Welcome to the IDP Waiver Wire article. Each of the three main positions will be broken down by league size. For shallow leagues, visit the Higher-owned Options. For 6-9 IDPs, check out the Top Targets, and for deeper leagues, check out the Going Deeper section. In general, we’re focusing on players who are less than 50% rostered in Yahoo! leagues.
Defensive Linemen
Higher-owned Options
These IDPs have steady, productive roles with high floors. Others may have better weeks but at the end of the season, these are most likely to help you most.
Chase Young (Was, 23%) — Young had a great game last week, posting 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 PD, and a FF/FR. The rookie sensation now gets to face a Philly team that leads the league in sacks allowed (48), including getting manhandled by Randy Gregory last week.
Top Targets
In leagues with 2-3 IDPs per position, these could be league-winners. We’re going decent floor, but mostly upside here.
Sam Hubbard (Cin, 7%) — Hubbard bounced back last week, with 4 tackles, 1 sack, and a forced fumble. He’ll close out his season with the DL-friendly Ravens. Baltimore gives up 14.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks per game to D-lines.
Arik Armstead (SF, 6%) — Armstead has been on fire lately. The former first-rounder posted 5 tackles (3 solo) and 2 TFL last week, and now has 13 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 TFL in his last two games. His snaps have picked up over the last three weeks, so this is likely not a fluke. This week, he faces a Seattle team that he posted 5 tackles on back in Week 8.
Going Deeper
In leagues with 11-14 total IDPs, these are high-upside options who could come out of nowhere to be at least a solid 2nd/3rd starter, and at best give you a 1A option.
Vinny Curry (Phi, 0%) — With Philly’s D-line banged up, the veteran pass-rusher is getting more work. Last week, Curry posted 2 solos, 1 sack, and 1 TFL. This week, he gets the best matchup for DLs, as Dallas has allowed the most FPG to DLs.
Linebackers
Higher-owned Options
These IDPs have steady, productive roles with high floors. Others may have better weeks but at the end of the season, these are most likely to help you most.
Fred Warner (SF, 45%) — Warner had a slow stretch lately, and although he’s one of the best in the game, that’s proven tough to stomach in shallow leagues. But Week 16 showed us why we need to ride these elite LBs who play every snap. Warner recorded 14 tackles, 3 PD, and a FF/FR combo. This week, he sees a Seattle team that is running more now and producing 20 tackles to LBs.
Top Targets
In leagues with 2-3 IDPs per position, these could be league-winners. We’re going decent floor, but mostly upside here.
Avery Williamson (Pit, 5%) — Williamson passed an important test last week. With Vince Williams back from the COVID/Reserve list, Williamson played every snap and remained a double-digit tackle option. The former Jet posted 14 tackles (9 solo), 2 TFL, and a sack. In his four starts, Williamson has two double-digit tackle games and no fewer than 7 tackles. He finishes the season with the run-heavy Browns, a team that produces 22 tackles per game to LBs.
Cole Holcomb (Was, 2%) — Holcomb returned to the lineup after his concussion and went right back to posting LB2+ numbers. Holcomb had 11 tackles (6 solo) and a sack. His Week 17 matchup is a good one, as the Eagles give up the 8th-most FPG to LBs.
Going Deeper
In leagues with 11-14 total IDPs, these are high-upside options who could come out of nowhere to be at least a solid 2nd/3rd starter, and at best give you a 1A option.
Bryce Hager (NYJ, 0%) — It was indeed Hager who played next to Neville Hewitt for the Jets, and Hager recorded 10 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL, and 1 PD on 90% usage. If Hager plays again this week, he could post similar production.
Tae Crowder (NYG, 0%) — Crowder recorded another 8 tackles (5 solo) in Week 16, and has 14 tackles over his last two games. Crowder has seen a lot more playing time lately next to Blake Martinez, and is producing solid LB4 numbers, but is un-rostered.
Defensive Backs
Higher-owned Options
These IDPs have steady, productive roles with high floors. Others may have better weeks but at the end of the season, these are most likely to help you most.
NOTE: Again, this week all our best options are reasonably owned. Even in shallow leagues, start with Top Targets for Week 17.
Top Targets
In leagues with 2-3 IDPs per position, these could be league-winners. We’re going decent floor, but mostly upside here.
Kamren Curl (Was, 9%) — Curl AGAIN produced a stud-like outing, posting 9 tackles (6 solo) a PD, and an INT. Curl is a must-start, particularly this week against the flailing Eagles.
Khari Willis (Ind, 6%) — Willis continues to ball out, this time with 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, and 1 PD. He’s a little dinged up, so watch the practice reports, but assuming health, Willis is in line to feast off a Jags team staring at pictures of Trevor Lawrence.
Vonn Bell (Cin, 11%) — Part of Cincy’s turnaround rests on Bell’s shoulders. He’s currently playing out of his mind, and IDPers are reaping the benefits. Bell added another forced fumble last week (he’s got 3 in his last five games), and has 15 tackles over his last two games. Bell faces Baltimore this week, a team that runs a lot, and Bell should be on Lamar-Watch all game. He’s got a high floor.
Going Deeper
In leagues with 11-14 total IDPs, these are high-upside options who could come out of nowhere to be at least a solid 2nd/3rd starter, and at best give you a 1A option.
Jahleel Addae (LAC, 0%) — Addae saw his snaps skyrocket as Rayshawn Jenkins suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 16. There’s a high probability that Jenkins will miss Week 17 and Addae will start at SS. Addae had 9 tackles (4 solo), a sack, and a PD last week.
Lonnie Johnson, Jr. (Hou, 0%) — Johnson had another 11 tackles last week, but no one noticed in IDP-land. He’s still un-rostered and his role without Bradley Roby or Justin Reid is fruitful. Johnson has at least 8 tackles in three of his last four games, and at least 6 tackles in five straight games.
