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Linebackers

Monty Rice (TEN): With all the injuries to the Titan linebackers, Rice is the next man up and should be the leading tackler for the remainder of the season on this defense. He may be available in shallow-bench leagues or if you caught your leaguemates napping. He’s taxi-eligible, too, if you don’t need him right away. He could easily be one of the Titans’ top two linebackers in the next few years.

Jake Hansen (HOU): This is a deep dive pick here, but he’s shown a nose for the football in limited snaps and even has a sack this season. The Texans will certainly be in audition mode the next few weeks as the season wraps up, so you could get some garbage time stats from this guy in larger leagues. Or just stash on your taxi squad if you have the space.

Josh Uche (NEP): Matt Judon is a game-wrecker but is on the wrong side of 30, and we all know that Bill Belichick has a penchant for cutting bait on guys just before they fall off the cliff. Uche is the next man up and could be a similar game-wrecker in the next couple of years.

Defensive Linemen

A.J. Epenesa (DE - BUF): Von Miller is done for the season, and there’s no assurance he will even be back with the Bills next season. Gregory Rousseau is the logical choice as the pass-rusher du jour for this aggressive Bills defense, but Epenesa has shown promise. While he may not produce much tackle-wise, he’s a 50/50 shot to get a sack most weeks. He also bats down passes. And he’s only 24 with plenty of tread on the tires.