Week 15 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.
It's championship week! In most leagues, Week 16 brings us to the fantasy championship match. If you made it this far, I wouldn't get too cute with your lineup. However, if you find yourself in a pinch or want to add some depth options to your squad in case of emergency, below may be some options to consider.
We still have one more game to finish off the week as the Steelers and Benglas meet Monday night. 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 16 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
David Long - LB - Tennessee Titans
Week 15 stat line: 12 tackles (6 solos), 1 pass defended
David Long has been on this list for the past couple weeks now. Long has been filling in for the injured Jayon Brown and is starting to really make an impact. An every-down linebacker the past two weeks, Long has been out snapping fellow starter Rashan Evans. Long had his biggest IDP performance of the year this week collecting a team-high 12 tackles (6 solos). If Long happens to still be available he’s a great waiver wire addition.
Todd Davis - LB - Minnesota Vikings
Week 15 stat line: 8 tackles (4 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended
Todd Davis is another player who’s been featured in this article the past few weeks. Davis made his third straight start this week with Eric Kendricks out again nursing his calf injury. Davis had a solid week and even notched his first sack of the season. If for some reason Davis is still available, he’s definitely worth an add. Just like last week, keep tabs on Kendricks’ status. Should he be unable to go, Davis would draw another start.
Terez Hall - LB - New England Patriots
Week 15 stat line: 13 tackles (12 solos)
Ja’Whuan Bentley was forced to exit this week’s game early with an arm injury. Just like earlier in the year, Terez Hall was tasked with holding down the middle in Bentley’s absence. Hall had a very productive day as his 13 tackles (12 solos) led the team. If Bentley were forced to miss time, Hall would once again see his role increase. Hall is worth a preemptive waiver wire add as we get more information on Bentley’s status.
Ben Niemann - LB - Kansas City Chiefs
Week 15 stat line: 8 tackles (5 solos)
For whatever reason, Niemann has been leading Kansas City’s linebackers in snaps the past two weeks. Niemann played 90% of the defensive snaps in Week 14 and 85% in Week 15. I don’t understand it, but it’s happening. Niemann had a productive outing this week, but he’s really nothing more than a desperation play in deep leagues.
Elandon Roberts - LB - Miami Dolphins
Week 15 stat line: 9 tackles (5 solos), 1 fumble recovery
Roberts missed last week’s game with a chest injury. This week, Roberts returned to the starting lineup and played his highest snap share on the season of 84%. Playing against his old team, Roberts had a productive day amassing nine tackles (5 solos) and a fumble recovery. I’m not sure if this snap share will continue, but Roberts did play well this week for Miami. Roberts is another desperation play in deeper leagues in case you are in a bind.
Defensive Line/Edge
Olivier Vernon - DE - Cleveland Browns
Week 15 stat line: 3 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit
It’s been a bit of an up and down year for Vernon this season. He’s produced some big games, but has also had some duds mixed in. The one thing that’s been there lately is opportunity. In his last four games, Vernon’s snap share looks like this; Week 12 97%, Week 13 100%, Week 14 97% and Week 15 94%. You have to love that kind of opportunity and the fact that Myles Garrett will be drawing so much attention opposite Vernon. In Week 16, Vernon has a nice matchup against the Jets who are prone to giving up a few sacks. Should Vernon be available, he’s a solid waiver wire pick up.
Matt Judon - Edge/DE - Baltimore Ravens
Week 15 stat line: 3 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 2 OB hits, 1 safety
Judon made his presence felt right away this week as he registered a sack early in the first quarter. That sack resulted in a safety and put the first points on the board for Baltimore. This week, Judon goes up against a weak Giants offensive line that has surrendered 42 sacks on the season. In deeper leagues where Judon has an Edge/DE designation, he’s worth considering should you need defensive line help and options are thin.
Carl Nassib - DE - Las Vegas Raiders
Week 15 stat line: 5 tackles (2 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended
A week after being a healthy scratch, Nassib found himself in the starting lineup. With Clelin Ferrell out with a shoulder injury, Nassib was given the start and played 64% of the defensive snaps. Nassib had a decent day filling in as he produced five tackles (2 solos), two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and a pass defended. If Ferrell is unable to go this week, Nassib would once again see his role increase. Nassib is only a deep league desperation play if Ferrell is out again with his shoulder injury.
Derrick Brown - DT - Carolina Panthers
Week 15 stat line: 3 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits
Carolina’s first round rookie Derrick Brown had his best game to date as a pro. Brown created all kinds of havoc from the interior against Green Bay and notched his first two sacks of the season. This week Brown goes up against Washington's offensive line who have allowed 44 sacks on the year and four this past week against Seattle. In defensive tackle required leagues, Brown is worth considering if you are in need.
Defensive Backs
Donovan Wilson - S - Dallas Cowboys
Week 15 stat line: 8 tackles (6 solos), 1 interception, 2 passes defended
Wilson is another player who’s shown up on this list this season. After missing the past two games with a groin injury, Wilson returned to the starting lineup and his every down role. Wilson came up big for the Dallas defense in his return compiling eight tackles (6 solos) and grabbing his first interception of the year. If Wilson happened to be dropped while he was out, he’s a fantastic waiver wire addition.
Marcus Epps - S - Philadelphia Eagles
Week 15 stat line: 7 solo tackles, 1 interception, 2 passes defended
Last week the Philadelphia secondary lost an important piece as safety Rodney McLeod tore his ACL ending his season. This pushed Marcus Epps into the starting lineup and he ended up playing every defensive snap this week. Epps delivered a very solid IDP performance amassing seven solo tackles, an interception, and two passes defended. If you are looking for safety help/depth Epps is a player to consider with his new role.
Karl Joseph - S - Cleveland Browns
Week 15 stat line: 10 tackles (8 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 2 passes defended
With Ronnie Harrison still out with a shoulder injury, Joseph made his third consecutive start. Joseph had one of his best games of the year for Cleveland and his 10 tackles (8 solos) were a team-high. Harrison is eligible to return form IR this week, but his status is unknown as of now. If Harrison were to be absent again, Joseph would get another start making him worth a look in deeper leagues.
L’Jarius Sneed - CB - Kansas City Chiefs
Week 15 stat line: 3 tackles (1 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 interception, 3 passes defended
Rookie L’Jarius Sneed played his largest snap share (93%) this week since returning from IR in Week 11. Sneed came up big this week for the Kansas City defense registering both a sack and interception against the Saints. Something else noteworthy was the fact Kansas City chose to use Sneed predominantly in the slot this week. Last week, Sneed’s snaps were split between the slot and out wide. Being up near the line gives Sneed more opportunities to be in the mix to make those splash plays. In cornerback required leagues, Sneed is a nice pickup if available.
Conclusion
With the fantasy season coming to an end, this will be my last week writing the IDP wavier wire article. I want to give a huge thanks to anyone who has been following along with the article this year. I hope I was able to provide some useful options along the way. There are big things in the works here are IDP Guys this off-season, so be sure to stay tuned as they come out. Good luck to everyone playing for a title this weekend!
