IDP Report Week 15

Let the celebration begin. No more bye week issues to deal with the rest of this season! Now if only the injuries would abate, right? If you have suffered the loss of a prime IDP, however, there are others coming on strong that you can find on most of your league’s waiver wires or free agent markets, some of which are profiled below.

Bye Weeks coming up: Bye-bye to the bye weeks. We are done with ya for the season. Good Riddance!

Elevator Going Up

Linebackers

Josh Woods DET

Woods has seen a massive spike in playing time (PT) as he fills in for injured linebackers on the Detroit defensive squad. He racked up 13 total tackles (TT) against the host Broncos on Sunday, 10 of those solo grabs, and two for a loss of yards (TFL). He also got to the opposing signal caller for a QB hit/hurry (QH) in this contest. Keep your eye on the Detroit injury report and if Woods starts against the Cardinals, he has a chance to rack up the fantasy points yet again.

Preston Smith GB (DE only in ESPN leagues)

Once again, it bears noting that being able to get LB stats out of a DL is such a benefit for fantasy owners. Smith again put up a huge stat line Sunday night, with a pair of sacks, four TT (three solo, one TFL). A trio of QH and a forced fumble pad out the stat sheet for Week 14. On the road against the Ravens is a decent matchup this coming week.

Ernest Jones LAR

Jones was the beneficiary of an uptick in snaps while Troy Reeder was relegated to just seven snaps on defense, playing mostly on special teams. That change in opportunity makes Jones a potential LB3 going forward, and he will work on his stat line, building on the Week 14 seven TT effort with an INT and PD tacked on. 

Azeez Al-Shaair SF

The 49er LB was profiled here way back in Weeks 2 and 3, but has been performing at a top level all season for the most part, and especially over the last three games. He is coming off an 11 TT effort (eight solo) with a sack and a PD for the big play aficionados out there. Amazingly, he is available in a plethora of leagues, so if you are wanting to upgrade at LB, this would be a fine time to go free agent shopping. 

Neville Hewitt HOU

Assuming Kamu Grugier-Hill will miss Week 15 against the Jags on the road (knee and COVID), then Hewitt will be an every down LB for the Texans. He collected four TT in limited action in Week 14, which should increase with increased PT. He is more of a LB3/4 than an absolute starter, be advised.

Defensive Linemen

Dre’Mont Jones DE DEN

Despite playing significantly less than half the snaps on defense for the Broncos, Jones still collect three solo tackles (all three TFL!), a pair of sacks and QH each, plus a PD. Whew, that’s quite a line for a part-time player. Note that he has 5.5 sacks, all collected over the past six games.

Roy Robertson-Harris DT JAX

He is of more interest in ESPN leagues where he qualifies at DT as opposed to the Yahoo platform where he toils among more desirable defensive end options. Although any DL that offers four TT (three solo, one TFL) with a sack and a pair of QH has the ability to pique a fantasy owner’s interest. Still, it is in DT-mandatory leagues in the ESPN scheme where he has the highest value.

B.J. Hill DT CIN

Hill picked up at least a partial sack for the third week in the row, knocking down the 49er QB in Week 14 while also snagging four TT (three solo, one TFL). He was also credited with a QH in the last game. This week does not profile as a superb matchup, but Week 16’s game against the Ravens at home looks promising.

Defensive Backs

Elijah Riley S NYJ

Riley is essentially an every-down starter for the Jets, with Marcus Maye out of action, and is offering excellent value in tackle-oriented leagues, with 17 TT over the past two games, along with a sack in Week 13. He has a trio of decent matchups in place with the playoffs at hand as well.

Grant Delpit S CLE

Delpit played all 74 defensive snaps in Week 14, and amassed 11 solo tackles during the course of the game against the visiting Ravens. He also picked up a QH during the contest, and should Ronnie Harrison be stuck on the sidelines this week, expect his increased workload to again yield positive fantasy results for his owners.

Landon Collins S WAS

Collins collected two sacks against the Cowboys in Week 14, his first multiple sack effort this season, and he gets to face off against the Cowboys again in Week 16. While this week’s game against the Eagles does not project as a great matchup, he is being used all over the defense and is coming off a five solo tackle game, with an INT, a PD and QH to fill up the big-play portion of his stat sheet. 

Jourdan Lewis CB DAL

A nickel corner for the Cowboys, he has been seeing full-time snaps on the defensive side of the ball recently. He had six solo tackles in Week 14, along with a useful FF, FR and PD to provide big play utility as well. He has become an all around valuable DB to utilize in your IDP leagues.

Chris Westry CB BAL

The second-year player has but six NFL games to his credit, so look to offensive coordinators and QBs to keep testing him while he fills in for the depleted Raven secondary as the regular season winds down. He had six solo tackles in Week 14 against the host Browns, as well as a PD. Opportunity leads to fantasy production, and he will see his fair share of targets coming his way going forward.

Mike Hughes CB KC

When your first play of the game results in fumble recovery TD, it is difficult to climb up from there. Even so, nine TT (eight solo) were a fine addition to the stat sheet for the replacement starter on defense in the backfield. That the Raiders had to air out the ball all game also helped pad his production, and the two FF and aforementioned FR made for a overall great effort for those lucky enough to have had him in their lineups.

Dane Jackson CB BUF

Now that Tre’Davious White has been placed on the IR, Jackson will be relied upon to pick up the slack in the Buffalo defensive backfield. He had seven TT in his first heavy duty for the Bills and a pair of PDs. As a second year player, he will be tested by offenses going forward, so that means opportunity to put up fantasy stats going forward.

Escalator Going Down

Linebackers

T.J. Watt PIT

He played limited snaps last week, prior to suffering a groin injury, and while the word out of the Steel City is that he will not miss time, there is the concern that he aggravates the issue again. Love his work ethic, but he is not exactly the picture of trustworthiness for IDP purposes right now.

Defensive Linemen

Quinnen Williams DT NYJ

Williams was able to return to game action after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 14’s game against the visiting Saints, but even if he continues to take the field, the issue with his shoulder will keep him from playing at his top level best. There are better options, healthier choices, for your starting DL slots.

Defensive Backs

Brandon Facyson CB LV

The Raider corner had a mid-season stretch of games where he was of some utility, putting up good points for his owners, but has cooled off significantly in recent times. Coming off a two TT effort (one solo), he has now become waiver wire fodder for others to clog their lineups with, and you should feel free to cut him loose.

 

Matchups to Exploit

Remember, the first team listed is the one to use your IDPs against. Do not go crazy, and play a Denver LB5 against the Bengals, but certainly you will do well if you own a top DE in the Washington/Philly contest or a DB on the Giants, that you can plug in this week, for the most part.

Inside Linebackers

Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver

Chicago Bears vs Minnesota

Baltimore Ravens vs Green Bay

Indianapolis Colts vs New England

Outside Linebackers

Detroit Lions vs Arizona

Carolina Panthers @ Buffalo

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville

Defensive Ends

Washington Football Team @ Philadelphia

Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington

Baltimore Ravens vs Green Bay

Defensive Tackles

Tennessee Titans @ Pittsburgh

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay

Carolina Panthers @ Buffalo

Safeties

Baltimore Ravens vs Green Bay

Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle

Atlanta Falcons @ San Francisco

Cornerbacks

Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City

Buffalo Bills vs Carolina

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Tennessee

New England Patriots @ Indianapolis

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants

Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver

 

Waiver Wire Targets

This section is intended to serve as a shortened cheat sheet listing those waiver wire targets you should be considering if you need to plug a hole in your starting lineup. All these players are spotlighted above, and you can read my comments about them in the "Elevator Going Up" section of this article. This group consists of those that you may have a chance of locating on your league's waiver wire in that they are owned in significantly less than 50% of leagues. Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.

Linebackers

Josh Woods DET

Preston Smith GB

Ernest Jones LAR

Azeez Al-Shaair SF 

Neville Hewitt HOU

Defensive Linemen

Dre’Mont Jones DE DEN

Roy Robertson-Harris DT JAX

B.J. Hill DT CIN

Defensive Backs

Elijah Riley S NYJ

Grant Delpit S CLE

Landon Collins S WAS

Jourdan Lewis CB DAL

Chris Westry CB BAL

Mike Hughes CB KC

Dane Jackson CB BUF

 

Ouch (My Aching Roster)

All the injury reports below need evaluation prior to kickoff.  Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. Consider the list below as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.

Linebackers

Zeke Turner ARI shoulder IR

Tanner Vallejo ARI knee IR

Kylie Fitts ARI concussion IR

Emmanuel Ellerbee ATL knee IR-COVID

Adetokunbo Ogundeji ATL ankle

Dante Fowler ATL calf

Daren Bates ATL groin IR

Daelin Hayes BAL ankle IR

Pernell McPhee BAL knee IR

L.J. Fort BAL knee-ACL IR

Tyrel Dodson BUF undisclosed IR-COVID

A.J. Klein BUF illness IR-COVID

Roquan Smith CHI hamstring 

Cassius Marsh CHI knee IR

Khalil Mack CHI foot IR

Danny Trevathan CHI knee IR

Jeremiah Attaochu CHI pectoral IR

Clay Johnson CIN undisclosed IR-COVID

Markus Bailey CIN neck

Logan Wilson CIN shoulder

Akeem Davis-Gaither CIN foot IR

Jordan Evans CIN knee IR

Anthony Walker CLE undisclosed IR-COVID

Montrel Meander CLE Achilles IR

Jabril Cox DAL knee-ACL IR

Kenny Young DEN concussion

Andre Mintze DEN hamstring IR

Malik Reed DEN undisclosed IR-COVID

A.J. Johnson DEN pectoral IR

Josey Jewell DEN pectoral IR

Natrez Patrick DEN leg IR

Jalen Reeves-Maybin DET shoulder

Julian Okwara DET ankle

Tavante Beckett DET undisclosed

Alex Anzalone DET ankle

Trey Flowers DET knee IR

Romeo Okwara DET Achilles IR

Shaun Dion Hamilton DET undisclosed IR

Za’Darius Smith GB back IR

Chauncey Rivers GB knee-ACL IR

Randy Ramsey GB leg IR

Kamu Grugier-Hill HOU illness IR-COVID

Kevin Pierre-Louis HOU hamstring

Hardy Nickerson HOU concussion IR

Bobby Okereke IND illness

Zaire Franklin IND illness IR-COVID

Dylan Moses JAX knee

Patrick Onwuasor LV hamstring

Denzel Perryman LV ankle

Darron Lee LV undisclosed

Nick Kwiatkoski LV ankle IR

Nicholas Morrow LV ankle IR

Kyler Fackrell LAC knee IR

Terrell Lewis LAR back

Travin Howard LAR hamstring IR

Brennan Scarlett MIA knee IR

Ryan Connelly MIN knee IR

Blake Lynch MIN hip

Cameron McGrone NE knee-ACL 

Josh Uche NE ankle IR

Ja’Whaun Bentley NE ribs

Harvey Langi NE knee-MCL IR

Terez Hall NE undisclosed IR-COVID

Anfernee Jennings NE undisclosed IR

Ronnie Perkins NE illness

Raekwon McMillan NE knee-ACL IR

Kaden Elliss NO hamstring

Pete Werner NO elbow

Quentin Poling NO undisclosed

Justin Hilliard NYG ankle IR

Carter Coughlin NYG ankle IR

Blake Martinez NYG knee-ACL IR

Trent Harris NYG ankle IR

T.J. Brunson NYG knee-ACL

Blake Cashman NYJ illness IR-COVID

Jamien Sherwood NYJ Achilles IR

Patrick Johnson PHI back

Davion Taylor PHI knee IR

Robert Spillane PIT knee

Alex Highsmith PIT ankle

T.J. Watt PIT groin

Dre Greenlaw SF groin

Fred Warner SF ankle

Azeez Al-Shaair SF elbow

Ben Burr-Kirven SEA knee-ACL IR

David Long TEN hamstring

Monty Rice TEN ankle IR

Bud Dupree TEN abdomen IR

Rashad Weaver TEN lower leg IR

B.J. Bello TEN ankle IR

David Mayo WAS illness IR-COVID

Jordan Kunaszyk WAS hamstring

Jared Norris WAS shoulder IR

Khaleke Hudson AS undisclosed IR-COVID

Jon Bostic WAS pectoral

Defensive Linemen

DE

Zach Kerr ARI ribs 

J.J. Watt ARI shoulder IR

Calais Campbell BAL thigh

Derek Wolfe BAL back IR

Bryan Cox BUF Achilles IR

Austin Larkin CAR groin 

Akiem Hicks CHI ankle

Mario Edwards CHI undisclosed IR-COVID

Trey Hendrickson CIN back

Joseph Ossai CIN knee-Meniscus IR

Wyatt Hubert CIN pectoral

Jadeveon Clowney CLE knee

Takkarist McKinley CLE illness IR-COVID

Shelby Harris DEN knee

Joel Heath DET knee-ACL IR

Whitney Mercilus GB biceps IR

DeMarcus Walker HOU hamstring IR

Jordan Jenkins HOU knee-PCL IR

Tyquan Lewis IND knee IR

Chris Jones KC undisclosed IR-COVID

Malik Herring KC knee-ACL

Joshua Kaindoh KC ankle IR

Maxx Crosby LV calf

Carl Nassib LV knee

Danielle Hunter NIM undisclosed IR-COVID

Everson Griffen MIN personal

Janarius Robinson MIN lower body IR

Christian Barmore NE knee 

Henry Anderson NE pectoral IR

Payton Turner NO shoulder IR

Cameron Jordan NO illness IR-COVID

Tanoh Kpassagnon NO ankle IR

Leonard Williams NYG elbow

Ronald Blair NYJ illness

Bryce Huff NYJ back IR

Vinny Curry NYJ illness

Carl Lawson NYJ Achilles IR

Brandon Graham PHI Achilles IR

Calvin Taylor PIT undisclosed

Stephon Tuitt PIT undisclosed IR

Tyson Alualu PIT ankle IR

Dee Ford SF back IR

William Bradley-King illness

James Smith-Williams undisclosed IR-COVID

Casey Toohill WAS undisclosed IR-COVID

Chase Young WAS knee-ACL IR

Montez Sweat WAS illness IR-COVID

Jalen Jelks WAS undisclosed IR

DT

Jack Crawford ARI undisclosed IR

Xavier Kelly BAL Achilles IR

Star Lotulelei BUF toe

Justin Zimmer BUF knee-ACL IR

Davlyon Nixon CAR knee IR

Eddie Goldman CHI undisclosed IR-COVID

Khyiris Tonga CHI shoulder

Tyler Shelvin CIN illness

Malik Jackson CLE knee

Brent Urban DAL triceps IR

Jashon Cornell DET illness

Vincent Taylor HOU ankle IR

Rob Windsor IND hip IR

Khalen Saunders KC undisclosed IR

Gerald McCoy LV knee IR

Linval Joseph LAC shoulder

Justin Jones LAC ankle

Sebastian Joseph-Day LAR undisclosed IR-COVID

Jaylen Twyman MIN pelvis

Byron Cowart NE undisclosed PUP

Malcolm Roach NO knee

Jalen Dalton NO triceps IR

Quinnen Williams NYJ shoulder

Isaiah Buggs PIT ankle

Maurice Hurst SF calf 

Javon Kinlaw SF knee-ACL IR

Bryan Mone SEA knee-PCK 

Marcus Webb SEA undisclosed IR

Sam Renner TB undisclosed 

Teair Tart TEN ankle

Trevon Coley TEN foot IR

Tim Settle WAS undisclosed IR-COVID

Jonathan Allen WAS illness IR-COVID

Defensive Backs

S

Charles Washington ARI hamstring IR

James Wiggins ARL knee IR

Erik Harris ATL pectoral

Richie Grant ATL ankle

Ar’Darius Washington BAL foot IR

DeShon Elliott BAL pectoral IR

Khalil Dorsey BAL undisclosed IR

DeAndre Houston-Carson CHI arm

Xavier Crawford CHI concussion

Brandon Wilson CIN knee IR

John Johnson CLE illness

Ronnie Harrison CLE ankle

Donavan Wilson DAL shoulder IR

P.J. Locke DEN undisclosed IR-COVID

Nickell Robey-Coleman DET undisclosed 

Corey Ballentine DET illness

Tracy Walker DET undisclosed IR-COVID

Terrence Brooks HOU hamstring

Justin Reid HOU concussion

Julian Blackmon IND Achilles IR

Chris Lammons KC ankle IR

Johnathon Abram LV illness

Tyree Gillespie LV hamstring IR

Derwin James LAC hamstring 

Alohi Gilman LAC quadriceps

Trey Marshall LAC ankle

Mark Webb LAC knee IR

Jordan Fuller LAR undisclosed IR-COVID

Terrell Burgess LAR undisclosed IR-COVID

JuJu Hughes LAR undisclosed IR-COVID

Dayan Ghanwoloku LAR undisclosed

Jevon Holland MIA illness IR-COVID

Trill Williams MIA hamstring

BranDon Jones MIA elbow

Elijah Campbell MIA toe IR

Jason McCourty MIA foot IR

Jonathan Jones NE shoulder IR

Adrian Phillips NE knee

Nate Ebner NYG ankle IR

Jabrill Peppers NYG knee-ACL IR

Joshua Kalu NYG pectoral IR

Justin Hardee NYJ illness IR-COVID

Marcus Maye NYJ Achilles IR

Lamarcus Joyner NYJ triceps IR

Dontae Johnson SF personal

Tarvarius Moore SF Achilles PUP

Tavon Wilson SF foot IR

Jason Verrett SF knee-ACL IR

Gavin Heslop SEA lower leg

Jamal Adams SEA shoulder-labrum IR

Marquise Blair SEA kneecap IR

Jordan Whitehead TB calf

Curtis Riley TB Achilles IR

Maurice Smith TEN undisclosed

Chris Jackson TEN foot IR

CB

Isaiah Oliver ATL knee IR

Jimmy Smith BAL personal

Marlon Humphrey BAL pectoral IR

Iman Marshall BAL knee IR

Marcus Peters BAL knee-ACL IR

Tre’Davious White BUF knee-ACL IR

A.J. Bouye CAR foot

Donte Jackson CAR groin IR

Stantley Thomas-Oliver toe IR

Jaycee Horn CAR foot IR

Troy Pride CAR knee-ACL IR

Artie Burns CHI undisclosed IR-COVID

Teez Tabor CHI illness

Duke Shelley CHI hamstring IR

Darius Phillips CIN shoulder IR

Chidobe Awuzie CIN foot

Trae Waynes CIN hamstring IR

Eli Apple CIN ankle

Greg Newsome II CLE concussion

Troy Hill CLE knee

Maurice Canady DAL concussion IR

Reggie Robinson II DAL toe IR

Jerry Jacobs Det knee-ACL IR

Mark Gilbert DET undisclosed IR-COVID

Ifeatu Melifonwu DET undisclosed IR-COVID

Bobby Price DET undisclosed IR-COVID

AJ Parker DET ankle IR

Jeff Okudah DET Achilles IR

Jaire Alexander GB shoulder-AC joint IR

Jinny Moreland HOU foot

Desmond King HOU head

L’Jarius Sneed KC personal

Trayvon Mullen LV toe

Damon Arnette LV groin

Asante Samuel Jr. LAC concussion

Ryan Smith LAC knee-ACL IR

Jalen Ramsey LAR illness IR-COVID

Donte’ Deayon LAR illness IR-COVID

Robert Rochell LAR chest IR

Jamal Perry MIA knee IR

Keith Washington NO wrist

Adoree’ Jackson NYG quadriceps

Darnay Holmes NYG ribs IR

RoDarius Williams NYG knee-ACL IR

Quincy Wilson NYG ankle IR

Michael Carter II NYJ concussion

Zane Lewis NYJ knee-MCL IR

Steven Nelson PHI shoulder

Joe Haden PIT foot 

DeMarkus Acy PIT knee-ACL IR

Ambry Thomas SF concussion

Emmanuel Moseley SF ankle IR

D.J. Reed SEA chest

Tre Brown SEA knee IR

Rashard Robinson TB hamstring IR

Jamel Dean TB illness

Janoris Jenkins TEN ankle

Caleb Farley TEN knee-ACL IR

Kendall Fuller WAS undisclosed IR-COVID

Benjamin St-Juste WAS concussion IR

Torry McTyer WAS knee-ACL IR

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, you can also send a message to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a personal response from the writer of this article. Naturally, the more detail you can send about your league, such as number of teams, platform you play in (Yahoo, ESPN, etc.), scoring and roster system, the better the ability to provide accurate advice.