December 6, 2016

Bryan Levin takes a look at some of the top defensive players (IDP) to add for Week 14 of the 2016 fantasy football season.

Happy playoffs, RotoBallers.

If you are reading this, you have made the tournament, and are looking for some help in a pivotal IDP matchup. Welcome to our weekly column to help you win on the defensive side of the ball. Today we are here to review some IDP waiver wire pickups for Week 14.

The following players are not necessarily “must start” players for IDP leagues, but rather, players that currently have below 25% ownership levels (in Yahoo! Leagues) and are suggested deep-league IDP additions for this week.

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 14 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

Linebackers - Week 14 IDP Waiver Adds

Leonard Floyd, Bears

Matchup: @ Lions

Ownership: 1%

The Bears dismal campaign has offered a few glimmers of hope moving forward. Possibly the most important development for the future of the team is Floyd, the ninth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft who has 6.5 sacks since Week 7. The matchup is not great here, as the Lions have really improved their offensive line play this season, cutting their sacks allowed in 2015 from 2.8 per game to 2.2 in 2016, but Floyd is worth a shot with the way he has performed for well over a month.

Denzel Perryman, Chargers

Matchup: @ Panthers

Ownership: 2%

For those who have read this column all season long, Perryman has been a favorite of mine, despite having a very disappointing season. He was able to recover from a multiple week injury and returned in Week 12 to the tune of 10 total tackles, and backed that up in Week 13 with nine total stops. Perryman ended 2015 on a high note, and looks to be on his way to a repeat end-of-year performance in 2016.

Nick Kwiatkoski, Bears

Matchup: @ Lions

Ownership: 7%

I admit that I missed the boat on this one. BIG time. Following the suspension to Jerrell Freeman and the season-ending injury to Danny Trevathan, there was a gaping hole for production in the Bears linebacker corps. Last week, I advised owners to look into veteran LB Pernell McPhee, who was seeing a steady increase in snaps and had a streak of sacking the quarterback. Pernell failed to show up in limited snaps on Sunday, while fourth-round rookie Kwiatkoski played an extremely physical game, registering nine solo tackles (two for loss) and deflecting two passes. This weeks matchup against division leading Detroit isn’t ideal, but the heavy snap count and possibility that Detroit jumps out early and runs the ball late will give Kwiatkoski opportunities for stops.

David Harris, Jets

Matchup: @ 49ers

Ownership: 15%

Harris was one of only a handful of Jets to show up to play in Monday night’s embarrassing thrashing by the Colts, making eight total stops, including two for a loss. The veteran has long been a solid staple on IDP rosters, and figures to factor in heavy this week on the road as the 49ers have learned that they cannot depend on their quarterbacks to win games. The Jets may have checked out on 2016, but Harris hasn’t.

Avery Williamson, Titans

Matchup: vs. Broncos

Ownership: 16%

The third-year linebacker is one of the more unheralded but extremely important defensive players in the league. The Titans have exceeded expectations this season not only because of their efficient ground game, but their stout defense as well, which is anchored by Williamson. Coming off of a Week 13 bye, the Titans host the Broncos who, given their quarterback situation, will likely lean on their running backs to move the chains. Williamson has 87 total tackles this season, and is on pace to shatter his previous career high of 102. In the two games prior to the bye, Williamson racked up 16 total tackles and is clearly in a groove.

Defensive Linemen - Week 14 IDP Waiver Adds

Mario Addison, Panthers*

Matchup: vs. Chargers

Ownership: 0%

If Addison returns from a foot injury (he missed Week 13), he is an excellent play at home against San Diego. The top edge rusher for Carolina in 2016, the former journeyman is in the midst of a career year and will stay hungry despite the fact that the Panthers season is all but over. The Chargers have been one of the strangest teams to figure out all year, but they have allowed over 2.0 sacks per game and Addison has 3.0 sacks over his previous two. If indeed Addison can suit up, he is a good bet to get to the quarterback.

Cameron Jordan, Saints

Matchup: @ Buccaneers

Ownership: 15%

The Saints long time defensive end is on his way to another productive 16-game slate. Reports came out earlier in the week that Jordan’s slow start was due in large part to a sprained MCL during the first few weeks of the season. Like Olivier Vernon of the Giants earlier this season, Jordan’s sack numbers are not reflective of his strong play and ability to pressure the quarterback. Getting on the stat sheet in two of his previous four games, coupled with 20 total tackles in that span, gives Jordan a nice floor for a defensive lineman and faces a Bucs offensive line that has allowed 2.5 sacks per game at home this season.

Defensive Backs - Week 14 IDP Waiver Adds

Clayton Geathers, Colts*

Matchup: vs. Texans

Ownership: 3%

Beginning in Week 5, Geathers was one of the better IDP defensive backs in the entire league. His steady tackle numbers provided owners with a high floor and was playing in a nearly every down role for the Colts. Geathers was able to total at least eight combined tackles in three straight games before going down with a neck injury, missing weeks 12 and 13. If Geathers can return for Week 14, he remains a great play against the beleaguered Texans offense. If Geathers can’t suit up, veteran Mike Adams, coming off a strong performance of his own in Week 13, is a viable backup option

Eric Weddle, Ravens

Matchup: @ Patriots (Monday)

Ownership: 21%

What a dominant performance from Berry on Sunday in his hometown of Atlanta. Without his efforts, the Chiefs do not win that tough road game. Berry only notched two solo tackles in that category, but won the game due to a pick-six in the second quarter and the games final score, taking a two-point conversion attempt for Atlanta the other way to give KC the final lead it would need. While those plays are impossible to bank on from an IDP standpoint, Berry is playing at an extremely high level right now, recording nine total tackles in two of his previous four contests. Thursday night is the biggest game of the season for the Chiefs, and players like Berry generally step up in these situations.

Eric Berry, Chiefs

Matchup: vs. Raiders (Thursday)

Ownership: 21%

What a dominant performance from Berry on Sunday in his hometown of Atlanta. Without his efforts, the Chiefs do not win that tough road game. Berry only notched two solo tackles in that category, but won the game due to a pick-six in the second quarter and the games final score, taking a two-point conversion attempt for Atlanta the other way to give KC the final lead it would need. While those plays are impossible to bank on from an IDP standpoint, Berry is playing at an extremely high level right now, recording nine total tackles in two of his previous four contests. Thursday night is the biggest game of the season for the Chiefs, and players like Berry generally step up in these situations.