This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
RISING
Charles Harris, LB 
Harris generated a season-high 12 tackles (seven solo) in addition to 1.5 sacks during Sunday's surprising win over the Cardinals. He starred in coverage, in the pass rush and containing QB Kyler Murray out of the pocket. Harris looks like a real player on the field, and he's living up to his 2017 first-round pedigree. We want to see more consistency with his tackling numbers, but it's encouraging that the Lions know how to use him.
Alex Anzalone (shoulder) has been ruled out for the rest of the season, meaning Reeves-Maybin should serve as the No. 1 inside linebacker moving forward, while Derrick Barnes and Josh Woods (shoulder) also enjoy increased playing time. Reeves-Maybin has recorded 59 tackles (41 solo) and three pass breakups through 12 games, but he never played more than 67 percent of the snaps until Week 15. With a full workload in store, he'll be an intriguing option down the stretch, especially in Week 17 fantasy championships against the run-heavy Seahawks.
Thompson – not Budda Baker – has been the safety to roster in fantasy this season, as Thompson has recorded 104 tackles (70 solo), five pass breakups and two interceptions through 14 games. He's a must-start in leagues with a DB spot, if not all in IDP leagues. He's still just 23 years old, too, so he's an intriguing dynasty find, as well.
Nick Bosa, DE 
Bosa extended his sack streak
RISING
Charles Harris, LB
Harris generated a season-high 12 tackles (seven solo) in addition to 1.5 sacks during Sunday's surprising win over the Cardinals. He starred in coverage, in the pass rush and containing QB Kyler Murray out of the pocket. Harris looks like a real player on the field, and he's living up to his 2017 first-round pedigree. We want to see more consistency with his tackling numbers, but it's encouraging that the Lions know how to use him.
Alex Anzalone (shoulder) has been ruled out for the rest of the season, meaning Reeves-Maybin should serve as the No. 1 inside linebacker moving forward, while Derrick Barnes and Josh Woods (shoulder) also enjoy increased playing time. Reeves-Maybin has recorded 59 tackles (41 solo) and three pass breakups through 12 games, but he never played more than 67 percent of the snaps until Week 15. With a full workload in store, he'll be an intriguing option down the stretch, especially in Week 17 fantasy championships against the run-heavy Seahawks.
Thompson – not Budda Baker – has been the safety to roster in fantasy this season, as Thompson has recorded 104 tackles (70 solo), five pass breakups and two interceptions through 14 games. He's a must-start in leagues with a DB spot, if not all in IDP leagues. He's still just 23 years old, too, so he's an intriguing dynasty find, as well.
Nick Bosa, DE
Bosa extended his sack streak to six games in Sunday's win over the Falcons, and he now has put up 15 sacks through 14 games. He's one of the premier DL options going forward. There's no reason to think he'll slow down this week against the Titans, as QB Ryan Tannehill has been sacked on 8.1 percent of his dropbacks this year – the sixth-highest rate in the league.
Jordan Hicks, LB 
The Colts run the ball a ton, and rightfully so (Jonathan Taylor is an MVP candidate). In fact, they rank third in the league with 30.1 rushing attempts per game. Hicks' season has been a bit up and down at times, and he just posted four tackles (three solo) against the Lions in Week 15. However, the seventh-year linebacker has four double-digit tackling efforts under his belt this season, and his Week 16 matchup provides a reasonable opportunity to achieve a fifth.
Kyzir White, LB 
This recommendation is skewed toward White's long-term outlook for dynasty purposes. He'll be a free agent in March, which certainly muddies the equation, but the 2018 fourth-round pick has racked up 115 tackles (77 solo), three pass breakups, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack through 14 games. Furthermore, 2020 first-round pick Kenneth Murray has essentially vanished in the process. White will likely be a starting linebacker in this league moving forward.
FALLING
Jayon Brown, LB 
The Titans claimed Zach Cunningham off waivers last week, and Brown was the odd man out Sunday, as both Cunningham and Rashaan Evans played more than 66 percent of the defensive snaps, while Jayon Brown handled a 33 percent snap share. It's difficult to see how any of these linebackers are dependable on a weekly basis with limited workloads, and there will be even more ambiguity once David Long (hamstring) is healthy.
Leonard Floyd, LB 
Floyd averages 4.3 tackles per game and generates his fantasy value through sacks, of which he has eight through 13 games at press time. He probably will have a decent floor if the Vikings choose to grind with RB Dalvin Cook, but his chances of getting to QB Kirk Cousins are slim. Cousins currently is second in the league with a 3.64 sack percentage.
Richie Grant, S 
A 2021 second-round pick, Grant looked like the presumptive next man up when Erik Harris (pectoral) was ruled out for the season. However, Grant logged just nine defensive snaps (16 percent) in Sunday's loss to the 49ers, while Duron Harmon and Jaylinn Hawkins started. He's droppable in season-long leagues, and this is certainly concerning for his overall dynasty outlook.
