Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 3

Josh Mauga, Linebacker

My first repeat “pound-the-table” player in Derrick Morgan is finally above the 20.0% owned mark in ESPN leagues, so I’m aiming for my second now. Josh Mauga has been one of the steadiest players in the waiver wire linebacking group for a while now. He’s not overly athletic, and has very limited coverage abilities, but he is a phenomenal chase-and-tackler. His limitations in his skills keep his ceiling lower than other linebackers, but he has a very stable floor -- he’s totaled 6.5 and 6 points in each week this season.

His matchup against the Packers this week isn’t the best it could be, with Green Bay power back Eddie Lacy banged up, but the Packers realize that establishing the run is important to what they want to do on the football field. The Denver Broncos rushed only 22 times last week, and Mauga still achieved his three tackles and one tackle for a loss. In addition, Green Bay likely won’t be playing catch up the way Denver was; there will be plenty of ball-control play calling on Monday.

Mauga is available in 99.3% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for around 7.5 tackles, and a total score of 8.17 balanced fantasy points in Week 3.