Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 9

Derek Wolfe, Defensive End

Derek Wolfe has been highly underrated this year, missing his Denver Broncos’ first four games this year due to a drug suspension. He hasn’t been a stat-sheet maestro, with just 15 tackles in his three games back, but the pressure he's providing is invaluable to this Broncos’ unit. With so many tackles each week and the starting job alongside incredible talent, I think he might get his first sack and get home sooner, rather than later.

In Week 9, he goes against the Indianapolis Colts, who are floundering on offense right now. Andrew Luck and company looked out of sync in a bad way in Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, and this was capitalized on by the Panthers’ defensive ends, who generated two sacks against the Colts’ strong offensive tackles. Indy is allowing just the 21st highest sack percentage to opposing defenses this year, and the 30th highest stuff percentage this year. It might be an uphill battle for Wolfe, but with the disruption around him, he should be able to capitalize on a big-play or two.

Wolfe is available in 100.0% of ESPN IDP leagues. We project Antonio Smith for around 2.5 tackles, a great chance for a sack, a good chance for a pass defensed, and a total score of 4.74 balanced fantasy points in Week 9, but I believe Wolfe – as the starter – will earn this value.