Week 13 was yet another action packed week of football. Let’s take a look at some players who make for nice potential waiver wire additions for your IDP squads.
It's playoff time! After an absolutely crazy fantasy regular season, we are now entering the fantasy playoffs. It's still very important to keep up with the news/trends and continue to add potential value to your roster. We still have two games Monday night and a final game on Tuesday before this week concludes. This article was written before those games have been played so make sure to keep up with any actionable news after those games conclude. Without further ado, let's dive into some potential Week 14 IDP waiver wire 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
Todd Davis - LB - Minnesota Vikings
Week 13 stat line: 11 tackles (3 solos)
To many IDP manager’s surprise, Eric Kendricks was ruled out last minute for this week’s game. Kendricks hurt his calf in warmups and the news was reported just as the game kicked off. We never had a chance, ouch. With Kendricks out, it was Todd Davis manning the middle for the Vikings this week. Davis ended up playing every defensive snap and finished the day with 11 tackles (3 solos). Davis has been an IDP asset in the past while playing in Denver and even had back to back 100+ tackle seasons in 2018 and 2019. With the uncertainty on how severe Kendricks’ injury is, Davis is worth a waiver wire add, especially if you’re a Kendricks’ manager. Should Kendricks miss another week, Davis and Eric Wilson would be the full time linebackers for Minnesota again.
Tae Crowder - LB - New York Giants
Week 13 stat line: 7 tackles (6 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
After missing four games with a hamstring injury that placed him on IR, Crowder returned to action in Week 12 after New York’s bye. In Week 12, Crowder was eased back in and only played 13 defensive snaps. In Week 13, Crowder saw an increase in activity playing 39 defensive snaps (54%) and got the starting nod next to Blake Martinez. Crowder turned those snaps into a really nice IDP performance collecting seven tackles (6 solos), one tackle for loss, one sack, and one quarterback hit. Before getting injured during Week 6, Crowder started both Week 5 and Week 6 while playing 74% and 85% of the defensive snaps in those weeks respectively. Crowder is a fine dynasty stash if available as he’s shown promising flashes as a rookie. In redraft, Crowder is also worth an add as he looks to have locked down a starting role.
It’s also notable that Blake Martinez had to exit this week’s game with a back injury late in the fourth quarter. His status will be one to watch. If Martinez were to be unable to go Crowder could be extra busy this week.Â
David Long - LB - Tennessee Titans
Week 13 stat line: 6 tackles (3 solos)
I previously mentioned David Long in my Week 12 waiver wire article after the Jayon Brown injury. Will Compton received the first start with Brown out in Week 12, but seems to have lost that job to Long. Long got his first start of the season in Week 13 and played a season-high 74% of the defensive snaps. While he had a modest output this week, things are trending in the right direction for Long. Long is a nice depth add in deeper leagues with his new starting role.
Nick Vigil - LB - Los Angeles Chargers
Week 13 stat line: 9 tackles (3 solos), 1 tackle for loss
After playing 85% of the defensive snaps in Week 1 after Drue Tranquill went down, Vigil had been completely faded out of the picture in Los Angeles. In Week 12, Vigil ended up playing 66% of the snaps with Kyzir White out on the Covid list and Denzel Perryman exiting the game with a back injury. White and Perryman were both out this past week and Vigil was given his first start on the year. Vigil played 91% of the defensive snaps and turned in a solid day of nine tackles (3 solos) and one tackle for loss this week. If White and Perryman were to be out again, Vigil could be looking at getting another start. However, if one or both are able to go this week I would definitely avoid using Vigil.
Vigil, is more of a preemptive wait and see waiver add in deep roster leagues as we get more injury news. The Chargers' linebacker usage is one of biggest headaches for IDP players when everyone is healthy.
Defensive Line/Edge
Justin Houston - DE - Indianapolis Colts
Week 13 stat line: 4 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, 1 safety
Justin Houston absolutely blew up this week! After a quiet Week 12, Houston put up a monster game in Week 13 (see stat line above). It’s been an up and down year this year for Houston. He started off compiling three and half sacks through the first four games, but then hit a five game sack drought. Houston ended that drought in Week 11 and now has four sacks in his last three outings. Playing 60% of the Colts’ defensive snaps on the year, Houston has a steady role in the rotation. When rolling, Houston can be a very nice defensive line asset. In leagues where you start 3-4 defensive lineman, Houston is a solid addition with the hopes he stays hot.
Alex Highsmith - DE/Edge - Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 13 stat line: Yet To Play
The Pittsburgh defense suffered a huge loss after Bud Dupree tore his ACL in Week 12 and was placed on season-ending IR. Alex Highsmtih is a player who will be tasked to step up and pick up the slack with Dupree out. Highsmith was the Steelers third round pick in this year's draft and has shown promise when on the field this year. In his senior year at Charlotte, Highsmith amassed an impressive 15 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss. Getting after the quarterback is what he does and Highsmith is a good fit for the outside linebacker role in Pittsburgh. Highsmith is a great dynasty add if available as he will get a chance to show Pittsburgh what he’s got. In redraft leagues where Highsmith carries a DE/Edge designation he’s worth an add as well.
Dawuane Smoot - DE - Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 13 stat line: 4 tackles (3 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 QB hits
Smoot has provided a much needed spark to a Jaguars pass rushing unit missing it’s key contributor in Josh Allen. Starting the last two games, Smoot has compiled three sacks and four quarterback hits for Jacksonville’s defense. Smoot has played 55% of Jacksonville’s defensive snaps on the year and that is the number he’s hovered around the past two weeks (54% Week 12 and 65% Week 13). In deeper leagues where you need defensive line help, Smoot is worth a look with his strong play as of late.
Steven Means - DE - Atlanta Falcons
Week 13 stat line: 3 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, 1 forced fumble
Veteran defensive end Steven Means has been on a tear the past two weeks. In that two week stretch Means has collected nine tackles (5 solos), one tackle for loss, three sacks, three quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. Means has started the last five games for Atlanta and has firmly assertive himself into the defensive end rotation. Means is another player who can help aid your defensive line unit should you need it in deeper leagues.
Rashan Gary - DE/Edge - Green Bay Packers
Week 13 stat line: 4 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 QB hits
Gary has shown a big improvement in year two and his role has been growing as of late. Starting the last two games, Gary has become a key component to Green Bay’s pass rush. While he’s still playing a fewer snaps than Preston Smith, Gary has had a respectable snap share of 63% and 58% during his two starts. In Week 13, Gary had a very productive outing producing four tackles (2 solos), one tackle for loss, one and a half sacks, and two quarterback hits. In Week 14, Gary has a nice matchup against a Detroit offensive line that has surrendered 33 sacks on the year. With his plus matchup and growing role, Gary is a name to consider in deeper leagues where he carries a DE/Edge designation.
Shelby Harris - DE - Denver Broncos
Week 13 stat line: 2 solo tackles, 1 QB hit, 2 passes defended
Harris made his return in Week 13 after missing the past four games after being place on the Covid list. Returning to the starting lineup, Harris played 50% of the defensive snaps this week. Harris is a key piece to Denver's defensive line unit and made an impact right away in his first game back. Even though Harris was playing well before missing time, managers may of had to drop him to make room for other options. Check your waiver wire and see if Harris is available as he makes for a nice add this late in the year.
Defensive Backs
Josh Jones - S - Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 13 stat line: 10 tackles (7 solos)
After missing the past three games while on IR with a chest injury, Jones returned to the starting lineup in Week 13. Jones played every defensive snap this week and put up a nice day collecting 10 tackles (7 solos). Jones was a solid weekly start before his injury and it appears he’s returned to that form. If Jones was dropped in your league after his injury, he’s a fantastic addition. Picking up Jones is the type of move that can really bolster your IDP lineup heading into the playoffs.
Jeff Heath - S - Las Vegas Raiders
Week 13 stat line: 8 tackles (7 solos)
Heath has been racking up the tackles lately collecting 18 total tackles (10 solos), and one tackle for loss over his last two games. Taking over the starting safety job for Erik Harris in Week 12, Heath has played 94% and 81% of the snaps in Week 12 and Week 13 respectively. It’s also noteworthy that the Raiders were without Jonathan Abrams this week as he was nursing a knee injury. Abrams status is up in the air and one to keep tabs on for Week 14. If your in need of safety depth, Heath is a name to consider.
Eric Harris - S - Las Vegas Raiders
Week 13 stat line: 5 solo tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended
With Jonathan Abrams out in Week 13, Harris was the next man up for the Raiders. Harris played every defensive snap and turned in a decent outing amassing five solo tackles, one quarterback hit and one pass defended. As I mentioned earlier, Harris had lost his starting spot to fellow safety Jeff Heath. Having said that, Harris would again be in the starting lineup this week if Abrams isn't ready to go. If you are Abram's manager or are in need of safety depth in deeper leagues, Harris is a player to consider. Keep an eye on Abrams' injury status as the week progresses.
AJ Terrell - CB - Atlanta Falcons
Week 13 stat line: 9 tackles (8 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defended
Atlanta’s first-round rookie had himself a big day this week compiling nine total tackles (8 solos), one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and a pass defended. Terrell was busy this week and had one of his biggest defensive outputs of the year. I expect him to be busy again in Week 14 as the Falcons play the pass-happy Los Angeles Chargers. In cornerback required leagues, Terrell is a great addition if available on your waiver wire. Terrell could also be considered in deeper leagues with DB grouped formats if options are thin.
Cameron Dantzler - CB - Minnesota Vikings
Week 13 stat line: 4 tackles (3 solos), 1 interception, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Cameron Dantzler is another rookie cornerback that had an impactful outing this week. The third-round rookie was responsible for two turnovers as he had an interception and forced and recovered a fumble. Dantzler played every defensive snap for the Vikings this week and came up big for the defense. Next up for Minnesota is Tampa Bay and they aren’t shy about chucking the old pigskin around. This means Dantzler could once again be busy this Sunday. In cornerback required formats, Dantzler is fine waiver wire add if available.
Conclusion
Thanks for tuning in to this week's edition of the IDP waiver wire, you can check out all my previous IDP waiver wire articles here. It's been a wild ride this fantasy regular season. I don't expect things to change as we enter the fantasy playoffs. This year we need to expect the unexpected at any given time. That being said, it's important to continue to add depth and value to your roster. Especially, now has as we head into the postseason. With each game potentially being your last, it's crucial to have viable options/replacements available should the unexpected strike. With there being three games left to cap the week off, be sure to keep tabs on the action. Good luck everyone in your playoff matchups this week!
**Be sure to check out Morgan McLane’s offensive waiver wire article over a Dynasty Football Digest which you can view here.
