Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 8

Ricardo Allen, Free Safety

The one week I recommended Ricardo Allen as a streaming option this year, he put up a big old goose-egg. That week, I didn’t check Allen’s practice reports in order to find out that he had sprained his MCL. That was weeks ago, and he is at full speed, playing the safety valve role in the Atlanta Falcons’ defense. He hasn’t had many opportunities for interceptions this year (just 1 on the year), but he has been a consistent source of tackles (on pace for 78) at the defensive back position.

Week 8 presents a great streaming chance for those in need of a defensive back, as Allen gets to play centerfield against Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We know that aging speed demon Vincent Jackson will miss this game with his own knee injury, which leaves essentially one target -- Mike Evans -- who will be peppered with targets. Winston has no problem throwing deep and challenging the safeties, which should mean plenty of tackle and takeaway chances; he is tied for third in interception rate among quarterbacks in 2015, and with Tampa Bay likely to be behind, they should be throwing often.

Allen is available in 99.1% of ESPN IDP leagues. We project him for around 5.5 tackles, a chance for an interception, a chance for a pass defensed, and a total score of 6.94 balanced fantasy points in Week 8.