Successfully managing the waiver wire, streaming positions, and accumulating a stronger bench for your fantasy team is all part of how you win championships, and there is no better time to be active than in the first waiver wire run after the first weekend of action.
Every Tuesday I’ll be giving you the lowdown on which individual defensive players (IDP) to target for the upcoming week’s waiver wire, so without further ado here are this week’s under-the-radar prospects.
Defensive Lineman
Star Lotulelei, Carolina Panthers (ESPN: 0.0 percent owned) 1-2% of FAAB budget
Some solid play in the preseason put DT Star Lotulelei on our fantasy radar, and his Week 1 performance didn’t disappoint. In tackle-heavy scoring formats and DT-required leagues, Lotulelei looks an appealing option as he posted four tackles with one for a loss against Seattle, after charting a sack and five stops in the preseason. On a team that boasts the defensive end pairing of Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy, Lotulelei will be on the receiving end of lots of one-on-one battles, which could see him reach DL3 value when the matchup is right.
Shea McClellin, Chicago Bears (ESPN: 4.7 percent owned) 1-2% of FAAB budget
Although DE Corey Wootton played more snaps (41 vs. 30) than DE Shea McClellin in the season opener, it was McClellin who had the more productive fantasy day with a sack and two tackles, one for a loss. McClellin had already flashed improvement in the preseason and had earned at least lip service from the coaching staff in his duel to start at left defensive end rather than Wootton, who had seven sacks in limited time last season, so this is an interesting competition to continue to follow. McClellin is a slightly speculative pick-up, but there is upside there.
Another couple of names to potentially pick up in deeper leagues after a good Week 1 showing would be DE Sheldon Richardson (three tackles, four assists and 0.5 sacks) and DT Dontari Poe (five tackles, one tackle for loss, 1 assist, and 1.5 sacks).
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Ross Miles is a Lead Writer for Pro Football Focus Fantasy. Follow him on Twitter – @PFF_RossMiles
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