Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 2

Chris Long, Defensive End

Chris Long was such an unexciting name over the last few seasons for the St. Louis Rams that he was cut this offseason in hopes of bringing in younger, more impactful talent. Then Long was scooped up by the New England Patriots, the Island of Misfit Toys for NFL edge rushers. I, too, thought Long was toast after being two seasons removed from a full slate of games played and more than three sacks in a year. Sure enough, though, he went out and devastated the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 to the tune of three tackles and a sack. Even if the 31-year-old Long is just a situational pass-rusher these days, head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia know how to get their best players free when they need them. Long is shaping up to be one of those players in 2016.

In Week 2, Long and New England get an easy test after plowing over the Cardinals for three sacks. This week they’ll be facing the Miami Dolphins, who allowed 5 sacks on 29 passing attempts in Week 1, tying them for the second-highest sack percentage allowed this year. Even though the run game was held to just one stuff, this should be a feast for the hungry blitz packages of the Patriots.

Long is available in 98.4% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for 2.56 tackles, 0.62 sacks, and a total score of 4.83 fantasy points in Week 2.