Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 10

DeMeco Ryans, Linebacker

Ambulance chasing always feels so wrong, but that is an easy way to find cheap value. When you’re scheming against brilliant minds (or just your leaguemates) sometimes you have to get a little sneaky. That means DeMeco Ryans – likely a full-time starter in Week 10, due to Jordan Hicks’ injury – is your kind of guy. Figuring out Chip Kelly is a lot like trying to psychoanalyze Bill Belichick; you just don’t want to go there. Still, it’s simple math when we look at who the Philadelphia Eagles have available at inside linebacker: Mychal Kendricks, Kiko Alonso, and Ryans. Each of these players has had some injury in recent days, but Ryans appears ready to go in Week 10.

Despite being relegated to just an early-down role, there should be plenty of tackle chances for Ryans in this one, against a Miami Dolphins offense that have rejuvenated their rushing attack since Dan Campbell took over as head coach. Over the past four weeks, in two blowout wins and two blowout losses, the Dolphins have averaged 26 rushing attempts per game. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has also made some risky throws over the middle and been picked off four times in that span. Ryans has serious upside in this game.

Ryans is available in 99.1% of ESPN IDP leagues. We project him for around 6.0 tackles, a chance for an interception, a good chance for a pass defensed, and a total score of 7.53 balanced fantasy points in Week 10.