Here is hoping that your first week of playoffs finds you still seeking the league championship. If, however, the fantasy fates did not smile on you, but your squad is still plugging along for a place in the money even without the opportunity to hoist the winner’s trophy, then you need to avoid letting up on your search for IDP help on the wire. Let us examine which defensive players are available to improve your chances of winning as the playoffs proceed onward and upward.
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Kenny Young LAR
Young had a tremendous week against the visiting Patriots: eight total tackles (TT), six of those solos and one for a loss of yards (TFL), a sack, a QB hit/hurry (QH), an INT, a pass deflection (PD) and a TD to put the cherry atop the sundae. Do not expect this sort of bounty to happen every week, naturally, as the next two teams on the schedule do not rank as high in terms of allowing fantasy points to opposing LBs, although the Seahawks in Week 16 are in the top tier while the Jets are not entirely stingy in that capacity, either.
Haason Reddick ARI
(Note: Qualifies at DE only in ESPN leagues)
The 26-year-old LB had been on a roll, collecting five sacks in the first seven weeks of this season, before going cold for the five game stretch following the bye week. Until he snagged five (!) sacks in Week 14 on the road against the Giants, where he also forced three fumbles (FF) and had a half dozen QH as well. Add in five solo tackles (two TFL) and he also had a huge fantasy presence at LB for his IDP owners, not that there are (were) all that many: 30% on ESPN, 2% on Yahoo. As with Mr. Young above, do not expect another such prolific outburst although both his upcoming contests are against top teams for LB point production, in the form of the Eagles and 49ers.
David Long, Jr. TEN
Long gets a nod here as a linebacker whose playing time (PT) has been rising over the past three games, following his return to action after a COVID sidelining in Week 11. Every down LBs have value given the injury potential every week, in this topsy-turvy season. He had just five TT in Week 14 against the Jaguars, and the next opponent is not as matchup favorable when the Lions come to town, but he is readily available in the event you are struggling to fill a LB3/4 slot on your roster.
Defensive Linemen
Dion Jordan DE SF
Jordan has logged a sack in back-to-back games over the past two weeks, and now has the Cowboys on tap with an immobile QB to set his sights on. It is his matchup and the potential for big play production that land him on the rising player list, as his tackle numbers are yawn-inspiring.
Defensive Backs
Will Parks S DEN
Parks slid right into the nickel back role for his new team, after joining the Bronco defensive secondary. He had six solo tackles (one TFL) in the contest in Carolina, with a QH and a sack to tack on as big play bonuses. Due to injuries and a suspension to A.J. Bouye , look for him to continue to see significant snap counts going forward in the Denver defensive backfield.
Kevin Byard S TEN
Byard came into this season a big-play producer, but that part of his game has vanished, with no INTs or sacks produced to date in 2020. He is a steady tackle producer, though, and collected 11 TT in Week 14 (eight solo). He is a fine DB in a tackle oriented league, and has a superb matchup at home against the Lions this coming Sunday.
Jabrill Peppers S NYG
Peppers has become a top fantasy producer at safety, and contributed double-digit TT in Week 14’s contest against the visiting Cardinals (eight solo, two TFL). He also had both a FF and FR in the game, and over the past seven games has snagged 2.5 sacks, 53 TT (37 solo) and an INT to go with the forced and recovered fumble in his recent home game.
Darnell Savage S GB
Savage is starting at free safety for the Packers, and while that role generally provides for inconsistent tackle production, his numbers have been consistently good for the most part, and he has a decent matchup in store with the Panthers coming to Lambeau fir the Week 15 game. He had a sack and QH to go with eight solo tackles (one TFL) against the Lions on the road last week, and has a similarly favorable matchup on the schedule.
Khari Willis S IND
Willis has been inserted into the defensive rotation as an every-down strong safety for the Colts, and as is expected of that role on the defense, puts up consistent tackle numbers week in, week out. Week 15 brings on a so-so matchup in the form of the Texans, but the week after sees the Colts heading to Pittsburgh for a tasty matchup against the eighth most generous offense in terms of allowing safety production on this season. He is coming off a six TT effort (five solo) with an INT that he returned for a TD, as well as tossing in an INT and a pair of PDs.
Blessuan Austin CB NYJ
The Jet CB was sidelined since Week 9, but returned to contribute seven solo tackles. He has a great matchup lined up when the Jets head to the west coast to take on the Rams. Plus, the Jet defensive scheme leads to the corners getting plenty of tackle opportunities due to freedom receivers have to snag passes in front of the drop back corners.
Keion Crossen CB HOU
Crossen has the potential to start in place of Phillip Gaines , who is listed as questionable with a knee issue. Although the matchup this week is not tremendously exciting, when the Texans host Cincy in Week 16 he has a great opportunity to put up big numbers. His last effort yielded nine TT (eight solo) with a PD. Keep an eye on the injury report for Houston to see if he gets similar opportunities to show his worth during the fantasy playoffs.
Taron Johnson CB BUF
He is seeing significant PT as the nickel corner in the Buffalo defensive scheme, and has been targeted frequently by opposing offenses. He is racking up the tackles and has begun to provide big play value too of late. He was removed from the last game played with a concussion, but has been practicing in limited fashion, so there is hope that he will be able to take the field in Denver this week, for what should be a nice matchup.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
Despite leading the Chief LB crew in snaps, he is averaging less than 6 tackles per contest, and as he offers nothing but tackle production for fantasy owners, that simply is not worthy of a valued roster position. There are plenty of other options that will provide more value weekly, and thus, feel free to cut him loose.
Defensive Linemen
Carl Lawson DE CIN
There were ideas abrewing that Lawson would step up and fill the position that Carlos Dunlap had been filling for the Bengals, but that has been a false dream. He is coming off a one assist, one QH effort against the Cowboys. In fact, he has had just one sack in the past nine games, and has only one game with more than 2 tackles over that span. Not worthy of an active roster slot, that is the determination.
Stephen Means DE ATL
Means is coming off a big goose egg game in tackle production, or any defensive production so far as fantasy results are concerned. He is dealing with a hand injury suffered in the most recent game against the Chargers, and is questionable this week, although he is not listed in the injury report below. It is possible his lack of production is a temporary blip on the radar, but discretion suggest benching him for now.
Stephon Tuitt DE PIT
Another DE that was absent from the stat sheet in terms of fantasy production in Week 14. He does have a career high eight sacks on the season, but his tackle production is averaging less than three TT per week. As with most players that end up in this section, there are better options available on the wire or the free agent market to use at this essential point of the fantasy season.
Defensive Backs
None to speak of this week, save for those listed below in the Injury Report.
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 Colts, but certainly you will do well if you own a top DE or S on the Buccaneers or a CB1 or CB2 on the Steelers that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Washington vs Seattle
New York Giants vs Cleveland
New England @ Miami
New Orleans vs Kansas City
Minnesota vs Chicago
Defensive Ends
Philadelphia @ Arizona
Atlanta vs Tampa Bay
Cincinnati vs Pittsburgh
Seattle @ Washington
Defensive Tackles
Dallas vs San Francisco
Los Angeles Chargers @ Las Vegas
Las Vegas vs Los Angeles Chargers
Safeties
San Francisco @ Dallas
Denver vs Buffalo
Atlanta vs Tampa Bay
Chicago @ Minnesota
Cornerbacks
Cincinnati vs Pittsburgh
Buffalo @ Denver
Chicago @ Minnesota
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati
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
Kenny Young LAR
Haason Reddick ARI
David Long, Jr. TEN
Defensive Linemen
Dion Jordan DE SF
Defensive Backs
Will Parks S DEN
Kevin Byard S TEN
Jabrill Peppers S NYG (Owned in 47.7% of ESPN leagues, only 15% in Yahoo)
Darnell Savage S GB
Khari Willis S IND
Blessuan Austin CB NYJ
Keion Crossen CB HOU
Taron Johnson CB BUF
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
Otaro Alaka BAL knee IR
Tremaine Edmunds BUF foot
Jason Ferris CAR undisclosed
James Vaughters CHI knee
Logan Wilson CIN foot
Bradley Chubb DEN neck
Randy Ramsey GB neck
Rashan Gary GB hip
Za’Darius Smith GB ankle
Dylan Cole HOU back IR
Brennan Scarlett HOU IR
Darius Leonard IND back
Jordan Glasgow IND undisclosed IR-COVID
Damien Wilson KC knee
Nicholas Morrow LVR concussion
Uchenna Nwosu LAC back
Denzel Perryman LAC back
Drue Tranquill LAC ankle IR
Elandon Roberts MIA chest
Kyle Van Noy MIA hip
Eric Kendricks MIN calf
Brandon King NE quadriceps
Shilique Calhoun NE knee IR
Jordan Jenkins NYJ shoulder
T.J. Edwards PHI hamstring
Nate Gerry PHI ankle IR
Robert Spillane PIT knee IR
Vince Williams PIT undisclosed IR-COVID
Fred Warner SF shoulder
Mark Nzeocha SF quadriceps IR
Reuben Foster WAS knee IR
Kevin Pierre-Louis WAS ankle
Defensive Linemen
DE
Jordan Phillips ARI hamstring
Austin Larkin CAR shoulder
Shelby Harris DEN elbow
Trey Flowers DET undisclosed IR
Julian Okwara DET IR
Everson Griffen DET undisclosed IR-COVID
Taco Charlton KC lower leg IR
Takkarist McKinley LVR groin IR
Clelin Ferrell LVR shoulder
Joey Bosa LAC shin
Anthony Lanier NO undisclosed
Ryan Anderson WAS knee IR
DT
Marlon Davidson ATL knee
Broderick Washington BAL concussion
Zach Kerr CAR undisclosed IR-COVID
Geno Atkins CIN shoulder IR
D.J. Reader CIN quadriceps IR
Brandon Dunn HOU hip
Abry Jones JAX ankle IR
Maurice Hurst LVR calf
Michael Barnett NE undisclosed IR
Malcolm Brown NO shoulder
Malik Jackson PHI concussion
D.J. Jones SF ankle
Bryan Mone SEA ankle IR-COVID
Jonathan Allen WAS groin
Defensive Backs
S
Jalen Thompson ARI ankle
Ricardo Allen ATL concussion
Jordan Miller ATL oblique IR
Geno Stone BAL illness IR-COVID
Jaquan Johnson BUF ankle
Tre Boston CAR hamstring
Brandon Wilson CIN groin
Andrew Sendejo CLE concussion
Donovan Wilson DAL groin
Trey Marshall DEN shin
Kevin Toliver DEN knee-ACL
C.J. Moore DET ankle
Raven Greene GB shoulder IR
Parry Nickerson GB hamstring IR
Justin Reid HOU thumb
Josh Jones JAX shoulder
Johnathan Abram LVR concussion
Jeff Heath LVR concussion IR
Derwin James LAC knee-meniscus IR-COVID
Nasir Adderley LAC shoulder
Taylor Rapp LAR knee IR
Kris Boyd MIN shoulder IR
Myles Dorn MIN undisclosed IR
Adrian Colbert NYG shoulder IR
Bradley McDougald NYJ shoulder IR
Bennett Jackson NYJ foot IR
Rodney McLeod PHI knee-ACL
Rudy Ford PHI hamstring
Michael Jacquet PHI hamstring
Grayland Arnold PHI hamstring
Terrell Edmunds PIT shoulder
Ryan Neal SEA hip
Lano Hill SEA back IR
Justin Evans TB foot
Kenny Vaccaro TEN illness
Chris Jackson TEN undisclosed IR-COVID
Deshazor Everett WAS chest
CB
Johnathan Joseph ARO neck ir
Jimmy Smith BAL shoulder
Khalil Dorsey BAL shoulder IR
Taron Johnson BUF concussion
Cam Lewis BUF wrist IR
Buster Skrine CHI concussion
Jaylon Johnson CHI shoulder
Trae Waynes CIN pectoral IR
Denzel Ward CLE calf
Anthony Brown DAL ribs
Trevon Diggs DAL foot IR
Chidobe Awuzie DAL undisclosed IR-COVID
Duke Dawson DEN knee-ACL, MCL
Jeff Okudah DET groin IR
Darryl Roberts DET hip
Kevin King GB Achilles
Tramon Williams GB thigh
Kabion Ento GB undisclosed IR
Chandon Sullivan GB hip
Phillip Gaines HOU knee
John Reid HOU neck
Xavier Rhodes IND knee
Chris Claybrooks JAX groin IR
C.J. Henderson JAX groin IR
Damon Arnette LVR concussion
Chris Harris LAC foot
Jamal Perry MIA undisclosed IR-COVID
Mike Hughes MIN neck IR
Patrick Robinson NO hamstring IR
Darnay Holmes NYG knee
Ryan Lewis NYG hamstring IR
Avonte Maddox PHI knee
Craig James PHI shoulder IR
Joe Haden PIT concussion
K’Waun Williams SF ankle
Emmanuel Moseley SF hamstring
Neiko Thorpe SEA abdomen IR
Quinton Dunbar SEA knee IR
Jamel Dean TB groin
Adoree’ Jackson TEN knee
Breon Borders TEN hip 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.