For many fantasy owners, this is the culmination of the season, the chance to walk off with the championship, or find inspiration to claw their way back into the hunt next season. Rest assured, though, that the IDP Report will be appearing here through Week 18 with the IDP information you want just in the event your league runs through the end of the regular season.

Elevator Going Up

Linebackers

Samson Ebukam SF (DE only in ESPN leagues)

Once again, it bears repeating: being able to use a LB in a DL role is generally beneficial for fantasy scoring purposes. The 49er LB is getting hot as the season winds down, putting up four total tackles (TT) in Week 16 against the host Titans (three solo), one for a loss of yards (TFL). He also had a pair of QB hits/hurries (QH) in Nashville last week to augment his 1.5 sacks. 

C.J. Mosley NYJ

Mosley is owned in approximately 50% of leagues on both the Yahoo and ESPN platforms, so despite his upward trending status, you may be shut out if you want to snag him for the end of the playoffs. Mosley has been a tackle producing machine since sitting out Week 7’s contest, he has collected nearly triple digit TT (97 to be precise), although the big plays were not evident before he collected a sack and forced a fumble (FF) against the visiting Jaguars.

Jonas Griffith DEN

Griffith has had to step into a starting role the past two weeks, and amassed 22 TT over those contests, 13 last week (six solo, two TFL). He was brought on board the Bronco squad to provide special team expertise, but has developed into a valuable, under-owned inside linebacker for Denver.

Defensive Linemen

Carlos Dunlap DE SEA

Dunlap has collected five sacks over the past two games, and six in four weeks. He is not a full-time player on defense, but is making the most of his time on the field. He has but a so-so matchup in Week 17 at home against the Lions, but if you can use him in the final game against the Cardinals, that is a much better opportunity for him to continue with his late season resurgence.

Rasheem Green DE SEA

A teammate of the previous DL being profiled this week, who just also happens to line up on the left side of the line like the veteran Dunlap. He also has rediscovered the key to getting to the QB, with 3.5 sacks to his credit over the past three contests the Seahawks have played. The four QH and two TLF are useful for fantasy purposes, even though he is not a great tackle producer overall.

Defensive Backs

Jeremy Reaves S WAS

Reaves has moved from a non-playing entity on the practice squad to a starting strong safety for Washington. He has accumulated 22 TT over the past two games, including 10 in Week 16’s contest in Dallas (six solo, one TFL). He has only a middling matchup at home this coming week against the Eagles but as a starting strong safety, he is worth rostering if you need a fill in these waning days of the 2021 fantasy campaign.

M.J. Stewart CB CLE

Stewart’s playing time (PT) has increased due to COVID and injuries depleting the Brown secondary, stepping into a starting role the past two weeks. With the promotion, he has collected 21 TT (17 solo). Last week against the host Packers, he had nine solo tackles (two TFL). The next two weeks are excellent matchups for cornerback fantasy production, as well.

Tarierre Thomas CB HOU

Picking off a pass for a TD will bring some notoriety to a defensive back, especially when it takes place in an upset victory, as things worked out for the Texan CB in Week 16. Thomas, if he again plays as the starting right corner, will be a fine source of tackles, building on the 19 TT he has accumulated the past two weeks (13 solo).

Escalator Going Down

Linebackers

None to write about this week, save for those in the Injury Report below.

Defensive Linemen

Yannick Ngakoue DE LV

Coming off a single tackle game, the Raider DL has two terrible matchups on the slate to make his prospects even bleaker. Now would be a fine time to bench or cut him.

Jeffery Simmons DT TEN

Simmons had been a emerging star in DT-mandatory leagues, but has cooled off significantly over the past three weeks, with just six TT over those games. This is despite the majority of the defensive snaps. 

Defensive Backs

DiCaprio Bootle CB KC

Bootle was pressed into service in Week 16 against the visiting Steelers, and was credited with 8 TT (six solo). He has since been demoted to a bench role, at best. A blip on the radar, that was all he was for fantasy purposes.

Matchups to Exploit

Remember, the first team listed is the one to use your IDPs against. Do not go crazy, and play a LB5 against the Lions, but certainly you will do well if you own a top LB on the Chiefs, Broncos or the Saints that you can plug in this week, for the most part.

Inside Linebackers

Cincinnati Bengals vs Kansas City

Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver

Detroit Lions @ Seattle

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland

Outside Linebackers

Detroit Lions @ Seattle

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans

Las Vegas Raiders @ Indianapolis

Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta

Tennessee Titans vs Miami

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New York Jets

Defensive Ends

Washington Football Team vs Philadelphia

Tennessee Titans vs Miami

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington

Baltimore Ravens vs Los Angeles Rams

Defensive Tackles 

Tennessee Titans vs Miami

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans

Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona

Safeties

Baltimore Ravens vs Los Angeles Rams

Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona

Los Angeles Rams @ Baltimore

Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers

Cornerbacks

Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England

Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta

Cincinnati Bengals vs Kansas City

Waiver Wire Targets

This section is intended to serve as a shortened cheat sheet listing those waiver wire targets you should be considering if you need to plug a hole in your starting lineup. All these players are spotlighted above, and you can read my comments about them in the "Elevator Going Up" section of this article. Not all the players commented on are here, however, as there is no need to waste your time searching for players that are heavily owned. This group consists of those that you may have a chance of locating on your league's waiver wire in that they are owned in significantly less than 50% of leagues. Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.

Linebackers

Samson Ebukam SF

Jonas Griffith DEN

Defensive Linemen

Carlos Dunlap DE SEA

Rasheem Green DE SEA

Defensive Backs

Jeremy Reaves S WAS

M.J. Stewart CB CLE

Tarierre Thomas CB HOU

Ouch (My Aching Roster)

All the injury reports below need evaluation prior to kickoff.  Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. Consider the list below as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.

Linebackers

Zeke Turner ARI shoulder IR

Tanner Vallejo ARI knee IR

Markus Golden ARI illness IR-COVID

Kylie Fitts ARI concussion IR

Brandon Copeland ATL illness IR-COVID

James Vaughters ATL illness IR-COVID

Emmanuel Ellerbee ATL knee IR

L.J. Fort BAL knee-ACL IR

Haason Reddick CAR undisclosed IR-COVID

Shaq Green-Thompson CAR IR-COVID

Christian Jones CHI finger

Joel Iyiegbuniwe CHI undisclosed IR-COVID

Cassius Marsh CHI knee IR

Danny Trevathan CHI knee IR

Khalil Mack CHI foot IR

Jeremiah Attaochu CHI pectoral IR

Germaine Pratt CIN undisclosed IR-COVID

Logan Wilson CIN shoulder

Joe Bachie CIN knee-ACL IR

Akeem Davis-Gaither CIN foot IR

Jordan Evans CIN knee IR

Elijah Lee CLE illness IR-COVID

Tony Fields II CLE illness IR-COVID

Montrel Meander CLE Achilles IR

Francis Bernard DAL groin IR-COVID

Jabril Cox DAL knee-ACL IR

Andre Mintze DEN illness IR-COVID

Kenny Young DEN concussion

A.J. Johnson Den pectoral IR

Josey Jewell DEN pectoral IR

Natrez Patrick DEN leg IR

Josh Woods DET neck IR

Julian Okwara DET ankle 

Trey Flowers DET knee IR

Alex Anzalone DET shoulder IR

Romeo Okwara DET Achilles IR

Shaun Dion Hamilton DET undisclosed IR

Oren Burks GB illness Alex Anzalone DET knee IR

Ladarius Hamilton GB undisclosed

Ty Sumers GB undisclosed IR-COVID

Tipa Galeai GB illness IR-COVID

Chauncey Rivers GB undisclosed IR-COVID

Za’Darius Smith GB back IR

Randy Ramsey GB leg IR

Neville Hewitt HOU undisclosed IR-COVID

Kaum Grugier-HOU illness IR-COVID 

Hardy Nickerson HOU concussion IR

Eric Wilson HOU illness IR-COVID 

Darius Leonard IND illness IR-COVID 

Malik Jefferson IND undisclosed IR-COVID 

Damien Wilson JAX illness IR-COVID 

K’Lavon Chaisson JAX illness IR-COVID 

Dakota Allen JAX shoulder

Myles Jack JAC illness IR-COVID 

Dylan Moses JAX knee

Nick Bolton KC undisclosed 

Will Compton LV illness IR-COVID 

Cory Littleton LV illness IR-COVID 

Patrick Onwuasor LV illness IR-COVID 

K.J. Wright LV illness IR-COVID

Denzel Perryman LV illness IR-COVID

Nicholas Morrow LV ankle IR

Darron Lee LV undisclosed

Nick Kwiatkoski LV ankle IR

Drue Tranquill LAC leg

Kyler Fuller LAC knee IR

Ernest Jones LAR ankle IR

Duke Riley MIA undisclosed IR-COVID

Brennan Scarlett MIA knee IR 

Ryan Connelly MIN knee IR

Josh Uche NE illness IR-COVID 

Cameron McGrone NE knee-ACL 

Brandon King NE illness IR-COVID

Ronnie Perkins NE ankle IR

Ja’Whaun Bentley NE illness IR-COVID

Matt Judon NE illness IR-COVID

Anfernee Jennings NE undisclosed IR

Terez Hall NE undisclosed PUP

Harvey Langi NE knee IR-COVID

Raekwon McMillen NE knee-ACL IR

Kaden Elliss NO hamstring IR-COVID

Demario Davis NO undisclosed IR-COVID

Quentin Poling NO undisclosed 

Kwon Alexander NO illness IR-COVID

Trent Harris NYG ankle IR

Oshane Ximines NYG undisclosed

Justin Hilliard NYG ankle IR

Carter Coughlin NYG ankle IR

Blake Martinez NYG knee-ACL IR

T.J. Brunson NYG knee-ACL IR

Jarrad Davis NYJ illness IR-COVID

Blake Cashman NYJ illness IR-COVID

Jamien Sherwood NYJ Achilles IR

Davion Taylor PHI knee IR

Shaun Bradley PHI undisclosed IR-COVID

Buddy Johnson PIT foot

Devin Bush PIT illness IR-COVID

Marcus Allen PIT illness z IR-COVID

Dre Greenlaw SF groin

Azeez Al-Shaair SF knee 

Jon Rhattigan SEA knee-ACL

Ben Burr-Kirven SEA knee-ACL IR

Shaquil Barrett TB knee-ACL, MCL

Jason Pierre-Paul TB shoulder

Lavonte David TB foot IR

Jayon Brown TEN illness IR-COVID

David Long TEN hamstring

Dub Dupree TEN illness IR-COVID

Jamal Carter TEN undisclosed

Monty Rice TEN ankle IR

Rashad Weaver TEN lower leg IR

B.J. Bello TEN ankle IR

Jamin Davis WAS illness

Jared Norris WAS shoulder IR

Khaleke Hudson WAS ankle IR

Jon Bostic WAS pectoral IR

Defensive Linemen

DE

J.J. Watt ARI shoulder IR

Marlon Davidson ATL illness IR-COVID

Justin Madubuike BAL illness IR-COVID

Derek Wolfe BAL back IR

A.J. Epenesa BUF ankle 

Bryan Cox BUF Achilles IR

Brian Burns CAR illness IR-COVID

Marquis Haynes CAR illness IR-COVID

Austin Larkin CAR undisclosed 

Akiem Hicks CHI undisclosed IR-COVID

Khalid Kareem CIN concussion

Cameron Sample CIN hamstring 

Wyatt Ray CIN illness IR-COVID

Joseph Ossai CIN knee-Meniscus IR

Wyatt Hubert CIN pectoral

Takkarist McKinley CLE Achilles IR

DeShawn Williams DEN elbow IR

Joel Heath DET knee-ACL IR

Whitney Mercilus GB biceps IR

Jonathan Greenard HOU illness IR-COVID

Jordan Jenkins HOU illness IR-COVID

Derek Rivers HOU illness IR-COVID

Tyquan Lewis IND knee IR

Jihad Ward JAX illness IR-COVID

Lerentee McCray JAX illness IR-COVID

Jordan Smith JAX undisclosed IR-COVID

Joshua Kaindoh KC ankle IR

Malik Herring KC knee-ACL

Joey Bosa LAC illness IR-COVID

Greg Gaines LAR hand

Everson Griffen MIN personal 

Danielle Hunter MIN pectoral IR

Janarius Robinson MIN lower body IF

Deatrich Wise NE undisclosed IR-COVID

Henry Anderson NE pectoral IR

Tanoh Kpassagnon NO ankle IR

Payton Turner NO shoulder IR

Carl Granderson NO illness IR-COVID

Raymond Johnson III NYG illness

John Franklin-Myers NYJ illness IR-COVID

Vinny Curry NYJ illness

Carl Lawson NYJ Achilles IR

Derek Barnett PHI illness IR-COVID

Brandon Graham PHI Achilles IR

Chris Wormley PIT groin

Calvin Taynor PIT undisclosed

Stephon Tuitt PIT undisclosed IR

Tyson Alualu PIT ankle IR

Dee Ford SF back IR

L.J. Collier SEA illness IR-COVID

Pat O’Connor TB knee-PCL IR

Denico Autry TEN illness IR-COVID

Larrell Murchison TEN knee

James Smith-Williams WAS illness

Montez Sweat WAS personal

Nate Orchard WAS undisclosed IR-COVID

Chase Young WAS knee-ACL IR

Jalen Jelks WAS undisclosed IR

DT

Jordan Phillips ARI knee

Jack Crawford ARI undisclosed IR

Tyeler Davison ATL undisclosed IR-COVID

Xavier Kelly BAL Achilles IR

Justin Zimmer BUF knee-ACL IR

Daviyon Nixon CAR illness IR-COVID

Phil Hoskins CAR illness IR-COVID

D.J. Reader CIN illness IR-COVID

Jordan Elliott CLE undisclosed IR-COVID

Trysten Hill DAL illness IR-COVID

Brent Urban DAL triceps IR

Mike Purcell DEN illness IR-COVID

Roy Lopez HOU illness IR-COVID

Maliek Collins HOU illness IR-COVID

Vincent Taylor HOU ankle IR

Jaleel Johnson HOU illness IR-COVID

Antwaun Woods IND calf IR

Rob Windson IND hip IR

Jay Turele JAX illness IR-COVID

Davon Hamilton JAX illness IR-COVID

Malcom Brown JAX illness IR-COVID

Khalen Saunders KC undisclosed IR

Johnathan Hankins LV back

Darius Philon LV illness IR-COVID

Gerald McCoy LV knee IR

Sebastian Joseph-Day LAR pectoral IR

Jaylen Twyman MIN pelvis

Byron Cowart NE undisclosed PUP

Jalyn Holmes NO illness IR-COVID

Christian Ringo NO illness IR-COVID

Malcolm Roach NO undisclosed

Jalen Dalton NO triceps IR

Austin Johnson NYG foot

Dexter Lawrence NYG illness IR-COVID

Danny Shelton NYG undisclosed IR-COVID

Quinnen Williams NYJ undisclosed IR-COVID

Foley Fatukasi NYJ undisclosed IR-COVID

Iasiah Buggs PIT undisclosed IR-COVID 

Maurice Hurst SF calf

Javon Kinlaw SF knee-ACL IR

Bryan Mone SEA illness IR-COVID

Marcus Webb SEA undisclosed IR

Sam Renner TB undisclosed

Rakeem Nunez-Roches TB illness IR-COVID

Trevon Coley TEN foot IR

Daniel Wise WAS knee IR

Defensive Backs

S

James Wiggins ARI knee IR

Richie Grant ATL illness IR-COVID

Erik Haris ATL chest IR

Ar’Darius Washington BAL illness IR-COVID

DeShon Elliott BAL pectoral IR

Dhalil Dorsey BAL undisclosed IR

Xavier Crawford CHI concussion IR

DeAndre Houston-Carson CHI forearm IR

Brandon Wilson CIN knee IR

Ronnie Harrison CLE ankle

John Johnson CLE hamstring

Israel Mukuama DAL illness

Malik Hooker DAL illness IR-COVID

Lonnie Johnson HOU illness IR-COVID

A.J. Moore HOU illness IR-COVID

Eric Murray HOU illness IR-COVID

Jahleel Addae IND undisclosed IR-COVID

T.J. Carrie IND undisclosed IR-COVID

Andrew Sendejo IND concussion

Khari Willis IND illness IR-COVID

Julian Blackmon IND Achilles IR

Rudy Ford JAX undisclosed IR-COVID

Rayshawn Jenkins JAX ankle IR

Tyrann Mathieu KC quadriceps 

Armani Watts KC illness IR-COVID

Chris Lammons KC ankle IR

Roderic Teamer LV illness IR-COVID

Johnathan Abram LV shoulder IR

Nasir Adderley LAC illness IR-COVID

Alohi Gilman LAC illness IR-COVID

Derwin James LAC hamstring 

Trey Marshall LAC illness IR-COVID

Mark Webb LAC knee IR

Kemon Hall LAC illness IR-COVID

Dayan Ghanwoloku LAR undisclosed

BranDon Jones MIA illness IR-COVID

Elijah Campbell MIA toe IR

Jason McCourty MIA foot IR

Joshuah Bledsoe ME calf

Jeff Heath NO illness IR-COVID

L.T. Gray NO undisclosed IR-COVID

Keion Crossen NYG undisclosed

Nate Ebner NYG ankle IR

Joshua Kalu NYG pectoral IR

Jabrill Peppers NYG knee-ACL IR

Elijah Riley NYJ concussion

Ashtyn Davis NYJ illness IR-COVID

Sharrod Neasman NYJ illness IR-COVID

Marcus Maye NYJ Achilles IR

Lamarcus Joyner NYJ triceps IR

Andre Chachere PHI illness IR-COVID

K’Von Wallace PHI hip

Talanoa Huanga SF knee

Tavon Wilson Sf foot IR

Tarvarius Moore SF Achilles PUP

Jason Verrett SF knee-ACL IR

Blessuan Austin SEA undisclosed IR-COVID

Gavin Heslop SEA lower leg IR

Jamal Adams SEA shoulder-labrum IR

Marquise Blair SEA kneecap IR

Antoine Winfield Jr. TB foot

Curtis Riley TB Achilles IR

Maurice Smith TEN undisclosed

Deshazor Everett WAS personal

Landon Collins WAS foot IR

CB

Breon Borders ARI illness IR-COVID

Marco Wilson ARI shoulder

Robert Alford ARI pectoral IR

Iasiah Oliver ATL knee IR

Anthony Averett BAL ribs

Marlon Humphrey BAL pectoral IR

Iman Marshall BAL knee IR

Marcus Peters BAL knee-ACL IR

Cam Lewis BUF illness IR-COVID

Tre’Davious White BUF illness IR-COVID

Jaycee Horn CAR foot IR

Stephon Gilmore CAR groin

Rashaan Melvin CAR undisclosed IR-COVID

A.J. Bouye CAR foot IR

Donte Jackson CAR groin IR

Troy Pride CAR knee-ACL IR

Teez Tabor CHI ankle

Darius Phillips CIN illness IR-COVID

Troy Hill CLE knee

Greg Newsome II CLE concussion IR-COVID

Jourdan Lewis DAL undisclosed IR-COVID

Reggie Robinson II DAL toe IR

Amani Oruwariye DET thumb IR

Jerry Jacobs DET knee-ACL IR

Jeff Okudah DET Achilles IR

Jaire Alexander GB shoulder -AC joint 

Shemar Jean-Charles GB undisclosed IR-COVID

Kevin King GB undisclosed IR-COVID

Terrance Mitchell HOU undisclosed

Rashad Fenton KC illness IR-COVID

Casey Hayward LV illness IR-COVID

Brandon Facyson LV illness IR-COVID

Trayvon Mullen LV toe IR

Chris Harris LAC illness IR-COVID

Davontae Harris LAC illness IR-COVID

Michael Davis LAC illness IR-COVID

Ryan Smith LAC knee-ACL IR

Robert Rochell LAR chest IR

Justin Coleman MIA undisclosed IR-COVID

Jamal Perry MIA knee IR

Keith Washington NO wrist

Darnay Holmes NYG ribs IR

Adoree’ Jackson NYG quadriceps

Julian Love NYG illness IR-COVID

RoDarius Williams NYG knee-ACL IR

Bryce Hall NYJ illness IR-COVID

Zane Lewis NYJ knee-MCL IR

DeMarkus Acy PIT knee-ACL IR

Emmanuel Moseley SF ankle IR

D.J. Reed SEA illness IR-COVID

Tre Brown SEA knee IR

Sean Murphy-Bunting TB illness IR-COVID

Jamel Dean TB illness IR-COVID

Buster Skine TEN illness IR-COVID

Caleb Farley TEN illness IR-COVID

Darryl Roberts WAS undisclosed IR-COVID

William Jackson WAS ankle 

Benjamin St-Juste WAS concussion IR

Torry McTyer WAS knee-ACL IR

As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. If you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, you can also send a message to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a personal response from the writer of this article. Naturally, the more detail you can send about your league, such as number of teams, platform you play in (Yahoo, ESPN, etc.), scoring and roster system, the better the ability to provide accurate advice.