Week 14 is now in the books. There are numerous storylines to track, but perhaps the most significant is the overlooked IDP players who showed out in Week 14. There were a lot of defensive fireworks in Week 14, 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.
Week 15 IDP Waiver Wire
Linebacker
Ivan Pace Jr. (LB – MIN): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Ivan Pace Jr. went off in Week 14, exploding with seven solos, six assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, one interception, and one pass defended. Pace has played every snap in each of the last three weeks, recording six or more solos in each. He has forced his way into the LB2 conversation for quarterfinals week and should be treated as such for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jahlani Tavai (LB – NE): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Tavai had his highest tackle count of the season in Week 14, racking up eight solos and four assists for the New England Patriots. He has been a solid LB3 option during the byes and should still be leaned on as an LB3/4 for the fantasy playoffs. He has a plus matchup on tap this week against the Kansas City Chiefs and should not be left wanting for tackle opportunities. Tap him as an LB3 option where needed for Week 15.
Christian Harris (LB – HOU): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Christian Harris was excellent in Week 14, racking up seven solos, three assists, and one forced fumble. He has started three of the last four weeks, recording five or more solos in each start and playing at least 93 percent of the snaps. He should get the start again this week, which makes him a borderline LB2 option. Tap him as an LB3 with LB2 upside for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Tyrel Dodson (LB – BUF): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Dodson was excellent in Week 14, reeling off six solos, two assists, and one tackle for loss. He continues to play well ahead of Dorian Williams, seeing 73 percent of the snaps in each of the last two weeks. He has a plus matchup on tap for Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas moves the ball well enough to inundate Dodson with tackle opportunities. Start him as an LB3 option where needed for quarterfinal week.
Nick Herbig (LB – PIT): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Herbig was excellent in Week 14, recording five solos, two assists, and one tackle for loss against the New England Patriots. He played 70 percent of the snaps, frequently seeing the field in two linebacker sets with Elandon Roberts. He appears to have passed Mykkal Walker on the depth chart, which puts him in line for LB3/4 value for quarterfinals week. Start Herbig where needed for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Others to consider: Anthony Walker (LB – CLE): 1%, Zach Cunningham (LB – PHI): 2%, Nicholas Morrow (LB – PHI): 3%, Kyle Van Noy (DE/LB – BAL): 0%, Mykal Walker (LB – PIT): 0%
Defensive Line
Harold Landry : 2% rostered on Yahoo
Landry went bonkers on Monday night, playing a pivotal part in the upset win against the Miami Dolphins by racking up four solos, one assist, three sacks, and three tackles for loss. Suddenly at 8.5 sacks for the season, Landry has recorded 7.5 of those since Week 6. Tap Landry as a DL3 option, who can suddenly become a DL2 option if CJ Stroud is ruled out of Week 15. Add Landry wherever available.
Leonard Williams (DT/DE – SEA): 3% rostered on Yahoo
Leonard Williams was solid in Week 14, reeling off two solos, two assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended. Williams has looked much more motivated as a member of the Seahawks and is playing closer to the level fantasy managers expected to start the season. Williams is a uist start DT1 and is a solid DL3 option where needed. His solos have not returned to previous year’s levels, but he has a sack in each of the last two games and has started heating up when it counts the most. Start Williams everywhere as a DT1/DL3.
George Karlaftis (DE – KC): 5% rostered on Yahoo
Karlaftis continues to shine for the Kansas City Chiefs, most recently racking up two solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Tied for 16th in the league with nine sacks, he is 13th in the NFL with 57 pressures. For context, he has more sacks than Aidan Hutchinson, Aaron Donald, Chris Jones, Chase Young, and Bradley Chubb. Karlaftis should be viewed as a DL2/3 for the fantasy playoffs and needs to be universally rostered. Start him as a DL2 option for a plus Week 15 matchup against a struggling New England Patriots offense.
Javon Kinlaw (DT – SF): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Kinlaw has come to life in recent weeks. The much-maligned former 14th overall pick has 2.5 sacks in the last two weeks, recording two solos, one assist, 0.5 sacks, and one tackle for loss in Week 14. He is DT league only recommendation, but for those in those formats, adding someone with Kinlaw’s level of talent at this point of the season is unheard of. He is more DT2 than DT1 for now, but playing 59 percent of the snaps last week shows that the coaching staff believes that he has
Others to consider: D.J. Wonnum (DE/LB – MIN): 0%, Baron Browning (DE/LB – DEN): 0%, Maurice Hurst (DT – CLE): 0%, Justin Jones (DT – CHI): 0%, Harrison Phillips (DT – MIN): 6%, Yannick Ngakoue (DE – CHI): 3%, Byron Young (DE – LAR): 0%
Defensive Back
Ronnie Harrison Jr. (S – IND): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Ronnie Harrison started at middle linebacker for the Colts, playing alongside Zaire Franklin. He played 58 of 60 snaps, so the Colts are obviously comfortable with him going forward. Harrison racked up three solos, one assist, one interception, one pass defended, and one touchdown. He has a tremendous matchup on tap in Week 15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and should be started where needed as a DB3 option with DB2 upside. Deep leaguers should make the stash, even if you don’t need him for this week.
Ji’Ayir Brown (S – SF): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Ji’Ayir was excellent in Week 14, reeling off five solos, one assist, one interception, and one pass defended. He has been a stabilizing force in the wake of Talanoa Hufanga‘s season-ending injury and continues to make an impact in the IDP arena. He has five or more solos in two of his three starts this season and should continue to thrive playing against offenses that are forced into the passing game. He is a strong DB3 option for Week 14 and should be stated wherever possible for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
P.J. Locke (S – DEN): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Locke continues his strong play for the Denver Broncos, most recently racking up two solos, five assists, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. He has done an excellent job filling in for the suspended Kareem Jackson and should be treated as a DB3 with DB2 upside for the all-important Week 15. He has a sack in three straight games and has five or more solos in two of them. He is trending toward DB2 status. He has at least one more start left for the Broncos. Add and start Locke everywhere for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Alohi Gilman (S – LAC): 2% rostered on Yahoo
Gilman continues to thrive as an IDP producer, racking up six solos, two assists, and one tackle for loss. Gilman has played at a DB1 level this season, but his rostership numbers do not reflect that. Change that for quarterfinals week. Gilman has recorded an elite six or more solos in four of his last six games and should be viewed as a top-15 option for the fantasy playoffs. Treat him as such for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sydney Brown (S – PHI): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Synder Brown shined with five solos, three assists, and one pass defended in Week 14, playing 71 percent of the snaps. He could maintain the expanded role this week if Reed Blakenship’s injury proves to be serious, so fantasy managers should make the speculative add/stash where possible. Brown is a high-level talent who is expected to become a long-term fixture in the Eagles’ secondary, so he could be an impact IDP producer for your playoff run. His snap count will count on Blankenship’s health, but the concussion protocol has been more stringent this season, so fantasy managers should be aggressive with their FAAB spend.
Others to consider: Jordan Howden (S – NO): 0%, Mike Edwards (S – KC): 0%, Donovan Wilson (S – DAL): 5%, Marcus Williams (S – BAL): 1%, Kerby Joseph (S – DET): 5%, Jimmie Ward (S – HOU): 0%, Markquese Bell (S – DAL): 1%, Geno Stone (S – BAL): 1%, Jabrill Peppers (S – NE): 3%
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