Week 12 is now in the books. There are numerous storylines to track, but perhaps the most significant is the players turning it on in time for the byes. There were a lot of defensive fireworks in Week 12, so there are more than a few intriguing names on the waiver wire in leagues of all sizes. Let’s take a look at some of the names that may be worth some of your free agent budget.
Linebacker
Denzel Perryman (LB – LV): 6% rostered on Yahoo
Perryman was excellent in Week 12, recording four solos, five assists, two tackles for loss, one interception, and one pass defended. The pick was Perryman’s first since 2019, so we won’t be chasing that, but Perryman has continued to produce now that he is back in the full-time role at middle linebacker. He has little to no competition outside Jayon Brown now that Divine Deablo is on IR and Blake Martinez retired and needs to be rostered and started as an LB2 option. As most of us know, Perryman has LB1 upside and could sneak back into the conversation if he can keep up his strong play. Add him wherever needed.
Elandon Roberts (LB – MIA): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Elandon Roberts has been impressive over the last two weeks, most recently putting up eight solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss against the Houston Texans in Week 12. Elandon has recorded at least five solos and at least seven total tackles in each of the last three weeks and may be emerging as the Dolphins linebacker to roster over Jerome Baker, despite the latter regularly seeing significantly more snaps. Elandon projects as an intriguing LB3 option for Week 13 thanks to a plus matchup against a San Francisco 49ers team allowing the 11th most fantasy points per game to the position. Add and start the Dolphins linebacker where needed.
Kaden Elliss (LB – NO): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Kaden Elliss continues to ball out for the New Orleans Saints, so much so that you can bet that the Saints are in no rush to get Pete Werner back on the field until he is 100 percent. His inspired play makes one wonder what they are going to do at the position this offseason, but for now, as long as Werner or Demario Davis are sidelined, we can count on Elliss as a fantasy stud. He has proven to be a LB1 level contributor since taking over for the injured Werner in Week 10. Elliss has played close to every snap with Werner sidelined, and as someone who was seeing edge snaps before the injury is racking up sacks as well. Elliss has 3.5 sacks in his last four games and will continue to be one of the better off-ball pass rushers going forward. Add the talented linebacker where available with an eye on plugging him in for Week 13 if Werner misses another game.
Cody Barton (LB – SEA): 6% rostered on Yahoo
Cody Barton was excellent in Week 12, tallying eight solos, four assists, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended. He has played starter snaps for the second straight week, seeing 73 percent in Week 12 and 80 percent in Week 10. The snap count is still a far cry from the near every snap role he saw to start the season but is more than enough to make him someone to lean on in IDP leagues again. Barton is an LB2 option when he is at his best and seeing close to every snap but should probably be viewed as more of an LB3 due to week-to-week role uncertainty. Treat him as an LB3 with LB2 upside despite the tough on-paper matchup against a Los Angeles Rams team limiting the position to the second-fewest fantasy points per game.
Josey Jewell (LB – DEN): 12% rostered on Yahoo
Josey Jewell continues to make good on his LB1 status, racking up seven solos, one assist, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble in Week 12. Jewell has been an elite option when healthy and should be rostered and started in all competitive leagues. Add Jewell in any and all leagues.
Others to consider: Alex Anzalone (LB – DET): 10%, Jaylon Smith (LB – NYG): 0%, Logan Wilson (LB – CIN): 13%, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB – CLE): 6%, Damone Clark (LB – DAL): 0%
Defensive Line
Sam Hubbard (DE – CIN): 14% rostered on Yahoo
Sam Hubbard was excellent in Week 12, racking up three solos, three assists, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Hubbard has started to heat up after a slow start to the season and has registered a sack in three of his last five games. Hubbard will be a DL2 option most weeks going forward and is just that for a plus Week 13 matchup against a Kansas City Chiefs team relinquishing the 16th most fantasy points per game to the position.
Montez Sweat (DE – CIN): 12% rostered on Yahoo
Montez Sweat has caught fire for the Commanders, most recently racking up two solos, two assists, one sack, and two tackles for loss against the Atlanta Falcons. Sweat has four sacks in his last three games, notching at least one in each of those contests. Sweat needs to be treated as a DL1 option going forward and is just that for a tasty Week 13 matchup against a New York Giants team gifting the sixth most fantasy points per game to the defensive end position.
Leonard Williams (DT/DE – NYG): 6% rostered on Yahoo
Williams was excellent in Week 12, tallying five solos, one assist, and two tackles for loss. The rare defensive lineman who produces even when he is not getting sacks, Williams has recorded five solos in three of his last four contests. Long gone in DT leagues, there is no reason for Williams to be sitting on the wire in DL leagues. Start Williams as a DT1/DL2 regardless of opponent.
Yannick Ngakoue (DE – IND): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Ngakue was excellent on Monday night, racking up three solos, one assist, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. The outing was his multi-sack game of the season and extends an interesting streak that has seen Ngakoue record at least a half sack in six straight games. Now up to 2.5 sacks in his last two games, Ngakoue is cooking and needs to be started universally as a DL2 option going forward. Treat him as such despite the tough on-paper Week 13 matchup against a Dallas Cowboys team limiting the position to the fewest fantasy points per game.
Others to consider: Jaelan Phillips (DE/LB – MIA): 1%, James Houston (DE/LB – DET): 0%, Anthony Nelson (DE/LB – TB): 1%, Marquis Haynes (DE – CAR): 0%, Ed Oliver (DT – BUF): 1%
Defensive Back
Darrick Forrest (S – WAS): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Forrest has finally started making good of his every snap role, racking up eight solos and three assists in Week 12. Forrest was lights out to start the season while Kamren Curl was sidelined, but has taken a while to adjust to playing with Curl. Forrest has proven DB2 upside and should be rostered and started in competitive leagues. It is better to view him as a DB3 until he strings together a couple of strong outings, so treat him as such despite the plus Week 13 matchup against a New York Giants team allowing the 11th most fantasy points per game to the safety position.
Taylor Rapp (S – LAR): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Rapp had a throwback performance in Week 12, tallying seven solos and five assists. It was his best fantasy performance of the season and is hopefully a sign of good things to come. He is worth a flier for those in deeper leagues, especially with a light bye week. Keep Rapp benched for Week 13 with an eye on starting him down the stretch if he starts to heat up.
Jordan Poyer (S – BUF): 12% rostered on Yahoo
Poyer had his highest tackle count of the season in Week 12, racking up eight solos and two assists. Poyer has been in and out of the lineup while nursing various injuries this season, so a return to the form that made him a DB1 option to open the campaign is a welcomed sign. He should still be viewed as more of a DB2 than a DB1 but can re-enter the conversation if he has another strong outing. Poyer should be rostered and started in all competitive leagues. Start him where possible for Week 13.
Kyle Dugger (S – NE): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Injuries and sporadic snap counts have led to some inconsistency this season, but Dugger is back to his DB1 level of play. He recorded eight solos and one assist in Week 12 and has put together back-to-back top-15 level numbers. His snaps are still fluctuating, but he is seeing enough work to be trusted as a DB1 option going forward. There is no reason for Dugger to be available in so many leagues. Start him as a DB1 option for a neutral Week 13 matchup against a Buffalo Bills team surrendering the 19th most fantasy points per game.
Jalen Pitre (S – HOU): 12% rostered on Yahoo
Pitre made good of the plus Week 12 matchup, recording a stout seven solos and one pass defended on the afternoon. The DB11 overall on the season, Pitre, should be viewed as a weekly DB1 option, regardless of opponent. Pitre, a rookie, has been inconsistent this season, but the seven solos matches his career high. Start Pitre with confidence as a DB1 option for a tasty Week 13 matchup against a Cleveland Browns team relinquishing the seventh most fantasy points per game to the safety position.
Others to consider: Quandre Diggs (S – SEA): 2%, Nick Scott (S – LAR): 0%, Andre Cisco (S – JAC): 0%, DeAndre Houston-Carson (S – CHI): 0%, Mike Edwards (S – TB): 9%
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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.
