Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire Targets for Week 2

Dont'a Hightower, Linebacker

I don’t understand how Dont'a Hightower isn’t owned in every single IDP league in existence. With the state of the New England Patriots’ defense, who has a flow-and-chase philosophy just about everywhere on the field, Hightower is a candidate for double-digit fantasy point days regularly. Some of his production does come from big plays -- he had 6 sacks and 4 tackles for a loss last season -- but he’s still a versatile fantasy player who has had over 85 total tackles each of his last two seasons in the league.

Last week, Hightower turned up the noise against the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving us 7 tackles and 1 sack. This week he appears poised to do the same against the Buffalo Bills, who allowed no sacks last week but did give up eight tackles for a loss. There is always the danger of elusive quarterback Tyrod Taylor juking blitzers once again this week, but Taylor’s inexperience could lead to mistakes. Whenever there’s a chance for more players on a team to run, that’s better for tackle numbers.

Hightower is available in 93.3% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for around 7 tackles, 0.5 sacks, with a good chance for an interception and pass defensed, and a total score of 9.88 balanced fantasy points in Week 2.