IDP Stock Market Week 16

Photo: USA Today Sports

Did you survive? The yearly war of attrition is ending, but only the strong survive. It takes more than football savvy at this point. You need to be able to see around corners and take chances when they're the right ones to take. Above all else, maybe do some good in the world and bank some karma because fans of this game know all too well that sometimes it comes down to sheer luck. The good news for those managers with bad luck is that luck favors the prepared. So, without further pontification, let's prepare for round two of your playoff run with another playoff addition to the IDP Stock Market. Ring the bell, please!

The Fortune 5

EDGE Montez Sweat, Bears: What if I told you that there is a player who leads two NFL teams in sacks? That player is Montez Sweat of the Chicago Bears. Sweat seems to have been a very sneaky and impactful addition to a Bears team that seemingly had no momentum to begin the year. While the fortunes of this team lay in the hands of front-office decision-making, Sweat is proving that he was worth the risk of sending assets to acquire him. Since his Week 8 debut, he has seven sacks and 24 total tackles. He has had 12.5 sacks this season, and down the stretch, he has the Cardinals, Falcons, and Packers. Something tells me he will push for that 15-sack mark come Week 17-18.

EDGE Jonathan Greenard, Texans: When a team has a defensive head coach, the identity needs to be backed up by an elite pass rusher. In most cases, it is usually a flashy name, and Houston does have that in Will Anderson, but Greenard is putting together a very complete season and could be a difference-maker in fantasy down the stretch. He is having an elite stretch of games amid a career-best year: 52 tackles and 12.5 sacks are both career highs. His last three games have been 16 tackles with 5.5 sacks. Ride Greenard to your fantasy championship.

LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Browns: It could be me, but I have always viewed Koramoah as a second-tier player. One who I wouldn't utilize often outside of providing me bye week or injury depth. This couldn't be further from the truth here lately. He had a mid-season stretch of mediocrity but appears to be coming into his own down the stretch. He also appears to have picked up the stats that injured linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. left behind, and it couldn't come at a better time. At the end of the day, Owusu-Koramoah plays most snaps at linebacker and is showing us that he deserves to be started down the stretch, especially if Walker remains sidelined.

EDGE D.J. Wonnum, Vikings: The Minnesota Vikings have the best pass-rushing tandem in the NFL. It appears that if you start an edge rusher from the Vikings, you're going to be rewarded handsomely. This article doesn't even feature Danielle Hunter! Wonnum has become a must-have edge rusher for dynasty managers. He has not had a "down" game since Week 9, where he had four total tackles. If that is your floor, you are a starter in IDP, regardless of format. Wonnum is 26 years old and is benefitting from the players around him on the line, no doubt, but is taking advantage of his opportunities and putting up league-winning numbers for IDP managers who roster him.

DT Denico Autry, Titans: It is a rarity when we have a player crack the Fortune 5 and potentially be a free agent in your leagues. Autry has had a very quiet elite season for the abysmal Titans. He currently has 11 sacks, his career high, and 44 total tackles. He has had a sack in three of his last four games, two of those games compiling multiple sacks and six tackles. Defensive tackles can make us nervous to plug into starting lineups. Still, as far as the availability of Autry and what we are seeing out of some of the big names in the league (more of them in the Falling 4), it may be time to pull the pug and hold your nose while starting Autry. You'll be happy you did.