Fantasy Football IDP Report: Week 15
Published: Dec 16, 2021
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.
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
Ernest Jones LAR
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.