IDP Sleepers – Week 10

Week 9 threw more junk balls at fantasy owners than Phil Niekro (oh yeah, I can cross sport reference with the best of them!). Atlanta’s
Paul Worrilow
led all linebackers in scoring and St. Louis defensive tackle
Kendall Langford
racked up two sacks.

Yeah, we all saw those numbers coming. This has been as crazy a season of fantasy football from an Individual Defensive Player (IDP) as well as standard scoring formats that I can remember.

Fantasy football truly is like riding a hummingbird, and, with that in mind … here we go!

LINEBACKERS

Geno Hayes, SLB, JACKSONVILLE at Tennessee:
Hayes is a three down linebacker with a matchup against a team that is committed to running the football. In their past two games the Titans have surrendered 32 solo tackles to the linebacker position. Last week they ran the ball 32 times with running backs
Chris Johnson
and
Shonn Greene
. Hayes should post very nice tackle numbers this week as the Titans look to pound the ball on the ground.

Jacquian Williams, SLB, NEW YORK GIANTS vs. Oakland:
In the Giants’ Week 8 victory over Philadelphia, Williams played 63-of-65 defensive snaps for the Giants. The matchup this week against Oakland is a juicy one as the Raiders are among the top-three teams in giving up points to linebackers. Williams is solid in coverage (he has three passes defended this year) and athletic enough to pursue and bring down Oakland quarterback Terrelle Pryor on designed runs or when he breaks from the pocket.

Danny Trevathan, WLB, DENVER at San Diego:
In his last two games Trevathan has racked up 18 total tackles, defended a pass and forced a fumble. Over the past four games the Chargers have been a top-10 fantasy matchup for linebackers allowing 109 total tackles and three sacks. San Diego’s dual threat rushing attack of running backs
Ryan Mathews
and
Danny Woodhead
will afford Trevathan numerous opportunities to put up solid fantasy production.

Michael Boley, CINCINNATI at Baltimore:
Boley was expected to step in as the replacement for injured middle linebacker
Rey Maualuga
last week but couldn’t go with a bothersome hamstring. He has returned to practice this week and should now be manning the middle for the Bengals. The Ravens have been generous to linebackers from a fantasy standpoint and have surrendered 13.5 sacks and 190 total tackles to the position. Look for Boley to be a three down player for Cincinnati and bring big play potential to their defense.
(* If Boley does not play this week insert middle linebacker Vincent Rey here.)

Elvis Dumervil, OLB, BALTIMORE vs. Cincinnati:
While the aforementioned
Michael Boley
amasses tackle numbers, Dumervil and his fellow pass rushing outside linebacker
Terrell Suggs
will be racking up sacks. Off the edge last week, Miami defensive ends
Cameron Wake
and
Olivier Vernon
combined for eight quarterback hurries and three sacks (Wake had all three). Dumervil has 3.5 sacks over his last four games and has been credited with 18 quarterback hurries and seven hits for the season. Look for him to get to
Andy Dalton
at least once this week.