Welcome to our Week 13 IDP Waiver Wire article this season!
The tryptophan has worn off, the family has left the house, and the Thanksgiving holiday is in the rearview mirror. Time to take off the comfy pants and put on the work slacks. We only have a few weeks left in the regular season, and the waiver wire is getting hot for Week 13.
As if the number 13 wasn’t unlucky on its’ own, it also brings back the dreaded BYE weeks. Fortunately, there are only two teams this week;
- Arizona Cardinals
- Carolina Panthers
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 13!
Defensive Line/Edge Rusher
Samson Ebukam (San Francisco 49ers)
The defensive line’s rotation has been a high point for the surging 49ers. The return of Ebukam is only going to bolster that already dominant group. In his return to action in Week 12, Ebukam’s four pressures only trailed Nick Bosa for the 49ers. Ebukam registered a solid 16.6 pressure % in Week 12 to go along with a 19% win rate.
Turning our attention to Week 13, Ebukam and the 49ers will host the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are coming off a game against the Texans in which they allowed 27 pressures and lost a key piece to their O-Line. The loss of LT Terron Armstead is notable, as they had to turn to Brandon Shell for relief. While Shell hasn’t been a turnstile at RT, his trial at LT in Week 5 translated into seven pressures.
Ebukam makes for an interesting Week 13 flier, but if you can afford to hold tight, his fantasy playoff matchups are rather enticing. The 49ers will play SEA/WSH/LV in Weeks 15-17.
Great club/swim combo by Samson Ebukam to create this pressure that forced Andy Dalton to check down to Kamara
— Jordan Elliott (@splash_cousin) November 28, 2022
Finished off with a bang by Talanoa Hufanga pic.twitter.com/npWBC1wutL
John Cominsky (Detroit Lions)
Over the past three weeks, the typical cast of characters is atop the pass-rush leaderboard (pressures). You will see names like Nick Bosa, Brian Burns, Von Miller, and other notable stars. What is interesting is the name, John Cominsky! If I were asked to name the Detroit Lions edge rusher with the most pressures in the month of November, no name other than Aiden Hutchinson would have left my mouth.
Cominsky does provide the ultimate risk/reward for fantasy managers, as Jack has yet to record more than three tackles in a game and only has one sack, despite the 15 pressures since Week 10. Speaking of those pressures, his 15 is good for 4th among the above names. After watching his snaps during that time, I am confident that the sacks are bound to come.
“He’s high effort, he’s a smart football player, he’s tough, he’s physical.” -Dan Campbell on John Cominsky pic.twitter.com/dZbUc1BGtY
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 22, 2022
Honorable Mention or Previously Mentioned:
Kayvon Thibodeaux (New York Giants)– Kayvon recorded a career-high nine pressures vs. Dallas in Week 12. He and the Giants will face the Commanders in Week 13, who have allowed the most QB pressures on the season.
Frank Clark (Kansas City Chiefs)- Looking to follow up a strong Week 12 with a plus-matchup against the Bengals. Chris Jones creates a major dilemma when it comes to protection.
Leonard Floyd (Los Angeles Rams)- I was in the “show-me” camp with Leonard Floyd after his multi-sack Week 8. Since then, 15th in QB pressures (17) and 2nd in sacks (5)
Linebackers
Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Houston Texans)
Christian Harris left Week 12 with a shoulder injury and didn’t return to the game. Jalen Reeves-Maybin received the extra playing time and turned those snaps into six tackles (11.7% tackle rate). While it’s not determined exactly how long Harris will be sidelined, it does appear that JRM should see the bulk of the work. His production against the run in Week 12 (5 run-play tackles/88.1 PFF grade) should put him in a position to be fantasy relevant against a run-heavy Browns team.
The Texans have faced the 2nd most plays per game defensively and should see a heavy dose of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt as they ease Deshaun Watson into action. While Kirksey is the primary LB to roster in Hou, JRM could be a sneaky source of LB3 upside.
Jaylon Smith (New York Giants)
It’s becoming apparent that the Giants want Jaylon Smith to be their primary linebacker. Over the past three weeks, he has seen his playing time increase from 64% to 86% and finally 90% in his “revenge” game vs. the Cowboys in Week 12. While I still don’t get what they see in him as their #1, the production with a commitment to playing time is there. Last week’s ten tackles were the most since Week 17 of 2020. He even used a flying elbow from the top ropes as good measure. Too bad we don’t get fantasy points for those!
The Giants will have the enviable task of facing the Washington Commanders in Week 13. The Commanders have allowed the 3rd most points to LBs, with double-digit points allowed to starting MLB in all but two contests.
Jaylon Smith coming in from the top rope with the People’s Elbow
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 25, 2022
pic.twitter.com/8taZT2AB0o
Chad Muma (Jacksonville Jaguars)
In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Chad Muma appears to have wrestled away playing time from Devin Lloyd. We saw in Week 10 that Chad Muma can produce solid fantasy numbers if given the opportunity. During that game against the Chiefs, Muma played in 25 snaps and recorded six tackles (24% tackle rate).
Fast forward to Week 12, and we see Muma play 100% of the snaps alongside Foyesade Oluokon and dish out nine tackles. While the efficiency wasn’t as impressive in Week 10, the playing time is the takeaway here. I hope the volume of plays will support a solid IDP finish for Muma, but the matchups aren’t exactly ideal. Jacksonville will play the Cowboys, Jets, and Texans in the fantasy playoffs. Those three teams currently rank 30th, 31st, and 32nd in points scored against the LB position.
Honorable Mention or Previously Mentioned:
Kaden Elliss (New Orleans Saints)– Back-to-back 10+ tackle performances. 4th most tackles over the past three weeks. The real deal.
Cody Barton (Seattle Seahawks)- Is it time to double back on Cody Barton? Snap share has grown over the past three weeks, and he has been extremely efficient with those snaps.
Damone Clark (Dallas Cowboys)- I am blown away at how fast he has earned the 70%+ of snaps over the past few weeks. Coming off of the neck surgery and having played no preseason or training camp, it’s incredible progress! Seven tackles and a forced fumble in Week 12.
Defensive Back
DeAndre Houston-Carson (Chicago Bears)
The Bears were missing Jaquon Brisker in Week 12, and now they could be missing Eddie Jackson in the immediate future. Jackson had to leave the contest with a foot injury, the exact details yet to be released. While there may be no information available, it is safe to assume that he will miss at least a few weeks with what looked like a painful “blown tire.”
While Brisker was dealing with a concussion in Week 12, DeAndre Houston-Carson stepped in and filled in admirably! Houston-Carson contributed with nine tackles and some big-time hits. The biggest question will be if Brisker can play in Week 13, and what that means for DHCs ceiling. I feel that most of his production in Week 12 resulted from playing up at the line of scrimmage and securing 6 of his tackles against the run.
Darrick Forrest (Washington Commanders)
I think the scheme change that the Commanders have utilized over the past few weeks has paid dividends for Darrick Forrest. Once relegated to FS duties, Forrest has seen the 13th most snaps in the box among safeties over the past three weeks. While this may not seem like a big deal, his football IQ and playmaking ability have translated those snaps into IDP success.
In Week 12, Forrest led all S with 11 tackles (8 solos). Dating back to Week 9, Forrest is 12th in Fantasy Pros scoring.
Darrick Forest just did this to a Quarterback! BOOM.
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) November 27, 2022
What sort of WWE move was this? Looked to be somewhere between a suplex and a Stone-Cold Stunner. But I’m a novice at this…#HTTC | @_Dfoe5 pic.twitter.com/X820MK652B
Honorable Mention and Previously Mentioned:
Julian Love (New York Giants)- Saw his box snaps jump back up to the 60% mark, resulting in 10 total tackles, an INT, and a pass defended. The Giants have to realize that Love is more beneficial in the box!
Keanu Neal (Tampa Bay Bucs)– Antoine Winfield Jr left the Week 12 contest. Neal saw 80% of the snaps, with 52% in the box. Monitor the Winfield injury.