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
ILB Will Compton (TEN vs IND):
Jayon Brown is out for the rest of the season and it should be Compton stepping into an every-down role. He produced 6 total tackles in essentially a half of football last week. We do need to watch the reports from practice this week and make sure David long is not projected for a bigger role. Even with that said, the matchup against the Colts is a good one. They love to run the ball and there should be plenty of opportunity for tackles all around for the Tennessee defense.
LB Harvey Langi (NYJ vs MIA):
He was originally an outside linebacker, but he has been moved inside due to trades and injuries. Langi has played 90% of defensive snaps in each of the past two weeks. He has produced double-digit tackle lines in each of the past two weeks and has benefitted from Blake Cashman being out. Watch the situation going into the weekend and he could be an LB2 against Miami this week. If Cashman returns from injury, there should still be some tackles available, but he should be downgraded significantly.
LB Alex Singleton (PHI vs SEA):
It may be too little too late for Singleton in your league after he has balled out for the past two weeks. He has 28 total tackles over the past two weeks and has played 100% of defensive snaps. He also has a sack to go along with those big tackle numbers. The Eagles may look like a sinking ship in a very bad division but there has not been a lot of competition for tackles on that defense. Seattle has had a more balanced attack and is running the ball more. Look for Singleton to continue his hot streak again this week with more potential for double-digit tackles.
Defensive Linemen
DT Kenny Clark (GB vs CHI):
Clark has been great across his three seasons in the NFL so far. His season got derailed early with an injury in Week 1, but he has finally gotten back on track in recent weeks. He has a great matchup against the Bears who have allowed the most point to opposing defensive tackles in the league and this could be the week he registers a sack. His position designation is great if you are required to roster a defensive tackle. Look for Clark to come away with five tackles and have his best shot at a sack this season with a very poor Bears’ offense.
DE Olivier Vernon (CLE vs JAX):
Myles Garrett missed Week 11 while on the COVID list and is expected to miss Week 12 as well. Vernon took advantage of a bad Eagles offensive line last week and came away with three sacks with Garrett out of the lineup. This leaves a juicy matchup for Vernon and the rest of the defensive line against Jake Luton and a struggling Jacksonville offense. They kept things competitive with Pittsburgh for the first half but then eventually fell to the pressure and Luton was scrambling for his life. The entire defensive line should see a bump this week including Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi.
DE Carlos Dunlap (SEA vs PHI):
We talked about Dunlap when he was first traded to Seattle and we will mention him again this week. He has three sacks in three games with Seattle so far and has been their most consistent pass rusher so far this season. He also has a great matchup this week against a Philadelphia offensive line that allowed three sacks to Olivier Vernon without Myles Garrett on the other side. The Seattle secondary continues to be their weak spot and Philadelphia will have to try and throw the ball to keep up in this game. Look for Dunlap to come away with another sack this week.
Defensive Backs
S Vonn Bell (CIN vs NYG):
He may feel like less of a sleeper because of his high draft status, but he has been maddingly inconsistent and that has caused a lot of people to forget about him. He has recorded eight or more solo tackles in two of his last five games and came away with 13 total tackles, a TFL, and a pass defended in a great matchup with Washington last week. He should be able to keep the good times rolling in another plus matchup against a struggling Giants offense. Look for Bell to string together another solid game this week.
S Johnathan Abram (LV vs ATL):
Abram has been fun to watch this season as he flies all over the field playing with reckless abandon. Sometimes it seems just as likely that he will make a big hit as he will give up a big play, but he is starting to settle into a groove late in the season. He has 5 or more solo tackles in each of his last 3 games and will be taking on an Atlanta offense that loves to attack the middle of the field with their big receivers. Look for Abram to put up DB2 type numbers this week and have a good chance to continue his string of productive tackling days.
S Ashtyn Davis (NYJ vs MIA):
He has benefitted from Bradley McDougald being on the Reserve/Injured list at least through this week and has seen a lot of playing time. He is also being asked to play in the box and rush the passer in recent weeks after Marcus Maye was moved to deep safety. This small change has given him a ton of tackle opportunities and it shows with his 12 total tackles and a fumble recovery last week. Davis plays on a bad team but has been put in a great spot to make a difference on defense. Look for another solid week against Miami before McDougald returns from injury.
Last Week:
- OLB Leonard Floyd (LAR vs TB): 2 assists, 91% defensive snaps
- LB Robert Spillane (PIT vs JAX): 3 solos, 1 assist, 84% defensive snaps
- LB T.J. Edwards (PHI vs CLE): 4 solos, 1 assist, 1 TFL, 70% defensive snaps
- DE Sheldon Richardson (CLE vs PHI): 3 solos, 1 assist, 2 QB hits, 74% defensive snaps
- DT DaQuan Jones (TEN vs BAL): 1 solo, 77% defensive snaps
- DE Trey Hendrickson (NO vs ATL): 2 solos, 1 TFL, 2 QB hits, 2 sacks, 53% defensive snaps
- S Nasir Adderley (LAC vs NYJ): 3 solos, 1 QB hit, 100% defensive snaps
- S Jordan Fuller (LAR vs TB): 4 solos, 2 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 100% defensive snaps
- S Daniel Thomas (JAC vs PIT): 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 55% defensive snaps
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