The New Orleans Saints have reached an agreement with free-agent linebacker Jon Bostic. The former second round pick has bounced around over his eight years in the NFL. Most recently, Bostic played in four games with the Washington Commanders last season. He has a few 100-tackle seasons under his belt, so this is a decent addition for New Orleans. The Saints could use some extra depth at linebacker, so Bostic does have a legitimate shot at making the final roster.

Washington Football Team linebacker Jon Bostic (pectoral) suffered a potentially serious pectoral injury in the Week 4 win over the Atlanta Falcons, according to a source. Bostic is undergoing an MRI exam on Monday. If the 30-year-old suffered a torn pectoral, he'll be out for the rest of the season. Even if Bostic isn't out for the season, he's likely to miss some time, and Jared Norris could be in line for much more playing time moving forward. The 30-year-old Bostic has 22 tackles (11 solo) ...

The Washington Football Team defense played a good game overall, but didn't do a ton for fantasy managers in a win over the Steelers on Monday. Washington held the high-powered Pittsburgh offense to 17 points in the upset win. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, the Football Team didn't sack Ben Roethlisberger and only forced one turnover, albeit a dramatic, game-sealing interception tipped by Montez Sweat and picked by Jon Bostic. Washington is a start-worthy unit in Week 14 against the 49ers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and free-agent linebacker Jon Bostic agreed to a two-year deal on Sunday. Bostic spent the 2017 season with the Indianapolis Colts, appearing in 14 games and notching a career-high 97 total tackles to go along with one sack and one fumble recovery. Bostic will be counted upon to help replace the injured Ryan Shazier, who may never play again. Bostic was Pittsburgh's first free-agent signing this offseason. Bostic began his NFL career with the Chicago Bears in 2013 and has[...]

As thetemperatures continue to fall along with the dreaded snow here in Michigan, many are looking forward to warmer times when their closest friendis not the shovel. For my IDP brethren, that time will be the end of summerwhen fantasy draft day beckons. The lucky jerseys we don to help bring thatmojo needed for the perfect draft replace the layers of clothes we've worn allwinter long. Of course,the perfect draft requires the time and effort exerted during the winter monthsto stay ahead of our leaguemates. Finding the hidden gems who are poised tobreak out and landing them at a position of value come draft day. Sure thatpreamble was just a fancy way of saying that as the gray days of winter growcolder I will be passing the time by looking at a collection of IDP prospects whoI am particularly high on entering next season. There was nogroup of players more decimated by injuries and suspensions in 2014 than thelynchpin position of linebacker. It started in the preseason with the loss of Arizonastud inside linebacker Daryl Washington due to suspension. That newswas quickly followed by season ending injuries suffered by Sean Lee (Dallas), Kiko Alonso (Buffalo) and Sean Weatherspoon (Atlanta) before aregular season snap had even taken place. What ensuedwas a season marred by the loss of productive fantasy talent as knee injurieswould limit Cincinnati's tackling machine Vontaze Burfict to five gamesand Detroit's Stephen Tulloch would suit up for only three. Instead ofgiving you the complete list of linebackers who missed significant time (thatpiece would rival ‘War and Peace'), we will instead take a look at someyoungsters who will help IDP rosters in 2015. Hey. Whatcan I say? I am a glass half-full kind of guy. With the sunsetting on the careers of veteran weakside linebackers Lance Briggs and D.J.Williams in Chicago, there was a changing of the guard at the linebackerposition late last season. Undraftedrookie free agent Christian Jones out of Florida State found himselfstarting at weakside linebacker over the last three weeks of the season. Heplayed a three-down role for Chicago and put up 31 total tacklesfrom Weeks 15-17. Jones alsoregistered a sack in both Weeks 16 and 17 and was credited with a fumblerecovery, flashing the big play potential that IDP owners covet. A faileddrug test at the combine contributed to the athletic Jones being passed over inthe 2014 NFL Draft and allowing Chicago to grab a talented player for next tonothing. At 6-...

My only regret as I worked on this week's edition of Wally's World is that it heads to the editor Sunday night and I won't get to comment on how Johnny Manziel looked in his second preseason game. Cleveland and Washington don't play until Monday night. Oh well. I can only hope that somewhere, somehow there will be someone out there to write a little something about "Johnny Football" this week. I can't always tell ... did the sarcasm come through there? Enough about the dog and pony show that is the farce of a quarterback competition in Cleveland and onto my latest fantasy rants and ramblings. Call it a hunch or simply indigestion but all this preseason love for Arizona wide receiver Michael Floyd (who sat out this week's game by the way) has me expecting a big year from Larry Fitzgerald. The Cardinals will be airing it out plenty this season (the NFC West is a tough division to run the ball in) and I think folks are overlooking Fitzgerald a bit. My advice (and strategy) is to stock up on NFC East offensive skill position players as defenses in that division are going to give up big numbers this season. Let me add a caveat to this strategy. Draft New York Giants at your own risk. You are welcome. Happy to see inside linebacker Desmond Bishop sign with Arizona and am anxious to see what he has left following a couple of injury-marred years. On a side note, I'm beginning to worry about second-year linebacker Kevin Minter as he's been leaving the field in sub-packages and is nursing a pectoral injury. After a zero catch first game it was heartening to see Jacksonville wide receiver Marqise Lee haul in his four targets against Chicago. Somebody has to catch the ball this season for the Jaguars, and fellow rookie Allen Robinson can't stay healthy. Let's keep an eye on this Allen Hurns kid as attrition at the position may force the rookie wide receiver to play more than expected. Again, somebody has to catch the ball for Jacksonville. Through two preseason games, Chicago's first-team defense has not looked good. Makes me think Green Bay, Detroit and Minnesota's offensive skill position players are going to like seeing that unit twice a year. It was encouraging to see second-year linebacker Jon Bostic play much better than he did a week ago. The light may be coming on for the youngster and it will be interesting to see how much they use him next week. He led all Chicago defenders in snaps played against Jacksonville. It's all about staying ...

Here we are in Week 15 of the season and what is most likely the second round of most Individual Defensive Player (IDP) leagues playoffs. If you are reading this, there is a very good chance that you: A) Won your game last week; B) Lost your game last week but are still in an overall points scored format league and need to keep updating your lineup; or C) Lost your television reception and are waiting for the cable guy to show up. Whatever the reason, you can rest assured that the crack staff here on the ‘53 Deep' appreciates each and every person who takes the time to peruse the article. It's been another long week of game watching and numbers crunching (OK, there were also a couple of Girl Scouts events thrown in and a trip to the veternarian) but we feel that the following IDP sleepers are the best we've compiled in weeks. For your viewing pleasure ... LINEBACKERS Geno Hayes, SLB, Jacksonville vs. Buffalo: In their last four games, the Bills have seen six linebackers record eight or more tackles against them. Hayes will have had an extra three days or so to rest his balky knee and will be an integral part in containing the dual-headed rushing attack of Buffalo running backs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. He's an excellent sleeper candidate in Week 15. Malcolm Smith, WLB, Seattle at New York Giants: Smith filled in as the full-time weak side linebacker in Weeks 6 and 7 when Bobby Wagner was out and K.J. Wright moved to the middle. He put up 13 total tackles (10 solos) with a sack and a pass defended. With Wright (foot surgery) out for a few weeks, he will step back into that role and face a Giants team that has allowed linebackers to amass 74 total tackles (47 solos) the past three games. A solid starting option moving forward. Jason Worilds, OLB, Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati: The Bengals have allowed 4½ sacks to pass rushing outside linebackers and Worilds has been coming on like gangbusters. In his last four games he has racked up 31 total tackles along with five sacks and a forced fumble. Worilds is putting up decent tackle numbers and has excellent big play potential. He belongs in IDP lineups. Don'ta Hightower, SLB, New England at Miami: Over the past two games Hightower has played 79 percent of the defensive snaps and posted 18 total tackles, including 11 last week against Cleveland. In the first meeting against Miami, he finished with 10 total stops and a sack. Another productive fantasy week is on deck for the second-year linebacker. Jon...

Injuries took a significant bite out of IDP (Individual Defensive Player) rosters last week as stud cornerback Charles Tillman (out for the season for fantasy purposes) as well as elite linebacker Sean Lee (out for multiple weeks) went down. There are also the usual weekly conundrums such as the availability of Jacksonville linebacker Paul Posluszny after suffering a concussion last week. Never fear as the staff at ‘53 Deep' has scoured the weekly matchups to find the deep sleeper candidates to plug into lineups as more than adequate replacements. The fantasy playoffs are right around the corner and it is "make it or break it" time for many IDP teams with no margin for error. With that in mind let's get to it ... LINEBACKERS Thomas Davis, CAROLINA vs. New England: In week 8, Miami linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler had 11 and eight total tackles, respectively. Prior to their bye week the Patriots gave up eight tackles to LaMarr Woodley and 11 to Lawrence Timmons. Davis has seen a lull in tackle numbers the past three weeks (totaling only 19 stops) but has posted big plays with a forced fumble, interception and four passes defended. He will be heavily involved in trying to contain the resurgent Patriots offense this week. Aldon Smith, OLB, San Francisco at New Orleans: After being credited with one quarterback hurry while playing only 12 snaps last week, look for Smith to see a lot more action this week. The Saints have allowed seven sacks, 35 quarterback hurries and eight quarterback hits the last three games according to Pro Football Focus. For the season they've allowed linebackers to register 5½ sacks. Look for Smith to add to that total this week as the 49ers' sack master returns to form. Jon Bostic, MLB, CHICAGO vs. Baltimore: After two middling matchups against Green Bay and Detroit in which he managed only 10 total tackles (six solos), Bostic faces the very linebacker-friendly Ravens. Inside linebackers have twice eclipsed 15 total tackles against Baltimore over the past three games. Bostic is in for a big week as running backs Bernard Pierce and Ray Rice have averaged 21 carries between them the last three games. Get the rookie in your lineup. Darryl Sharpton, ILB, HOUSTON vs. Oakland: The Raiders are a top-five matchup for allowing fantasy points to linebackers and Sharpton is coming off a season-best eight total tackle game against Arizona. He's managed to stay healthy and play every defensive snap the past two games, so ...

It's Week 10 of the 2013 NFL season. In many fantasy football leagues, that means one month remains in the regular season. It's stretch run time, folks. Whether you're 7-2 and jockeying for a first-round bye or 4-5 and hanging on for dear life, all Individual Defensive Player (IDP) owners have something in common. Everyone wants (or needs, in many cases) to make their team better in advance of one last push for the postseason. With that in mind, here's a look at the top IDP waiver wire pickups for Week 10. PICKUP OF THE WEEK Paul Worrilow, MLB, Atlanta The Atlanta defense has been ravaged by injuries this season, and that's opened the door for players like Worrilow to amass significant playing time. The undrafted rookie from Delaware erupted in last week's loss to Carolina, racking up an eye-popping 19 stops. Playing as a three-down middle inside linebacker for the Falcons, Worrilow told Vaughn McClure of ESPN that, "I just keep looking at each game as a chance for me to grow," and with Worrilow set to take on a Seattle team this week who has been kind to linebackers this season, the 23-year-old is a great stretch-run addition and excellent Week 10 spot start. WEEK 10 WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS Jared Odrick, DT, Miami The season-ending ACL injury suffered by Cincinnati defensive tackle Geno Atkins in last week's loss to Miami left many IDP owners scrambling in defensive tackle-required leagues. The pickings at the position aren't very good in most leagues, but a player like Odrick offers some upside as a replacement. The fourth-year pro was quiet against the Bengals, but in the two games preceding that Odrick tallied seven tackles and 2½ sacks. Let's face it, Geno Atkins he ain't, but many Atkins' owners weren't even carrying a backup tackle, leaving them smack in the middle of a "beggars can't be choosers" type of deal. Antonio Smith, DE, Houston Generally speaking, it's not advisable to go chasing after an outlier game from a player who has been relatively quiet this year, and Smith's two-sack outburst against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday night certainly qualifies. However, the 32-year-old faces his old teammates in Arizona this week, and the Cardinals have had loads of trouble protecting the passer this season. Throw in the single blockers that Smith constantly sees playing opposite J.J. Watt , and there's reason to think that Smith's hot streak will continue in the desert. Pat Angerer, ILB, Indianapolis If Angerer spent any more time on ...

The halfway point of the fantasy season is behind us and it's time to kick our weekly preparation into high gear. This is another week in which six teams are on a bye, increasing the importance of finding those sleeper candidates. Plowing through the distractions of Halloween week (what can I say ... a 10-year-old girl loves candy and 2-year-old cat loves candy wrappers) the staff of the '53 Deep' column has come up with the players to help lead teams to victory. Let's get to it ... LINEBACKERS Joplo Bartu, ATLANTA at Carolina: Since being inserted as a starter in Week 2, Bartu has played more than 93 percent of the team's defensive snaps. Over the past two games he has posted 15 total tackles and registered half a sack in consecutive starts. Bartu's versatility (and injuries) has seen him alternate between strong side linebacker and weakside linebacker, ensuring that he will have plenty of tackle opportunities this week. Daryl Sharpton, HOUSTON vs. Indianapolis: Sharpton steps into a starting inside linebacker role in place of the injured Brian Cushing . He has never played more than 12 games in a season and carries a huge injury risk (he's missing practices this week with foot and toe injuries), so utilizing him as soon as possible is a wise move. For as long as he's healthy, Sharpton will be manning a prime position for fantasy production. (*Monitor his status on game day. If he is out go with Chicago rookie linebacker Khaseem Greene here.) Jon Bostic, MLB, CHICAGO at Green Bay: In his first game as the starting middle linebacker replacing the injured D.J. Williams , Bostic logged 66-of-76 defensive snaps in Week 7. He finished with eight total tackles (six solo) and has a very fantasy friendly matchup this week. The Packers are using their new toy, rookie running back Eddie Lacy a ton (97 carries the past four games), showing a commitment to the run. Bostic is in for a huge week as Minnesota middle linebacker Erin Henderson finished with 14 total tackles against Green Bay last week. David Hawthorne, ILB, NEW ORLEANS at New York Jets: Hawthorne finally appears to be healthy and is playing as he did back in 2011 for Seattle. He put up eight solo tackles, a sack and a forced fumble last week against Buffalo. The Jets are going to look to limit the touches that quarterback Drew Brees gets this week by pounding the rock with former Saints running back Chris Ivory . Hawthorne will post excellent tackle numbers and also have chances at big play ...