fire for the Bucs and is worth a look for those looking for a high upside corner that may have been dropped in their league.
S – Justin Evans (5 percent ownership)
Justin Evans has posted 26 solos, 7 assists, one tackle for loss, an interception and a fumble returned for a touchdown so far on the season. Evans leads all Buccaneers defensive backs in tackles and should continue to be a solid DB3 in competitive leagues.
DT, DE – Margus Hunt (7 percent ownership)
Margus Hunt has fallen to seven percent ownership after being sidelined for two weeks. The dual eligible lineman shines most as a defensive tackle as far as fantasy is concerned as his four sacks ties him for fourth among his peers. Hunt has also caused a forced fumble, recovered a fumble, defended two passes, racked up 13 solo tackles and caused ten tackles for loss, a number that ties him with Aaron Donald for the NFL lead among defensive tackles.
LB, DE – Romeo Okwara (2 percent ownership)
Okwara is a solid bye week filler type for as long as Ezekiel Ansah remains on the shelf at which point he could truly take off. Okawara is playing a situational pass rushing role and has seen a Lions defensive lineman leading 64.3 percent of the snaps. Okwara has already found the quarterback four times this season, and has done it with some consistency posting at least one sack in three of his four games. Okwara has also collected 11 solos, two assists, four tackles for loss and once forced fumble. The Lions defense is going to be a problem for opposing offenses once Okwara and Ansah see the field together.
DE – Frank Clark (7 percent ownership)
One of the more talented pass rushers in the NFL Frank Clark is tied for seventh among defensive ends with 5.5 sacks. Clark has also managed 13 solos, one assist, five tackles for loss, a pass deflection, one pick and an exciting three forced fumbles in six games on the season. Clark is on pace to shatter his career highs in sacks and tackles for loss as he looks like he has taken the next step in his development. Clark is a DE1 and should be owned in all competitive leagues.
Now to our rankings. As always we will be updating them up until kickoff Sunday afternoon so be sure to check back often to see our latest rankings updates and thoughts. And remember this weekend features yet another London game this time between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars. AJ Bouye owners will want to pay special attention as he may come down to a game time decision as he has been spotted in a walking boot on Thursday.
