Years ago, when Deone Bucannon introduced himself as a “money linebacker” on Sunday Night Football, the audience had a good laugh. The term was a reference to his defensive responsibilities but conjured images in the minds of viewers of the huge game checks that Bucannon was earning at that time. Memes popped up in the following days of Bucannon on top of piles of money and gold coins. Hopefully, following the guidance given in this column will have your rosters overflowing with a wealth of IDP riches. We’ll primarily focus on edge rushers but will also hit on some of the other players and situations that are likely to impact teams in big play leagues. We will cover risers and fallers in the format, injury situations fantasy general managers need to know, and upcoming matchups to target.
Note: The defensive player injuries covered in this column are not an exhaustive list, but an attempt to cover the situations most likely to impact big play IDP squads. For more extensive coverage of injury situations, see Jene Bramel’s latest Injury Rounds column.
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Most of us were skeptical when Buccaneers' edge rusher Shaq Barrett started the year off on fire after largely disappointing during his days in Denver. He has not cooled off and remains dominant. He posted one more sack, bringing his total to nine in four games. Beyond being disruptive with pressure on Jared Goff, he also forced a fumble and caught an interception. He is most likely rostered in your big play league by now, but if he is not, make sure that changes this week.
There is something strange going on in Chicago. Roquan Smith missed the contest against the Vikings and there have been reports that his behavior was erratic in the week leading up to the game. Head Coach Matt Nagy declines to comment if Smith will play in the contest in London. If this situation does turn out to be something that sidelines Smith for a while, Nick Kwiatkoski is a must-add for fantasy general managers.
Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict is being suspended for the rest of 2019 because of a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jack Doyle and the fact he is a repeat offender. Perhaps Tahir Whitehead’s usage will increase to full-time with this development.
Eagles linebacker Zach Brown’s playing time had been trending up, but it slid to 69% with Kamu Grugier-Hill's return to the lineup. Also, the Eagles traded with the Falcons and received linebacker Duke Riley in the deal. Aside from Nigel Bradham, there is no linebacker that is currently safe to start in Philadelphia.
Most of us banked on Kemal Ishmael sliding into Keanu Neal’s role, as he did last year. Instead, it was Ricardo Allen getting all the strong safety snaps against the Titans. Two tackles and six assists were not an amazing stat line. The team also did not do well and made a trade with the Eagles that sent Jonathan Cyprien to Atlanta. Cyprien is the asset fantasy general managers want to target, especially on a team whose defense will see the field often because of the offense’s poor execution.
Dolphins safety Reshad Jones played every snap on Sunday after his return from injury. With the release of T.J. McDonald earlier in the season, Jones becomes valuable just purely from a volume perspective.
The Cardinals have released veteran safety D.J. Swearinger Sr. Monitor who takes his job, because it is a valuable, tackle-rich environment. Rookie Deionte Thompson is probably the next man up, but it is completely possible that the team will elect to sign a veteran like T.J. McDonald.
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Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram III left Sunday’s contest with a hamstring strain and is questionable for week five.
Arizona defensive end Zach Allen is dealing with a shoulder injury from week four action. His status for next week is currently up in the air.
Broncos edge rusher Bradley Chubb was lost for the year due to a torn ACL. The Broncos are likely to continue to slump this year and fantasy general managers will want to look elsewhere for big-play production.
The Giants lost linebacker Ryan Connelly for the year because of a knee injury. With an already banged-up group, David Mayo could be the guy playing next to Alec Ogletree when he is healthy.
Colts safety Clayton Geathers is in the concussion protocol and it is unclear if he will play this week. Meanwhile, Khari Willis was able to post eight solo tackles, one assist, and a pass defended. Willis may have value, even when Geathers is in the lineup.
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New England Patriots Pass Rushers and Defensive Backs vs. Washington Offensive Line and Passing Attack
The Washington franchise is spinning out of control and that bodes well for what is currently the top defense in football. Both Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins should be safe plays in this one. The McCourty twins also both have an elevated chance of getting an interception here, despite Colt McCoy being more responsible with the football than Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins.
Cincinnati Bengals Pass Rushers vs. Arizona Cardinals Offensive Line
Between offensive line woes and Kyler Murray’s inexperience, the Cardinals’ matchup is one to continue to target in big play leagues. The Cardinals are surrendering 5 sacks a game on average currently. Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, and Sam Hubbard are all worth getting into your lineup this week.
Philadelphia Eagles Pass Rushers vs. New York Jets Offensive Line
Part of it has been quarterback play with Sam Darnold missing time and Luke Falk being forced to start, but the Jets have been giving up sacks at an alarming rate - 4.3 sacks a game. Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and Derek Barnett are all good plays in big play leagues.
Buffalo Bills Pass Rushers vs. Tennessee Titans Offensive Line
The Titans inexplicably managed to keep Marcus Mariota from being sacked against Atlanta. However, even with Taylor Lewan returning to the lineup this week, we should not expect that trend to continue. The Bills defense has been making life very hard on opposing quarterbacks the last few weeks. Ed Oliver, Jerry Hughes, and Trent Murphy have decent chances at making a big play in this contest.
Atlanta Falcons Pass Rushers vs. Houston Texans Offensive Line
Atlanta whiffed in their matchup against the Titans, but Houston’s line is arguably in worse shape than Tennessee’s and is allowing a whopping 4.5 sacks per game. Grady Jarrett, Takkarist McKinlay, and Vic Beasley Jr are not must-starts, but they have a better-than-average chance of making a big play impact here.
Houston Texans Pass Rushers vs. Atlanta Falcons Offensive Line
Houston Texans Defensive Backs vs. Atlanta Falcons Passing Attack
The Falcons had trouble protecting Matt Ryan, surrendering five sacks to the Titans. They also lost lineman Jamon Brown to a concussion. Even if Brown is back for this matchup, expect the Texans to terrorize Matt Ryan and for Ryan to continue to turn the ball over at a high rate. J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus are great plays in big play formats. Bradley Roby, Jonathan Joseph, and Justin Reid could end up with a pick in this contest.
San Francisco 49ers Pass Rushers vs. Cleveland Browns Offensive Line
San Francisco 49ers Defensive Backs vs. Cleveland Browns Passing Attack
Cleveland did a better job of protecting Mayfield against the Ravens, allowing only one sack. However, the 49ers are coming off a bye week and have been one of the better pass rush units in the league with nine sacks in three games. Deforest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, and Dee Ford all have elevated chances of producing in this tilt. Additionally, Baker Mayfield has been a turnover machine, throwing an average of 1.5 interceptions per game. The 49ers have been a ball-hawking defense with five interceptions on the year. Richard Sherman, Akhello Witherspoon, and Jaquiski Tartt could come away with turnovers in this one.
Los Angeles Chargers Pass Rushers vs. Denver Broncos Offensive Line
Denver is completely demoralized after a 0-4 start. Also, they have been a middle-of-the-pack offensive line unit. On the other hand, the Chargers have been fairly prolific in the sacks and forced fumbles department. Melvin Ingram III is questionable for this game, but Uchenna Nwosu might be a nice name to consider off the waiver wire if Ingram can’t go and you need some punch in your lineup. Joey Bosa is a must-play option, as usual.
Minnesota Vikings Defense vs. New York Giants Offensive Line
The Giants have done a little better at protecting the quarterback since Daniel Jones became the starter, but they also played a hapless Washington team in that time, which artificially elevated their protection statistics. This week, we should see that trend snapped in half by the Vikings. Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen should both be started with confidence.
Tennessee Titans Defensive Backs vs. Buffalo Bills Passing Attack
No matter whether it is Matt Barkley or Josh Allen at the helm for Buffalo this week, both are turnover prone and will be facing a defense that has been coming up with an interception per game. Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, and Kevin Byard might snag one here.
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Cleveland Browns Pass Rush vs. San Francisco 49ers Offensive Line
The Browns have an excellent rush unit, but the 49ers have been protecting Jimmy Garoppollo well this year, allowing only .7 sacks per game average through the three contests they have played. You cannot sit Myles Garrett in most cases, but fantasy general managers might consider benching Olivier Vernon if they have a better option available.
Indianapolis Colts Pass Rush vs. Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Line
In addition to having a very banged-up team right now on both sides of the ball, the Colts probably will not penetrate a Chiefs line that neutralized the Ravens pass rush last game and is allowing just .8 sacks a game on average. Sit Jabaal Sheard, Justin Houston, and Kemoko Turay in this one.
Green Bay Packers Pass Rush vs. Dallas Cowboys Offensive Line
Green Bay’s red hot streak ended against the Eagles and they will likely continue to struggle against the Cowboys. Dallas is not giving up much to opposing pass rushers, surrendering only .8 sacks a game. Sit Preston Smith and Za’darius Smith unless you have no better choices.
Seattle Seahawks Defensive Backs vs. Los Angeles Rams Passing Attack
On the surface, this looks like a great matchup because Jared Goff has been turning over the football with regularity. However, closer inspection shows that the Seahawks corners have been struggling in coverage and subsequently also struggling to generate interceptions. Bradley McDougald is great from a tackle producing standpoint, but do not count on him, Tedrick Thompson, Shaquille Griffin, or Tre Flowers to come up with interceptions.
Carolina Panthers Defensive Backs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Passing Attack
Despite Carolina averaging an interception per game, Gardner Minshew has been exceptionally safe with the football since taking over for the injured Nick Foles. The pass rush could have moderate success against an offensive line allowing 2.5 sacks per game, but do not bank on Donte Jackson, James Bradbury, Eric Reid, or Tre Boston to come up with an aerial turnover.
