This article is a weekly look at players generally ranked around the edge of those considered "startable". For the purposes of this article, I will define startable as all players on the edge of starting on a team that starts two defensive linemen, two linebackers, and two defensive backs. Therefore, about the middle of the DL2, LB2, and DB2 range are where the choices begin to get tough. Each position is covered in descending order beginning with the players who have the most prime matchups to those with more risk and less upside to those who are complete reaches. Your mileage may vary, but the idea is to discuss these players and provide you with some analysis that might help you make those difficult lineup decisions a bit easier. I hope that your expertise as an owner has filled your team with enough players that you don't need to consider players outside of the prime cuts discussed here. Good luck and always keep in mind that your feedback and comments are welcome. I also want to thank and give credit to Bob Henry for creating the format for this article.
NOTE: This article was written before the official injury reports were released, so please double check that any player listed in this article is playing. Also, you should always check the inactives on Sunday.
Defensive Line
Note: When I mention stats of the defensive linemen, the format will be solos/assists/sacks unless otherwised mentioned.
Prime Cut (Great matchup, strong sleeper)
Cliff Avril, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Jacksonville)
Season stats: 1/0/1/1 FF
Last week: 1/0/1/1 FF
Jacksonville sacks allowed per game/ranking: 5.5/Tied for 1st
Jacksonville QB pressure allowed ranking: 4th
Avril missed week one with an injury but returned last week and had a sack and a forced fumble in limited playing time. Avril should be better this week as he rounds into shape. This week Avrill has an exceptional matchup as he faces the Jaguars, who have allowed the most sacks in the league and are fifth in sack opportunities allowed. Maurice Jones-Drew is banged up and even if he playes he won't be anywhere near 100%. The Seahawks will likely dominate this game and Avril can just pin his ears back and rush the passer all day. Get him in your lineups.
Worth a Gamble (Good matchup, solid sleeper)
Brian Robison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Cleveland)
Season stats: 4/2/0
Last week: 2/0/0
Cleveland sacks allowed per game/ranking: 5.5/Tied for 1st
Cleveland QB pressure allowed ranking: 1st
Robison has yet to post a sack this year, but one of his matchups was against the Lions and they have only allowed one sack all year. Robison has a great matchup this week against the Browns, who lead the league in sacks allowed and are tops by a wide margin in QB pressure allowed. With Trent Richardson traded, the running game will likely be non-existent and that will give Robison even more sack opportunities.
Solid Reach (Backup/situational player with upside)
Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions (at Washington)
Season stats: 2/2/0.5
Last week: 1/0/0
Washington sacks allowed per game/ranking: 2.0/Tied for 18th
Washington QB pressure allowed ranking: Tied for 14th
Ansah has played much better than his numbers suggest. For example, last week Ansah only registered one solo tackle but there were a pair of sack opportunities that went out the window because of penalties. On one, Ansah had a sack and a forced fumble that was nullified by a penalty on the Lions and on another play he exploded off the line and would have had an easy sack if not for a pre-snap penalty against Arizona. Although Washington is only in the middle of the road in sacks allowed and QB pressure allowed, Ansah's play rates him as a solid low-end sleeper if you are in need this week.
Justin Smith, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Indianapolis)
Season stats: 5/7/0
Last week: 4/5/0
Indianapolis sacks allowed per game/ranking: 3.5/Tied for 5th
Indianapolis QB pressure allowed ranking: 3rd
Smith's sack numbers have never been elite but he has long posted elite tackle numbers for a defensive lineman. That generally means Smith rarely has a real clunker and that is not the worst thing in the world. The addition of Trent Richardson to the Colts should give Smith more tackle opportunities. The Colts are in the top five in both sacks allowed and QB pressure allowed and Smith should have some sack opportunities as well. That makes Smith a respectable low-end sleeper this week.
Kyle Williams, Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)
Season stats: 8/4/1
Last week: 5/1/0
New York Jets sacks allowed per game/ranking: 4.5/Tied for 3rd
New York Jets QB pressure allowed ranking: 2nd
Kyle Williams is one of the better interior linemen in the league and it helps to have a stud pass rusher like Mario Williams on the defensive line. This week the Bills face the Jets and they are second in the league in sack opportunities allowed and third in sacks allowed. Kyle Williams figures to see a handful of sack opportunities against rookie quarterback Geno Smith and is a solid low-grade sleeper this week.
Deep Sleepers (For desperate owners only)
Shea McClellin, Chicago Bears (at Pittsburgh)
Season stats: 2/3/1
Last week: 0/1/0
Pittsburgh sacks allowed per game/ranking: 3.5/Tied for 5th
Pittsburgh QB pressure allowed ranking: 9th
McClellin plays inconsistent snaps but usually sees a handful of sack opportunities due to the presence of Julius Peppers on the other side of the line. McClellin has a solid matchup against the injury-ravaged Steelers. They have allowed the fifth-most sacks in the league and don't have enough of a running game to slow down the opposing pass rushers. I am concerned about McClellin's youth and inconsistency enough to keep him listed as a deep sleeper but there is plenty of upside here.
Linebackers
Note: When I mention stats of linebackers, the format will be solos/assists/sacks unless otherwise mentioned.
Prime Cut (Great matchup, strong sleeper)
Daryl Smith, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Houston)
Season stats: 6/9/1.5
Last week: 3/8/1.5
Houston rushing attempts per game/ranking: 28.0/11th
Houston tackle opportunities allowed ranking: 1st
Smith was signed as a free agent shortly before the season started and was immediately inserted into the starting lineup. He has posted LB2/3 numbers in the past and the Ravens are hoping he can regain that form after only playing two games last year. Smith has a great matchup against the Texans, who are annually one of the best matchups for inside linebackers. They are tops in the league in tackle opportunities allowed and 11th in rushing attempts per game. Smith shoiuld see a high number of tackle opportunities in the run game and also on short passes to the tight end. That perfect storm places Smith as a rock-solid prime cut linebacker this week.
Worth a Gamble (Good matchup, solid sleeper)
Donald Butler, San Diego Chargers (at Tennessee)
Season stats: 11/4/0.5
Last week: 2/0/0
Tennessee rushing attempts per game/ranking: 37.5/1st
Tennessee tackle opportunities allowed ranking: 10th
Butler only had two solos against the Eagles and given the high number of plays they ran it was an extremely disappointing effort. Butler faces the Titans this week and they lead the league in rushing attempts per game with 37.5 and are 10th in tackle opportunities allowed. They need to eastablish the run because of the inconsistent play of quarterback Jake Locker and that should allow Butler to have a high number of tackle opportunities this week.
Geno Hayes, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Seattle)
Season stats: 11/3/0
Last week: 7/3/0
Seattle rushing attempts per game/ranking: 36.5/2nd
Seattle tackle opportunities allowed ranking: Tied for 4th
After not being a starter last year, Hayes has started and surprisingly been an every-down linebacker for the Jaguars. His owners should be rewarded this week as the Jaguars face the Seahawks, who are second in rushing attempts per game and fourth in tackle opportunities allowed. The Seahawks have a ferocious defense and are likely to dominate time of possession and that makes Hayes a strong sleeper this week, possibly bordering on being a prime cut.
Solid Reach (Backup, situational player with upside)
David Harris, New York Jets (vs. Buffalo)
Season stats: 6/8/0/1 FF
Last week: 3/4/0/1 FF
Buffalo rushing attempts per game/ranking: 33.5/Tied for 4th
Buffalo tackle opportunities allowed ranking: 3rd
Harris has posted marginal numbers this year but has posted respectable LB2/3 numbers in the past. Harris has a great matchup against the Bills this week, a team that is third in tackle opportunities allowed and fourth in rushing attempts per game. With both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson getting plenty of touches, Harris figures to be in the middle of the action in both run defense and coverage. Only his below average start keeps him as a low-end sleeper at linebacker this week.
Nick Roach, Oakland Raiders (at Denver)
Season stats: 5/4/0
Last week: 0/0/0
Denver rushing attempts per game/ranking: 26.0/Tied for 18th
Denver tackle opportunities allowed ranking: Tied for 4th
Despite playing every defensive snap, Roach did not record a single tackle last week. The tackle opportunities were low and that didn't help, but that will definitely not be the case this week as Roach faces the Broncos. They are fourth in tackle opportunities allowed and figure to dominate time of possession. They are in the middle of the pack in rushing attempts per game and that tempers my enthusiasm enough to keep Roach in the low-end sleeper category.
Deep Sleepers (For desperate owners only)
Akeem Dent, Atlanta Falcons (at Miami)
Season stats: 9/6/0
Last week: 4/0/0
Miami rushing attempts per game/ranking: 24.5/22nd
Miami tackle opportunities allowed ranking: Tied for 14th
Despite not being all that good in coverage, Dent has been an every-down linebacker this year. I have never been a big fan of Dent but an above-average matchup on paper and a small number of decent linebacker sleepers this week suggests Dent could be a respectable deep sleeper for teams really in need this week.
Defensive Backs
Note: When I mention stats of defensive backs, the format will be solos/assists/interceptions/passes defended unless otherwise mentioned.
Prime Cut (Great matchup, strong sleeper)
Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals (at New Orleans)
Season stats: 13/0/0/1
Last week: 6/0/0/1
New Orleans passing attempts per game/ranking: 40.5/Tied for 10th
New Orleans passes defended allowed ranking: Tied for 7th
New Orleans tackle opportunities allowed ranking: Tied for 11th
Mathieu has been a pleasant surprise for the Cardinals and thus far seems to be acting like a professional and staying away from trouble off the field. The latter was the biggest concern as Mathieu has plenty of talent and there was little doubt he could play at this level. Mathieu has a great matchup against the Saints, who are in the top ten in attempted passes per game and passes defended allowed. Mathieu should see a lot of snaps as the Saints run several plays per game with three wide receivers. Expect the Saints to dominate this game and Mathieu should have enough opportunities this week to be a solid prime cut defensive back.
Worth a Gamble (Good matchup, solid sleeper)
Chris Houston, Detroit Lions (at Washington)
Season stats: 11/0/0/3
Last week: 7/0/0/2
Washington passing attempts per game/ranking: 44.5/8th
Washington passes defended allowed ranking: Tied for 7th
Washington tackle opportunities allowed ranking: 26th
Houston is generally a matchup-dependent defensive back at best and this week fits that description as Houston faces Washington, who rank in the top ten in both attempted passes per game and passes defended allowed. Houston will likely cover target monster Pierre Garcon and that alone makes him a solid upper-level sleeper this week.
Jonathan Cyprien, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Seattle)
Season stats: 10/1/0/0
Last week: 7/1/0/0
Seattle passing attempts per game/ranking: 31st
Seattle passes defended allowed ranking: Tied for 26th
Seattle tackle opportunities allowed ranking: Tied for 4th
Cyprien has been impressive at times in this, his rookie season and has racked up ten solos from his strong safety position. Cyprien has a great matchup against the Seahawks, who are in the top five in both rushing attempts per game and tackle opportunities allowed. The Seahawks should totally dominate this game from start to finish and Cyprien should have a high number of tackle opportunities, making him a strong upper-end sleeper at defensive back this week.
Solid Reach (Backup/situational player with upside)
Captain Munnerlyn, Carolina Panthers (vs. New York Giants)
Season stats: 8/3/0/1
Last week: 5/2/0/1
New York Giants passing attempts per game/ranking: 45.5/Tied for 4th
New York Giants passes defended allowed ranking: 1st
New York Giants tackle opportunities allowed ranking: Tied for 29th
Munnerlyn is a marginal talent at best and still is the best player in a Carolina secondary that has been ravaged by injuries. Munnerlyn has a great matchup against the Giants, who are tops in the league in passes defended allowed and fourth in attempted passes per game. Munnerlyn should see plenty of action in the passing game but he is not the most talented player around and that causes me to list him as a low-end sleeper this week.
Josh Wilson, Washington (vs. Detroit)
Season stats: 11/2/0/1
Last week: 6/0/0/0
Detroit passing attempts per game/ranking: 39.5/Tied for 13th
Detroit passes defended allowed ranking: Tied for 13th
Detroit tackle opportunities allowed ranking: Tied for 13th
Wilson has not played all that well but he has posted solid numbers and that is all that matters to us fantasy players. He faces the Lions this week and they are surprisingly only ranked 13th in attempted passes. The Redskins have one of the worst secondaries in the league and that should keep Wilson on the field enough to be a solid low-level sleeper with upside this week.
Deep Sleepers (For desperate owners only)
Matt Elam, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Houston)
Season stats: 4/2/0/0
Last week: 3/2/0/0
Houston passing attempts per game/ranking: 46.5/Tied for 2nd
Houston passes defended allowed ranking: Tied for 4th
Houston tackle opportunities allowed ranking: 1st
Elam will make his first career start this week, replacing the innefective Michael Huff in the starting lineup. His first start will come against the Texans, who are surprisingly second in the league in attempted passes and tied for fourth in passes defended allowed. This is in addition to their usual top ranking in tackle opportunities allowed. This all points to Elam posting solid numbers but he is an unproven rookie and I think it's wise to temper enthusiasm a bit and that is why I am listing him as a deep sleeper. There is plenty of upside here.
