November 8, 2016

Bryan Levin's IDP waiver wire pickups, adds & sleepers for Week 10 of the 2016 fantasy football season. NFL linebackers, defensive linemen & defensive backs to add.

Happy Election Day! Or, maybe not so happy. Either way, we’ve made it to Week 10. Does any other season go faster? Welcome to our weekly columns to help you win on the defensive side of the ball. Today we are here to review some defense players to add - below are my IDP waiver wire pickups for Week 10.

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.

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Linebackers - Week 8 IDP Waiver Adds

Nate Stupar, Saints

Matchup: vs. Broncos

Ownership: 2%

I had Stupar on this list last week after three straight productive games for IDP owners. Stupar rolled his impressive play into a fourth consecutive week this past Sunday, racking up seven solo tackles while forcing AND recovering a fumble. He remains a deep IDP league add, and if you start at least three linebackers, he should remain an option for owners as the Saints continue their playoff push.

Jake Ryan, Packers

Matchup: @ Titans

Ownership: 2%

Ryan is a pretty versatile dude, going from 80s teenage heartthrob to Green Bay’s man in the middle of their defense. For those of you who don’t get the reference, just keep reading and pretend I don’t have a soft spot for Sixteen Candles. For those of you who do get the reference, thanks, now just keep reading and pretend I don’t have a soft spot for Sixteen Candles. All kidding aside, Ryan’s name did not generate the same headlines and enthusiasm in the IDP community during the preseason as teammates Clay Matthews and Blake Martinez, but has emerged as the most safe Packers linebacker. He gets a matchup this week against the Titans ground-and-pound attack, allowing him to be in on plenty of stops.

Korey Toomer, Chargers

Matchup: vs. Dolphins

Ownership: 2%

Toomer does not come with a ton of fanfare and notoriety. As a 2015 fifth round pick, he did not make his NFL debut until 2014, and has bounced four teams since. Yet, the journeyman linebacker now finds himself in an important position for IDP owners, as he will see plenty of snaps in the Chargers front seven. The Chargers have lost Manti Te'o, Denzel Perryman, and Jatavis Brown to season-ending (Teo) or multi-week injuries (Perryman and Brown), and are desperate for linebacker production. Toomer saw a heavy snap count in the Week 9 victory for San Diego and made the most of it, accumulating 9 total tackles (8 solo) and forcing a fumble. While those bigger names remains on the shelf, deploy Toomer with confidence.

Ryan Shazier, Steelers

Matchup: vs. Cowboys

Ownership: 14%

For those taking advantage of Shazier’s athleticism and speed at the linebacker position, continue to do so while he remains healthy and on the field. Seeing that he is only owned in 14% of IDP leagues, is it clear that many owners have been scared off by his long injury history, including a stretch earlier this season that saw him miss multiple games. Pounce on him if he is still out there, as he is a LB1/LB2 option while healthy and on the field. The Steelers are going to need him to play a heavy role this week against Ezekiell Elliott and the Cowboys top run game.

Vontaze Burfict, Bengals

Matchup: @ Giants (Monday)

Ownership: 20%

Burfict is infamous around NFL circles primarily for his undisciplined and often dirty play. Regardless, he has been a valuable IDP contributor since entering the league and should be owned in many more leagues. With his bye week now out of the way, Burfict enters Monday night’s tilt averaging 9 total tackles in his previous four games (7 solo) and is far too talented to be left on the waiver wire, especially in deep leagues.

Defensive Linemen - Week 10 IDP Waiver Adds

Trent Murphy, Redskins

Matchup: vs. Vikings

Ownership: 7%

With the Colts on their bye this week, the Vikings have taken the top position in terms of the best matchup for opponents. It has been well documented in various places, but the biggest cause for the Vikings offensive demise in recent weeks has been their terrible line play, yielding over 4.0 sacks per game in the previous three weeks. Make no mistake: the ‘Skins pass rush will get to Vikes QB Sam Bradford this week, and Murphy has shown up in the sack column in six of his previous seven contests.

Aaron Donald, Rams

Matchup: 23%

Ownership: @ Jets

In his third professional season, Donald remains near the top of the list as far as most impressive and physically overpowering defenders in the NFL. Donald has shown up in the sack column in four of his previous five games, and has an incredibly favorable matchup this Sunday against a Jets offensive line that is in complete disarray. This matchup gets even better if Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold can’t go for a third straight game, which would make Donald one of the best IDP plays overall this week.

Defensive Backs - Week 10 IDP Waiver Adds

Darian Stewart, Broncos

Matchup: @ Saints

Ownership: 1%

The Broncos veteran safety has been great over the past month from an IDP perspective, racking up tackles at a solid rate while collecting an interception, forcing a fumble, deflecting a pass, and added a tackle for loss. His production warrants a look, but his matchup is what will make him a trendy addition this week. Depending on your format, the pass-heavy Saints most likely rank in the top three for points allowed to opposing safeties this season, and are coming off a game where the 49ers starting safeties combined for 11 total tackles.

Kelcie McCray/Kam Chancellor, Seahawks

Matchup: @ Patriots (Sunday night)

Ownership: 1%/12%

The Seahawks have been without their hard-hitting Pro Bowl safety Chancellor since Week 4, but have gotten by just fine in their defensive backfield due to the solid play of McCray, who has become a useful IDP piece in the DB slot while filling in. McCray has totaled 30 tackles in his last three games, including 20 solo stops, an impressive number for a guy nobody heard of a month ago. My gut is that Chancellor suits up this Sunday night, and if he can go this week, he will be a strong play, as he figures to be a big part of the game plan to slow down Pats TE Rob Gronkowski. If he sits out again, taking a gamble on the hot-hand of McCray is not a bad option either, especially for those of you who enjoy having guys play on Sunday night or Monday night.

Jason McCourty, Titans

Matchup: vs. Packers

Ownership: 14%

Depending on your format, McCourty most likely ranks within or around the top 10 in scoring for defensive backs this season. Always known as a reliable tackler and a safe IDP option for deep leagues or as a bye week filler, McCourty’s recent string of high tackle numbers (17 solo in his previous two) has made him close to a must start DB. This Sunday’s matchup is certainly favorable, as the Titans take on a Packers team that throws the ball often and is in desperate need of a win. Regardless of which receiver he covers, McCourty figures to see plenty of throws his way.