NFL

Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 14

Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse the slideshow

​Eddie Goldman, Nose Tackle

The Chicago Bears’ defense has not been nearly as troublesome a unit in 2016 as it has in previous years, but there’s no doubt that they will be happy to see their young nose tackle, Eddie Goldman, return to this team from injury and bolster the line.

A bum ankle has caused the big man to miss seven games in 2016, but he’s averaged a sturdy 4.6 points per week when active. He’s not just a gap-plugging run-stopper either; in three of those games, he’s gotten at least a half-sack -- his sack rate is tops among 49 qualifying interior defensive linemen and his quarterback hit rate is eighth.

Week 14 puts him up against the division-leading Detroit Lions, who are about middle of the road in sack rate allowed. The big boon for Goldman here, however, is the Lions’ league-high stuff rate allowed; a whopping 16.4 percent of their rushing attempts have gone for losses. Goldman should earn a fair chunk of fantasy production in this matchup, proving a bright spot for a dull year in Chicago.

Goldman is available in 98.9% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for 2.34 tackles, 0.37 sacks, and a total score of 3.61 fantasy points in Week 14.