Bye weeks are behind us, and the stretch run is upon us. It might be slim pickens on your waiver wire. As always, keep an eye out for players that were dropped because of roster restraints to cover a bye last week.
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 K’Lavon Chaisson, Las Vegas Raiders
The former first-round pick has been a factor the last two weeks. He had three tackles and 1.5 sacks against KC two weeks ago. Chaisson registered four tackles, a half-sack, and an INT against Tampa Bay last week. With the Raiders out of it, they should keep rolling out the 25-year-old opposite of Maxx Crosby.
DE Joshua Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
It has been a down year for the former No. 7 overall pick. He started the year rushing on the edge at linebacker and has been moved to a traditional DE spot opposite of former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker. Hines-Allen is starting to turn his season around. He has sacks in consecutive games and four sacks in the last five games overall.
Linebackers
LB Marist Liufau, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys lost DeMarvion Overshown for the season Monday night, and the third-rounder Liufau is next up. He actually had two tackles and 1.5 sacks in the game. While he’s a bit of an unknown, he should have a big enough role to be a possible flex option.
LB Luke Gifford, Tennessee Titans
Gifford received the start in Week 14 and was a monster with 12 tackles. The problem, though, is he was in the starting lineup because Kenneth Murray Jr., and Jerome Baker were out. Check their status this week, but Gifford would be a great option against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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LB Troy Dye, Los Angeles Chargers
This one will depend on starter Denzel Perryman‘s status. He has been out the last two weeks, and Dye posted 14 tackles in Week 13 and six tackles last week. Perryman is questionable to return in Week 15, but if he’s out another week, Dye is a strong fill-in against Tampa Bay.
Defensive backs
S Jonathan Owens, Chicago Bears
You may know him as Simone Biles’ husband, but he’s starting to get some traction with the Bears for the first time this season. He had eight tackles, a forced fumble, and a recovery in Week 12. Owens followed it up with eight tackles plus a PD in Week 13, and seven tackles, an INT, and a PD last week. He had a good year with Green Bay last year and could continue to be a solid contributor.
S Josh Metellus, Minnesota Vikings
It has been an up-and-down year for Metellus, but he’s on fire right now. He has seven, 10, and seven tackles over the last three weeks, picking off his first pass since Week 2 over the weekend. He’ll be a good addition to play against the Bears.
SS Jordan Poyer, Miami Dolphins
The 33-year-old has been OK this season, but his numbers don’t jump off the page at you like the talent he flashed in the front part of his career. Poyer has been quietly racking up tackles, though, with seven, nine, and seven the last three weeks. He’ll have another opportunity to tally more against Houston this week.
