We’re just about to the halfway point of the season, and all teams are in action this week. That means the waiver wire will should have fruitful candidates to pluck.
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 Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants
The 2019 first-round pick has been living in other teams’ backfield. Over the last three weeks, he has 6 sacks. Lawrence did have five tackles last week, but that was his high mark on the year. He’ll need to keep reaching the quarterback to have value, but he’s doing exactly that.
EDGE Dante Fowler, Washington Commanders
The 30-year-old was all over the field in Week 7, and he has been great for two straight weeks now. He had a sack and a pick-six last week and had two sacks in Week 6. He’s worth riding the wave with.
Linebackers
LB Baylon Spector, Buffalo Bills
The Bills lost MLB Terrel Bernard last week with an ankle injury that was serious enough to rule him out for the game. Spector stepped in and made six tackles. Bank on Bernard missing more time in what has been an injury-riddled year. Spector is the play.
LB Neville Hewitt, Houston Texans
The Texans have a couple of nicked-up linebackers, and the 31-year-old has balled out the last two weeks. He had eight tackles in Week 6 and nine tackles, an INT, and two PDs in Week 7.
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LB Grant Stuard, Indianapolis Colts
He stepped in for E.J. Speed last week on the edge, and, um … he corralled the opposition for 19 tackles! Speed’s status will obviously dictate his staying power, but you can’t overlook that performance.
Defensive backs
S Evan Williams, Green Bay Packers
The rookie already receives bonus points for sporting the name of a solid glass of bourbon on a campfire-like fall evening. He had 10 tackles in Week 5, four tackles, and a forced fumble in Week 6 with nine tackles in Week 7. He’ll have a runway to continue padding stats.
S Isaiah Pola-Mao, Las Vegas Raiders
The third-year, undrafted man led the team with seven tackles in Week 7. He had eight tackles the week before. In Week 4, IPM made six tackles and a sack. He provides a solid option with a low ceiling and high floor.
CB Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco 49ers
The former Oregon product has tallied eight tackles for three consecutive weeks. Lenoir has a pass defense in four straight games and picked off his first pass last week. He’s worthy of a pickup.
