After a grueling regular season, the fantasy playoffs are finally upon us. Congratulations to those who made it in; you earned it. And for those who didn’t make it, we’ll be back next year better than ever. I did my best to navigate through the snaps and stats to find some potential waiver wire options for your IDP leagues. Please keep in mind there are many fun ways to play this IDP game we love, and if you ever have any league-specific questions feel free to reach out. Alright, let’s get to it.
Linebackers
Jerome Baker, Miami Dolphins
Week 14 Stats: 11 tackles (6 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit
It's been a frustrating year to roster Jerome Baker in IDP leagues. His production has been spotty week-to-week, as has his playing time. In Weeks 9-12 (Week 11 bye), Baker failed to crack the 80% snap share mark, dipping as low as 56% (34 snaps) in Week 12. However, Baker's usage is trending back up in a positive way, with a 91.5% snap share over his last two games.
Not only has Baker been seeing more ideal snap shares, but he's also providing some solid IDP production. Over that two-game stretch, Baker has filled the stat sheet with 22 tackles (12 solos), three tackles for loss, and one and a half sacks. Due to his lack of consistency, Baker may be floating around waiver wires in shallower leagues. If you’re looking for linebacker reinforcements in those such leagues, Baker is worth a look.
Deion Jones, Cleveland Browns
Week 14 Stats: 7 tackles (4 solos), 1 interception, 2 passes defended
Deion Jones seems to be back in favor in the Cleveland linebacker room. In Week 15, Cleveland's first full game without Sione Takitaki, Jones led all Cleveland linebackers with a season-high 59 defensive snaps (88%). Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was second among the group with 54 snaps (81%), while Jordan Kunaszyk (12 snaps/18%) and Tony Fields (11 snaps/16%) both had minimal roles. Yes, the same Tony Fields who played 33 snaps (51%) last week—isn't this fun?
Cleveland’s linebacker usage can be tough to trust, especially when you consider Jones only played 39 total defensive snaps in Weeks 12-13. Although, this week seems pretty telling as to who they trusted with a full week to prepare, knowing Takitaki was unavailable. Now, Owusu-Koramoah is dealing with a leg injury of his own that we are awaiting more information on.
The Browns are running out of options at linebacker, and this week was a step back in the right direction for Jones. Hopefully, he can continue to see an 80%+ snap share down the stretch for us—they may not have a choice. Jones is worth a waiver add after his Week 14 outing and could be even more important depending on the news surrounding Owusu-Koramoah’s injury. Just like last week, the Cleveland linebacker snaps will be one to keep tabs on after this week’s game.
Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 14 Stats: 8 tackles (4 solos)
Rookie Devin Lloyd had seen his previous every-down role dwindle to fellow rookie Chad Muma over the past few weeks. In Weeks 10-13 (Week 11 bye), Lloyd only carried a 42.3% snap share, with a season-low 22 snaps (29%) in Week 13. However, Muma saw his role grow, playing all 72 defensive snaps in Week 12, and was well on his way to another full day in Week 13 until suffering a late ankle injury.
Muma's ankle injury kept him out of this week's game, and Lloyd was back in a more prominent role. Lloyd played all 67 defensive snaps against Tennesee in Week 14, producing a solid eight-tackle (4 solos) outing. If Muma is forced to miss any more time, Lloyd would once again be a startable IDP asset. If you grab Lloyd off the waiver wire in your redraft leagues, make sure you keep tabs on Muma's status throughout the week. If Muma returns, Lloyd should be left on your bench.
Monty Rice, Tennesee Titans
Week 14 Stats: 12 tackles (7 solos), 1 tackle for loss
Unfortunately, David Long (hamstring) was recently placed on IR, and his availability for the fantasy season has come to an end. In last week's article, I covered Dylan Cole as a potential waiver wire addition. In Week 14, Cole played a season-high 59 defensive snaps (82%) but only turned in five total tackles—hopefully, it's better days ahead. However, Monty Rice also saw a season-high in usage, playing 51 snaps (71%).
Rice put his added snaps to good use, compiling a team-high 12 tackles (7 solos) against Jacksonville in Week 14. Tennesse seemed to favor Cole and Rice in Long's absence, as Joe Schobert only saw 23 defensive snaps (32%). While Rice may not have a full-time role right now, he showed he can be productive with a snap share in the 70% snap range. Rice has a solid matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15 and is a potentially viable starter in deeper redraft leagues.
In dynasty leagues, Rice is a nice stash candidate if he happens to be sitting on your waiver wire. Zach Cunningham has a potential out in his lofty contract after this season, and both Long and Cole are currently set to be free agents heading into the offseason. Rice is in a nice position to step up and prove himself down the stretch for the Titan defense.
Continue reading this content with a ELITE subscription.
An ELITE subscription is required to access content for IDP (individual defensive players) leagues. If this league is not a IDP (individual defensive players) league, you can edit your leagues here.
"Footballguys is the best premium
fantasy football
only site on the planet."
Matthew Berry, NBC Sports EDGE
