Welcome to the IDP Prop Bets article. Each week, I will list my favorite defensive player props. As defensive player props don’t start rolling in until Thursday/Friday, look for this article on Fridays but check back often, as more props are added all the way through Sunday around noon.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER PROPS
Player Props Record: 55-39 (59%) +11.49 Units
All one-unit wagers unless otherwise noted.
DeShon Elliott (Det) vs. Buf
| Player | Prop | ODDS | SITE |
| DeShon Elliott | O 6.5 Tackles+Assists | -120 | DraftKings |
Since he took over for Tracy Walker, Elliott has posted 7+ tackles in every healthy game. This week he faces a pass-heavy Bills team that is 4th in producing FPG to DBs. This also figures to be one of the faster games, so we could see an elevated snap count for Elliott.
Damar Hamlin (Buf) @ Det
| Player | Prop | ODDS | SITE |
| Damar Hamlin | O 6.5 Tackles+Assists | -135 | DraftKings |
Since Week 4 — around the time he took over for Micah Hyde — Hamlin has produced 7+ tackles in every game but one. He tends to be targeted more than his Pro-Bowl safetymate Jordan Poyer, one of the reasons Hamlin usually gets the (ahem) lion’s share of the tackles between the two. Yes, that was an awful pun. Happy Thanksgiving. In a game with 54 expected points, Hamlin could find himself in a highly-productive shootout.
Micah Parsons (Dal) vs. NYG
| Player | Prop | ODDS | SITE |
| Micah Parsons | O 4.5 Tackles+Assists | +110 | DraftKings |
Parsons has recorded between 4 and 7 tackles in every game but one this season, but I like him on the high side of that number this week. The run-heavy Giants (5th in run %) produce the most tackles to opposing DLs (where Parsons spends most of his time). And with New York’s O-line down a few starters and possibly even down stud OT Andrew Thomas (Questionable - Illness), Parsons should have an easier time producing tackles, TFL, and sacks; all of which count toward his tackle+assist total. Speaking of being down linemen, Dallas has its own availability issues up front on the D-line, which will likely press Parsons into service up front more than usual.
Below are some bad-juice bets that I like to hit, so use them at your own risk, fellow degens.
Micah Parsons (Dal) vs. NYG
| Player | Prop | ODDS | SITE |
| Micah Parsons | O 0.25 Sacks | -160 | DraftKings |
With a banged up and depleted O-line having to ward off the best pass rusher in the NFL who will likely be playing with a lead, this is a hard one to pass up. The Giants were already giving up 1.8 sacks per game to DLs with a healthy O-line.
Jayron Kearse (Dal) vs. NYG
| Player | Prop | ODDS | SITE |
| Jayron Kearse | O 5.5 Tackles+Assists | -145 | DraftKings |
Kearse lives between 5 and 8 tackles and is used heavily in the run game. Between Donovan Wilson (illness) being less than 100% and the Dallas D-line depleted, I’m expecting Kearse to be on cleanup duty more than usual against Saquon Barkley.
Taron Johnson (Buf) @ Det
| Player | Prop | ODDS | SITE |
| Taron Johnson | O 4.5 Tackles+Assists | -150 | DraftKings |
Johnson’s prop dipped to 4.5 this morning on the new that Tre’Davious White will be active. Johnson’s tackle numbers actually go up when White is active. Plus, Johnson has at least 5 tackles in 9 of his 10 games.
Matt Judon (NE) @ Min
| Player | Prop | ODDS | SITE |
| Matt Judon | O 0.75 Sacks | +115 | DraftKings |
The league’s sack leader gets a great matchup this week. The Vikings are dead last in run%, which doesn’t create many tackles to DLs but it sure does create a ton of pass rush opps. Minnesota gives up 1.6 sacks to DLs this season, and has given up at least 1 sack to an EDGE each game.
