This article immediately highlights defensive players whose production was significantly better or worse than normally expected for the prior week of games. Note there is sometimes limited information available when this article is written, but I will try to give everyone an early look at players who are moving up or down in value among IDP circles. It isn’t easy to give waiver advice for IDPs since there is such a wide variety of lineups and scoring systems, but hopefully, the information provided can help inform your waiver, trade, and upcoming lineup decisions. I'm also going to try and group edge rushers together with the understanding that classification as a defensive end or linebacker will depend on your league setup/host. If you have any questions about specific players or situations, please email me or reach out via Twitter.
Email: rudnicki@footballguys.com
Twitter: @a_rudnicki
UPGRADES
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN/EDGE RUSHERS
DE Marquis Haynes, CAR (2 solos, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 QH, 2 PD on 47% of snaps)
Haynes is serving as the 3rd defensive end in Carolina this year and he’s starting to produce as a pass-rush specialist now that the team has become more competitive. He picked up 2 sacks against the Falcons in week 10 and then added another this week.
DE Eyioma Uwazurike, DEN (4 solos, 1 asst on 38% of snaps)
The rookie has not played very much this year but saw a season-high 25 snaps this week and responded with five combined tackles.
DL Calais Campbell, BAL (2 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 3 QH, 1 FF on 62% of snaps)
At 36 years of age, Campbell is on a remarkable run right now. He has registered at least a partial sack in five straight games and has 4.5 sacks in his last five games played.
DT Ed Oliver, BUF (4 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 2 QH, 1 FF, 1 FR on 65% of snaps)
Oliver had one of the best games of his brief career on Sunday and could be headed for a strong finish. The injury to Von Miller leaves the Bills without their most impactful pass rusher, and that could force the Bills to give more playing time to Oliver as he’s the most disruptive player they have available.
DT Maliek Collins, HOU (4 solos, 2 sacks, 3 TFL, 2 QH on 55% of snaps)
Collins has been in the league since 2016 but hasn’t been able to match the five sacks he posted as a rookie. He had a strong game this week but seems unlikely to replicate this type of production in the weeks ahead.
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