Defensive Lineman
With four games in the books we can really start diving into the extensive data collected by the PFF analysts in order to help us with our fantasy line ups. One of the best positions for this is defensive lineman, as we can pick out pass rushers and identify their matchup for the majority of their snaps.
For example, last week saw Fletcher Cox, who predominately rushes from the right, face off consistently against Redskins All-Pro LT Trent Williams. In his first three games Williams has allowed just three hurries in 123 pass blocking snaps, and he posted a similarly dominate display against Cox, who failed to generate a single pressure all game. As a result Cox, a borderline DL1 was totally dependent on his tackle production for his fantasy points, and lacked his usual DL1 upside.
On the flip side of this, there are also offensive line units who are allowing high amounts of pressure on their quarterback, so help boost DL3s into fantasy must-plays for a week…
This week Bears DE Jarvis Jenkins jumps out in a matchup against a Chiefs offensive line that has allowed 14 sacks in just four games. That’s as many sacks as the NINE best offensive lines in the league have combined, so it would be somewhat of an understatement to call the Chiefs unit “porous”. Jenkins himself has been on a sack streak, charting three in two games, and looks likely to add to that again in Week 5. Jenkins is pushing into low end DL2 territory this week.
Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward both ranked as top-three fantasy defensive lineman last week and it’s not a stretch to think they could both be DL1s again in Week 5 thanks to a plum matchup with the Chargers. San Diego’s offensive line has done a poor job of keeping Phillip Rivers upright so far, allowing 2.25 sacks and 11 hits + hurries per game. I’d confident both will post DL2 scores at worst this week.
It’s a shame the Dolphins are on a bye week after their game in London. They were mauled up front by the Jets, and look like another unit to target on a weekly basis for IDP purposes.
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Ross Miles is a Lead Writer for Pro Football Focus Fantasy. Follow him on Twitter – @RossMilesNFL
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