For all you hardcore IDP junkies out there, here is the list of the top IDP week 14 waiver pickups so you can always be first place in your fantasy football league. IDP stands for individual defensive player and if you haven’t tried it out yet, join an IDP league next year.
Justin Houston, LB, Kansas City Chiefs – Here’s a rookie outside linebacker that seemingly came out of nowhere this past week to record seven solo tackles and three sacks against the Chicago Bears. Houston won’t likely repeat that kind of performance again this season, but he could have good value in leagues that highly reward big plays (i.e. sacks, interceptions, forced and recovered fumbles). Other than Tamba Hali, the Chiefs haven’t had much of a pass rush the past few seasons, so having Houston rushing from the other side could be extremely helpful for the defense. If he continues to record around five or six solo tackles a game with also the chance to register sacks, look out for the former Georgia Bulldog to make a splash in IDP circles.
Larry Grant, LB, San Francisco 49ers – The former Ohio State Buckeye is likely going to start this week against Arizona Cardinals in place of the injured Patrick Willis who is suffering from a hamstring strain. Grant has mostly played special teams this season until last Sunday when he took over for Willis early on and ended with 5 solo tackles, one assist and one sack. Playing against Arizona isn’t an excellent matchup, but it could be a lot worse. Grant should play well in the shutout against the St. Louis Rams and would be a nice fill-in this week for Willis’ owners in deep leagues.
On the defensive front…
The Cleveland Browns have a trio of stud defensive tackles in Ahtyba Rubin and rookies Jabaal Shead and Phillip Taylor. All three are likely pre-ranked in the top 15 in most IDP leagues at this point. Rubin is owned in 40 percent of ESPN leagues and has amassed 40 solo tackles, 19 assists and three sacks so far this season. Shead has been on a tear lately, including a sack in each of the last three games and 15 total tackles (11 solo) in those contests. He has 44 total tackles (33 solo) and five and a half sacks compared to Taylor’s 30 solo takedowns, 18 assists and four sacks through the first 12 games.
Cleveland plays the Steelers, Arizona, Baltimore and Pittsburgh again, in that order to close out the season. Cleveland isn’t very good in general and will likely be behind in points the majority of the last four weeks against teams that already like running the ball. The Browns’ defensive front should be busier than Santa’s elves this next month to say the least. Both Shead and Taylor are owned in less than 20 percent of ESPN leagues and are worth a waiver wiretap if you need the help at DT.
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