Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 10
Corey Liuget, Defensive End
It’s been a weird year for San Diego Chargers defensive end Corey Liuget. Formerly the team’s top pass-rushing lineman, he’s taken a backseat in the attack to top-three 2016 rookie Joey Bosa. This leaves Liuget in more of a run-stopping line-control role, which has completely changed the complexion of his production. For his career prior to 2016, Liuget has averaged 49.9 total tackles, 9.8 stuffs, and 5.6 sacks per year (prorated for 16 games). This season, he’s on pace for 32.0 total tackles, 8.9 stuffs, and 0.0 sacks. He has generated four quarterback hits, but his rate is well below average (81st). Still, that simply means Liuget has morphed into a fantasy value for you, one with a bit lower of a ceiling these days.
Against the Miami Dolphins, though, his ceiling and floor should be fine. Just as we’ve seen Liuget’s role change, so too has the function of the Dolphins’ offense, which now runs through running back Jay Ajayi. The Dolphins have rushed the ball an average 36.3 times per game over their last three games, which should allow plenty of tackle chances to Liuget. In addition, they’re only average in stuff rate allowed (17th-highest) and Ajayi himself is directly in the middle of the rankings in stuffed rate; among the 43 running backs with at least 50 rushes this year, Ajayi ranks 21st-highest.
Liuget is available in 96.0% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for 3.23 tackles, 0.03 sacks, and a total score of 3.68 fantasy points in Week 10.
