Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 4

Justin Durant, Linebacker

I have a feeling I’m going to be banging the drum on a few players for a while until the IDP community catches up on them. One player whose stock is rapidly rising is Justin Durant, strong-side linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons. Strong-side -- or SAM -- linebackers have become blitz specialists in many 4-3 defenses, but in head coach Dan Quinn’s scheme, the SAM ‘backer is an edge-setting run-stopper. That’s the role that Durant has thrived in this year, as he has no sacks through three games but has 21 solo tackles and 6 assists, as well as one tackle for a loss. He’s not the most versatile player in the world, but who needs to be when you’re racking up tackles left and right?

Against a Texans’ offense that has run a league-high 241 offensive plays, Durant figures to be plenty busy this week. The Texans are in the top-10 for most rushing plays (indicating good tackle opportunity) and total pressures allowed (indicating good sack upside), which will only be good news for Durant either way you spin it. He’s already in the top-25 of balanced scoring linebackers; grab him now before he gets away.

Durant is available in 92.0% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for around 8.0 tackles, a pass defensed, and a total score of 9.05 balanced fantasy points in Week 4.