Fantasy Football Redraft

Week 14 IDP Free Agent Focus

By Matt Schauf 11:40am EST 12/6/22

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I make these waiver-wire recommendations with a variety of league formats in mind. Make sure to check your Free Agent Finder for the best available options in your specific league.

Chandler Jones, EDGE, Raiders

Jones has proved wildly disappointing in his 1st year with the Raiders, delivering just a half-sack through the 1st 11 games. That's why he likely sat on many waiver wires as he exploded for 3 sacks Sunday against the Chargers.

This hasn't been a case of Jones quietly producing but getting unlucky in the sack category. Through Week 11, his 19 total pressures tied for just 60th among all EDGE players, according to Pro Football Focus. But Jones has doubled that number in just the past 2 weeks. First came 8 pressures -- but no sacks or QB hits -- against the Seahawks in an otherwise statistically empty outing. Then the veteran racked up 3 sacks among 5 hits and 11 total pressures against the Chargers.

Next comes a high-upside matchup with the Rams on Thursday night. After that comes upside vs. New England, which has allowed 20 sacks of Mac Jones over the past 5 games.

Josh Sweat, EDGE, Eagles

Did you claim Sweat when we recommended him in Week 11? If so, then you’ve had him around for 3 straight games with at least 1 QB hit and 3 sacks over the past 2. Sweat delivered a pair of sacks in Sunday’s demolition of the Titans. And now come 2 more positive sack matchups against the Giants and Bears. Overall, the Eagles get the 6th most friendly remaining schedule for DL scoring.

Frank Clark, EDGE, Chiefs

Clark hasn't done anything big statistically since his Week 11 return from a 2-game personal-conduct suspension. But he did play through an illness for his usual snap level in Sunday's loss to the Bengals. Clark had also collected QB hits in 5 straight appearances before that contest. Further, he had racked up 17 total pressures in the 3 games preceding the Cincinnati meeting.

That's all worth noting because Clark now hits the league's best remaining stretch for DL scoring. His "worst" matchup among the next 4 games comes Week 16 against Seattle, which ranks as the 9th-most friendly scoring matchup for the position by our adjusted fantasy points allowed.

Clark has always been and remains a scant producer in the tackle categories. So he'll continue to be a boom/bust option over the next 4 weeks. The "boom" potential is worth noting, though, for leagues that favor sack/pressure scoring over tackles.

Other top remaining DL schedules: Chargers and Raiders

De’Vondre Campbell, LB, Packers

Campbell should have stayed rostered through his injury in IDP leagues of even moderate depth. Shallower leagues might have found him dumped and still available entering Sunday, though. Campbell returned to his leading role in the win over the Bears and delivered a game-high 11 tackles. Rather than leave him out there because of a Week 14 bye, try to go ahead and stash the veteran with a top-20 scoring average in healthy games.

Chad Muma and Devin Lloyd, LB, Jaguars

Muma made this section last week after his 1st career start. He’s worth one more mention after tallying 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks in Sunday’s loss at Detroit. The rookie did that despite leaving early with an ankle injury.

HC Doug Pederson called Muma day-to-day on Monday. So we'll have to track his status this week. If possible, protect Muma with Lloyd, who would likely return to the starting

A solid tackle matchup with the Titans awaits on Sunday.

Willie Gay Jr., LB, Chiefs

Gay has posted just 5 total tackles each of the past 2 weeks. He did defense a pass against the Bengals and has supplied a tackle for loss in 4 straight games, which boosts his profile in some scoring systems.

Just like teammate Frank Clark above, though, Gay gets mention here primarily because he gets the best remaining fantasy schedule for his position. Denver (twice), Houston and Seattle all present strongly positive scoring matchups for fantasy LBs.

Gay falls short of full playing time, which dings his tackle upside and means he's not a great fit for every format. But he has played 65% of snaps or more in every game but one and topped 70% each of the past 3 weeks. Combine that decent playing-time level with his big-play flair (4 passes defensed for the year, 4 QB hits), and Gay could be a difference-maker the rest of the way.