RADIO
As you rush to the waiver wire in Week 3 of this season, it's worth noting that pickings are slim on the offensive side of the ball. Despite multiple injuries to key offensive players, many waiver wires have been picked clean and the remaining backups don't profile as worthwhile investments.
With the offensive end of waivers looking thin, it's fair to wonder whether you should spend some of your FAB on the defensive side of the ball this week. With Micah Parsons temporarily switching to defensive end, and injuries striking fantasy-relevant defenders like Bradley Chubb, Justin Hollins, Brandon Graham, and IDP superstar T.J. Watt, you may very well have a big hole to fill on your roster this week.
If that’s the case, you shouldn’t hesitate to prioritize a defender on waivers instead of reaching for a third-string RB. So below are my defenders to add for Week 3 - all are 20% rostered or lower. Hope you enjoy!
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Logan Wilson, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Rostered in 3.7% of IDP leagues
We were a bit early on Wilson when we listed him as a high upside waiver addition last year. He's paying early dividends on your investment this year, though. The Wyoming product has three interceptions as a pro, despite starting just four games, and he already looks to be one of Cincy's best tacklers. In both weeks of the 2021 season, Wilson has been a high-end fantasy starter.
For years, the Bengals have been looking for a long-term answer at linebacker, and Wilson looks to be it. Consider the blue-collar sophomore as a perennial LB2 moving forward, who profiles as a borderline LB1 in the right matchups.
FAB in Standard IDP: 4%
FAB in Deeper IDP: 7%
Jordyn Brooks, LB, Seattle Seahawks
Rostered in 18.9% of IDP leagues
Brooks' roster rate is slowly climbing, and there is hope he won't be eligible for this list much longer. That said, he still qualifies for this list so he will be on it. With the former Red Raider sitting fifth in the NFL in total tackles despite playing second fiddle to Bobby Wagner, it should worry opponents that Brooks isn’t yet making the big plays he’s capable of. Consider him in the same tier as Logan Wilson, but just a tick behind due to the Bengals potential to lead his team in tackles.
FAB in Standard IDP: 1%
FAB in Deeper IDP: 4%
Taylor Rapp, DB, Los Angeles Rams
Rostered in 21.2% of IDP leagues
Like many fantasy defenders, the concern about Rapp has always been about his inconsistent opportunities. Last season he started the year ranked highly on most IDP boards thanks to a promising rookie year prior, but the former Husky quickly lost his starting job and seemingly fell out of favor with his coaching staff.
This year, Rapp appears to be back in the good graces of his staff. He has played 100% and 99% of his team's defensive snaps in the first two games and has produced DB1 stats as a result. The former University of Washington star should be a priority addition for IDP managers looking for a high-end DB2, even if there's always the risk he again falls out of favor with his team.
FAB in Standard IDP: 5%
FAB in Deeper IDP: 10%
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rostered in 15.8% of IDP leagues
After two weeks without a big play and average tackle production, expect many to bail on JPP for a flashier edge defender who is off to a hotter start. The resume and film suggest Pierre-Paul will eventually get his sacks, however.
Opponents will always be looking to keep up with the Bucs' high-flying offense, which means there will be tons of passing volume nearly every single week. That should allow Pierre-Paul and his teammates to continue making big plays. With a solid tackle floor on top of his big play potential, JPP is still a high-end DL2 in redraft leagues.
FAB in Standard IDP: 1%
FAB in Deeper IDP: 5%
Jayron Kearse, DB, Dallas Cowboys
Rostered in 0.6% of IDP leagues
While Kearse is 27 years old, this past Sunday was just his 13th career start. However, you wouldn’t know he was a career backup if you were to watch him play. Kearse was electric against the Chargers, making several impressive plays in coverage while earning positive grades from Pro Football Focus in every area of the game.
Kearse was already seeing more than half the team’s defensive snaps as a backup, and he collected 11 tackles against the Bucs in that role. If Donovan Wilson continues to struggle with injury or the Cowboys want to reward Kearse’s play with more snaps, then he could end up a long-term fantasy starter in deep leagues. Consider him a worthwhile bench stash with high-end DB3 upside.
FAB in Deeper IDP: 2%
Jaylon Johnson, DB, Chicago Bears
Rostered in 2.7% of IDP leagues
If your league rewards Passes Defensed (PDs) with two or more points, Johnson is a candidate for you. Johnson finished sixth in the NFL in this category as a rookie last year. Since most continue to consider the Bears' secondary their weakness, this former Ute should continue to use his length and size to collect PDs and picks.
Consider Johnson a solid addition if your league requires you to play CB. He has overall DB3 potential (regardless of CB requirements) in PD premium formats, as well.
FAB in Leagues Requiring a CB: 5%
FAB in Leagues That Score PDs: 2%
Javon Hargrave, DL, Philadelphia Eagles
Rostered in 3.2% of IDP leagues
In his first two games this year, Hargrave has been a force for the Eagles, placing second in the NFL in tackles for loss (TFL) despite his history as a rotational interior defender. What could help Hargraves continue his hot start this year is the injury to Brandon Graham, who is now out for the year with a torn Achilles. That loss could force Hargrave and others to see more of the field, and it should allow the former Steeler to become a low-end DT2 in leagues that require you to start a defensive tackle.
FAB in Leagues Requiring a DT: 2%
Payton Turner, DL, New Orleans Saints
Rostered in 0.3% of IDP leagues
Turner was a shocking first-round selection in this year’s NFL Draft, and he only has one game under his belt in which he played an underwhelming 41% of the Saints’ defensive snaps. So why do we have him on this list?
Turner is a quality IDP dynasty addition, and he could be a worthwhile bench stash if your redraft league is deep and you have the room. The Saints are thin at pass rush after the Marcus Davenport injury, and Turner likely earned more playing time after an impressive match against Carolina. With a sack and five tackles in just 31 snaps, the Houston product is a solid option for those desperate for upside at DL.
FAB in Deep IDP: 2%
FAB in Dynasty IDP: 2%
Jaylon Smith, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Rostered in 10.4% of IDP leagues
It will surprise many to see Smith on this list after we've faded him so hard for most of the summer and season. However, the injury to Demarcus Lawrence has had the unforeseen consequence of moving Micah Parsons to the defensive line and opening up a starting spot in the Cowboys’ linebacker corps.
While Parsons is likely to return as the Cowboys top linebacker once Lawrence is healthy, both Smith and Leighton Vander Esch should see a boost in fantasy value in the short term. Smith, in particular, has a long history of providing LB1 fantasy production when he gets quality snaps, and that should occur for the time being. Consider him a mid-tier LB2 for now.
FAB in Standard IDP: 1%
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