IDP Waiver Wire: Week 12

Jeff Pomazal gives you the week’s best waiver targets.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I wish nothing but the best to you and your families and also want nothing but the best for your fantasy lineups for the rest of the season. It is hard to believe that we are already preparing for Week 12, but that’s where we find ourselves. We have had another weekend with some big-time injuries occurring which will create some opportunities for other players to step up and be a difference maker in the weeks to come for sure. Let’s dive into this week’s waiver wire players and see if we can stuff your lineup with some solid pickups this week.

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Defensive Line

Previous Weeks: Carl Granderson, Drake Jackson, Harrison Phillips, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Jonathan Cooper, Jarran Reed, David Onyemata, Nik Bonitto, Josh Uche, Tuli Tuipulotu, Yetur Gross-Matos, Zach Allen, Justin Madubuike, Darrell Taylor, Mike Hoecht, George Karlaftis, Jermaine Johnson, Kyle Van Noy, Kentavius Street, BJ Ojulari, Mike Hoecht 

Leonard Floyd, Buffalo Bills

Since joining the Bills after his time in Chicago and then LA, Leonard Floyd is on pace to have his best statistical season yet. He is only one sack shy of the career high he set in 2020 with 10.5 sacks, and with 6 games left, he should easily set a new career high. This past weekend Floyd only played 43% of snaps, but was able to generate 4 tackles and 2.5 sacks. The Bills had this game in hand early and many of the defensive line players saw a light rotation during the second half. Floyd is only rostered in 21% of Sleeper leagues at the moment and gets a great matchup against the Eagles, who are currently a top 10 matchup for opposing D-lineman. 

Yaya Diaby, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Yaya Diaby is quickly generating some buzz in Tampa. He is a very versatile player who is lining up all along the defensive line. If Diaby is listed as a DL in your leagues it makes him all the more valuable; be sure to check before you add him as he is listed as an LB on some platforms. Diaby has back-to-back games with at least one sack and has 4 sacks over the last 4 games. He has been very consistent with his snap share the last few weeks making him a solid DL4 option going forward. Last weekend, he generated 4 tackles and 2 sacks on his way to a 23-point game against the 49ers. Diaby gets the Colts this weekend, who are a very generous team to opposing D-linemen. Yaya just might be making you say YEAH, YEAH this weekend! 

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Defensive Back

Previous Weeks: Reed Blankenship, Christian Gonzalez, Camryn Bynum, Jason Pinnock, K’Von Wallace, Jordan Whitehead, Daxton Hill, Rudy Ford, Juju Brents, Devon Witherspoon, Marcus Maye, Darious Williams, Sam Franklin Jr., Jaylon Johnson, Cam Taylor-Britt, Sydney Brown, Xavier Woods, Nate Hobbs, Johnathan Owens, Keanu Neal, Paulson Adebo

Jordan Battle, Cincinnati Bengals 

Cincinnati Bengals rookie safety Jordan Battle played a career-high 86% of defensive snaps in Week 11. Before Week 11, Battle played 97 snaps in total. He seems to have finally passed journeyman Nick Scott this past weekend and led the team with 11 tackles. What is more encouraging about his snaps is where he had lined up. Of his 56 snaps on Thursday, 28 of them were in the box. With Dax Hill playing free safety, it allows Battle to play more downhill and increases his chances for tackles.

Battle finished the game with a pretty decent overall PFF grade, a number that the Alabama product will only improve on as he gets more experience. With the Bengals season all but over with the loss of Joe Burrow, the team might just let Battle gain that experience as they look towards the future. Battle is rostered in 24% of leagues and makes a great redraft target, but an exceptional dynasty target if available. 

Ji’Ayir Brown, San Francisco 49ers 

Speaking of an ideal dynasty target, look no further than Ji’Ayir Brown. Brown replaced an injured Talanoa Hufanga this past weekend, who suffered a torn ACL. Hufanga played a very productive position on the defense and Brown was able to step right in and replicate that scoring. On just 51% of the snaps, Brown finished the game with 4 tackles and an interception. He finished the week as the 9th overall DB with his 19.5-point performance. Just imagine the stats he can have with another 49% of snaps! Brown is currently rostered in just 12% of leagues and makes a great redraft and dynasty play going forward.