IDP Stock Market Week 16

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.

The Falling 4

EDGE Myles Garrett, Browns: This is going to backfire, isn't it? I don't believe so. Myles Garrett is arguably the best pass rusher the NFL has seen in a decade, but too often, he disappears, leaving fantasy managers in the worst of circumstances: rostering a player too good to sit but playing at a rate that can lose you games. Garett has had huge games this season, but he has also had six games of two or fewer tackles, including a 0-point game in Week 13. I understand if you think it is heresy to sit Garrett in the fantasy playoffs, but I'll give you his week-to-week splits since Week 11. Week 12, two tackles. Week 13, no stats. Week 14, one tackle. Week 15, three tackles. I'll be the guy you can blame if he goes off, but I wouldn't start Garrett until next season.

LB Ja'Whaun Bentley, Patriots: Bentley had emerged as the most viable option in the New England Patriots linebacker corps, but unfortunately, it appears he hit a wall. After what was his best game of the season, Week 9 against the Commanders, he has been fighting injuries, and we are seeing this affect his stats. The problem is, he seems to be getting more assisted tackles than solos like he had been producing before the bye. He isn't someone I would be comfortable starting in the fantasy playoffs unless I was injury-riddled or had no other choice. Bentley is a good linebacker in dynasty long term, but in the money weeks, we see regression, and he isn't worth the risk.

EDGE Boye Mafe, Seahawks: I've said this before about Boye, and I'll say it again. He is a great player who is simply too volatile to trust in these deep spots. He just doesn't produce enough in games where he doesn't have a sack to be worthy of a start in the playoffs. This season was a step in the right direction for him as a fantasy asset, but he is liable to lose you a game if you play him on the wrong week. He fits into the category of players that start in games where you need a filler but are too risky to set and forget. I would avoid him down the stretch, although he does have some good matchups.

EDGE Micah Parsons, Cowboys: Did you think Myles Garrett was going to be the only shocker in this article? I have another one that may make you think I'm crazy. Parsons has just not had enough consistency this season to warrant a spot in my starting lineup when I need it most. Yes, I understand the obscenities you may be throwing at me behind this article, but let's break down why. In his last three games, he has six total tackles and a sack. When you have this stat line but are considered one of the premiere defensive players in the league, it gives me cause for concern. I believe the road woes are legit for the Cowboys and teams are making their players beat them, not Parsons. I expect McDaniels to be the next in that line of coaches who minimize Parsons's impact on the game.

Premiere Pennies

S Ifeatu Melifonwu, Lions: Maybe Jordan Howden from last week was a bit of a letdown, but it appears we have another safety who is eligible to steal the show to end the season. Last week was the best game in Melifonwu's career. With Tracy Walker not playing, he stepped up massively. He compiled nine tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and two defended passes. That's how to make the coaches pay attention to you, and games like that get your number called more often. If you need a deep dive, he is likely available in your leagues but won't be long. Scoop him up for now! He likely continues to play down the stretch.

DT B.J. Hill, Bengals: When one man goes down, you must have a credible replacement to achieve what is expected. D.J. Reader for the Bengals has been the main man in the interior defensive line for the Bengals but went down for the season last week. B.J. Hill has been a player who has played a lot this season but is likely to have an increased role, which could lead to more meaningful statistics down the stretch. He is worthy of a roster spot and may even be worth a spot start in leagues where a defensive line is necessary. Next man-up mentality in the NFL. Why not take a chance on Hill?

EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel, Dolphins: I refuse to quit Andrew Van Ginkel. The guy just too often makes plays and has an enormous opportunity down the stretch. Last week was a good game, one in which he produced four total tackles and a half sack to go with a defended pass. Look, he's never going to be the premiere pass-rushing threat in the league, but he has proven to have the ability to produce meaningful starts for your team, and sometimes that is all the opportunity you need to win your league. He, at the very least, needs to be on your roster down the stretch run here. Don't let him be available in the Super Bowl of your league whether you're in it or not (you will be, I have faith!).

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