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.

Demario Davis NO

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

Demario Davis NO

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.