2011 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 12

ByRyan Sitzmann Posted on Updated on

Hello and welcome back to the IDPGuru.com’s most popular in-season article, IDP Waiver Wire Pickups which will be releasing every Tuesday of the regular season.

Before we get to the waiver wire writeups for this week however, let’s take a brief moment to cover off on some important IDP notes from week 11:

Charles Johnson continues to have his snap counts limited by the Panthers sporadic use of the 3-4. Before the installment of this subpackage, Johnson’s numbers were consistent but not outstanding. I wouldn’t trust him as anything more than a mid to low-end DL2 moving forward. Also, the x-rays on his shoulder came back negative and he should be good to play next week.

Speaking of the Panthers front seven, Thomas Keiser (who?) had 2 sacks while primarily playing during the team’s 3-4 wrinkle package. I wouldn’t expect this trend to continue and would leave Keiser on the wire until we see another solid outing.

Julius Peppers and Justin Smith both put up big fat zeroes in week 11. There’s really nothing to worry about here as defensive linemen tend to produce sporadically from week to week (Peppers especially).

2nd year linebacker Rolando McClain continues to disappoint owners with his measly tackle numbers. He’s safe to drop in all but the deepest of redraft fantasy leagues.

Mike Shanahan pulled a fast one on fantasy owners last week by starting Dejon Gomes over Reed Doughty in place of LaRon Landry. This is just another example of how we must pay extra attention to the Redskins lineup changes as their coaching staff doesn’t always make the most obvious decisions.

The Browns officially benched LDE Jayme Mitchell in favor of Emmanuel Stephens. Mitchell started off the season as a viable fantasy option, but quickly faded. I wouldn’t pay too much attention to either Mitchell or Stephens moving forward for fantasy purposes.

George Wilson, LaRon Landry, Ray Lewis, Dan Connor, Erin Henderson, Tanard Jackson, Patrick Chung, and Michael Boley were just some of the inactives this past Sunday. It’s that time of the season where the nagging, one week injuries are starting to pile up and make it difficult on IDP owners with limited bench space.

With last week’s notes out of the way, let’s move on to the Guru’s waiver wire selections for this week.

Defensive Linemen
NT Phil Taylor (CLE) – Taylor is quickly emerging as the Browns new, slightly less fat version of Shaun Rogers. He’s a lineman you love to own in tackle-heavy, DT-required leagues as he puts up consistent tackle numbers and chips in a sack every couple of weeks. Feel free to roster him as a DL3/DT1.

LDE Robert Quinn (STL) – Playing in the AFC West has serious advantages for a defensive lineman such as Quinn as he gets to play the Seahawks, Cardinals, and 49ers all twice. That’s 6 games against teams who give up a ton of sacks on a weekly basis. This week Quinn has a divisional matchup against the Cardinals. He’s really emerging as a solid run defender and has had a sack in 3 of his last 4 games. He’s a solid low-end DL3 start this week and remains a great dynasty pickup.

RDE Chris Clemons (SEA) – Clemons produces in a similar fashion as Dwight Freeney did in his prime. He dishes out a handful of 0-3 point games, but he also gives owners a few huge multiple sack games throughout the season to help make up for it. Clemons is a player you have to ride out over the course of an entire season as he will finish as a top 25 DL in most scoring systems by year’s end. He’s got a good matchup this week against the Redskins and is worth a start as a DL2+ coming off a 3 sack game against the Rams.

RDE Elvis Dumervil (DEN) – Dumervil had been left for dead on many a waiver wire as he failed to register a sack until week 9. However, since then he’s posted 3.5 sacks and looks to be fully healthy. This specific fantasy position is very thin and it’s rare to find a player of Dumervil’s upside still sitting on the wire. For this fact alone, he’s worth a pickup as your DL3.

Linebackers
MLB Colin McCarthy (TEN) – Incumbent starter Barrett Ruud re-injured his hamstring last week and McCarthy impressed with 10 solo tackles while filling in. Even if healthy, Ruud may not regain his starting position back due to the very strong play of McCarthy over the last two games. He’s a must add in dynasty leagues. In redraft leagues, monitor this situation closely throughout the week and be ready to pounce on him if he is indeed the starter.

SILB Perry Riley (WAS) – Riley had another impressive game against the Cowboys last week and seems to be firmly cemented into the SILB position next to veteran London Fletcher. The Redskins defense is on the field a lot each and every week and Riley should continue to see above average tackle opportunity. He should continue to put up solid LB3 numbers for the rest of the season.

WILB Jameel McClain (BAL) – Ray Lewis missed the Ravens game against the Bengals last week due to a nagging toe injury. McClain reaped the benefits with 8 solo tackles and an assist. Lewis is 50/50 to play this Thursday. If he doesn’t, McClain becomes a good high upside LB3 against the 49ers on Thanksgiving.

SILB Paris Lenon (ARI) – Lenon has been up and down this season with Daryl Washington taking over the main tackle role in Arizona. Unfortunately, Washington has been snapped up in the majority of leagues whereas Lenon is available in most of these leagues. The good news is that Lenon has produced in good matchups this season. He plays the Rams this week and posted a 7-1 stat line the last time the two teams played in week 9. Expect similar production this week.

MLB Jerod Mayo (NE) – What a difference a week makes. Mayo looked sluggish and slow two weeks ago against the Jets. However, his play seemed to improve in week 11 as he was quicker to the ball and better in pursuit. He’s got a top 5 matchup against the Eagles this coming week and is worth a shot as a LB3 with nice upside.


Defensive Backs
SS Da’Norris Searcy (BUF) – There’s no doubt that George Wilson has been an absolute fantasy beast this season. However, looking back historically you have to believe that this production is more so a result of the position moreso than the player (e.g. Donte Whitner, Bryan Scott, etc.). Searcy came right in and produced like a DB1 last week with 11 total tackles (9 solos) while filling in for the injured Wilson. It’s yet to be determined if Wilson will be able to play this week, however if he can’t go, Searcy should be your top waiver wire priority at this position.

LCB Prince Amukamara (NYG) – In his first game as a pro, Amukamara posted a respectable 5 solo tackles and an interception. It’s easy to see that this kid is a playmaker who will have opportunities to make big plays down the stretch as teams will try to test his inexperience. This should lead to 5-6 solos per game and a decent chance for an interception. He’s worth a look as a low-end CB2/DB4 and is worth a roster spot in deep dynasty leagues.

SS Dejon Gomes (WAS) – As mentioned above in the notes section, Mike Shanahan pulled the wool over fantasy owners’ eyes last week by starting Gomes rather than Doughty. Similar to the Buffalo SS position, the Redskins SS position has been a very good spot for steady fantasy production. If LaRon Landry misses another game due to his Achilles injury, Gomes is a nice DB2-/DB3+ option.

LCB Tramon Williams (GB) – Williams started off the season slow due to injury, however he’s really come on as of late with 4 interceptions, 15 total tackles, and 5 pass deflections in his last 3 games. He faces Matthew Stafford this week who has thrown 6 INTs over his last 2 games. Williams is a nice low-end CB1 option in big play leagues moving forward.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at theidpguru@idpguru.com or follow me on Twitter. Also, feel free to post any questions or comments for me in the comments section of this post.

Last Updated: November 21, 2011