We shift to Week 9 where just two teams are on a bye: the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans. If you see any players from those squads that shouldn't be on waivers, try to take advantage of someone else's roster crunch.

Each week, we'll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive Linemen

DE Jacob Martin, Tennessee Titans

The 30-year-old has already eclipsed his career high with 6.5 sacks on the season. He had four solo tackles and three sacks against the Chicago Bears in Week 8. He's a bit all-or-nothing because he doesn't accrue a ton of tackles, but he has at least a half-sack in five of seven games.

DE Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins

There hasn't been a lot to cheer about in Miami this season, but the 2024 first-round pick is starting to emerge as a threat off the edge. He had two sacks in Week 8 and has four sacks in the last four games.

Linebackers

LB Eric Wilson, Minnesota Vikings

It has been an up-and-down season for the 32-year-old. He had 11 tackles in Week 8 to give him two double-digit tackle games. He also had four games of four or fewer, so ride the wave while it's here.

LB Henry To'oTo'o, Houston Texans

The 25-year-old from Alabama had 10 tackles and 0.5 sacks in Week 7 before last week's bye. He had six tackles the week before that and was already trending upwards.

LB CJ Allen, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are rebuilding, and the 2026 second-round pick emerged with 10 tackles and a sack in Week 8. He had five total tackles on the season entering this one. As is usually the case with such players, beware that he could be a boom or a bust.

Defensive Backs

S Andrew Mukuba, Philadelphia Eagles

The 2025 second-round pick is blossoming into a consistent fantasy DB. He has eight, seven and nine tackles in the last three games. He also forced a fumble in Week 8, and he'll provide a high floor in fantasy.

S Reed Blankenship, Houston Texans

Blankenship has been out since suffering a concussion Oct. 18. With the Texans coming off their bye week, he should be fit to return in Week 9. Blankenship had nine, 11 and eight tackles in the three games before he suffered his injury and should be picked back up.