Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 7

Uani’ Unga, Linebacker

It’s time to take this 27-year old rookie seriously. There was concern that Uani Unga would lose his job as the middle linebacker for the New York Giants when starter Jon Beason returned from a foot injury. Beason, however, was promptly injured in Week 5, and remains in the league’s concussion protocol. Unga has failed to reach 10.0 fantasy points in just two games this year, and currently ranks as the 11th-best linebacker in points-per-game. He’s the real deal.

In Week 7, he takes on the Dallas Cowboys, who have just recently named power back Christine Michael their starter. That means the Cowboys are basically serving up the entire running game on a silver platter between the tackles for Unga to devour. With the Cowboys ranked 20th in stuff percentage allowed, there won’t be much room for Unga to capitalize on a big play, but the volume of runs (averaging 26 over last two games) and checkdown passes should keep him happy.

Unga is available in 100.0% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we projected Beason for around 5.5 tackles, a good chance for a pass defensed, and a total score of 5.68 balanced fantasy points in Week 7. Consider this Unga’s floor.