Week 15 IDP Fantasy Football Top Performers and Injury Roundup: Brian Branch, Dane Belton, Lavonte David, T.J. Watt, Micah Parsons and More

After going over fantasy football takeaways from the Thursday and Sunday games, it’s time for an IDP roundup.

We’ll discuss some top performers, and then also go over some injuries that might change the outlook for defenses going forward.

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Top Tacklers

After a 15-tackle night from Fred Warner on Thursday, Detroit’s Brian Branch and New York Giants’ Dane Belton each reached that mark on Sunday.

Branch also had a pass defensed in the contest. With 85 tackles, 14 passes defensed and four interceptions on the season, Branch is one of the better IDP options at safety, even if his tackle totals aren’t all that consistent.

Belton had a sack and a pass defensed on Sunday to go along with his 15 tackles. He now has 38 tackles on the season, so this was a breakout game for him. New York was missing three cornerbacks on Sunday, so that probably helped him get on the field a bit more - if they remain out in week 16, Belton is a sneaky good IDP option.

New Orleans’ Demario Davis had another good showing after posting 14 tackles. He had a sack too. Davis has had four good IDP performances over the past five weeks, so he’s a linebacker to keep starting down the stretch.

Indianapolis’ E.J. Speed was the lone defensive player at 13 tackles. He has at least six tackles in every game this season and 130 tackles overall. Speed is a must-start IDP at this point. 

Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David, Cincinnati’s Akeem Davis-Gaither and Arizona’s Kyzir White all tallied 12 tackles on Sunday.

David got into double figures as a tackler for the first time this season. He also had 1.5 sacks on Sunday, marking the second straight week he had at least one sack. David had at least seven tackles in six of the past seven weeks, and with a couple sacks now, he’s a sneaky good option for the final couple weeks.

Davis-Gaither has at least nine tackles in three straight games, showing he’s a pretty good weekly IDP option now. I wouldn’t mind starting him, even though he’s mostly just getting fantasy points from his tackles.

White got into double figures in tackles for the second straight week. He’s got 111 tackles and a couple other splash plays this season, which shows he’s a good weekly starting option.

Detroit’s Jack Campbell, Giants’ Micah McFadden, Pittsburgh’s Patrick Queen and Houston’s Henry To'oto'o all had 11 tackles.

Campbell has seven or more tackles in 10 of the past 11 games. He doesn’t have many other splash plays to his name, but on tackles alone, Campbell is a pretty good IDP option.

McFadden had a sack among his 11 tackles - he has reached 11 tackles in four of the past six weeks, and had 11 combined tackles in the other two games. McFadden is ending the season strong, and is a good IDP option going forward.

Queen has seven or more tackles in seven straight contests. He also doesn’t have a ton of other splash plays to his name, but the tackles alone are good IDP production.

To’oto’o had a half sack and forced fumble to go along with his 11 tackles. He has 87 tackles and a couple splash plays to his name, making him a solid weekly IDP option.

Arizona’s Budda Baker, Philadelphia’s Nakobe Dean, New England’s Kyle Dugger, Carolina’s Josey Jewell, Cincinnati’s Jordan Battle and Buffalo’s Terrel Bernard all had 10 tackles in week 15.

Baker continued his strong season and now has 142 tackles overall. He has barely any other splash plays, but with all those tackles, Baker needs to be starting in a bunch of IDP leagues.

Dean got into double figures for the third straight week. He also forced a fumble on Sunday, and has a few other splash plays to his name. With 116 total tackles, Dean is another good weekly option.

Dugger has 62 tackles on the season, which is a solid amount for a safety. He’s had six or more tackles in three straight games, which makes him a bit better option for the remaining couple weeks.

Jewell reached 10 tackles for a third straight week, showing why he’s a good weekly starting option. His streak of three straight games with a sack got snapped, but also shows he’s got a little more upside.

Battle had a fumble recovery to go along with his 10 tackles. It was his first time in double figures as a tackler this season, and he has just 45 overall, so this was a bit of an outlier game. He’s a better IDP in deeper leagues.

Bernard hit 10 tackles for a second straight week, and has eight or more tackles in seven straight contests now. He’s got a number of splash plays to his name as well, so Bernard is a pretty good weekly starting option.

Sack Leaders

Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt had two sacks among his seven tackles, while also forcing a fumble. Everyone knows Watt is one of the top fantasy defensive players in the game, and he should keep starting in IDP leagues.

New Orleans’ Cameron Jordan had two sacks among his six tackles on Sunday. He has just three sacks and 25 tackles on the season, but with a history of success, Jordan might be worth an add to see if he can get hot down the stretch.

Green Bay’s Kingsley Enagbare posted two sacks among his five tackles. He’s got 4.5 sacks and 36 tackles for the season, so while this was a bit of a one-week aberration, I think Enagbare has decent value in some deeper IDP leagues.

Dallas’ Micah Parsons tallied two sacks among his four tackles. He didn’t post any stats in his last game, but has 5.5 sacks and 15 tackles total over the past four games. Parsons remains a good IDP option as long as he’s out there.

New Orleans’ Chase Young had two sacks among his three tackles. He has 5.5 sacks and 25 tackles now on the season. Young has some appeal in deeper IDP leagues, but the lack of tackles and sacks consistently holds him back from being added/played in more leagues.

Kansas City’s George Karlaftis had two sacks on Sunday. He has 32 tackles and seven sacks on the season, making him a bit better weekly option than Young. Karlaftis has been a pretty streaky player when it comes to sacks this season, so he could be a sneaky good play in week 16.

Injury Roundup

Cleveland’s Martin Emerson left with a head injury. He’s been playing a ton of snaps, so if he’s out down the stretch, another cornerback will be given extended snaps, and the Cleveland defense will probably be even more vulnerable than it already has been.

Browns’ Shelby Harris had also been playing a ton of snaps. He left with an elbow injury and would weaken the Browns’ defense a little more if he’s out.

Detroit’s Carlton Davis left with a jaw injury, while Alim McNeill has a knee injury - both are expected to miss the rest of the season. Cornerback Khalil Dorsey, who replaced Davis, left with an ankle injury. The Lions’ defense has suffered a number of injuries, and has looked very vulnerable of late. These few injuries aren’t likely to help matters.

Green Bay’s Quay Walker left with an ankle injury. Edgerrin Cooper, who starred on Sunday night, could be in store for a bigger role if Walker has to miss time.

Kansas City’s Chamarri Conner left with a concussion. If he has to miss time, another defensive back should be given more playing time, and the Chiefs’ defense might be a little easier to move the ball against.

New England’s Christian Elliss left with a head injury. He’s played a good amount of snaps this season, so there will be a void in the Patriots’ defense if he has to miss time.

New Orleans’ Kool-Aid McKinstry is dealing with a stinger. He’s played nearly every snap in each of the past four games, so if he has to miss time, that would weaken the Saints’ defense, while giving another cornerback a chance to step up.

Jets’ Jalen Mills (chest), Tony Adams (nose) and Jamien Sherwood (concussion evaluation) all are dealing with ailments after week 15. The Jets’ defense would be a little easier to move the ball on if any of those guys miss some time.

Pittsburgh’s Watt has an ankle injury he’s now dealing with. You’ll need to watch his status as the upcoming week progresses. Donte Jackson is still dealing with his back injury, and considering he can’t get through games, he might get shut down for a week here soon.