IDP Waiver Wire: Week 13
Jeff Pomazal gives you the week’s best waiver targets.
Hope you’re not suffering from a case of triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13) this week, but if you are, worry not: we have the cure for what ails you. It is hard to believe that it’s already Week 13 and the fantasy playoffs are just around the corner.
Hopefully, your team has navigated the countless injuries and you’re gearing up for a deep playoff run. Waivers this time of year are sometimes about more than just adding players; it’s also about blocking your opponent from adding a piece to play against you. We saw a number of injuries to some pretty big names this past weekend and it makes way more sense to have their replacement sitting on your bench rather than going against you in your opponent’s starting lineup. Let’s get to the targets!
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, YaYa Diaby
Andrew Van Ginkel, Miami Dolphins
If you look at Andrew Van Ginkel’s numbers from this past week, you may not be too impressed. I wouldn’t blame you. On his 29 snaps, 50% of the team’s total, he registered just 2 tackles. What the stat line doesn’t tell you though is during Weeks 2-5 when Jaelen Phillips was out with an oblique injury, Van Ginkel played 40 or more snaps a game and amassed 17 tackles and 4 sacks over that span.
Sadly, Van Ginkel will get a chance to play that role again for the rest of the season as Philips tore his Achilles this past weekend and was placed on IR. Van Ginkel has dual eligibility, which makes him even more appealing in many leagues, and is currently being rostered in just 21% of leagues. So there’s a chance he’s available.
Samson Ebukam, Indianapolis Colts
Samson Ebukam has been playing a massive amount of snaps all season for the Colts. As you know, volume is king in the IDP world and something you can’t replace. Over the course of the season, Ebukam has played more than 53% of snaps in every game. This past weekend, he played 68% of snaps on his way to 4 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble. Playing this massive volume of snaps has created a very high tackle floor each week for Ebukam. He is currently a top 20 tackler among all edge players in the league. Shockingly, he is only rostered in 9.7% of leagues. Check your wire!
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, Ji’Ayir Brown
P.J. Locke, Denver Broncos
When Kareem Jackson went on his second suspension of the season for repeated unnecessary roughness violations, many thought that Delarrin Turner-Yell would step back in to replace him. Turner-Yell didn’t exactly light the world on fire, but his PFF grades sure looked like a campfire filled with lots of reds, oranges, and yellows. Not good, not good at all. The Denver Broncos went in a different direction and played 4th year free agent, P.J. Locke. Locke played 53 snaps on Sunday and racked up 7 tackles, 1 sack, and a forced fumble against the Browns. He graded out higher than Turner-Yell ever did, and with Jackson’s suspension upheld, it appears it is Locke’s job to lose. Denver’s defense has been playing much better as of late and they get a great matchup on paper against the surging Houston Texans. Locke is only rostered in 3% of leagues and is worth a pickup for the next few weeks with 6 teams still having byes.
Trenton Thompson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Trenton Thompson is another one of those low-rostered, out-of-nowhere safeties that has performed very well over the last few weeks. The Steelers defense has been decimated by injuries this season. Thompson has started the last 2 games for Minkah Fitzpatrick and has done very well for himself. In Week 11, Thompson played 77% of snaps and finished the day with 6 tackles. This past weekend, Thompson played 98% of snaps and posted 5 more tackles and an interception.
If Fitzpatrick continues to be sidelined, Thompson makes a ton of sense to be in lineups as a DB3 or flex option. With his roster percentage at 4%, he is likely to be available. The Steelers get a nice matchup with the Cardinals this next week and we have seen Kyler Murray more than willing to put the ball up since his return.