Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire Targets for Week 2

A.J. Klein, Linebacker

We hate to be ambulance chasers in the fantasy world, but sometimes that is where the points are. Superstar middle linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers suffered a concussion in this week’s action, and as of yet has no updates about where he is in the league’s concussion protocol. With Kuechly’s return to action uncertain, someone has to step into the valuable role in the middle of the Panthers’ defense. On Sunday, that person was A.J. Klein.

Klein has been a backup weak-side linebacker since entering the league. Highly athletic and more of a coverage ‘backer than a heavy tackler, in covering Kuechly’s spot on Sunday, Klein racked up six solo tackles as well as a tackle for a loss. Nine points isn’t hugely sexy, but the way he achieved it is very sustainable. He’s worth the speculative add in all leagues.

Klein is available in 99.8% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project Kuechly for around 9 tackles, 1 pass defensed, with a good chance for an interception, and a total score of 10.40 balanced fantasy points in Week 2. Don’t expect that from the third-year fill-in, but that is the upside he possesses. Also, if Thomas Davis is somehow available in your leagues -- he is in 84.9% of ESPN IDP leagues -- he’s an even better claim than Klein.