Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 8

Cliff Avril, Defensive End

I’m tired of banging the table for Jared Crick and Corey Liuget over and over again. Both have proven themselves to be worth a start pretty much weekly, so there is a standing recommendation to pick them up. This week, though, I’m going to look at other options who are perhaps a little deeper, such as Cliff Avril of the Seattle Seahawks. Avril has been featured in this column before, but it’s worth noting that he’s still available in many leagues, and is significantly underowned compared to teammate Michael Bennett. Despite nearly a 20% difference in ownership, Avril lags behind Bennett by just two tackles and three sacks and is the 10th-best defensive end in balanced fantasy scoring.

In Week 8, his Seahawks are taking on the Dallas Cowboys. Although Avril is primarily a pass-rush specialist, it doesn’t hurt too much that he isn’t used to guard the run; Dallas has the sixth-lowest stuff percentage allowed. He should get enough snaps to rack up a sack against the Cowboys’ offensive line, which is tied for 15th in sack percentage allowed. Against the hapless Matt Cassel, the Seattle blitz should feast.

Avril is available in 90.1% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for around 3.6 tackles, a chance for a sack and a total score of 4.13 balanced fantasy points in Week 8.