Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 9
Terrell McClain, Defensive Tackle
As we just covered, our bad luck with defensive tackles is going to turn around this week, and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Terrell McClain --whose 5.1 fantasy points per game is tied for 36th among all defensive linemen through Week 8 -- can be the reason why.
Over his last four games McClain has topped 6.0 fantasy points three times, ranks 33rd in quarterback hit rate (out of 119 defensive linemen playing at least 30 snaps per game), and he’s done all of this while playing just 56% of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps. He’s a devastating force right now in the middle of a resurgent Cowboys’ defensive line.
His team will get to have a field day when visiting the winless Cleveland Browns, who are allowing the eighth-highest sack rate and fifth-highest stuff rate to opposing defenses. The propensity for Cleveland to give up big plays is a huge boost to McClain’s ceiling, but he also has a strong tackle floor; the Browns run the ball up the gut an average of 6.25 times per game this year. A healthy dose of Isaiah Crowell is in order for the Cowboys’ interior line.
McClain is available in 100.0% of ESPN IDP leagues. We project him for 3.16 tackles, 0.37 sacks, and a total score of 4.31 fantasy points in Week 9.
