2009 Fantasy Football IDP Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 17

“The Untouchables”:
Jared Allen (88%)
Elvis Dumervil (67%)
Julius Peppers (65%)
Trent Cole (62%)
Justin Tuck (57%)
Mario Williams (55%)
Robert Mathis (48%) – INJURED (OUT)
Osi Umenyiora (47%)
Andre Carter (46%)
Darnell Dockett (42%)

1. LDE Calais Campbell – Campbell has been a solid DL3 this year and slightly upgrades to a DL2 this week against the Packers, who have done a much better job of protecting the quarterback the last six to eight weeks, but are still susceptible to giving up sacks.

2. RDE Vonnie Holliday – Holliday has quietly registered three sacks in his last four games and he has a nice matchup this week against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have one of the worst pass-blocking offensive lines in the league. I can see Holliday having a couple of solo tackles and a sack this week.

3. RDE Randy Starks – I recommended Starks last week and he made me look like a fool. But, I’m going him another chance. He’s played well this season and I like his chances of getting to Big Ben this week.

4. LDE Mathias Kiwanuka -With Osi Umenyiora being regulated to playing only in third- down passing situations, Kiwanuka has become the Giants starting LDE. In those two games in which he’s started, he’s posted 13 total tackles (11 solo) and he should be able to post some nice tackle numbers this week against Adrian Peterson and the Vikings.

5. LDT Eric Foster -With many of the Colts defensive lineman not playing the last two games, Foster has had a chance to step in and gain some serious playing time. The Colts will more than likely rest many of there top tier defensive lineman again this week against the Bills, leaving Mr. Foster with plenty of sack/tackle opportunities.

*The IDP Guru’s Lock of the Week*
RDE Jonathan Fanene – Fanene hasn’t done jack the last two weeks. However, he has a superb matchup against the Jets, who allow the most fantasy points to opposing defensive lineman. I expect there to be plenty of sacks handed out in this game and Fanene has probably the best chance of any Bengals defensive lineman of getting one.

“The Untouchables”:
Patrick Willis (98%)
James Harrison (89%)
Ray Lewis (83%)
Jon Beason (82%)
London Fletcher (78%)
Barrett Rudd (72%)
D.J. Williams (70%)
Demarcus Ware (70%)
Brian Cushing (66%) – INJURED (QUESTIONABLE)
Kirk Morrison (61%)
David Harris (61%)
Curtis Lofton (58%)
DeMeco Ryans (58%)
Jonathan Vilma (57%)
Karlos Dansby (56%)

1. MLB Jasper Brinkley – Rookie Jasper Brinkley has played well since taking over for the injured MLB EJ Henderson two weeks ago (click here to see how Henderson was injured). From the games I’ve watched, Brinkley seems to be around the ball quite a bit. He has a very good matchup versus the Giants this week and should be a great end of the season filler.

2. LILB James Farrior – Compared to his fantasy production last year, Farrior is having somewhat of an off-year. However, he provides good value this week because of his matchup against the Dolphins. Inside linebackers tend to put up great fantasy numbers against Miami and Farrior is the Steelers most consistent tackler. He should be a safe play for 7-9 total tackles this week.

3. WLB Andra Davis – Davis has struggled to produce in the second half of the season in the same way he was during the first half of the season. However, he has shown some improvement over the last two weeks and he should have a good amount of tackle opportunities this week against the Jamaal Charles led Chiefs. Charles has said that he wants to break 1,000 yards for the season and he will need 134 to do so. With this being said, I can see the Chiefs giving Charles the rock 30 times in this game.

4. MLB Hunter Hillenmeyer –  I recommended Hillenmeyer last week and, boy, did he make me look good. He had 15 total tackles and had a brilliant strip of Adrian Peterson in overtime that won the Bears the game. Well done sir, well done. Hillenmeyer’s matchup this week against the Lions is a pretty good one. I think Hunter should be good for 6 or more solos this week.

5. WLB Geno Hayes – Hayes has really started to come into his own the last few weeks of the season. He’s registered a sack in each of the last two games and is starting to put up some nice tackle numbers. His matchup against the Falcons isn’t a good one, but the last time he played them he went 9-0-0. I have a gut feeling Hayes may reproduce a similar stat line this week. If your feeling a little risky, Hayes could be a great play.

DB

“The Untouchables”:
Charles Woodson (68%)
Brian Dawkins (61%) 
Antrel Rolle (58%) – INJURED (QUESTIONABLE)
Darren Sharper (57%)
Roman Harper (53%)
Eric Weddle (53%) – INJURED (QUESTIONABLE)
Brandon Meriweather (52%)
Erik Coleman (50%)
Gibril Wilson (49%) 
Yeremiah Bell (49%)
Charles Tillman (46%) – INJURED (OUT)
Bernard Pollard (46%)
Troy Polamalu (46%) – INJURED (QUESTIONABLE)
Tyvon Branch (44%)

1. SS Chinedum “Nedu” Ndukwe – I expect a big game out of Ndukwe this week. He has a fantastic matchup against the Jets. This is a must-win game for the Jets and, with that being said, they are going to run the ball a ton with Thomas Jones. The Bengals will put 8 in the box (including Ndukwe) to stop him and force pretty boy Sanchez to actually make a play.

2. LCB Antoine Winfield – I highly doubt Winfield is available on  a ton of waiver wires. However, he was injured for a large part of the season and may be available in some of the shallower leagues. Winfield is a bonafide IDP stud and has a great matchup this week against the Giants. If you have him, start him.

3. RCB Jacob Lacey – I normally wouldn’t recommend picking up a Colts player this week because they are going to rest a majority of their players. However, I don’t think Lacey is “good enough” to be rested and should play the entire game. Also, I think the Colts defense could be on the field more than usual because their offense will have a hard time moving the ball with poor rooking backup Curtis Painter leading the way. You should expect a solid game out of Lacey, who has been a pretty consistent tackler throughout the season.

4. LCB Brent Grimes – This guy has absolutely been on fire over the last 3 weeks (22 solo tackles and 3 INTs). He does have Tampa Bay this week which isn’t the greatest matchup for opposing CBs and the last time he played them, he went 1-0-0. However, at this point in the season, you have have to ride the hot player. If you need to play catchup, Grimes is a great high risk/reward pick.

5. RCB Ronde Barber – Barber is having a pretty quiet year due to his lack of interceptions (zero). However, his tackles numbers are actually up slightly this year and he has a great matchup against Roddy White and the Falcons. I can see Barber producing some decent tackles numbers this week. If you have a good lead in your league and are looking to play it safe, Barber is a good play. He hasn’t had less than 4 solo tackles since Week 7.

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