Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Ten

Some Sundays really make you question your lot in life, and why exactly you devote so much of your free time to a fantasy game that just makes you feel rotten.

It’s 5 p.m. and it’s getting dark outside. My Steelers just failed to beat the winless Lions – at Heinz Field, no less. I have A LOT of Antonio Gibson shares, and I benched him everywhere. Reality has set in that this week’s $43 DFS investment isn’t going to make me a millionaire, so I’m going to have to report to the real job on Monday morning. I could continue the sob story, but DLF’s Ken Kelly most succinctly sums up the early afternoon slate:

Just another Sunday that proves nobody knows anything about the state of the NFL or who may or may not perform in any given week. Unreal.

— DLF_KenK (@DLF_KenK) November 14, 2021

The IDP landscape is equally dismal. Chase Young tore an ACL. T.J. Watt suffered hip and knee injuries that will cost him time, according to Ian Rapoport. Up-and-comers Baron Browning (back) and Rashan Gary (nasty arm injury) also drew early exits from week ten games.

At times like this, I search for deeper meaning – wisdom from the elders of previous generations – to guide me through.

After a few moments of introspection, words of inspiration arrive. In song, no less, from Billy Ocean: When the going gets tough, the tough get going. And they get going to the waiver wire, in search of any shred of value as the fantasy regular season winds down. So let’s get going, tough guys and gals.

Edge Rushers

Dorance Armstrong, Tarell Basham and Chauncey Golston, DAL

With Randy Gregory landing on injured reserve with a calf injury, Dallas turned to Armstrong (three solos and one sack on three quarterback hits on 38 snaps), Basham (three solos, one assist and one tackle for loss on 40 snaps), and Golston (one solo, two assists, one quarterback hit and one pass defended on 31 snaps) on the edge. All three are worth consideration if you need edge help. Golston, a rookie third-rounder, has flashed at times as a versatile pass rusher and has the most dynasty appeal of the trio.

Note that DeMarcus Lawrence, who has been out of action since having surgery to fix a broken bone in his foot prior to week two, hinted in a Twitter post on Monday that his return is near.

Carlos Basham, BUF

The second-round rookie has played in just three games so far but has been productive when he’s seen the field. He’s rostered in the majority of leagues, but for the sake of dynasty, check on his status. Playing 26 of 70 snaps in week ten, he collected a solo tackle and two assists (one in the backfield). He’s not currently usable as the sixth (yes, sixth) edge option behind fellow rookie Gregory Rousseau; veterans Jerry Hughes, Mario Addison and Efe Obada; and sophomore A.J. Epenesa, but he could have a big role starting in 2022 with all three veterans scheduled to hit free agency.

Taco Charlton, PIT

Charlton (one solo tackle, two assists on 23 snaps) is likely to be the playing time beneficiary while T.J. Watt recovers from hip and knee injuries suffered during Pittsburgh’s embarrassing performance against winless Detroit. That’s really about the only lipstick I can put on this pig. Charlton isn’t a good option, but he’ll at least receive a nice opportunity since Pittsburgh cut Quincy Roche before the season and recently traded Melvin Ingram to Kansas City. Sigh.

Jonathan Garvin, GB

The Pack is suddenly really thin next to Preston Smith after losing the emerging Rashan Gary to a nasty elbow injury and veteran Whitney Mercilus to a biceps injury on Sunday. Garvin, who put up three solo tackles while playing 30 of 61 snaps, is the “next man up” in the near-term. Za’Darius Smith, who has been on injured reserve after having back surgery prior to week two, seems to be making progress toward playing this season, however his return date is unknown.

Dayo Odeyingbo, IND

Like Basham, he’s spoken for in all but shallow leagues, but check his availability just in case. The rookie from Vanderbilt is less than a year removed from an Achilles tear and already showing playmaking ability as a pass rusher. He saw just 12 snaps this week, but forced a Trevor Lawrence fumble while splitting a sack with DeForest Buckner with a minute left to preserve a Colts win. His playing time doesn’t warrant immediate lineup consideration, but he’s looking fine as a dynasty asset.

James Smith-Williams, Shaka Toney and Casey Toohill, WAS

The disappointing Washington defensive line, already playing without Montez Sweat due to a fractured jawbone, lost Chase Young to a torn ACL on Sunday. Young has been a major disappointment from a production standpoint this season, but it’s a kick in the pants nonetheless.

Now coming off the edge for the Football Team will be second-year pass rushers Smith-Williams (one solo tackle on 38 of 48 snaps) and Toohill (one solo and three assists on 29 snaps), along with rookie seventh-rounder Toney (nine snaps). Smith-Williams, a well-built, NFL-caliber athlete, is the priority of this trio, but Toohill could also be useful. Toney is a pretty good prospect out of Penn State with quicks and a non-stop motor, but I don’t think he’s going to be able to do much at this point once NFL tackles get their hands on him. He needs to keep adding strength before he can be a consistent factor.

From a dynasty perspective, all three are in a suboptimal spot playing behind the recent first-round picks Young and Sweat.

Revisits from Recent Weeks

• Jonathan Cooper and Malik Reed, DEN – Neither Cooper (four solos, one assist, one tackle for loss) nor Reed (five solos, four assists, one tackle for loss) should be on your waiver wire. Until Bradley Chubb returns to the field (if he returns), they’re your top two edge rushers in Denver.
• Dawuane Smoot, JAC – He’s finally rostered in most leagues now. Smoot continued to build on a career season with three solo tackles and two assists against the Colts. As we look ahead to the final weeks of the fantasy regular season and playoffs, the Jaguars have a handful of games against poor offensive lines (Texans, Jets and Falcons).

Interior Defensive Linemen

Dre’Mont Jones, DEN

Jones had his best showing of the season and second quality start in three weeks with three solos, one assist, a sack and a forced fumble against the Eagles. Not one to mince words – “I’ll call it a combination of execution and coaching,” he said while trying to explain the Broncos’ struggles in a disappointing home loss – Jones could regain his status as an ascending interior asset with a coaching change. Denver seems likely to make a move before the 2022 season, as Vic Fangio and Co. sure seem to have “lost the locker room.”

I like Jones as a cheap trade addition if he’s not on your waiver wire.

Jordan Phillips, ARI

He’s battling a groin injury but still played half of the defensive snaps en route to four solo tackles. You can consider him (when healthy) in “true position” leagues where he’s classified as a defensive tackle.

Food for Thought (Heartburn Options)

• Harrison Phillips, BUF – Phillips is a run-plugger and nothing more, and I’m requesting that you leave him on your waiver wire if you are tempted by his three solo tackles. Granted, he did pace the Buffalo interior defensive line rotation with 46 snaps (60 percent) with Star Lotulelei on the COVID-19 list, but in 37 career games he’s registered just nine quarterback hits and half-a-sack. No thank you.
• Taylor Stallworth, IND – The fourth-year pro from South Carolina has been on a tear the past two games and racked up four solo tackles, including a sack on three quarterback hits, while playing a season-high 33 snaps (50 percent) against the Jaguars. I don’t think he’s worth a roster spot regardless – he’s playing behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart on the interior, and rookie Dayo Odeyingbo is getting interior snaps as well.

Revisits from Recent Weeks

• Jordan Elliott, CLE – For the third consecutive week, the sophomore set a career-high in snaps, this week seeing 39 (58 percent) against the Patriots. He was also once again not usable for fantasy with just two solo tackles, but for now Elliott is currently the only viable defensive tackle in Cleveland under contract past 2021; both Maliks (Jackson and McDowell) will be free agents.

Off-Ball Linebackers

A.J. Klein, BUF

Klein was snapped up in many places late last week after Tremaine Edmunds was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Klein was, as usual, productive when given the opportunity, and collected six solo tackles (two for loss), one assist and a pass defended. I can’t find anything to indicate whether Edmunds’ injury may keep him sidelined in week 11 or beyond, but Klein is worth rostering regardless as a startable option should Edmunds or Matt Milano miss time.

Nick Vigil, MIN

If you ran to your waiver wire to claim Vigil late last week after Anthony Barr was ruled out, you were in good company. Unfortunately Vigil bombed in the box score, managing just two total tackles and a hit on the quarterback while playing all 59 snaps. Vigil, who was an LB1 through three weeks of the season with Barr out of action, is still worth consideration in week 11 if Barr remains sidelined.

Blake Lynch, who did not impress me in his one big game as a rookie in 2020, was efficient with four solos and two assists on 19 snaps, but I can’t recommend him given his low snap share and lack of ability.

Avery Williamson, DEN

Promising rookie Baron Browning managed to play a quarter of the week ten snaps before aggravating a back injury (severity unknown at the time of this writing). That left Kenny Young as the primary linebacker, though he only posted five total tackles. I wouldn’t bother with Curtis Robinson (two total tackles and a quarterback hit on 39 snaps), but Williamson offers intrigue as a productive veteran currently hanging out on Denver’s practice squad. Admittedly this is a real longshot, but if he receives 75 percent or more of the defensive snaps, I think Williamson would produce at an LB3 or LB4 level. Much, much stranger things have happened this season.

Food for Thought

• Mack Wilson, CLE – Wilson’s actual job is to frustrate Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah fans, but he doubled as an efficient tackler this week with six solos and an assist on just 24 of 67 snaps. The Patriots ran the ball 34 times, providing more playing time and tackle opportunity for the Browns’ run-down linebackers. He’s still not viable for fantasy.

Revisits from Recent Weeks

• Monty Rice, TEN – With both David Long and Rashaan Evans on the shelf, the rookie Rice responded with seven solo tackles, three assists and a quarterback hit. His role for 2022 looks promising; both Jayon Brown and Evans are impending free agents.

Safeties

Donovan Wilson, DAL

Wilson surprisingly led Dallas safeties in snaps against Atlanta, getting a starting nod over Damontae Kazee and registering two total tackles on 51 of 54 snaps. It was Wilson’s highest snap share of the season and most snaps since week one, while Kazee saw just 26 snaps. If available, Wilson is worth picking up to see if the high snap share continues. He’s a risky start until we see consistency though.

Jarrod Wilson, NYJ

Wilson was the safety to benefit from Marcus Maye‘s injury, playing 42 snaps (72 percent) against the Bills and registering four solo tackles and a sack on two quarterback hits. Sherrod Neasman, who moved to safety after Maye was injured in week nine, finished with two solos and an interception on 17 snaps. Wilson’s a solid pickup for anyone in need of safety assistance – particularly if he’s going to be used as a blitzer.

Food for Thought

• Juston Burris, CAR – He was a box score disappointment with just one assist, but he returned from a six-week absence to play 36 snaps (65 percent) – the most of any safety not named Jeremy Chinn. Avoid Burris, Sean Chandler and Myles Hartsfield unless the snaps trend toward consolidation.
• Alohi Gilman, LAC – The sophomore had a nice fantasy outing with six total tackles on 57 snaps (72 percent) in place of Nasir Adderley, who was inactive with an ankle injury. Adderley’s injury doesn’t appear to be the multi-week variety, so keep an eye on his status if you feel the need to consider Gilman.

Revisits from Recent Weeks

• Johnathan Ford, JAC – Following a spectacular fantasy performance against the Bills, “Rudy” had a predictable return to Earth with just four total tackles on 49 snaps as Jacksonville’s nickel defensive back. He’s only worth consideration against offenses that pepper slot receivers with targets.
• Josh Jones, George Odum and Andrew Sendejo, IND – These guys are backups for a reason, and you’re playing with fire if you plug any of them into your lineups. Case in point, Odum (four solo tackles, one assist) lost some playing time this week to Jones (15 snaps). Sendejo (six solos – one in the backfield – and an assist) was the more productive safety and a full-time one at that, but I really don’t want anything to do with this trio – now or later.

Cornerbacks

Brandon Facyson and Nate Hobbs, LV

Outside of a few duds, the Bengals have proven to be a great matchup to target when streaming corners. Hobbs, the Raiders’ slot corner, would be my first choice. Cleveland’s slot corner, Troy Hill, picked up a couple of sacks on three quarterback hits in week nine.

Food for Thought

• Consider outside and slot corner options on the Bills, Colts, Packers, and Steelers this week. All have good matchups against teams surrendering the most points to cornerbacks, and are in games with early over/unders of at least 48.5 points. Top options on these teams are for the most part taken in cornerback-required leagues, and Rock Ya-Sin of the Colts and James Pierre of the Steelers might be the best bets in those leagues.

Revisits from Recent Weeks

• Camryn Bynum, MIN – A cornerback playing safety, Bynum was a stud in many an IDP lineup this week. If Harrison Smith remains on the COVID-19 list, Bynum is again a smash start in cornerback-required leagues. He’s droppable if Smith is activated.
• Brandon Stephens, BAL – The third-round rookie was indeed the replacement at safety for the injured DeShon Elliott. Stephens had a decent outing with four solos and an assist, but it was nothing to write home about. He’s worth consideration as a cornerback streamer since he’s logging safety snaps; just remember Chuck Clark is going to spend more time closer to the line of scrimmage than Stephens will.