Week 16 IDP Waiver Wire: Pickups & Targets (Fantasy Football 2022)

Dec 20, 2022

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Here's to hoping you've either advanced or had a bye and are on the way to the next round of your fantasy playoffs. A few key injuries to monitor this week; Jordyn Brooks, Jack Sanborn, and Jordan Hicks.

The finish line is in sight. If you need to make some moves this week, here are your Week 16 IDP waiver wire targets.

Linebacker

Joe Thomas, LB, Chicago Bears

Nope, not the Joe Thomas from the Browns who retired a few years ago. The Bears linebacker could see increased snaps heading into the next few weeks.

When Roquan Smith got traded, the question was whether Thomas or Jack Sanborn would get the LB2 snaps opposite Nicholas Morrow. Over the last several weeks, it’s been emphatically Sanborn - up until Week 15.

Until Week 15, had been averaging around 14 snaps per game. Sanborn left Week 15 with an injury and the severity is unknown, which thrust Thomas into increased snaps. Thomas saw a season-high 43 snaps.

Thomas recorded a 13.9% tackle rate - which resulted in six tackles and also notched a sack on his four pass-rush snaps. Thomas generated 0.35 fantasy points. If you’re a Sanborn owner, you might want to consider him as a replacement if your waiver wire is thin. Thomas’s usage in their 2-LB system could be on the rise.

Damone Clark, LB, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys suffered an injury at the LB position, losing Leighton Vander Esch to a perceived neck injury. Initial results are good, as it’s being called a nerve issue in his shoulder and is week-to-week. I’d dial up Damone Clark from your wire.

Clark came on in relief of LVE and appeared in 74% of the snaps. While Anthony Barr might be the full-time LB, I think Clark has more upside.

Clark is coming off a nine-tackle performance and is producing a 13.9% tackle rate on the year, as compared to Barr who’s played double the snaps and is producing a 9% tackle rate. Clark is a sure tackler and has just one missed tackle on the season. I’m not expecting any sack upside, as he has just 11 pass-rush snaps.

The Cowboys do run quite a bit of 2-LB/nickel packages, so his usage puts Clark on the LB3/4 radar.