Now that the Wednesday afternoon contest is in the books, let us begin to examine those IDP available that can punch up your roster heading into or beginning the fantasy football playoff season. There are a handful of linebackers and defensive linesmen to consider below, and a fuller slate of defensive backs to explore.
Bye Weeks coming up: Week 13-Carolina and Tampa Bay; no more scheduled byes after this week!
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Tyrell Adams HOU
The Lions were a favorable matchup on Thanksgiving for Houston, and Adams was certainly a beneficiary, collecting 17 total tackles (TT), 14 of those being solo takedowns. He also had two forced fumbles (FF) and a pass deflection (PD) against the Detroit offense to open Week 12. The next two weeks are just so-so matchups but he has been contributing on defense at an elite level and should be rostered as soon as you can get to the wire.
Cole Holcomb WAS
Holcomb has gradually become an every down LB for Washington, and contributed with 10 TT in the second Thanksgiving Day game (six solo). One of those tackles was for a loss of yards (TFL) and he also was credited with a QB hit/hurry (QH) on the stat sheet. Week 13 against the Steelers does not line up as a great opportunity for Holcomb but facing the 49ers Week 14 is enticing, and the next game against the visiting Seahawks holds promise, too.
Tremaine Edmunds BUF
Edmunds went through a slump before busting back into form the past three weeks, collecting 32 TT, a pair of PD and a sack over that period. He had 11 TT this past game (three solo) and now has the Number 2 team in LB fantasy points allowed on slate when the 49ers come calling in Week 13.
Defensive Linemen
Randy Gregory DE DAL
The trade of Everson Griffen has resulting in a uptick in PT for the defensive end, and he is heading into a pair of games against teams that allow significant fantasy points to opposing DEs. He had a pair of sacks in Week 12 against the visiting Washington offense, along with a pair of QH and three solo tackles (two TFL). He is a prime candidate for a free agent pickup heading into the fantasy playoffs.
Jacob Tuioti-Mariner DE ATL
The second-year linesman saw a significant uptick in playing time in Week 12, and responded big time with a FF and two fumble recoveries (FR), a sack and six TT (four solo). After that performance, he should continue to see more time on the field and he now has two excellent matchups in line, with the Saints in town this coming week and then a trip to LA to take on the Chargers.
Javon Kinlaw DT SF
Kinlaw enjoyed a rare treat for a DL, picking off a pass and returning it for a TD against the Rams. Do not expect such heroics every week, or potentially ever again, but in mandatory DT leagues, he offers weekly tackles and until Week 12, was playing around 60% of the defensive snaps.
Defensive Backs
Donovan Wilson S DAL
The second-year safety collected 10 TT against visiting Washington on Thanksgiving (nine solo), and has snagged 19 TT over the past two contests. With the run-heavy Ravens on tap, look for him to continue to put up serious IDP points in Week 13.
Jeremy Chinn S CAR
It is not likely he will ever repeat the back-to-back TDs on a pair of FRs, but if you had him in your starting IDP lineup in Week 12, great move. He was not only valuable for the TDs, though, as he collected 13 TT (seven solo), a QH, and a FF to provide overall IDP goodness. He is going to go fast from the wire, so if he is still available, grab him immediately.
Nik Needham CB MIA
Playing at slot corner for the Dolphins, Needham is seeing decent opportunities to collect tackles, including five in Week 12 against the Jets. He also had a PD, giving him four over the past three games. Week 13 has the best possible matchup for a CB possible when the Dolphins host Cincy.
Logan Ryan CB NYG
Ryan has been a great addition to the Giant defense, and is on pace to again exceed 70 solo tackles in a season. In addition to racking up six TT against the Bengals (two solo), he also added a FF, FR and a PD to give him overall fantasy value, in big play and tackle oriented formats.
Richard Sherman CB SF
Sherman was a welcome returnee to action in Week 12, totaling seven TT (six solo, one TFL). He also picked off a pass (INT) and deflected one, too (PD). He has three great matchups on the schedule, with Buffalo and Washington coming to visit Arizona (as Santa Clara has evicted the team from their home stadium due to COVID issues), and then a trip to the fourth most generous offense for opposing CBs when the team heads to take on the Cowboys in Texas.
Bryce Hall CB NYJ
Hall was drafted in the 5th round, but the team released Pierre Desir , and now both Brian Poole and Blessuan Austin have landed on the IR, opening the door wide for the rookie to take the field. He is being targeted by opposing offenses, as is their wont with untested rookies, and thus is seeing tackle opportunities galore. He had six TT (five solo) this past contest, and has amassed 13 TT over the past two games. He has seen the most snaps of all Jet corners since be activated in Week 9, so with his frequent targets by offenses, and the starting status, he is well worth an addition to your roster.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
Will Compton TEN
Playing in a time share with David Long reduces his value for IDP purposes significantly. Even with Javon Brown out with an injury, his limited snaps and production mean that you can cut him safely.
Shaq Thompson CAR
He has been less than impressive over the 12 games he has participated in this season, collecting just 50 TT to date. He also is not racking up any significant big play production, which devalues his status as a useful LB in IDP leagues.
Defensive Linemen
Frank Clark DE KC
Clark was likely drafted by his owners to provide sacks, and he has failed to provide on that front, with just four on the season, and only one over the past seven weeks. He is not a source for tackles, averaging a mere two per game this year. This is not the season to own him, evidently.
Defensive Backs
Jalen Ramsey CB LAR
Ramsey is a top real-life cornerback, but that makes him less than useful for fantasy purposes. He is not getting enough opportunity to provide tackle numbers or big plays, and thus pales in comparison to other less skilled NFL players, who due to being targeted by the offense, have more opportunity to provide IDP points.
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 Saints, but certainly you will do well if you own a top LB on the Steelers, a Packer defensive end, or a Dolphin corner and/or Detroit defensive back that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Washington @ Pittsburgh
San Francisco vs Buffalo
New Orleans @ Atlanta
Defensive Ends
Philadelphia @ Green Bay
Atlanta vs New Orleans
New York Giants @ Seattle
Defensive Tackles
Dallas @ Baltimore
Las Vegas @ New York Jets
Chicago vs Detroit
Safeties
Atlanta vs New Orleans
Denver @ Kansas City
San Francisco vs Buffalo
Chicago vs Detroit
Cornerbacks
Cincinnati @ Miami
Chicago vs Detroit
Philadelphia @ Green Bay
Dallas @ Baltimore
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
Tyrell Adams HOU
Cole Holcomb WAS
Tremaine Edmunds BUF (Owned in 51% of ESPN leagues, “only” 36% of Yahoo leagues)
Defensive Linemen
Randy Gregory DE DAL
Jacob Tuioti-Mariner DE ATL
Javon Kinlaw DT SF
Defensive Backs
Nik Needham S MIA
Donovan Wilson S DAL
Jeremy Chinn S CAR
Logan Ryan CB NYG
Richard Sherman CB SF
Bryce Hall CB NYJ
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
James Burgess ATL hamstring IR
Otaro Alaka BAL knee IR
Pernell McPhee BAL undisclosed IR-COVID
Matt Judon BAL ankle IR-COVID
Matt Milano BUF pectoral IR
Tyrel Dodson BUF hamstring IR
Jason Ferris CAR undisclosed
Sione Takitaki CLE undisclosed IR-COVID
Luke Gifford DAL suspension
Derrek Tuszka DEN hamstring IR
Krys Barnes GB illness IR-COVID
Bobby Okereke IND ankle
Shaquille Quarterman JAX knee IR
Dakota Allen JAX ankle
Dorian O’Daniel KC ankle
Uchenna Nwosu LAD shoulder-AC joint
Denzel Perryman LAC back
Kyzir White LAC undisclosed IR-COVID
Drue Tranquill LAC ankle IR
Asmar Bilal LAC calf IR
Terrell Lewis LAR knee
Obo Okoronkwo LAR elbow IR
Micah Kiser LAR knee IR
Jordan Brailford MIN undisclosed
Brandon King NE quadriceps PUP
Oshane Ximines NYG shoulder IR
Kyler Fackrell NYG lower leg IR
Blake Cashman NYJ hamstring
Patrick Onwuasor NYJ hamstring IR
Nate Gerry PHI ankle IR
Ulysees Gilbert PIT back IR
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles SF hamstring
Mark Nzeocha SF quadriceps IR
Jadeveon Clowney TEN knee IR
Jayon Brown TEN elbow IR
Jared Norris WAS hamstring
Reuben Foster WAS knee IR
Defensive Linemen
DE
Josh Mauro ARI hamstring IR
Jihad Ward BAL undisclosed IR-COVID
Derek Wolfe BAL illness
Calais Campbell BAL illness IR-COVID
Yetur Gross-Matos CAR undisclosed IR-COVID
Akiem Hicks CHI hamstring
Takkarist McKinley CIN groin IR
Porter Gustin CLE illness IR-COVID
Joe Jackson CLE undisclosed IR-COVID
Shelby Harris DEN illness IR-COVID
Da’Shawn Hand DET groin
Austin Bryant DET thigh
Julian Okwara DET undisclosed IR
Trey Flowers DET undisclosed IR
P.J. Hall HOU chest IR
Denico Autry IND illness IR-COVID
Josh Allen JAX knee IR
Clelin Ferrell LVR undisclosed
David Irving LVR knee
Melvin Ingram LAC knee IR
Tashawn Bower NE illness
Anthony Lanier NO undisclosed
Stephon Tuitt PIT undisclosed IR-COVID
Ronald Blair SF knee-ACL
Dee Ford SF neck IR
Jordan Willis SF undisclosed IR-COVID
Carlos Dunlap SEA foot
Ryan Anderson WAS knee
DT
Brandon Williams BAL ankle
Justin Madubuike BAL undisclosed IR-COVID
D.J. Reader CIN quadriceps IR
Eli Ankou DAL coach’s decision
Danny Shelton DET knee
Montravius Adams GB toe IR
DeForest Buckner IND illness IR-COVID
Davon Hamilton JAX knee IR
Abry Jones JAX ankle IR
Carl Davis JAX concussion IR
David Irving LVR knee
Byron Cowart NE back
Michael Barnett NE undisclosed IR
Sheldon Rankins NO knee-MCL IR
D.J. Jones SF undisclosed IR-COVID
Vita Vea TB leg IR-COVID
Matthew Ioannidis WAS biceps IR
Defensive Backs
S
Jalen Thompson ARI ankle
Deionte Thompson undisclosed IR-COVID
Jordan Miller ATL oblique IR
Geno Stone BAL illness IR-COVID
Terrell Bonds BAL knee IR-COVID
Sam Franklin CAR ankle
Sherrick McManis CHI hand
Ronnie Harrison CLE shoulder IR
Sheldrick Redwine CLE knee
Trey Marshall DEN shin
Darnell Savage GB back
Perry Nickerson GB hamstring IR
Khari Willis IND back
Josh Jones JAX chest IR
Daniel Thomas JAX arm IR
Tedric Thompson KC undisclosed
Lamarcus Joyner LVR undisclosed IR-COVID
Myles Dorn MIN IR
J.C Jackson NE lower back
Justin Hardee NO groin IR
Jaquarius Landrews NYG undisclosed IR
Nate Ebner NYG knee
Adrian Colbert NYG shoulder IR
Rudy Ford PHI hamstring
Lano Hill SEA back IR
Justin Evans TB foot PUP
Chris Jackson TEN undisclosed IR-COVID
Deshazor Everett WAS ankle
CB
Khalil Dorsey BAL shoulder IR
Tavon Young AL knee-ACL IR
Anthony Averett BAL shoulder IR
Iman Marshall BAL knee IR
Jimmy Smith BAL ankle
Dane Jackson BUF knee
Cam Lewis BUF wrist IR
Donte Jackson CAR toe
Trae Waynes CIN pectoral IR
Denzel Ward CLE calf
Greedy Williams CLE shoulder IR
Anthony Brown DAL ribs
Bryce Callahan DEN foot
Jeff Okudah DET shoulder
Mike Ford DET concussion
Desmond Trufant DET hamstring
Josh Jackson GB concussion
Kabion Ento GB undisclosed IR
Bradley Roby HOU suspension
Gareon Conley HOU ankle IR
Isaiah Rodgers IND knee
Sidney Jones JAX Achilles
Chris Claybrooks JAX groin IR
D.J. Hayden JAX knee IR
Damon Arnette LVR concussion
Casey Hayward LAC groin
Jalen Ramsey LAR hip
Mike Hughes MIN neck IR
Mark Fields MIN chest IR
JNORIS Jenkins NO knee
Ryan Lewis NYG hamstring IR
Cre’von LeBlanc PHI ankle IR
Joe Haden PIT knee
Jamar Taylor SF knee-ACL IR
Ken Webster SF hamstring IR
K’Waun Williams SF ankle
Jamel Dean TB concussion
Adoree’ Jackson TEN knee
Kristian Fulton TEN knee IR
Greg Stroman WAS foot 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. FANation Chat is now live on the site, to help you work through your fantasy football dilemmas. Or 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.