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 Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, HOU (5 solos, 2 sacks, 3 TFL, 2 QH on 54% of snaps)
The Texans got Jonathan Greenard back in their lineup the past two games, but they have stuck with Okoronkwo as a starter. He continues to make plays and has been a quality starter in five of the past seven weeks.
DE Carl Granderson, NO (5 solos, 1 asst, 1 sack, 3 TFL, 2 QH on 71% of snaps)
Marcus Davenport has been a huge disappointment in New Orleans this year, but Granderson has helped make up for it. He set a career-high with 50 snaps in a win over the Browns this week and has been a reliable fantasy option since Week 10.
DE Cameron Sample, CIN (3 solos, 3 asst, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH on 95% of snaps)
Sample filled in for the injured Sam Hubbard and saw an incredible 95% workload. He has played 50+ snaps in back-to-back games and could be in line for another heavy workload next week against the Bills.
DL Denico Autry, TEN (5 solos, 2 asst, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 2 QH, 2 PD, 1 FF on 64% of snaps)
Autry returned to the lineup this week for the first time since suffering a knee injury in week 11. He played a normal workload and looked great while collecting seven tackles with a sack and batting down several passes. He has quietly collected eight sacks in just 11 games played.
EDGE Danielle Hunter, MIN (5 solos, 2 asst, 2 sacks, 4 QH, 1 FF on 83% of snaps)
Hunter may not be back to his old form when he was one of the most dominant IDPs in the league, but he doesn’t seem too far off. Over his past two games, he has 12 combined tackles with 3.5 sacks and took advantage of some favorable matchups against the Colts and Giants.
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