IDP Waiver Wire: Week 13 Nov 29, 2011 | More
More articles from Gary Davenport

It’s now Week 13 of the 2011 fantasy football season, which means that in any number of IDP leagues this week is the end of the regular season, making every lineup and roster decision a huge one as teams scramble to try to squeak into the playoffs or secure a first round bye.

It’s also so late in the season, which means that the IDP Waiver Wires in many leagues are rather threadbare, making finding upgrades or injury replacements that much daunting an endeavor.

That said here are some players that should be available on many IDP waiver wires that are worth targeting as we head into Week 13.

PICKUP OF THE WEEK

E. J. Henderson – MLB, Minnesota Vikings: A knee injury limited Henderson’s role and production earlier in the season, but the nine-year veteran has turned it on of late, logging 21 tackles and a sack over his past two games. Henderson appears to have played himself back into a three-down role and could make for a very nice late-season add if another IDP owner in your league lost patience with him.

Dave Ball – DE, Tennessee Titans: The veteran end missed the last three games due to injury but was back in the lineup last week against Tampa Bay and played well, racking up four total tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. That stat line likely represents the 30 year-old’s IDP ceiling, but if your team’s ailing at DL (as many are right now) you could probably do a lot worse than giving Ball a look.

J.J. Watt – DE, Houston Texans: The rookie defensive end has been up-and-down (as many 3-4 DE are) but last week’s win over the Jaguars was certainly an “up” week, as the former Wisconsin standout made seven total tackles and added two sacks. The Texans have a rather IDP-friendly schedule down the stretch, so IDP owners in a bind at DL should certainly look to brighten their roster with some Watt-age.

Connor Barwin – OLB, Houston Texans: Watt wasn’t the only Houston defender that went off last week, as outside linebacker Connor Barwin terrorized the Jaguars for 10 total tackles and an eye-popping four sacks. The third-year pro now has 16 total tackles and 6.5 sacks over his past three contests, making him a definite target for IDP squads with a need at LB, especially in sack-heavy formats.

D.J. Smith – ILB, Green Bay Packers: Starting WILB and IDP beefcake Desmond Bishop aggravated his calf injury early in last week’s Turkey Day tilt with the Detroit Lions, giving way to rookie D.J. Smith, who finished the game with 6 stops. Bishop’s status for Week 13 is very much in doubt, and while it’s unreasonable to expect Smith to match Bishop’s production he could make for a solid desperation play for IDP owners in a pinch at the position.

Ryan Mundy – SS, Pittsburgh Steelers: Starter Troy Polamalu was forced from last week’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs with concussion-like symptoms, and his status for Week 13 is presently unknown. The third-year veteran filled in admirably for Polamalu’s hair, pacing the Steelers with 11 tackles and picking off Tyler Palko, and should Polamalu sit this week against the Cincinnati Benglas could make for a solid one week plug-and-play.

Ashton Youboty – CB, Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars turned to Youboty to plug one of the many holes in their leaky and injury-ravaged secondary, and the sixth-year pro had a big day statistically, making eight total tackles and returning a fumble for a touchdown. Odds are that Youboty will be targeted mercilessly by opposing quarterbacks, meaning plenty of chances for IDP production and making worth a look as a matchup play.

Have a question regarding a particular player? Check out the Fantasy Sharks IDP Forum or e-mail me at askgary@fantasysharks.com and I’ll do my best to help!