Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 8

Eddie Goldman, Defensive Tackle

This is going to be an interesting week, for sure. With Weeks 7 through 9 putting some of our favorite streaming options on bye -- or our favorite teams to stream against -- we have to get pretty creative with our recommendations. For that reason, Eddie Goldman of the Chicago Bears is a great pickup for defensive linemen in Week 8. With veteran Jay Ratliff released in disgrace, rookie nose tackle Goldman has a clear path to starting duties, and he has shown that he can handle them. In six games so far this season, Goldman has produced 12 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. The 3-4 nose tackle is one of the lower-producing IDP positions overall but can do well in the right matchup.

Hopefully the Minnesota Vikings will present the right matchup for Goldman to put up big numbers this week. Since this offense is predicated on getting running back Adrian Peterson the ball, there are plenty of tackle opportunities for defensive linemen against the Vikings. In the last three weeks, defensive tackles have averaged of 3.5 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 stuffs per player per game against the Vikings. Add in that Minnesota ranks fourth-highest in both stuff percentage allowed and sack percentage allowed, and the upside is there for the Chicago front seven to have a big day.

Goldman is available in 97.9% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for around 3.0 tackles, a chance for a sack and a total score of 3.46 balanced fantasy points in Week 8.