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

Micah McFadden (LB – NYG): 5% rostered on Yahoo
McFadden was excellent in Week 14, exploding for eight solos, three assists, and five tackles for loss. The spike week puts him back in the LB2 conversation just in time for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Tap him as an LB3 where possible, but squeeze him in as an LB2 if you find yourself in a pinch. Add McFadden wherever available.

Josey Jewell (LB – CAR): 9% rostered on Yahoo
Jewell was at it again in Week 14, tallying five solos, five assists, 1.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss. The LB5 in fppg after stringing four consecutive spike weeks together, Jewell is back in the top-15 conversation just in time for the fantasy playoffs and should be added wherever available.

Isaiah McDuffie (LB – GB): 1% rostered on Yahoo
McDuffie has been coming on for the Packers, notching four solos and 11 assists. This was his second spike week in a row, and he should continue to see an expanded role for Week 15, with Edgerrin Cooper expected to be limited even if he does manage to return against the Seattle Seahawks. Fire McDuffie up as an LB3 option despite the tough on-paper matchup. Add McDuffie where needed.

Blake Cashman (LB – MIN): 5% rostered on Yahoo
Cashman was solid in Week 14, racking up five solos, two assists, and one pass defended. Cashman has been producing at an LB2 level since returning from injury and should be treated as one for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Add Cashman where possible.

Pete Werner (LB – NO): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Werner was solid in Week 14, tallying five solos and one assist on 63 percent of the snaps. Werner usually plays north of 80 percent of the snaps, so he could have provided more production if he was closer to the norm against the New York Giants. Werner is locked into his starting role but ceded some snaps to Jordan Howden in three safety looks. Werner is a solid LB3 option for Week 15 thanks to a plus matchup against Washington, and has another tasty matchup in Week 17. Add Werner where needed.

Defensive Line

Yetur Gross-Matos (DE/LB – SF): 0% rostered on Yahoo
Yetur went off in Week 14, racking up four solos, three sacks, and three tackles for loss. Yetur is flourishing with the extra snaps due to Nick Bosa being sidelined and should continue to play a large role for the 49ers’ defense, especially on passing downs. Add Yetur where needed as a DL3/4 option for a neutral Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Brian Burns (DE – NYG): 5% rostered on Yahoo
Burns was excellent in Week 14, tallying two solos, two assists, one sack, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Now up to seven sacks on the season, Burns should be counted as a DL1 option for Week 15 despite the neutral matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Back on the sack ledger after a two week gap since recording at least one sack in six of eight games, Burns should be rostered and started universally, regardless of provider.

Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE – NYG): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Kayvon showed up in Week 14, notching two solos, one assist, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Kayvon is up to three sacks on the season but has struggled with health and consistency. He has a neutral matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15 but is teaming with upside due to the Ravens’ recent struggles protecting Lamar Jackson. Add and start THibodeaux as a DL3 option where needed.

Alex Highsmith (DE/LB – PIT): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Highsmith showed up in Week 14, racking up two solos, one assist, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Highsmith is up to four sacks on the season but has played just seven games due to injury. Highsmith has a plus matchup to take advantage of in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles and should be treated as a DL3 with easy DL2 upside. Add Highsmith everywhere.

A’Shawn Robinson (DE/DT – CAR): 9% rostered on Yahoo
A’Shawn continues to impress for the Carolina Panthers, most recently tallying two solos, three assists, 1.5 sacks, and one tackle for loss. Robinson has just 4.5 sacks on the season, but all of them have come since Week 8. Adding to his value, A’Shawn had registered four or more solos in five straight weeks and five or more in three straight coming into Week 14. Tap Robinson as a DT1/DL3 for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Defensive Back

C.J. Gardner-Johnson (S – PHI): 1% rostered on Yahoo
CJGJ showed up in Week 14, racking up three solos, three assists, one interception, and two passes defended. CJGJ has been a boom-or-bust play this season, relegating him to DB3 status despite his immense talent. With that said, he has an excellent playoff schedule starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Add and start Gardner-Johnson as an upside DB3 for the plus matchup.

Damar Hamlin (S – BUF): 5% rostered on Yahoo
Hamlin showed up in Week 14, tallying seven solos and six assists against the Los Angeles Rams. It was his first spike week since Week 9, but Hamlin was excellent in the first half of the season. Hopefully, this is the start of another tear. Add and start Hamlin as an upside DB3 option for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Detroit Lions.

Chamarri Conner (CB/S – KC): 8% rostered on Yahoo
Chamarri was at it again in Week 14, notching seven solos, two assists, and one tackle for loss. Conner has been an IDP force out of the slot and should continue to be treated as an upside DB3 option for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Add and start Chamarri everywhere.

Jonathan Owens (S – CHI): 1% rostered on Yahoo
Owens continues to flash when called upon, this time recording five solos, two assists, one interception, and one pass defended. Owens has seen an expanded role with Elijah Hicks (ankle) sidelined and is expected to draw another start for a plus Week 15 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. Add Owens where possible as a DB3 with DB2 upside.

Ugo Amadi (CB/S – NO): 4% rostered on Yahoo
Amadi was at it again in Week 14, racking up six solos, two assists, and two passes defended. Amadi has become an IDP lynchpin since the Marcus Lattimore trade, not only achieving CB1 status but forcing his way into the legit DB2 conversation. Treat Amadi as a top-25 option for Week 15, thanks to a tasty matchup against the New York Giants.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.