Let's take a quick look at a few linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs who are either good grab-and-stash types or those that you should target in trades. Hope you enjoy the article and it opens your eyes to some of the gems that can be found on your leagues' waiver wires!
Linebackers
Tyus Bowser (BAL): Matt Judon’s departure has really opened the door for this 5-year vet out of Houston. He fits the Ravens’ edge linebacker role to a tee, size and speed-wise. He’s really come on as of the past month’s worth of games, tallying 3 sacks, 3 pass breakups, and 10 solos. He’s really valuable in big-play formats with less value in traditional leagues due to the sporadic solo output.
Zaire Franklin (IND): Now that the season’s winding down, it’s time to start adding some deeper dart throws. Franklin would have tremendous value should either Darius Leonard or Bobby Okereke go down with injury. Franklin has the size and athletic profile to step right in. Worth a bench spot in deep leagues if you’re not competing this season.
Dylan Cole (TEN): Real dart throw here, but it does seem like Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans are hurt a lot. Cole doesn’t have a ton of physical gifts but he would be a high-floor volume tackler if he were given a starting gig. With less than 50% of the snaps in recent weeks, he’s been a contributor. If you’re in a deep league that starts 4 LBs, Cole could be a nice lottery ticket.
Defensive Linemen
Phil Hoskins (DT – CAR): Getting his first action of the 2021 season, Hoskins tallied a couple of solos and a sack against the Dolphins last week. And that was with only 22% of the snaps. He’s a serious space-eater that could prove valuable in leagues that separate DT from DE.
John Franklin-Myers (DE – NYJ): JFM had a huge Week 12 and has had a few decent games this season with limited snap counts. He has a good size/speed profile and could easily gain a starting gig on the Jets’ line in 2022. Worth stashing for a year or two.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji (DE – CIN): Aside from having one of the most awesome names in the NFL, Ogundeji had a busy day tackling Jaguars last week (9 total tackles). His snap counts have been erratic this season, but he’s just a rookie (with great size) and could certainly take a starting spot in 2022 with not much talent around him.
Defensive Backs
Eric Murray (S – HOU): Lonnie Johnson has been moved back to corner, opening up the starting strong safety spot up for Murray. He’s come through with 16 solos in three weeks' time. With Justin Reid struggling production and injury-wise, Murray could easily be the Texans’ tackle leader in the defensive backfield for the remainder of the season. And he’s just 27 so there are a few more usable years left here.
Jordan Whitehead (S– TBB): Antoine Winfield Jr is a stud and is certainly the best Buc safety to own, but he can run hot and cold. Whitehead, playing opposite Winfield, tends to be steadier tackle-wise and does mix in pass breakups too. He’s just 24, so there are usable years left with the ex-Pitt star.
Donte Jackson (CB – CAR): Jackson has been on a tear over the past three weeks. 20 solos in the past three games and four pass breakups to boot. The Panthers are on bye this week, but upcoming games against the Falcons, Bills, Bucs, and Saints make for a nice stretch where he could rack up tackles.
