This is it, as in many fantasy leagues, playoffs begin with the Week 14 NFL contests (not so in strict point-accumulation leagues). It is therefore incumbent to fill your IDP rosters with defensive players that are poised to provide value, and to cut loose those who are dragging your efforts down. That being said, a week or two of bad production from your studs, whether due to matchup, scheme or minor injury, does not behoove you to make rash decisions. Think rationally and with an eye to future performance, that is all.
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Joe Schobert JAX
If the Jaguar LB is available on your league’s wire, and that surprisingly is the case in more than 50% of ESPN and half of Yahoo leagues currently, this would be a fine time to scoop him up. He recently had 12 total tackles (TT) against the Vikings on the road, as well as sack, two pass deflections (PD), and INT and two QB hits/hurries (QH). Five of the tackles were solos, and one was for a loss of yards (TFL). He also scored a TD against host Minnesota, but do not rely on that happening on a regular basis. With fine matchups against Tennessee and Baltimore on tap, this is the time to add him.
Tae Crowder NYG
The rookie is back from his hamstring injury, and is picking up speed once again. In Week 13, he accumulated seven TT (six solo) to go with a sack and a QH. Assuming his workload returns to starter level, with Blake Martinez potentially sidelined with a back issue, he is a fine addition to your playoff roster.
Kenneth Murray LAC
14 TT in Week 13 (12 solo, two TFL) would be enough to recommend his placement on your roster, but he also kicked in with big play value, adding a sack and a QH against the visiting Patriots. He was a lone bright spot for the Chargers in their drubbing by the Pats, and while his matchups for the next two weeks are not stellar, he is playing that way.
Todd Davis MIN
When Eric Kendricks came up with a calf pregame against the Jaguars, Davis stepped in and played every down on defense, racking up 11 TT (only three solo, however). Kendricks is still listed as questionable, making Davis a consideration in tackle-oriented scoring-system leagues. Keep an eye on the Minnesota injury report.
Avery Williamson PIT
Williamson was featured in the IDP Report twice before (Weeks 5 & 6) but that was when he was with the Jets. This is the first mention since joining the Steelers, but he has an opening with the injury to Robert Spillane and he is stepping forward. He collected nine TT against Washington (six solo) and should provide value although the next game at Buffalo is not nearly as tasty a matchup. Cincy on the schedule in Week 15 is a nice opportunity, though.
Defensive Linemen
Justin Houston DE IND
A huge game against the Texans with a trio of sacks demonstrates that his down time mid-season is done, it is hoped. He also had three QH, a forced fumble (FF) and four solo tackles (two TFL) in Houston during the Week 13 tilt. He gets a so-so matchup against the Raiders this week, but then the Texans come to Indy for Week 15.
Jabaal Sheard DE NYG
If you are looking for some tackle production from your lower level DLs, the Sheard has some luster. The 31 year-old veteran has seven TT over the past two contests (five solo) and is listed as the starting left OLB for the Giants currently, making his PT somewhat more secure (plus, always nice to get DE roster availability from a LB). He also has 1.5 sacks over the past two weeks, and has a reasonable matchup in Week 14 against the Cards at home.
Leonard Williams DE NYG
Sheard’s teammate, Williams, collected 2.5 sacks against the Seahawks last week, to pad his other stats: three TT (two solo, two TFL), and five (!) QH. He was a multi-scheme performer and has been a great sack producer, with 8.5 on the season.
Steven Means DE ATL
Means has truly upped his game over the past two weeks, with three sacks over that period (two against the Saints last week), and 13 TT (nine solo) since the Week 10 bye. Week 14 finds the Chargers hosting the Falcons, and they are ranked fourth in terms of most generous offenses to opposing DEs.
Alex Highsmith PIT (DE only in ESPN leagues, dual LB/DE in Yahoo)
The above-noted dual eligibility in Yahoo leagues makes him a value, as getting linebacker production (potentially) from a DL is sauce for the goose. Highsmith’s ability to put pressure on the passer should see some sack or QH results going forward, as he has a path to increased PT with Bud Dupree out for the season with his ACL injury. The rookie now gets a chance to show his worth as a third-round pick.
Adam Butler DT NE
The Patriots are giving Butler increased snap usage, and he is responding. He has notched a sack and PD in each of the last two games played, and also has eight TT over that span (five solo). He is providing big-play and tackle production from the DT slot for those in DT-mandatory league setups.
David Onyemeta DT NO
There was concern about Onyemata’s workload diminishing when Sheldon Rankin returned, but then his fortunes remained stable when Malcolm Brown went out after four snaps on defense. Onyemata then proceeded to collect four TT (two solo, one TFL) but also a sack and a QH. Note that Brown and Rankin are both absent from the injury report so far in Week 14, so despite his fine work at DT, his PT may diminish.
Defensive Backs
Josh Jones S JAX
Jones was put back into action in a big-time fashion, playing all 91 snaps on defense against the host Vikings, and amassing double digit tackles (seven solo, three assists). He is strictly a tackle-oriented IDP player, but is good to great week in, week out in the that role.
Jeff Heath S LVR
Heath has benefitted from an increase in PT which may continue with Jonathan Abram still listed as questionable heading into mid-week prior to the Week 14 matchup against the Colts, a superb matchup. He is coming off a couple of weeks where his tackle production has been stellar, with 18 TT (16 solo) against the Falcons and Jets on the road for both those contests.
Chris Banjo S ARI
Banjo could be in for a starter’s snap count again with Jalen Thompson questionable to play, and that should result in good to excellent tackle production against the host Giants. He had 10 TT in Week 13 (nine solo), and similar results could be in store this week.
Troy Hill CB LAR
Hill picked off an INT this past week, his first on the season since Week 2 against the Eagles, but he does have seven PDs on the year, and has racked up 21 TT (18 solo) since the Week 9 bye, including four solo against the Cards in Week 13. He has a good couple of pending matchups against the Patriots and Jets, making him a potential injury replacement for CB-mandatory schemes. He also has scored TDs in back-to-back weeks.
A.J. Terrell CB ATL
The Falcons stole this rookie with the 16th pick of the draft, as he continues to shine on defense. He had nine TT (eight solo, one TFL) against the Saints last game, and also tacked on a PD and FF for the big-play production you want from your CB. Week 14 provides a good matchup against the host Chargers, and then a so-so contest at home against Tom Brady and the Bucs.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
None to speak of, save for those on the Injury Report below.
Defensive Linemen
Nothing here, except the DLs populating the Injury Report this week.
Defensive Backs
Karl Joseph S CLE
While the starting strong safety for the Browns, his production has been less that overwhelming. He plays significant snaps on defense, but is not providing great tackle production and only an occasional big play. He is in a time-share at safety in the Cleveland defensive scheme, and there are better options available to insert into your lineup.
Matchups to Exploit
Remember, the first team listed is the one to use your IDPs against. Do not go crazy, and play a LB5 against the 49ers or Washington, but certainly you will do well if you own a top LB on the Cincinnati Bengals squad, a stellar DE on the Saints, or a Dallas corner that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Washington @ San Francisco
New Orleans @ Philadelphia
Dallas @ Cincinnati
Jacksonville vs Tennessee
San Francisco vs Washington
Defensive Ends
Philadelphia vs New Orleans
Atlanta @ Los Angeles Chargers
Seattle vs New York Jets
Los Angeles Chargers vs Atlanta
Cincinnati vs Dallas
New York Giants vs Arizona
Defensive Tackles
Dallas @ Cincinnati
Los Angeles Chargers vs Atlanta
Las Vegas vs Indianapolis
Chicago vs Houston
Cincinnati vs Dallas
Safeties
Denver @ Carolina
San Francisco vs Washington
Atlanta @ New York Giants
Chicago vs Houston
Indianapolis @ Las Vegas
Cornerbacks
Cincinnati vs Dallas
Chicago vs Houston
Dallas @ Cincinnati
Buffalo vs Pittsburgh
Philadelphia vs New Orleans
Waiver Wire Targets
This section is intended to serve as a shortened cheat sheet listing those waiver wire targets you should be considering if you need to plug a hole in your starting lineup. All these players are spotlighted above, and you can read my comments about them in the "Elevator Going Up" section of this article. This group consists of those that you may have a chance of locating on your league's waiver wire in that they are owned in significantly less than 50% of leagues. Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.
Linebackers
Joe Schobert JAX
Tae Crowder NYG
Kenneth Murray LAC
Todd Davis MIN
Avery Williamson PIT
Defensive Linemen
Justin Houston DE IND
Jabaal Sheard DE NYG
Leonard Williams DE NYG
Steven Means DE ATL
Alex Highsmith PIT (DE in ESPN, LB/DE for Yahoo)
Adam Butler DT NE
David Onyemeta DT NO
Defensive Backs
Josh Jones S JAX
Jeff Heath S LVR
Chris Banjo S ARI
Troy Hill CB LAR
A.J. Terrell CB ATL
Ouch (My Aching Roster)
All the injury reports below need evaluation prior to kickoff. Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. Consider the list below as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.
Linebackers
De’Vondre Campbell ARI ankle
Otaro Alaka BAL knee IR
Tyrel Dodson BUF hamstring IR
Shaq Green-Thompson CAR undisclosed IR-COVID
James Vaughters CHI knee
Mack Wilson CLE concussion
Derrek Tuszka DEN hamstring IR
Von Miller DEN ankle IR
Dylan Cole HOU back IR
Brennan Scarlett HOU forearm IR
Bobby Okereke IND ankle
Kamalei Correa JAX hamstring
Dakota Allen JAX ankle
Dorian O’Daniel KC ankle IR
Tanner Muse LVR toe IR-COVID
Denzel Perryman LAC back
Drue Tranquill LAC ankle IR
Kyzir White LAC undisclosed IR-COVID
Terrell Lewis LAR knee
Elandon Roberts MIA chest
Eric Kendricks MIN calf
Ja’Whaun Bentley NE groin
Brandon King NE quadriceps
Shilique Calhoun NE knee IR
Blake Martinez NYG back
Oshane Ximines NYG shoulder IR
Kyler Fackrell NYG lower leg IR
Blake Cashman NYJ hamstring IR
Davion Taylor PHI knee IR
T.J. Edwards PHI hamstring
Nate Gerry PHI ankle IR
Robert Spillane PIT knee
Ulysees Gilbert PIT back IR
Bud Dupree PIT knee-ACL IR
Mark Nzeocha SF quadriceps IR
Jadeveon Clowney TEN knee-meniscus IR
Reuben Foster WAS knee IR
Defensive Linemen
DE
Marquis Haynes CAR illness
Amani Bledsoe CIN undisclosed IR-COVID
Da’Shawn Hand DET groin
Austin Bryant DET thigh
Julian Okwara DET undisclosed IR
Trey Flowers DET undisclosed IR
Billy Winn GB triceps
P.J. Hall HOU pectoral IR
Melvin Ingram LAC knee IR
Michael Brockers LAR neck
D.J. Wonnum MIN ankle
Marcus Davenport NO concussion
Anthony Lanier NO undisclosed
Dee Ford SF neck IR
Ronald Blair SF knee-ACL PUP
Ryan Anderson WAS knee
DT
Leki Fotu ARI hip
Domata Peko Sr. knee
Rashard Lawrence ARI calf
Quinton Jefferson BUF hip
Zach Kerr CAR undisclosed IR-COVID
Derrick Brown CAR undisclosed IR-COVID
D.J. Reader CIN quadriceps IR
Eli Ankou DAL coach’s decision
Danny Shelton DET knee IR
Montravius Adams toe IR
Abry Jones JAX ankle IR
DaVon Hamilton JAX knee IR
Maliek Collins LVR hamstring IR
Byron Cowart NE back
Lawrence Guy NE shoulder
Adam Butler NE shoulder
Michael Barnett NE undisclosed IR
Chris Wormley PIT illness
D.J. Jones SF ankle
Bryan Mone SEA ankle IR-COVID
Vita Vea TB leg IR
Teair Tart TEN suspension
Defensive Backs
Charles Washington ARI groin
Jalen Thompson ARI ankle
Jordan Miller ATL oblique IR
Ricardo Allen ATL concussion
Geno Stone BAL illness IR-COVID
Jaquan Johnson BUF ankle
Shawn Williams CIN suspension
Tony Brown CIN hamstring IR
Tedric Thompson CLE undisclosed
Ronnie Harrison CLE shoulder IR
Donovan Wilson DAL groin
Steven Parker DAL ankle IR
Essang Bassey DEN knee-ACL
Trey Marshall DEN shin
C.J. Moore DET ankle
Raven Greene GB shoulder
Parry Nickerson GB hamstring IR
Khari Willis IND back
Johnathan Abram LVR knee
Myles Dorn MIN undisclosed IR
Kyle Dugger NE toe
Jonathan Jones NE neck
Justin Hardee NO groin IR
Jaquarius Landrews NYG undisclosed IR
Adrian Colbert NYG shoulder
Bennett Jackson NYJ hamstring
Ashtyn Davis NYJ foot
Bradley McDougald NYJ shoulder IR
Rudy Ford PHI hamstring
Ryan Neal SEA hip
Lano Hill SEA back IR
Chris Jackson TEN undisclosed IR-COVID
CB
Johnathan Joseph ARI neck
Kevin Peterson ARI concussion IR
Jimmy Smith BAL groin
Khalil Dorsey BAL shoulder IR
Tavon Young BAL knee-ACL IR
Cam Lewis BUF wrist IR
Trae Waynes CIN pectoral IR
Denzel Ward CLE calf
GreedyWilliams CLE shoulder IR
Anthony Brown DAL ribs
A.J. Bouye DEN suspension
Bryce Callahan DEN foot IR
Jeff Okudah DET shoulder
Desmond Trufant DET hamstring IR
Tramon Williams GB thigh
Kabion Ento GB undisclosed IR
Gareon Conley HOU ankle IR
Sidney Jones Achilles
Isaiah Johnson LVR groin
Damon Arnette LVR concussion
Jeff Gladney MIN calf
Mike Hughes MIN neck IR
Mark Fields MIN chest IR
J.C. Jackson NE hip
Janoris Jenkins NO knee
Patrick Robinson NO hamstring
Darnay Holmes NYG knee
Ran Lewis NYG hamstring IR
Blessuan Austin NYJ neck IR
Darius Slay PHI knee
Cre’von LeBlanc PHI ankle IR
Joe Haden PIT concussion
K’Waun Williams SF ankle
Emmanuel Moseley SF hamstring
Jamar Taylor SF knee-ACL IR
Ken Webster SF hamstring IR
Tre Flowers SEA hamstring IR
Jamal Dean TB groin
Adoree’ Jackson TEN knee
Kristian Fulton TEN knee IR
Greg Stroman WAS foot IR
As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. FANation Chat is now live on the site, to help you work through your fantasy football dilemmas. Or if you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, you can also send a message to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a personal response from the writer of this article. Naturally, the more detail you can send about your league, such as number of teams, platform you play in (Yahoo, ESPN, etc.), scoring and roster system, the better the ability to provide accurate advice.