This should be the championship week for your fantasy leagues, unless your commissioner has set up a two-week final matchup, with the points of both this week and Week 17 combined to determine who takes the crown. If your league uses Week 17 as the sole determining final playoff week, it is a strong suggestion that you take a league vote and stop that foolishness next season. In any event, this article will wrap for the season next week, but for now, here are the rising and falling IDP options for your consideration.
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Terez Hall NE
Hall did not make his first start this season until Week 9, but really had his coming out party in Week 15 with 13 total tackles (TT), 12 of those on his own. His matchup in the coming game is not great on paper, but then again, neither was the most recent tilt against the Dolphins. He is a steal in tackle-oriented leagues for the presumably final playoff week.
Khaleke Hudson WAS
Hudson took advantage of injuries depleting the Washington depth chart, and collected eight TT (four solo, one TFL) against the visiting Seahawks, to go with a QB hit/hurry (QH). He has a home contest on tap against the Panthers, a middle-of-the-pack opponent in terms of allowing LB fantasy point production.
Dennis Gardeck ARI (Note: qualifies as DE only in ESPN system)
Gardeck has collected five sacks over the past three games, but keep an eye on his status as the Cardinals are set to play on Saturday and his knee could sideline him. Against the Eagles in Week 15’s home game, he had five solo tackles, two for a loss of yards (TFL) and a pair of QH to go with his two sacks.
Ben Niemann KC
Niemann has increased value if Damien Wilson is not able to play against the visiting Falcons Sunday, but then again, the Chief depth chart at LB is decidedly thin in any event as of the writing of this article, and Niemann should be readily available to pick up for your IDP roster. He is coming off an eight TT effort (five solo) effort in Week 15.
Defensive Linemen
Carl Nassib DE LVR
Nassib returned to his role in the rotation of Raider DLs after missing two weeks with a five TT game (two solo, two TFL). He has been racking up the PDs of late, and added another against the visiting Chargers, along with a QH. His matchup at home against the Dolphins is not great, but not terrible, either.
Carl Lawson DE CIN
Lawson has not been a consistent edge rusher for the Bengals since his first season, but now has 5.5 sacks on the year, collecting another against the Steelers to go along with forcing a fumble (FF). He only had two solo tackles, so his value comes from the occasional big play production.
Dawuane Smoot DE JAX
Smoot has been racking up the sacks recently, with four over his past four games played, turning it on at just the right juncture for his fantasy owners, who are not that numerous, to be honest. He has also had a run on FF with one in each of the past two contests and improved tackle numbers, too.
Jeremiah Attaochu DE DEN
Another sack monster, the Bronco DE has been credited with one in each of the past three games. He also has four TT in both his most recent contests (seven solo) and also produced a FF against the visiting Bills in Week 15. All this despite playing limited snaps on defense, and he has an excellent matchup on tap with the Chargers hosting the Broncos this week.
Shelby Harris DT/DE DEN
As noted above, Harris has a superb matchup lined up in Week 16 in Los Angeles against the Chargers. In an early season matchup at home against the Chargers, he collected six TT, and thus, the potential for tackle production is there. Plus, he qualifies at DT for those operating in DT-mandatory leagues on both Yahoo and ESPN platforms.
Bilal Nichols DT CHI
Nichols is on a three-game sack streak, collecting one against division-rival Minnesota last week. He also had three QH and seven TT (only one solo, alas). As with all the rising IDP this week profiled here, he is readily available on all platforms
Defensive Backs
Adrian Amos S GB
Green Bay should be in a shootout with the Titans, allowing the starting strong safety to continue to rack up the tackles. He has had seven TT in four of his last five games, making for consistent production from the DB position for his owners.
Sharrod Neasman S ATL
Neasman has had the opportunity to produce as he has filled in for the injured Ricardo Allen the past two weeks, playing the majority of snaps on defense and collecting his first sack of the season against the visiting Buccaneers in Week 15, along with eight TT (three solo, one TFL). He also had a QH to boost his big play value. Keep an eye on Allen’s status as it will impact Neasman’s time on the field.
Karl Joseph S CLE
Leading the Browns with 10 TT (eight solo, one TFL) against the host Giants, Joseph also pitched in on defense by breaking up a couple of passes. One of those broke up a potential TD to Evan Engram , helping to seal the road win for the surging Browns.
Donovan Wilson S DAL
Wilson has regained an every down role for the Cowboys since his return from his groin strain, and contributed with eight TT (six solo), a pair of PD and an INT against the 49ers. He is averaging 9 TT per game over his last three played, and had a decent matchup against the division-opponent Eagles in store.
Marcus Allen S PIT
Allen has been playing at inside linebacker with Vince Williams sidelined on the COVID list. Getting a DB with LB snaps is an IDP bonus that should not be missed, and he is readily available on all platforms with just minimal ownership. He is a definite add in tackle-oriented leagues if you need a LB2 to flesh out your roster.
TreDavious White CB BUF
White’s tackle production has been inconsistent, but his big-play value has been improving of late. He has collected seven PD and three INT over his past six contests played. He had a sack in Week 15 and while the Patriots are not an ideal matchup, his recent production makes him worthy as in CB-mandatory leagues.
Lonnie Johnson CB HOU
Johnson shifted to safety due to injuries in the Houston secondary, and is racking up significant tackles playing in the box on defense. He has collected 23 TT over the past three weeks, nine at Indy in Week 15 (seven solo). He gets to face the Bengals this week, and while that would be best for him as a cornerback, it is not exactly a terrible matchup, either.
Nickell Robey-Coleman CB PHI
If he continues to start for the Eagles, his production should continue to be prolific as the starting right cornerback on defense. He had 10 TT (seven solo) against the host Cardinals, along with a FF, a fumble recovery (FR) and half a sack. He has a prime matchup this week with a trip to Dallas on tap.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
A.J. Klein BUF
Klein’s playing time (PT) has been cut in half with Matt Milano ’s return to active status which is impacting his influence on the defensive side of things. He has collected just 13 TT over the past three games, which is not worthy of cluttering up your LB slots at this important time in the season. Cut him for a better option, four of which are profiled above.
It is due to his injury-prone condition that the Cowboy LB has ended up on this part of the Report. He had just three TT in his last effort, and also appeared to suffer a high-ankle sprain in Week 15’s contest. That is not a ringing endorsement for his presence in your lineup.
Anthony Walker IND
Walker’s PT is diminishing as the season progresses and he saw just 22 snaps on defense last week, although he did collect six TT (five solo). This week’s opponent, Pittsburgh, is also not a favorable matchup.
His teammate, Ben Niemann (profiled above) appears to be in favor at Hitchens’ expense these days. He collected just three TT last week against the Saints, and that is not starting material for a playoff fantasy team.
Defensive Linemen
Chase Winovich DE NE
Winovich is falling out of favor in New England, with a serious decline in on-field presence over the past two contests. He had a big goose egg in production in Week 15, with no tackles whatsoever, and only five TT over the past three weeks. Drop him and stop the bleeding.
Brandon Graham DE PHI
He is not listed as an injured player, and his snaps are not diminishing, but he has provided just four TT over the past three games combined. That is a mystery, but you are not working that case any longer if you have a modicum of fantasy wherewithal. Cut him and find a replacement immediately.
Defensive Backs
Troy Hill CB LAR
As with Graham above, his productivity has fallen off the charts of late. Two TT (one solo) over the past two contests with a single PD while still playing full time is a serious funk and worthy of being dropped from all rosters in competition.
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 Washington, but certainly you will do well if you own a top LB or DE on the Cowboys or Panthers, or a Jacksonville DB that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Washington vs Carolina
New York Giants @ Baltimore
New England vs Buffalo
Minnesota @ New Orleans
Philadelphia @ Dallas
Defensive Ends
Philadelphia @ Dallas
Cincinnati @ Houston
Atlanta @ Kansas City
Washington vs Carolina
Defensive Tackles
Los Angeles Chargers vs Denver
Dallas vs Philadelphia
Las Vegas vs Miami
Miami @ Las Vegas
Safeties
San Francisco @ Arizona
Denver @ Los Angeles Chargers
Atlanta @ Kansas City
Chicago @ Jacksonville
Cornerbacks
Cincinnati @ Houston
Pittsburgh vs Indianapolis
Chicago @ Jacksonville
Buffalo @ New England
Dallas vs Philadelphia
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. 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
Terez Hall NE
Khaleke Hudson WAS
Dennis Gardeck ARI
Ben Niemann KC
Defensive Linemen
Carl Nassib DE LVR
Carl Lawson DE CIN
Dawuane Smoot DE JAX
Jeremiah Attaochu DE DEN
Shelby Harris DT/DE DEN
Bilal Nichols DT CHI
Defensive Backs
Adrian Amos S GB
Sharrod Neasman S ATL
Karl Joseph S CLE
Donovan Wilson S DAL
Marcus Allen S PIT
TreDavious White CB BUF
Lonnie Johnson CB HOU
Nickell Robey-Coleman CB PHI
L’Jarius Sneed CB KC
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
Dennis Gardeck ARI knee
Haason Reddick ARI shoulder
Kylie Fitts ARI hamstring
Deion Jones ATL toe
Pernell McPhee BAL knee
Kristian Welch BAL foot
Otaro Alaka BAL knee IR
Jason Ferris CAR undisclosed
Logan Wilson CIN ankle
Malcolm Smith CLE hamstring
Sione Takitaki CLE knee
Rashan Gary GB hip
Za’Darius Smith GB ankle
James Burgess GB hamstring IR
Dylan Cole HOU back IR
Jordan Glasgow IND undisclosed IR-COVID
Anthony Hitchens KC undisclosed IR-COVID
Damien Wilson KC knee
Emmanuel Smith KC hamstring
Tanner Muse LVR toe IR
Nicholas Morrow LVR concussion
Kyzir White LAC undisclosed IR
Uchenna Nwosu LAC knee
Emeke Egbule LAC undisclosed
Drue Tranquill LAC ankle IR
Micah Kiser LAR knee IR
Shaq Lawson MIA ankle
Jerome Baker MIA knee
Kyle Van Noy MIA hip
Todd Davis MIN ribs
Eric Kendricks MIN calf
Troy Dye MIN concussion
Ja’Whuan Bentley NE arm
Brandon King NE quadriceps PUP
Kyler Fackrell NYG lower leg IR
Frankie Luvu NYJ back
Harvey Langi NYJ back IR
Patrick Onwuasor NYJ hamstring IR
Jordan Jenkins NYJ shoulder-labrum
Duke Riley PHI biceps
Nate Gerry PHI ankle IR
Ola Adeniyi PIT shoulder
Ulysees Gilbert PIT ankle
Jason Pierre-Paul TB knee
David Long TEN neck
Jadeveon Clowney TEN knee-meniscus IR
Shaun Dion Hamilton WAS elbow IR
Cole Holcomb WAS concussion
Kevin Pierre-Louis WAS ankle
Reuben Foster WAS knee IR
Defensive End
Josh Mauro ARI hamstring IR
Jordan Phillips ARI hamstring IR
Steven Means ATL hand
Calais Campbell BAL calf
A.J. Epenesa BUF head
Brian Burns CAR knee-ACL
Austin Larkin CAR shoulder
Akiem Hicks CHI ankle
Trey Flowers DET undisclosed IR
Da’Shawn Hand DET ankle IR
Al-Quadin Muhammad IND ankle
Josh Allen JAX knee IR
Taco Charlton KC lower leg IR
Clelin Ferrell LVR shoulder
Joey Bosa LAC concussion
Jalyn Holmes MIN groin
Ifeadi Odenigbo MIN ankle
John Simon NE hamstring
Carl Granderson NO neck
Trey Hendrickson NO neck
Anthony Lanier NO undisclosed
John Franklin-Myers NYJ thigh
Josh Sweat PHI wrist
Stephon Tuitt PIT back
Dion Jordan SF knee
Jeffery Simmons TEN knee
Defensive Tackle
Marlon Davidson ATL knee
Bravvion Roy CAR knee
Anthony Rush CHI illness
D.J. Reader COM quadriceps IR
Sheldon Richardson CLE neck
Antwaun Woods DAL ankle
DeShawn Williams DEN hand
Danny Shelton DET knee IR
DeForest Buckner IND ankle
Maurice Hurst LVR calf
Maliek Collins LVR hamstring IR
Jaleel Johnson MIN knee
Hercules Mata’ala MIN back
Armon Watts MIN ankle
Carl Davis NE concussion IR
Malcom Brown NO calf
Quinnen Williams NYJ neck IR
Fletcher Cox PHI neck
Javon Kinlaw SF knee
Bryan Mone SEA ankle IR
Safety
Jalen Thompson ARI ankle
Jordan Miller ATL oblique
Keanu Neal ATL hamstring
Darqueze Dennard ATL quadriceps
Ricardo Allen ATL concussion
Anthony Levine BAL abdomen
Terrell Bonds BAL knee IR
Jaquan Johnson BUF ankle
Deon Bush CHI foot
Andrew Sendejo CLE concussion
Xavier Woods DAL ribs
Deante Burton DAL shoulder IR
Daniel Thomas JAX arm IR
Erik Harris LVR undisclosed IR-COVID
Julu Hughes LAR undisclosed IR-COVID
Taylor Rapp LAR knee IR
Clayton Fejedelem MIA thumb
Bobby McCain MIA ankle
Myles Dorn MIN undisclosed IR
Marcus Williams NO undisclosed
Bradley McDougald NYJ shoulder IR
Marcus Allen PIT neck
Tarvarius Moore SF knee
Jimmie Ward SF concussion
Damarious Randall SEA foot
Lano Hill SEA back IR
Justin Evans TB foot
Antoine Winfield, Jr. TB shoulder
Chris Jackson TEN undisclosed IR-COVID
Dashazor Everett WAS pectoral IR
Cornerback
Dre Kirkpatrick ARI hamstring
Robert Alford ARI undisclosed IR-COVID
Davontae Harris BAL thigh IR
Jimmy Smith BAL shoulder
Marcus Peters BAL calf
Khalil Dorsey BAL shoulder IR
Cam Lewis BUF wrist IR
Tre’Davarious White BUF shoulder
Daryl Worley BUF undisclosed IR-COVID
Troy Pride CAR hip
Buster Skrine CHI concussion
Jaylon Johnson CHI shoulder
Trae Waynes CIN pectoral IR
Denzel Ward CLE calf
Kevin Johnson CLE groin
Greedy Williams CLE shoulder IR
Rashard Robinson DAL knee
Chris Westry DAL knee
Saivion Smith DAL hand
Bryce Callahan DEN foot IR
Darryl Roberts DET hip
Kevin King GB groin
Chandon Sullivan GB hip
Kabion Ento undisclosed IR
Cornell Armstrong HOU hamstring
Phillip Gaines HOU knee
John Reid HOU neck
Sidney Jones JAX Achilles
C.J. Henderson JAX groin IR
Damon Arnette LVR concussion
Chris Harris LAC foot
Cameron Dantzier MIN foot
Mike Hughes MIN neck IR
Stephon Gilmore NE quadriceps IR
Darnay Holmes NYG knee
Ryan Lewis NYG hamstring IR
Javelin Guidry NYJ knee
Kevon Seymour PHI knee
Craig James PHI shoulder IR
Cre’von LeBlanc PHI ankle IR
Avonte Maddox PHI knee IR
Richard Sherman SF calf
Quinton Dunbar SEA knee IR
Neiko Thorpe SEA abdomen IR
Carlton Davis TB groin
Chris Milton TEN knee
Adoree’ Jackson knee
Greg Stroman WAS foot IR
As always, 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.