IDP Improvements: Moves to Make before Week 14

Milton Williams | © Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Jason Abbey Posted On December 4, 2024

It’s crunch time in the fantasy calendar, and this window offers a unique opportunity to either strengthen or rebuild your fantasy roster. Managers of contending teams may be more inclined to acquire players to help carry them to the fantasy championship, and managers of teams no longer in contention may be more inclined to sell aging assets. Here, we offer recommendations that should appeal to teams on either side of the spectrum as we head into week 14.

Christian Harris, LB HOU – Add/trade for

Expectations were high for Christian Harris when the Houston Texans made him the fifth linebacker selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Initially, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star failed to impress, performing poorly in almost every measurable category. Nonetheless, Harris somehow carved out a significant in the Texans’ defense, playing every down in almost every game from week seven onwards.

Despite the early trust placed in Harris by the Texans, it was difficult to envisage how the youngster would remain a starter in his sophomore season unless he demonstrated significant improvement. It was, therefore, no surprise when he opened the 2023 season third – and sometimes fourth on the depth chart behind Denzel Perryman, Blake Cashman, and Henry To’oTo’o.

Harris remained inconsistent in run defense and missed more tackles than ideal over the latter half of the 2023 campaign, but he had some standout performances, and the progress he had made was evident. He led the unit in snap share over the final seven weeks and appeared set to reprise his full-time role alongside new addition Azeez Al-Shaair in 2024.

DeMeco Ryans on 2nd yr LB Christian Harris & where the former Alabama standout has improved the most #Texans

“The physical nature of his tackling, it’s grown. He’s done a really great job of showing up and making impact plays for us. That’s where Christian has truly grown.” pic.twitter.com/tmsCqpt8Fb

— Shaun Bijani (@ShaunBijani) January 8, 2024

Unfortunately, Harris aggravated a calf injury before the season got underway and has been on IR since. In his absence, To’oTo’o has staked a claim for a role alongside Al-Shaair. Harris is close to returning from IR and may be available after the Texans’ bye in week 14. His return could not be more timely as Al-Shaair has been suspended for three games following his hit on Trevor Lawrence in week 13.

Whether Harris is ready to assume a significant role immediately remains to be seen, and the division of snaps beyond 2024 is unclear as Al-Shaair, Harris, and To’oTo’o are under contract through 2025. Still, if you can add or acquire Harris relatively cheaply, now is the time to pull the trigger. His dynasty value has taken a slight dip since the start of the season following his absence:

Nate Landman, LB ATL – Trade away

Troy Andersen returned from injury in week 13, and as is always the case when he’s been healthy this season, he and Nate Landman split snaps behind Kaden Ellis. Both players were on the field for fewer than 40% of the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive snaps.

Trading away Landman comes with risks, as he may find a more favorable situation when his contract expires in 2025. Still, if his performances in recent games are anything to go by, his chances of landing with a team where he’s guaranteed a significant role are slim.

Jordan Battle, S CIN – Add

Despite showing signs of promise in his rookie year, Battle was relegated almost exclusively to special teams at the start of the 2024 campaign, forced to watch from the sidelines as Geno Stone and Vonn Bell dominated snaps at safety.

The young safety gradually worked his way into Lou Anarumo’s plans, overtaking Bell in snap share in week nine. Still, Battle failed to create any distance between him and Bell until week 13, when his snap share rose sharply to 75%.

Bell is scheduled to become a free agent in 2025. Battle still has a point to prove before we can assume he’ll be the next man up, but he’s trending in the right direction.

Milton Williams, DT PHI – Add/trade for

Many assumed the future of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive interior belonged to former first-round picks Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. Carter has clearly impressed, but 2021 third-round pick Milton Williams has proven more impactful than Davis in 2024.

In his last eight games, the uber-athletic Williams has registered five sacks. The 25-year-old was particularly effective as a pass rusher against the Ravens in week 13, generating an incredible nine pressures.

Someone is going to pay Milton Williams a LOT of money next year pic.twitter.com/UkS474gLCa

— Thomas Mott (@RealThomasMott) December 2, 2024

Williams’ form in 2024 has resulted in his first appearance among the top 150 players in the DLF Dynasty IDP rankings since August 2022.

Snap volume has held Williams back from producing at a higher level this season, so it was encouraging to note that his snap share dwarfed Davis’ in week 13. Acquire him if he’s available, and pray the recent trend continues. His future looks bright whether the Eagles choose to extend his contract or not.

Conclusion

This is a dynasty-focused article, so some of the recommendations listed here may be inadvisable if you are in the midst of a playoff run and have to drop a more established player who could be more impactful in the short term. As always, consider these suggestions in the context of the scoring format, starting requirements, and roster limitations in your league.