IDP Waiver Watch: Week Seven

We’re quickly approaching the halfway mark on the season and for majority of our fantasy leagues we’re at that point of preparing for the playoffs or looking forward to next year already. The good thing about IDP is you don’t have to completely go young if you’re in rebuild mode, but players like Derrick Johnson and Thomas Davis are a those you should move if you’re going nowhere this season.

We’re heading into week seven and a handful of players injured early on will be making their way back on the field. Also, we didn’t get any big injuries this week on the IDP side.

Injuries

Luke Kuechly, LB CAR

Suffered his third concussion in as many games this season against Philadelphia on Thursday Night Football. This is very concerning and the main reason why he was one of my top sellers this off-season.

Kwon Alexander, LB TBB

He as yet to make his way back on the field after his hamstring injury suffered in week two. The good news is that he’s back on the practice field and could come back in week seven, so if he’s on your waiver wire he should be picked up now!

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Rueben Foster, LB SF

His original timetable for recovery was 4 to 6 weeks and next week will be the sixth week so we’re right on schedule. Owners have been long awaiting his return and with the departure of NaVorro Bowman; the skies the limit for Foster going forward.

Eric Reid, S SF

He made his return to the field against WAS in week six but only played 10 snaps. I’d still remain cautious rolling him out in your starting lineup. Jaquiski Tartt has been fantastic as well. But, when Reid is fully healthy I can see SF moving Jimmie Ward back to CB, with Reid moving back to FS and Jaquiski Tartt holding onto his SS gig.

Waiver Wire

Linebackers

David Mayo, LB CAR

With Luke Kuechly suffering another concussion, the next man up is Mayo and although he doesn’t have much to show for on his NFL resume, he’s a capable backup. The LB you want in CAR is Shaq Thompson and in shallow leagues that’s your pick-up, but in deep leagues where you’re able to stash players; Mayo’s your guy. He’s a liability in coverage so he’s going to lose snaps to Thompson, but in a plus matchup he’ll be a dart throw flier in deep leagues against CHI in week seven.

Matt Judon, OLB BAL

Judon had himself a game against the Bears in week six by putting up 14 tackles 2 sacks and 4 TFL. He saw a season high 70 snaps as well – the talent is there for Judon to fully takeover one of the edges. Will he sustain this production? Probably not, but he’s capable of providing the boom. I would keep an eye on Judon in big play leagues or leagues where I’m starting at least three linebackers.

Reggie Ragland, LB KCC

In his last three games his snaps have been 21, 10 and 27 so he is slowly progressing into his new role on KCC. Is it Ragland time yet? No, but if an owner has dropped him in your dynasty league and you can afford to stash him then I’d pick him up – but don’t drop anyone of value.

Preston Smith, OLB WAS

He’s quietly having a very solid bounceback season. He’s already up to 5 sacks on the year after putting up just 4 last year. Smith has provided his owners with at least one sack per game so far and that trend should continue with a matchup against the Eagles next week Monday. In five games against the Eagles he has recorded 5.5 sacks so I like his chances next week as a plug and play, but also keep him on your roster for the season; especially if your league scores well for sacks and TFLs.

Lamarr Houston, OLB HOU

With the loss of Whitney Mercilus, the Texans brought in Houston last week to fill the void. He saw some snaps (9) in week six against the Browns and was able to get one sack on the day. He’s a sneaky add after the bye week for the Texans because he gets a prime matchup against the Seahawks in week eight.

Defensive Linemen

Stephon Tuitt, DE PIT

A previous owner may have dropped him in your league after his early season injury but he has since returned. He’s a very solid DE2 for the rest of the season and has a strong matchup against the division rival Bengals in week seven.

Kerry Wynn, DE NYG

Wynn is the beneficiary with Olivier Vernon sidelined. He saw 53 snaps against the Broncos in week six and if Vernon were to miss the next game as well, then Wynn is a decent plug and play option as your DE2 against the Seahawks in week seven.

A’Shawn Robinson, DT DET

He put together one of his best games of his young career against the Saints in week six: 7 tackles, 2 PDs, and 1 INT that resulted in a pick six. In his last two games, he’s played 46 and 52 snaps so the extended playing time has definitely helped. Robinson is only a pickup in DT-required leagues and should be a top tier DT2 with fringe DT1 value in choice matchups.

Defensive Backs

Montae Nicholson, SS WAS

I know I brought his name up before, but if you’re looking for that deep league flier with upside, Nicholson is a name to remember. For now he stays a solid bye week spot starter that’ll evolve into a weekly starter in no time.

Adrian Amos, SS CHI

I’m just sending out a reminder that he should be owned everywhere. Amos put up a good performance once again and should continue to roll. He’s the Bears’ best safety and it was odd how CHI didn’t consider him a starter early on. His performance against the Ravens (8 tackles, 2 PDs, 1 INT that went for a TD) definitely puts Amos on the map if he isn’t already. I’ve viewed Amos as a solid DB2 heading into the season and will stay that way for the rest of the year.

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