There are numerous options that have demonstrated improved performance, significant enough to be worth of rostering in place of those defensive players that are underperforming on your rosters, or that have been injured and are unavailable heading into Week 6 and beyond. Fortunately for those of you playing in IDP leagues, most are readily available on your league’s wire, as well.
Bye Weeks coming up: Week 6: Detroit and New Orleans; Week 7: Green Bay, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Seattle; Week 8: Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Jamie Collins , Sr. CLE
Collins benefitted from a substantial uptick in playing time this past week and rewarded his owners with 12 total tackles (TT), eight of those being of the solo variety, and one for a loss of yards (TFL). He also posted a sack against the visiting Ravens and a QB hit (QH). So long as he is seeing time on the field for a majority of the defensive snaps, he is worth adding to your LB rotation.
T.J. Watt PIT
L.J. Fort PIT
Watt and Fort have developed into bright spots on a disappointing defensive squad to open up 2018. Facing the Falcons undoubtedly helped pad their stat lines, with Watt posting eight TT (six solo, three TFL) along with a trio of sacks and QH each and a forced fumble (FF). Fort was no slouch, either, with six solo tackles (one TFL), a sack and three QH, while also recovering a fumble (FR). The matchup against the Bengals in Week 6 is not as inviting as the past week against the stumbling Atlanta offense, but both LBs are worth rostering presently.
Jaylon Smith DAL
With the Jags on the schedule, this is a fine week to insert the league-dependent available Smith into your lineups (only 20% owned in Yahoo, 58.8% in ESPN leagues). He is coming off a 12 TT effort (six solo, three TFL) with also a sack, a pair of QH and a pass deflection (PD). Week 7 against Washington does not look so promising, though, so this is more a one-week recommendation, especially with a bye week coming in Week 8.
Avery Williamson NYJ
The Jets have a pair of mid-level offenses on deck as far as allowing points to opposing linebackers with the Colts and Vikings coming to visit. He has been averaging double-digit tackles over the past three games, picking up nine TT in Week 5 (seven solo). In a tackle-oriented IDP league, he has significant value.
Kyle Van Noy NE
As generally happens, the Patriot defense is picking up the pace as the season progresses. Van Noy has been playing the majority of defensive snaps over the past few weeks, and while he is not much in a big-play league set-up, he is a consistent tackle producer who does not have a bye week absence until Week 11, and thus is a good bench stash to cover for injury or bye weeks.
Haason Reddick ARI
Reddick was on the field for all 98 (!) defensive snaps in Week 5 when the Cards beat the 49ers in San Fran. Since he participated in just 30 of the defensive snaps in the prior four weeks, there is no guarantee he has arrived as a full-time LB in Arizona. If he is going to see more action at LB, though, look for more of the eight TT effort (all eight solos) in the future. He also collected a pair of PD, forced a fumble and collected his second sack on the road in Week 5.
Defensive Linemen
Jerry Hughes DE BUF
Hughes has truly stepped up his game, with 17 solo tackles to his credit this season so far. He had four solos (one TFL) against the Titans in Week 5, with a sack and a FF to pep up his fantasy point totals. This is a top-10 DL playing at a high level and should be a wire target for most IDP players.
DaQuan Jones DE TEN
On the other side of the field in Week 5, Jones also provided big fantasy production with six solo tackles (nine TT, three TFL). He has value in tackle-heavy leagues, but has yet to provide a big play this season.
Emmanuel Ogbah DE CLE
He is playing the majority of defensive snaps for the Browns, and that makes him a potentially valuable DL for fantasy use. He collected five TT (one solo) against the visiting Ravens, together with a QH and a PD in Week 5.
Leonard Williams DE NYJ
Three sacks in the past two weeks, with two against the Broncos in Week 5, along with five TT (two solo, two TFL) and three QH. He is being productive on the field, and has three decent matchups coming in the next three games with the Colts, Vikings and Bears on tap.
Ndamukong Suh DT LAR
Suh is playing 90% of the snaps on defense for the Rams, and now has racked up a sack in each of the past three games he has played. He had seven TT against the Seahawks in Week 5 (three solo, one TFL) and also picked up a QH. In a DT-mandatory league, or even in a DL league, he is worth snagging off the wire.
Linval Joseph DT MIN
Joseph had a productive Week 5: five TT (four solo, one TFL), one sack, a QH and a FR for a defensive TD. Note, though, that his snap count was significantly reduced to just over 50% after being on the field for 90% of the defensive plays the prior three weeks, but with this kind of production, he is extraordinarily useful week in, week out.
Defensive Backs
Devin McCourty S NE
Patrick Chung S NE
As noted above, the Patriot defense has cranked it up of late. Both these safeties put up huge tackle numbers against Andrew Luck in Week 5 with McCourty snagging 14 TT (11 solo) and Chung chipping in with another 11 TT (just three solo, though). Chung also was credited with half a sack and one QH, PD and INT. McCourty for his part had a FF and FR with a PD. Expect the Patriot opponents to continue to throw the ball plenty, which will lead to continued big production for the secondary.
Tony Jefferson S BAL
Jefferson has been putting up excellent tackle numbers this season, averaging five solos per game in 2018. He collected 9 TT (eight solo, one TFL) against the host Browns in Week 5. He has value in tackle-oriented leagues going forward, although he does toss in the occasional big play, too.
Marcus Maye S NYJ
Maye is coming off a big game against the Broncos: eight TT (six solo), one INT, one PD, a FF and half a sack. He has a great matchup in Week 6, against the Colts, who have yielded the most points to opposing safeties this season through the first five weeks.
Justin Reid S HOU
The Texans’ rookie defensive back saw plenty of action in Week 5, playing 90% of the defensive snaps against the Cowboys. He put up six TT (five solo) and also contributed a PD and an INT at home against Dallas. With Houston employing a three safety base defense, he should continue to see significant playing time going forward.
Tedric Thompson S SEA
Thompson saw his first start in Week 5 with Earl Thomas on IR, and he contributed with seven TT (six solo), a PD and an INT. The Raiders are not a prime matchup, but not a terrible one, either. He does have a bye in Week 7, so be prepared to replace him in your lineup after this week’s action if you decide to give him a shot.
Daryl Worley CB OAK
Worley was busy in his first week off of suspension, playing 77% of the defensive snaps despite not getting the start at CB for the Raiders. He put up eight TT (seven solo, one TFL) and looks to be the starter heading into Week 6.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
De’Vondre Campbell ATL
You would expect big tackle numbers when the opponent runs the ball at you 29 times, as the Steelers did in Week 5, but Campbell managed just three TT (one solo) in the last game. Atlanta’s defense is a mess, and it is suggested that you simply avoid using their IDPs for the present.
Deone Bucannon ARI
It seems as though Bucannon has lost his place in the Cardinal defense to Haason Reddick . In addition, there are rumors that he is on the trade block, so his value could return if he moves into the proper situation on another NFL defensive squad. For now, though, if his playing time is reduced as it was in Week 5, he is a non-entity for IDP purposes.
Defensive Linemen
Robert Quinn DE MIA
Quinn should be putting up nice numbers, with the injuries the Dolphins have suffered among their pass rushing corps. Alas, he has just nine solo tackles this season, with one sack, and despite the pedigree, he has been a huge disappointment.
Mike Daniels DE GB
Daniels’ production has suffered with the new defensive scheme that has been implemented in Green Bay this season. He has just five solo tackles on the season, and a single sack, despite seeing significant playing time.
Arden Kay DE OAK
Kay has not been able to fill the gaping hole left on the Raider defense after the trade of Khalil Mack to the Bears. The rookie is seeing plenty of defensive playing time, but is not producing much and is best left to the free agent ranks unless and until he steps up his game.
Defensive Backs
Ryan Lewis CB BUF
Lewis was the starter at CB this past week but only played in 30% of the defensive snaps. He managed just two solo tackles with that limited action, and things are not looking bright for his future in IDP circles.
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 Browns, but certainly you will do well if you own a top Safety on the Jets or Rams, or a DE1 or DE2 on the Colts or Bucs that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Los Angeles Chargers @ Cleveland
Houston Texans vs Buffalo
Oakland Raiders vs Seattle
Defensive Ends
Indianapolis Colts @ New York Jets
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta
Buffalo Bills @ Houston
Tennessee Titans vs Baltimore
Defensive Tackles
Buffalo Bills @ Houston
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Dallas
Carolina Panthers @ Washington
Safeties
New York Jets vs Indianapolis
Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco
Los Angeles Rams @ Denver
Cornerbacks
San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay
Buffalo Bills @ Houston
New York Giants vs Philadelphia
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
Jamie Collins , Sr. CLE
T.J. Watt PIT
L.J. Ford PIT
Kyle Van Noy NE
Haason Reddick ARI
Defensive Linemen
Jerry Hughes DE BUF
DaQuan Jones DE TEN
Emmanuel Ogbah DE CLE
Leonard Williams DE NYJ
Ndamukong Suh DT LAR
Linval Joseph DT MIN
Defensive Backs
Devin McCourty S NE
Patrick Chung S NE
Tony Jefferson S BAL
Marcus Maye S NYJ
Justin Reid S HOU
Tedric Thompson S SEA
Daryl Worley CB OAK
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
Marcus Golden ARI knee
Tim Williams BAL hamstring
Jared Norris CAR toe
Sam Acho CHI pectoral
James Burgess CLE knee-ACL
Sean Lee DAL hamstring
Joe Thomas DAL foot
Eli Harold DET personal
Nick Perry GB ankle
Brian Peters HOU ankle
Dylan Cole HOU wrist (IR)
Darius Leonard IND ankle
Anthony Walker IND concussion
TanohKpassagnon KC ankle
Justin Houston KC hamstring
Kyzir White LAC knee
Dominique Easley LAR knee
Ja’Whaun Bentley NE arm
Manti Te’o NO knee
Olivier Vernon NYG ankle
Josh Martin NYJ concussion
D.J. Alexander PHI quadriceps
Nate Gerry PHI ankle
Vince Williams PIT hamstring
Reuben Foster SF shoulder
K.J. Wright SEA knee
Wesley Woodyard TEN shoulder
Defensive Linemen
DE
Derrick Shelby ATL groin
Takkarist McKinley ATL undisclosed
Datone Jones DAL hamstring
Ezekiel Ansah DET shoulder
Muhammad Wilkerson GB ankle
Joey Bosa LAC foot
Andre Branch MIA knee
Cameron Wake MIA knee
William Hayes MIA knee-ACL
Tashawn Bower MIN ankle
Everson Griffen MIN personal
Geneo Grissom NE ankle
John Simon NE shoulder
Josh Mauro NYG groin
Derek Barnett PHI shoulder
Rasheem Green SEA ankle
DT
Robert Nkemdiche ARI foot
Grady Jarrett ATL ankle
Ryan Glasgow CIN knee-ACL
David Irving DAL undisclosed
Maliek Collins DAL knee
Hassan Ridgeway IND calf
DenicoAutry IND hamstring
Malcolm Brown NE knee
Haloti Ngata PHI calf
Beau Allen TB foot
Defensive Backs
S
Justin Bethel ATL knee
Ricardo Allen ATL Achilles
Rafael Bush BUF shoulder
Micah Hyde BUF groin
Marcus Cooper CHI hamstring
Adam Jones DEN hamstring
Tavon Wilson DET back
Jermaine Whitehead GB back
BashaudBreeland GB hamstring
Davon House GB shoulder (IR)
Kayvon Webster HOU quadriceps
Matthias Farley IND hamstring
Clayton Geathers IND neck
D.J. Hayden JAX toe
Tashaun Gipson JAX hamstring
Eric Berry KC heel
Eric Murray KC lower leg
Armani Watts KC groin
Marcus Sherels MIN ribs
Eric Rowe NE groin
Patrick Robinson NO ankle (IR)
Karl Joseph OAK hamstring
Corey Graham PHI hamstring
Rodney McLeod PHI knee-MCL
Morgan Burnett PIT groin
Nat Berhe PIT pectoral
Earl Thomas SEA leg (IR)
Jordan Whitehead TB hamstring
Chris Conte TB knee-PCL
Kenny Vacaro TEN elbow
Troy Apke WAS hamstring
CB
Anthony Averett BAL hamstring
Prince Amukamara CHI hamstring
Terrance Mitchell CLE wrist
ChidobeAwuzie DAL ankle
Jamal Agnew DET knee
Teez Tabor DET groin
Jaire Alexander GB groin
Kevin King GB mouth
Aaron Colvin HOU ankle
Quincy Wilson IND concussion
Kenny Moore IND concussion
Nate Hairston IND ankle
Tre Herndon JAX hamstring
Aqib Talib LAR ankle
Bobby McCain MIA knee
Trae Waynes MIN concussion
Marshon Lattimore NO concussion
Trumaine Johnson NYJ quadriceps
Buster Skrine NYJ concussion
Sidney Jones PHI ankle
Jimmie Ward SF hamstring
Carlton Davis TB groin
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 toia@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.