Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week 15

It’s week 15, and we’re on to the playoffs. Hopefully your title contenders are healthy now that we’re finally through with bye weeks. Just in case the injury bug strikes during the playoffs, or you’re eliminated and want to work the wire before your leaguemates start thinking ahead to next season, I’ll continue writing this column through the end of the season.

Before you dig into this week’s waiver wire column, keep in mind this advice is geared more toward 14- and 16-team dynasty setups, or 12-team setups with fairly large roster limits (65 spots or so). The reason is there are plenty of sites, podcasts and Patreons (and good ones) providing what I would consider obvious waiver wire advice for leagues that are of the “start eight IDPs” variety with combined defensive lines and defensive backs. My goal is to write this for managers who must dig deeper on the wire in order to stay ahead for both this season and future years.

And of course not every IDP listed here is a good dynasty stash. Dynasty rosters need those short-term values too though, and this early in the season it’s worth it to churn a few end-of-your-roster-types to see if an IDP available on waivers is making a leap in play rather than just taking advantage of a good matchup.

Edge Rushers

Nick Herbig, PIT

Both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith were banged up after an embarrassing Thursday night home loss to New England. Watt, who took a couple of blows to the facemask from the lower extremities of Ezekiel Elliott, entered the weekend in the concussion protocol. Highsmith didn’t make it through the game after suffering a neck injury. Both of course may very well be active for week 15, making Herbig a speculative add if you’re looking for a streaming option. The good news with Herbig is he’s a dynasty asset even if he gives you nothing this week. The rookie from Wisconsin has been a factor at times during the season, and posted four solo tackles – one for loss – and two assists in relief of Highsmith.

There’s a lot to like about Herbig, with his quicks off the line and non-stop motor. But with both Watt and Highsmith entrenched ahead of him at outside linebacker now and long-term, he’s only going to be usable should either miss games with injury. The upside in that case makes him worth rostering though, and I have him ranked just outside my top 25 for IDP rookies.

Veteran Markus Golden, who was a surprise inactive against the Patriots, would also become a streaming option should both Watt and Highsmith miss Saturday’s game against Indianapolis. Golden carries no dynasty value, but he’s had spectacular fantasy outings during his years in Arizona.

Derek Barnett, HOU

Might Barnett find a career resurgence now that he’s out of Philly? The 2017 first-rounder saw a season-high 28 defensive snaps after star rookie Will Anderson Jr. exited with an ankle injury. With a quarterback hit and two tackles for loss, Barnett had his most disruptive outing in more than two seasons. Granted it came against the Jets’ offensive line, and the dynasty shine has long worn off, but should Anderson miss time Barnett could merit streamer consideration in week 15 in a great matchup at Tennessee.

Food for Thought

John Cominsky, DET – Cominsky is capable of getting into the backfield, and with Alim McNeil hitting injured reserve and Charles Harris inactive, Cominsky played a season high 50 defensive snaps. He responded with his best outing since week four with a sack on two quarterback hits, plus three solo tackles and four assists. This is a desperation play only, especially in the playoffs.

Revisits from Recent Weeks

Charles Omenihu, KC – The first-year Chief has been a solid contributor since making his season debut back in week seven, and he added his second sack in as many weeks against Buffalo. The matchups are only average, but he makes for solid edge depth in the playoffs given his pressure rate.

Interior Defensive Linemen

Nathan Shepherd, NO

Shepherd’s below average as far as starting three-tech tackles go, but he’s coming off a big week with half-a-sack on one quarterback hit, and six combined tackles. The Saints also have the Giants on deck, and Big Blue is an ideal matchup for defensive tackles. If injuries have you streaming the position at this point of the season, Shepherd’s worth a look due to the matchup.

Off-Ball Linebackers

Ronnie Harrison, IND

Segun Olubi was expected to be the primary beneficiary of E.J. Speed’s week 14 absence, but rather it was Harrison, the former Jaguars and Browns safety, who worked as the second linebacker (58 of 60 snaps) next to Zaire Franklin. And Harrison’s been making a big play impression, with a touchdown return on an interception – his second pick in three games as a Colt. It’s probably nothing, but in case a move to linebacker sticks, and in case the coaching staff takes a shine to Harrison, he’s worth snapping up on your linebacker-needy teams. Harrison’s only 26 and with some inspired play could carve out a role in the post-Shaquille Leonard era in Indy.

Food for Thought

K.J. Britt, TB – Lavante David was back, but with Devin White still out, it was Britt in the second linebacker role in week 14. I’m probably passing on Britt (eight combined tackles), but I won’t blame anyone for churning the bottom of the roster to see if Britt has any stickiness.

Andre Smith, ATL – Waiver wire winner Nate Landman is dealing with a knee injury that kept him out of week 14’s matchup. Enter Smith, who posted a very respectable five solos and three assists, and forced a fumble in a No. 2 off-ball role. Should Landman miss a second straight week, Smith becomes more appealing in the short-term. There’s no dynasty appeal here, though.

Revisits from Recent Weeks

Blake Martinez, PIT – Mykal Walker outsnapped Martinez 25 to 21 this week, but given Walker’s atrocious play in pass coverage – despite his interception – I don’t think Pittsburgh can justify giving him work next to Elandon Roberts. Martinez might not be the answer either, but he certainly isn’t the liability that Walker or Mark Robinson is.

Safeties

Jordan Howden, NO

The rookie fifth-rounder from Minnesota has had a solid rookie season, and exploded in week 14 with a strip sack of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, a pass defensed, eight solo tackles and two assists. And with Marcus Maye placed on injured reserve late in the week, Howden is locked into a full-time safety role just in time for the fantasy playoffs. From a dynasty perspective, Maye and Tyrann Mathieu are both locked in place through next season, but both will see their contracts void prior to 2025. In deep leagues, Howden is a stash, and a streaming option when the veterans aren’t available.

John Johnson III, LAR

Just as Quentin Lake was getting ready to take control of the primary safety spot next to Jordan Fuller, a hamstring injury sidelined the sophomore. In stepped Johnson, who has for the past three weeks served as a serviceable S2. He notched seven solos and an assist on Sunday at Baltimore, and barring what seems like an unlikely move back to Lake (should he be healthy enough to return in week 15), Johnson has streaming appeal against Washington.

Mike Edwards and Chamarri Conner, KC

I wrote up Edwards last week following the injury to Bryan Cook, but incorrectly identified his role as likely unproductive. Edwards of course exploded for ten solo tackles and an assist on 74 snaps. Conner, meanwhile, easily eclipsed his season high in usage with 41 snaps. He’s not usable at this moment, but the fourth-round pick from Virginia Tech could find himself in a primary safety role next season should Justin Reid be deemed not worth his price tag and Edwards not return as a free agent.

As for Edwards, be wary if you’re looking to stream him this week. The matchup against New England is not great.

Ronnie Hickman, CLE

Already without Juan Thornhill due to a calf injury, the Browns saw the freshly extended Grant Delpit go down with a groin injury on Sunday. Hickman was quiet with a meager two tackles on 76 snaps, but the rookie from Ohio State is worth scooping up in big leagues in case he sticks in the lineup due to injury and makes a positive impression.

Food for Thought

Sydney Brown, PHI – Brown’s rostered in all my dynasty leagues, but for those of you in shallow formats, keep an eye on Reed Blankenship’s status for week 15. Brown becomes a priority add anywhere available as he’s starting material if in a full-time role. He put up eight combined tackles while playing a season-high 58 (of 82) snaps Sunday night. Brown’s also among my top 25 IDP rookies.

Nick Cross, IND – He’s not earning enough of a snap share to consider in your lineups, but if you’ve had a hard time letting go of Cross after the pre-rookie season hype, he’s been getting part-time run the past two weeks (31 and 29 defensive snaps, respectively). Cross really on bears watching with Julian Blackmon coming up on free agency. Should Indy still be running with Gus Bradley next season, and should Cross wind up in a starting safety role (I know, it’s a long shot), we might finally realize the fantasy asset we anticipated about 16 months ago.

Revisits from Recent Weeks

P.J. Locke, DEN – He’s an easy S1 since moving into Denver’s starting lineup in week 12. If he’s somehow still available in any of your leagues, change that immediately.

Cornerbacks

Clark Phillips, ATL

The rookie fourth-rounder from Utah has been a full-time outside corner over the past two weeks. He’s been productive both weeks (three solos, two assists and a couple of passes defensed against Tampa Bay), and draws a good matchup this week against Carolina. If injuries have ravaged your cornerback corps, you could do worse than Phillips.

Revisits from Recent Weeks

Jaquan McMillian, DEN – Hopefully you took the good advice listed here several weeks ago and added McMillian. His matchup with Keenan Allen (it’s coming again in week 17) in the slot was too good to not see coming. If you rostered him, and started him, you were loving the sack on two quarterback hits, the pass defensed, and the five solo tackles – two for loss. Keep it coming.

Brandon Stephens, BAL – If there’s any chance Stephens was released prior to Baltimore’s week 13 bye and not scooped up off waivers prior to this week, he’s a priority add in cornerback-required leagues with Jacksonville on deck next Sunday night. Over the past six weeks, the Jaguars are the most giving team to opposing quarterbacks.

Zyon McCollum, TB – Jamel Dean was again inactive, and Carlton Davis left Sunday’s game with a knee injury. McCollum (six solos, three assists, two passes defensed and a forced fumble) looks likely to retain a full-time outside corner role for this week. Just be warned the matchup at Green Bay isn’t ideal for cornerback production.