Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 18

Check your waiver wire for these IDP one-week plays.

We have reached the NFL regular-season finale. If you’re going of all the marbles this week, let’s help put them in the right places.

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 Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars 

The 2022 No. 1 overall pick was considered a bit of a project when he was drafted, but he has taken a significant step forward in Year 2 going from 3.5 sacks to nine. He also is on fire with four sacks in the last three games. The cherry on top? He faces the Tennessee Titans in Week 18, who have allowed the most fantasy points to D-linemen over the last five weeks. Whether he serves as a DL/EDGE/LB, he’s a strong play in Week 18.

DT Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams

We have another nose tackle this week, and for good reason, the third-round rookie has 3.5 sacks the last two weeks. He’ll face the San Francisco 49ers this week. The Niners aren’t a good matchup at face value, but they’re expected to rest some starters. Only four defensive tackles have more than his nine sacks on the season.

Linebackers

LB Sione Takitaki, Cleveland Browns

The BYU product typically hovers on the fringe of a pickup. He’ll deliver some weeks and disappear the next. What he did in Week 17 was deliver in a big way with 17 tackles. He’ll have a midrange matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals to pile on.

LB Devin Bush, Seattle Seahawks

Another outstanding stat line in Week 17 came from Bush, who had 17 total tackles. Albeit, 12 of them were assisted tackles, so his point total may not have been as high in some leagues. He had six tackles in Week 16 as well, so he’s on a hot streak. He’ll have a midrange matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 18.

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LB Deion Jones, Carolina Panthers

A former fantasy stud with the Atlanta Falcons, Jones had his best performance of the season with seven tackles and a sack in Week 17. He has a tough matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he’s playing for a contract for next season and looks to be motivated.

Defensive backs

FS Donovan Wilson, Dallas Cowboys

It’s not a great matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 18 as they’ve allowed the fewest points to the position the last five weeks. However, Wilson has been on fire, totaling 11-plus tackles in the last two weeks and five-plus in six straight games.

SS Jordan Battle, Cincinnati Bengals

Battle has lived up to his name with at least seven tackles over the last three games. He has seven stops in six of the last seven games as well. He just doesn’t add much outside of that category. He has a chance to finish strong against a top-five matchup the last five weeks in the Cleveland Browns.

SS Nick Cross, Indianapolis Colts

Freshly thrust into the starting lineup, Cross finished Week 17 with nine tackles. He added six in the previous week as well. He has a chance to go for the trifecta against the Houston Texans in the season finale. The Texans are a solid matchup for opposing DBs the last five weeks.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 18 free-agent forecast

Check out the top waiver-wire targets for Week 18.

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 options ahead of Week 17.

Two weeks left in the season, and whether you’re in the fantasy playoffs or a season-long grind, there are important decisions to make on the defensive side of the ball.

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 Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders

DE Maxx Crosby is drawing all the attention on the other side, and he hasn’t had a sack in the last two games. Koonce has five! He had two forced fumbles two weeks ago and six tackles last week. He faces the Indianapolis Colts this week, who have allowed the sixth-most points to the position the last five weeks. Put him atop your wish list.

DT Christian Barmore, New England Patriots

The 315-pound tackle has been feasting on quarterbacks the last two weeks. He has 12 tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble combined in the last two games. He has a “meh” matchup against the Buffalo Bills this week, but it’s hard to ignore what he has done of late.

Linebackers

LB Shaquille Leonard, Philadelphia Eagles

He may have been picked up and stashed when he signed with the Eagles, but it took a few weeks for him to get acclimated. He showed he still has some fantasy prowess left in the tank with seven tackles and a sack in Week 16. He has a midrange matchup against the Arizona Cardinals this week and is at least a flex candidate.

LB Duke Riley, Miami Dolphins

Riley has been steady at the position the last four weeks. He broke out with eight tackles in Week 13 and has delivered five tackles in three straight games. He sprinkled in a half-sack and a pass defense, but you’re not looking for elite counting numbers here. He provides a high floor, though.

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LB Myles Jack, Pittsburgh Steelers

He went back to the practice squad after a solid Week 16 game, so this may be a fringe candidate. However, he delivered six tackles and a sack in his first action of 2023. The Seattle Seahawks are the toughest matchup against LBs in Week 17, but he’s a good depth piece if you’re still playing come Week 18.

Defensive backs

SS D’Anthony Bell, Cleveland Browns

Bell has settled in as the starter and produced the last three weeks. In Week 16, he had six tackles, a forced fumble, and two pass defenses. Bell had five tackles and an INT in Week 15. So the production continues to increase, and he has a midrange matchup against the New York Jets.

CB Desmond King, Houston Texans

After 11 tackles in Week 16, King has at least 10 tackles in three of the last four weeks. He had a one-tackle game in there, too, and those are the ebbs and flows you deal with when using corners. He’ll have a midrange matchup against the Tennessee Titans this week.

S Jartavius Martin, Washington Commanders

Martin had his worst game in Week 16 over the last three weeks. He secured only six tackles. That shows how good he was in the two previous games with 10 tackles and a sack and seven tackles. There’s a midrange matchup against the San Francisco 49ers for him this week to build on his binge.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 17 free-agent forecast

Check out the top waiver wire targets in fantasy football for Week 17.

The majority of fantasy football leagues come to an end this week. It has been a long and grueling process to the point, and most of us have been left with disappointment with championship week upon us.

However, there are still plenty of vital matchups taking place, and the waiver wire should be a busy marketplace in Week 17 after the events that unfolded on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Before we get to it, I’d like to thank you for sticking with us all season. We wouldn’t be here without the readers, and even though the suggestions haven’t always worked out, we’re appreciative of the time you’ve spent with us this season.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark 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, there is no need for stashing players so we’ll only look at the top streaming options for the upcoming week along with the top waiver adds.

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 options ahead of Week 16.

The fantasy football playoffs are underway, or if you’re in a full-season league, these last three weeks will decide it all. Rosters are mostly set, but injuries occur. We’re here to provide options if the bad bounce comes your way.

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 Zach Sieler, Miami Dolphins

It’s not often we recommend 300-pound tackles, but Sieler has played at the level of his size. He has sacks in three of four games and had a fumble recovery and a pass defense to go with his sack in Week 15. He also had four tackles each in Week 13 and 14.

DE Tanoh Kpassagnon, New Orleans Saints

The 29-year-old has been off the fantasy radar all season, but he certainly busted the door open in Week 15. He had six tackles and three sacks against the New York Giants. The Saints had a couple of injuries on the ends to open up the playing time for Kpassagnon, and you’ll need to monitor that. But how can you sit a guy after three sacks and four QB hits?

Linebackers

LB Khaleke Hudson, Washington Commanders

One way to come out of a late-season bye week is with … 14 tackles! He had 22 on the season before that game. The job on the weak side is his, and ebbs and flows should be expected. However, when you can acquire a player who delivers 14 tackles in a game this late in the season – it can be a game-changer.

LB Christian Rozeboom, Los Angeles Rams

Rozeboom had a solid first half of the season, and he kind of went in the tank after the Week 10 bye. He had just two tackles in each of the Week 13 and 14 games. He had five tackles and a pass defense in Week 15. With the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants on the docket the next two weeks, he’s worth the speculative grab.

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LB Mack Wilson, New England Patriots

At least one “Mac”k has worked out this season for New England. Wilson has sacks in two straight games. He’s not going to wow you with tackles as he has four, three and two the last three weeks. However, Wilson had three straight games with a pass defense before Week 15, and he’ll sprinkle a little in those three categories.

Defensive backs

SS Brandon Jones, Miami Dolphins 

Injuries in the secondary gave Jones another window, and he has taken advantage. He had seven tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defense in Week 14. Last week, Jones had five tackles, two INTs, and two pass defenses. He has a potential shootout against the Dallas Cowboys this week.

SS Ifeatu Melifonwu, Detroit Lions

The 2021 third-round pick wowed the judges with nine tackles, a forced fumble a sack, and two pass defenses last week. He has a good matchup against the Minnesota Vikings this week and then plays a pass-heavy Cowboys team in Week 17.

SS Andrew Wingard, Jacksonville Jaguars

The veteran Wingard has a stretch every season it seems where he stands out on the fringe. Eleven tackles in Week 15 will definitely put you over the edge. He had a seven-tackle game earlier this season, but this one was by far his biggest. So temper expectations, but Wingard has a solid floor.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 16 free agent forecast

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

For the majority of leagues, the first round of the fantasy football playoffs comes to an end Monday night after a wild weekend of games in Week 15.

Hopefully, you were able to get through the week unscathed with a victory, but there were plenty of injuries that hit managers right in the starting lineup.

Among the players with injuries to monitor enter Week 16 include Ja’Marr Chase, Keenan Allen, Josh Jacobs, Alexander Mattison, Brian Robinson Jr., Michael Pittman Jr., Zack Moss, AJ Dillon and Isiah Pacheco.

The bye weeks also are finally over, so it will be just good old-fashioned fantasy football. With trade deadlines concluded in the majority of leagues as well, the waiver wire becomes the most vital tool for fantasy managers over the three weeks.

We’re also getting to the point of the season in which stashing FAAB isn’t as crucial. Don’t hesitate to spend a bit more on a player who might give your team an edge down the stretch.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark 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!

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 options ahead of Week 15.

It’s Week 15, and we have four games left in the regular season. Bye weeks are done, and your roster should be set except for maybe a spot or two. Whether you’re in the fantasy football playoffs or a season-long league, let’s do this!

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 Charles Omenihu, Kansas City Chiefs

He has had two identical weeks in a row with three tackles and a sack. He has played 67, 69 and 56% of the snaps the last three weeks, so there is some volatility if Omenihu is not recording sacks. But at this point in the season, you look for upside, and he has it right now.

EDGE Arden Key, Tennessee Titans

Key has at least a half-sack in three straight games. His fantasy viability hinges on his ability to reach the quarterback, though. His tackle numbers the last three weeks are two, one, and two. So if your league incentivizes sacks, Key is a fringe option to target.

Linebackers

LB Andre Smith, Atlanta Falcons

This one will heavily depend on the status of Nate Landman (knee), who missed Week 14. Smith stepped in and posted eight tackles and a forced fumble. If Landman is out again, Smith would be a great play against the Carolina Panthers this week.

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LB Nicholas Morrow, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles made a splash picking up former All-Pro Shaquille Leonard, but Morrow continues to ball out. He had six tackles and two pass defenses last week and has 12, eight, and six tackles the last three weeks. Leonard is still being acclimated, and Morrow should continue to shine.

LB Duke Riley, Miami Dolphins

Riley stepped in for the injured Jerome Baker and played a whopping 71 snaps in Week 14. He finished with five tackles in Week 14, but he had eight tackles and a forced fumble the week prior. The jury is still out on what Riley can contribute, but he’s worth taking a flyer on.

Defensive backs

FS Darnell Savage, Green Bay Packers

Savage played 95% of the defensive snaps in Week 14 and delivered seven tackles. He returned from injury the week before and had four tackles in 91% of the snaps. Savage vastly overshadowed Jonathan Owens, who had just two tackles last week. The Packers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears to close out the year.

FS Mike Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs

Edwards stood out with 11 tackles in Week 14. The six tackles he had in Week 13 were a season high. So while there isn’t a big floor there, the ceiling has risen the last two weeks.

SS Jordan Howden, New Orleans Saints

Howden said, “How you doin’?” in Week 14 with 10 tackles, a forced fumble, a sack and a pass defense. He had two four-tackle games and an eight-stop game this season but really hasn’t done much consistently. The banner performance last week was enough to take notice, though.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 15 free-agent forecast

Check out the top waiver wire targets for Week 15.

Only two more games Monday night stand before the start of the playoffs in the majority of fantasy football leagues, and the waiver wire will be a busy marketplace entering Week 15.

There were a multitude of injuries to the running back position to keep an eye on moving forward. Players such as Josh Jacobs, Alexander Mattison, Brian Robinson Jr. and Isiah Pacheco — to name a few — all have injury question marks.

The bye weeks also are finally over, so it will be just good old-fashioned fantasy football. With trade deadlines concluded in the majority of leagues as well, the waiver wire becomes the most vital tool for fantasy managers over the three weeks.

We’re also getting to the point of the season in which stashing FAAB isn’t as crucial. Don’t be afraid to spend a bit more on a player who might give your team an edge down the stretch.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark 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!

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 options ahead of Week 14.

It’s Week 14, and two teams are on vacation in the final week we have byes this season. Whether you’re in the fantasy playoffs or a season-long league, crunch time is upon us.

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 Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts

Last week, we highlighted another Colts DE, Samson Ebukam, who has two sacks in each of the last two games. Well, Paye had six tackles, two forced fumbles and two sacks last week. He also has sacks in consecutive games. The Colts play the hapless Cincinnati Bengals this week, and both players could go off.

DE Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans

The No. 2 overall pick showed flashes earlier in the season, but he really didn’t produce consistently. He has sacks in three of the last five games, and he has nine tackles in the last two games combined. Anderson will have peaks and valleys, but he looks to have his feet under him and is finishing his rookie season strong.

Linebackers

LB Mykal Walker, Pittsburgh Steelers

Starters Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander landed on IR, which gave Walker a chance to shine. And shine he did in Week 13 with 10 tackles, which led the team. He had five tackles last week and has played in only three games this season, which could keep him flying under the radar. Take notice.

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LB J.J. Russell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs’ linebacker corps has been decimated with injuries, which thrust the 25-year-old Russell into action. He responded with seven tackles and a sack last week. He’ll need those injuries to remain an issue to keep his playing time, but he’s worth the speculative grab.

LB Jack Cochrane, Kansas City Chiefs

Sticking with the filling-in-for-injury theme, Cochrane took over when Drue Tranquill was concussed in Week 13. The second-year man from South Dakota finished the game with seven tackles. The hit Tranquill took to the head looked ugly, if he’s out this week, Cochrane is worth the plug-and-play.

Defensive backs

SS P.J. Locke, Denver Broncos

The fourth-year man took over when S Kareem Jackson was suspended four games. Locke has had two huge games in a row. Two weeks ago, he had seven tackles, a forced fumble, a sack, and a pass defense. Last week, he had eight tackles and a sack.

FS Tashaun Gipson, San Francisco 49ers

The Niners haven’t missed much of a beat when S Talanoa Hufanga went down for the year when Gipson stepped up. He had five tackles each of the last two weeks, and he added a sack two weeks ago. His ceiling is pretty low, but he has a relatively safe floor as well.

S John Johnson III, Los Angeles Rams

The former fantasy stud is back where his fantasy prime took place, and he has put together three solid games in a row. Johnson tallied three tackles and a pass defense in Week 11, four tackles plus two pass defenses in Week 12, and six tackles, an INT and two pass defenses last week. Those are too solid of weeks to gloss over.

Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 14 free-agent forecast

Check out the top waiver wire targets in fantasy football for Week 14.

Beaten, battered and bruised, the fantasy football world emerges from the ashes as the Week 13 bye-pocalypse is behind us. Now, it’s time to focus on the top waiver wire targets for Week 14.

While we’re not out of the woods yet when it comes to bye weeks, only two teams are getting the week off in Week 14. That would be the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders.

Not only did managers have to deal with six fantasy-relevant teams going through their byes in Week 13, but it also was a slate of games marred by injury. With trade deadlines concluded in the majority of leagues, the waiver wire becomes the most vital tool for fantasy managers over the next month.

We’re also getting to the point of the season in which FAAB isn’t as crucial. Don’t be afraid to spend a bit more on a player who might give your team an edge down the stretch.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo leagues, using the 75% rostered mark 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!

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.