Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week 14

Nolan Smith | © Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images

Tim Riordan Posted On December 2, 2024

With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, I’d like to take the opening to this week’s article to say thank you to anyone who has read the dynasty waiver wire pieces throughout the 2024 season. Taking over this series from the great Jason King has been a challenge, but I’ve enjoyed digging deep into the IDP numbers each week and finding the diamonds in the rough amongst the hundreds of defensive players that take the field each week. I know how important your fantasy teams are to you, so thank you so much for trusting me to analyze the IDP landscape for your team this year. I hope that I’ve helped you win more games than I’ve caused you to lose, and I hope we all win our IDP dynasty leagues over the next month. Good luck and happy holidays to everyone!

As a reminder, these waiver wire suggestions are based on dynasty leagues that start seven defensive players, two at each position group and a flex. Some players profiled will be for deeper leagues, and others for more shallow leagues, but with no standard format for IDP leagues, we need to cast a wide net. I’ll be using roster percentage data from Sleeper.

Be sure to check out the DLF Expert IDP Rankings for our experts’ takes on how IDP players should be valued for dynasty leagues.

Defensive Linemen

Leonard Williams, DE SEA, 37%

While Leonard Williams lands outside of the 35% threshold I usually try to stay under, he’s worth mentioning anyway because of the tear he’s been on lately. After a dominant game against the Cardinals week 12 with 2.5 sacks, Williams followed it up this week with four tackles, two sacks and a pick-six on Aaron Rodgers. He’ll face Arizona once again next week and he’ll try to repeat his massive game from week 12.

Nolan Smith, EDGE PHI, 32%

Nolan Smith is finally starting to earn a larger role in the Eagles defense. In week 13, he had a career-high eight tackles and he notched sack number 4.5 on the season. He played on 58 snaps in this game against Baltimore, 85% of the plays and by far the most he’s played this season. He also out-snapped Josh Sweat for the second week in a row. Last year’s first-round pick is starting to gain traction in this Eagles defense.

Za’Darius Smith, EDGE DET, 19%

The Lions suffered another major injury on their defense with Malcolm Rodriguez landing on the IR. More on that position later, but the Lions are in desperate need of play-makers on the defense. Smith had 1.5 sacks on Thanksgiving day, and played a season-high 55 snaps. Smith gets a revenge game next week against the division-rival Packers, so there will be plenty of motivation to get to the quarterback once again.

Other Players to Consider. Nick Herbig, EDGE PIT, 19%; A’Shawn Robinson, DT CAR, 10%; Braden Fiske, DT LAR, 33%; Adam Butler, DT LVR, 3%; Calijah Kancey, DE TB, 29%; Elijah Chatman, DT NYG, 3%

Linebackers

Christian Rozeboom, LB LAR, 29% and Omar Speights, LB LAR, 19%

Rozeboom has been listed as a pickup for a few weeks now, and he continues to produce for the Rams. For the third straight week, he earned double-digit tackles. He played on 90% of the snaps this week, more than any other linebacker for LA. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Omar Speights has been playing a much larger role for the Rams lately, and earned double-digit tackles as well this week. While Troy Reeder remains out, Speights remains a deep-league option.

Troy Dye, LB LAC, 4%

With Denzel Perryman out another game for the Chargers, Jim Harbaugh turned to Troy Dye to fill in this past week. He did just that, racking up a career-high 14 total tackles (seven solo) and a pass deflection for the best IDP game of his career. Dye could remain a deep league option if Perryman misses another week.

Isaiah McDuffie, LB GB, 10%

McDuffie had his best game of the season on Thanksgiving, registering ten tackles (seven solo) and forcing a fumble in the win. His role has been increasing, and he was on the field a season-high 89% of the defensive snaps this week. The Packers play the Lions next week, one of the best teams for opposing linebackers in IDP.

Ezekiel Turner, LB DET, 2% or Kwon Alexander, LB DET, 3%

Malcolm Rodriguez’s injury will force yet another linebacker to play a larger role in Detroit’s defense. Ezekiel Turner played the majority of snaps after Rodriguez went down on Thanksgiving day. In 22 snaps, he had a tackle and half of a sack. But, the Lions quickly signed Kwon Alexander off of Denver’s practice squad. In three games this season, Alexander has eight tackles and he forced a fumble. Alexander will be on the active roster, and may have the higher upside than Turner, if he gets the role. An added bonus for Turner, he has DB eligibility on Sleeper.

Another Player to Consider: Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB CIN, 4%

Defensive Backs

Jamal Adams, S DET, 10%

After the Saints signed Kwon Alexander, the next move they made was adding veteran safety Jamal Adams. He’ll have a chance to rotate in for snaps on the Lions this season, and could even help fill in at the linebacker position with all the injuries there.

Ugo Amadi, S NO, 9%

Ugo Amadi has continued to play more snaps with the Saints on the other side of the bye week. He’s had three straight weeks with eight or more tackles, getting nine this week against the Rams. The Saints have a mid-tier matchup for safeties against the Giants next week, something to consider when considering a pickup.

Tarheeb Still, CB LAC, 4%

Rookie Tarheeb Still found paydirt on a pick-six this week, one of two interceptions he had on Kirk Cousins in the win. He now has three interceptions in his rookie year and has earned a spot on the radar. He could be worth a pickup for the future in leagues that require a CB in the starting lineup.

Other Player to Consider: Xavier Woods, S CAR, 25%; Jordan Fuller, S CAR, 25%; Kamren Kinchens, S LAR, 17%; Jonathan Owens, S CHI, 7%; Daryl Worley, CB TEN, 0%; Ar’Darius Washington, S BAL, 6%

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Tim Riordan

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Tim has spent over a decade in sports radio as a host, analyst, play-by-play broadcaster and a producer. He’s been called the Tom Brady of dynasty commissioners and an expert of player values.