Plugging the Gaps: IDP Waiver Wire for Week 14
Dannell Ellerbe, Weak-Side Linebacker
Teams with bad defenses seem to produce more usable IDP options than those with good defenses. Why? The longer they are on the field, the more opportunities there are for players to rack up tackles or create turnovers. That’s a big part of the reason why New Orleans Saints WILL linebacker Dannell Ellerbe is a resurgent IDP sensation in the waning weeks of this season.
Ellerbe’s 11 percent tackle rate is just about average (58th out of 120 linebacker), but his quarterback hit rate is sixth and his sack rate seventh. This has led Ellerbe to a straight month of fantasy hits as he returned from injury, averaging 8.25 fantasy points per week.
Ellerbe’s success should continue this week in a matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose seventh-run-heaviest play call ratio will allow plenty of ground volume for Ellerbe to take advantage of in his tackle department. They’ve also given up the eighth-highest stuff rate to opposing defenses. Big-play day, here Ellerbe comes.
Ellerbe is available in 98.6% of ESPN IDP leagues, and we project him for 4.24 tackles, 0.17 sacks, 0.14 passes defended, and a total score of 5.29 fantasy points in Week 14.
