One of the best ways of identifying potential IDP waiver-wire pickups is focusing on specific one-on-one matchups, especially when the player in question will be matched up against a backup subbing in for an injured starter. Sunday afternoon was a prime example of this as Falcons DE Adrian Clayborn had a monster game, recording six sacks (three tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery) with Cowboys All-Pro LT Tyron Smith (groin) on the sidelines, replaced by Chaz Green. Before you go rushing to your respective host sites to nab Clayborn it’s worth noting that he has only surpassed six sacks in an entire season once before – and this is his seventh year in the league. However, there is an angle here, as Smith is considered doubtful for Week 11, meaning the ‘Boys will likely be using Green again at left tackle…
Defensive linemen
The waiver wire can be a bit barren at this time of year, and it’s easy to overlook second- or third-tier players that offer consistency over the flashier boom-or-bust scorers. This is especially true of defensive linemen where sacks are the big-money plays fantasy owners crave. Zettel is a happy medium between the two mindsets, having recorded six sacks so far this year (including one in each of the last two weeks), while also adding 29 total tackles. He’s yet to return a zero-point score this season, something DEs can be vulnerable to, but has also struggled to score double-digit fantasy points, instead providing reliable numbers week in, week out. If you just need a warm body that is a banker for a handful or points and potentially a sack, Zettel is your go-to guy this week.
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