It is late in the fantasy football regular season and the waiver wire might seem scarce, but there are some players out there that haven’t been discovered in most leagues. The fantasy playoffs are almost here and if you are vying for a postseason spot and in need of some help, check out some of the names below.
Akiem Hicks, NO DE
There is a very good chance you have never heard of Akiem Hicks, but he is starting to turn some heads with 28 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks over the last five contests. He was third-round pick in 2012 out of the University of Regina, which is Canada and probably a school you’ve never heard of either.
Although Hicks has seemingly come out of ‘nowhere’, the Saints wouldn’t have spent a mid-round pick on him if he didn’t have talent and potential. It wouldn’t be too far fetched to see him get drafted in leagues next year if he continues to produce like he has recently. The Saints’ defense is vastly improved from last season and their front seven has a lot to do with it.
Hicks presents a nice package of tackles and the occasional sack and IDP owners should be all over that.
Ernie Sims, Dal MLB/WLB
The eight-year veteran is no stranger to those of you who have been playing IDP for some time. Sims was a statistically elite linebacker in his first three seasons in the NFL (2006-08) as the starting middle linebacker for the Detroit Lions after being selected ninth overall out of Florida State. Shoulder and hamstring injuries derailed his career in 2009 and he ended up bouncing around from the Eagles to the Colts before Dallas.
Now at 28-years-old, Sims is starting again and making the best of it so far with 10 total tackles last week against the Giants. He is replacing the injured Sean Lee, who will likely keep him out of action in the Cowboys’ Thanksgiving game against the Raiders.
If you need someone reliable for this week, Sims can be that guy with a pretty good matchup on a short week.
Duron Harmon, NE FS
Injuries are apart of football and they usually breed opportunity for backups to prove whether they are ready to play at the game’s highest level. Harmon got that chance a few weeks ago when incumbent starter, Steve Gregory, broke his thumb and missed the following two games.
The 22-year-old Harmon is in his first year in the NFL after being taken in the third round of last year’s draft out of Rutgers. Pats’ head coach Bill Belichick has no problem running young guys out there and Harmon played a good game last week in the overtime win over the Broncos on Sunday night. The rookie free safety had seven solo stops and four assists. Harmon already had two interceptions and three passes defended earlier this season, so he definitely has a nose for the ball.
IDP owners will want to monitor Gregory’s injury status before inserting Harmon into their lineups. If the veteran Gregory doesn’t play, Harmon makes for an above average start this week in Houston.
