The DE Annex
***2023 Week 14 DE Annex***
Welcome to the third edition of the DE Annex! There are plenty of great resources out there for the top DE plays but where is the love for guys that are barely rostered and could be very useful if you are in a deep league or dealing with injuries or byes? Well, you can find them here in the Annex which should be especially useful this week given some big names that are out!
Each week, I use my DT formula to evaluate the full DE pool as well (full details on that methodology is available here). Overall, I've had some good success in predicting DE performance but while I get that model ready for prime time (and combination with DT for DL rankings) I thought I would share some lower stakes suggestions with all of you in the form of players rostered in less than 5% of leagues in MyFantasyLeague. Given about 17% of MFL leagues use IDP, these players should be available in roughly 70% of leagues.
Season-long metrics are available here but to summarize last week, it is going to be a tough act to follow with an average score of 18.43 and 4 of 6 plays ending the week as a DE1 or DE2. Since I started in Week 12, only 1 player has failed to score, 5 put up measly points, and 4 were viable starters, and 2 had great performances. Given this exercise is for very deep plays, time will tell if those numbers are good or bad!
Here are the 6 inhabitants of the DE Annex for Week 14!
Baron Browning, DEN
Browning is still only rostered in 3% of MFL leagues is played 72% of snaps last week and boasts PFF grades above 69 in both run and pass defense. The matchup is not great but if you need an option this week, he is worth consideration.
Yaya diaby, TB
Diaby had a great game last week and is starting to come on at the right time. Solid against the run and playing one of the most run-heavy offenses in the league suggests a nice floor this week for Diaby.
Anfernee Jennings, NEP
If it ain't broke... Jennings is the only 3-time suggestion but is still only rostered in 2% of leagues. Pittsburgh is typically a mediocre matchup for DEs but with a new QB under center, there might be some great opportunities this week.
Charles Omenihu, KC
Omenihu outsnapped teammate Mike Danna last week and his season-long fantasy-relevant PFF grades are better than Danna and Karlaftis. Buffalo has not been a great matchup for DEs of late but with a high O/U (48.5) there should be plenty of opportunities this week.
ODAFE OWEH, BAL
Oweh has strong PFF grades against the run and pass which helps create a high ceiling. Oweh only played 62% of snaps in his last game which is good but not great and likely lowers his floor this week against a Rams offense that is not fantasy friendly to DEs.
ARDEN KEY, TEN
The Dolphins have been good at protecting Tua this year but with Jeffrey Simmons out, Key is the top pass rusher left for the Titans. This one may be a stretch but the talent is certainly there to pick up a sack which makes him immediately fantasy-viable.