@gardner_rake Checks out some names floating around your waiver wire while pointing out a good spot in the Cleveland secondary.
A look through the Cleveland-Pittsburgh Week 1 player stats paints a picture of a predictable IDP bright spot within the Browns defense heading into Week 2.
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is the defense’s shutdown corner, which suggests the cornerback playing opposite Ward will be tested often. Because receivers won’t be open as much when covered by Ward, who had two picks and two tackles Sunday, a quarterback should naturally progress into different reads when looking for an open player.
Terrance Mitchell played opposite Ward on Sunday and produced six tackles. Mitchell, who might be more remembered for starting a fight with wide receiver Jarvis Landry on Hard Knocks, turned enough heads during preseason to earn the starting spot in a revamped Browns' secondary. E.J. Gaines should return to game action after being sidelined with a knee injury in the season opener.
The Browns travel to New Orleans for a Sunday matchup against the Saints. We know Saints quarterback Drew Brees will throw and Gaines and Mitchell should have a decent floor heading into the matchup.
• I saw Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler is available in a few leagues.
I also didn’t hear Fowler's name during an extremely in-depth Week 2 primer IDP Guys’ podcast. The guys threw around some very good names to look for on your waiver wire in this podcast if you haven’t listened.
Back to Fowler. The now third-year defensive end definitely had my favorite moment of the 2017 offseason. Fowler got into a verbal altercation with a guy over Fowler’s driving. The words led to Fowler chucking the man’s groceries in a lake, hitting him and then stepping on his glasses. Okay.
Seriously though what if your dad or uncle whaled on some dude because of a parking lot argument, threw his groceries in a lake then stepped on the other guy’s glasses?
The bizarre series of events led to a Fowler plea deal, because NFL player of course, which in turn led to a one-game suspension under the personal conduct policy. Fowler served his one-game suspension last week and will be back for Week 2 as the Jags take on the Patriots.
Fowler, who produced eight sacks and 18 tackles last year, returns to a loaded Jacksonville defense. The defensive end is young, obviously a loose cannon and I’ll add him where I can. The best way to rattle Tom Brady and the Pats' offensive is with pressure and hits, which could lead to a Fowler sack or two.
• The podcast boys aren’t buying T.J. Watt's big game Sunday, but i’m certainly intrigued. I won't kill a waiver priority or FAAB budget to scoop him...Cory Littleton, who I profiled after a busy Rams' offseason, produced 11 tackles and a pick as the Rams’ MLB. Littleton very well could be on your wire and is worth an add...You disappointed me, Carl Lawson. Bagels aren’t good for anyone...You might remember Arizona Cardinal Markus Golden had 12.5 sacks in 2016 before only getting in four 2017 games and tearing his ACL. Golden should return to the defense this weekend and is an intriguing DL4 with big upside if you have room.
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