IDP Waiver Wire: Week 9
IDP Waiver Wire: Week 9
Jeff Pomazal gives you the week’s best waiver targets.
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In a Week 8 filled with tricks and treats, it is more important than ever to make sure you are not getting tricked when making your playoff push. We saw several players go down with injuries, which will push some teams to become sellers this season and hopefully we see an active Tuesday before the trade deadline. Finally, with 4 more teams on their bye this week, we also get the “fun” of navigating those lineup decisions as well. With that said, there are plenty of players making their cases to be rostered in your leagues. Let’s take a look at a few of this week’s headliners.
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, Kansas City Chiefs
After being selected in the first round of last year’s draft, it wasn’t a matter of “if” George Karlaftis would make a splash, it was when. That time may be upon us. Over the last 3 games, Karlaftis has recorded at least 1 sack in each contest and has 13 combined tackles over that span. With a healthy Chris Jones, Mike Danna, and a reinstated Charles Omenihu, teams are having their hands full figuring out who to stop. Surprisingly, Karlaftis is currently rostered in 11% of Sleeper leagues and less in CBS leagues. So, the time to acquire him is upon us. The Chiefs defense is playing very well this season, allowing 129 points, 5th best in the league, and the main reason for that is their pressure up front. Look for Karlaftis and crew to continue to rack up pressures and sacks next week against Tua and the Dolphins.
Jermaine Johnson, New York Jets
Jermaine Johnson was a great breakout pick this offseason by many. Johnson was a standout in his lone season at Florida State after transferring from Georgia. Johnson went on to win ACC Defensive Player of the Year with 70 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, and 12 sacks. Fast forward a season, and the former first-round pick is ranked in the top three in all defensive categories among Jet defensive linemen, not too shabby considering who he plays with. Johnson has seen his snaps per game increase over the last 3 games and has 3 sacks in that span. The Jets have the Chargers next week, who are currently a top-10 scoring team to opposing D-lines this season. The Jets are also past their bye week, which makes Johnson all the more appealing going forward.
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, Philadelphia Eagles
Finally, it has happened. Sydney Brown, who was the pre-draft and post-draft “IDP I did not want to leave a draft without” has begun his dominance in the league. Well, maybe dominance is a bit much, but slowly Brown is starting to carve out more and more snaps in a suddenly very crowded secondary.
With Reed Blankenship playing like an All-Pro and the team acquiring Kevin Byard from Tennessee last week, Brown appeared to be a stash for next season, but Brown played a season-high 40 snaps this past weekend and racked up 8 combined tackles. Brown might still be a stash for another week or so, but it is always good to be a week or two early on a player than missing out, especially in dynasty leagues. Brown and the Eagles host Dallas next week, who are a top-10 team for opposing safeties—not a terrible option with four teams on their bye.
Xavier Woods, Carolina Panthers
Last season, Xavier Woods was a waiver wire darling for many IDP teams. Woods finished the season with 86 tackles in 15 games. With fellow safety Vonn Bell still recovering from an injury, Woods had 8 tackles and a fumble recovery this past weekend against Houston. Woods looks healthy once again and is looking at a great scoring matchup next weekend against the Colts, who are currently top 5 in scoring to opposing safeties. Woods, who is coming off his injury, is only rostered in 2% of Sleeper leagues, which means he would make a great addition to your squad, especially with 20 teams still having their byes in the coming weeks.
Linebacker
Previous Weeks: Ivan Pace Jr, Micah McFadden, Nicholas Morrow, Henry To’o To’o, Robert Spillane, E.J. Speed, Terrel Bernard, Isaiah McDuffie, Deion Jones, Azeez Al-Shaair, Jack Gibbens, Chad Muma, Nate Landman, Nakobe Dean, Tyrel Dodson, Dorian Williams, Jahlani Tavai, Josh Woods, Blake Cashman, Damone Clark, David Mayo, Willie Gay, Tony Fields II
Mack Wilson, New England Patriots
With all IDPs, it’s about getting snaps. The more time they are on the field, the more time they have time to run into plays. Mack Wilson might just be getting his time soon. Starting linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley injured his hamstring this past weekend and we all have seen how long those types of injuries seem to linger. Wilson stepped in for the injured Bentley and had 7 tackles on 45 snaps. Wilson has 2 decent matchups in the next two weeks, the Commanders and the Colts, and if Bently were to miss time before the Patriots Week 11 bye, the job appears to be Wilson’s.
Jack Sanborn, Chicago Bears
Like Mack Wilson being added to this list due to a sudden injury to a player ahead of him on the depth chart, so does that of Jack Sanborn. For those of you who played IDP last season, Sanborn was a 4-week phenom who lit the world on fire before he suffered an injury of his own. Once again, Sanborn may be getting his number called. On Sunday night, Tremaine Edmunds left the game with a knee injury. Thankfully, test results came back positive. Edmunds avoided a season-ending injury but still will miss a handful of games. Enter Sanborn to those players with a massive uptick in the coming weeks, and just in time for those byes. Sanborn finished the night with 8 tackles on just 32 snaps, which is crazy efficient for the former Wisconsin Badger.
Leo Chenal, Kansas City Chiefs
A cete is a pack of badgers. Now, I have lived in Wisconsin my whole life, and never have seen a cete or clan of badgers, but this week in the article I guess my search has come to an end. Leo Chenal, also a former Wisconsin Badger, looks to step up for a team that has suffered a few injuries at the position as well. First, it was Nick Bolton with a wrist injury that sent him to the IR. And now Wille Gay has a tailbone issue that may sideline him for a game or two. In the meantime, Chenal played 49 snaps and had 8 combined tackles and 1 sack. Regardless of how long Gay is out, if Chenal keeps playing like this, it is going to be difficult to take him off the field. In Weeks 1-7, the highest number of snaps Chenal played was 34, on Sunday versus the Broncos, Chenal played 49 and as a result, had the best game of his young career. Chenal is rostered in only 3% of leagues at the moment and could be a viable option if Gay is ruled out.
Well, there you have it my friends, a look at some of the Week 9 waiver wire gems that should be available in most of your league’s right now. Be sure to look at some of the previous week’s players as well as they may still be available or were dropped during their bye weeks. Thanks for reading. I look forward to working the waiver wire with you again next week and if you have questions before then, be sure to reach out!
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