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Mitchell's top Week 14 IDP waiver wire pickups, adds, fantasy football defensive streamers for 2025. Target these individual defensive players on Week 14 waivers.
Welcome back to our fantasy football IDP Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers for Week 14. One of the misuses of the English language is how we call a low-scoring football game a “defensive struggle.” I happen to think both defenses in the Seahawks vs. Vikings game, particularly Seattle, played pretty well. It was the offenses that struggled, combining for 3.4 yards per play. You might even say it was a struggle to watch.
It was good times for those who started IDP players on either team, however. Seahawks LB Ernest Jones IV made two interceptions, including the pick-six that Max Brosmer gave Titans fans PTSD. Vikings LB Eric Wilson made 11 tackles and a sack, while EDGE Dallas Turner made two strip sacks.
Who might give you such great performances in Week 14? Let’s take a look at these 10 linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs to consider adding or streaming in Week 14.
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Week 14 Waiver Wire Adds for Linebacker
Germaine Pratt, LB, Indianapolis Colts - Rostered in 20% of Leagues
Pratt had the third-most tackles among linebackers between Week 8 and 12. This past week, in a loss to the Houston Texans, the 29-year-old added nine tackles and forced a fumble.
Pratt is being used predominantly on run defense and in pass coverage. Only 33 of his 560 snaps have been rushing the passer. So, he’s good in tackle-heavy formats but bad in big-play leagues that heavily reward sacks.
Payton Wilson, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers - Rostered in 15% of Leagues
A hip injury caused Pittsburgh’s green dot linebacker, Patrick Queen, to leave the Steelers vs. Bills game early. If Queen misses time, Wilson will likely step up into the every-down role. Wilson wore the green dot in preseason games.
When Queen is healthy, Wilson typically plays between 40 and 60 snaps. The second-year product of NC State is tackle-dependent.
He is averaging 7.7 tackles per game but has made just one sack and one fumble recovery. When he’s on the field for over 60 snaps, as he might be next week, he has made 13 tackles in a game three times.
Eric Wilson, ILB, Minnesota Vikings - Rostered in 10% of Leagues
In his first season as a Viking, Wilson has overtaken Ivan Pace Jr. on the depth chart and become an every-down linebacker. Minnesota uses nickel defenses so often that Wilson is frequently on the field for 100% of snaps. He has played 55 or more snaps in each of the past six games.
While his tackling has been inconsistent, his volume is enough that he has big days often enough to make him a frequent double-digit scorer in RotoBaller Standard and Bonus IDP scoring formats.
He has missed about 17% of the tackles he has attempted, a poor performance. But in absolute terms, he is averaging 6.4 tackles per game, and he is used on the blitz pretty often. With 4.5 sacks and an 18% pressure rate, he is a productive pass-rusher.
Week 14 Waiver Wire Adds for Defensive Line
Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals - Rostered in 1% of Leagues
Ossai is having a career year. He has already made five sacks in 12 games, which ties his new career high. He made two sacks and forced a fumble against the Baltimore Ravens.
He has been playing over 60 snaps in most games. Since Trey Hendrickson has missed each game since Week 9, Ossai has been on the field even more. He has played 69 or more snaps in four of the last five games and 70-plus in the past two.
Jordan Davis, DT, Philadelphia Eagles - Rostered in 6% of Leagues
Davis is living up to his billing as the No. 13 overall pick in 2022. He’s been having a huge breakout season with 49 tackles through the first 12 games of the season, including nine tackles against the Chicago Bears.
Davis has had some big games, making over five tackles in six games this season. It’s hard to find a defensive tackle who can do that for you. In deep leagues, you can start him at DL, and in leagues that need a DT, he’s an excellent start.
Week 14 Waiver Wire Adds for Cornerback and Safety
Nahshon Wright, CB, Chicago Bears - Rostered in 24% of Leagues
In his first season in Chicago, Wright has come out of nowhere to become one of the biggest playmakers in IDP fantasy football.
In his first four seasons, he made just 31 tackles and a single interception. This season, he has made 54 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and five interceptions.
He’s a bit of a Trevon Diggs-type player. He’s allowed seven touchdowns and a 61.9% completion percentage. PFF has graded him at 62.0 on defense and 62.1 in pass coverage on 719 total snaps.
Andrew Wingard, FS, Jacksonville Jaguars - Rostered in 4% of Leagues
Wingard has made 69 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
When the Jags drafted Caleb Ransaw with the No. 88 pick this spring, it looked like they were making plans for the future. Ransaw started the season on IR with a foot injury and will not return.
Mike Sainristil, CB, Washington Commanders - Rostered in 5% of Leagues
Sainristil is leading the Commanders in interceptions this season with three picks, and he could add to that total in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are leading the league in picks thrown this season.
Their regular starter, J.J. McCarthy, has thrown 10 interceptions (and just six touchdown passes). He has thrown two interceptions in each of his past three games.
He missed Week 13 with the lingering effects of a concussion, and backup Brosmer was even worse. He threw four of the ugliest interceptions of the year.
Will Harris, FS, Washington Commanders - Rostered in 2% of Leagues
Harris recovered from an ankle injury that had kept him out from Week 4 through Week 12. In his first game back, an overtime loss to the Broncos, he made six tackles.
Next week, he draws a matchup against an interception-prone Vikings team. He has not been a ballhawk; he has just three interceptions in his career. But when errant passes are being thrown, anyone could come down with them.
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