Every week throughout the NFL season I will bring you an IDP article talking about anything and everything that consists of IDP. I will talk about IDP Breakout players, keep tabs on possible waiver-wire additions and some IDP Sleeper plays during the year. It should be fun. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite Breakout IDP Performances and Waiver-Wire Moves headed into Week 12 of the NFL Season.
Week 12 IDP Waiver Wire and Breakout Performances
Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have not had a good defense this season, but one of the few things they have done well is get to the quarterback. Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa have led the charge with rookie second-round pick Tuli Tuipulotu performing nicely in a backup role. Tuipulotu was an early season waiver-wire target. If you have been holding him this entire time, then good for you. If someone in your league picked him up earlier in the season but dropped him, now is the time to snag him.
Bosa left last week’s game with a foot injury that did not look good. His timetable to return is currently unknown, but it is possible he will be out for the remainder of the season. This thrusts Tuipulotu into the starting lineup. The USC product has been productive in his rookie season with 31 tackles, eight tackles for loss, eight QB Hits, and four sacks. I expect that production to go up the rest of the season.
KJ Henry, DE Washington Commanders
Another rookie who is getting pressed into duty because of injuries is Washington Commanders Defensive Lineman K.J. Henry. With recent trades and injuries piling up in Washington, there is going to be an opportunity for someone to step up.
Last week, that was Henry, who saw a season-high 67% of the snap share and turned that into four tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Clemson product should continue to see the field with the depth chart very thin at the moment for the Commanders.
EJ Speed, LB Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts made a surprising move on Tuesday and cut linebacker Darius Shaquille Leonard. He has been an absolute star for the Colts since getting drafted in the second round out of South Carolina State. Injuries have slowed Leonard the past couple of seasons, and he had already started to lose snaps this year.
EJ Speed seems to be the guy who will replace Leonard in the starting lineup next to tackle machine Zaire Franklin. So far this season, Speed has 41 tackles, six tackles for loss, two QB Hits, two forced fumbles, two passes defensed, and one sack. He should see increased production with Leonard now gone.
Blake Martinez, LB Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a rash of injuries at the linebacker position. The Steelers are struggling to keep healthy bodies on the roster. This week they signed former Green Bay Packers and New York Giants linebacker Blake Martinez.
Martinez retired last season but is making a comeback. He had some elite seasons over the years, but he has not been very productive of late. Martinez should get a chance to see plenty of snaps for the Steelers with only Elandon Roberts really locked in ahead of him.
Markquese Bell, S/LB Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are another team that has dealt with a ton of injuries to its linebacking core. Markquese Bell, who was a college defensive back, has seemed to have taken over the weakside linebacker spot for the Cowboys.
In Week 11, Bell had 10 tackles against the Carolina Panthers. He is an undersized LB but is a player with a lot of speed and range. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys use him going forward.
Ji’Ayir Brown, S San Fransisco 49ers
Starting Safety Talanoa Hufanga tore his ACL in Week 11 and is now out for the rest of the season. That will thrust rookie Ji’Ayir Brown into the starting lineup. The Penn State product came in for the injured Hufanga last week and had his most productive game of the season with four tackles, three passes defensed, and his first career interception.
The 49ers have a formidable defense and have a stacked front seven. Brown should get the opportunity to make plays in the secondary. Brown is also a great stash in dynasty leagues.
Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty