Heading into Week 11, every team knows where they are in their league: at the top, scrapping for a playoff spot, or counting down the days until next year’s draft. For those in the first two scenarios, waivers remain essential in shaping how your squad performs in the final stretch. Especially in IDP, new options become available each week, and it would be wise not to check out. You never know when a key player becomes available.
We’re covering each position group again this week: linebackers, edge rushers, defensive tackles, and defensive backs, with options that fit any league format. Ownership rates (in parentheses) are pulled from Sleeper, scoring is based on IDP123, and only players rostered in fewer than 30% of leagues are included.
Defensive Linemen (DL)
There aren’t a ton of new names here, so I’ll get to the point. I would prioritize adding any player who is getting a ton of opportunities with the hopes that it will turn into production. The Jets’ Jermaine Johnson (22%) is a perfect example. While he didn’t secure four sacks like his partner, Will McDonald IV, Johnson earned 86% of snaps and posted four tackles (two solo) and a sack. He rarely leaves the field and has solid pass-rush metrics. Ideally, you have better options on your roster, but there’s no reason for him to be in the free agent pool in medium or deep formats.
Another defensive lineman worth consideration is Carolina’s Nic Scourton (20%). The rookie finished Sunday’s game against the Saints with four tackles (two solo) and a sack. He now has three takedowns for the campaign. The former Texas A&M product also managed consecutive weeks of more than 75% of snaps. He’s fallen through the cracks because of the team he plays for, but he could be very useful for the fantasy playoffs.
Other options: Jaelan Phillips (28%), Eagles; DeMarcus Lawrence (20%), Seahawks; Uchenna Nwosu (15%), Seahawks; K’Lavon Chaisson (12%), Patriots; Dre’Mont Jones (12%), Ravens; Jalyx Hunt (9%), Eagles; Zach Harrison (5%), Falcons; and Jihad Ward (4%), Titans.
DT options: Derrick Brown (28%), Panthers; Jonathan Allen (21%), Vikings; Jonah Laulu (11%), Raiders; Bryan Bresee (10%), Saints; Calais Campbell (9%), Cardinals; Jalen Redmond (7%), Vikings; Keanu Benton (6%), Steelers; and Sebastian Joseph-Day (5%), Titans.
Linebackers (LB)
The window for adding a meaningful starter at the position is almost closed. Seattle’s Drake Thomas (21%) is by far the best option at this point. Even when Ernest Jones returns, Thomas should still have a near three-down role. He returned one of his lesser IDP games in Week 10 with just six tackles (four solo). However, that looks like an anomaly. With three sacks and six pass deflections in his season stat line, he’s shown the upside to be an LB2/3 every week.
If T.J. Edwards doesn’t return from surgery on his broken hand, the Bears will roll with Noah Sewell (18%), and he’s viable as long as he plays. Arizona’s Cody Simon (11%) stepped in for Mack Wilson (out with injured ribs) and finished with six tackles (three solo) and a pass deflection. He’s worth adding for deeper leagues that need a possible IDP flex. The same can be said for Carolina’s Claudin Cherelus (2%) if he takes over for Trevon Wallace, who did not return to the field against the Saints after re-aggravating his shoulder. Make sure that the starters do not play before placing any of these players in your lineup.
Other options: Akeem Davis-Gaither (24%), Cardinals; Matt Milano (20%), Bills; Kiko Mauigoa (10%), Jets; and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (5%), Giants.
Defensive Backs (DB)
As usual with defensive backs, there is no shortage of possibilities for all formats. Buffalo’s Cole Bishop is one of my favorite options. He is on a three-game streak with seven tackles. That is about as reliable and safe as one can get with defensive backs. For a deeper league target, safety Tony Adams (8%) is back for the Jets and racked up nine tackles (eight solo) against the Browns.
Other options: Isaiah Pola-Mao (28%), Raiders; C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23%), Bears; Harrison Smith (23%), Vikings; Alohi Gilman (18%), Ravens; Amani Hooker (16%), Titans; Jonas Sanker (16%), Saints; Malik Mustapha (14%), 49ers; Andrew Wingard (13%), Jaguars; Ronnie Hickman (9%), Browns; Ty Okada (8%), Seahawks; Jeremy Reaves (6%), Commanders; Malachi Moore (5%), Jets; and Cam Lewis (3%), Bills.
CB options: Dax Hill (24%), Bengals; Kool-Aid McKinstry (21%), Saints; Mekhi Blackmon (11%), Colts; Mike Jackson (9%), Panthers; Emmanuel Forbes (6%), Rams; Jarrian Jones (6%), Jaguars, and Greg Newsome (6%), Jaguars.