I just run totally against the grain sometimes: when you’ve heard in the past that strong-side (SAM) linebackers aren’t always great bets in fantasy, that’s true. Yet, I’m going to show you why Akeem Ayers is a good Week 10 fantasy option. Ayers has spent the better part of his five-year NFL career with the Tennessee Titans as a rush outside linebacker in a 3-4, and he had a hybrid edge rusher role in New England last year. Now, in St. Louis’s 4-3 system, he’s played the SAM role, which can rush the passer and set the edge in run defense. He’s only been the 106th-best linebacker in balanced fantasy scoring so far, but I think he’s a fine one-week streamer.

His opponent this week is the Chicago Bears’ offense, which is offering up the third lowest stuff percentage to opposing defenses and the 12th-lowest sack percentage. Absent the big plays, why do I like Ayers? Opportunity. The Bears have rushed the ball an average of 28 times over the last four weeks, and seem especially excited to try out shiny new toy Jeremy Langford. There should be plenty of chances for Ayers to plug up the run game and fill his stat sheet.

Ayers is available in 99.9% of ESPN IDP leagues. We project him for around 5.5 tackles, an excellent chance for a pass defensed, and a total score of 6.98 balanced fantasy points in Week 10.