This article references Cam Newton, Ezekiel Elliott, Jameis Winston, Matt Ryan, Tom Brady and more! For some, this is the week the fantasy regular season ends. For others, this is the first round of the playoffs. Either way, if you are reading this, you are looking for some help in a pivotal IDP matchup. Welcome to our weekly column to help you win on the defensive side of the ball. Today we are here to review some IDP waiver wire pickups for Week 13. Week 12 saw mixed results, with some hits (Dannell Ellerbe, Lawrence Timmons, Daryl Worley, Tavon [...]Keep on reading: Week 13 IDP Waiver Wire Adds

Lawrence Timmons was a top-20 linebacker in balanced IDP scoring last year, but was startable just 53.3% of the time. Is he the norm for IDP?

Injuries took a significant bite out of IDP (Individual Defensive Player) rosters last week as stud cornerback Charles Tillman (out for the season for fantasy purposes) as well as elite linebacker Sean Lee (out for multiple weeks) went down. There are also the usual weekly conundrums such as the availability of Jacksonville linebacker Paul Posluszny after suffering a concussion last week. Never fear as the staff at ‘53 Deep' has scoured the weekly matchups to find the deep sleeper candidates to plug into lineups as more than adequate replacements. The fantasy playoffs are right around the corner and it is "make it or break it" time for many IDP teams with no margin for error. With that in mind let's get to it ... LINEBACKERS Thomas Davis, CAROLINA vs. New England: In week 8, Miami linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler had 11 and eight total tackles, respectively. Prior to their bye week the Patriots gave up eight tackles to LaMarr Woodley and 11 to Lawrence Timmons. Davis has seen a lull in tackle numbers the past three weeks (totaling only 19 stops) but has posted big plays with a forced fumble, interception and four passes defended. He will be heavily involved in trying to contain the resurgent Patriots offense this week. Aldon Smith, OLB, San Francisco at New Orleans: After being credited with one quarterback hurry while playing only 12 snaps last week, look for Smith to see a lot more action this week. The Saints have allowed seven sacks, 35 quarterback hurries and eight quarterback hits the last three games according to Pro Football Focus. For the season they've allowed linebackers to register 5½ sacks. Look for Smith to add to that total this week as the 49ers' sack master returns to form. Jon Bostic, MLB, CHICAGO vs. Baltimore: After two middling matchups against Green Bay and Detroit in which he managed only 10 total tackles (six solos), Bostic faces the very linebacker-friendly Ravens. Inside linebackers have twice eclipsed 15 total tackles against Baltimore over the past three games. Bostic is in for a big week as running backs Bernard Pierce and Ray Rice have averaged 21 carries between them the last three games. Get the rookie in your lineup. Darryl Sharpton, ILB, HOUSTON vs. Oakland: The Raiders are a top-five matchup for allowing fantasy points to linebackers and Sharpton is coming off a season-best eight total tackle game against Arizona. He's managed to stay healthy and play every defensive snap the past two games, so ...

We've hit Week 10 of the 2013 NFL season. My how time flies. It feels like the season only just started, with every Individual Defensive Player (IDP) team a blank slate and all fantasy owners entertaining dreams of hoisting their league's trophy. That's far from the case now, of course. In many fantasy leagues, only four games remain until the playoffs begin. That makes it stretch run time, where every week's matchups take on added importance. Whether you're 7-2 and aiming for a first-round bye or 4-5 and hoping to crash the postseason party, every point counts at this time of year. Each lineup decision becomes more and more important, as the next loss could be the one that effectively wrecks the season. That's where "IDP Studs and Duds" comes in. Every week during the 2013 season, I'll point out some individual defensive players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (studs) and some that for whatever reason are riskier plays than usual (duds). This isn't necessarily to say that every "stud" is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every "dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual). We also have four teams on a bye to contend with, as Cleveland, the New York Jets, Kansas City and New England all taking Week 10 off. No Rob Ninkovich , D'Qwell Jackson or Eric Berry this week, folks. STUDS Adrian Clayborn, DE, Tampa Bay (vs. Miami): Clayborn has become a fixture on the "studs" list (with mixed results), mostly due to a nice string of favorable matchups. That string of matchups rolls on this week against a Miami club who has stormed into the lead in the battle to be the NFL's most dysfunctional team. Antonio Smith, DE, Houston (at Arizona): IDP owners in need of a Week 10 spot-start may want to give Smith a look. The 32-year-old is coming off a two-sack performance against Indianapolis, and the Cardinals have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to defensive linemen in Fantasy Sharks Default IDP Manor Scoring this year. Mario Williams, DE, Buffalo (at Pittsburgh): Williams has taken Julius Peppers' title as king of the boom/bust IDP plays at his position. With that said, though, this has the makings of a "boom" week, with the Bills traveling to face a Pittsburgh squad having all sorts of problems with pass protection in 2013. Jon Beason, MLB, New York Giants (vs. Oakland): Since breaking out against Chicago in Week 6, Beason's numbers have slid in two straight ...

The dark days have arrived. As Individual Defensive Player (IDP) owners far and wide get ready to start the playoff push, Week 8 presents the biggest challenge of the year. Several prominent individual defensive players were felled by injuries last week. Throw in six teams on a bye, and the pool of available talent this week is more like a puddle. As if that wasn't bad enough, I enter this week attempting to shake off my worst week recommendations-wise so far this year. Granted, it wasn't all bad, but between a snap count for Miami defensive end Cameron Wake and an injury for Indianapolis cornerback Greg Toler, there was more than a little egg on my face in Week 7. That's OK. I like eggs, and I have soap, so after cleaning myself off it's back into the fray for another edition of "IDP Studs and Duds." Every week during the 2013 season, I'll point out some individual defensive players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (studs) and some that for whatever reason are riskier plays than usual (duds). This isn't necessarily to say that every "stud" is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every "dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual). Finally, the bye weeks are here with a bang, with San Diego, Houston, Chicago, Baltimore, Tennessee and Indianapolis all taking Week 8 off. Get players from those teams out of your lineup. STUDS Chris Clemons, DE, Seattle (vs. St. Louis): Clemons has gotten right back into the swing of things after missing the early part of the season while recovering from an ACL tear suffered in last year's playoffs. Clemons has racked up at least half a sack in four straight games, and that streak should keep going this week in a top-five IDP matchup with St. Louis. Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans (vs. Buffalo): Jordan has excelled in his first season as a 3-4 defensive end, logging five sacks in six games. The third-year pro should keep that momentum rolling this week against the Bills, who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing defensive linemen this year. Rob Ninkovich, DE, New England (vs. Miami): Ninkovich tallied eight sacks last year, but has managed only one to this point in 2013. If ever there was a matchup for the 29-year-old to break out of his funk, it's Sunday against tackle Jonathan "turnstile" Martin and the Miami Dolphins. Martin has allowed six sacks in 2013, second-most in the NFL. David Harris, ILB, New York Jets (...

We've hit Week 5 of the 2013 NFL season. One month is in the books, and we've gotten a pretty good glimpse at not only how the NFL's pecking order is shaking out this season but also how that pecking order affects the statistical performance of individual defensive players. We also now have a four-game sample size to examine, which offers valuable information regarding the fantasy points allowed to each of the IDP positions . Avail yourself of this information. Knowledge, as they say, is power. Every week during the 2013 season, I'll point out some Individual Defensive Players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (Studs) and some that for whatever reason are riskier plays than usual (Duds). Well, I would. However, I've been unable to agree with myself on this week's recommendations, so I decided that the only rational thing to do is to shut the whole damn thing down out of spite. Sorry. Wait a second...that would be crazy. Who would do something that dumb? Oh yeah...Congress. Anyway, this isn't necessarily to say that every "Stud" is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every "Dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual). Finally, the bye weeks are now in full swing, with the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking the week off. No Chad Greenway , London Fletcher or Lawrence Timmons in Week 5, kiddies. STUDS Calais Campbell -- DE, Arizona Cardinals (vs. CAR): Campbell is off to a very slow start in 2013, with only 10 tackles and a sack through four games. However, the table would appear to be set for a rebound Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, who have been a top-three IDP matchup for defensive linemen in 2013. Greg Hardy -- DE, Carolina Panthers (at AZ): This week's contestant on "Let's Feast on the Lousy Arizona O-Line!" is Hardy. Mind you, the Cardinals front four already sucked, and they aren't going to suddenly get better after trading starting left tackle Levi Brown to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this week. Osi Umenyiora -- DE, Atlanta Falcons (vs. NYJ): After a slow start, Umenyiora's fantasy production has picked up of late. That trend should continue this week against the New York Jets, who are allowing the most fantasy points per game to defensive linemen so far this year. Jerrell Freeman -- ILB, Indianapolis Colts (vs. SEA): With 30 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles Freeman is ...

Week 2 of the preseason has just ended and things are certainly heating up on the Individual Defensive Player (IDP) landscape. Roles are beginning to take shape and depth charts are slowly coming into focus. There will still be some shuffling as injuries and poor performances may cost players their jobs but we can more clearly begin to evaluate the fantasy potential of the top end talent in each division. The AFC North has long been considered a tough bruising defensive division dominated by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens as the Cincinnati Bengals look to close the gap. Surprisingly, the division isn't as chocked full of IDP studs as one may have been led to believe. The sums of the parts of the defenses equate to nice NFL overall rankings as opposed to IDP value. With all that being said, let's take a look at some names that can help lead IDP owners to the promised land. LINEBACKERS 1. D'Qwell Jackson, WILB, Cleveland: The stars are aligning for Jackson to have a monster 2013 fantasy campaign. New defensive coordinator Ray Horton will look to utilize him in much the same way he did Daryl Washington in Arizona. Jackson will have the luxury of a healthy Phil Taylor, Ahtyba Rubin and Desmond Bryant to keep him clean and able to get after the ball carrier. Horton will also look to take advantage of Jackson's physicality and athleticism with blitz packages. A statline of 100-plus tackles and a top 10 fantasy finish are on tap for Jackson this season. 2. Lawrence Timmons, ILB, Pittsburgh: Timmons finished last season with 106 total tackles, six sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Those are very nice fantasy totals but it's the way he amassed them that keep his owners scratching their heads. He racked up five of his six sacks in the season's final three weeks and 47 of his total tackles in the last six weeks of 2012. That inconsistency is what makes him a bit of a wildcard selection on draft day. Outside linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley both struggled last season and Timmons was moved around the defense quite a bit early in the year before settling in and putting up the nice finish he had. He could finish with LB1 numbers if he picks up where he left off or as low as LB3 production if he's shuffled around the defense again this season. This ranking shows that I'm leaning towards the former. 3. Vontaze Burfict, WLB, Cincinnati: Burfict led the Bengals in total tackles last season despite playing only 57 snaps ...

Everyone loves a Monday Morning Quarterback, so why not a Monday Morning Linebacker? If you're like me, you tend to express your consternation when a player or players on your roster don't exactly perform as expected. Many expletive laden tirades have been directed at my computer or smart-phone as I scan the scoreboards. Occasionally I'm pleasantly surprised, but more often than not it's "WTF was that?!" In this weekly article we'll take a look at those players that performed as expected and those that didn't. This won't be a complete review of every player from every game; simply the outliers that deserve recognition, one way or the other. By the way, if you're looking for a great place to look at stats, compare players and do some research, check out www.fleaflicker.com. It's a fantastic resource and you should take advantage of it! Studs That Were Studs (* Notable players that lived up to or exceeded expectations ) Lavonte David, LB, TBB vs. DEN - The rookie continues to perform. He's had just one bad game this season and is currently the 9th ranked LB in balanced scoring leagues. Against the Broncos yesterday, David racked up 7 solo tackles, 3 assists, 2 passes defensed and an interception. Keep plugging him in. Chad Greenway, LB, MIN vs. GBP - Greenway was a beast yesterday, making plays all over the field. In fact, he recorded more tackles (16 [13 solos, 3 assists]) in a single game, then he has in any game over the last several seasons. He's a top-5 LB in IDP leagues this year and is an obvious every week starter. Von Miller, LB, DEN vs. TBB - Speaking of studs . . . Miller may not have the consistency we'd like, he's still a guy with too much potential to have on the bench. And he reminded you of that yesterday. Miller recorded a stat in virtually every IDP category possible (except recovering a fumble). But he had 5 solo tackles, an assist, forced a fumble, had a pass defensed, an interception, a sack and a defensive touchdown. I hope you had him in your lineup. Morgan Burnett, DB, GBP vs. MIN - Burnett hasn't been mentioned much in this column, but he's been quietly having a very nice year. And yesterday against the Vikings, he posted one of his best games of the season, recording 6 solo tackles, an assist, 3 passes defensed and 2 interceptions. Burnett is a top-10 defensive back in balanced scoring leagues, but should be in everyone's lineup even without the big play bonus. Bobby Wagner, LB, SEA vs. CHI - The second ...

Everyone loves a Monday Morning Quarterback, so why not a Monday Morning Linebacker? If you're like me, you tend to express your consternation when a player or players on your roster don't exactly perform as expected. Many expletive laden tirades have been directed at my computer or smart-phone as I scan the scoreboards. Occasionally I'm pleasantly surprised, but more often than not it's "WTF was that?!" In this weekly article we'll take a look at those players that performed as expected and those that didn't. This won't be a complete review of every player from every game; simply the outliers that deserve recognition, one way or the other. By the way, if you're looking for a great place to look at stats, compare players and do some research, check out www.fleaflicker.com. It's a fantastic resource and you should take advantage of it! Studs That Were Studs (* Notable players that lived up to or exceeded expectations ) J.J. Watt, DE, HOU vs. DET - This dude is unreal. He keeps wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks and Thanksgiving Day was no different. He tallied 5 solo tackles, 2 passes defensed, and sacked Matthew Stafford three times. He's at 15.5 sacks through 11 games and is an absolute must-start above and beyond any other defensive player in the league. Lawrence Timmons, LB, PIT vs. CLE - I've not mentioned Timmons much this season, but he's been having a solid, though not spectacular, season. In a surprising and disappointing loss to the Browns, Timmons racked up 6 solo tackles, 4 assists, a pass defensed, an interception and a defensive touchdown. He's easily an every-week start as a LB2 with upside. Jerod Mayo, LB, NEP vs. NYJ - Mayo is another guy that's been quietly flying under the radar this year. But if you look at his numbers, he certainly qualifies as an IDP stud. And against the Jets on Turkey Day, Mayo posted 8 solo tackles, 3 assists and a sack, equaling his best output to date. Continue playing him with confidence. Antoine Winfield, DB, MIN vs. CHI - Winfield had a couple of off weeks prior to the Vikings' bye, but he was nicked up and not playing up to par. But yesterday he returned to form in the loss to Chicago, totaling 7 solo tackles, a pass defensed and an interception. He continues to rank among the top of the DBs and should be in all lineups moving forward. Cortland Finnegan, DB, STL vs. ARI - Finnegan continues to post impressive numbers for a cornerback. Yesterday, he posted 10 solo tackles and 2...

We've hit Week 5 of the 2012 NFL season, and with the bye weeks now in full swing, Individual Defensive Player (IDP) teams run the gamut, from 4-0 juggernauts to 0-4 junkpiles, with squads of all shapes and sizes in between. Last week's recommendations ran the gamut as well. I hit paydirt with my recommendation to give Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake one more shot, my advice to do the same with defensive end Michael Bennett of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't work out so well. It's with that knowledge that you win some and lose others that I roll out another week of IDP Studs and Duds, where I'll point out some players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (studs) and some that for whatever reason are riskier plays than usual (duds). That isn't necessarily to say that every "stud" is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every "dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual). Also, it's the second of the bye weeks, so IDPs from the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions will all be taking the week off. Keep them on your bench. Finally, before we get on with the show, if you have a specific IDP start/sit question, you'd like my take on, you can email me at askgary@fantasysharks.com or post the question in the "Kilroyz Krystal Ball" thread in the Fantasy Sharks IDP Forum. I can't promise I'll get to every question, but I'll do the best I can. STUDS John Abraham, DE , Atlanta (at Washington): The 13th-year veteran is coming off his best game of the season, with five tackles and a sack last week against the Carolina Panthers, and Washington has been a friendly fantasy matchup for defensive linemen, with the Redskins allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the position. Chris Clemons, DE, Seattle (at Carolina): Clemons came back to earth last week after a huge game against the Green Bay Packers, but the ninth-year pro should rebound against a Carolina Panthers squad giving up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing defensive linemen. Elvis Dumervil, DE, Denver (at New England): After a slow start to the season, Dumervil's play has picked up of late, with 2½ sacks in his last two games. That hot streak should continue Sunday when the Broncos face the New England Patriots, who have been a favorable IDP matchup for defensive linemen so far in 2012. James Anderson, OLB, Carolina (vs. Seattle ): Once again injuries have led to ...