- The Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire | Best Free Agent Targets
IDP Nerds! Welcome to the Week 12 IDP waiver wire for IDP dynasty fantasy football. It’s crunch time to make key roster moves. Injuries, bye weeks, and emerging talent can create opportunities to strengthen your squad for a deep playoff run. This week’s waiver wire features the top options at key positions that could provide an immediate boost. Whether you’re contending for a playoff spot or building for the future, these IDPs could be your needed edge.
High-Priority Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups
Defensive Line | Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire
Ogbo Okoronkwo | DL | Cleveland Browns
Ogbo Okoronkwo has been a bright spot for the Cleveland Browns defense as of late. The former Oklahoma Sooner is playing for his 3rd team in just his 6th NFL season. Okoronkwo is coming off back-to-back 100-point fantasy seasons. He had 4.5 sacks in 2023 while playing opposite Myles Garrett and has 3 sacks through 10 games this season.
The veteran EDGE rusher has seen his defensive snap share increase over the last 5 games. Okoronkwo posted a 90.6 pass-rush grade in Week 11, the best game of his career (Pro Football Focus). He has created 7 pressures over the last 3 games and converted those into 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. The Cleveland pass rusher was DL18 against the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Okoronkwo is a suitable replacement this week with multiple teams on the bye.
Linebacker | Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire
Malcolm Rodriguez | LB | Detroit Lions
IDP fantasy managers were dealt another significant blow in Week 11 with the injury to Alex Anzalone. He was the lone Detroit linebacker with a 90% defensive snap share this season (Fantasy Pros). It’s still unclear who will step into the starting role alongside Jack Campbell, but my money is in the hands of young LB Malcolm Rodriguez.
Malcolm Rodriguez is in his 3rd season with the Lions; he had 83 tackles as a rookie. Rodriguez played 43 snaps in Week 11, the most he’s played since Week 3. Alex Anzalone was LB44 in fantasy points per game this season, so there will be plenty of opportunity for an LB to produce in his absence. The former 6th-round pick for the Detroit Lions can be a starting option for IDP managers down the season’s final stretch.
Defensive Back | Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire
Evan Williams | DB | Green Bay Packers
Evan Williams returned to the Green Bay secondary last week and finished with 6 tackles. The University of Oregon product has been a pleasant surprise for IDP fantasy managers this season with 33 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception.
Evan Williams will start at the strong safety position, and he has played 18.2% of his snaps in the box this season. There is some long-term value here with the Packers defensive back, so even rebuilding teams should be looking to add him ahead of Week 12.
Best of the Rest | Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire
Dorance Armstrong | DL | Washington Commanders
Dorance Armstrong was a top IDP to add in Week 2 this season. Over the next 3 games, the Commanders EDGE rusher collected 3 sacks and 1 forced fumble. However, he has been relatively quiet since that time.
IDP managers like myself are suckers for a good revenge game scenario, and that’s what’s in store for this week. Armstrong and Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn will match up against the Dallas Cowboys for the first time since their departures. I like Dorance Armstrong’s chances to get back in the sack column against a Dallas offensive line that surrendered 5 sacks on Monday Night Football.
Amari Burney | LB | Las Vegas Raiders
I don’t have much to say to make IDP fantasy managers feel great about this addition. There isn’t much to like when you want to add a LB at this point in the season. In general, the waiver wire availability of the LB position is always one of the most difficult to navigate; you almost need an injury for a real opportunity to open up.
Amari Burney is a player to keep an eye on. The Raiders have all but waived the white flag this season, and they could look to the 24-year-old LB to see what they have. Amari Burney played a season-high 13 snaps in Week 11, and with Divine Deablo being one of the league’s worst-graded LBs (47.6) this season, there’s a chance Burney could see the field sooner than later.
Mike Sainristil | DB | Washington Commanders
Mike Sainristil has an 87% defensive snap share as a rookie for the Washington Commanders’ defense (Fantasy Pros). The former Michigan Wolverine started the season as a slot cornerback but has found himself a home on the outside as a CB. He allowed 3 touchdowns over his first 3 games this season; since moving to outside CB, he hasn’t allowed a touchdown and has 1 interception.
The Commanders rookie has recorded double-digit fantasy points in 8 of his 11 games this season. IDP fantasy managers should take advantage of his consistent production and not be afraid to start your rookie defensive backs!
Players to Monitor | Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire
Roquan Smith | LB | Baltimore Ravens
You can’t make up a worse nightmare for IDP fantasy managers than Roquan Smith being on the injury report as we approach the end of the season. The All-Pro linebacker has been at the top of overall IDP scoring for most of his career, and 2024 is no exception. Smith is LB2 in overall points among LBs and LB7 in FPPG. His exit from last week’s game is concerning, and what makes it worse is that the Ravens have a primetime matchup on Monday night this week.
Malik Harrison is your best bet as an insurance policy. Roquan Smith is one of the rare impossible-to-replace players in IDP fantasy football. Make no mistake: Malik Harrison is no Roquan Smith, so you can’t expect that. He will be a suitable replacement, however, and can produce enough tackles to keep you from having to start a potential zero in your lineup in Week 12.
Summary | Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire
We have begun the home stretch to the fantasy football playoffs, and navigating injuries and uncertainty becomes the top priority for success. This week, we’ve highlighted some players who offer strong potential to bolster your IDP lineup. Their ability to step up in critical roles makes them valuable replacements for injured or underperforming players. Good luck this week, IDP Nerds!
If you’re trying to figure out your prop bets, DFS, or offensive Start/Sits for the Thursday Night Football game between the Steelers and Browns, I highly encourage you to take a look at Senior Analytics Nerd Steven Pintado‘s Thursday Game Preview using premium defensive and offensive stats from Fantasy Points Data Suite:
All of my IDP Nerds! Don’t forget to check out the All-IDP Mock Draft (along with updated 1QB and SF mocks) as you prepare for the 2025 rookie drafts:
