Welcome back, 4-EYED IDP fans!
If you’re reading this, I can’t begin to say Thank You enough! We have made it, the fantasy playoffs (for most leagues). IF, you aren’t in the playoffs, and you just like reading my articles, than an even bigger Thank You. Let’s all keep in mind, IDP articles, chats, etc aren’t just designed to help the IDP players, there is also valuable information in there to gather to help build your best traditional fantasy roster!
It is at this point in the season that you are going to start your studs, but there will be a lot of matchup based decisions that I plan to assist with for those 2nd and 3rd spots in your lineup. As always, sit back and enjoy as I take you through the Week 14 Waiver Wire Gold Mines!
Defensive Line
Markus Golden
- 4.2% Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus)
- 3 Week 13 Fantasy Points
- 4.7 Fantasy Points per Game
Markus Golden is definitely a difficult “waiver wire add” due to his season-long output. Over the season, Golden had started off extremely slowly with the Giants, was traded, and then has contributed a mixed bag of good and poor weeks. The reason for the addition is what he has done over the past 4 weeks. Despite not recording a sack, YET, he has delivered 6 QB hits, 11 QB pressures, and he faces a Giants team that has allowed the 5th most sacks in the NFL.
Aldon Smith
- 15% Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus)
- 0 Week 13 Points
- 7.5 Fantasy Points per Game
Similar to the Markus Golden recommendation, this is strictly based on matchup and situation. Aldon Smith started on a different arc than Golden, in that he was red hot to start the season, and since has cooled off immensely! Over the past 4 games, Smith has 8 Hurries, 10 Pressures, and 2 Qb hits. While those numbers might not blow your socks off, the fact that he has done the majority of his damage on the right side is what gives me optimism. In Week 14, the Cowboys will travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals, who just gave up 7 sacks to Miami, and now have to go forward without their LT Jonah Williams. Williams had only allowed 11 QB hurries all season, and will leave a void that Aldon Smith is capable of exploiting.
Alex Highsmith
- 2.9% Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus)
- 5.3 Week 13 Fantasy Points
- 3.6 Fantasy Points per Game
If you are lucky enough to play in a Sleeper formatted IDP league where Highsmith is eligible at DL, then he should be a solid add this week. Even if he is just LB, there is potential for a solid return this week. Bud Dupree went down with injury and Highsmith was the “next man up” according to Mike Tomlin. Now, after the Spillane news, Highsmith’s should play every snap. Playing alongside TJ Watt can only help his stock this week.
Linebacker
Tae Crowder
- .1% Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus)
- 15.75 Week 13 Fantasy Points
- 11 Fantasy Points per Game
The Giants activated Crowder off of the IR in Week 12 and have been easing him back into the lineup. Last week vs the Seahawks, Crowder saw 54% of the snaps. With those snaps, he registered 7 tackles (6 solo) and a sack. What needs to be mentioned is the injury to Blake Martinez! If he were to miss time, Crowder would be an absolute must add, just due to the almost expected 100% snap share. Even if Martinez does play, it appears that Crowder’s role in this defense is continuing to grow.
Avery Williamson
- 7.1% Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus)
- 13.25 Week 13 Fantasy Points
- 9 Fantasy Points per Game
As mentioned above, the Steelers LB group has been decimated by injury, to say the least. Avery Williamson has been insurance at LB for Pittsburgh, and it appears it is time to collect his settlement. Last week Williamson had 9 tackles (6 solo) and a TFL. With Spillane expected to miss multiple weeks, there is a really good chance that he plays significant snaps (close to 100%) from here on out through the fantasy playoffs. While the Bills may not be the most generous to LB’s on the season, the sheer PT will be enough to warrant an add!
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Anthony Walker Jr
- 6.9% Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus)
- 17.5 Week 13 Fantasy Points
- 9.2 Fantasy Points per Game
Bobby Okereke has missed both Weeks 12 and 13. This is important news, because with him out of the lineup, Anthony Walker has played every snap and has contributed to the tune of 17 tackles (10 solo), .5 TFL and a pass defended. Earlier in the season, when Darius Leonard missed time, Walker stepped up and had excellent tackle volume (31 tackles from weeks 3-6). As of writing, it hasn’t been determined if Okereke will play, but put in a speculative bid and stay tuned!
Defensive Back
Mike Hilton
- 12.3% Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus)
- 13.75 Week 13 Fantasy Points
- 12 Fantasy Points per Game
With Steven Nelson sidelined for Week 13, Mike Hilton returned to the field for more than 60% of the snaps for the 1st time since Week 5. What did he do with his playing time? He recorded 6 tackles (5 solo), 2 tackles for loss, and a pass defensed. Prior to missing time, Hilton was on an absolute tear, averaging nearly 14 fantasy points per game! Hilton will most likely be tasked as the slot corner against a Buffalo team that loves to attack the slot corner. If you were lucky enough to have stashed him away, get him active. If he is available, which should be in about 88% of leagues, go grab him.
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Josh Jones
- 4.3% Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus)
- 12.75 Week 13 Fantasy Points
- 10 Fantasy Points per Game
In his first game back in action for Jags, Josh Jones showed why he was a target of mine coming back from injury. Jones recorded 10 tackles (7 solo). Through the first 7 weeks of the season, Jones ranked 2nd among Safeties with 25 Solo Tackles. In week 14, Jones and Jags will face a run-heavy Tennessee Titans, which I expect to see a lot of Jones up at the line of scrimmage. Look for another heavy #tacklevolume game out of Jones.
Kamren Curl
- 7% Rostered (FantasyPros Consensus)
- 11.25 Week 13 Fantasy Points
- 12.2 Fantasy Points per Game
I feel like I am suggesting Curl each and every week, which I am totally fine doing until he gets that % over 20%. Since Week9, when he took over for Collins, he ranks 1st among DB’s in Solo Tackles (37) and 3rd amongst all positions in Solo Tackles! He is 3rd in Solo Tackles and yet rostered in less than 10% of leagues? Please go out and grab him in this Week 14 matchup against a 49ers team that will definitely not be looking to air it out deep!
