Quite a few rising IDP to consider as additions to your rosters this week. Especially in the DT category, for those of you playing in a DT-mandatory league, although do not discount a DL just based on his position designation, as the DLs listed below could all potentially fit into your defensive player rotation early this fantasy season.
Bye Weeks coming up: Chicago and Tampa Bay; Week 6: Detroit and New Orleans; Week 7: Green Bay, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Seattle
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Jerome Baker MIA
Baker provided good tackle numbers in Week 4, with 10 total tackles (TT) against the Patriots on the road (six solo tackles). He has moved into a three-down role at LB, making him valuable in tackle-oriented leagues.
Deone Buchannon ARI
The Cardinals missed Buchannon’s efforts in Weeks 2 and 3, but he was back in force last week, playing 73% of the defensive snaps. He had six solo tackles with a forced fumble (FF) against the visiting Seattle. With his defensive presence increasing back to full time status, he is a LB that should be on your radar.
Davis has been a strong presence on the Saint defensive squad, and had a full stat line in Week 4: 11 TT (nine solo) with two behind the line of scrimmage (TFL), two sacks and a couple of quarterback hits (QH). The New Orleans defense is a work in progress through the first four weeks, but Davis has certainly been a bright spot.
Tahir Whitehead OAK
Whitehead was credited with 12 TT against the Browns (seven solo). He gets to go up against the Charger’s rushing attack and Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler in Week 5, and as the primary tacking option for the Raiders, should again put up significant tackle numbers for his owners.
Vontaze Burfict CIN
No guarantees as to how long Burfict will be available for fantasy purposes, as he has a sporadic playing time history, but so long as he is active, he is a great LB to slot into your lineup. He may be on a snap count in his first week back, but so long as he is healthy and not suspended, look for him to be a primary factor in the Bengal defensive effort going forward beginning in Week 6.
Jatavis Brown LAC
Brown was an every down LB this past contest, stepping in for the sidelined Kyzir White (out with a knee issue requiring surgery). He collected nine TT (seven solo) against the 49ers, and would be a sneaky add so long as he is on the field full time.
Jayon Brown TEN
Brown picked up 10 TT (two TFL) with a sack thrown in for good measure as he became an every-down LB with Wesley Woodyard departing after a shoulder injury. He has a good matchup in store, with the Bills hosting the Titans in upstate New York in Week 5.
Defensive Linemen
Takkarist McKinley DE ATL
The second year Falcon collected a trio of sacks against the Bengals in Week 4, as well as three QH. He also added three solo tackles for a loss of yards. He is a value in big play leagues, as he only has six tackles in total on the season, although he is tied with J.J. Watt and Khalil Mack for number two rank in sacks in the early going.
Jerry Hughes DE BUF
Hughes plays on the line but he can put up tackle numbers like a linebacker. He is an edge rusher, and had sacks in both the Week 2 and 3 games for the Bills. He has a good matchup on tap with the Titans heading to Buffalo this week.
A’Shawn Robinson DT DET
Da’Shaen Hand DT DET
The Lions two tackles were the beneficiaries of the best matchup for DTs in Week 4, facing the Cowboys. Robinson was credited with nine TT (six solo) but Hand put up a plethora of stats, with a sack, a FF and a QH to accompany his three solo tackles (two TFL). Green Bay is certainly not in the same rarefied level as Dallas for DT points allowed, but still are in the middle of the pack, and are a division rival, with the Lions playing at Ford Field as an additional potential boost.
Denico Autry DT IND
Autry returned to action after sitting out Weeks 2 and 3 with an ankle problem, and had a big effect on the field, with nine TT (seven solo, four TFL). He also snagged two sacks and also contributed two QH. Week 5’s opponent, New England, is in the top third of teams in terms of fantasy points being awarded to DTs, if you need an impetus to pick him up off the wire.
Jarran Reed DT SEA
Reed has posted three sacks over the past two weeks, being credited with one against the Cardinals in Week 4’s contest in the desert. To prove his multifaceted worth as a DL, he also picked up a QH and five TT (four solo, two TFL) in the game against Arizona. He has another fine opportunity coming up when the Seahawks host the Rams in Week 5, so go ahead and plop him into your lineup if you need to replace a player on bye.
David Irving DT DAL
Speaking of nice matchups, Irving gets to take the field against the Texans, who rank right behind his team in terms of allowing opposing DTs to rack up fantasy points. He is coming back after missing the first four games this season due to a suspension, and may be on a snap count, but once he gets up and running, look out.
Defensive Backs
John Johnson III S LAR
Johnson is seeing a bunch of tackle opportunities in the middle of the Ram defensive scheme, being credited with 31 TT through the first four weeks of the season, 11 TT in Week 4 (six solo). He also added two passes defensed (PD) against the Vikings last week, making him an all-around positive presence for fantasy purposes as the locked-in starting strong safety for the Rams.
Jamal Adams S NYJ
Adams had quite a productive Week 4, collecting 12 TT (10 solo, one TFL). He has also picked up an interception (INT) and a sack in the early going in 2018. Safeties that can tackle and provide big plays are always in demand, and he looks to be a standout on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage for the Jets.
Minkah Fitzpatrick S MIA
Fitz is now a full-time secondary fixture in Miami, with the injury to Reshad Jones opening the door for him. He picked up 10 TT (four solo) this past contest against the Pats and also added and INT and two PDs against Tom Brady . He now has 20 TT over the past two weeks, and looks dialed in.
Ryan Lewis CB BUF
Taron Johnson CB BUF
This pair of Buffalo corners are being targeted due to the superior play of Tre’Davious White. Johnson was credited with a sack, a QH, a FF and five TT (four solo) in Green Bay, while his teammate Lewis put up eight TT (seven solo) with a pair of FF and PD both. If you need to make a choice between the two, opt of Johnson long term.
Malcolm Butler CB TEN
Butler was a good player during his time in New England, but he has kicked it up another notch in Tennessee. His Week 4 stat line is impressive: 10 TT (nine solo, one TFL), one sack, one FF and one QH. He is putting up both tackle numbers and big plays to begin his career as a Titan.
Rashaam Melvin CB OAK
Melvin is looking to be the top corner for the Raiders. He already has seven PD on the season, adding two in Week 4 to go with his nine solo tackles. Keep an eye out for the return of Daryl Worley from his suspension, though, before you go all in on Melvin.
E.J. Gaines CB CLE
Gaines was on the field for just under 50% of the defensive snaps in his return to an active role for the Browns, racking up five TT (three solo) and an INT and PD against the Raiders. He does have a couple of less than optimal matchups on deck, but should see more playing time going forward and has been a productive DB in the past.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
Patrick Onwuasor BAL
Onwuasor is going to be limited in playing time going forward, so long as C.J. Mosley is on the field and due to emergence of rookie Kenny Young . He played just 10% of the defensive snaps in Week 4, and that makes him droppable.
Defensive Linemen
Solomon Thomas DE SF
Thomas was drafted with high expectations in 2017, but is losing snaps to Arik Armstead this season. It is possible that he will pick things up going forward, but two solo tackles in Week 4 is not the production you want from a starter.
Defensive Backs
Kentrell Brice S GB
Brice won the every down job in training camp, but has not played with any great effectiveness. He has been burned for some long TDs in Weeks 2 and 3, and there is talk he will be benched at some point in the future.
Devin McCourty S NE
McCourty is a free safety, never the best safety position for fantasy production. He has just 11 TT this season (seven solo) and there are far better options on the wire that you can roster.
Matchups to Exploit
Remember, the first team listed is the one to use your IDPs against. Do not go crazy, and play a LB5 against the Seahawks, but certainly you will do well if you own a top LB on the Rams, Ravens or Titans that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland
Tennessee Titans @ Buffalo
Defensive Ends
Detroit Lions v Green Bay
Dallas Cowboys @ Houston
Pittsburgh Steelers v Atlanta
Carolina Panthers v New York Giants
Defensive Tackles
Houston Texans v Dallas
Dallas Cowboys @ Houston
Denver Broncos @ New York Jets
Safeties
New York Jets v Denver
New Orleans Saints v Washington
Dallas Cowboys @ Houston
Atlanta Falcons @ Pittsburgh
Cornerbacks
Detroit Lions v Green Bay
Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia
Dallas Cowboys @ Houston
Washington Redskins @ New Orleans
Los Angeles Chargers v Oakland
Waiver Wire Targets
This section is intended to serve as a shortened cheat sheet listing those waiver wire targets you should be considering if you need to plug a hole in your starting lineup. All these players are spotlighted above, and you can read my comments about them in the "Elevator Going Up" section of this article. Not all the players commented on are here, however, as there is no need to waste your time searching for players that are heavily owned. This group consists of those that you may have a chance of locating on your league's waiver wire in that they are owned in significantly less than 50% of leagues. Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.
Linebackers
Jerome Baker MIA
Deone Buchannon ARI
Tahir Whitehead OAK
Vontaze Burfict CIN
Jatavis Brown LAC
Jayon Brown TEN
Defensive Linesmen
Takkarist McKinley DE ATL
A’Shawn Robinson DT DET
Da’Shaen Hand DT DET
Denico Autry DT IND
Jarran Reed DT SEA
David Irving DT DAL
Defensive Backs
John Johnson III S LAR
Jamal Adams S NYJ
Minkah Fitzpatrick S MIA
Ryan Lewis CB BUF
Taron Johnson CB BUF
Malcolm Butler CB TEN
Ouch (My Aching Roster)
All the injury reports below need evaluation prior to kickoff. Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. Consider the list below as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.
Linebackers
Sam Acho CHI pectoral
James Burgess CLE knee-MCL
Sean Lee DAL hamstring
Brian Peters HOU ankle
Darius Leonard IND ankle
Dee Ford KC groin
Kyzir White LAC knee
Dominique Easley LAR knee
Mark Barron LAR ankle
Chase Allen MIA foot
Brandon King NE foot
Ja’Whaun Bentley NE arm
Elandon Roberts NE undisclosed
Manti Te’o NO knee
Olivier Vernon NYG ankle
Josh Martin NYJ concussion
K.J. Wright SEA knee
Wesley Woodyard TEN shoulder
Defensive Linemen
DE
Derrick Shelby ATL groin
Ezekiel Ansah DET shoulder
Muhammad Wilkerson GB ankle
Joey Bosa LAC foot
Andre Branch MIA knee
Everson Griffen MIN personal
Geneo Grissom NE ankle
Solomon Thomas SF shoulder
Rasheem Green SEA ankle
Dion Jordan SEA hip
DT
Grady Jarrett ATL ankle
Willie Henry BAL abdomen
Ryan Glasgow CIN knee-ACL
Maliek Collins DAL knee
Hassan Ridgeway IND calf
Tom Johnson MIN ankle
Danny Shelton NE elbow
Adam Butler NE lower leg
Beau Allen TB foot
Defensive Backs
S
Justin Bethel ATL knee
Micah Hyde BUF groin
Marcus Cooper CHI hamstring
Jeff Heath DAL shoulder
Tramaine Brock DEN thigh
Tavon Wilson DET back
Kayvon Webster HOU Achilles
Aaron Colvin HOU ankle
Clayton Geathers IND knee
D.J. Hayden JAX toe
Eric Berry KC heel
Aqib Talib LAR ankle
Reshad Jones MIA shoulder
Anthony Harris MIN hamstring
Marcus Sherels MIN ribs
Eric Rowe ME groin
Patrick Robinson NO ankle
Karl Joseph OAK hamstring
Rodney McLeod PHI knee-MCL
Nat Berhe PIT pectoral
Morgan Burnett PIT groin
Jaquiski Tartt SF shoulder
Richard Sherman SF calf
Earl Thomas SEA leg
Jordan Whitehead TB hamstring
Chris Conte TB knee-PCL
Kenny Vaccaro TEN elbow
Troy Apke WAS hamstring
CB
Ricardo Allen ATL Achilles
Anthony Averett BAL hamstring
Maurice Canady BAL thigh
Prince Amukamara CHI hamstring
Terrance Mitchell CLE wrist
Quandre Diggs DET hand
Kevin King GB groin
Nate Hairston IND ankle
Quincy Wilson IND concussion
Kenny Moore IND concussion
Bobby McCain MIA knee
Trae Waynes MIN concussion
Antonio Hamilton NYG groin
Eli Apple NYG groin
Morris Claiborne NYJ illness
Mike Hilton PIT elbow
Carlton Davis TB groin
Josh Norman WAS hamstring
As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. FANation Chat is now live on the site, to help you work through your fantasy football dilemmas. Or if you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, you can also send a message to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a personal response from the writer of this article. Naturally, the more detail you can send about your league, such as number of teams, platform you play in (Yahoo, ESPN, etc.), scoring and roster system, the better the ability to provide accurate advice.