I hope everyone was successful in their respective playoff matchups last week (if you had one). The season is winding down and with only 3 games left, waiver wire pickups can be the difference between you going to the consolation bracket or to the 'ship.
My philosophy, at this point in the season, is to pickup and play defensive players based primarily on their matchups. There's no use in holding on to "big name" players any longer in hopes of them panning out. It's guys like Reed Doughty and James Anderson that are going to win you your match, not DeMeco Ryans or Osi Umenyiora.
Enough preaching, here are my IDP Waiver Wire recommendations for Week 15:
DL
"The Untouchables":
Jared Allen (91%)
Julius Peppers (67%)
Elvis Dumervil (67%)
Trent Cole (62%)
Justin Tuck (58%)
Mario Williams (54%)
Robert Mathis (51%)
Andre Carter (49%)
Osi Umenyiora (46%)
Dwight Freeney (42%)
Darnell Dockett (42%)
1. RDE Aaron Schobel - I've recommended Schobel a few times in my weekly waiver wire articles this year and for good reason. He plays in a division that has teams who get sacked a lot! This week the Bills play the New England Patriots, who are actually in the Top 5 for fantasy points given up to opposing defensive lineman. Schobel is definitely worth a look this week.
2. LDE John Abraham - I know, I know. Abraham sucks this year. I agree completely. I drafted him for God's sake! But, he has a matchup this week against the Jets which is just too good to pass up. The Jets give up the most fantasy points to opposing defensive lineman and Abraham has a little extra incentive to do well playing against his old team. And hell, he hasn't had a full sack since Week 5, he's due. Isn't he?
3. LDE Calais Campbell - Campbell came through for me last week with a sack and I'm hoping he can do the same this week against the Lions. I look for the Lions to get down early and be forced to pass a lot. This will present Campbell and company with plenty of sack opportunities.
3. LDE Calais Campbell - Campbell came through for me last week with a sack and I'm hoping he can do the same this week against the Lions. I look for the Lions to get down early and be forced to pass a lot. This will present Campbell and company with plenty of sack opportunities.
4. LDE Ray Edwards - Minnesota's defensive line has cooled off in recent weeks. But, I think they will get after QB Matt Moore, who will more than likely play again this week in replace of injured Jake Delhomme. I think Edwards could have 3-4 solo tackles and a sack.
5. DE/WLB Terrell Suggs - Suggs had missed the last 3 weeks with an injury but he returned last week against the Lions and had 4 solo tackles. Suggs is a great value because of the high tackling compatibility he brings from his hybrid DE/WLB spot. Chicago gets sacked a decent amount as well. Sounds like a good combination to me.
*The IDP Guru's Lock of the Week*DE/WLB David Bowens - Bowens, similar to Suggs, plays the hybrid DE/WLB position. This is a great value in fantasy terms because it allows for a good amount of tackles as well as sacks. Bowens has the Chiefs this week and should be good for a nice game. Look for a similar stat line to last week (4-1-1), if not a little more.
LB
"The Untouchables":
Patrick Willis (98%)
James Harrison (95%)
Ray Lewis (83%)
Jon Beason (79%)
London Fletcher (73%)
Barrett Rudd (72%)
D.J. Williams (71%)
Brian Cushing (70%)
Demarcus Ware (68%)
Curtis Lofton (64%)
Kirk Morrison (63%)
David Harris (63%)
DeMeco Ryans (56%)
Karlos Dansby (56%)
1. WLB James Anderson - If you're in need of a one-week filler, Anderson may be your guy. He's been thrown into the WLB position because of the season-ending injury to Thomas Davis a few weeks ago. To a certain extent, it's Carolina's Cover 2 defensive scheme that makes the WLB position valuable, not the actual player. With this being said, Anderson has the Vikings this week who are a fantasy linebackers dream come true. He should be able to produce at least 7-9 total tackles this week.
2. WLB Michael Boley - Boley really impressed me last week by going 10-1-0 against the Eagles, who are one of the stingiest teams in the NFL when it comes to giving up fantasy points to opposing linebackers. He's got a great matchup against the 'Skins this week. Look for Boley to have a very solid game.
3. RILB Jerod Mayo - Mayo is usually good for 6-8 total tackles every week (and not much more). He has a pretty good matchup in Buffalo this week. So, if you need a decent week with little risk, Mayo is probably your guy.
4. LOLB LaMarr Woodley - I recommended Woodley last week and he came up big with 6 solo tackles and a sack. He has a superb matchup against the Packers this week, so expect a similar stat line.
5. MLB Nick Barnett - Barnett, similar to Mayo, is usually good for 6-8 total tackles in any given game. He's got a good matchup against the Steelers this week. I see Barnett racking up between 7-10 total tackles.
*The IDP Guru's Lock of the Week*
5. MLB Nick Barnett - Barnett, similar to Mayo, is usually good for 6-8 total tackles in any given game. He's got a good matchup against the Steelers this week. I see Barnett racking up between 7-10 total tackles.
*The IDP Guru's Lock of the Week*WLB Keith Bulluck - I actually like both WLB Keith Bullock and MLB Stephen Tulloch this week against Miami. I chose Bullock as my lock of the week over Tulloch because he stays in for nickel packages whereas Tulloch does not. Therefore, if Miami starts throwing, Bullock will obviously have more tackle opportunities than any other linebacker. Look for Bullock to have 9-11 total tackles this week.
DB
"The Untouchables":
Charles Woodson (69%)
Darren Sharper (60%)
Antrel Rolle (59%)
Brandon Meriweather (53%)
Roman Harper (52%)
Eric Weddle (51%)
Brian Dawkins (51%)
Daniel Manning (51%)
Troy Polamalu (51%)
Erik Coleman (50%)
Gibril Wilson (49%)
Charles Tillman (48%)
Yeremiah Bell (46%)
Ed Reed (46%)
Antoine Bethea (45%)
1. SS Reed Doughty - Doughty has been one of the more consistent tackling strong safeties in the league. He has a great matchup this week against the New York "Football" Giants. Get him in your lineup!
2. SS George Wilson - Wilson has quietly put up solid numbers this year from his SS spot in Buffalo. Since taking over the injured Bryan Scott in Week 3, he has amassed 84 total tackles, 4 INT's, and 2 sacks. He has the pass-heavy New England Patriots this week. Wilson should be in for a good game.
3. SS Erik Coleman - Coleman has cooled off the last three weeks after a hot start to the season. I think he will bounce back this week against the Jets who will look to run the ball a lot. What else are the Jets going to do except hand the ball to Thomas Jones? Let Mark Sanchez (or possibly Kellen Clemens) throw? I think not.
4. WLB Bryan Scott - This guy is an absolute stud (mainly because he actually plays WLB but qualifies at SS) and he is available in a majority of leagues. Pick him up and enjoy!
5. LCB William James - James is coming off a nine tackle week against the Ravens last week and this week he has the best matchup an opposing fantasy CB can have: The Arizona Cardinals. He should be good for 7-9 solo tackles.
*The IDP Guru's Lock of the Week*SS Tyvon Branch - I've been a big fan of Branch all year. I picked him up in Week 4 in one of my leagues and, since then, he has proven to be an elite IDP player. He plays on a bad team whose defense is on the field a lot and the SS position in Oakland has proven to be a very lucrative fantasy position (e.g. Gibril Wilson). He has a fantastic matchup this week in the Denver Broncos and consequently I could see him with 10-12 total tackles this week. I would make sure and get Branch in your lineup. He could be very valuable in helping your team win your playoff game!
I hope you found this article to be helpful!
Please feel free to leave comments, questions, suggestions, or derogatory remarks!
Also, every Wednesday, I write an "IDP Starts and Sits" article for Top Fantasy Football. Make sure to stop over and check it out for more IDP advice!
Thanks!
