The fantasy football playoffs are underway, or if you’re in a full-season league, these last three weeks will decide it all. Rosters are mostly set, but injuries occur. We’re here to provide options if the bad bounce comes your way.
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
DT Zach Sieler, Miami Dolphins
It’s not often we recommend 300-pound tackles, but Sieler has played at the level of his size. He has sacks in three of four games and had a fumble recovery and a pass defense to go with his sack in Week 15. He also had four tackles each in Week 13 and 14.
DE Tanoh Kpassagnon, New Orleans Saints
The 29-year-old has been off the fantasy radar all season, but he certainly busted the door open in Week 15. He had six tackles and three sacks against the New York Giants. The Saints had a couple of injuries on the ends to open up the playing time for Kpassagnon, and you’ll need to monitor that. But how can you sit a guy after three sacks and four QB hits?
Linebackers
LB Khaleke Hudson, Washington Commanders
One way to come out of a late-season bye week is with … 14 tackles! He had 22 on the season before that game. The job on the weak side is his, and ebbs and flows should be expected. However, when you can acquire a player who delivers 14 tackles in a game this late in the season – it can be a game-changer.
LB Christian Rozeboom, Los Angeles Rams
Rozeboom had a solid first half of the season, and he kind of went in the tank after the Week 10 bye. He had just two tackles in each of the Week 13 and 14 games. He had five tackles and a pass defense in Week 15. With the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants on the docket the next two weeks, he’s worth the speculative grab.
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LB Mack Wilson, New England Patriots
At least one “Mac”k has worked out this season for New England. Wilson has sacks in two straight games. He’s not going to wow you with tackles as he has four, three and two the last three weeks. However, Wilson had three straight games with a pass defense before Week 15, and he’ll sprinkle a little in those three categories.
Defensive backs
SS Brandon Jones, Miami Dolphins
Injuries in the secondary gave Jones another window, and he has taken advantage. He had seven tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defense in Week 14. Last week, Jones had five tackles, two INTs, and two pass defenses. He has a potential shootout against the Dallas Cowboys this week.
SS Ifeatu Melifonwu, Detroit Lions
The 2021 third-round pick wowed the judges with nine tackles, a forced fumble a sack, and two pass defenses last week. He has a good matchup against the Minnesota Vikings this week and then plays a pass-heavy Cowboys team in Week 17.
SS Andrew Wingard, Jacksonville Jaguars
The veteran Wingard has a stretch every season it seems where he stands out on the fringe. Eleven tackles in Week 15 will definitely put you over the edge. He had a seven-tackle game earlier this season, but this one was by far his biggest. So temper expectations, but Wingard has a solid floor.