Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 9

Dont’a Hightower, Linebacker

We like to look at new options in IDP, and Dont’a Hightower is a premier one that shouldn’t be this underowned. Hightower has had an up-and-down season as the weak-side linebacker for the New England Patriots, with two of his seven games with one or fewer fantasy points, but three with double-digit fantasy totals. Despite some injuries holding him back this year, he is on pace for 95 tackles and nearly 9 sacks, showing his strong tackle base and big-play upside. He currently ranks as the 49th-best linebacker in balanced fantasy scoring.

He’s a great play in Week 9 against a Washington team that has little-to-no rushing game right now, despite the revelation of Matt Jones as their lead back. With Kirk Cousins under the helm, Washington will look to hit a ton of short routes, which is where Hightower’s coverage ability will come into play well. Washington ranks just 31st in highest sack percentage allowed but is tied for fourth in stuff percentage allowed, which indicates that if they try to run, Hightower may have a good chance for a big stop behind the line.

Hightower is available in 85.0% of ESPN IDP leagues. We project him for around 5.5 tackles, a great chance for a sack, a good chance for a pass defensed, and a total score of 8.47 balanced fantasy points in Week 9.