IDP Waiver Wire for Week 12
The playoffs are on the horizon, and with only three weeks left in the regular season, every decision starts to feel a little heavier. Whether you’re battling for a postseason spot or jockeying for seeding, this is the stretch where staying active pays off. Injuries pile up, new roles emerge, and sharp managers can still find impact help on the wire, especially in IDP formats. Now is not the time to coast. One well-timed pickup can be the difference between making the playoffs and watching from the sidelines.
As always, we’re hitting every position group this week: linebackers, edge rushers, defensive tackles, and defensive backs, with options for any league format. Ownership percentages (in parentheses) come from Sleeper, scoring is based on IDP123, and only players rostered in under 30% of leagues made the cut.
Linebackers (LB)
We had more injuries at linebacker, and there are decent options if the incumbents remain out. Curtis Robinson (2%) relieved Tatum Bethune, who sprained his ankle. His 12 tackles (five solo) and full-time role make him the priority add of this week at linebacker. He could get a serious opportunity in the last few weeks of the fantasy football regular season. Carolina’s Claudin Cherelus earned 79% of snaps as Trevin Wallace missed their contest against the Falcons. He tallied 10 tackles (two solo) and would likely remain as a starter if Wallace or Christian Rozeboom (hamstring) did not play in Week 12.
Other options: E.J. Speed (23%), Texans; Matt Milano (18%), Bills; Justin Strnad (14%), Broncos; Isaiah McDuffie (9%), Packers; and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (8%), Giants.
Defensive Linemen (DL)
I’ve slimmed down the list this week for defensive linemen. Most teams have decent enough starters, and it’s going to be tough to find a productive replacement this late in the season. Bengals edge rusher Myles Murphy received 89% of defensive snaps as the rotation covered for injured star Trey Hendrickson. He logged seven tackles (four solo) and a sack. Head coach Zac Taylor already said that Hendrickson isn’t likely to return this week. Murphy is worth a speculative claim if he continues in this role.
Other options: Donovan Ezeiruaku (27%), Cowboys; Jermaine Johnson (21%), Jets; Nic Scourton (20%), Panthers; Demarcus Lawrence (19%), Seahawks; K’Lavon Chaisson (11%), Patriots; Arden Key (5%), Titans; James Houston (5%), Cowboys; and Jacob Martin (4%), Commanders.
DT options: Byron Murphy (25%), Seahawks; Keanu Benton (7%), Steelers; and Jalen Redmond (6%), Vikings.
Defensive Backs (DB)
Teams that are looking for cornerback-specific depth should look no further than Chicago’s Nahshon Wright (20%). He is now the fourth-ranked CB in IDP123 scoring and has found a balance between tackles (43 combined) and interceptions (four). He’s scoring in the double digits every week. Denver’s Ja’Quan McMillian is seeing most of the work in the slot (88% in Week 11), and if that continues, he’ll have a high ceiling for the position.
Other options: Cole Bishop (26%), Bills; Evan Williams (21%), Packers; Kyle Dugger (20%), Steelers; Geno Stone (18%), Bengals; Amani Hooker (13%), Titans; Andrew Wingard (12%), Jaguars; Ronnie Hickman (9%), Browns; Ty Okada (8%), Seahawks; Jordan Poyer (7%), Bills; and Jeremy Reaves (6%), Commanders.
CB options: Daron Bland (28%), Cowboys and Kool-Aid McKinstry (18%), Saints.
Thank you for reading! Follow me on X at @BigSteveFF
If you want to win your IDP leagues, make sure you check out our 2025 Weekly IDP Rankings.