Fantasy Football Week 14 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Tyler Nubin, Nick Herbig and More
These are the IDP options you should be targeting on the waiver wire this week.
Linebackers
Akeem Davis-Gaither, Cincinnati Bengals
With Logan Wilson sidelined with a knee injury, Davis-Gaither slid into an every-down starting role and made the most of his opportunity. He finished tied for the team lead with 13 tackles (four solo).
If Wilson is ruled out again for Week 14, Davis-Gaither will likely be the best waiver-wire linebacker available in deeper leagues. However, be sure to monitor the injury reports because the return of Wilson will severely limit his snap count.
Zeke Turner, Detroit Lions
This is a bit of a tricky one. Malcolm Rodriguez went down with a torn ACL in Week 13 and his season is over. Turner was the linebacker who stepped in for him and is who we are currently projecting to be the next man up.
With that said, David Long Jr. has just been picked up and the team just claimed Kwon Alexander following the loss of Rodriguez. There is a chance either Long or Alexander could take over this job, or at the very least muddy it up so none of them are startable. Proceed with caution here.
J.J. Russell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
K.J. Britt was forced from Week 13 with an ankle injury and was replaced by Russell. Should Britt miss Week 14, Russell projects to be bumped up into the starting lineup.
He finished Week 13 with five tackles (four solo) and would play in the area of 75% of the snaps if Britt is unable to go this week. This is another one where you'll have to keep an eye on the injury reports throughout the week because you don't want to start Russell if Britt is active.
Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
Milano returned to action this past week and made Dorian Williams a complete afterthought. He played 75% of the snaps despite his extended absence and that number should only grow as he re-acclimates himself to playing. We already know he is a high-end linebacker and a proven fantasy asset, so if he lingered on your waivers through last week, he should be added in every league this week.
Isaiah McDuffie, Green Bay Packers
McDuffie, who had upside but was tough to trust last week, went off in Week 13 with Edgerrin Cooper sidelined. With his increased workload, he made 10 tackles (seven solo, one for a loss, defended a pass, and forced a fumble).
If Cooper misses another game, then McDuffie should see the same workload. However, just understand that while he has a high ceiling, he also has a low floor.
Troy Dye, Los Angeles Chargers
Dye saw a big bump in snaps this week with Denzel Perryman and Junior Colson out and had an outstanding game, racking up a team-best 14 tackles (seven solo) and a defended pass. He comes with extreme volatility, but if both linebackers are both once again sidelined, then he just showed you what he's capable of.
Mack Wilson Sr., Arizona Cardinals
If the Cards continue to deploy Wilson as they did in Week 13, he could thrive down the stretch. Not only did he lead the team with seven tackles (six solo), but he also tacked on two sacks and a defended pass. He's tough to trust this quickly, nevertheless, it's hard not to love what we saw out of him on Sunday.
Defensive Backs
Xavier Woods, Carolina Panthers
Whether due to injury or a change in philosophy, the Panthers have deployed their safeties in multiple different ways this season, most of which have resulted in plenty of fantasy points.
Woods has now been moved up into the box and is thriving as a tackler. He's now made 23 tackles in his last three games and has picked off two passes during that span. He's becoming a key IDP safety.
Tyler Nubin, New York Giants
Nubin is essentially the same story as Woods. A recent change has pushed him up into the box a lot more and it's reflected in his production. He's had three straight games with 12 tackles. That is outstanding production from a safety and his ultra-high floor makes him a must-own in every IDP format.
Defensive Linemen
Nick Herbig, Pittsburgh Steelers
It feels like high-end pass rushers grown on trees in Pittsburgh and it's starting to look like the Steelers have found another one. He has impressed even with limited snaps, which has led to more opportunities. It appears that he will be a big part of their future. However, he is already a valuable fantasy asset right now.
Herbig has forced or recovered a fumble in four straight games and has gotten to the QB in three of those games. Considering how little he played early on, his 4.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery are extremely impressive.
