Week 15 hits from the Fantasy Football IDP Report; Zach Sieler, Luke Gifford, Micah McFadden, Nik Bonito, Jeremy Chinn. Congratulations to those that took the advice last week. Week 16 and the last big game before the BIG GAME!

Congratulations on making it this far, but we didn’t get this far just to get this far. Now it is time to finalize any glaring roster issues and take a look at players that could step in due to injury. 

 

 

 

2024 Fantasy Football Week 16 IDP Overview

A successful week of risers, waivers and matchups to exploit in Week 15 helped earn a spot in this week’s semifinals. 

Fantasy Football is a tricky thing, and losing Week 15 is brutal, almost as brutal as losing Week 16. Let’s avoid that with these nine great IDPs for the fantasy football playoffs.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football IDP Risers Week 16

Kingsley Enagbare is a defensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers, and he had a great performance in a nationally televised match. Enagbare earned 5 solo tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hits, and 2 sacks against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday night.

Enagbare has 12 tackles and three sacks in his last three games, and his next match is against the New Orleans Saints, a dome team with nothing to play for. The game is Monday night at Lambeau Field, it will be cold, loud, and a game the Packers should play with a positive game script.

Alex Highsmith has been an elite defensive lineman/linebacker for years. The Pittsburgh Steelers rewarded him as one of the best in the league and he has delivered, in particular since his return from injury this year. 

Highsmith has 11 tackles, 8 of which are solo, 4 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hits, and 2 sacks in his last two games. The Steelers have an epic AFC North divisional rival match against the Baltimore Ravens this week.

 

 

 

Should they beat them they would have a 1.5 advantage over their rival and likely clinch the AFC North. He also could be asked to deliver more pressure with TJ Watt possibly injured, keep an eye on Highsmith and put a waiver on him if you have Watt.

Dane Belton is a defensive back for the New York Giants and is steadily rising up the fantasy football IDP board. His snaps have increased every week since the Giants week 11 bye. In New York’s most recent match he recorded 15 tackles and a sack and made a huge rise up the board.

The Giants are playing for the first overall pick and will soon be entering a new era from top to bottom. This is a great thing for IDP players and fantasy football managers. Belton could be the biggest benefactor and could be the target of the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts the next two weeks. Keep an eye on Belton going forward.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football Week 16 IDP Waiver Wire Targets

Nolan Smith, Defensive Lineman/Linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles

Nolan Smith is really coming on for the Philadelphia Eagles. Last week he had 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hits, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended. He also has three sacks in his last five games.

With two games against divisional opponents upcoming, N. Smith has an opportunity to add to his sack total in the fantasy football playoffs. He could be on taxi squads in dynasty leagues, and if so it’s time to take him off and get value for the playoffs. He is becoming the Eagles best pass rusher, and could look to make an impact as Philadelphia make a push for first place in the NFC.

Put a FAAB bid on Smith, put a waiver priority on him, and get him off of the Taxi squad. He should have another good point total in Week 16.

Edgerrin Cooper, Linebacker, Green Bay Packers

Rookies are becoming veterans in the fantasy football playoffs and Edgerrin Cooper made the next step in his performance last week. Cooper earned 7 tackles, 6 of which were solo, 2 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hits, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception.

An outstanding stat line for any player but especially a rookie coming back from injury. Cooper did not play the previous three weeks, and only recorded stats in one of the previous five weeks. He should be available in almost every format that is not dynasty… and a few dynasty leagues as well. 

With Quay Walker possibly injured and missing time, Cooper will be asked to do even more. He is a must add if you own Walker and is a player worthy of FAAB in fantasy football IDP leagues. He could put up 15+ points against the Saints this week and should have great performances against divisional opponents to close the season.

Calen Bullock, Defensive Back, Houston Texans

Another rookie makes an appearance and this time for the Houston Texans. Calen Bullock is both a great tackler and targeted often in the pass game. The Texans secured a playoff spot last week but are still playing for a chance to move up from fourth to third in the rankings. 

Bullock earned 6 combined tackles, 2 passes defended, and had an interception that he returned for 68 yards. The Texans play the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens the next two weeks. Those are two teams with MVP level quarterbacks, who will target rookies… even if they are playing like a veteran.

Go scoop up Bullock for basically free on the waiver wire and have a defensive back that has the opportunity to have two high scoring weeks.

 

 

 

NFL Week 16 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On

Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Jets, Sunday 1:00 PM ET

.Kobie Turner is starting to make a name for himself as a young defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams. He has 20 tackles in his last five games, and seven sacks on the season.

The Rams travel across the country to play the New York Jets and are in control of their own destiny. Should they win out they will win the NFC West, no two ways about it. Turner can be a big help in that department. Should he earn at least one sack in each of the three remaining games, he would have done his part. 

Sacks end plays, drives, and games. They are a rare stat and most fantasy football IDP leagues reward it with heavy points. Turner could have 5 or more sacks in his next three games, and has a chance for two sacks against the poor Jets offensive line. Pick him up if you need a defensive lineman for Week 16.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 8:15 PM ET

  • LaVonte David, Linebacker - TB

LaVonte David is the ageless one, and arguably the best linebacker of all-time, in not this century. The league’s active leader in solo tackles just recorded his 1,100 solo tackle. That is a mano y mano, someone had the ball, and David took them down scenario. He truly is one of the greatest to ever put on the pads and reminded everyone last week.

David recorded a season high 12 combined tackles, a season high 8 solo tackles, a season high 3 quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks! This man is playing interior linebacker on a playoff team in his thirteenth year, and he is not finished either.

The soon to be 35 year old, is playing against the Dallas Cowboys this week, and they have found their run game. David should see a heavy dose of Rico Dowdle which should give him a great floor. 

Then Cooper Rush is playing great but does have 3 interceptions, and some passes defended that should have been interceptions. David is a do-it all linebacker ready to put the Buccaneers on his back for a fourth straight NFC South divisional title. If he was on your bench, get him back in the lineup for this Sunday night thriller.

Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday 8:15 PM ET

It wouldn’t be the Fantasy Football IDP Report without at least one Thursday night player. This week in a highly anticipated AFC West rivalry match the player is Brandon Jones of the Broncos. The former Texas Longhorn has been playing great and is a must start candidate in Week 16. 

Some do not like playing people on Thursday but that is a foolish superstition. For every disadvantage on short or long weeks, there is a counter advantage that championship managers utilize. Look up Christian Rozeboom and Puka Nuca’s numbers from last week if you don’t believe me. 

Jones earned nine tackles and three passes defended against the Indianapolis Colts last week. He earned 12 tackles and 1 pass defended the last time the Broncos played the Los Angeles Chargers and he should have another high output game, somewhere in the 1-14 IDP range. Yes, he could be IDP 1, especially if Patrick Surtain is unable to play. 

Pick him up on the waivers and put him in your lineup.

 

 

 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky 
-Iggy Gilbert