Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 9
Brandon Mebane, Nose Tackle
I know we haven’t had the best of luck with defensive tackles this year, but like a Vegas junkie down to his last chip on his last hand of blackjack, I’m going to hit until I win it all back. My ace in the hole in Week 9 is San Diego Chargers nose tackle Brandon Mebane, whose singular sack in Week 1 and poor quarterback hit rate are no flukes; he’s always been a run-guarding, line-controlling defensive tackle. What’s exciting is that his tackle rate ranks 28th among defensive linemen, despite him playing just over 50% of the Chargers’ defensive snaps.
If there’s a week to use him in, though, it’s this one. Mebane’s low ceiling won’t matter as much as his high floor against a Tennessee Titans’ offense that is precipitated on the run. The Titans rush the ball an average 31.25 times per game, have the second-lowest pass-to-run play call ratio, and send an average 10.75 rushing attempts to the middle of the line. Mebane is a big guy who will be in “Feast Mode” this week.
Mebane is available in 95.4% of ESPN IDP leagues. We project him for 3.90 tackles, 0.15 sacks, and a total score of 4.55 fantasy points in Week 9.
