Nine weeks down, nine to go! The season is absolutely flying by, and I hope that 9 weeks from now, you’re all hoisting trophies as the champion of your leagues. We’ve still got work to do though, and no matter your record, you always need to keep an eye on the waiver wire. Week 10 sees four teams on a bye, including the Bears, Bengals, Giants, and Texans. If you’re looking to replace Roquan Smith, Jessie Bates, Leonard Williams, or some Texan (Kamu Grugier-Hill? Jonathan Greenard?) then I’m here to help. Let take a look at some worthy pickups this week.
*To qualify for this article, player must be under 50% rostered on Fantrax.
Defensive Line/EDGE
Leonard Floyd, Los Angeles Rams
When reviewing rostership percentages this week, my eye just kept going to Leonard Floyd of the Lost Angeles Rams. If anyone has an explanation as to why he is only rostered in 44% of leagues, I’m all ears. Floyd is 8th in the league with 7.5 sacks on the year, and is only 3 short of his career high of 10.5. His current pace has him on track for 14 by season’s end.Â
In addition to that, he’s also set to shatter his career high of 55 combined tackles, which he achieved in 2020. He’s notched 40 already this year, which extrapolates to 79 tackles over 17 games, over 40% more than last season. The guy is a legit stud on one of the best defenses in the league. He already has the benefit of opposing offenses having to focus so much on Aaron Donald, but now he will have Von Miller drawing attention on the other side.Â
If your league is one of the 56% in which he is still available, pick him up and put him in your starting lineup immediately. Even if your league only requires one starting edge rusher, Floyd should still be in consideration as a backend DL1. Seriously, stop reading, pick him up, insert him into your lineup, then come back and finish this article. It’s not going anywhere.
Linebacker
Josh Bynes, Baltimore Ravens
The veteran’s veteran, the journeyman’s journeyman. Josh Bynes. Much like my relationship with junk food, the Ravens simply cannot quit him. the 10 year veteran is now on his third stint in Baltimore, and he has provided some much needed reliability to the linebacker room. Over the past 3 games, Bynes has led the linebacker group in snaps, with 77%, 73%, and 83% respectively. In that span, he’s managed 23 combined tackles, including a double digit performance in the Week 9 win over Minnesota. He’s also racked up 4 tackles for loss since earning his expanded role in Week 6.Â
Patrick Queen has honestly been a disappointment thus far in his career, and Bynes has been the steady hand that Baltimore needs at linebacker. He may not be a top-flight talent, but as long as the role is there, he will be good as a spot starter for IDP. He is only rostered in 23% of leagues.
Defensive Back
Amani Hooker, Tennessee Titans
After missing 4 games with a foot injury, Amani Hooker returned to the Titans’ starting lineup in week 6, and he has been a major part of Tennessee’s winning streak and current #1 seed in the AFC. Since his return, he’s played no less than 84% of the team’s defensive snaps, and worked his way up to 100% vs. the Rams last week.Â
The production has certainly been there as well, with 25 tackles during that span. It’s been a great stretch for Hooker, as the 23 year old looks to establish himself as a staple of the Titans defense for years to come. Perhaps his best game of his young career came in Week 9, as he reached double digit tackles in a game for the first time, with 12.Â
It’s getting harder and harder to find every-down players for IDP, but Hooker looks to be that for the Titans. As long as he remains healthy, his role is secure across from Kevin Byard, creating a very solid tandem at safety for the Titans. He is only rostered in 28% of leagues, but if you’re looking to make a playoff push, much like the Titans are, he deserves a spot on your roster.
Thanks for checking in, and as always you can find me on Twitter @CantALoupe_FF. Good luck in Week 10!
