Fantasy Football Redraft

Week 15 IDP Free Agent Focus

By Matt Schauf 12:02pm EST 12/13/22

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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.

Frank Clark, EDGE, Chiefs

Clark made this article last week in advance of Sunday's upside matchup with the Broncos. Then he delivered a sack among 2 QB hits in the win over Denver. It was his 6th game with at least 1 QB hit among the past 7.

Clark now gets the best remaining schedule for DL scoring. Next up: a Houston offense that leads the league by a wide margin in adjusted fantasy points allowed to the position.

A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Bills

Epenesa has a sack in 3 straight healthy outings (excluding the Week 11 win over the Browns, which he left after just 6 snaps). His playing time elevated to 49% Sunday against the Jets, Epenesa’s 4th largest snap share of the season. Losing EDGE Von Miller for the season to an ACL tear should keep that role up.

Epenesa has just 6 total pressures over that span, so he’s no lock to continue the sack production. But the next 2 weeks present a Dolphins team that has proved more pressure-vulnerable lately, amid O-line injuries, and a Bears squad that has allowed the league’s highest pressure rate for the season.

Epenesa has also supplied 9 solo tackles over those past 3 healthy games and deflected 5 passes for the season – in a usually limited role.

Pete Werner, LB, Saints

Werner managed limited practices throughout Week 13 but still turned up inactive for the Monday night loss at Tampa Bay.

Out since Week 9 with an ankle injury, Werner has now had the bye week to continue working back. Don’t be surprised if he’s ready for Sunday’s home date with Atlanta. That possibility means Werner should be snatched off waiver wires in most places where he’s available.

Deion Jones, LB, Browns

Cleveland might have determined the 1st time around that it didn't love Jones in the starting lineup -- but now it's nearly out of options.

Jones returned to the lineup for Sunday's loss to the Bengals and played 88% of defensive snaps. That came the week after LB Sione Takitaki tore an ACL. The Cincinnati game then saw LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah leave with a foot injury that's threatening to end his season.

Jones would face obvious tackle upside the rest of the way, with matchups especially attractive in weeks 16 and 17.

Monty Rice and Dylan Cole, LB, Titans

Rice stepped into the lineup for LB David Long in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars, leading the team with 12 tackles (19.7% of the team total). Tennessee placed Long on IR Saturday, so Rice should get the gig the rest of the way. It's worth noting, though, that his 71% playing time trailed Cole's 82% at the position. So Rice is no lock to lead the tackle totals the rest of the way.

Nate Hobbs, CB, Raiders

Hobbs landed on IR in Week 5 after breaking his left hand in the narrow loss to the Chiefs but has returned for 2 straight games of quality production.

Hobbs delivered 8 solo tackles against the Chargers in Week 13 and then again in Thursday night’s loss to the Rams. That makes 3 straight games of 8+ total tackles, dating back to before the injury.

Hobbs has spent nearly all of his time outside in his 2 games back but has floated between boundary CB and slot corner through his 7 appearances this season. His Week 15 spot against the Patriots stands as another upside scoring matchup, with neutral settings the following 2 weeks.