Linebackers
Cole Holcomb (WAS): Only logged 68% of the snaps but managed 8 solo tackles (2 for loss) and an assist. He may only be available in smaller leagues, but it’s worth a look to see if you can grab him. If you’re looking to nab him in a trade, his value may be high after his initial outing, but honestly, it could actually get higher because the Redskins are desperately seeking defensive stability. Loved Holcomb’s measurables coming out of North Carolina. The guy was a walk-on and ended up putting up fantastic stats and then blew up at his pro day. I’ll go out on a limb and say he’s a very poor man’s Luke Kuechly. He has the athleticism and instincts to be a solid pro, and it looks like there’s an opportunity for him there in the nation’s capital.
Tae Davis (NYG): I’ve had Davis on my watchlist since the off-season, and while his Week 1 numbers (2 tackles, 1 assist) were not eye-popping by any stretch, he is considered a starter on the inside for the G-men. If his snaps go up this week (he only logged 46% last week), then he’s a guy you’ll want on your roster once bye weeks sneak up on us. He could put up LB3 type numbers in a pinch, especially in larger formats.
Matt Milano (BUF): Even with Tremaine Edmunds gobbling up tackles and other stats, Milano seems to always put up decent tackle numbers. He logged 6 solos (1 for loss) and 3 assists last week, and while he may not put up that many solos every week, he’s a good bet to get you 4-5 solos and a handful of assists every week. Having a stable performer like that is great in larger leagues. Plug-and-play. He’s just 25 and could be coming into his own and peaking in the next year or two.
Defensive Linemen
Maxx Crosby (DE – OAK): I am usually wary of guys named “Maxx” (ugh, Williams), but in this case, I’m going to make an exception. Took notice of Crosby while watching HBO’s Hard Knocks, and he got off to a nice start with 3 solos and 3 assists. That’s the kind of involvement we like seeing out of an end, especially a rookie who only logged 36% of the defensive snaps. That number will rise if he continues to produce.
Sam Hubbard (DE – CIN): He’s likely off your free agent list but he’s a guy I’m targeting in trades right now. The Bengals have been searching for an end opposite Carlos Dunlap for awhile now, and it appears they have found something in Hubbard. Hubbard stuffed the stat sheet last week against the Seahawks and looks like a reliable DL2 with DL1 upside moving forward. If you can catch an owner napping, you might be able to get him cheap even after his monster Week 1. Worth a shot, especially if you have the resources to land him.
Zach Allen (DE – ARI): Here’s a guy that should be available in most leagues. Allen’s listed as a starter on most depth chart sites and backed that up by playing 73% of the snaps Week 1. He logged 3 solos; a decent start for the rookie out of Boston College. Our own Aaron Rudnicki listed Allen as a dynasty stash before the season started and it looks like he might be an add right now.
Defensive Backs
Rock Ya-Sin (CB – IND): Even with starters Kenny Moore and Pierre Desir logging 100% of the snaps, Ya-Sin managed to get on the field for 67% of the snaps as the third corner for the Colts. He only logged 2 tackles, but I definitely love his size and ability to hit. In leagues that separate CB from S, he’s gotta be on a roster. At minimum stash him on your taxi squad and see if he continues to log significant time even with the starters locked in on the edges.
Tyler Rapp (S – LAR): John Johnson is entrenched at strong safety and will be a solid fantasy play for years to come, but there may be room in that defensive backfield for a second, reliable scorer. Eric Weddle is banged up already and is going on 35 years old. Marqui Christian may get the first crack at Weddle’s spot, but Rapp logged 48% of the snaps last week and logged a respectable 4 solos and 4 asissts. Rapp put up great numbers at the University of Washington and comes with more stat-stuffing upside than Christian.
Byron Murphy (CB – ARI): Let’s go with another former Huskie to wrap this up this week. Murphy is starting for the Cards and logged 100% of the snaps last week and was tested from the outset. We all know of the “Rookie Corner Rule”. This could really apply here and Murphy has the chops to make the most of it. If you’re in a league that starts CB, Murphy should be owned, and could even be started against the right opponent.
