Fantasy football waiver wire – Syndication Server

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 18

Check your waiver wire for these IDP one-week plays for the regular-season finale.

We’ve made it to Week 18, and it’s the season finale for most. As we do each season, we’ll forecast the best one-week plays you can take advantage of on waivers.

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

EDGE Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens clinch the AFC North with a win over the Cleveland Browns Saturday. The Browns have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing D-linemen in the last five weeks. Their offense is fronted by the hapless Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who has thrown no TDs and six INTs on the season. Oweh, who has a career-high nine sacks, recorded his first sack in a month last week against Houston. He has a great matchup to do it again.

DE Chauncey Golston, Dallas Cowboys

We highlighted him a few weeks ago, and he paid dividends the last three weeks. He tallied four tackles and a sack in Week 15, six tackles plus another sack in Week 16, and four tackles in Week 17. He’s facing the Washington Commanders, who have allowed the third-most PPG to DL over the last five games. He also is playing for a contract, and he has Micah Parsons on the other side drawing double teams. I love this play.

Linebackers

LB Payton Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers need a Ravens loss and a win to take the AFC North. This game will be played immediately after Baltimore’s game, and they could rest some guys if Baltimore wins. Wilson probably wouldn’t be one, and he has a great matchup against the Bengals. Cincinnati allowed the third-most fantasy points to LBs the last five weeks. Wilson takes a backseat to Patrick Queen in Pittsburgh’s 3-4, but the third-rounder could see an increased snap count if this game becomes meaningless.

LB Jerome Baker, Tennessee Titans

The Titans acquired Baker from Seattle before the deadline, and he picked up eight tackles in his first game. He has had three, six, and six tackles over the last three weeks. He included a sack in Week 17. The team put Kenneth Murray Jr. on IR, and they’ll want to get a longer look at Baker against the Houston Texans this week.

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LB Jonathon Cooper, Denver Broncos

Cooper had four tackles and 1.5 sacks against Cincinnati last week. That was his best game in a few weeks. He has 9.5 sacks on the season, but Cooper had just 1.5 since facing the Kansas City Chiefs Nov. 10. He’ll face the Chiefs again this week, against whom he had six tackles and a sack in the prior meeting. And the Chiefs will have no reason to play anyone of value with the top seed locked up.

Defensive backs

SS Calen Bullock, Houston Texans

The third-round rookie has shown signs of life at the right time. He had six tackles and an INT in Week 15, registering five and three tackles the last two weeks, respectively. He’ll face the Titans this week, and they’ve allowed the fourth-most PPG to opposing DBs the last five weeks.

CB Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco 49ers

Lenoir was worthy of picking up earlier in the year but took a backseat the last few weeks until Week 17. He had nine tackles against the Detroit Lions. He’ll face the Arizona Cardinals this week, and they’ve allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing DBs the last five weeks.

CB Alontae Taylor, New Orleans Saints

The Saints face the Bucs in their season finale, and Tampa has awarded the most PPG to opposing DBs the last five weeks. Tampa has to win to get in, and they will throw a ton to get Mike Evans his 1,000 yards. Taylor had six tackles against Tampa in October, and he should easily match that this week.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 18 free-agent forecast

Here are the top waiver-wire targets in fantasy football for Week 18 of the 2024 season.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 17

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 17 pickups.

We march into Week 17. If you’re in the fantasy football championship round, best of luck, and bring that trophy home. If you’re in a roto or season-long league, we have two weeks left to make our mark.

Defensive linemen

EDGE Nolan Smith Jr., Philadelphia Eagles

The 2023 first-round pick has experienced some growing pains, but he’s in probably his best window of his short career. He has sacks in four of the last six games. Smith managed three tackles and two fumble recoveries in Week 16. He’ll face the hapless Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 in what will be a great matchup.

DT Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans

Defensive tackles are risky in fantasy, but we have seen a modest uprise in interior linemen in fantasy this season. Simmons picked up his fifth sack of the season last week, and he is amassing tackle numbers. He has nine, five, seven, and eight tackles over the last four games.

Linebackers

LB Darius Muasau, New York Giants

The 2024 sixth-round pick started in place of Bobby Okereke in Week 16, and he delivered 11 tackles. He had six tackles and eight tackles over the last two weeks. Muasau’s status may be hinged to Okereke’s availability, but this team is gunning for the top pick and should want to get a look at Muasau.

LB Jacoby Windmon, Carolina Panthers

Windmon played in 76% of the defensive snaps in Week 16 and picked up eight tackles, a sack, and a PD. That’s a good baseline as he enters a solid matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17.

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LB Mohamoud Diabate, Cleveland Browns

The 23-year-old Diabate was worthy of picking up from Week 6-12, and he just kind of fell off. He’s worthy of another look after six tackles in Week 16 because he has a phenomenal matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. They allow a ton of points to LBs because of their dual-headed running back situation.

Defensive backs

SS Isaiah Pola-Mao, Las Vegas Raiders

The 25-year-old USC product had nine tackles in Week 15 and had an even bigger Week 16. He had 11 tackles and forced two fumbles. He’ll have a solid matchup against the New Orleans Saints this week to build on it.

S Jalen Thompson, Arizona Cardinals

Thompson was possibly rostered earlier in the year, but he went into an ice box from Weeks 9-14. He’s started to ramp it back up with six tackles in Week 15 and 10 tackles in Week 16. The Los Angeles Rams aren’t a great matchup, but they still like to throw the ball enough to allow for potential tackles.

S Damontae Kazee, Pittsburgh Steelers

Kazee has been in for SS DeShon Elliott, and he has been good. He had eight tackles two weeks ago and seven last week. If Elliott is out again, Kazee has a strong matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 17 free-agent forecast

Here are the top waiver wire targets for Week 17 in fantasy football.

The majority of fantasy football leagues come to an end this week. It has been a long and, at times, frustrating process navigating the waiver wire.

While the majority of us have seen our seasons end with disappointment, we’re still here to give our takes on the top suggestions on the waiver wire as the fantasy football season concludes.

Even for those of us who have been eliminated, this can be a good chance to find some DFS dart throws or simply keep up with storylines heading into the offseason.

Before we get to it, though, I’d like to thank you for sticking with us all season. We wouldn’t be here without the readers. It’s a privilege to write about fantasy football — let alone have people actually read it. Even though the suggestions haven’t always worked out, we couldn’t be more appreciative of the time you’ve spent with us this season and, hopefully, some of you benefited from our advice.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo, using the 75% rostered mark (at least 25% availability) as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!

Because it’s Week 17, the focus is going to be more on one-week plays for the championships, but we’ll also throw in some potential stashes for Week 18 considering some leagues are still playing at that time.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 16

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 16 pickups.

We’re one week into the fantasy playoffs, and you’ve either had your bye or staved off your first opponent. Now what? Let’s divulge…

Defensive linemen

DE Chauncey Golston, Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parsons looks healthy for the first time in a long time with 5 1/2 sacks in the last four games. That has opened up Gholston opposite of him as he had five tackles and a sack in Week 15. He’ll match up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week in a good matchup to continue his audition for next year.

DT Adam Butler, Las Vegas Raiders

They were running without stud DE Maxx Crosby, but the 30-year-old Butler stepped up with six tackles, a sack, and a PD in Week 15. He has at least a half-sack in three straight games and four of five. He’ll be chasing Jacksonville Jaguars QB Mac Jones around this week and is a sneaky play.

Linebackers

LB Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers

After a three-game absence, Cooper returned in a big way Sunday night with seven tackles, an INT, a sack, and two PDs. He has great matchups against the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings upcoming and should be a really good play the rest of the way if he’s out there.

LB Christian Harris, Houston Texans

Also returning from injury in Week 15 was the 2022 third-round pick. Harris, who missed the entire season up to this point, had eight tackles in Week 15. He figures to be a highlighted play as he rounds into form and could face a backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16.

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LB James Williams, Tennessee Titans

He’ll play second fiddle to Kenneth Murray Jr., but Williams still delivered eight tackles last week. The 21-year-old former seventh-round pick is auditioning for a spot on next year’s roster and could be a deep-league option.

Defensive backs

SS Dane Belton, New York Giants

The 24-year-old from Iowa opened eyes with 15 tackles, a sack, and a PD in Week 15. He’ll have some run down the stretch in a starting spot, and even if he can’t repeat that monstrosity, Belton worthy of a pickup.

S Geno Stone, Cincinnati Bengals

He had a Pick-6 in Week 15, but he also made five tackles. That made two straight weeks with five tackles, an INT, and a PD. He has fantastic matchups the next two weeks against the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos.

CB Ugo Amadi, New Orleans Saints

The 27-year-old is binging in fantasy right now. He had nine tackles and a PD in Week 13. Amadi went for eight tackles and two PDs in Week 14 before tallying seven tackles, a sack, and a PD last week. He faces the Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders the next two weeks.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 16 free-agent forecast

Here are the top waiver wire targets for fantasy football entering Week 16.

The majority of fantasy football leagues enter the second round of playoffs, while others are likely just beginning their postseason. There are still some big moves that can be made on the waiver wire.

We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 15

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 15 pickups.

Bye weeks are behind us, and the stretch run is upon us. It might be slim pickens on your waiver wire. As always, keep an eye out for players that were dropped because of roster restraints to cover a bye last week.

Defensive linemen

DE K’Lavon Chaisson, Las Vegas Raiders

The former first-round pick has been a factor the last two weeks. He had three tackles and 1.5 sacks against KC two weeks ago. Chaisson registered four tackles, a half-sack, and an INT against Tampa Bay last week. With the Raiders out of it, they should keep rolling out the 25-year-old opposite of Maxx Crosby.

DE Joshua Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars

It has been a down year for the former No. 7 overall pick. He started the year rushing on the edge at linebacker and has been moved to a traditional DE spot opposite of former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker. Hines-Allen is starting to turn his season around. He has sacks in consecutive games and four sacks in the last five games overall.

Linebackers

LB Marist Liufau, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys lost DeMarvion Overshown for the season Monday night, and the third-rounder Liufau is next up. He actually had two tackles and 1.5 sacks in the game. While he’s a bit of an unknown, he should have a big enough role to be a possible flex option.

LB Luke Gifford, Tennessee Titans

Gifford received the start in Week 14 and was a monster with 12 tackles. The problem, though, is he was in the starting lineup because Kenneth Murray Jr., and Jerome Baker were out. Check their status this week, but Gifford would be a great option against the Cincinnati Bengals.

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LB Troy Dye, Los Angeles Chargers

This one will depend on starter Denzel Perryman‘s status. He has been out the last two weeks, and Dye posted 14 tackles in Week 13 and six tackles last week. Perryman is questionable to return in Week 15, but if he’s out another week, Dye is a strong fill-in against Tampa Bay.

Defensive backs

S Jonathan Owens, Chicago Bears

You may know him as Simone Biles’ husband, but he’s starting to get some traction with the Bears for the first time this season. He had eight tackles, a forced fumble, and a recovery in Week 12. Owens followed it up with eight tackles plus a PD in Week 13, and seven tackles, an INT, and a PD last week. He had a good year with Green Bay last year and could continue to be a solid contributor.

S Josh Metellus, Minnesota Vikings

It has been an up-and-down year for Metellus, but he’s on fire right now. He has seven, 10, and seven tackles over the last three weeks, picking off his first pass since Week 2 over the weekend. He’ll be a good addition to play against the Bears.

SS Jordan Poyer, Miami Dolphins

The 33-year-old has been OK this season, but his numbers don’t jump off the page at you like the talent he flashed in the front part of his career. Poyer has been quietly racking up tackles, though, with seven, nine, and seven the last three weeks. He’ll have another opportunity to tally more against Houston this week.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 15 free-agent forecast

Here are the top targets on the waiver wire for Week 15 of fantasy football.

The regular season has come to an end in the majority of leagues, but the waiver wire is still a crucial tool to utilize over the next three weeks.

We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated. Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 14

Check your waiver wire for these IDP Week 14 pickups.

Six teams are off in what is the final week of byes in the NFL, so rosters will start to take shape for the fantasy playoffs or the stretch run. Whether you’re new to the column or a vet, we’ll have something to help you make the competition sweat.

Defensive linemen

DT Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks

The former No. 6 overall pick in 2015 has wreaked havoc the last two weeks. He had six tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a PD in Week 12 before four tackles, a pick-6, two sacks, and a PD last week. He has another good matchup against Arizona this week.

DT Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers

The 14-year vet has played really well the last four weeks. In that span, Heyward tallied 17 tackles, three sacks, and six passes defensed, evenly spread out for those who place a premium on consistency. He has a great matchup against Cleveland this week.

Linebackers

LB Devin White, Houston Texans

Starting LB Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended three games for an illegal hit during Week 13, and White appears to have an opening. If his name rings a bell, that’s because he had 100-tackle seasons with Tampa from 2020-22, and he’s still just 26 years old.

LB Mack Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

He had some big-time performances earlier this season and then fell off a cliff. He made his presence known in Week 13 with seven tackles, two sacks and a PD. It’s slim pickens on LBs this late in the year, and he has the upside to be a contributor the rest of the way.

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LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, Cincinnati Bengals

Davis-Gaither stepped in for Logan Wilson (knee) and grabbed a team-high 13 tackles last week. His value will hinge largely on Wilson’s status, but he’s a good play against Dallas if he starts.

Defensive backs

FS Geno Stone, Cincinnati Bengals

Stone broke out with nine tackles and a fumble recovery in Week 11 before the bye week. He followed it up with seven tackles last week. He has Dallas and the Tennessee Titans the next two weeks.

SS Justin Reid, Kansas City Chiefs

The 27-year-old won’t jump off the page at you with fantasy numbers, but he provides a solid baseline. He has seven, six, six, and six tackles the last four weeks. He doesn’t add a lot else, but his high floor, low ceiling could be of use this late in the year.

CB Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings

Murphy is a corner with some upside. He has five-plus tackles in three straight weeks. He picked off passes in four of six games and recorded three PDs last week. He’ll face the generous Atlanta Falcons this week.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 14 free-agent forecast

Here are the top waiver-wire targets for Week 14 in fantasy football.

For most fantasy football leagues, Week 14 represents the final chance to make a mark on the regular season.

Some teams have already locked in a playoff berth, while some are fighting for a shot to compete in the fantasy postseason. Others, however, know they have no chance of making it.

That doesn’t mean the waiver wire isn’t still an essential tool to utilize while playing spoiler.

After Thanksgiving gave us no teams on a bye, there’s the final bye-pocalypse in Week 14. Six teams will have the week off, including the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos.

We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.