Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 1
Stephone Anthony, Strong-Side Linebacker
The New Orleans Saints’ Stephone Anthony played the 10th-most snaps of any linebacker last year as a rookie, putting up a ridiculous 112 total tackles. So, why are people so down on him? Anthony is playing the strong-side (SAM) linebacker spot for New Orleans’ new 4-3 defense, a less lucrative fantasy spot than the inside linebacker role he had last year.
Still, he gets a choice matchup with the Oakland Raiders in Week 1, who have a potent-enough offense to exploit the holey New Orleans’ defense and coast to a lead that Raiders’ running back Latavius Murray will run down on the ground and between the tackles. Without Saints' defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins there to plug up the gaps either, there could be a ton of volume for Anthony to help clean up.
Anthony is available in 85.4% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for 6.87 tackles, 0.18 sacks, 0.34 passes defended, and a total score of 7.99 fantasy points in Week 1.
