2023 Fantasy Football Week 13 IDP Report: Risers in Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups & Top Matchups
Crunch time is here, and now is no time to cease your efforts to bring home a fantasy football championship. If there is any opportunity to make your league’s playoffs, you need to adjust for the second six-team bye experience this week, and populate your roster with the IDP that give you the best opportunity to prevail in these last couple weeks before most leagues begin the drive for the trophy. Injuries and underperforming players must be addressed, and thus, we present the following rising defensive options to consider, all of which are available in most leagues (only a couple of exceptions, but not one of the IDP profiled below are owned in 50% of leagues). Keep competing and good luck to all our readers as you check out this NFL Week 13 IDP Report.
Bye Weeks coming up: Week 13-Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants; Week 14-Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders
Fantasy Football IDP Risers - Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
E.J. Speed, Indianapolis Colts
Speed was an early-rising profile but deserves further commendation. He steps in as an every-down LB with the release of Shaquille Leonard by the Colts, and that alone merits attention as a LB3 at a minimum.
Cody Barton, Washington Commanders
Barton was back on the gridiron last week after missing four weeks on the IR with an ankle issue. He was averaging double digit tackles prior to being sidelined, and in his return, he racked up six total tackles (TT), four of those being of the solo variety, one for a loss of yards (TFL). He is another solid LB to pick up if he is sitting on the wire in your league.
Jeremaih Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns
Stepping in for the injured Anthony Walker, he had a huge Week 12 output with twelve TT (seven solo, two TFL) to his credit. He also picked up a sack against the Steelers. If Walker is out in Week 13, and he is currently listed as questionable, look for the third-year player to be worthy of at least a short-term addition to your roster.
Nicholas Morrow, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are not alone in dealing with banged up and sidelined IDP, but Morrow capitalized on his increased playing time (PT) to collect 12 TT (seven solo) against the visiting Buffalo offense. He was also able to toss in a pass deflection/defense (PD) while on the field. This week’s matchup is not ideal against the 49ers, but it gets more enticing in Week 14 against the Cowboys.
Christian Harris, Houston Texans
Another LB that put up 12 TT/seven solos against the opponent last week, he has the opposite situation re: matchups over the next two weeks as the Eagle LB profiled immediately above, with a superior tilt against the visiting Broncos on tap and then a less that desirable trip to New Jersey to face the Jets. Hmmmm….maybe a planning opportunity to pick up Harris and then swap in Morrow? Especially since Denzel Perryman’s suspension ends after this week, which may limit Harris’s snaps after Week 13.
Defensive Linemen
Michael Hoecht, DE Los Angeles Rams
Hoecht has been a steady and reliable source for tackles all season, but has stepped up his sack production recently, with four sacks over his last five contests. This week’s opponent is a good source for DE fantasy production, so consider using him against the Browns in Week 13.
Samson Ebukam, DE Indianapolis Colts
Ebukam had been shut out in the sack category for the four games prior to the Week 11 bye, but came back strong in Week 12 with a pair of sacks against the visiting Buccaneers. He now has the Titans and their less than stellar offensive line on tap.
Carl Granderson, DE New Orleans Saints
The Saint edge rusher has 5.5 sacks on the season, and is coming off a 10 TT effort (four solo) effort against the Falcons. He now has a couple of favorable matchups on the schedule with the Lions coming for a visit to the Big Easy, and then a nearly equally enticing match against the Panthers in Week 14.
Denico Autry, DE Tennessee Titans
Speaking of the Carolina Panthers and their tantalizing presence for DE production, Autry had a fine effort against that team in Week 12, collecting a pair of sacks and three solo tackles (two TFL). He has some added attractiveness in leagues where he has DT eligibility, such as Yahoo.
Christian Wilkins, DT Miami Dolphins
The Dolphin DL is definitely qualified for DT status and he has a superb matchup this current week against the Commanders who have allowed 55 sacks to opposing defenses through the first twelve weeks. He is generally good for three or more tackles per game as well.
Kobie Turner, DT Los Angeles Rams
Another DT for those of you playing in DT-mandatory formats, Turner is fresh off a four TT (three solo) and two sack effort against the host Cardinals. He was a constant presence in the opponent’s side of the field, generating five pressures on the QB in Week 12. This week’s opponent, the Browns, are the most generous to date with handing out fantasy points to opposing DTs.
Defensive Backs
Amani Hooker, S Tennessee Titans
The veteran safety will be relied upon by the Titans to patrol the backfield, and he racked up a team-high 11 TT (eight solo) in the Week 12 victory over the visiting Panthers. This week is a so-so matchup, but Week 14 has the Dolphins on the calendar and that is extraordinarily potentially good for safety point production.
Justin Reid, S Kansas City Chiefs
Reid has a great matchup this week, facing the Packers who are guilty of handing out the second-highest fantasy point totals to opposing safeties. Over the last two weeks since the bye in Week 10, he has accumulated 16 TT (12 solo). No big play value, but steady tackle numbers.
Jessie Bates, Atlanta Falcons
Speaking of strong tackle numbers, Bates has snagged 25 TT (18 solo) sandwiched in the two games surrounding the Week 11 bye. He also contributed on the big play front last week with a pick-six INT, a PD and forced fumble (FF). Sub-par matchups over the next two weeks, but he has been strong force on defense all season, no matter the opponent.
Jonathan Owens, S Green Bay Packers
Owens has been playing every defensive snap for some time now (five games), and he has amassed 37 TT (24 solo) over the last four contests played. He has also contributed big plays in limited fashion over that stretch of games.
P.J. Locke, S Denver Broncos
Locke is seeing more time in the defensive backfield with Kareem Jackson on a four-game suspension. In Week 12, he had seven TT (five solo), while also producing a fourth-quarter sack and forcing a fumble (FF) against the Browns. Denver is surging but be advised he has two road games against less-than-optimal offenses in terms of fantasy points allowed on the season.
D.J. Reed, CB New York Jets
Our sole cornerback profiled this week, he has provided high-level fantasy production while covering a pair of top WRs the past two weeks in the form of Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill. The next two weeks are tough matchups, so temper expectations if you add him to your roster.
Fantasy Football IDP Fallers - Elevator Going Down
Willie Gay Jr., LB Kansas City Chiefs
Despite seeing significant PT for the Chief defense, he was held to just five TT over the past two contests (four solo), which is not sufficient for a starting LB on your IDP roster. Cut him loose and find some other linebacker to provide tackles and/or big play production.
Chase Young, DE San Francisco 49ers
Things have not worked out quite as anticipated when he came over from the Commanders, with just three TT over his three games as part of the San Francisco defense. He does have 1.5 sacks with his new team, so that is hopeful. As he settles in, things could get better for his owners, but Philly this week and then Seattle in Week 14 do not project out as ideal contests to break out.
Week 13 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 on either side of the Falcon/Jet contest or a Washington defensive back going against the Dolphins that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cincinnati
Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Rams
Houston Texans vs Denver
Denver Broncos @ Houston
Defensive Ends
Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets
New York Jets vs Atlanta
Washington Commanders vs Miami
Detroit Lions @ New Orleans
Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Rams
Defensive Tackles
Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Rams
Washington Commanders vs Miami
Houston Texans vs Denver
Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets
Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee
Safeties
Miami Dolphins @ Washington
Green Bay Packers vs Kansas City
San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia
New Orleans Saints vs Detroit
Philadelphia Eagles vs San Francisco
Cornerbacks
Los Angeles Rams vs Cleveland Browns
Miami Dolphins @ Washington
Los Angeles Chargers @ New England
Washington Commanders vs Miami
Week 13 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
Cody Barton Washington Commanders
Jeremaih Owusu-Koramoah Cleveland Browns
Nicholas Morrow Philadelphia Eagles
Christian Harris Houston Texans
Defensive Linemen
Michael Hoecht DE Los Angeles Rams
Samson Ebukam DE Indianapolis Colts
Carl Granderson DE New Orleans Saints
Denico Autry DE Tennessee Titans
Christian Wilkins DT Miami Dolphins
Kobie Turner DT Los Angeles Rams
Defensive Backs
Amani Hooker S Tennessee Titans
Justin Reid S Kansas City Chiefs
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
Nate Landman Atlanta Falcons lower body
Malik Harrison Baltimore Ravens groin
Trenton Simpson Baltimore Ravens concussion
David Ojabo Baltimore Ravens knee-ACL IR
Tyus Bowser Baltimore Ravens knee NFI-R
Malik Hamm Baltimore Ravens ankle IR
Marquis Haynes Carolina Panthers back
DJ Johnson Carolina Panthers neck
Yetur Gross-Matos Carolina Panthers hamstring IR
Noah Sewell Chicago Bears knee
Logan Wilson Cincinnati Bengals ankle
Anthony Walker Cleveland Browns hamstring
James Houston Detroit Lions ankle IR
De’Vondre Campbell Green Bay Packers neck
Jake Hanson Houston Texans hand
Nick Bolton Kansas City Chiefs wrist IR
Kana’I Mauga Las Vegas Raiders knee IR
Jaelan Phillips Miami Dolphins Achilles Ir
Marcus Davenport Minnesota Vikings ankle IR
Carter Coughlin New York Giants hip
Sam Eguavoen New York Jets hip
Zach Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles hamstring
Devin White Tampa Bay Buccaneers foot
YaYa Diaby Tampa Bay Buccaneers ankle
SirVocea Dennis Tampa Bay Buccaneers illness
Lavonte David Tampa Bay Buccaneers groin
Defensive Linemen
DE
Carlos Watkins Arizona Cardinals biceps IR
L.J. Collier Arizona Cardinals biceps IR
DaQuan Jones Buffalo Bills pectoral IR
Yannick Ngakoue Chicago Bulls undisclosed
Myles Garrett Cleveland Browns should
Dylan Horton Houston Texans personal NFI-R
Isaiah Foskey New Orleans Saints quadriceps
Payton Turner New Orleans Saints toe IR
Cameron Jordan New Orleans Saints shin
Arik Armistead San Francisco 49ers foot
Leonard Williams Seattle Seahawks ankle
James Smith-Williams Washington Commanders hamstring
DT
Kevin Strong Arizona Cardinals knee
Justin Madubuike Baltimore Ravens concussion
DeForest Buckner Indianapolis Colts shoulder
Daniel Ekuale New England Patriots biceps IR
Dexter Lawrence New York Giants hamstring
Jordon Riley New York Giants finger
Milton Williams Philadelphia Eagles concussion
Jordan Davis Philadelphia Eagles undisclosed
Fletcher Cox Philadelphia Eagles groin
Montravius Adams Pittsburgh Steelers ankle
Bryan Mone Seattle Seahawks knee-ACL PUP
Mike Green Tampa Bay Buccaneers calf
Defensive Backs
S
Joey Blount Arizona Cardinals knee
Ar’Darius Washington Baltimore Ravens chest IR
Taylor Rapp Buffalo Bills neck
Vonn Bell Carolina Panthers shoulder
Jeremy Chinn Carolina Panthers quadriceps IR
C.J. Gardner-Johnson Detroit Lions pectoral IR
Rudy Ford Green Bay Packers biceps
Jimmie Ward Houston Texans hamstring
Eric Murray Houston Texans knee IR
Brandon Facyson Las Vegas Raiders shin IR
JT Woods Los Angeles Chargers illness NFI-R
Quentin Lake Los Angeles Rams hamstring
Jevon Holland Miami Dolphins knee
Justin Hardee New York Jets hamstring IR
Justin Evans Philadelphia Eagles knee IR
Minkah Fitzpatrick Pittsburgh Steelers hamstring
George Odum San Francisco 49ers biceps IR
Jerrick Reed II Seattle Seahawks knee-ACL IR
Jamel Dean Tampa Bay Buccaneers ankle
Terrell Edmunds Tennessee Titans shoulder
Darrick Forrest Washington Commanders shoulder IR
CB
Antonio Hamilton Arizona Cardinals groin
Starling Thomas V Arizona Cardinals ankle
Marlon Humphrey Baltimore Ravens calf
Trayvon Mullen Baltimore Ravens toe NFI-R
Camarion Williams Baltimore Ravens ankle IR
Dane Jackson Buffalo Bills concussion
C.J.Henderson Carolina Panthers concussion
Jaycee Horn Carolina Panthers hamstring IR
Tyrique Stevenson Chicago Bears ankle
Cam Taylor-Britt Cincinnati Bengals quadriceps
Denzel Ward Cleveland Browns shoulder
Jaire Alexander Green Bay Packers shoulder
Eric Stokes Green Bay Packers hamstring IR
Julius Brents Indianapolis Colts quadriceps
Tyson Campbell Jacksonville Jaguars hamstring
Christian Braswell Jacksonville Jaguars hamstring IR
Duke Shelly Los Angeles Rams hamstring IR
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 IR
Aaron Robinson New York Giants knee-ACL/MCL PUP
Michael Carter II New York Jets hamstring
Avonte Maddox Philadelphia Eagles pectoral IR
Carlton Davis Tampa Bay Buccaneers ankle
Caleb Farley Tennessee Titans back PUP
Emmanuel Forbes Washington Commanders elbow
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.