We’re one week into the fantasy playoffs, and you’ve either had your bye or staved off your first opponent. Now what? Let’s divulge…
Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.
Defensive linemen
DE Chauncey Golston, Dallas Cowboys
Micah Parsons looks healthy for the first time in a long time with 5 1/2 sacks in the last four games. That has opened up Gholston opposite of him as he had five tackles and a sack in Week 15. He’ll match up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week in a good matchup to continue his audition for next year.
DT Adam Butler, Las Vegas Raiders
They were running without stud DE Maxx Crosby, but the 30-year-old Butler stepped up with six tackles, a sack, and a PD in Week 15. He has at least a half-sack in three straight games and four of five. He’ll be chasing Jacksonville Jaguars QB Mac Jones around this week and is a sneaky play.
Linebackers
LB Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers
After a three-game absence, Cooper returned in a big way Sunday night with seven tackles, an INT, a sack, and two PDs. He has great matchups against the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings upcoming and should be a really good play the rest of the way if he’s out there.
LB Christian Harris, Houston Texans
Also returning from injury in Week 15 was the 2022 third-round pick. Harris, who missed the entire season up to this point, had eight tackles in Week 15. He figures to be a highlighted play as he rounds into form and could face a backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16.
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LB James Williams, Tennessee Titans
He’ll play second fiddle to Kenneth Murray Jr., but Williams still delivered eight tackles last week. The 21-year-old former seventh-round pick is auditioning for a spot on next year’s roster and could be a deep-league option.
Defensive backs
SS Dane Belton, New York Giants
The 24-year-old from Iowa opened eyes with 15 tackles, a sack, and a PD in Week 15. He’ll have some run down the stretch in a starting spot, and even if he can’t repeat that monstrosity, Belton worthy of a pickup.
S Geno Stone, Cincinnati Bengals
He had a Pick-6 in Week 15, but he also made five tackles. That made two straight weeks with five tackles, an INT, and a PD. He has fantastic matchups the next two weeks against the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos.
CB Ugo Amadi, New Orleans Saints
The 27-year-old is binging in fantasy right now. He had nine tackles and a PD in Week 13. Amadi went for eight tackles and two PDs in Week 14 before tallying seven tackles, a sack, and a PD last week. He faces the Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders the next two weeks.