Fantasy Football Week 17 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups: Jer'Zhan Newton, Demani Richardson, Dee Winters and More
These are the IDP options you should be targeting on your waiver wire for championship week.
Linebackers
Christian Harris, Houston Texans
Harris was back in full rotation for the Texans this week and was on the field for 97% of the snaps. He tallied seven tackles (five solo) and dragged down the quarterback for a sack a week after making eight tackles in his season debut. With him being a proven fantasy asset who just stepped back into a full-time role, it makes him an intriguing start for championship week.
Marist Liufau, Dallas Cowboys
We mentioned Liufau last week and things went even better than expected from a situational standpoint with Eric Kendricks ending up being inactive. He finished the game with seven tackles (one solo) and a forced fumble. However, what was really interesting was the fact that Nick Vigil also slid into a near-every-down role and ended up leading the team in tackles with 10 (five solo).
The only reason he's not the linebacker listed is that Liufau is locked into a role next week while Vigil is only an option if Kendricks continues to be sidelined.
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans
Every Tennessee linebacker you've ever heard of is now injured. The backups to the backups are hurt. That has led to Gray being thrust into an every-down role. If Kenneth Murray, Luke Gifford and Otis Reese all continue to miss time, then Gray proved this week that he can be a fantasy viable option who can make an impact.
He piled up a whopping 15 tackles (nine solo) on Sunday. You could cut that number in half and it's still a decent game. This position has proven to have value all season and if things fall into place, he could be an interesting option in deeper leagues.
Jaylon Carlies, Indianapolis Colts
With E.J. Speed ruled out for Week 16, the Colts opted to move Carlies into a full-time role. As we've seen for years now, this position holds immense fantasy value and there was no exception with Carlies slotted in.
He stepped in and led the team with 10 tackles (six solo). If Speed is out again this week, we'd fully expect him to get another start and get a ton of tackles just like every linebacker they plug in in Indy.
Dee Winters, San Francisco 49ers
Dre Greenlaw has struggled to stay on the field since returning from his torn Achilles and De'Vondre Campbell Sr. has been jettisoned into the Pacific Ocean by the team after refusing to enter the game a few weeks back. This has created increased opportunity for Winters, who has played well when on the field.
He managed to make eight tackles (six solo) in Week 16 and should see an increased workload this week. The fact that Greenlaw exited with a calf issue coming off that injury would suggest that the 49ers would at least limit his workload considering they are playing for nothing after having any slight playoff dreams crushed by the Dolphins on Sunday.
Darius Muasau, New York Giants
Bobby Okereke has been placed on injured reserve and that has pushed Muasau into a starting role in New York next to Micah McFadden. He led the team with 11 tackles (four solo) in Week 16 and there should be plenty of tackling opportunities again this week, which is enough to make him a potential streaming option in deep leagues.
Defensive Backs
Demani Richardson, Carolina Panthers
We saw Richardson put up monster numbers earlier in the season when given a starting opportunity. He was back at it again on Sunday when starting safety Jordan Fuller was a surprise healthy scratch.
In Week 16, he made six tackles (three solo), but in his two starts earlier in the season, he made double-digit tackles in both opportunities. We know the upside is there, which makes him an intriguing high-floor option if he gets another start.
Cole Bishop, Buffalo Bills
With Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp both sidelined due to injury in Week 16, Bishop stepped in and posted impressive fantasy numbers. He finished second on the team with eight tackles including a tackle for a loss.
With both starting safeties sidelined, he found himself in an every-down role. We'd expect to see the same thing this week if they are out once again.
Defensive Line
Jer'Zhan Newton, Washington Commanders
The talented rookie had a monster game in Week 16, showing why so many scouts were so high on him. He managed to rack up six tackles (five solo), with a sack and three tackles for a loss. If you are scrambling for a defensive tackle in championship week, Newton could be a solid high upside rookie on the upswing.