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  • Waiver Wire Week 14 Pick-ups: IDP

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    Who are some names to know in your IDP leagues after a wild Week 13? Let’s take a look at a list of players who make for potential waiver wire Week 14 additions to your IDP squads.


    Week 13 brought us another action-packed week of football with plenty to digest. We still have one more game to cap it off, as the Buffalo Bills take on the New England Patriots on Monday night. The waiver wire Week 14 IDP 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 waiver wire Week 14 IDP 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

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    Christian Kirksey, LB, Houston Texans

    Week 13 Stats: 9 tackles (7 solos), 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovery

    After missing the past three games while on IR with a thumb injury, Christian Kirksey made his return this week. Kirksey was placed right back into the starting lineup and tied Kamu Grugier-Hill with 62 defensive snaps (86%), which paced the linebackers. It's also notable that teammate Zach Cunningham was inactive this week due to disciplinary reasons.

    Kirksey got right back to work compiling nine tackles (7 solos), one quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery in his first game back. With Cunningham's latest antics, I suspect we will once again see Kirksey and Grugier-Hill as the main linebackers in Houston going forward. If Kirksey was dropped while unavailable, he's a great waiver wire pick-up as we approach the fantasy playoffs. 

    Germaine Pratt, LB, Cincinnati Bengals

    Week 13 Stats: 9 tackles (3 solos), 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

    The Cincinnati defense and IDP managers alike, suffered a big loss on Sunday when Logan Wilson went down with a shoulder injury. Right now, it's being reported that Wilson suffered a dislocated shoulder and will miss this coming week’s game. After Wilson's exit, Germaine Pratt stepped in as the defensive play-caller.

    With Wilson out, Pratt ended up playing a season-high 62 defensive snaps (97%) on Sunday. Pratt's snap share traditionally varies week-to-week as he holds a 62% share on the season. That would change if Wilson is forced to miss extended time as Pratt would likely slide in as the main man in Cincy. Pratt is a priority waiver wire add as we await more news on Wilson’s outlook.

    Blake Lynch, LB, Minnesota Vikings

    Week 13 Stats: 9 tackles (6 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

    With Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr both out this week, it was Nick Vigil and Blake Lynch holding down the linebacker spots for Minnesota. Lynch and Vigil both started and played all 72 defensive snaps against Detroit on Sunday. Not only did Lynch play every snap, but he filled up the stat sheet (see stat line above).

    The problem is, Lynch is only going to be startable if Kendricks and Barr are both out again. If just one of the two were to be out, Vigil would likely get the available every-down role. In those deep degenerate leagues, Lynch is someone to consider in case those other LBs miss more time. 

    Divine Deablo, LB/S, Las Vegas Raiders

    Week 13 Stats: 11 tackles (8 solos)

    The Raiders linebacker unit got all sorts of banged up this week. Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski both suffered injuries in the first half on Sunday. To make matters worse, Denzel Perryman suffered an ankle injury late in the game. I'm not sure of the extent of the injuries at the moment...but dang not good.

    After Littleton and Kwiatkoski left, Deablo was called upon to step in. Deablo played a season-high 38 defensive snaps (57%) and turned in an impressive 11 tackles (8 solos). If the third-round rookie is sitting on your dynasty waiver wire, pick him up and stash him. In redraft, Deablo is also worth a look with all the injuries currently to the LB unit. 

    Depending on your platform, Deablo could have safety and/or linebacker eligibility. If he has safety eligibility, he could be a sneaky start if those other LBs are forced to miss time.

    Defensive Line/Edge

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    Uchenna Nwosu, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers

    Week 13 Stats: 2 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

    It's been a relatively quiet year for Uchenna Nwosu, but he's a player who's been gaining some steam lately. Over his last three games, Nwosu has compiled three sacks, four quarterback hits, and forced two fumbles while recovering one. So one could say Nwosu has been creating some havoc behind the line as of late.

    Nwosu holds a 63% snap share on the year and a 71% average snap share over his last four games. His role on the defense is solid and he's coming off a game where he had a season-high seven pressures, per PFF. In leagues where he has Edge/DL eligibility, Nwosu is someone to consider if you need help off the waiver wire. 

    Chris Wormley, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

    Week 13 Stats: 5 tackles (3 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 QB hits

    Chris Wormley is another player who has been creating all kinds of havoc lately behind the line of scrimmage. In his last two outings, Wormley has amassed an impressive nine tackles (5 solos), three tackles for loss, and three and a half sacks. The third-year man out of Michigan has stepped up big time for the Pittsburgh defense at a crucial point in the season.

    Holding a 70% snap share on the season, Wormley sees a good amount of weekly volume along the Steeler defensive line.  His role is solid and Wormley is playing some good football as of late. In leagues where you start 3-4 DL, Wormley is worth a look off the waiver wire as a spot start or depth piece.

    Jarran Reed, DT, Kansas City Chiefs

    Week 13 Stats: 5 tackles (4 solos), 1 forced fumble

    Jarran Reed's first season in Kansas City has certainly been unspectacular to this point. That said, Reed has picked it up a bit recently producing 11 tackles (8 solos), two and a half sacks, and one forced fumble over his last three games. It's been a nice stretch for Reed after a disappointing year to date. In DT required formats, Reed is someone to consider as we hit our last week of byes. 

    Defensive Backs

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    Khari Willis, S, Indianapolis Colts

    Week 13 Stats: 5 solo tackles, 1 pass defended

    Khari Willis returned from his IR stint this week and was inserted right back into his starting role as expected. Willis played 45 defensive snaps (87%) in his first game back, with 31 of those snaps coming up in the box, slot, and DL, per PFF. No Colts defender played every snap this week as they pulled their starters late with the game out of reach.

    If Willis was dropped during his three-game absence, he's an excellent pick-up with the fantasy playoffs looming. He put up a solid outing in his return and was used a good bit up in the box as usual. Willis does have a Week 14 bye but makes for a great waiver wire pickup for the playoff run if available. 

    Ryan Neal, S, Seattle Seahawks

    Week 13 Stats: 5 tackles (1 solo)

    Seattle star safety Jamal Adams suffered an unfortunate shoulder injury in the first half on Sunday and was unable to return. It's been reported the injury is to the same shoulder that Adams had surgery on this off-season. Ryan Neal was the next man up after Adams left the game. 

    If Adams were to miss any time, Neal would hold down his safety spot next to Quandre Diggs. With a potentially big role increase coming, Neal is worth a waiver wire pickup as we see how this all shakes out.

    Elijah Riley, S, New York Jets,

    Week 13 Stats: 7 tackles (6 solos), 1 sack, 1 QB hit

    Elijah Riley made his third straight start for the Jets and produced his biggest IDP performance to date (see stats above). Riley played 63 defensive snaps (89%) this week, with 35 of those snaps coming up in the box, per PFF. The usage is definitely encouraging and Riley had a very solid Week 13 from an IDP standpoint. 

    Riley is really someone I'm only considering in the deepest of leagues where options are bleak. With injuries and four teams on bye this week, some managers could be in a pinch looking for DB help. In this case, Riley is someone to consider off the waiver wire.

    Carlton Davis, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    Week 13 Stats: 3 tackles (2 solos), 3 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery

    After missing the past seven games while on IR, Carlton Davis made his return this week. The Tampa Bay defensive back unit has been banged up all year, so Davis' return is a welcomed sight. Not wasting any time getting back to his every-down role, Davis played 70 defensive snaps (99%) in Week 13.

    Davis had a nice showing in his return producing three tackles (2 solos), three passes defended, and a fumble recovery. In cornerback required leagues, Davis is an excellent waiver wire addition. He also has appeal in formats where you start 3-4 DBs with his plus matchup against the Bills in Week 14.

    Conclusion

    The ugly injury bug continues to bite, but fortunately, this is the last week we have to deal with bye weeks. However, there are four teams on bye as New England, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, and Miami all have the week off. Hopefully, some of the players listed above can provide you with some options if you're in need. Good luck this week everyone and happy bidding!

    To get the low-down on everything IDP relevant from Week 13, make sure you check out Johny The Greek’s “The Monster”!


    Thanks for taking the time to read my article, I hope you enjoyed it and found it helpful. You can find my work here at idpguys.org and follow me on Twitter @KBellf54. I’m always available for any questions or feedback you may have and my DMs are always open.

    Kyle Bellefeuil

    Long time football and Packer fan. I've been playing redraft since 2001 and Dynasty/IDP since 2010. You can find my writing here at IDP Guys and remember, defense wins championships!!
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