IDP Defensive Playbook - Week 9

Nov 04, 2015

Welcome to your Week 9 IDP Defensive Playbook. Each week, I'll highlight some of the top defensive waiver wire targets, as well as matchups to exploit and avoid in each game. Week 8 is in the books, and there were both some fine performances and some stinkers thrown about. Cameron Wake was the big name that went down for the year…Ugggggh. Before I look at Week 9, here's how my Week 8 waiver targets performed:

Kawann Short, DT, CAR: Two tackles/One defended pass
William Hayes, DE, STL: Four tackles
Corey Liuget, DE, SDC: No stats
Justin Durant, ILB, ATL: Four tackles
Devon Kennard, OLB, NYG: Four tackles
Aaron Lynch, OLB, SFO: One tackle
Mark Barron, SS, STL: 10 tackles/One defended pass
Jaquiski Tartt, SS, SFO: Six tackles
Trumaine Johnson, CB, STL: Five tackles/One defended pass
Marcus Gilchrist, FS, NYJ: Three tackles

Defensive Line

Derrick Shelby, DE, MIA: Shelby will take over for Cameron Wake on the left side. I’d take a look at him in big play scoring formats, as he’s not getting many tackles, but that could be attributed to limited snaps. I really like the matchup for him this week against a weaker tackle, Seantrel Henderson.

Denico Autry, DE, OAK; Autry continues to get meaningful snaps and put together a complete game in Week 8, with seven tackles and a sack. Autry typically plays more inside, and with the injury to Justin Tuck, he’ll continue to fill in and get snaps.

Geno Atkins, DT, CIN: Atkins is probably gone in DT-required leagues, but if he’s available in DL leagues, he’s a good matchup play against the Browns. He’s recorded five sacks already and is generating consistent pressure on the QB.

Linebacker

Vontaze Burfict, ILB, CIN: If Burfict is on your waiver, it looks like it might be worth claiming him. Burfict only played in 48 percent of the snaps, but managed to record five solo tackles. He should continue to see an increase in his usage and as long as he’s healthy, he’ll be worth slotting in your lineup.

Pernell McPhee, OLB, CHI: McPhee has been a solid big play linebacker and is producing a QB pressure rate of over 20 percent. He’s recorded five sacks and also has seven tackles for a loss, so he’s making an impact all over the field. I like the matchup against San Diego and McPhee is worth the addition in big play scoring formats.

Shaq Barrett, OLB, DEN: The Broncos are nursing some injuries and Barrett is taking advantage of his snaps. Although he only saw 18 snaps in Week 8, the count could rise this week. He’s producing a QB pressure rate of 18 percent. The Colts are tough against opposing OLBs, but they haven’t faced a defense like the Broncos.

Defensive Back

Damarious Randall, CB, GBP: Randall has consecutive weeks of double-digit fantasy points and has recorded eight defended passes and 23 solo tackles. He’s received an increase in snaps and is playing mostly nickel back. With six teams on bye, he’s worth looking at in CB-required leagues.

Ibraheim Campbell, SS, CLE: If you’re looking for a replacement for Donte Whitner, Campbell should get the start in Week 9, as Whitner is out with a concussion. Campbell recorded five solo tackles in his 36 snaps. The Bengals are allowing 10 solo tackles per game to opposing safeties, so he’s a decent matchup play this week.

Roman Harper, SS, CAR: Harper has seen 144 snaps in his last two weeks, which has resulted in consecutive weeks of double-digit fantasy points. The grizzled veteran can still produce and is producing a nine-percent tackle rate.