Instead of going into a recap of how the Week 17 IDL and Edge streamers performed last week, I am going to say please keep Damar Hamlin in your thoughts, hopes, and prayers. The most unfortunate of instances happened this past Monday, and the man is still fighting. If there is anything you get out of this article, make it a donation to Hamlin's toy drive for less fortunate children. You can find that link here. Hamlin is a selfless person, and his well being is far more important than any fantasy championship. Still, I will always be here for advice, though I am leaving out the sleeper section again. You should not be streaming potential sleepers in your Championship matchups. Here are the top IDL and Edge streaming options for Week 18.
Week 18 IDL and Edge Streaming Options
Edge Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Houston Texans
Matchup: Indianapolis Colts - Ranked 4th in Matt Bitotni's Rankings
Okoronkwo has found a home in Houston, looking like the team's top edge rusher in their current state. He was a fifth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Rams, though was never able to fully crack the roster. Over the past eight games, Okoronkwo has been a beast. He has 31 tackles, nine for a loss, five sacks (all in the last five games), and 23 pressures (15 in the last three games) during that span. Okoronkwo has also averaged 51% of the team's defensive snaps over the last five games showing that the Texans are taking a good look at him to see if he fits in their future plans. He lined up against rookie Trevor Penning of the Saints in the preseason and made him look foolish.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo had anything he wanted against Trevor Penning. pic.twitter.com/UY79OFeYyV
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) August 15, 2022
Since he has become a staple on the defensive line (the last five games), Okoronkwo has a pass-rush grade of 78.2 and a tackle grade of 72.5 per PFF. He takes on the Colts offensive line who has allowed the second-most sacks in the league this season with 58. Look for Okoronkwo to continue to impress.
Edge Darrell Taylor, Seattle Seahawks
Matchup: Los Angeles Rams - Ranked 29th in Matt Bitonti's Rankings
Taylor is another Edge defender who has come into his own as of late. Over the past five games, he has produced 5.5 sacks, finally providing the Seahawks with a secondary pass-rusher alongside Uchenna Nwosu. Taylor has earned more playing time due to his performance and the fact that he is healthy. He has seen a 52% snap share in the last two games. For reference, he only played on 23% during the previous six. Taylor has tremendous burst and closing speed off the edge. Look how quickly he gets to Kyler Murray here once he turns the corner.
This is what you pay Darrell Taylor to do. Turn on the jets, fly upfield, bend quickly around the corner, and go for the football after collapsing on the quarterback. pic.twitter.com/c98bKUTHEG
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) October 18, 2022
Taylor and the Seahawks take on the Rams in Week 18. Not only is it a cake matchup, the Rams have allowed 54 sacks on the season (fourth most), but the Seahawks are fighting for a playoff birth. They will need Nwosu and Taylor to be disruptive.
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IDL Dalvin Tomlinson, Minnesota Vikings
Matchup: Chicago Bears - Ranked 30th in Matt Bitonti's Rankings
Tomlinson is a tackle hog in the middle of the Vikings defensive line. He has 20 tackles over his past four games, which includes a four tackle and one sack effort in Week 17. Tomlinson has shown some pass-rush potential during that four-game span as well, racking up 10 pressures. He is capable of people moving like this.
weekly dalvin tomlinson act of destruction pic.twitter.com/YGMJEHTtYt
— Luke Braun (@LukeBraunNFL) October 11, 2022
The Vikings are still fighting for a potential #2 seed in the NFC, so they still have plenty to play for. They take on the Bears' sieve-like offensive line in Week 18. They have allowed the third-most sacks in the NFL with 57, including seven sacks in Week 17. Tomlinson could have a high-volume day.
IDL Morgan Fox, Los Angeles Chargers
Matchup: Denver Broncos - Ranked 21st in Matt Bitonti's RAnkings
Morgan Fox burned me in Week 15 when I pegged him as a streaming option, so you would think I'm done with him. Oh contraire, he is still balling. Since Week 10, Week 15 was literally his only down week. In the six games since Week 10, not including Week 15, Fox has 24 tackles, six for a loss, four sacks, and 19 pressures. He has been even more impressive over his pat two games. His totals during that span are 10 tackles, four for a loss, three sacks, and six pressures. Since Week 10, Fox has seen a 65.5% snap share.
Fox has a career-high in sacks already on the season with six and a half, while also boasting a 70.1 pass-rush grade per PFF. Fox plays the Broncos in Week 18, the team of utter disappointment. They allowed four sacks during Week 17, adding to their total of 61 on the season, which is the league's most. Hopefully, Fox can stay hot to finish the season.
Final thoughts
If you are playing in Week 18, you are one of the few who have a normal Championship Week in the final week of the season, or you are using Week 18 due to unfortunate circumstances from Week 17. Either way, Footballguys is here. Again, I would like to emphasize that the well being of Damar Hamlin is much more on the minds of us here at Footballguys rather than fantasy football. Let us not forget the human aspect of the game. They are entertainers, but they are human. Let us all cross our fingers and hope this young man makes it out okay. With that said, good luck in Week 18, and thank you for reading my content this year.