Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 4

Clinton McDonald, Defensive Tackle

Despite his role as a defensive tackle, Clinton McDonald is no oversized gap-plugger. Often on the defensive side of the ball, we see the defensive tackles responsible for holding the line, containing the interior run game, and not much else. McDonald, however, happens to be part of a tandem with one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL in Gerald McCoy. The disruption that these two caused led McDonald to a nine-point showing last week against the Houston Texans, and I’m banging the gong for him again.

He and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense get to take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, who are currently the class of the NFC South. Why do I think the 1-2 Bucs can do anything to stop Cam Newton and the Panthers, who have given up the eighth-fewest total quarterback pressures (24 combined sacks, hits, and hurries) thus far? The Panthers have currently run the second-most rushing plays overall, and rank eighth-highest in run-to-pass ratio. With all of the rushing attempts they will likely take, McDonald should have plenty of tackle opportunities.

McDonald is available in 85.0% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for around 4.5 tackles, and a total score of 5.59 balanced fantasy points in Week 4.