X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

IDP Leagues Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Football: Week 9 - New look of Colts LBs, Isaiah Simmons, Malcolm Rodriguez, and more

IDP Waiver Wire Feature Image

Mitch Blatt's top IDP waiver wire adds and defensive streamers for Week 9 of the 2022 fantasy football season. These LB, DL, and DB have matchups worth exploiting.

Shaq Leonard made his triumphant return to the football field in Week 8 and made his snap count-limited time on the field count with an interception of Taylor Heinicke that ended a potential Washington comeback drive.. Washington would come back anyway later when Leonard was not on the field.

Leonard, the all-around big play GOAT of all middle linebackers, has had a disappointing first half of the season through no fault of his own. His recovery from back surgery caused him to miss the first three games of the season. Then when he was back from that, he suffered a concussion and a broken nose in a collision with his own teammate, Zaire Franklin, after just 16 snaps in Week 4. Finally back and ready to go every snap next week, his return disrupts things for fantasy managers benefiting from the play of current Colts starting LBs Franklin and Bobby Okereke.

Who will lose snaps? Probably Okereke. Franklin has been wearing the green dot lately and leading the league in tackling. Now if you have Okereke on your roster—or someone else who needs replacing—here are some options.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Malcolm Rodriguez, LB, Detroit Lions

Rostered in ~40% of MFL Leagues

The rookie Rodriguez has had six or more combined tackles in six of his seven games, and five or more solo tackles in four of those games. In the Lions’ loss to the Dolphins in Week 8, he also made his first career sack.

 

Isaiah Simmons, LB, Arizona Cardinals

Rostered in ~65% of MFL Leagues

Simmons continues to make an impact with impact plays after regaining a sizable role in the defensive rotation (he forced that fumble that the Cardinals returned to the end zone to beat the Raiders in overtime in Week 2, but coaches were down on him for his poor coverage and gaps in his fundamentals). After a couple of weeks in which he only saw the field for a quarter of the snaps, he has been on the field for 40 or more plays a game the past five games—50+ the past two.

He had a pick-six in Week 7 and a sack and a forced fumble in Week 8. His tackle numbers are up: 18 solo tackles in the past four games.

 

Za'Darius Smith, DE, Minnesota Vikings

Rostered in ~35% of MFL Leagues

Smith has turned it up to 11 in his past two games: 2.0 sacks against the Dolphins in Week 6. Three sacks and four tackles for loss against the Cardinals (albeit a highly depleted offensive line) and a pass defense this past week. He has taken down the opposing quarterback every week this season except Week 3 and now has 8.5 sacks, close to the league lead.

His matchup next week against the Commanders is mouth-watering. They are allowing the third-most sacks in the NFL. A couple of tough matchups against the Bills and Cowboys follow, but he gets the Colts and Giants, the top-six worst at protecting their QB, in Weeks 15 and 16. That's good for preparing you for the playoffs.

 

Grover Stewart, DT, Indianapolis Colts

Rostered in ~40% of MFL Leagues

Stewart is having his best season yet for tackles and QB hits. He’s on pace to finish with about 60 solo tackles and 84 combined tackles. In just the past three games, he’s made 17 solo tackles. An occasional sack or pass defense is the sprinkles on his base meal of tackles.

 

Divine Deablo, LB, Las Vegas Raiders

Rostered in ~52.5% of MFL Leagues

The signing of Blake Martinez didn’t hurt Deablo. He has still had 100% of snaps every week since Week 2 (Denzel is the odd (Perry)man out). Deablo is playing his best football of the year. He made 14 combined tackles this past week and double-digit combined tackles in each of the past three games.

 

Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots

Rostered in ~23.5% of MFL Leagues

McCourty is a 17-year veteran and a three-time second-team All-Pro who keeps putting up pretty good tackle numbers. With 42 combined through eight games, he’s on pace for his highest total in four years.

 

D.J. Reed, CB, New York Jets

Rostered in ~20% of MFL Leagues

Reed has played 100% of the Jets’ defensive snaps every week of the season, and he had made eight combined tackles in each of the past two games.

 

Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Indianapolis Colts

Rostered in ~45% of MFL Leagues

Ngakoue has had to step up with Kwity Paye out and Tyquan Lewis being carted off the field late in Week 8. He has. He’s made 6.0 sacks in the past four games. He doesn’t make many tackles, but he is good for those sack-heavy scoring formats.

 

Charvarius Ward, CB, San Francisco 49ers

Rostered in ~30% of MFL Leagues

Ward has been a positive addition to the 49ers this season. He is good at tackling and has made 13 solo tackles in the past two games and 30 on the season. Not a single tackle was missed.

 

Tyson Campbell, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Rostered in ~25% of MFL Leagues

Another tackle-making cornerback. Campbell has made 30 combined tackles in the past five games of his second year and 40 on the season. Seven passes defended mean he’s on pace to surpass his rookie year. His 52.5% completion rate allowed in coverage is excellent too, but alas, not relevant for fantasy scoring.

 

Chase Young, DE, Washington Commanders

Rostered in ~15% of MFL Leagues

Young will return to practice next week. He made 7.5 sacks and 44 combined tackles in his rookie year. Had a down season with just nine games in 2021. Can he come back and pick up where he left off in 2020?



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP