IDP Stock Market: Week 16

I'm not starting this article with a cute anecdote or a fun metaphor. In most cases, this is semi-final week. There's no time for games! We have championships to win, so cut the crap. Who is doing well, who do we need to avoid? These are the hard-hitting questions you come here for. As always, the market is fluctuating. Some familiar faces, but some in different places. We all know the big guys who you play, but who are the little guys who can help take you to the next level? Have no fear! Footballguys is here! Ring the damn bell!

Fortune 5

Stock Up: Nik Bonitto, Denver

I sure hope you've been reading these. In Week 14, we touched on Bonitto, saying he had ascended into elite territory, and in the next game he played, he had yet another touchdown. We can't plan for touchdowns, but you can plan for sacks and tackles. He is on a tear right now with 5.5 sacks and 19 tackles since Week 10. He is an absolute must-start for the playoffs, although his matchups aren't the best on paper. His consistency with snaps and tackle floor makes him a safe play with a huge upside. He has had a sack in all but three games and is currently on a five-game streak of sacks.

Stock Up: Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay

The riskiest guy in this tier is Cooper by a landslide, but it is entirely because he is a rookie and nothing more. He is having a good rookie season but got hurt in Week 11, which was enough for him to miss three weeks. In his return last week, he had seven tackles, a sack, and an interception against a Seahawks team that was second-best against the linebacker position this season. His last two games in the fantasy playoffs are matchups against New Orleans (25th against linebackers) and Minnesota (last against linebackers). So not only is he a good player trending up, but he has a great schedule to end the year. Put your chips in the middle with Cooper if you have him.

Stock Up: Demario Davis, New Orleans

Davis is ole' reliable in the IDP world, and there's good reason for it. He is just a tackle monster who doesn't do much more. He reached the 100+ tackle mark again this season and the 11th time in his career, and he has had a fantastic two games leading to this week with 22 tackles, a sack, and an interception. He's 35, so of course, there's always the risk that Father Time shows up, but he has missed just one game this season and has played 100% of the snaps since Week 5. He is a tackle-heavy player who doesn't leave the field. Simplicity is just that, simple. Put him in your lineup, and make sure you don't try to get cute with your lineup decisions this time of the year.

Stock Up: Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh

As of this writing, we don't know the severity of the T.J. Watt injury and if he will play this week vs Baltimore, but the good news for fantasy managers and Pittsburgh Steeler fans is that the team has an abundance of quality edge rushers, one of them being Highsmith. Highsmith has also dealt with his fair share of injury time this season, but when he plays, he is an elite option worthy of a starting spot on your roster, especially in the event of Watt not playing. He's missed seven games but still has five sacks and 30 tackles. Regardless of Watt's status, he is a play for me this week, but if Watt doesn't go, it is a move that you can take to the bank!

Stock Up: Kaden Elliss, Atlanta

If you're a regular here, you know my thoughts on Kaden Elliss, but if there were ever a sign that he is a league-winning player, it is this. He has had seven straight games with double-digit points and three straight games with a sack. He has achieved his career-high in tackles this season and is likely playing for the opportunity to remain the main man in the middle for a Falcons team that appears to be disintegrating before our eyes. Narratives are fun to read sometimes, but imagine you're the player many believe can be dropped without affecting the team. He has something to prove down the stretch here and has favorable matchups versus the Giants and Commanders to end his season.