Category: Fantasy Football IDP Analysis

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 8

Check your waiver wire for these IDP options ahead of Week 8.

We’re nearing the halfway point of the NFL season, and we hope you’re looking back at the competition in the rearview. It’ll be a high-octane week because no teams are on a bye in Week 8.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles

He’s a bit feast-or-famine, because if Sweat is not reaching the quarterback, he won’t add a lot. He’s reaching the quarterback often right now. He had two sacks in Week 7 and has at least a half-sack in five of seven games this season. He has only 19 tackles in seven games but has seven forced fumbles and an INT. He could have a field day against Washington this week.

DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

He was the last pick in the first round of the 2021 draft, and if he qualifies at DL in your league, he’s on a tear the last two weeks. JTS had four tackles and a sack two weeks ago and six tackles last week. The 24-year-old EDGE recorded four sacks in each of his first two seasons, and he has three thus far in 2023.

Linebackers

LB Blake Cashman, Houston Texans

He’s coming off a bye week, which could have kept him floating on waivers after a monstrous game in Week 6. Cashman had 15 tackles and two pass defenses. He had nine tackles in Week 5 as well. If available, he has the most upside of our linebacker pecking order this week.

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LB Kyle Van Noy, Baltimore Ravens

The 32-year-old veteran wreaked havoc in Week 7 with five tackles and two sacks. Van Noy has three sacks over the last two weeks and is forcing the team’s hand into giving him a bigger role. In deeper leagues, or leagues that rely heavier on sacks, he’s a sneaky option.

LB Anfernee Jennings, New England Patriots

The 2020 third-round pick has played in four games and has at least five tackles in each of them. He had six tackles in each of the last two games and could provide a low-ceiling, reasonable-floor option if you’re dealing with injuries at the position.

Defensive backs

CB Darious Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars

Five, seven, three, five – those are the tackle numbers the 30-year-old has produced the last four games. He also has a forced fumble, an INT and eight pass defenses in that stretch. Corners are combustible, but Williams has been great for the last month.

S Dean Marlowe, Los Angeles Chargers

Marlowe had 11 tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs last week and had six in the game before that. The 31-year-old journeyman will need S Alohi Gilman (heel) to remain sidelined to remain a factor, but you can’t ignore the output the last two weeks.

SS Jordan Poyer, Buffalo Bills

It has been a quiet season for 32-year-old vet, but he busted out in Week 7 with 10 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Before that game, he had a ho-hum 24 tackles on the year and nothing else. So you run the risk of that game being an aberration, but he has had at least five tackles in three straight games.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 7

Check your waiver wire for these IDP options ahead of Week 7.

Six weeks down, and two-thirds of the season to go. We’re through two weeks of byes, and we’re entering the point where you need to make real decisions on guys you have drafted or have been waiting to awaken. Keep an eye out for owners feeling the roster crunch who may drop a player they normally wouldn’t cut in order to cover an IDP bye.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Samson Ebukam, Indianapolis Colts

The 28-year-old has sacks in four of the last five games. He has had at least two tackles in all six games thus far, too. Ebukam has been a consistent performer the last four years with 4 1/2, 4 1/2, 4 1/2 and five sacks. He’s at four now and is poised to blow past his career high of five.

DE Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens

The former 2020 third-round pick has emerged the last three weeks with at least a half-sack in each game. Madubuike has totaled 12 total tackles and 3 1/2 sacks during the stretch. He’s a big, 305-pound run-stuffer who has shifted to the end, and he’s making the most of his opportunity.

Linebackers

LB Jahlani Tavai, New England Patriots

The 27-year-old, former second-round pick is having a breakout season. Over the last three weeks, he has 21 tackles, an INT, a sack, and two pass defenses. Tavai is exactly the kind of high-motor guy Bill Belichick loves, and he could be a mainstay in the middle for a while.

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LB Jack Gibbens, Tennessee Titans

The Titans are on a bye this week, so this will be a move if you have the roster space. Gibbens has earned it. He has had eight, 10, 10 and nine tackles over the last four weeks. He has one pass defense on the season and nothing else, so this will be for a league that values tackles.

LB Oren Burks, San Francisco 49ers

Burks is a depth piece to pick up, and he’s coming off his best two games of the season. He had five tackles and an INT in Week 5, and he followed that up with eight tackles in Week 6.

Defensive backs

SS Justin Reid, Kansas City Chiefs

Reid had a strong start to the season and fell off a cliff in Weeks 3 and 4. He has resurfaced the last two weeks with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and pass defense in Week 5, adding five tackles, an INT, and a sack in Week 6. He’ll be busy against the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins the next three weeks.

SS Josh Metellus, Minnesota Vikings

The 2020 sixth-round pick’s numbers the last few weeks will give you some pause. He has at least six tackles in each game, and he stood out in Week 6 with a strip sack and eight tackles. You simply can’t ignore these numbers any longer.

SS Tracy Walker, Detroit Lions

Walker is a target for deeper leagues where you’re looking for some low-hanging fruit. Over the last four weeks, he has six, five, four and six tackles to go with two pass defenses overall. He’s not going to jump off the page, but he adds some baseline numbers.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 6

Check your waiver wire for these IDP options ahead of Week 6.

We’re through five weeks and just completed the first round of byes. Keep an eye out for owners feeling the roster crunch who may drop a player they normally wouldn’t drop in order to cover an IDP bye.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions

Last year’s No. 2 overall pick has had three straight good games after a so-so first two weeks. Hutchinson has nine tackles, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, an INT, four pass defenses and 4 1/2 sacks over the last three weeks. Hutchinson is likely owned in most deeper and competitive formats, but if he’s still somehow on waivers, you should change that.

DT Ed Oliver, Buffalo Bills

The big, 287-pound tackle has been a force in the middle thus far. He has at least three tackles per game, but Oliver has at least one sack per game over the last three games. He added nine tackles and a sack in Week 5. Defensive tackles are risky, but he’s producing enough to warrant the pickup if you need to cover a bye.

Linebackers

LB Nathan Landman, Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons lost Troy Andersen in the middle to a torn pectoral muscle, and the undrafted Landman has stepped in nicely. He had nine tackles in Week 4 and seven in Week 5. He’ll face the Washington Commanders in Week 6, and they run the ball and use short routes a lot, which could be another big tackle day.

LB Henry To’oTo’o, Houston Texans

Injuries have catapulted the fifth-round pick into a spot on the strong side, and he has answered the bell. He has at least seven tackles in four straight games and had at least 10 stops in two of them. To’oTo’o doesn’t offer much else, but it’s hard to find someone to land around eight tackles a game on waivers.

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LB Christian Rozeboom, Los Angeles Rams

Six, five, five, six and five. That’s what the fourth-year, undrafted linebacker from South Dakota State has delivered in tackles each week. Rozeboom has offered nothing else, but he has set a baseline that can be useful in deeper formats if you’re trying to cover a bye at a premium position.

Defensive backs

SS Jimmie Ward, Houston Texans

It has been three good weeks in a row for the 10-year vet. He had eight tackles in Week 3, four tackles, and a forced fumble in Week 4, plus six tackles and a pass defense in Week 5. He has the New Orleans Saints this week and then a bye, which may mean he’s a short-term option. However, if he has another solid game this week, we could see keeping him around through the bye.

FS Micah Hyde, Buffalo Bills

From a fantasy perspective, the 32-year-old is a very unsexy option. His six tackles in Week 5 were a season high. He has two INTs, but he doesn’t really do much to stand out from a statistical standpoint. He has the New England Patriots, New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers the next three weeks, and he could see more INT windows.

S Sam Franklin, Carolina Panthers

Franklin could be a one-week play against the Miami Dolphins this week. The Panthers are on a bye in Week 7, and Franklin would probably be expendable that week. He has stepped in for Xavier Woods, who is out four-to-six weeks with a hamstring injury. He had a Pick-6 in Week 4 and eight tackles last week.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 5

Check your waiver wire for these IDP options ahead of Week 5.

Four weeks down, and we hope you’re sitting atop the standings. Bye weeks enter the fold this week, which means we’re going to have to dig deeper for gems and use our roster flexibility. Keep an eye out for owners feeling the roster crunch who may drop a player they normally wouldn’t drop in order to cover an IDP bye.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Chase Young, Washington Commanders

Now in his fourth year, Young is trying to find his way back into Defensive Rookie of the Year form after two lost years due to injuries. He had three tackles and 1.5 sacks in Week 2 and three tackles and a sack in Week 4. He’ll be highly dependent on sacks for fantasy value, but he looks to be regaining his rookie form.

DE Jonathan Greenard, Houston Texans

Greenard has had some peaks and valleys already this season, and Week 4 was another peak. He had five tackles and two sacks, and he also had five tackles and one sack in Week 1. He had three tackles in each of the two games between, so you know that you’re going to have to deal with the ebbs and flows with him.

Linebackers

LB Jahlani Tavai, New England Patriots

Tavai has quietly had three solid weeks in a row. The culmination was six tackles, a sack and a pass defense in Week 4. He has at least five tackles in three straight games. The team lost EDGE Matt Judon, possibly for the season, and Tavai could be asked to rush more as a result.

LB Nicholas Morrow, Philadelphia Eagles

Eleven tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble is how Morrow opened eyes in the fantasy world in Week 4. The problem? He had five tackles and a fumble recovery in the two previous games combined. Morrow had 116 tackles with the Chicago Bears last season and no sacks. In fact, the three sacks last week tied his career high in a season. So temper expectations and hope this breakout is a sign of things to come instead of fool’s gold.

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LB Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

The 32-year-old possible future Hall of Famer had a game for the ages in Week 4. He had 10 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass defense. He also did this without Joey Bosa rushing opposite of him. He doesn’t nearly have the fantasy value he used to unless he’s eligible for DL in your league, and the Chargers are on a bye this week. So his viability will depend largely on the size of your league, but he needs to be on your watch list or stashed for Week 6.

Defensive backs

SS Rudy Ford, Green Bay Packers

The seven-year vet has had three good weeks in a row. He had seven tackles in Week 2, seven tackles plus two pass defenses in Week 3, and eight tackles, a pick and a pass defense last week. Keep in mind, though, he may be a one-week pickup as he has a bye in Week 6.

FS Tre’Von Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders

The 2021 second-round pick is an attractive option on waivers because he has been pretty steady all four weeks. Six tackles in Week 1, five tackles and a pass defense in Week 2, four tackles in Week 3 and six tackles, a pick and two pass defenses in Week 4. He looks to be budding into a possible DB2 and should be scooped up.

CB Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks

This one is more of a watch list or deeper-league dive because Witherspoon and the Seahawks are on a bye in Week 5. He had 11 tackles and two pass defenses in Week 3 before a monstrous Week 4. The No. 5 overall pick had seven tackles, two sacks, a pass defense, and a pick-6 Monday night. The tackling and playmaking numbers put him on the radar for a pickup despite the bye.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 4

Check your waiver wire for these IDP options ahead of Week 4.

We enter Week 4, and this will be the last one for a while where we won’t have any bye weeks. Byes in IDP leagues are huge because of roster restraints, so keep an eye out for owners feeling the roster crunch who may drop a player they normally wouldn’t drop in order to cover an IDP bye.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DE Denico Autry, Tennessee Titans

The 33-year-old veteran is always someone hovering on waivers who you keep in the back of your mind. It’s for good reason, too, he has had at least 7.5 sacks in the three seasons before 2023. Autry has had three good games in a row, and you simply just can’t ignore it any longer. He has at least one sack in each game and has 10 total tackles and a forced fumble. He’ll serve as quality depth.

DE Leonard Floyd, Buffalo Bills

The former No. 9 overall pick is a boom-or-bust option that is booming like a firecracker right now. He was quiet in Week 2, but in the other two games, Floyd has six tackles and 3.5 sacks. He won’t produce a whole lot other than sacks, though, so keep that in mind.

Linebackers

LB Terrel Bernard, Buffalo Bills

Bernard has a chance to be a breakout performer at season’s end and should be picked up everywhere. While not a household name, he went undrafted in most leagues. He had 11 total tackles in Week 1; 6 tackles and an INT in Week 2 and seven tackles, a forced fumble, an INT and two sacks in Week 3. Put Bernard high on the waiver priority list as he’ll be a popular pickup.

LB Krys Barnes, Arizona Cardinals

Barnes is a useful player in fantasy, but his biggest problem is staying healthy. He left the Week 3 game with a hand injury, but it’s not expected to be a long-term issue. After a quiet Week 1, he has had seven tackles in each game and three total pass defenses.

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LB David Long, Miami Dolphins

Long had just one tackle in Week 1, but he had eight stops in each of the following two games and pitched in a sack in Week 2. Long had a career-high 86 tackles in 12 games last year, and he could push that with good health. The problem is, he doesn’t do much beyond tackles.

Defensive backs

SS Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

This one is for shallower formats: The No. 14 overall pick in 2022 had a monstrous game in Week 3. He had nine tackles, a forced fumble, three sacks and a pass defense. Awesome line, but he had just seven tackles combined and nothing else in the first two games. This could be a catalyst to a breakout, though, as he was a highly touted defender out of Notre Dame. Just take Week 3 with a grain of salt and see how he develops.

SS Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts

After a so-so, five-tackle performance in Week 1, Blackmon has been all over the field. He had 10 tackles in Week 2 and 12 tackles in Week 3. He hasn’t delivered stats anywhere else, but you’ll take those tackles to the bank even if he falls back to seven or eight a week.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 3

Check your waiver wire for these IDP options ahead of Week 3.

Two weeks down, and we’re starting to find a rhythm. Some major players have hit IR after the first two weeks, and maybe you’ve been bitten by one. Have no fear.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive linemen

DT Harrison Phillips, Minnesota Vikings

Defensive tackles not named Aaron Donald really don’t have a lot of fantasy value. Every year, a couple of guys have a big week or two, and they’re just non-factors again. Phillips has put up two straight big weeks that you can’t ignore. He had eight tackles and a pass defense in Week 1 and 13 tackles plus a half-sack in Week 2.

DE Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints

Granderson had a solid 2022 with 53 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He has 2.5 sacks in two games thus far, along with five tackles and a forced fumble to boot, but his value will be predicated on getting to the quarterback. Granderson will be a fringe option in leagues that don’t put a premium on sacks.

Linebackers

LB Josey Jewell, Denver Broncos

The 28-year-old has been dogged by injuries the last three years. Even in his career year of 2022, he missed three games but still amassed 128 tackles. Jewell went undrafted in some leagues that use one or two LBs, and he had a “meh” Week 1 with one solo tackles and five assists. He turned that around with nine total tackles in Week 2. He’ll be a weekly flex candidate.

LB Dennis Gardeck, Arizona Cardinals

The sixth-year EDGE had a banner Week 1 with four tackles and two sacks. He quieted naysayers believing it was a fluke with another four tackles and a sack in Week 2. Gardeck is an immediate add if he has DL eligibility, but as a linebacker who will rely on sacks, he’s a depth addition.

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LB Ivan Pace, Minnesota Vikings

The undrafted rookie has began his career with two solid performances. Pace had eight tackles in each game and added a half-sack in Week 2. Linebacker is the most important position in IDP leagues and hardest to fill. Pace’s stats won’t wow you, but he’ll provide quality depth if he’s able to keep up this tackling pace.

Defensive backs

FS Camryn Bynum, Minnesota Vikings

Bynum caps off the Vikings trio as an unlikely option. The former fourth-round pick had 10 total tackles in Week 1 and took it a step further with 15 total stops in Week 2. He hasn’t provided anything besides tackles, but they’ve been aplenty.

FS M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans

Starting free safety Jalen Pitre (chest) was knocked out of Week 1, sat last Sunday, and remains iffy. Complicating things for Houston but benefiting Stewart, both starting strong safety Jimmie Ward (hip) and back SS Eric Murray (concussion) are no locks to return this week, which could put Stewart into the starting lineup even if Pitre returns. The 29-year-old veteran managed six solos and four assists in Week 2, adding a forced fumble. This one could be a short-term rental, but Stewart offers utility for desperate gamers.

SS Jordan Whitehead, New York Jets

Whitehead starred in Week 1 with three INTs in a single game. He followed it up in Week 2 with nine total tackles. That was what he had to do to move the needle, because he’s not going to pick three passes off each week. His value is undeniable now as a flex option.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 2

Check your waiver wire for these IDP options ahead of Week 2.

We’re through Week 1, off and running. There were some breakout performances on the defensive side of the ball. But which ones were for real and not mirages? We’ll help sift through the madness.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive Linemen

DE Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings

Once an elite option at the position, injuries robbed him of most of 2021, and his 2022 left a bit to be desired. Hunter went undrafted in a lot of leagues, because he’s typically a sack-only option. He roared in Week 1 with seven total tackles, a sack, and a pass defense. He’s still just 28 years old and on a one-year deal looking for a big payday. He could be a weekly mix-and-match option at the very least.

DE Drake Jackson, San Francisco 49ers

The second-year, former second-round pick, may have the most favorable position among defensive linemen in football – lining up opposite of Nick Bosa. Jackson took advantage in Week 1 with three sacks, which matched his total from all of last season. This performance may have been fluky, but he’s going to continue to see less attention on his side.

Linebackers

LB Germaine Pratt, Cincinnati Bengals

The fifth-year middle linebacker was one of the lone bright spots for the “Bungles” in Week 1. He had 11 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Pratt has been a fringe linebacker in the past you could mix and match as a flex. He’ll provide mostly tackles as he only has 2.5 career sacks.

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LB Kwon Alexander, Pittsburgh Steelers

Alexander made a statement in Week 1 with nine total tackles. He has bounced around the last few years and never replicated his 145-tackle sophomore season in 2016. The Steelers were thumped by the Niners, which caused San Fran to run the ball more. This may happen a lot, and Alexander will be a weekly flex candidate.

LB Christian Elliss, Philadelphia Eagles

This one is for deep leaguers. Starting middle linebacker Nakobe Dean went down with a foot injury in Week 1 that is going to cost him a month. Elliss replaced him and had four total tackles. The 24-year-old is a bit of an unknown as a third-year man from Idaho. He had 11 tackles in six games last season and played a lot of special teams.

Defensive Backs

FS Andre Cisco, Jacksonville Jaguars

Cisco made an early impression in his pivotal third season with 10 tackles and a forced fumble in Week 1. He made big strides with 73 tackles in his second season and now appears poised to be a prototypical third-year boomer. Pick him up and ride him, but there’s a good chance he’s already rostered in more competitive or deeper formats.

FS Alohi Gilman, Los Angeles Chargers

A relative unknown and a former sixth-round pick in 2020, Gilman had a career game with 11 total tackles in the season opener. He had 58 tackles, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 17 games last season, and he’ll have feared SS Derwin James on the other side. That’ll tempt teams to continue targeting him.

FS Markquese Bell, Dallas Cowboys 

Opportunity knocked for Bell in Week 1, and he answered with eight total tackles and a forced fumble. FS Donovan Wilson (calf) could miss up to six weeks with a strained calf, which will give Bell some runway. Give him a look in deeper formats.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 1

Check your waiver wire for these IDP options ahead of Week 1.

Welcome to the 2023 fantasy football season! We’re back to find some hidden gems for IDP league players heading into Week 1.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive Linemen

DE Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft did nothing this preseason to mask the potential he displayed in college. He had three tackles, one sack and a forced fumble, which led Pro Football Focus to give him one of the highest grades among rookies this preseason. He has a high motor and routinely dealt with double and triple teams in college. He’ll take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, who run the ball a lot, and could bring tackle potential.

DE Zaven Collins, Arizona Cardinals

Collins is making the switch from linebacker to defensive end this year and is coming off of a 100-tackle sophomore campaign. He still went undrafted in a lot of leagues that use one DL. He has the tools to be a good pass rusher, and he already has shown a knack for racking up tackles. NFL.com’s Kevin Patra picked Collins to be his breakout, first-time Pro Bowler this season. He’s worth the pickup.

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Linebackers

LB Denzel Perryman, Houston Texans

The 30-year-old former former Raiders linebacker takes over in the middle for DeMeco Ryans’ squad. He had nine tackles, a sack, an INT, and a pass defense during the preseason. That’s a solid showing for someone earmarked for a starting spot. He doesn’t have a ton of name value and comes with injury risk, which made him go undrafted in a lot of leagues, but he’s definitely worth the flex consideration if he’s out there.

LB Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas Cowboys

Now in his sixth year, Vander Esch had a 140-tackle season in his rookie year before injuries knocked him off the All-Pro trajectory. He worked his way back up the depth chart and picked up 90 tackles in 14 games last year. He’s the guy on the weak side, and if Vander Esch can stay healthy, he could easily deliver 110-120 tackles.

Defensive Backs

FS Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins

Holland improved from 69 to 96 tackles from his rookie to sophomore seasons. Now in Year 3, his side of the field is going to be tested early and often. CB Jalen Ramsey (knee) is out several weeks, which leaves second-year CB Kader Kohou manning the right side opposite of Xavien Howard. Holland was probably a DB3 in deeper IDP leagues entering the year, but his early season workload gives him upside.

FS Juan Thornhill, Cleveland Browns

While his backfield mate in Grant Delpit received the draft-day attention by more gamers, Thornhill could be the better play this week if you’re looking for a one-game starting option. The former Kansas City safety comes over to Cleveland with a remarkably consistent career profile, albeit an unexciting one, and has some season-long appeal. Thornhill has racked up at least 42 solos in three of his four pro seasons and is coming off a career-best fantasy showing over 16 appearances. New DC Jim Schwartz will have this group primed for improvement in 2023.

SS Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings

Smith has been a staple in IDP leagues for a decade, but he’s getting long in the tooth at 34 and has taken a tumble down most rankings. He’ll be the leader of a young secondary and has averaged 91 tackles per season over the last five years. He had 85 stops in 14 games last season and tied a career high with five INTs. Smith wasn’t given a lot of love in drafts this year, but he hasn’t shown too many signs of erosion, and it’s worth a peek if you’re in a shallow league, say one that starts two or fewer DBs.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 18

Check your waiver wire for these IDP options ahead of Week 18.

Welcome to the first ever installment of the Week 18 IDP free-agent report! It has been a crazy season, and we hope that you’re celebrating the new year with a fantasy title. This week, we’re focused on what potential free agents make the best one-week plays.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive Linemen

DE Dalvin Tomlinson, Minnesota Vikings

The 325-pound Tomlinson is more of a run stuffer so that EDGE rushers like Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith get their looks on the edges. However, he has been a handful of late himself. He had four tackles in three of the last four games, including a 10-tackle game, and he recorded a sack in Week 17. He faces the Chicago Bears, who have allowed the most points to DLs the last three weeks.

DE DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys

Lawrence hasn’t reached the quarterback in the last six games, but he’s still making his presence felt with at least four tackles in three of the last four games. He’ll have a good chance to create havoc against the Washington Commanders this week. They’ve allowed the second-most points to the position over the last three weeks.

Linebackers

LB Tanner Muse, Seattle Seahawks

When stud LB Jordyn Brooks (knee) was lost for the season, ILB Cody Barton slotted over in his spot. That opened up the right side for Muse, who had three tackles and a pass defense in Week 17. If, by chance, Barton is available, he’s the one you grab. However, he has 129 tackles and is most likely taken. Muse is worth a look because the Seahawks face the Los Angeles Rams, who have allowed the most points to linebackers over the last three weeks by a wide margin.

LB Troy Andersen, Atlanta Falcons

The second-round pick was promoted to the starting lineup three weeks ago and has accrued 17 tackles in the meantime. He’ll have a chance to shine in Week 18 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed the third-most points to linebackers over the last three weeks. They run a lot of dink-and-dunk plays that linebackers salivate over.

Defensive Backs

S DeAndre Houston-Carson, Chicago Bears

The 29-year-old has spent his entire seven-year career with the Bears, and he has been playing his best football the last five weeks. He has at least four tackles in all and at least five tackles in four of the five. The Vikings allow the second-most fantasy points to DBs over the last three weeks, which will give him ample opportunities in the season finale.

S Landon Collins, New York Giants

The former fantasy stud has looked good the last two weeks with four tackles in each and a Pick-6 in Week 17. With the Giants out of it, they could give him as much as he can handle as an audition for next season as it’s clear the 28-year-old still has some football left in him. He’ll face the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the fourth-most points to the position the last three weeks. They’re expected to get QB Jalen Hurts back, and that could keep the DBs busy.

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Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 17

Check your waiver wire for these IDP options ahead of Week 17.

Two games to go and a trophy within reach … this is a spot where teams out of playoff contention want to get longer looks at pieces for the future. Those future pieces can become present staples of your lineup down the stretch.

Each week, we’ll highlight diamonds in the rough or some players that just need to be rostered in more leagues on the defensive side of the ball. Keep in mind your scoring system and roster restraints when heading to the waiver wire to grab these IDPs.

Defensive Linemen

DE Dayo Odeyingbo, Indianapolis Colts

It feels like we highlight a different Colts lineman every week or so, but they’ve been one of the lone bright spots for Indy. The second-year, former second-round pick has begun to blossom. He has eight tackles and 3.5 sacks over the last two games. He played 53 percent of the snaps last week and has played at least 47 percent in each of the last six games. They should get a longer look at him over the last two weeks.

DE Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints

The 26-year-old stepped up to make big plays the last couple of weeks, and no bigger was his sack to seal the game in Week 16. Granderson has 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks over the last two weeks. He played 71 percent of the snaps last week and has been trending upwards for a while. He’s a bargain bin option that’s producing.

Linebackers

LB Luke Masterson, Las Vegas Raiders

The 24-year-old rookie has quietly stood out over the last three weeks since Jayon Brown (hand) went to IR. He has played in 50 percent or more snaps over the stretch and tallied at least 10 tackles in the last two weeks. It’s hard to find 10-tackle players at this juncture. Scoop him up.

LB Jahlani Tavai, New England Patriots

The former second-round pick of the Detroit Lions is having one of the best stretches of his four-year career. Over the last three games, he has six, seven and seven tackles, respectively, and just set a new career high with 60 on the season. He’s a deeper league option with a high floor.

Defensive Backs

S Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos

Simmons was a player drafted in a lot of leagues entering the season, but he has been injured twice this year. He had a couple of nine-tackle games, but his play has been spotty. Fortunately, he has turned it on at the right time. Over the last four games, he picked off two passes in two of them. He also had six and nine tackles in the other two games. If he’s floating on waivers, he should be in your crosshairs.

CB Marcus Jones, New England Patriots

It’s not often that a corner posts a line that has you double-checking to see if he’s a safety or a linebacker. Jones did that in Week 16 with 14 tackles, a fumble recovery, an INT, a PD and a touchdown. Clearly an aberration, right? Well, he had 13 tackles, an INT and three PDs in the two previous games combined as well.

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