IDP Matchups, Living the Stream: Week 15

Photo: USA Today Sports

Let's just be real about this week's column—with the fantasy playoffs underway in most leagues, no one wants to be looking for matchup plays at this point. The last thing they want is a fill-in. Managers want Cleveland Browns edge-rusher Myles Garrett going in a plus matchup with the Chicago Bears. Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun is taking on a run-heavy Baltimore Ravens team. They want safety. They want certainty.

The thing is—the IDP Gods careth not what anyone wants.

Arguably the No. 1 defensive lineman in IDP, T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers is in concussion protocol. Blake Cashman of the Houston Texans and Ivan Pace Jr. of the Minnesota Vikings have made appearances in this very column this year and been huge boosts for IDP squads in 2023—but both also have atrocious fantasy matchups for linebackers this week.

Now, does that mean you shouldn't start Pace and Cashman in Week 15? No—it depends on your other options, the matchup, and any number of other factors.

But in the playoffs, the next loss is the last loss. That's it, the season's over. Whether due to injury or matchup, there's nothing to lose by at least considering a matchup play.

And sometimes, it's the managers willing to throw caution to win who emerge victorious—especially if they happen to enter a matchup as an underdog.

EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, Baltimore (at Jacksonville)

That some consider Clowney's professional career a disappointment says more about the ridiculous hype that surrounded his entrance to the NFL after decapitating a player than about the player himself—maybe Clowney wasn't an all-time great. Still, he's been to multiple Pro Bowls and amassed 50.5 sacks over a decade in the pros. Clowney is also enjoying something of a Renaissance season in his first year with the Ravens, and Ravens outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith credited the fact that Clowney is no longer expected to be a one-man wrecking ball.

"There's nobody in this building, probably except Lamar Jackson, who's had as much pressure as Jadeveon Clowney [has]," Smith said. "The difference in Jadeveon Clowney in other places is that he's developed a skill move. But also, add in, he has the complementary pieces around him that he's not Jadeveon Clowney, the first-round pick, the No. 1 guy."

With four games to play, Clowney has 7.5 sacks—putting him within shouting distance of the first 10-sack season of his professional career. The Jaguars have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to defensive ends even with a healthy Trevor Lawrence—a clearly hobbled Lawrence was dropped four times by the Browns in Cleveland last week.

EDGE Michael Hoecht, LA Rams (vs. Washington)

It's been an interesting season for Hoecht. At this time a year ago, the 26-year-old was a defensive end in the Rams' three-man front. But in the offseason, the team moved the 311-pounder to outside linebacker—quite the transition for a player Hoecht's size. However, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris told reporters he never doubted Hoecht could make the transition.

"I've been really fired up and pleased with what he's been able to do," Morris said. "He shows great athleticism that he's always shown from a special teams standpoint and for him to get out there and to be able to go play outside linebacker for us was great. For him to use his physical presence on setting edges in the run game and do some of those things really causes some great disruption."

Hoecht and rookie Byron Young have had their moments in 2023, combining for 10.5 sacks this season. Hoecht has also eclipsed 60 total tackles for the season, and with a Commanders team coming to SoFi Stadium that has allowed 58 sacks this year and the third-most fantasy points to defensive end, Hoecht has the makings of a sneaky high-floor DL2 in Week 15.

LB Derrick Barnes, Detroit (vs. Denver)

When the Lions drafted Jack Campbell out of Iowa, most presumed he would assume the secondary linebacker role next to Alex Anzalone in Detroit. But while the emergence of Derrick Barnes this season caught some IDP pundits off guard, one person who wasn't at all surprised by it was Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

"I was excited about the player and what he showed on tape, what he does in games, exactly who he is," Glenn told reporters. "And everybody's different. Every player is different and sometimes it takes a player a year, sometimes you can come off the box ready to go and sometimes it may take you three years. The thing is we saw a player in Barnes."

Barnes' snap share has bounced around somewhat this season, but he's usually on the field for 70-plus percent of the defensive snaps, including 87 percent a week ago against the Chicago Bears. With the Lions preparing to take on a Denver Broncos team that leads the league in fantasy points allowed to linebackers, Barnes is at the top of the fill-in list this week at a position where fill-ins aren't easy to find.