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2023 NFL Week 15 IDP Waiver Wire Adds
Goodbye to the bye weeks! And hello to the playoffs! Most of you reading this will be still in the playoffs in the league. If not, and you are still reading, thank you! We have four weeks of the NFL season yet, although most leagues have games yet for just three weeks.
In an ideal world, you won’t have to rely on these players in your leagues at this point in the year, but we all know idealism and reality are not the same in our game. With most leagues not having trades available during the playoffs (go ask Kevin Coleman his thoughts on this), waivers or free agency are how we are going to help our teams. We are digging deep like every week so I hope you are ready.
As always, these waiver additions are mainly redraft focused and looking at deeper leagues; if you have questions for shallow leagues, where you start 2 DL/2 LB/2 DB many of these are likely a bit deeper than you need. All statistics are courtesy of Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted, and the base scoring we go off of you can find here. Please feel free to reach out to us for questions on any specific league; the more info you have the better!
And now, let’s go to a clip.
Bye Weeks: Nope!
2023 NFL Week 15 IDP Waiver Wire Adds – Linebackers
Andre Smith, Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons
Rostered: ESPN .2%, Yahoo 0% Sleeper 0%
Andre took over for the injured Nate Landman this week and played 52 snaps (76%). He ended with 5 solos, 3 assists, and 1 forced fumble. Nate did not practice all week leading up to the Week 14 game against Tampa Bay but also leaves doubt on him playing in Week 15. If he sits again, look for Andre to have another game as the LB 2 for the Falcons.
Christian Harris, Linebacker, Houston Texans
Rostered: ESPN 1.7%, Yahoo 1%, Sleeper 7%
What a merry-go-round of madness these Texans linebackers have been this year. With Blake Cashman leaving Week 14 during the second quarter due to a hamstring injury, Christian Harris took over a majority snap share role again (93%). He ended with 7 solos, 3 assists, and 1 forced fumble. In Week 12 when he had a 97% snap share he had 7 solos, 5 assists, 1 TFL, and 1 QB hit.
Assuming Blake is out and Christian is playing the lion’s share of snaps in Blake’s place, he is a good addition. Just beware that no one seems to know what DeMeco Ryans is thinking and it could be Jake Hansen taking over the starting role for all we know.
Jahlani Tavai, Linebacker, New England Patriots
Rostered: ESPN 1.6%, Yahoo 1%, Sleeper 2%
In games where Ja’Whaun Bentley has played, Jahlani has had a snap share between 56% and 76% each of his12 games, with an average of 66.64%. This isn’t a chase after his best game of the year against the Steelers; Jahlani has had at least 6 combined tackles in nine of his 13 games played this year. The Chiefs are a top-third matchup in terms of points allowed to opposing linebackers, and Jahlani should be rostered much more than he is.
David Mayo, Linebacker, Washington Commanders
Rostered: ESPN .5%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 2%
The Commanders had their bye this past week but that doesn’t mean it was uneventful for us. Jamin Davis was put on IR with a shoulder injury. This leaves room for another linebacker next to Cody Barton, and history tells us that David Mayo is likely to be that guy. From Weeks 7 to 11, the only games he played over half the defensive snaps per game (which coincided with Cody Barton being out or leaving due to injury), David averaged 5.6 solos and 1.8 assists a game. He also had 3 TFL, 2 sacks, and 2 QB hits in there. The Rams aren’t a great matchup, but if you need some tackles he is a name to look for.
Duke Riley, Linebacker, Miami Dolphins
Rostered: ESPN .5%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 0%
A bonus! With Jerome Baker going on IR this past week it was Duke that stepped up and was the 100% snap share linebacker for the Dolphins. He finished with 5 solos. David Long Jr (89% snap share to go with 5 solos, 3 assists, and 2 TFL) produced better but is also rostered more (ESPN 7.9%, Yahoo 2%, Sleeper 7%).
2023 NFL Week 15 IDP Waiver Wire Adds – Defensive Backs
D’Anthony Bell, Safety, Cleveland Browns
Rostered: ESPN 0%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 0%
Rodney McLeod is out for the season with a biceps injury, and starter Grant Delpit left the Week 14 game against the Jaguars with a groin injury. Groin injuries are notoriously tricky to come back from.
If Grant is unable to play, D’Anthony is next up. He played 23 snaps (30%) after Grant left and ended with 3 solo tackles. We should always be paying attention to injury reports all the time anyway, but as we get deep into the season and into the playoffs even more attention is required to be on top of your team.
Geno Stone, Safety, Baltimore Ravens
Rostered: ESPN 1%, Yahoo 1%, Sleeper 2%
Geno was already playing a decent snap share, but starter Kyle Hamilton left the game against the Rams with a sprained MCL. Some people are saying he won’t miss any time; that could be, but I find it hard to believe they would play fast and loose with their young star safety. Pay attention to the injury reports as always, but having Geno as a back-up option is a smart idea. Geno has 36 solos, 19 assists, 8 pass deflections, and 6 interceptions on the year.
Sydney Brown, Safety, Philadelphia Eagles
Rostered: ESPN .4%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 3%
Sydney has taken over as the third safety, but also as Reed Blankenship’s backup. Sydney replaced Reed in Week 7 when he missed the game and again in Week 14 when he left early with a concussion. Players are more likely to sit a game after a concussion than ever before. Seattle (Week 15) is a mediocre matchup for safeties, but with the Eagles defense giving up huge plays in the passing game as of late this looks to be a decent spot for Sydney if needed.
Ahkello Witherspoon, Cornerback, Los Angeles Rams
Rostered: ESPN .5%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 0%
The Rams offense has been firing on all cylinders as of late which means teams can’t just run on them. The Washington Commanders face the Rams in Week 15 with the Commanders giving up about 14 tackles a game to opposing cornerbacks. Ahkello averages about 2.7 tackles a game, but has 4 in each of the past two games and has a 95% snap share.
2023 NFL Week 15 IDP Waiver Wire – Defensive Linemen
Derek Barnett, Defensive End, Houston Texans
Rostered: ESPN .1%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 0%
The week of Thanksgiving Derek was waived by the Eagles and claimed by the Texans. He played 23% of the defensive snaps in Week 13 accuring no stats, and 41% of the snaps in Week 14 when he had 2 solos, 2 TFL, and 1 QB hit.
Rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr left the Week 14 with an ankle injury. We do not yet know the severity of it yet, but if he misses time Derek is a good bet to see increased snaps. Jerry Hughes may have the high snap share increase, but after a fantastic 2022, he has fallen off in 2023. The Texans play the Titans in Week 15, and the Titans have been very kind in allowing tackles and big plays to edge-rusher. If Will is out, I’m betting on Derek over Jerry.
Nick Herbig, Defensive End/Edge/Linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rostered: ESPN .2%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 0%
Both TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith are in the concussion protocol after their Thursday night loss to the Patriots. Nick Herbig ended up playing a career-high 45 snaps (79%) and had 5 solos, 2 assists, and 1 TFL. If one or both were to miss, Nick is in line for a bigger role and is worth a shot in their Saturday game against the Colts.
Jarran Reed, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle, Seattle Seahawks
Rostered: ESPN 4.1%, Yahoo 4%, Sleeper %
After a bit of a mid-season lull, the trade for Leonard Williams seems to have rejuvenated Jarran. Once Leonard joined the team and got up to speed with a 70% or higher snap share (as is his norm) Jarran has been playing great next to him. This would be from Week 11 on, and ruing those four games this is what Jarran has for stats:
7 solos, 11 assists, 3 TFL, and 1 pass deflection
No these are not world-beating numbers, but they are very solid for a defensive tackle/defensive end. Philadelphia is not a great matchup on paper, but Jarran produced well in subpar matchups the past three weeks.
Justin Jones, Defensive Tackle, Chicago Bears
Rostered: ESPN 1.2%, Yahoo 0%, Sleeper 0%
Justin has just 3.5 sacks this year, with 1.5 of them coming in Week 14 against the Lions. He does have a solid number of tackles though, with 23 solos, 16 assists, and 8 TFL on the year, in addition to 4 pass deflections. The Bears face the Browns in Week 15 and Cleveland continues to be a great matchup for defensive tackles. This is a solid tackle-based play for a player with a 68.37% snap share on the year.
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