Joshua Abbe | September 25th, 2019
Well, it happened again and if you had Saquon Barkley like me, you know the agony of his injury. If you are in an IDP league though, you know that two individuals from last week’s report should’ve carried you to a win! I know it did for me and that is the ups and downs of being in IDP leagues. Those defensive players can help carry you to a win or they can be duds and not help at all.
In a review from last week, let’s start with the low light in that Denico Autry only managed one solo tackle and the other was an assisted one. Though he was poked in the eye and missed most of the game per the reports. He’s still a solid keep for when he faces Oakland this week. Darian Thompson also managed to only get three tackles and a defended pass but continues to stay in the free safety role with Xavier Woods out.
Now if you didn’t pick up Whitney Mercilus, you might have missed your window. What a tear he has been, on Sunday against the Chargers he racked up five tackles (two solo), a forced fumble and a sack. That’ gives him through three weeks 14 tackles, four sacks, three tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one pass defended, and one interception. Minkah Fitzpatrick had himself a game in new colors with five tackles (four solo), a pass defended, one forced fumble, and an interception. He should continue to see lots of playing time in the free safety position while Sean Davis is on injured reserve. Both guys are the caliber players to even trade for to make up those offensive players when they lack in points. Now on to week four and seeing who’s shaping out to make some impact.
Defensive Line
Stephon Tuitt, Pittsburgh Steelers
I’m going to stay in Pittsburgh with this one. While their offense is figuring things out with Ben Roethlisberger out for the season. Their defense is seeing a lot of time on the field. Tuitt through his last two games has 3.5 sacks and 11 tackles bringing his total to 13 for the season. He has a very favorable matchup facing a Cincinnati Bengals team that has allowed 11 sacks through three weeks, fifth-most this season. I like his chances to get another sack Monday night.
Linebacker
Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If you haven’t heard about it yet, Tampa Bay’s defense is not very good at all. Though there are many bright spots there to be looked at. Barrett has been on a tear through the three weeks and should be owned everywhere. He’s racked up 14 tackles, a league-high eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. Now yes, there could be some regression, but the Rams like to run the ball and coming in with a ton of momentum Barrett shouldn’t slow down yet.
Defensive Back
Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers
Alexander has been a solid playmaker through three weeks collecting 15 tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery after stripping rookie tight end Noah Fant last week. With the Packers defense pointing the arrow in the right direction, in comes an Eagles offense struggling to pass the ball as their receivers are struggling to actually make catches. Look for more production from the 2018 first-round pick.
Sleeper
Khari Willis, DB, Indianapolis Colts
With Malik Hooker going down with an injury, Willis slides into the starting free safety role and gets a massive increase in snaps. Through his three games, he’s accumulated 10 tackles in run support and going into Sunday against Oakland, they have allowed defensive backs 73 total tackles, three interceptions, and a forced fumble. He’s primed for a breakout game in his rookie season to make an impact right away.
Questions and comments?
thescorecrowsports@gmail.com
Follow Us on Twitter @thescorecrow
Follow Us on Reddit at u/TheScorecrow
Follow Us on Facebook at The Scorecrow
Follow Us on Instagram at The Scorecrow
Facebook Group where you can read and post articles at The Scorecrow
Reddit Group where everyone can post without fear of being banned at The Scorecrow
Follow Joshua Abbe on Twitter @jabbe05
Main Image Credit:
[getty src=”1075967842″ width=”594″ height=”385″ tld=”com”]
