With week one now in the books, undoubtedly a few of you will have been hit by key injuries. With IDP studs like Jon Beason and Eric Berry already lost for the season, I’ve looked at concentrating on LB’s and S’s for this week’s IDP Waiver Wire. If you’ve been hit by injury to one of your key starters, or your just looking to the waiver wire for some extra help, below are a few names who should be able to help you out, in the both the short term and for the remainder of the season (health permitting).
LB Dan Connor – Panthers
I know I mentioned Dan Connor last week, but with Jon Beason going down with a season ending injury, it bears mentioning again. Connor led the Panthers in tackles with 5 solo and 1 assisted stop after replacing the injured Beason in week 1, receiving a +1.8 grade from PFF from only 15 snaps. Connor also played well in the Panthers first 8 games in 2010, compiling 47 total tackles, a sack and a pass deflection, compiling a +15.4 grade, with +11.4 coming in run support, before being placed on IR with a hip injury. With Beason out for the season, Connor should be owned in all leagues as a LB2 with top 10 potential.
S Jairus Byrd – Bills
Jairus Byrd burst onto the fantasy scene as a rookie in 2009, picking off 9 passes in only 11 starts and received a PFF pass coverage grade of +4.9. His sophomore 2010 campaign was seen as a disappointment, as he looked much worse in coverage, receiving a -1.5 grade and making only 1 interception. His drop off in pass coverage drew a lot of attention away from the fact that he improved in run defence, improving from -4.2 in 2009, to +2.7 in 2010 and posted a solid 89 total tackles along with 1 sack. If he can continue to post solid tackle numbers and improve even half way back to his rookie interception numbers, he could be a great addition to your line-up. The signs from week one seem promising, as Byrd notched up 5 tackles and looked much better in pass coverage, receiving a +2.4 grade, and +2.7 overall. For those of you unfortunate enough to have lost Eric Berry to injury, Byrd could provide a great pickup from the waiver wire to take his place.
S William Moore – Falcons
A second round draft pick in 2009, William Moore, placed on IR in his rookie campaign after a hamstring injury, didn’t see any action on defense until the 2010 season, where he became the Falcons starting SS. His 2010 play was nothing to rave about, posting an overall grade of -11.8, with –5.0 in run defense and -4.7 in pass coverage. Despite this poor play, he was able to record 97 total tackles (72 solo) and should improve with a seasons experience as starter behind him. He made 4 tackles in week 1 against the Bears, grading positively in both run defense and pass coverage (+0.4 and +0.3). Judging by his tackle numbers in 2010, he should be able to record close to 80+ total tackles for you from the S position, and could provide a great value pickup.
S Morgan Burnett – Packers
Morgan Burnett was drafted in the 3rd round in the 2010 draft and became the starting SS as a rookie before tearing his ACL in week 4 and spending the rest of the season on IR. Before the injury Burnett had looked solid in run support, receiving a +1.3 grade in run defense, on his way to compiling 10 tackles. Now healthy, Burnett has reclaimed the starting SS spot for the Packers, and opened the season with 14 total tackles against the Saints. With the starting SS spot locked down, Burnett could become an every week starter and should continue to post high tackle numbers, with the potential for a 80+ total tackle season.
LB Von Miller – Broncos
Von Miller generated a lot of hype in the preseason with many pundits already touting him as one of the best pure pass rushers in the NFL before he’d even played a competitive snap. Although he didn’t manage to record his first sack in the Broncos Monday night defeat to the Raiders, he was able to muster a decent fantasy effort with 5 total tackles and a forced fumble. His grade of +4.9 was second among all 4-3 OLB's, and was actually the highest graded 4-3 OLB against the run with +3.3. However, his real value going forward lies in his pass rushing potential. If he can live up to his pass rushing potential and post a double digit sack campaign, coupled with continued tackle numbers of 4 or 5 a game, Von Miller could force his way into LB2 consideration. If he’s still on your waiver wire, pick him up early before the sacks start coming and your league mates start to take notice.
LB Sean Lee – Cowboys
Sean Lee will most probably be on most people’s radars already following a strong opening performance against the Jets on Sunday night with 12 tackles and an interception. He was awarded +1.4 grade for his performance, with +2.9 in run defense. However, it would be best to temper your expectations slightly. With Lee competing for time at ILB with both Bradie James and Keith Brooking he may not see the field as often as you would like. In addition, Lee isn’t all that great in coverage, allowing 9 of 10 passes he was targeted on to be completed for 82 yards (the other being his interception). I won’t go so far as to say it’s a bad idea to claim Lee on waivers, but he may not turn out to be the fantasy stud you were expecting.
Questions and comments are always welcome via Twitter – @PFF_TonyF
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