IDP Waiver Watch: Playoff Edition

Well ladies and gentlemen, our fantasy leagues are entering playoffs and it’s go time. For those of you who are in the playoffs and competing for a title; congratulations and best of luck going forward. I’m not sure how you guys deal with starters entering the playoffs, but more times than not you’d stick with the big guns that got you there. However many owners (including me) have had to hit the wire and grab a couple of streamers that paid off! Now’s not the time to get cute, but you also have to trust your gut like the week I benched Reshad Jones in favor of Budda Baker.

It’s been an odd and fluky season for a bunch of IDPs – mainly the studs. Many owners (including myself) weren’t to thrilled with Justin Houston, Everson Griffen and a few others providing a zero or something near it in a win. If you got through the week even with the zeros, we can put that behind us and look forward to next week.

Let’s recap week 13, where there were some injuries and a crazy inactive.

Darron Lee, LB NYJ

He was a healthy scratch and owners were left scrambling last minute. Luckily you had depth, right? I haven’t seen the reason why he was dropped but this was your crazy moment for the week. Now we have to wonder: is he going to suit up in week 14?

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Telvin Smith, LB JAC

Smith missed week 13 due to concussion and I expect him back in week 14, but if something happens and he can’t go then you’d best be firing up Paul Posluszny once again.

Sean Lee, LB DAL

After missing the last few weeks, Lee is expected back in week 14 against the division rival New York Giants. Those who’ve rolled with Anthony Hitchens in Lee’s absence were well rewarded but with Lee’s return, we have to pump the brakes on Hitchens again.

Alec Ogletree, LB LAR

He suffered an elbow injury and his status remains questionable heading into week 14

Zach Brown, LB WAS

Brown was seen in a walking boot after the game on TNF against the Cowboys and his status remains up in the air for week 14’s game against the Chargers. Brown is having a stellar year and there’s isn’t really any replacement other than Martrell Spaight – but he’s banged up too and could be limited against the Chargers.

Ryan Shazier, LB PIT

Continuing on with the LB trend in week 13, Shazier suffered what looked like an awful back injury on MNF. I wouldn’t count on him during your playoff run. If Vince Williams is on your waiver, that’s your replacement barring what you have on depth.

Linebackers

LJ Fort, LB PIT

I’ve received a handful of questions regarding Fort. He’s a complete dart throw and can’t be trusted in the playoffs in my opinion. With Shazier about to miss time, it’s all about Vince Williams and you’d have to be in a really deep league that starts three or more LBs to consider Fort as an option.

Josh Bynes, LB ARI

As long as Deone Bucannon doesn’t play, Bynes makes for a solid plug and play option as your LB3 at the very least in week 14.

Nick Kwiatkoski, LB CHI

With Danny Trevathan back in the mix and Christian Jones playing well, it was Nick who took a back seat and only played 12 snaps against the 49ers. I would just hold him (if you can) for the rest of the season to see how this situation shakes up, but if you need a plug and play body, you can part ways with him.

Zach Vigil, LB WAS

With the Redskins ILB unit depleted, Vigil got his name called into the starting role and did alright (6 tackles and 1 TFL). He’s in line to get another start with Zach Brown out and Martrell Spaight a little banged up as well. He faces the Chargers in week 14, but would you count on a new starter during the playoffs? He might have a decent floor and could definitely get the 6 tackles again, but I would only recommend starting him as your LB3 in deep leagues.

Defensive Linemen

Eric Lee, DE NE

Lee has been solid since being called up from the practice squad (8 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 1 interception) and with Trey Flowers missing the game against the Bills, Lee saw an uptick in snaps (57) compared to the (25) he saw in his first game a week prior. He’s worth a speculative add going forward as the Patriots do need some help on the edge and he faces the Dolphins again where he put up 4 tackles and 1 sack during the first meeting a few weeks ago. If you’re looking for a wild flier; Lee is your guy. If Flowers were to miss another game, it’ll be even better.

Denico Autry, DE OAK

This is a veteran add here, and would be another DE2 selection as in his last two games he’s put together 6 tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 sacks and 1 FR. The Raiders face the Chiefs in week 14 and could very well end up with 3 tackles and 1 sack against them. If that works for you in the playoffs then Autry is your guy as your DE2.

Will Clarke, DE TB

The journeyman recorded Tampa’s lone 2 sacks in week 13 as he filled in for injured Robert Ayers. Clarke is a cautionary add if you’re hurting at DE and Ayers is sitting out another game. He faces DET in week 14, but he’s a journeyman for a reason and could never put it together. I would recommend him only if you’re hurting at DE and in a deep league where waivers are slim.

Defensive Backs

Desmond King, CB LAC

He should be owned in just about every league – especially CB-required leagues – and inserted into your starting lineups (a few weeks ago preferably). He’s catching fire. In his last five games, he’s put together 24 tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 sacks and 1 pick-six. He gets the Redskins in week 14, so fire him up.

John Johnson, SS LAR

In his last three games, he’s put together 18 tackles and faces a PHI offense in week 14 where Bradley McDougald racked up 12 tackles against them. Johnson makes a solid plug and play option as your DB2 and could help you contend throughout the playoffs.

Tre Boston, S LAC

Boston is a flier plug-and-play option as your DB2 in week 14 if you need one. He faces the Redskins who give up the eighth-most points to safeties and has a decent floor of at least 5 tackles. An INT could be icing on the cake.

As always our waivers will vary and you could very well have better options available to you. If you do want to discuss, please comment below.

Best of luck in the playoffs and I hope you bring home a title or two.

Aloha.

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