IDP Waiver Wire: Week 13

You'll be thankful if these IDPs are on your waiver wire!

What is happening, kids? Hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday, and your fantasy teams were productive, and more importantly, came out of Week 12 healthy. Waiting to hear about some huge names on the offensive side of the ball as we head into the playoffs. But enough about the offense, we are here to help find some players on the defensive side of the ball to help you win your fantasy leagues.

Let’s dive into this week’s waiver wire pool!

Defensive Line

Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson, Los Angeles Rams

This week’s DL adds both come from the same team and both benefit greatly from the presence of Aaron Donald. Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson are both having a tremendous run over the last 3 games. Both are in the top 12 in scoring over that time and on the field a lot. Greg Gaines has been on the field more than 95% over the last 3 weeks, which is unheard of at the DL position.

The great thing about these two players is you can roster the one who better matches your league’s scoring system. If you need someone more consistent and racks up tackle numbers - Robinson is your guy (20 stops over the last 3 weeks), if your league rewards for QB pressures and sacks, then Gaines is your pickup this week! The Rams have one of the best schedules for DL scoring the rest of the season; playing against some very weak offensive lines makes either of these studs an easy add!

Defensive Backs

Eric Murray, Houston Texans

Eric Murray’s season is a prime example of one of the major rules of IDP. Not always the flashiest names will bring you a title, sure rostering guys like Landon Collins and Tyrann Mathieu are fun ways to start the season in September, but those names will not bring you titles in January! Eric Murray isn’t a flashy name, his season has been very up and down, and let’s not forget he plays for the Houston Texans—with all that said—Murray is a safety to consider adding to your roster this week.

Murray has been very productive the last 3 weeks. He has put up top 5 numbers over that time, including 27 stops, 2 PBU, and an INT! With Justin Reid being benched for team reasons and Lonnie Johnson being moved to corner, Eric Murray has a very clear path to snaps for the foreseeable future – now that, my friends, is very flashy!

Donte Jackson, Carolina Panthers

Donte Jackson is in the same boat as Chris Jones was in last week’s article. Both Jones and Jackson are coming off scorching hot weeks but are also rolling into their bye weeks. Rostering a guy like Jackson is a play for your playoffs and very few are playing better right now than Jackson. Over the last few weeks, Jackson has had 20 tackles, 4 PBUs, and an INT. If Carolina’s offense can get on track over their bye week, teams will need to continue to pass against them, which is great for Mr. Jackson! (I really tried hard not to make an Outkast reference here, you should be proud!)

If you need someone this week for help at the safety position until Jackson is able to play, take a look at Jayron Krease who had a wonderful game on Thursday, but has also had a very solid season so far!

Linebackers

Azeez Al-Shaair, San Francisco 49ers

Azeez Al-Shaair is making his second mention in these articles because of another important factor in IDP: availability! Al-Shaair stepped up for Dre Greenlaw after he went down in Week 1 with a groin injury that kept him out until this past weekend…apparently, Mr. Greenlaw has a problematic groin as he left the game with issues and did not return. Not only did Dre Greenlaw leave the game but so too did Fred Warner with a hamstring issue. Leg issues seem to take a while to heal and can linger for weeks. Al-Shaair may be in line for all the snaps he can handle in the next few weeks.

Again, he’s not a flashy name, but someone who you should be looking to roster for your title run. Outside of a clunker game last week versus Jacksonville, who ran like 9 plays all game; Al-Shaair has been a solid weekly starter all season, with Greenlaw and Warner out, he will be top 5 the rest of the way!

Mykal Walker, Atlanta Falcons

With the surprise start on Sunday, this former 4th round selection made a huge impression on Jacksonville, his teammates, and possibly your fantasy football team! Mykal Walker started in place of Deion Jones, who was out with a shoulder injury, and did not disappoint the few people who started him. Walker had a combined 12 tackles and a PBU against the Jags. If Jones continues to miss time with his shoulder injury, Walker would be an amazing option.

Not only do the Falcons have great matchups for LBs the next few weeks, but game script can also be something that Walker may benefit from as the teams the Falcons are playing may be in clock-killing mode late in the game, which would allow Walker to soak up some garbage time points of his own. Before adding Walker, make sure you check in on the status of Jones, but for now, Walker is a great option.

---

Well, that does it for this week, kids. Crazy that the season is quickly winding down and we are just weeks away from not only the end of the season, but also the playoffs. Hopefully, you have lots to be thankful for and find these weekly adds beneficial to your team. Please continue to reach out with trades, although many leagues are at or past those deadlines, and of course those start/sit questions. I do enjoy helping with those. Enjoy the last day of November and we will see you in December!