RADIO
As we’ve discussed in the past, this IDP Waiver column is intended to help everyone who enjoys the IDP format. That means we offer additions for those in standard IDP formats and those who play in deeper fare. We also strive not to repeat ourselves too much and to give you a variety of options each week, which is why we only occasionally harass you with repeated recommendations like Jeremy Chinn or Kyle Dugger. Sometimes striving for the informational balance we seek to offer can leave some pretty obvious advice out of this column though, and sometimes that obvious advice needs to be said.
For example, this week there are a disturbing number of elite fantasy defenders available in at least 25% of IDP formats. Consider that Myles Garrett is rostered in just 49% of IDP leagues across ESPN and Yahoo or that Derwin James Jr. is available in 28% of such leagues. These are two of the best players at their respective fantasy positions right now, and they are un-rostered in a ridiculous amount of leagues. While it is true that these percentages likely include leagues that aren’t competitive or have given up, the pre-season profile of these players suggests that they were actually drafted in most leagues and thus they would likely still be rostered in your typical abandoned league. So there must be some truly active leagues where these players aren’t rostered, and that’s inexcusable. Remember that one benefit of the IDP format is supposed to be that IDP leagues are custom-built, and they typically attract serious players. So you have to go out of your way to join such a league and then leave elite defenders floundering on waivers.
Mind you, none of this is intended to be a lecture or a derisive rant about how awful some IDP managers are; that's just a nice side effect. Rather, what we are trying to say is it’s worth checking your waivers to see if someone dropped a superstar. These confusing things can happen in competitive leagues, including one of my own. In fact in my long-standing home league, one team was forced to drop T.J. Watt in order to survive his Week 11 matchup. That team was loaded with injuries to players like Alvin Kamara and Derrick Henry already, and he had no room to stash the injured Watt, so he dropped him. Such a drop shouldn't happen, but it does, and you can take advantage of it. So be diligent and keep an eye out for boneheaded moves you can dig your teeth into like a cat trying to eat a frozen fish stick…. And with that, let’s get on with our Weekly IDP Waiver Priorities. Remember that defenders only qualify if their roster percentage falls below 20% in IDP leagues.
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Jeffery Simmons, DL, Tennessee Titans
Rostered in 13.3% of IDP leagues
Simmons' roster rate dropped during his bye week, just as we predicted it would. It's an understandable decline as many play in 1DL leagues and couldn't afford to stash this DL2 on their bench. That said, a lot of you play in leagues where this Mississippi State product can help A LOT. He is our priority add of the week… again.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 3%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 9%
Khari Willis, DB, Indianapolis Colts
Rostered in 12.1% of IDP leagues
Willis was dropped in approximately 21% of IDP leagues over the past three weeks due to injury. The Colts' safety is back healthy now and should return to being a DB2 or better once he's out of his bye week. Odds are Willis is available in your league, and odds are just as good that no one will bid on him because he has a bye in Week 14. If you can afford to stash him on your bench, you could be getting a viable playoff starter for free.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 7%
Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB, Houston Texans
Rostered in 10.1% of IDP leagues
Something concerning is happening with Zach Cunningham, as the Texans demoted him earlier in the season and now they suspended him for the team's contest with the Colts. Grugier-Hill has emerged as a constant source of fantasy points through all of that turmoil. He put up elite production (including 20 total tackles) as Houston’s lead ‘backer against the Colts, and this week he plays a Seahawks offense that allowed Aziz Al-Shaair to produce similarly great statistics last week. Grugier-Hill should be rostered in far more IDP leagues.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 4%
Carlton Davis, DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rostered in 8.0% of IDP leagues
Davis has been dropped in a whopping 28% of IDP leagues since going down in Week 4, but now the shadow corner is back, and he has two possible shadow opportunities in his next three games. When healthy Davis has been one of the best fantasy CBs in the game over the past three years, and few fantasy managers seem to notice he is back right now. He's a PD monster that could provide DB2 stats in upcoming matchups against the Bills and Panthers, and he may not cost you much.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 5%
Quincy Williams, LB, New York Jets
Rostered in 3.9% of IDP leagues
With three double-digit tackle games, three forced turnovers, and two sacks on the season, it is a bit surprising to see how low Quincy's roster rate is. Of course, that low number is partially due to the lack of playing time he saw between Weeks 7-10. Such inconsistent usage has led some fantasy managers to doubt the linebacker’s consistency.
After another great week this past Sunday, our concerns about Quincy’s reliability are fading quickly. In his past three games, the older Williams brother has seen an average of 57 snaps, and he's produced 35 tackles as a result. It also helps that Jets beat reporters are indicating the team sees Pro Bowl potential in both of the Williams brothers, suggesting he should continue playing. If that’s the case, Quincy should be considered an LB2 candidate moving forward.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 2%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 4%
Germaine Pratt, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Rostered in 2.4% of IDP leagues
You may recall us discussing Pratt last year, in the context of wondering why he was playing more than Logan Wilson. This year Mr. Wilson has shown why we were so frustrated with his lack of playing time, but he also suffered a dislocated shoulder during the Bengals' contest with the Chargers.
While it's too early to predict how serious Wilson's injury is, Pratt stands to see an increase in snaps if Wilson misses any time. Starting at the center of the Bengals' defense can lead to significant fantasy stats, especially against the run-heavy 49ers offense they face this week.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 0%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 1%
Jaelen Phillips, DL/LB, Miami Dolphins
Rostered in 2.2% of IDP leagues
Phillips has five sacks over his past two games, and he's collected at least a half-sack in each of his past five contests. He has two terrific matchups in his final three games as well, facing pass-blocking units for the Jets and Titans that both rank in the bottom ten in terms of Sack Rate.
Phillips should also come free to many of you, as his Week 14 bye could scare off most playoff-bound investors. He is one of the best bench stashes readily available on waivers at this stage of the season though. Invest in him if you want a high-upside option at DL2 during your playoffs.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 0%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 3%
Jimmie Ward, DB, San Francisco 49ers
Rostered in 1.8% of IDP leagues
Ward is being asked to do a lot for the 49ers with the team’s two starting corners either out completely (Jason Verrett) or intermittently (Emmanuel Moseley). As a result, Ward is playing 100% of the team's snaps every game and is involved in many ways. That could prove particularly useful in Week 14, as San Francisco takes on Cincinnati and a quarterback (Joe Burrow) with a dislocated finger on his throwing hand. Ward is worth a flier in deeper leagues this week, as he will assuredly be helping in coverage of the Bengals' two star receivers.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 0%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 3%
Rashan Gary, DL, Green Bay Packers
Rostered in 2.1% of IDP leagues
Gary has five sacks and ten quarterback hits in his past five games. He also has the acrid Bears offensive line on tap this week. That's more than enough reason to add him as a streamer this week.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 1%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 3%
Davon Godchaux, DL, New England Patriots
Rostered in 1.3% of IDP leagues
A tackle-dependent interior defender, Godchaux has put up solid performances in each of his past three games. You also have to like his matchup with the Colts next week, where Jonathan Taylor could provide the Patriots’ interior with 30+ tackle opportunities in what looks to be a run-heavy affair. Consider Godchaux in very deep IDP leagues and as a DL4 streamer.
FAAB in Standard IDP Leagues: 0%
FAAB in Deep IDP Leagues: 1%
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