2023 Fantasy Football Week 16 IDP Report: Risers in Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups & Top Matchups

Here is hoping your playoff fortunes are playing out favorably, and you might want to look to pep up your fantasy football rosters in the IDP ranks. Below we discuss a nice handful of defensive players that are picking up the pace as the season heads to the final weeks of regular season action, the time of the season when fantasy football titles are earned (or at times, lost, due to inauspicious roster management). Should your squad still have a chance to reign supreme, then act decisively to claim the championship trophy, perhaps by snagging one or more of the IDP profiled below. Now, let's get to the fantasy football IDP Report for NFL Week 16.
Fantasy Football IDP Risers – Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Khaleke Hudson, Washington Commanders
Hudson leads off our linebacker profiles, and he surged into a prominent role on the Commanders defense with the season-ending shoulder injury to Jamin Davis. He had 14 total tackles (TT) in Week 15 on the West Coast against the host Rams, eight of those of the solo variety. The Rams were not a superb matchup for linebacker fantasy production, so do not be discouraged with the next two opponents who do not project for great results. As a nearly every-down LB he should continue to put up useful fantasy point production.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns
The third-year player has seen his playing time (PT) pick up significantly over the last four weeks, where he has been credited with 32 TT (22 solo). He has also contributed on the big-play side of the stat sheet, with two sacks, two pass deflections/defenses (PD), an INT and forced fumble (FF) during that string of contests. This week presents a great matchup against the Texans
K.J. Britt, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Britt’s usefulness as a LB3/4 is strictly dependent on whether Devin White is going to resume his starting role or if his foot is still limiting his time on the field. The Week 16 opponent, the Jaguars, is the top team in terms of allowing opposing linebackers to accumulate fantasy points, so it would be wise to keep an eye on the Buccaneer inactive list this week. If Britt is going to see significant snaps on defense, he can build on the six TT he accumulated in Week 15 (three solo). One of those six wrap-ups was for a loss of yards (TFL), please note.
Duke Riley, Miami Dolphins
The veteran LB has stepped up and assumed the green-dot duties on the defense for the Dolphins due to injuries. He is seeing significant snaps as a result, and while he does not provide LB1 or LB2 type production, he is useful in deeper IDP formats where multiple LBs are needed.
Defensive Linemen
Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE New Orleans Saints
While it would be foolish to expect him to repeat the three-sack explosion he produced in Week 15 against the Giants, he is playing significant snaps on defense, exceeding those granted to Cameron Jordan over the past three contests. He also added six TT in last week’s game (five solo). Check in to see if the hot hand will be producing in Los Angeles when the Saints visit the Rams in Week 16.
Bryce Huff, DE New York Jets
Huff added another sack to his season total in Week 15, and now has eight on the year. He has been a steady sack producer this season, which is why he is useful on your fantasy roster as the tackle numbers are decidedly pedestrian at less than two per game over the season. The next two matchups, Washington and Cleveland, are favorable.
Lukas Van Ness, DE Green Bay Packers
The rookie seems to be adjusting to the NFL game, picking up sacks in two of the last three games. He is only playing less than 50% of the defensive snaps but the matchup against the Panthers in Week 16 is promising for him to build on his sack total in 2023.
Daron Payne, DT Washington Commanders
Payne is the lone DT featured this week, and has been nothing to crow about for the bulk of this season. He is coming off a stellar two sack effort against the host Rams, however, and now takes on the Jets who are the team handing out the second most sacks in the league through Week 15. If you need a DT due to league format, and are looking for a sack or two, this little-owned DT could be of use to you in setting your starting roster this week.
Defensive Backs
Ifeatu Meiifonwu, S Detroit Lions
With Tracy Walker being benched, Melifonwu has jumped into a starting role in the Lion defense full force. He collected nine TT in Week 15 against the visiting Broncos (six solo), while also accumulating a sack, a FF and a pair of PDs. He has a pair of road games on tap, a so-so matchup in Minnesota but then a more favorable contest in Dallas for Week 17.
Andrew Wingard, S Jacksonville Jaguars
Wingard saw a significant uptick in snap time on the defense with Andrew Cisco out with a groin injury, and could again be called upon to start for the Jags. He contributed 11 TT as the starting free safety (10 solo). His utility is dependent on a starting role, however, so keep an eye on the injury reports coming out of Jacksonville for Week 16.
Jason Pinnock, S New York Giants
The Giant defensive back has been inconsistent this season, but has been impressing lately. He has put up 18 TT (14 solo) with a sack and an INT over the last three contests. Week 16 provides a strong matchup in the form of the reeling Eagles, number three in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing safeties.
Brandon Jones, S Miami Dolphins
Another player benefitting from a fellow player being on the sidelines due to injury, Jones stepped up his game by snagging a couple of passes last week and defensing a couple other passes (two INT and two PD). The Dolphins have a good matchup with the Cowboys coming in for a visit this week.
Charvarius Ward, CB San Francisco 49ers
Two INTs, one a pick-six, was quite a nice bit of fantasy production, considering he was questionable going into the contest against the host Cardinals as questionable with a groin issue He also had a pair of PD and three TT (two solo). The Ravens are a tough matchup in Week 16, but he overcame the odds to produce last game, so no real reason to count him out if you are seeking CB help for your roster.
Desmond King, CB Houston Texans
As the new nickel back in the Texan defensive scheme, he is making a big impression. Last week saw him put up double-digit tackles (11 TT, six solo) and also record a sack against the host Titans. Taking on the Browns at home is not ideal, but not a terrible opportunity for cornerback production.
Fantasy Football IDP Fallers - Escalator Going Down
Josh Sweat, DE Philadelphia Eagles
Sweat has been in a bit of a slump of late after a strong first half of the season, failing to register a sack in the last five contests and averaging just under 2.5 TT per game over the same stretch of games. He does have a chance to redeem himself with a good matchup against the Giants this week, so there is hope but there are also DEs that have been putting up better numbers to trust more.
Damontae Kazee, S Pittsburgh Steelers
Being suspended for the balance of the season effectively removes any value the Steeler safety possessed.
Week 16 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 DB playing on for the Cowboys against the Dolphins in sunny FLA or a Colt edge rusher going against the Atlanta offense that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tampa Bay
Cleveland Browns @ Houston
Denver Broncos vs New England
Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco
Chicago Bears vs Arizona
Defensive Ends
Atlanta Falcons vs Indianapolis
New York Jets vs Washington
Tennessee Titans vs Seattle
Chicago Bears vs Arizona
New York Giants @ Philadelphia
Defensive Tackles
Cleveland Browns @ Houston
Washington Commanders @ New York Jets
Dallas Cowboys @ Miami
Houston Texans vs Cleveland
San Francisco 49ers vs Baltimore
Safeties
Carolina Panthers vs Green Bay
Green Bay Packers @ Carolina
Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants
New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Rams
Miami Dolphins vs Dallas
Cornerbacks
Los Angeles Rams vs New Orleans
Miami Dolphins vs Dallas
Los Angeles Chargers vs Buffalo
New York Giants @ Philadelphia
Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Chargers
Week 16 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. All these players should be widely available in your leagues, but if one or the other is already rostered, there are enough other options to pursue as the playoffs go forward (all are owned in significantly less that 50% of ESPN and Yahoo leagues). Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.
Linebackers
Khaleke Hudson Washington Commanders
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Cleveland Browns
K.J. Britt Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Defensive Linemen
Tanoh Kpassagnon DE New Orleans Saints
Lukas Van Ness DE Green Bay Packers
Daron Payne DT Washington Commanders
Defensive Backs
Ifeatu Melifonwu S Detroit Lions
Andrew Wingard S Jacksonville Jaguars
Jason Pinnock S New York Giants
Brandon Jones S Miami Dolphins
Charvarius Ward CB San Francisco 49ers
Desmond King CB Houston Texans
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
Tyreke Smith Arizona Cardinals personal
Bud Dupree Atlanta Falcons back
Tyus Bowser Baltimore Ravens knee NFI-R
Malik Hamm Baltimore Ravens ankle IR
Brian Burns Carolina Panthers illness
Marquis Haynes Carolina Panthers illness
Yetur Gross-Matos Carolina Panthers knee
Claudin Cherelus Carolina Panthers knee IR
Chandler Wooten Carolina Panthers ankle IR
Luiji Vilain Carolina Panthers knee IR
Noah Sewell Chicago Bears knee
Jordan Kunaszyk Cleveland Browns calf
Anthony Walker Cleveland Browns knee
Nik Bonitto Denver Broncos knee
De’Vondre Campbell Green Bay Packers neck
Blake Cashman Houston Texans hamstring
Segun Olubi Indianapolis Colts hip
Divine Deablo Las Vegas Raiders ankle
Tanner Muse Los Angeles Chargers knee IR
Amen Ogbongbemiga Los Angeles Chargers hamstring
Marcus Davenport Minnesota Vikings ankle IR
Jordan Hicks Minnesota Vikings shin IR
Matt Judon New England Patriots biceps IR
Zaire Barner New York Jets hamstring IR
Zach Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles knee
Nakobe Dean Philadelphia Eagles foot IR
Oren Burks San Francisco 49ers knee
Drake Thomas Seattle Seahawks knee IR
Devin White Tampa Bay Buccaneers foot
Chance Campbell Tennessee Titans undisclosed IR
Defensive Linemen
DE
Carlos Watkins Arizona Cardinals biceps IR
L.J. Collier Arizona Cardinals biceps IR
Kentavius Street Atlanta Falcons pectoral IR
DaQuan Jones Buffalo Bills pectoral IR
Leonard Floyd Buffalo Bills wrist
A.J. Epenesa Buffalo Bills ribs
DeMarcus Walker Chicago Bears leg
Cam Sample Cincinnati Bengals knee
D.J. Reader Cincinnati Bengals quadriceps IR
Ovo Okoronkwo Cleveland Browns pectoral
Villami Fehoko Dallas Cowboys knee IR
Will Anderson, Jr. Houston Texans ankle
Emmanuel Ogvah Miami Dolphins hamstring
Carl Granderson New Orleans Saints shoulder
Cameron Jordan New Orleans Saints ankle
Isaiah Foskey New Orleans Saints quadriceps
Payton Turner New Orleans Saints toe IR
Quinton Jefferson New York Jets hip IR
John Franklin-Myers New York Jets hip
Clelin Ferrell San Francisco 49ers ankle
Arik Armstead San Francisco 49ers foot
Drake Jackson San Francisco 49ers knee IR
James Smith-Williams Washington Commanders hamstring
DT
David Onyemata Atlanta Falcons ankle
Jordan Phillips Buffalo Bills wrist
Johnathan Hankins Dallas Cowboys ankle
Teair Tart Houston Texans personal
Nick Williams Los Angeles Chargers shoulder
Daniel Ekuale New England Patriots biceps IR
Cameron Heyward Pittsburgh Steelers concussion
Kalia Davis San Francisco 49ers ankle
Javon Hargrave San Francisco 49ers hamstring
Bryan Mone Seattle Seahawks knee-ACL PUP
William Gholston Tampa Bay Buccaneers knee
Jeffery Simmons Tennessee Titans knee
Kyle Peko Tennessee Titans calf IR
John Ridgeway Washington Commanders foot
Defensive Backs
S
Bobby Price Arizona Cardinals quadriceps IR
Ar’Darius Washington Baltimore Ravens chest IR
Marcus Williams Baltimore Ravens groin
Micah Hyde Buffalo Bills neck
Xavier Woods Carolina Panthers illness
Sam Franklin Carolina Panthers quadriceps
D’Shawn Jamison Carolina Panthers illness
Jaylon Jones Chicago Bears calf
Tycen Anderson Cincinnati Bengals knee IR
Juan Thornhill Cleveland Browns calf
Grant Delpit Cleveland Browns groin IR
Malik Hooker Dallas Cowboys ankle
Darnell Savage Green Bay Packers shoulder
Grayland Arnold Houston Texans calf IR
Eric Murray Houston Texans knee IR
Jimmie Ward Houston Texans concussion
M.J. Stewart Houston Texans shoulder IR
Andre Cisco Jacksonville Jaguars groin
Brandon Facyson Las Vegas Raiders shin IR
Essang Bassey Los Angeles Chargers concussion
Jevon Holland Miami Dolphins knee-MCL
DeShon Elliott Miami Dolphins concussion
J.C. Jackson New England Patriots illness NFI-R
Trenton Thompson Pittsburgh Steelers neck
Minkah Fitzpatrick Pittsburgh Steelers knee
Elijah Riley Pittsburgh Steelers ankle IR
Jamal Adams Seattle Seahawks knee
Josh Hayes Tampa Bay Buccaneers illness
Ryan Neal Tampa Bay Buccaneers back
Darrick Forrest Washington Commanders shoulder IR
CB
Jalyn Armour-Davis Baltimore Ravens concussion
Kalir Elam Buffalo Bills ankle IR
Donte Jackson Carolina Panthers back
Mike Ford Cleveland Browns illness
Jerry Jacobs Detroit Lions hamstring
Jaire Alexander Green Bay Packers shoulder
Tavierre Thomas Houston Texans hamstring IR
Tyson Campbell Jacksonville Jaguars quadriceps
Christian Braswell Jacksonville Jaguars hamstring IR
Joshua Williams Kansas City Chiefs illness
Deane Leonard Los Angeles Chargers ankle
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson Los Angeles Rams hamstring
Xavien Howard Miami Dolphins hip
Cam Smith Miami Dolphins hamstring
Marcus Jones New England Patriots shoulder IR
Christian Gonzalez New England Patriots shoulder -labrum IR
Lonnie Johnson New Orleans Saints knee
Aaron Robinson New York Giants knee-ACL/MCL PUP
Darius Slay Philadelphia Eagles knee
Deommodore Lenoir San Francisco 49ers ribs
Devon Witherspoon Seattle Seahawks hip
Carlton Davis Tampa Bay Buccaneers groin
Sean Murphy-Bunting Tennessee Titans hip
Kristian Fulton Tennessee Titans hamstring 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. 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.
Player News
Jets signed WR Garrett Wilson to a four-year, $130 million contract extension.
Wilson’s deal includes $90 million in guaranteed money and will keep him with the Jets through the 2030 season. The former No. 10 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft has churned out three-straight seasons of 1,000-plus yards to start his career and posted career-highs in receptions (101), yards, (1,104), and touchdowns (7) last season. Now reunited with former college teammate Justin Fields, Wilson hopes the Jets can put together his first winning season as a pro and the Jets’ first winning season since 2015. Wilson profiles as a fringe WR1/WR2, but will likely settle more in the WR2 range in 2025 due to the Jets’ emphasis on the run and Fields’ ability to take off and scramble on passing downs.
Raiders waived QB Carter Bradley.
Bradley joined the Raiders last offseason as a rookie UDFA and spent all of last season on the practice squad before being promoted to the 53-man roster in December. The former South Alabama Jaguar didn’t attempt a pass in his rookie season and will now look to catch on with another team ahead of training camp in hopes of battling for a roster spot. Bradley may be better suited for a spring football league where he would have an opportunity for more playing time.
The Athletic’s Chad Graff believes Stefon Diggs (knee) will “likely open camp by working on the side until he’s cleared from his injury.
Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 of last season, but surprised during spring practices when he took the field in a limited capacity with the team. While he’s yet to be cleared for full football activities, Graff believes the encouraging spring we saw from Diggs may lead to some limited work to the side in camp while leaving the door open for Diggs to eventually participate in full closer to the end of camp. While opening the season on the PUP list, which would require him to miss a minimum of four games, remains a possibility, Diggs’ involvement in camp will be worth monitoring as the Patriots aim to get their WR1 back on the field.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department released a report detailing additional information regarding Quinshon Judkins’ arrest for domestic battery over the weekend.
The full report can be found at the link provided at the end of the blurb, but the details are quite disturbing. Arresting officer Steven Pohorence reported that the victim of Judkins’ alleged assault reported the incident the day after it occurred, alleging Judkins “punched her in the mouth/chin area with a closed fist” while adding he later struck her in the arm and thigh. The victim also showed pictures of her chin/lip area, with officer Pohorence noting in the report “the bruising was clearly evident.” Bruises could also be found on her arm and thigh. This situation is far from resolved and could have a direct impact on Judkins’ availability for training camp as he remains unsigned at this time.
The Athletic’s Matt Barrows reports Jauan Jennings “is expected to be on hand when the 49ers’ veterans report for training camp next Tuesday.”
This comes after it was announced that Jennings was seeking either a new contract or a trade before the start of this season. Jennings reporting to camp is good in theory, but as Barrows also points out, last year’s Brandon Aiyuk situation showed a player reporting to camp while in a contract dispute can be anything but beneficial. In recent years, players have resorted to “hold-ins” during camp to avoid fines for not reporting, which could be Jennings’ approach when he does report next week. We’ll likely get a better sense of where things are headed with this situation as camp draws nearer.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports 49ers WR Jauan Jennings is seeking a new contract or a trade before the start of the season.
It’s odd that this would come out a week before training camp rather than earlier in the offseason, but Jennings’ desire for a new deal is warranted. The sixth-year receiver is coming off a breakout season in which he caught 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns — all career-highs, and is expected to play a significant role this season. The 49ers extended Jennings’ contract last season, but he’s set to earn just $7.5 million in the final year of his deal, which is well-below what a player of his caliber should be earning. With Brandon Aiyuk (knee) a likely PUP candidate and Ricky Pearsall entering the season with much to prove, it goes without saying that Jennings is the best available receiver on the 49ers right now, which could spur the team to get a new deal done. That said, we’ve seen the Niners drag out contract discussions before, and wouldn’t expect anything immediate as this story continues to develop.