Yet another collection of games where some of your prized fantasy football IDP players are stuck on a bye-week vacation. As we head into the final weeks before fantasy football playoffs begin, you need to be diligent about restocking your roster with active players that will provide some value while others that you have been relying upon on a weekly basis are momentarily absent. Thus, the following player profiles are offered to provide you with the tools to make it into the playoff picture which is just around the corner. Let's get into the NFL Week 11 IDP Report as you make fantasy football lineup moves.

Bye Weeks coming up: Week 11-Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints; Week 12- NONE; Week 13-Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants; Week 14-Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders (and that is that for bye weeks!)

 

Fantasy Football IDP Risers - Elevator Going Up

Linebackers

Ivan Pace, Minnesota Vikings

Pace was profiled here way back in Week 3, but he has elevated his game and is now the every-down LB in Minnesota. The loss of team tackle leader Jordan Hicks has something to do with that. He has a great matchup against the Bronco offense that has allowed the fourth most points to opposing linebackers thus far in 2023. The week following this one is also not a bad setup for fantasy production prior to the Week 13 bye, where you will have to seek another LB to replace the rookie.

Elandon Roberts, Pittsburgh Steelers

Another player who is being thrust into a prominent role due to injuries (Cole Holcomb, Kwon Alexander). He played nearly every defensive snap in Week 10 (96%). His tackle numbers are due to see a significant uptick as the green dot IDP, and he has a superb matchup on tap when the Steelers head to Cleveland and their now Deshaun Watson-less offense. He is coming off an eight total tackle (TT) effort, six solo and also was credited with a pass deflection/defense (PD) against the Packers in Week 10.

Defensive Linemen

Jadeveon Clowney, DE Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens lead the league in sacks, and Clowney has been a part of that success, with 5.5 on the season after racking up the Brown’s Watson for two sacks in Week 10. Neither of the matchups before the Week 13 bye are stellar, but that has not seemed to impact a viscous Baltimore defense to this point. If you need tackles and sacks, the veteran should be a top target for you to add.

BJ Ojulari, DE Arizona Cardinals

The rookie busted out in Week 10 against the visiting Falcons, snagging eight TT (four solo) and tacking on a pair of sacks. He saw a significant increase in playing time (PT), being on the defensive side of the field for a season-high 35 snaps. With their season slipping away, the Cardinals would do well to see what the rookie can contribute, so expect his snap count on defense to continue to rise.

Sam Williams, DE Dallas Cowboys

Williams is another young player whose PT has seen a recent upward flow, being on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage in Week 10 for his second highest count this season. He has picked up sacks in each of the last two games, and has a couple of tantalizing matchups in store, with Carolina and their third most sacks allowed and then the extremely favorable to DE Washington Commanders offense coming to Dallas for a visit.

Jonathan Allen, DT Washington Commanders

Allen has a matchup with the offense that has allowed the most sacks to opposing defenses through the first 10 games in the form of the New York Giants, who are being led by QB Tommy DeVito. That smacks of fantasy value for the veteran defensive tackle.

Davon Godchaux, DT New England Patriots

The veteran DT led the Patriots in tackles with eight TT (four solo) against the Colts across the Atlantic in Germany. He is on a bye in Week 11, but is someone to keep an eye on when the Patriots return to action in Week 12, at least in league that require a DT roster slot be occupied to field a legal lineup.

Defensive Backs

DeAndre Houston-Carson, S Houston Texans

If Jimmie Ward is going to miss another contest, and he was not involved in practice Wednesday and is listed as questionable as this article is being written, then the veteran safety looks to fill an empty spot in the Texan secondary in Week 11. He is coming off a seven TT effort against the Bengals (seven solo) where he also picked off a pass (INT). While potentially a short-term addition to your roster, he does have a decent matchup this week.

Kyle Hamilton, S Baltimore Ravens

While defensive TDs are never something to count on, having a nose for the ball is a skill set which Hamilton has displayed with two INT and six PD on the season heading into a decent matchup against the visiting Bengals. He has also averaged sent TT over the past four contests, thus giving him tackle-oriented and big play league value.

Cam Taylor-Britt, CB Cincinnati Bengals

Speaking of DBs that offer both tackle and big play usefulness, Taylor-Britt has produced 25 TT (20 solo) over the past five contests, contributing eight PD and four INT over the same stretch. Be warned that his matchups over the next three weeks are just so-so, until Week 14 when the Colts drop in for a game.

Carrington Valentine, CB Green Bay Packers

With Rasul Douglas being shuffled off to Buffalo, Valentine has been tapped to start as right corner for the Pack the past two weeks. He has a superior matchup on tap with the Chargers heading to Green Bay in Week 11, and then he gets to showcase his skills on Thanksgiving against division-rival Detroit. Granted, he has not been racking up huge fantasy numbers despite playing nearly every snap on defense, but opportunity may see that situation change for the better, in terms of the rookie’s fantasy numbers going forward.

 

Fantasy Football IDP Fallers - Escalator Going Down

Linebackers

Jordyn Brooks, Seattle Seahawks

Brooks played through a hamstring issue, and seemed to be off his game as a result. He could be ready to rebound, but neither of his two upcoming games are particularly favorable in terms of fantasy production being afforded to LBs.

Denzel Perryman, Houston Texans

It is not Perryman’s on-field production that has him on the downward trend, but rather having to serve a two-game suspension in Weeks 11 and 12. With him on the sidelines, it is time to seek an active LB to fill his role if you have been benefiting from his contribution as a steady tackler.

Defensive Linemen

Montez Sweat, DE Chicago Bears

Bringing in Sweat from the Commanders has not exactly yielded strong results for the Bears. He has been an effective edge-rusher for some time now, and perhaps the lack of production is just him getting used to a different scheme, but for the moment, he is not providing any utility for his fantasy owners.

Defensive Backs

Jalen Pitre, S Houston Texans

The second-year DB was drafted with high expectations this year by fantasy owners, but he has been inconsistent at best in 2023. He was held off the scoresheet entirely in Week 10, but not due to lack of playing time as was on the field for all 64 defensive snaps against the Bengals. He does have a great matchup in store with the Cardinals coning to Houston for a Week 11 battle, so there is hope, but another goose-egg on the stat sheet will severely test his owners’ patience, to be sure.

Isaiah Oliver, CB San Francisco 49ers

Oliver was sent to the bench in Week 10, as the 49ers turned to Ambry Thomas as the nickelback, and employed Deommodore Lenoir to handle the slot corner duties against the host Jaguars. Not being on the field makes him an expensive luxury as the fantasy season heads into the playoff qualifying weeks. 

 

NFL Week 11 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 Browns or Jaguars, but certainly you will do well if you own a top DL playing Giants or Steelers or a Raider defensive back going against the Dolphins that you can plug in this week, for the most part.

Linebackers

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee

Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh

Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati

Denver Broncos vs Minnesota

Houston Texans vs Arizona

Defensive Ends

New York Giants @ Washington

Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh

New York Jets @ Buffalo

Washington Commanders vs New York Giants

Defensive Tackles 

Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh

Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina

Washington Commanders vs New York Giants

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee

Safeties

Philadelphia Eagles @ Kansas City

Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina

Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas

Detroit Lions vs Chicago

Cornerbacks

Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle

New York Giants @ Washington

Miami Dolphins vs Las Vegas

Los Angeles Chargers @ Green Bay

 

Fantasy Football 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 season this article has done a good job of profiling those players you can generally find on your league’s waiver wire so you are not forced to waste your time searching for players that are heavily owned, and that is the case again in Week 11. 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

Ivan Pace Minnesota Vikings

Elandon Roberts Pittsburgh Steelers

Defensive Linemen

Jadeveon Clowney DE Baltimore Ravens

BJ Ojulari DE Arizona Cardinals

Sam Williams DE Dallas Cowboys

Jonathan Allen DT Washington Commanders

Davon Godchaux DT New England Patriots

Defensive Backs

DeAndre Houston-Carson S Houston Texans

Kyle Hamilton S Baltimore Ravens

Cam Taylor-Britt CB Cincinnati Bengals

Carrington Valentine CB Green Bay Packers

 

NFL IDP Injury Report – 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

Xavier Turner Arizona Cardinals hamstring

Kyle Van Noy Baltimore Ravens groin

Malik Hamm Baltimore Ravens ankle IR

David Ojabo Baltimore Ravens ankle IR

Tyus Bowser Baltimore Ravens knee NFI-R

Brian Burns Carolina Panthers concussion

Tremaine Edmunds Chicago Bears knee

Akeem Davis-Gaither Cincinnati Bengals knee

Jordan Kunaszyk Cleveland Browns knee-MCL IR

Leighton Vander Esch Dallas Cowboys neck IR

James Houston Detroit Lions ankle IR

Quay Walker Green Bay Packers groin

Jake Hansen Houston Texans hand

Henry To’oTo’o Houston Texans concussion

Chris Rumph II Los Angeles Chargers foot

Jordan Hicks Minnesota Vikings shin IR

Brian Asamoah Minnesota Vikings ankle

Ja’Whaun Bentley New England Patriots hamstring

Kayvon Thibodeaux New York Giants concussion

Chazz Surratt New York Jets ankle

Sam Eguavoen New York Jets hip

Kwon Alexander Pittsburgh Steelers Achilles IR

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles San Francisco 49ers ankle

Chance Campbell Tennessee Titans undisclosed

Drew White Washington Commanders knee PUP

Defensive Linemen

DE

Carlos Watkins Arizona Cardinals biceps IR

L.J. Collier Arizona Cardinals biceps IR

DaQuan Jones Buffalo Bills pectoral IR

Sam Hubbard Cincinnati Bengals ankle

Trey Hendrickson Cincinnati Bengals knee

Kwity Paye Indianapolis Colts hamstring

Isaiah Foskey New Orleans Saints quadriceps 

Payton Turner New Orleans Saints toe IR

Will McDonald IV New York Jets ankle

Robert Beal, Jr. San Francisco 49ers hamstring IR

Drake Jackson San Francisco 49ers knee IR

James Smith-Williams Washington Commanders hamstring

DT

David Onyemata Atlanta Falcons ankle

Levi Onwuzurike Detroit Lions hip

Bobby Brown III Los Angeles Rams knee-MCL IR

Daniel Ekuale New England Patriots biceps IR

Montravius Adams Pittsburgh Steelers ankle

Bryan Mone Seattle Seahawks knee-ACL PUP

Defensive Backs

S

Dee Alford Atlanta Falcons ankle

Ar’Darius Washington Baltimore Ravens chest IR

Micah Hyde Buffalo Bills neck 

Terell Smith Chicago Bears illness

Juan Thornhill Cleveland Browns calf

C.J. Goodwin Dallas Cowboys pectoral IR

P.J. Locke Denver Broncos ankle

C.J. Gardner-Johnson Detroit Lions pectoral IR

Jimmie Ward Houston Texans hamstring

Brandon Facyson Las Vegas Raiders shin IR

JT Woods Los Angeles Chargers illness NFI-R 

Justin Evans Philadelphia Eagles knee IR

Josh Hayes Tampa Bay Buccaneers concussion

Mike Brown Tennessee Titans ankle IR

Darrick Forrest Washington Commanders shoulder IR 

CB

Marion Humphrey Baltimore Ravens calf

Damarion Williams Baltimore Ravens ankle IR

Trayvon Mullen Baltimore Ravens toe NFI-R

Christian Benford Buffalo Bills hamstring

C.J. Henderson Carolina Panthers concussion

Jaycee Horn Carolina Panthers hamstring IR

Chidobe Awuzie Cincinnati Bengals knee

Denzel Ward Cleveland Browns neck

Jaire Alexander Green Bay Packers shoulder

Julius Brents Indianapolis Colts quadriceps

Tyson Campbell Jacksonville Jaguars hamstring

Amik Robertson Las Vegas Raiders concussion

Akayleb Evans Minnesota Vikings calf

Marcus Jones New England Patriots shoulder IR

Christian Gonzalez New England Patriots shoulder-labrum IR

Marshon Lattimore New Orleans Saints ankle

Adoree’ Jackson New York Giants concussion

Aaron Robinson New York Giants knee-ACL/MCL PUP

Cordale Flott New York Giants shoulder 

Deonte Banks New York Giants ankle

Samuel Womack San Francisco 49ers knee-MCL IR

Darrell Luter, Jr. San Francisco 49ers knee PUP

Coby Bryant Seattle Seahawks toe IR

Carlton Davis Tampa Bay Buccaneers toe

Sean Murphy-Bunting Tennessee Titans thumb

Caleb Farley Tennessee Titans back PUP

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.