Week 4 Notes

Four players hit the 15 tackle mark this week: De’Vondre Campbell (17), Joe Schobert (Also 17), Blake Martinez (15) and a surprise from the DB spot, Eric Weddle (15). For Martinez, Week 4 was his 3rd straight week with at least 12 tackles, and he’s a single tackle behind Jordan Hicks for the NFL lead.

(17), (Also 17), (15) and a surprise from the DB spot, (15). For Martinez, Week 4 was his 3rd straight week with at least 12 tackles, and he’s a single tackle behind for the NFL lead. Continuing the infuriating trend of New England’s carousel of linebackers having tremendous weeks, Kyle Van Noy racked up 8 tackles (1 for loss), 2.0 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles. Given how sporadically Belichick deploys his linebacking group it’s hard to recommend any of them for fantasy consistency, but there are always worse dart throws to take.

racked up 8 tackles (1 for loss), 2.0 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles. Given how sporadically Belichick deploys his linebacking group it’s hard to recommend any of them for fantasy consistency, but there are always worse dart throws to take. With Darius Leonard out once again, Anthony Walker and Bobby Okereke once again had a spectacular week together for fantasy, racking up 17 combined tackles (Walker 10, Okereke 7) and they both remain firmly on the fantasy radar if Leonard is unable to go for a third straight week.

out once again, and once again had a spectacular week together for fantasy, racking up 17 combined tackles (Walker 10, Okereke 7) and they both remain firmly on the fantasy radar if Leonard is unable to go for a third straight week. Shaquil Barrett continued to dominate this week, adding 4 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 defensed passes and a fumble recovery to his already gaudy season line. Barrett is already up to a gargantuan 9.0 sacks on the season, and while this type of production is statistically unsustainable, it’s difficult to justify benching him while he’s this scorching hot.

continued to dominate this week, adding 4 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 defensed passes and a fumble recovery to his already gaudy season line. Barrett is already up to a gargantuan 9.0 sacks on the season, and while this type of production is statistically unsustainable, it’s difficult to justify benching him while he’s this scorching hot. The Philadlephia Eagles traded strong safety Johnathan Cyprien to the Falcons, where he should step into the strong safety spot occupied by Kemal Ishmael , and becomes an immediate fantasy asset. From 2013 to 2016 Cyprien had 4 straight seasons of 100+ tackles, in a defensive scheme similar to that of the Falcons’ no less. Ishmael had 9 tackles on Sunday replacing the injured Keanu Neal , and Cyprien should be able to do even better than the career backup did.

to the Falcons, where he should step into the strong safety spot occupied by , and becomes an immediate fantasy asset. From 2013 to 2016 Cyprien had 4 straight seasons of 100+ tackles, in a defensive scheme similar to that of the Falcons’ no less. Ishmael had 9 tackles on Sunday replacing the injured , and Cyprien should be able to do even better than the career backup did. With Roquan Smith out, the Bears needed someone to step up, and Nick Kwiatkoski handled the task admirably. He racked up 9 tackles (2 for loss), forced a fumble and picked up a sack en route to a Bears win. If Roquan remains on the shelf, Kwiatkoski and Danny Trevathan would both be strong options.

out, the Bears needed someone to step up, and handled the task admirably. He racked up 9 tackles (2 for loss), forced a fumble and picked up a sack en route to a Bears win. If Roquan remains on the shelf, Kwiatkoski and would both be strong options. Giants rookie linebacker Ryan Connelly was diagnosed with a torn ACL, and his season is now over. It’s a sad end to a very promising rookie campaign for the linebacker out of Wisconsin. Ironically, potentially returning starter Alec Ogletree may represent a downgrade at LB at this point.

was diagnosed with a torn ACL, and his season is now over. It’s a sad end to a very promising rookie campaign for the linebacker out of Wisconsin. Ironically, potentially returning starter may represent a downgrade at LB at this point. Bradley Chubb also tore his ACL, and the Broncos will be without one of their best players for the remainder of the season.

also tore his ACL, and the Broncos will be without one of their best players for the remainder of the season. The Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions are on bye this week. The most notable loss is DB Tracy Walker, who has 36 tackles through the first 4 weeks. Beyond him though, there’s very few impact IDP’s lost this week. Enjoy it while it lasts, next weeks’ is a doozy.

Below are my Top 50 players this week at each defensive position. Players who appeared on their teams’ injury report as of this writing are in red lettering. Position eligibility is based on FantasyPros, so positional rankings may differ depending on your host site.

Week 4 Linebacker Rankings

Week 4 Defensive Line Rankings

Week 4 Defensive Back Rankings

Questions, comments, complaints? Feel free to drop them down below, or hit me up on Twitter @NateWattQBL.

(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)