Have your playoffs started, or do they start this week? If either scenario applies to your league, then it is time to consider who
can help you dominate on the IDP side of fantasy. As ever, there are injuries forcing owners to adjust on the fly, but fortunately, there are plenty of options on the wire to help you compete for those essential end of season victories. Take a look below for suggestions to bolster your roster as we roll into December.
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Jameel McClain NYG
Nigel Bradham BUF
Jason Worilds PIT
Jerrell Freeman IND
Jelani Jenkins MIA
Lansanah stepped in to replace the injure Lavonte David, and collected 14 total tackles in Week 13, 13 of those being solos. So long as David is out, he is well worth rostering and starting. McClain is a prime waiver wire candidate for tackle heavy leagues, as he has posted 38 total tackles over the past four games (31 solo). He does have one forced fumble over that span, but is not your guy in big play leagues. Bradham is just one of the Bills hot players. He had nine solos as part of his 12 total tackles in Week 13, and also tossed in a sack and pass deflection for good measure. There is a lot to like on the defensive side of the ball in Buffalo. Collins contributed a sack and forced fumble to go with his 13 tackles in last week, splitting his tackles nearly evenly with seven solos. Worilds name may be tough to spell, but he is a tackling machine, and even had a sack in Week 13 to go with his double digit tackles (eight solo). The Pittsburgh defense is not one you want to raid for much this season in IDP, but Worilds is certainly worth your consideration going into the prime playoff period. Freeman, in addition to his 10 total tackles (five solo), put up a sack and pass deflection in Week 13. Facing Cleveland in Week 14 should be a decent matchup. Jenkins had 15 total tackles facing the Jets in Week 13, and while the matchup this week against Baltimore is not nearly as tasty, the Ravens are in the top third in giving up points to linebackers this season. A good option for a LB2/3 in Week 14, to be sure.
Defensive Linemen
Cameron Jordan DE NO
Jared Allen DE CHI
Robert Quinn StL DE
Chris Long StL DE
William Hayes StL DE
Jonathan Newsome DE IND
Jerry Hughes DE BUF
Corey Liuget DE SD
Jordan had a bevy of stats in Week 13, collecting a sack, an interception and two pass deflections to go with his six tackles (five assists). Facing the Panthers this week should provide good opportunities to shine again. Allen has finally been paying off for the Bears, who signed him for big money this past offseason. He has been getting to the QB for sacks, but facing the Cowboys and Saints in the next two weeks means you might want to reign in your expectations for big plays. Quinn, Long and Hayes were a trio to be reckoned with in Week 13. Facing the Raiders will do that for your IDP. Fortunately, they get to head to Washington, DC this week, and their DL friendly offense. If any of the three are available on the wire, grab them. Newsome has had 3.5 sacks over the past two games, and now gets to face the Browns, and a muddled QB situation. The matchup could be better, but the guy has talent and should be considered if you have a hole at DL. Hughes is available on most league wires, and has been very productive of late. As I said above, I like the Buffalo IDPs. Liuget had a great week against the Ravens and now gets to face the Patriots who are traveling across the nation to play in San Diego. New England does provide decent tackle opportunities to DLs, although sacks may be rare.
Defensive Backs
Da’Norris Searcy S BUF
William Moore S ATL
George Wilson S TEN
Glover Quin S DET
Greg Toler CB IND
E.J. Gaines CB StL
Another Bill IDP? Yep, Searcy is starting to heat up, and he gets to face the Broncos, who are fifth in allowing points to defensive
backs through the first 13 weeks of the season. His early season lack of production probably means you can grab him in nearly every league. Moore is another former IDP star starting to get his feet underneath him this season after coming off IR last week. Act quick and roster him for your playoff run. Wilson continues to produce, having collected nine tackles last week and now gets to face the struggling Giants. Quin was a veteran signing by the Lions who has solidified a dominant defensive squad. He had an interception to go with his six solo tackles in Week 13 on Thanksgiving Day while facing the Bears, and now gets to take on the Buccaneers on Sunday. With a nose for the ball, he is a good candidate for an interception or a few pass deflections. Toler owners have to hope that Vontae Davis is able to play, as this would lead to better chances for him to shine than if Josh Gordy gets the start on Sunday. Toler could also be matched up on Josh Gordon, and that would certainly result in increased tackle and PD opportunities. Gaines has seen plenty of action this season, as offenses target him, leading to tackle opportunities. He did have two pass deflections, one INT and six solo tackles last week, and assuming he will be covering the No. 1 receiving option for Washington, he should put up good numbers again.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
Bjoern Werner IND
Brian Cushing HOU
A.J. Hawk GB
Werner’s snap count is still high, but he is not doing much with the opportunity. He was absent from the stat sheet in Week 13, and could find his time on the field diminishing. Cushing just is not healthy yet, and while he is still a candidate to hold on your bench, you need to see him as a long-term keeper, not a player to start in the playoffs. Hawk saw his playing time drop in favor of Sam Barrington last week, but that could have been a function of the Packers taking on the Patriots. Monitor his production going forward before relying on him.
Defensive Linemen
Wallace Gilberry DE CIN
Cameron Wake DE MIA
Both Gilberry and Wake were essentially no shows in Week 13. While I would leave them on your bench I would not drop them based on one week’s lack of stats.
Defensive Backs
Antoine Cason CB CAR
Cason was being targeted by offenses early this season, and that led to good production thru the first third of the season. The team is now taking more of a look at future production from their roster, with Bene Benwikere benefiting from Cason’s lack of playmaking. He is safe to drop now.
Ouch (My Aching Roster)
All the injury reports below need to be evaluated at kickoff. Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do
not know a player's status until just before game time. The list below is intended as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.
Linebackers
Lance Briggs CHI (groin-IR out for season)
Lavonte David TB (hamstring)
Ryan Kerrigan WAS (wrist)
Jadeveon Clowney HOU (knee)
Defensive Linemen
Allen Bailey DE KC (concussion)
Chandler Jones DE NE (hip)
Brett Keisel DE PIT (torn triceps)
Robert Ayers DE NYG (pectoral)
Muhammad Wilkerson DE NYJ (toe)
George Selvie DE DAL (thumb)
Jeremiah Ratliff DT CHI (knee)
Sharrif Floyd DT MIN (knee)
Marcell Dareus DT BUF (groin)
Defensive Backs
Tyrann Mathieu S ARI (thumb)
Brandon Meriweather S WAS (toe)
Tashaun Gipson S CLE (knee)
Desmond Trufant CB ATL (neck)
Vontae Davis CB IND (concussion)
Aqib Talib CB DEN (hamstring)
Sam Shields CB GB (concussion)
Johnathan Joseph CB HOU (Achilles strain)
Cortez Allen CB PIT (thumb)
Tracy Porter CB WAS (shoulder-IR out for season)
As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, I can be reached at ia@fantasyalarm.com.