Here we are, in Week 17, and if you are still playing, good luck. Maybe you want to suggest to your league to end things in Week 16, since things tend to get weird in the final week of the NFL season. At least consider a combined Week 16 & 17 Championship instead of wondering whether your players will be starting for you. In any event, if you are still playing, here are some IDP additions to your roster you should consider.
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Luke Kuechly CAR
Vincent Rey CIN
Erin Henderson MIN
Bruce Carter DAL
Mason Foster TB
Keuchly had what might be a two or three week performance for most LBs in Week 16. He is making a strong case for the No. 1 IDP in 2014. If you have him in a keeper league, don't let him go. Rey burst back onto the IDP scene with a huge big play week. I like his chances to shine against the Ravens this week, and as a lot of owners dropped him in Week 13, he may still be available. Henderson reclaimed a starting role with Audie Cole going out last week, and facing the Lions at home in the final game at the Metrodome strikes me as a good time to start him. Carter should see a lot of tackle opportunities this week if Philly takes an early lead, especially with a Romo-less Cowboy offense likely to struggle. Foster going up against a LB friendly Saints' offense is a nice LB2 to plug in this week.
Defensive Linemen
Quinton Coples DE NYJ
Ezekial Ansah DE DET
Mathias Kiwanuka DE NYG
Sylvester Williams DT DEN
Gerald McCoy DT TB
Kyle Williams DT BUF
Coples is a good source for sacks, and the Dolphins aren't exactly known for keeping their QB upright. Ansah is fine young player, and if you can grab him for a dynasty league, don't hesitate. I could see a sack or more this week in Minnesota in his future. Kiwanuka is a nice fill in at DL if the Giants' line is still banged up this week, and is a young player to keep on your radar for 2014. Williams has been getting more playing time of late, and has shown good tackle and sack instincts. McCoy is another Tampa IDP that faces a defense friendly New Orleans' squad, and I could see a sack in his future this Sunday. Williams is collecting sacks as the season winds down, and the Patriots are very sackable.
Defensive Backs
T.J. McDonald S CLE
Keith Tandy S TB
D.J. Swearinger S HOU
Kyle Arrington CB NE
Dee Milliner CB NYJ
With his recent production, McDonald has shown why the Browns drafted him. Good tackler and able to rack up the occasional sack or INT makes him a fine addition to your roster. Tandy faces the Saints, and I've already noted how that is a good match up for IDPs. Swearinger plays in a system that provides good opportunity to shine for strong safeties, and if you are in need of help at DB in terms of tackles, you would do well to snag him. Arrington should see a lot of action, if his team can put the Bills in a hole early. Good to great tackle potential here. Milliner deflected 5 passes last week, and as a rookie, expect him to be targeted by the Dolphins QB in Week 17.
Escalator Going Down
It is Week 17. If they are on your roster, here's hoping you've made a wise choice based on the advice you've gotten here since Week 1. If your players have disappointed, it's time to make a change, but be wise. There are some fine choices listed above. Above all, minimize risk and trust your instincts.
Linebackers
Defensive Linemen
Defensive Backs
Ouch (My Aching Roster)
All the injury reports below need to be evaluated at kickoff. Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. The list below is intended as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.
Linebackers
Sean Lee DAL (neck)
Audie Cole MIN (ankle)
Nick Barnett WAS (MCL)
Von Miller DEN (torn ACL)
Sean Weatherspoon ATL (knee)
Clay Matthews GB (thumb)
Elvis Dumervil BAL (ankle)
Vontaze Burfict CIN (concussion)
Ernie Sims DAL (groin)
Geno Hayes JAX (knee)
Brandon Spikes NE (knee)
Brian Orakpo WAS (groin)
Jason Worilds PIT (abdomen)
Joe Mays HOU (knee)
John Abraham ARI (groin)
Tamba Hali KC (knee)
K.J. Wright SEA (foot)
Defensive Linemen
DeMarcus Ware DE DAL (back)
Cory Redding DE IND (shoulder)
Rob Ninkovich DE NE (ankle)
Jason Pierre-Paul DE NYG (shoulder)
John Hughes DE CLE (knee)
Arthur Jones DT BAL (concussion)
Ricky Jean Francios DT IND (foot)
Jurrell Casey DT TEN (knee)
Corey Peters DT ATL (Achilles)
Phil Taylor DT CLE (concussion)
Defensive Backs
Devin McCourty S NE (head)
Steve Gregory S NE (finger)
Kenny Vaccaro S NO (ankle)
Robert Lester S CAR (ankle)
Earl Wolff S PHI (knee)
Colt Anderson S PHI (knee)
Antoine Bethea S IND (ankle)
Mark Barron S TB (hamstring)
T.J. McDonald S CLE (illness)
Johnathan Joseph CB HOU (toe)
Xavier Rhodes CB MIN (ankle)
Asa Jackson CB BAL (thigh)
Terence Newman CB CIN (knee)
Dwayne Gratz CB JAX (ankle)
Chris Houston CB DET (toe)
Kyle Arrington CB NE (groin)
Joe Haden CB CLE (hip)
Tracy Porter CB OAK (hip)
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, I can be reached at ia@fantasyalarm.com.