Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Thirteen

Steve Schulz Posted On December 6, 2018

Most weeks, writing this column is easy, as my list of players who had breakout performances or increased playing time is much longer than the space I have. It’s usually a pare-down process.

This week was not one of those weeks. There were some standout performances to be sure, but there are not many players I’d be happy to run to the waiver wire to get, especially if I had to drop a prospect or active player I’m excited about.

So although I’m always going to give you my best recommendations of waiver wire pick-ups, please don’t drop your studs to get one of these guys. It’s playoff time, people. Dance with the ones who brought you.

Denico Autry, DT IND

It’s only one performance, but oh boy did Denico Autry have a day on Sunday. The 28-year-old defensive tackle turned in a spectacular performance, with six solo tackles, an assist, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He did all of this while playing 43 of 58 snaps. While the Colts defense was impressive all day, holding the Jaguars to only six points, the offense did nothing, and the team lost 6-0.

Autry would be a fine pickup if you’re out of other options at defensive tackle (in DT-required leagues), but he’s more of a watch-list player based on one performance alone. If you’re in a very deep league where you need to anticipate and be one step ahead of your competitors, you could do worse than Autry. But it’s really the one and only breakout performance of his career so far, so he’s not a must-add.

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B.J. Hill, DE NYG

Now let’s get to a player I am excited about long-term. It’s important to notice his position designation, however. He’s listed as a defensive end on MyFantasyLeague, and will remain that way through the end of the season. On other platforms (Yahoo is one), he’s listed as a defensive tackle. Pro Football Focus charted him as an end three times this year, but he’s been playing a tackle position consistently since week 8.

Hill had the huge game this week that everyone has been predicting since Damon Harrison was traded to Detroit. His three-sack performance against the Bears was a testament to the athletic ability and motor this guy possesses. Especially if you’re in a DT-required league, Hill is a great addition that will pay even greater dividends as he settles into his role.

Sean Lee, LB DAL

It feels weird to put Sean Lee’s name in any sort of waiver wire column, but I think a lot of people wrote off the oft-injured Cowboys star with the ascent of Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith in Big D.

Frankly, I doubt he’s on your waiver wire, but he might be a very good trade target if you’re a contender in a dynasty league. The writing is on the wall that LVE and Smith are the future of the franchise at the position. But Owner Jerry Jones said Lee will resume his starting role with the team now that he’s back from a hamstring injury. I still expect a healthy rotation between the three; however, Lee is the discounted linebacker right now in that backfield and can probably be had in dynasty leagues pretty cheaply if the team who has him is out of contention. Make a low-ball offer on Lee in your league if you’re in the playoffs. It can’t hurt.

Mychal Kendricks, LB SEA

There has been so much other news in fantasy footballville lately, it was easy to miss this bit: Mychal Kedricks is done serving an eight-game suspension and will resume play for the Seahawks.

With the way Bobby Wagner played this past week, it’s hard to see how there would be any tackles left for any other Seahawks player, but Kendricks is returning at a time where KJ Wright is still banged up.

If Kendricks wins those weakside snaps, he would be a serviceable LB3 going forward. I don’t know that you want to invest much, if anything, on the Seattle ‘backer, since his insider trading charges could land him in prison. But it’s week 14, and none of the other options look that great, so roll the dice on Kendricks if you’re desperate.

Marshon Lattimore, CB NO

It’s that delicate balance you need to find for a consistent IDP cornerback: they can’t be a “shut down” corner or they’ll never see the ball on their side of the field, and therefore accumulate no stats. They can’t be so bad in coverage (resulting in a lot of tackles for IDP) that the coach finds them a liability and replaces them.

Marshon Lattimore is a very good cornerback in this league. He is in no danger of getting a hook for bad play. But Lattimore is also finding more and more ways to get stats next to his name in the box score, and that’s a very good thing.

Consider the past three weeks. Lattimore had four solo tackles, two passes defensed and an interception against the Eagles. In week 12 against the Falcons, four solo tackles, two passes defensed, an assist and a forced fumble. This past week against the Cowboys, he was even better, posting a crazy nine solo tackles, one assist, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Lattimore, despite being close to a shut-down corner, is finding ways to impact the game, and therefore your fantasy team. Lattimore is a great add to play in a designated CB spot in your lineup, and if numbers like these continue, he’d be usable in a broader defensive back position in your lineup.

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