Week 9 IDP Sleepers

We're halfway through the 2021 NFL season and I’m sure your roster is in disarray to a certain extent. If so, here are some good streaming options for Week 9.

Week 8 was yet another week that probably ravaged your IDP rosters due to injuries. We continue to see IDP staples drop, whether it be for an extended period of time or just a few games. We just passed the trade deadline as well, and though there were not any huge moves, there were a couple that will change the landscape of the NFL a bit.

Both veteran edge rushers Von Miller and Melvin Ingram have found news homes that should keep (or make, in Ingram’s case) the two fantasy relevant. What these moves did do is hurt the value of edge rushers like Michael Danna and Terrell Lewis. 

If you picked these guys up off of waivers for a 2021 run, I’m sorry but you’ll need to wait at least one more season. Let's take a look at who some solid Week 9 IDP sleepers are that you can start with confidence.

Defensive Line

Kemoko Turay, Indianapolis Colts

Kemoko Turay is one of those players that I just can't seem to forget about. Every time he is healthy, he plays at a very high level. The problem is that he cannot stay healthy. He has never played more than 14 games in a season, and that was his rookie season. Since that season, he has not played more than 7 games in a given season, playing a total of 11 games over the past two. 

Even this season he has missed time, only suiting up for 5 of the team’s 8 games. He has produced very nicely as a pass-rushing specialist over the last 3 games. Turay has only seen 36.3% of the team’s defensive snaps over the past 3 games, though has put up 5 tackles, 3 for a loss, 3 sacks, and 3 QB hits during that span.

Turay plays the Jets in Week 9, who have given up 22 sacks on the season, which is the 8th most in the NFL. Tyquan Lewis was sent to IR after getting injured in the Colts’ Week 8 matchup. This could open up some more snaps for Turay in what could be a tasty matchup for Week 9.

Linebacker

Mack Wilson, Cleveland Browns

Mack Wilson has had a bit of a fall from grace within the Browns defense. During his rookie season, he played in 16 games and made 14 starts. He was quite productive as well, accumulating 82 tackles, 4 for a loss, 7 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 2 QB hits. The following year, Wilson regressed immensely and has since fallen out of favor with the coaching staff.

To start 2021, Wilson was just depth in the Browns linebacker unit. He has made his way to the field after the team has suffered a plethora of injuries to the group. Wilson has seen just over 26% of the team’s defensive snaps this season, though in 4 games he has played 34% or more. During those 4 games, he has at least 5 tackles.

The Browns linebacker group is a barren wasteland after injuries to both Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Jacob Phillips. Malcolm Smith and Mack Wilson have been splitting reps, with Smith seeing a bit more time. Even if Wilson is limited to 40-50% of snaps, he has proven to be productive. At this point of the season it is hard to find a linebacker “sleeper,” but Wilson could be a decent one-week flyer.

Defensive Back

DeAndre Houston-Carson, Chicago Bears

DeAndre Houston-Carson was purely a special teams player over the first five seasons of his career. During that time, Houston-Carson compiled 43 total tackles. In 2021, he already has 27. What is even more eye-opening is that he has 17 over his past 2 games. During those 2 games, he has seen 98% of the team’s defensive snaps.

Houston-Carson already seemed to overtake Tashaun Gipson’s spot in the lineup, and now he has cemented his spot as potentially the top safety on the team with Eddie Jackson exiting in Week 8. It is not just his tackling that has impressed, he also has 3 passes defended over his past 4 games.

The Bears take on the Steelers during Week 9. The Steelers have given up the 6th most points to opposing safeties so far in 2021, putting Houston-Carson in a great spot. His Week 9 production could vault him into top 20 DB territory.

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My sleepers this week have all different scenarios to relevancy. Kemoko Turay is finally healthy and has a teammate, Tyquan Lewis, who was sent to IR, opening up some playing time. Mack Wilson’s role likely has not changed, and his snap-share is limited, though he is very productive in his role. DeAndre Houston-Carson has played very well on a struggling secondary and has been given some extra playing time. All three are potential streamers for Week 9. Hopefully, they can ease your roster pain.

Check out Joey’s work at IDP Guys.

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Illustration attribution:

Nathan Cheatham