It’s Week 9 and your IDP team is likely in need of a tweak or two with bye weeks and injuries. If you are lucky enough to be a front-runner in your league, think of waivers as adding depth and potential players to start depending on weekly matchups. Whatever the case, enjoy this week’s waiver wire pickups and direct any questions you have to our Twitter handle @fantasycouch or send IDP questions directly to me @AndrewEggers.
K.J. Wright, LB, Sea – The Seahawks have two young and talented linebackers in Wright and Bobby Wagner (mentioned in preseason) who have both played very well through seven games. Wright has been a surprise to say the least, with his team-high 65 total tackles being ranked eighth in the NFL. The second-year pro out of Mississippi State has racked up at least seven solo stops in the past three weeks with 31 total tackles in that span.
Wright was a fourth-round pick in 2011 and it looks like the Hawks have found a player they can get a lot of production from. Fantasy owners with the chance to pick him up should enjoy the ride as he continues to get better down the stretch. Wright is a great IDP waiver wire pickup, as he’ll bring that consistency you need at the linebacker position.
Brad Jones, LB, GB – Here’s a guy with a golden opportunity playing inside linebacker in place of the injured D.J. Smith and Desmond Bishop, who have already been ruled out for the season. Jones has 10 total tackles (seven solo) and a sack last week against the Jaguars almost assuring he will be the starter going forward. Playing alongside the talented A.J. Hawk, the other starting inside backer who will draw more attention from the offense, Jones is sure to get plenty of chances to makes stops on the ball carrier.
Jones makes for a good waiver wire in deeper leagues and is hardly owned at all at the moment.
Malcolm Jenkins, S, NO – If you’re looking for a defensive back or safety, see if Jenkins is available. He’s made 55 stops this season, 41 of the solo variety, with no sacks or interceptions. Jenkings makes for a great IDP waiver wire pickup in tackle-friendly leagues, but not big play leagues (sacks and ints).
The four-year man out of the Ohio State University was a first-round pick who played mostly cornerback in college. Jenkins is now a very solid safety and should continue to flourish statistically as the Saints’ run defense continues to let ball carriers get to the second level.
Michael Bennett, DE, TB – Talent at defensive end position is relatively thin and the 26-year-old has emerged as the Buccaneers’ best pass-rusher with five sacks so far this season. Fantasy owners can get Bennett in almost any league at this point and expect him to continue to pressure the quarterback consistently. His 17 total tackles on the season are too low to make him valuable in most leagues, but Bennett is worthy of an IDP waiver wire pickup in deeper leagues that reward big plays.
