What a crazy first couple of weeks of NFL action! Individual defensive players can and have outscored quarterbacks, and knowing who to target is more than just an extra screwdriver in the tool bag.
Each week, we'll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.
Defensive Linemen
EDGE Gabe Jacas, New England Patriots
The second-round rookie has put together three solid weeks in a row. In Week 1, he had three tackles and a sack. In Week 2, he had three tackles and an INT. This past weekend, he had five tackles and 0.5 sacks. His impactful plays will push him up the pecking order in no time, and he's worth a pickup.
DT Mason Graham, Cleveland Browns
Defensive tackles generally aren't worth having in fantasy, but Graham has been too good to ignore. He has a sack in each game this season, including two in Week 3. He also has 15 total tackles to go along with it.
Linebackers
LB Kain Medrano, Washington Commanders
The Commanders were without Frankie Luvu in Week 3 due to injury and lost Leo Chenal for the season in the game. Medrano, a second-year linebacker from UCLA, had a coming-out party with five tackles and a pick-six against the Seahawks. You can't pay much attention to that pick-six except to recognize his big-play ability, but he should be picked up in lieu of all Washington's injuries at linebacker.
LB Jaishawn Barham, Dallas Cowboys
The third-round rookie has filled in nicely for starter DeMarvion Overshown, but his eventual return will dictate how much roster viability Barham retains. Barham had seven tackles each of the last two weeks after recording six in the season opener. Overshown has been injured a lot, and he could even be overtaken by the promising rookie.
LB Bobby Okereke, Carolina Panthers
The 30-year-old only had four tackles in Week 3 after 15 stops combined in the first two games. Fellow starter Devin Lloyd was out last week, and Okereke really didn't take advantage. He has the Detroit Lions this week, which could give him 10-tackle potential. He had 143 tackles for the New York Giants last season and should pick it up as the season progresses.
Defensive Backs
S Josh Metellus, Minnesota Vikings
The 28-year-old is typically your fringe safety to use in good matchups, and that has taken place the last two weeks. He had seven tackles and a pass defense in Week 2 and nine tackles, 0.5 sacks and a PD in Week 3.
S Rayshawn Jenkins, Pittsburgh Steelers
DeShon Elliott is on IR, and Jenkins has stepped up. He had five tackles in Week 2 and opened it up with nine tackles in Week 3. He'll be a weekly flex candidate for the next few weeks.
This article originally appeared on The Huddle: Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 4
