Welcome to our Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire article this season!
As Week 11 is in the rearview mirror, and we stare down a full slate in Week 12, I am reminded of the song “The Distance” by Cake.
“Reluctantly crouched at the starting line
Engines pumping and thumping in time
The green light flashes, the flags go up
Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup
They deftly maneuver and muscle for rank
Fuel burning fast on an empty tank
Reckless and wild, they pour through the turns
Their prowess is potent and secretly stern
Because he’s racing and pacing and plotting the course
He’s fighting and biting and riding on his horse
He’s going the distance
No trophy, no flowers, no flashbulbs, no wine
He’s haunted by something he cannot define
Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse
Assail him, impale him with monster-truck force
In his mind, he’s still driving, still making the grade“
Each week has been a different blend of emotions, undoubtedly a blend of excitement and anxiety. These next few weeks will be no different! Week 12 presents us with something we haven’t experienced since Week 5; a full slate! Yes, there are no BYES this week; on top of that, we have three games on Thanksgiving. That gives us even less time to make important decisions, but doesn’t change the course! We will still talk about some Waiver Wire Adds for Week 12!
Now, as I say every week, while the true roster % of IDP leagues is difficult to tabulate, I will do my best to ensure we are ahead of the curve. So without further adieu, let’s get down to our IDP Waiver Wire Adds for Week 12!
Defensive Line/Edge Rusher
Frank Clark
Frank Clark returned in Week 11 after serving his two-game suspension, and he wasted no time jogging our memories of his potential. Clark accomplished something in Week 11 that he has only done three other times since joining the Chiefs, record seven pressures! Frank the Tank was a constant threat in the Chargers’ backfield, despite the limited IDP value. His two tackles and one fumble recovery may have only resulted in 6 fantasy points, but the grass may be greener in Week 12.
Clark and the Chiefs will host the Los Angeles Rams in what should be a QB sack extravaganza. The Rams have been horrendous when facing a solid pass rush, and this should be one of those weeks. The true concern with Clark is that he is sack or bust, but I am willing to gamble!
FUMBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RECOVERED BY FRANK CLARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/48qdDwLXD5
— 준 Jun (@Royals_Jun) November 21, 2022
Sam Williams
Despite the deep rotation at the defensive line for the Cowboys, Sam Williams appears to be carving out a more extensive role. Williams was on the field for 48% of the snaps in Week 11, a season-high. As he has done all season, Williams converted those limited snaps into solid production. He finished the game with two pressures and two tackles for loss.
Considering Williams’ season-long production compared to other rookie Edge Rushers, we see he is just continuing to blossom. Among rookies with at least 70 pass rush snaps, Williams’ 14% pressure -rate is 2nd, his 17% win rate is 2nd, and he leads all rookies in PFF’s “pass rush production” metric.
If you’re looking for a player who could finish as strong as any, look no further than Sam Williams. His remaining schedule is one that just screams upside! The Cowboys will have games against the Giants, Colts, Texans, Jags, Eagles, and Titans. Only the Eagles and Jaguars rank inside the Top 12 in Pass-Block efficiency.
.@dallascowboys #SamWilliams is a coming! Each week adding tools to his tool box and bringing a little something something to the Party #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/iOdtNKTwBK
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 21, 2022
Honorable Mention or Previously Mentioned:
Carl Granderson (New Orleans Saints)– The injury bug has savagely spread across the Saints’ D-Line. This is something to monitor but potentially leaves Granderson as one of the few remaining. Granderson turned his season-high snap count in Week 11 into seven tackles (1 TFL) and 1.5 sacks.
Zach Sieler (Miami Dolphins)- The cheat code on the season has been starting DRT against the Houston Texans. Zach, meet Kenyon Green and Scott Quessenberry. Kenyon and Scott meet Zach.
Josh Uche (New England Patriots)- Absolutely “boom or bust”! With Christian Darrisaw unable to suit up, the Vikings will turn to Blake Brandel. Brandel came in to relieve Darrisaw in Week 11 and turned 28 pass-blocking snaps into four pressures and two sacks.
Linebackers
Tyrell Dodson
Dodson is unfortunate proof that being a poor defensive player can lend to being a valuable IDP option. With the Bills without Tremaine Edmunds in Week 11, Dodson stepped in and stepped up for IDP managers. Dodson saw 100% of the snaps, wore the Green Dot, and responded with 13 tackles (9 solos). Most of this production resulted from the Cleveland Browns attacking Dodson in the passing game. Dodson was targeted seven times, the 2nd most on the team.
On short rest, the Bills will turn their attention to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. The Lions have been moderately generous to the LB position, allowing the 10th most fantasy points on average. I expect this to be similar to the Browns’ game plan in attacking Dodson in coverage.
Kaden Elliss
If there was any concern if Kaden Elliss was up to filling in for Pete Werner, it should be alleviated. Following up his 12.7-point performance in Week 10, Elliss elevated his game in Week 12 with a solid ten tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one pass defended, resulting in nearly 16 fantasy points and an LB1 finish on the week!
Elliss and the Saints will travel to SF in Week 12 to take on a 49ers team that hasn’t been very generous to opposing linebackers. I would like to look past the 49ers and their Week 14 BYE to the fantasy playoffs and the Saints’ LB-friendly schedule, as they will face the Falcons and Browns. Both the Falcons and Browns are Top 6 teams to opposing LBs.
In his last two games, #Saints LB Kaden Elliss has put together some impressive numbers.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) November 21, 2022
17 combined tackles (2 TFL)
2.5 sacks (6 total pressures)
3 QB Hits
4 catches for 37 yards on 6 targets
1 PBU https://t.co/NJjv3sisQE
Honorable Mention or Previously Mentioned:
Jack Sanborn (Chicago Bears)- I feel the need to mention him again for all the shallow leagues that still have him available. He isn’t just a BYE week fill-in; he is an LB2 moving forward.
Troy Reeder (Los Angeles Chargers)- Kenneth Murray left Week 11’s contest with an ankle injury. If he is forced to miss any time, Troy Reeder appears next up. Filled in nicely against the Chiefs with three solo tackles, one pass defended, and a forced fumble.
Defensive Back
Jeremy Chinn (Carolina Panthers)
Finally, back off the IR, and the Panthers give Chinn 100% of the snaps! That is what we like to see. Now, if he is available on your waivers is a whole different ball game. With so many shallow leagues and/or limited IR spots, it’s worth checking. If he is available, he should be a priority add, seeing as how he recorded ten total tackles in his first game back (7 solo). The one true question that I had entering Week 11 was going to be his utilization and positioning. Considering he played 100% of the snaps and saw a mere ten snaps at Free Safety (14%), I feel good moving forward!
Richie Grant (Atlanta Falcons)
The increasing trend has been Richie Grant seeing more and more line-of-scrimmage snaps. While this may not have translated into IDP stats in Week 11, he was all around the ball and could have had a few more tackles with a different official scorer.
We see that with solid snaps and a clear role in this defense, Grant can be a solid DB1/DB2. Why Grant is still available in so many leagues is confusing but can easily be rectified. While the Falcons have a BYE in Week 14, you can use that as a potential buying opportunity. If he isn’t available now, look ahead to that week if a fantasy manager drops him. The Falcons’ schedule after their BYE is very juicy for safeties, as they play the Ravens and Cardinals, two generous teams to opposing safeties.
Honorable Mention and Previously Mentioned:
Bryan Cook (Kansas City Chiefs)– Juan Thornhill left the game with a calf injury. Bryan Cook stepped in and picked up three solo tackles.
Kyle Dugger (New England Patriots)– Seeing an increase in snaps over the past few weeks. Most importantly, he saw over 50% of his snaps at the line of scrimmage.
