In August, it’s easy to draft a guy who’s going to miss the first four games with a suspension. “I’ll be patient,” you tell yourself. “I’m getting him at a discount, and worst-case scenario I’ll be 2-2 when he comes back.” You probably also talked yourself into Jeff Janis and Devin Funchess. As soon as the games start, things change, and even the best laid plans can go awry. I bring this up because both Rolando McClain and Greg Hardy return from suspension this week, and there is a decent chance that at least one of them is on your waiver wire. If that’s the case, pick them up NOW. McClain had a resurgent 2014, proving himself as a borderline weekly starter when he was healthy. I’d be hesitant to start him this week, as he will likely rotate with Anthony Hitchens, but given the uncertainty surrounding Sean Lee’s concussion status, McClain is absolutely worth picking up. The bigger deal is obviously Hardy, who has the potential to inject some life into what has been a miserable DL position so far in 2015. He immediately becomes a top-20 DL, with top-5 upside.

In IDP leagues, it’s rare for a player to come completely out of nowhere. So much of a defensive player’s stats comes down to opportunity (rather than talent), and it is typically pretty clear who will be on the field each week. Chris Borland is an obvious exception, and he led many teams to championships in 2014. I’m not saying that he’ll be this year’s Borland, but Jordan Hicks is off to a better start than anyone could have imagined. After coming in for the injured Mychal Kendricks and Kiko Alonso, he put up 7 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in Week 2. He outdid himself last week in his first start, with 10 tackles, and interception and a fumble recovery. Most impressively to me, Hicks was on the field for 23 more snaps than presumptive starter DeMeco Ryans. The immediate (and long-term) future is cloudy for both Kendricks and Alonso, but as long as they’re out, Hicks looks like a must-start.

Recycling nicknames can be a tricky endeavor. No matter how great the modern player is, people will always complain that a certain nickname is untouchable. Regardless of what 40-year old Giants fans say, LaDainian Tomlinson will always be known by LT to the majority of fans, and regardless of what die hard Wu-Tang fans say, Odell Beckham will probably go down as ODB. I bring this up because while watching Monday Night Football this week, I couldn’t help but call Colts rookie Henry Anderson by the nickname that will always belong to the immortal Henry Aaron. Now I’m not saying it’s going to stick, but given that it’s both cross-sports and cross-racial, I’m hoping that Hammerin’ Hank catches on with at least the Razzball IDP crowd, because this kid looks like he’s for real. In his first two games as an interior DL, Anderson has put up 14 tackles and a sack. The Colts aren’t exactly known for cranking out IDP options at DL, and Anderson was ranked highly by Pro Football Focus heading into the draft, so there is reason to be excited here. If Anderson is still available this week, I’d make a move on him as a DL3 with upside. Here are some other names to take a look it (for better or for worse) heading into Week 3: