Week 9 was yet another action packed week of football. Let’s take a look at some players who make for nice potential waiver wire additions for your IDP squads.
Week 9 is just about in the books as we still have a Monday night matchup to cap it off. This article was written before the conclusion of that game so unfortunately, it doesn’t include those players. Now it’s time to dive into some potential Week 10 waiver wire additions.
Disclaimer: All league sizes and formats are different. Meaning some of these players may or may not be available in your league. Each week I’ll be doing my best to cover a wide enough base of scenarios. If you ever have any league specific questions, I’m always willing to help and so is our fantastic team here at IDP Guys.
Linebackers
AJ Klein - LB - Buffalo Bills
Week 9 stat line: 5 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Buffalo recently placed linebacker Matt Milano on IR after he tried to play through a pectoral injury the past couple weeks. Klein had already been out-snapping Milano while he battled his injury and has been in the starting lineup the past four games. With Milano out this week, Klein saw a hefty 95% snap share. Klein had a big Week 9 IDP performance making splash plays behind the line as his two sacks and four quarterback hits show. Having previously displayed some shaky play, this week is just what Klein needed. With Milano out, Klein is a nice waiver wire addition for managers looking for linebacker help as he should see steady snaps going forward.
Cole Holcomb - LB - Washington
Week 9 stat line: 7 tackles (3 solos), 1 tackle for loss
Coming out of Washington’s Week 8 bye, Holcomb made his third consecutive start and played a season-high 90% of the defensive snaps. I mentioned Holcomb earlier in my Week 8 waiver wire article and felt he was worth mentioning again. Holcomb had another solid outing in Week 9 producing seven tackles (3 solos) and one tackle for loss. It appears Holcomb is a big part of Washington’s defensive plans going forward and is a good addition if he’s still available on your waiver wire.
Christian Kirksey - LB - Green Bay Packers
Week 9 stat line: None
Kirksey has been on IR since he suffered a pectoral injury in Week 3 against New Orleans. After missing his fifth straight game Thursday night, the thought is that Kirksey will be able to return in Week 10 against Jacksonville. Rookies Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin have been serviceable filling in, but I expect Green Bay to turn to the veteran Kirksey when he's ready to return. It's also notable that Barnes exited this weeks contest with a calf injury and was unable to return. Kirksey probably isn't available in too many leagues, but it is worth checking just in case he was dropped due to roster limitations or a frustrated manager.
Malik Harrison - LB - Baltimore Ravens
Week 9 stat line: 11 tackles (6 solos)
Harrison was selected in the third round of this year’s draft and while many had high hopes for him right away, it’s been a slow start for the rookie. Harrison is a big dude (6’-3’’ 245 lbs) and plays a more physical, down hill style at linebacker. This week Harrison made his second start of the year and played a season-high 49% of the defensive snaps. Baltimore was missing some pieces this week on defense which opened up the door for Harrison to see more opportunity. Harrison made good use of that opportunity as his 11 tackles (6 solos) led the team. Harrison is likely rostered in most dynasty formats (pick him up if he’s not), but could be worth an add in deeper roster redraft leagues to see if his role grows going forward.
Defensive Line/Edge
Markus Golden - Edge - Arizona Cardinals
Week 9 stat line: 5 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended
Week 9 was Markus Golden’s first game with Arizona after the Giants traded him away two weeks ago. Golden made an impact right away for the Cardinals as he recorded five tackles (2 solos), one tackle for loss, one sack, one quarterback hit and a pass defended. Playing 56% of the defensive snaps, Golden saw a decent snap share right out the gate with his new team. I expect Golden to have a steady role going forward for the Cardinals as they were in need of help off the edge after losing Chandler Jones. Golden is a nice waiver wire option for teams in need of pass rusher help in leagues where he has an Edge/DE designation.
Clelin Ferrell - DE - Las Vegas Raiders
Week 9 stat line: 3 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 4 QB hits
Many Raider fans and IDP managers had hoped Ferrell would take a step forward in year two after a disappointing rookie season. This hasn't been the case as Ferrell has yet to record a sack through his first eight games on the year. In Week 9 however, Ferrell did have a productive outing getting pressure for the Raiders defense. While he didn't record a sack Week 9, Ferrell did notch four quarterback hits on the day after accumulating only two in his previous seven games. In Week 10, Ferrell goes up against a Denver offensive line that has allowed 21 sacks on the year and ranks in the bottom half of the league in pass protection. Ferrell is really only an option in deeper leagues where you start 3-4 DL, but he does have a decent shot at getting his first sack on the season this week.
Dre’Mont Jones - DE/DT - Denver Broncos
Week 9 stat line: 2 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended
The Broncos defensive line has suffered some big losses to it’s unit this year. First, it was Jurrell Casey placed on season ending IR and most recently they lost defensive tackle Mike Purcell. One player who is beginning to step up is second-year man Dre’Mont Jones. Jones has seen his role increase as of late and has produced two sacks in his last three games. Jones has started the past two games and should continue to see a steady snap share along the Broncos defensive front. In defensive tackle required leagues where Jones has a DT designation he is a great waiver wire addition and he is also usable in leagues that use a DL grouped format.
Jarran Reed - DT - Seattle Seahawks
Week 9 stat line: 4 tackles (3 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 QB hits
Jarran Reed had a huge day this week! Reed hadn't recorded a sack since Week 3, but that all changed as he collected two and a half sacks against Buffalo this week. Reed had a slow first half of the season, but maybe his Week 9 outburst will get the cylinders firing. If available, Reed is a fantastic add in defensive tackle required formats. Reed is also worth considering in DL grouped formats with the hope he stays hot. It's also noteworthy that Reed has a nice schedule down the stretch. In Weeks 12-15, Reed draws some offensive lines who are prone to giving up sacks in Philadelphia, New York Giants, New York Jets, and Washington respectively.
Defensive Backs
Kamren Curl - S - Washington
Week 9 stat line: 11 tackles (6 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 2 QB hits
I previously mentioned Curl in my Week 8 waiver wire article as a name to watch after Landon Collins was lost for the year. Well coming out of Washington’s Week 8 bye it was Curl starting alongside Deshazor Everett at safety. Curl had a stellar IDP outing as his 11 tackles (6 solos) led the team and he even added a sack on the day. Both Curl and Everett played every snap this week and appear to be the safety duo for Washington going forward. Curl is a solid waiver wire option for managers looking for safety help.
Sam Franklin - S - Carolina Panthers
Week 9 stat line: 7 tackles (5 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
Frankin made his third straight start at safety filling in for the injured Justin Burris. Relatively quiet in his first two starts, Franklin definitely made some noise this week. Franklin had his best outing of the year and his seven tackles (five solos) tied for the team lead. As long as Burris is out, Franklin should see a steady snap share (98% snaps this week). Jeremy Chinn was also out this week so that may have provided Franklin with some additional tackle opportunities. Franklin isn’t a long term option, but if the waiver wire is thin he’s worth a look in deeper leagues.
Marcel Harris - S - San Francisco 49ers
Week 9 stat line: 5 tackles (4 solos)
With Jaquiski Tartt out in Weeks 7-8, it was Marcel Harris who started in his place. This week Tartt returned to the lineup, but unfortunately suffered a turf toe injury and was unable to finish the game. Harris came in as his replacement and finished with five tackles (4 solos). There is a good chance Tartt misses a week or two, meaning Harris would once again be in the starting lineup. In deeper leagues where options are scarce, Harris is an option for managers looking for assistance at safety.
Desmond King - CB - Tennessee Titans
Week 9 stat line: 2 solo tackles, 1 fumble recovery (for a TD)
King was recently traded to the Titans before the NFL trade deadline last week. Our very own @HollywoodTitan wrote a great article covering the trade and you can view his thoughts here. In his first game with Tennessee, King started and ended up playing 70% of the defensive snaps. King also had a huge impact play as he recovered a fumble and took it to the house for six. King is a versatile defensive back and I expect Tennesee to put his services to good use. In cornerback required formats, King is an excellent waiver wire addition.
Conclusion
Thanks for tuning into this week’s edition of the IDP waiver wire. Each week I try to cover a variety of players who could be options in the various IDP formats. We are now entering Week 10 and the options are getting slimmer. You can check out all my previous IDP waiver wire articles here. With injuries and Covid hitting hard this year it's important to keep adding depth to your roster and as always remember to follow the snaps.
**Be sure to check out Morgan McLane’s offensive waiver wire article over a Dynasty Football Digest which you can view here.
