Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 7

​Jared Crick, Defensive End

Anytime we get into the bye weeks, streaming defensive players becomes less of “find a guy, plug him in” process, and more of a well-informed gamble. Sadly, though, this is going to be the last “easy” week we have for a while, thanks to the massive byes of Weeks 8 and 9. I’m fairly excited to take advantage of Denver Broncos defensive end Jared Crick as one of our big targets in this week.

Crick is a power rusher and an edge-setter primarily, making him a strong fit in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme and giving him a solid floor of points production thanks to a mess of tackles in the run game. In addition, as Crick has gotten acclimated to his new team, his production has increased weekly: in the first three weeks of the season, he averaged 2.67 points; since then, he’s averaged 5.33 and has his first two half-sacks on the season. He’s never been an explosive star, but he’s a low-ceiling, high-floor contributor.

This week, he gets to tango with his former team, the Houston Texans, who are allowing opposing defenses an unfortunately (for us) somewhat low sack rate, at 5.0 percent (13th-lowest in the NFL). That said, Crick earns his hay in run defense, and Houston has run the eighth-most run plays in the league. Crick should offer steady production this week.

Crick is available in 98.5% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for 2.94 tackles, 0.23 sacks, and a total score of 4.23 fantasy points in Week 7.