2015 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 14
Hello and welcome back to the IDPGuru.com’s most popular in-season article, IDP Waiver Wire Pickups, which will be releasing every Tuesday of the regular season.
OK. Let’s start things off by going through some IDP news, notes, and commentary from Week 13 of the NFL season.
Injuries
Reports are that LB1 Paul Posluszny broke his right hand as he had a cast on it following the loss to the Titans. He’s played through the injury before so there’s a chance he attempts to do so again. However, we should know for sure later this week.
Washington linebacker Perry Riley was unable to practice last week due to an injured foot and he ended up missing Monday night’s contest against the Cowboys. Mason Foster replaced him in the starting lineup.
ILB Michael Wilhoite suffered an ankle injury and did not return to the game. Gerald Hodges came in and played every down as his replacement.
Anthony Barr was forced from Sunday’s game after aggravating his groin injury. He’s already been ruled out for this Thursday’s game. So this is shaping up to possibly be a multi-week enemy.
Nigel Bradham was inactive on Sunday due to an injured ankle. Manny Lawson started next to Preston Brown and played nearly every down.
Devon Kennard was unable to play against the Jets on Sunday due to an injured hamstring. Jonathan Casillas was the main beneficiary of his absence and saw the most snaps of any Giants linebacker in Week 13.
Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins suffered a concussion last week and will have to pass through the NFL-mandated concussion protocols before resuming football activities.
Harrison Smith of the Vikings was forced from Sunday’s game against the Seahawks with a left hamstring injury. He was already banged up coming into the game with a knee injury and has been listed as OUT for Thursday’s game.
General Player Notes
Geno Atkins has been one of the more consistent fantasy options at the tackle position this year – registering a sack in 8 of 12 games this year. Despite this he came up empty in the box scores in Week 13. Owners should not fear though as Atkins was putting consistent pressure on the quarterback all day. Chalk this performance up as a fluke.
Cliff Avril is having a career year and is on pace for double digit sacks with solid tackle production. He had been extra hot coming into Week 13 with 4 sacks in his last 3 games which is why many owners were shocked to see him put up a zero last week. This happens to the best of defensive linemen so there is nothing to be worried about here.
Jason Pierre-Paul has still not registered a sack; however he did play 97% of the snaps last week and garnered 5 solo tackles, an assist, and a fumble recovery. I think this week against the Dolphins could be the game in which he finally breaks out for a sack.
DROY candidate Kwon Alexander will begin serving his 4-game suspension this week which puts him out for the rest of the year. It’s been a great ride for fantasy owners, but he’s obviously someone you need to drop now in redraft leagues.
The Eagles continue to change up their linebacker rotation with Mychal Kendricks seeing a decrease in snaps down to 54% while Kiko Alonso saw an increase up to 70%. This said, it’s situation to avoid for fantasy purposes as it’s too unpredictable.
Now onto The Guru’s IDP waiver wire selections for Week 14!
(Please note that a majority of these pickups are long-term, rest of season pickups as opposed to matchup-type recommendations. As the season progresses and the waiver wire becomes more thin and matchup information becomes more reliable, the focus of this article will shift more towards recommendations based on weekly matchup.)
Defensive Linemen
(Previously recommended DLs: Henry Anderson, Allen Bailey, Mario Addison, Jacquies Smith, Jabaal Sheard, Sen’Derrick Marks, Jared Allen, Stephon Tuitt, Greg Hardy, Sheldon Richardson, Stephon Tuitt, Jarvis Jenkins, Kerry Wynn, Ryan Delaire, Jay Ratliff, Kony Ealy, Lawrence Guy, Cameron Wake, Adrian Clayborn, Sheldon Richardson, Jared Allen, William Hayes, DeMarcus Lawrence, Kawaan Short, Jason Pierre-Paul, Derrick Shelby, Mario Edwards, Frostee Rucker, Kony Ealy, Desmond Bryant, Linval Joseph, Mario Edwards, Derrick Shelby, Linval Joseph, Corey Liuget, Kony Ealy, Olivier Vernon, Derek Wolfe, Malcolm Brown)
DE Derrick Shelby (MIA) – Shelby has been pretty good since taking over for an injured Cameron Wake. He’s taken down the quarterback in three of his last four games. With Olivier Vernon playing extremely well, Shelby should have plenty of isolated opportunities to get to the quarterback.
DE Devin Taylor (DET) – Although most people recognize Taylor as the person who committed the dubious face mask penalty against Aaron Rodgers that extended the game and allowed the now famous Hail Mary victory pass, he actually had perhaps his most productive game of the year last week. He has 2.5 sacks in his last two games and will go against one of the more below average pass-protecting lines in the league in the St. Louis Rams. DL4+.
DE Frank Clark (SEA) – Clark, a second round pick out of Michigan in this year’s draft, had been very quiet until the last couple weeks. As it goes with the majority of young defensive ends, the learning curve of that position is steep and it takes players longer than other positions before they start excelling. Clark has the benefit of playing on one of the best defenses in the league. It seems some of that magic has started to rub off on the youngster as he has 3 sacks in his last two games. Matt Schaub gave up massive points to both Miami defensive ends last week, so Clark has a decent chance of having himself another solid game in Week 14. Dynasty owners should take note of this kid.
Linebackers
(Previously recommended LBs: Thomas Davis, Vincent Rey, Brian Cushing, Koa Misi, Uani Unga, Dont’a Hightower, DeMeco Ryans, Jordan Hicks, Justin Durant, Hau’oli Kikaha, Jordan Hicks, Malcolm Smith, A.J. Klein, Christian Kirksey, Anthony Hitchens, Manti Te’o, Thurston Armbrister, Christian Kirksey, Eric Kendricks, Rolando McClain, Avery Williamson, Michael Wilhoite, Dannell Ellerbe, Eric Kendricks, Michael Wilhoite, Denzel Perryman, Justin Durant, Jon Beason, Kevin Minter, Manti Te’o, Vontaze Burfict, Wesley Woodyard, O’Brien Schofield, Jake Ryan, Chad Greenway, Phillip Wheeler, Jonathan Anderson, Tahir Whitehead, Kelvin Sheppard, Shea McClellin, Jasper Brinkley, Justin Durant, Kelvin Sheppard, Brian Orakpo, Will Compton, Philip Wheeler, Jonathan Freeny, Kelvin Sheppard, Denzel Perryman)
ILB Jake Ryan (GB) – After much anticipation for fantasy owners, Ryan finally got the start for the Packers and despite only playing 75% of the snaps, he produced 10 total tackles and recovered a fumble. He should provide LB3 moving forward. He has a top 6 matchup against the run-heavy offense of the Dallas Cowboys this week.
ILB Gerald Hodges (SF) – Hodges took over for an injured Michael Wilhoite at inside linebacker next to Navarro Bowman. He produced 6 total tackles in a below average matchup. He has a top 3 matchup against the Browns this week so he should serve owners as a matchup-play LB3 if he starts.
OLB Danny Lansanah (TB) – Lansanah hasn’t done much this year in the box scores reaching 5 solos only once this year. However, Kwon Alexander’s suspension forces Lansanah into an every down role. This bumps Lansanah into the LB4+ tier and could make for a nice late season addition for those in deeper leagues.
OLB James Anderson (NO) – Anderson got his first start of the year in replace of an injured Dannell Ellerbe (over Ramon Humbar). He was facing his old team so I’m sure there was some extra incentive for him to do well. Nevertheless, he led the way with 11 total tackles (7 solos). If he gets another start, he may be worth a look as a LB4.
Defensive Backs
(Previously recommended DBs: Calvin Pryor, Trenton Robinson, Josh Norman, Adam Jones, Will Allen, Eric Berry, Adam Jones, Tony Jefferson, Corey Graham, Brandon Meriweather, T.J. Ward, Ronald Darby, Chris Conte, Jonathan Cyprien, David Amerson, Jonathan Joseph, Brandon Browner, Mark Barron, Jason McCourty, Antwon Blake, Jason McCourty, Devin McCourty, Mark Barron, Jaquiski Tartt, Kemal Ishmael, Jacquiski Tartt, Ibraheim Campbell, Logan Ryan, Prince Amukamara, Kurt Coleman, Leodis McKelvin, Will Allen, Isa Abdul-Quddus, Marcus Peters, Logan Ryan, Will Allen, Clayton Geathers, Robert Blanton, DeShawn Shead, Jude Adjei-Barimah)
S Isa Abdul-Quddus (DET) – Quddus was mentioned in this column a few weeks back as a player to keep an eye on. He was all over the field in last week’s game notching 9 solo tackles, 2 assists, 2 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. The linebacker situation is a bit shaky in Detroit right now, so opportunity for big tackle games will be there for Quddus down the stretch. Consider him a DB3 right now.
S Robert Blanton (MIN) – Blanton is another player I mentioned in his column recently but he’s still not owned in virtually any leagues despite going 8-1 and 7-2 in each of the last two weeks, respectively. With Harrison Smith set to miss another game, Blanton becomes a nice high floor, tackle option at safety for owners.
CB Patrick Robinson (SD) – Robinson took over the starting responsibilities at cornerback after Brandon Flowers left the game with an injury last week. He put up 7 solo tackles and 1 assist to go along with a pass deflection. He could make for a slot-in CB2 for those in deeper, CB-required leagues if he continues to start.
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Last Updated: December 9, 2015