Six weeks down, and two-thirds of the season to go. We’re through two weeks of byes, and we’re entering the point where you need to make real decisions on guys you have drafted or have been waiting to awaken. Keep an eye out for owners feeling the roster crunch who may drop a player they normally wouldn’t cut in order to cover an IDP bye.
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 Samson Ebukam, Indianapolis Colts
The 28-year-old has sacks in four of the last five games. He has had at least two tackles in all six games thus far, too. Ebukam has been a consistent performer the last four years with 4 1/2, 4 1/2, 4 1/2 and five sacks. He’s at four now and is poised to blow past his career high of five.
DE Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens
The former 2020 third-round pick has emerged the last three weeks with at least a half-sack in each game. Madubuike has totaled 12 total tackles and 3 1/2 sacks during the stretch. He’s a big, 305-pound run-stuffer who has shifted to the end, and he’s making the most of his opportunity.
Linebackers
LB Jahlani Tavai, New England Patriots
The 27-year-old, former second-round pick is having a breakout season. Over the last three weeks, he has 21 tackles, an INT, a sack, and two pass defenses. Tavai is exactly the kind of high-motor guy Bill Belichick loves, and he could be a mainstay in the middle for a while.
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LB Jack Gibbens, Tennessee Titans
The Titans are on a bye this week, so this will be a move if you have the roster space. Gibbens has earned it. He has had eight, 10, 10 and nine tackles over the last four weeks. He has one pass defense on the season and nothing else, so this will be for a league that values tackles.
LB Oren Burks, San Francisco 49ers
Burks is a depth piece to pick up, and he’s coming off his best two games of the season. He had five tackles and an INT in Week 5, and he followed that up with eight tackles in Week 6.
Defensive backs
SS Justin Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
Reid had a strong start to the season and fell off a cliff in Weeks 3 and 4. He has resurfaced the last two weeks with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and pass defense in Week 5, adding five tackles, an INT, and a sack in Week 6. He’ll be busy against the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins the next three weeks.
SS Josh Metellus, Minnesota Vikings
The 2020 sixth-round pick’s numbers the last few weeks will give you some pause. He has at least six tackles in each game, and he stood out in Week 6 with a strip sack and eight tackles. You simply can’t ignore these numbers any longer.
SS Tracy Walker, Detroit Lions
Walker is a target for deeper leagues where you’re looking for some low-hanging fruit. Over the last four weeks, he has six, five, four and six tackles to go with two pass defenses overall. He’s not going to jump off the page, but he adds some baseline numbers.