After the longest Week 5 the NFL has ever seen played out, we get no Thursday night game in Week 6 (but two Monday games). Thus, you have more time to tinker with your rosters and adjust your IDPs with waiver wire moves and free agent pickups. Plenty of LBs to ponder over claiming, and a fair number of CBs. Not so much in the way of available safeties or defensive linesmen, but them’s the breaks.
Bye Weeks coming up: Week 6-Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Seattle; Week 7-Baltimore, Indianapolis, Miami, Minnesota; Week 8-Arizona, Houston, Jacksonville, Washington
Elevator Going Up
Linebackers
Akeem Davis-Gaither CIN
His line was not eye-popping in Week 5 in Baltimore, with just four total tackles (TT), three of those solos. He is interesting due to his increasing time on the field, having played 79% of the snaps on defense last week. He has a decent if not superb matchup in Week 6 against the host Colts.
Tyrell Adams HOU
Adams stock is on the rise, having stepped into a starting role with the potential season-ending injury to Benardrick McKinney . He had double digit tackles: seven solo, six assisted, one of those for a loss of yards (TFL). He also recovered a fumble (FR) in the contest, to provide some big-play value.
Willie Gay, Jr. KC
The rookie is picking up the pace as the season progresses, and had six TT in the past game against the visiting Raiders (five solo, one TFL). He also picked up a QB hit/hurry (QH) to go along with a fantasy-friendly sack. His playing time (PT) is rising, making it a fine time to add him as a injury fill-in or to replace a disappointing draft pick LB1/2.
Duke Riley PHI
Riley had double digit tackles last week against in-state rival Pittsburgh (seven solo, five assisted, one TFL). He plays on a team lacking in LB star power, so though his big game was not anticipated, it could perhaps be the sign of good things to come. He also forced a fumble in Week 5, making him a multi-scheme producer for IDP leagues.
Troy Reeder LAR
Reeder saw significant PT with Micah Kiser on the sidelines in Washington, putting up 11 TT (eight solo, two TFL). Three (!) sacks will put him on the IDP radar, and the three QH he accumulated make him a tackle-oriented and big-play option. He has a great matchup in Week 6 taking on the 49er offense.
The Dolphin defense is rotating a group of LBs in and out of the scheme, but Van Ginkel was one of the big performers in Week 5, grabbing six TT (four solo). He added some big-play value as well, with a sack, a FF and a QH. He has another great matchup in the coming contest, taking on the Broncos who allow the sixth most fantasy points to opposing LBs.
Note that he is only eligible as a DE in ESPN leagues.
Bobby Okereke IND
Okereke stepped in for the injured stud Darius Leonard , and collected double digit tackles (eight solo, 10 TT). He also picked off his first pass this season (INT) and also contributed a pass deflection (PD). He had already been seeing significant PT before the Leonard injury, but now becomes a force on the Colt defense.
Foyesade Oluokun ATL
14 TT (12 solo) in a game will bring any LB to the forefront of waiver interest, but couple that with a top-10 matchup against the Vikings in Week 6, and that player becomes a desirable IDP to consider adding if the injury bug has struck your roster. He has been an injury risk himself this season, and was limited Wednesday with a knee issue, so keep an eye on his status if you consider picking him up.
Avery Williamson NYJ
The Jets have cut ties with Alec Ogletree , and that should result in increased PT for Williamson, in the form of an every-down LB role. He is coming off an eight TT effort against the visiting Cardinals (six solo). He also added an INT and a pair of PDs in Week 5. He has a better matchup in store with a trip to Los Angeles to face the Chargers coming up.
Eric Wilson MIN
Wilson is delivering for big-play format owners, with two sacks, PDs and INTs over the first five games, and a FF as well. He also is putting up tackles, averaging better than six per game this season so far. Just realize that his value will diminish with a Week 7 bye on the horizon.
Defensive Linemen
Stephon Tuitt DE PIT
Tuitt plays on a defense that has plenty of big names, but he is also a solid, steady contributor for IDP purposes. Against the Eagles last week, he had five TT (two solo, one TFL). He was also credited with 1.5 sacks and a trio of QHs. A home game against the Browns holds promise for continued steady production in Week 6.
Emmanuel Ogbah DE MIA
Ogbah has been playing a significant number of snaps on defense for the Dolphins, and that has resulted in production from the defensive end. He has registered at least half a sack in four of the five contests he has participated in this season, with three on the year. His value comes from the potential sack production, as his tackle totals are nothing to write home about.
Denico Autry DT IND
Our sole defensive tackle this week has a top-10 matchup in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing DTs in the form of the Bengals. He is coming off his season high seven TT (three solo). He has not collected a sack since the first week of the season, though, so his value is mainly in tackle-oriented DT-mandatory leagues.
Defensive Backs
Chuck Clark S BAL
Clark had a big game in Week 5 against the Bengals, as did the rest of the Raven defense. He had nine TT (five solo) and now gets to face a struggling offense when the Eagles come for a visit in Week 6. He had a sack credited to his ledger sheet when he got to Joe Burrow. If you are looking to add a DB, he is worth your consideration.
Carlton Davis CB TB
Davis is tied for the league lead in INTs with three, having added another this past week against the Bears. He also racked up seven solo tackles and a pair of PDs. This week’s matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers is not great, but after that he has a pair of excellent games on tap with road games in Las Vegas and against the Giants.
Pierre Desir CB NYJ
Desir is coming off an 11 TT effort (eight solo) against the visiting Cardinals. He has been a frequent target on defense by opposing offensive coordinators, as he plays well off the receiver he is covering on any given play, and with the sad season continuing for the Jets, look for him to continue to put up good to great fantasy numbers.
Isaiah Oliver CB ATL
Another CB that is being attacked by opposing offenses, he is racking up the tackles this season. He has been a frequent good source of fantasy production, as was the case in Week 5 when he tallied six solos. He has a superb matchup against the Vikings, especially with Dalvin Cook likely on the sidelines for the Minnesota run attack.
Escalator Going Down
Linebackers
Joe Schobert JAX
Schobert was likely a top pick in your IDP drafts this season, but coming off a less-than-stellar four TT effort last game, his star is not shining bright. Do not cut him yet, though, as the Lions are coming to visit, and that offense yield significant LB production this year. But if he struggles again, then find a replacement LB ASAP.
Nick Kwiatoski LVR
He has collected a mere five TT over the past two weeks of action, making him droppable. It is not for lack of PT, either. Let some other owner pick him up and find a replacement anon.
Defensive Linemen
None to write about, except for those listed in the Injury Report below.
Defensive Backs
As with the DLs, look to Injury Report for those whose value is depressed.
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 Rams or Chargers, but certainly you will do well if you own a top LB or DT on the Giants, a CB on Indy or Arizona, or a safety playing for the Chiefs or Vikings that you can plug in this week, for the most part.
Linebackers
Washington @ New York Giants
San Francisco vs Los Angeles Rams
New York Jets @ Los Angeles Chargers
New York Giants vs Washington
Defensive Ends
Philadelphia vs Baltimore
Cincinnati @ Indianapolis
Defensive Tackles
Dallas vs Arizona
Washington @ New York Giants
Los Angeles Chargers vs New York Jets
Safeties
Atlanta @ Minnesota
Buffalo vs Kansas City
Cornerbacks
Dallas vs Arizona
Cincinnati @ Indianapolis
Chicago @ Carolina
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. 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
Akeem Davis-Gaither CIN
Tyrell Adams HOU
Willie Gay, Jr. KC
Duke Riley PHI
Troy Reeder LAR
Bobby Okereke IND
Foyesade Oluokun ATL
Avery Williamson NYJ
Eric Wilson MIN
Defensive Linemen
Stephon Tuitt DE PIT
Emmanuel Ogbah DE MIA
Denico Autry DT IND
Defensive Backs
Chuck Clark S BAL (Semi-high ownership at 36% in ESPN, but only 12% on Yahoo)
Carlton Davis CB TB
Pierre Desir CB NYJ
Isaiah Oliver CB ATL
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
Chandler Jones ARI biceps
Devon Kennard ARI calf
Otaro Alaka BAL knee IR
Matt Milano BUF pectoral
Del’Shawn Phillips BUF quadriceps IR
Brain Burns CAR concussion
Tae Davis CLE elbow
Jacob Phillips CLE knee
Leighton Vander Esch DAL collarbone IR
Jeremiah Attaochu DEN quadriceps
Joseph Jones DEN knee
Kamal Martin GB knee-meniscus IR
Krys Barnes GB shoulder
Rashan Gary GB ankle
Christian Kirk sey GB pectoral IR
Benardrick McKinney HOU shoulder IR
Peter Kalambayi HOU hamstring
Darius Leonard IND groin
Myles Jack JAX ankle
Tanner Muse LVR toe IR
Lichenna Nwosu LAC undisclosed
Micah Kiser LAR groin
Oho Okoronkwo LAR elbow
Chase Hansen NO hip IR
Lorenzo Carter NYG Achilles
David Mayo NYG knee-meniscus IR
Oshane Ximines NYG shoulder IR
Patrick Onwuasor NYJ knee IR
Blake Cashman NYJ groin IR
T.J. Edwards PHI hamstring IR
Kwon Alexander SF ankle
Jordyn Brooks SEA knee-MCL
Jack Cichy TB hamstring IR
Cole Holcomb WAS knee
Beuben Foster WAS knee IR
Defensive Linemen
DE
Takkarist McKinley ATL groin
Yetur Gross-Matos CAR ankle
Sam Hubbard CIN elbow
Olivier Vernon CLE groin
Josh Allen JAX knee
Michael Danna KC hamstring IR
Carl Nassib LVR foot
Shaq Lawson MIA shoulder
Danielle Hunter MIN neck
Jabari Zuniga NYJ quadriceps IR
Vinny Curry PHI hamstring IR
Exekiel Ansah SF biceps IR
Dee Ford SF neck IR
DT
Rashard Lawrence ARI calf
Marlon Davidson ATL illness IR-COVID
Broderick Washington BAL illness
Kawann Short CAR shoulder
D.J. Reader CIN quadriceps IR
Mike Daniels CIN elbow IR
Trysten Hill DAL knee-ACL
Mike Purcell DEN knee
Kenny Clark GB groin
Sheldon Day IND knee
Daniel Ekuale JAX ankle
Khalen Saunders KC elbow IR
Maliek Collins LVR shoulder
Maurice Hurst LVR illness IR-COVID
Daniel Ross LVR foot IR
Davon Godchaux MIA biceps
Byron Cowart NE illness IR-COVID
Adam Butler NE shoulder
Beau Allen NE undisclosed IR
Michael Barnett NE undisclosed IR
D.J. Jones SF eye
Anthony Bush SEA knee
Vita Vea TB ankle IR
Jeffery Simmons TEN illness IR-COVID
Defensive Backs
S
Chris Banjo ARI hamstring
Jalen Thompson ARI ankle IR
Jayfinn Hawkins ATL concussion
Damontae Kazee ATL Achilles IR
Sherrick McManis CHI hamstring
Deon Bush CHI hamstring
Karl Joseph CLE hamstring
Bonnie Harrison CLE head
C.J. Moore DET calf IR
Andrew Wingard JAX abdomen IR
Lamarcus Joyner LVR hamstring
Jordan Fuller LAR neck IR
Kris Boyd MIN hamstring
Holton Hill MIN foot
Myles Dorn MIN undisclosed IR
Devin McCourty NE personal
Justin Hardee NO hamstring
Will Parks PHI hamstring IR
Marcus Allen PIT foot
Lano Hill SEA back
Jamal Adams SEA groin
CB
Tre’Davious White BUF back
Levi Wallace BUF ankle IR
Eli Apple CAR hamstring
Donte Jackson CAR toe
Mackensie Alexander CIN ribs
Greedy Williams CLE shoulder IR
Desmond Trufant DET hamstring
Mike Ford DET leg IR
Kevin King GB quadriceps
Chandon Sullivan GB concussion
Kabion Ento GB undisclosed IR
Gareon Conley HOU ankle IR
C.J. Henderson JAX shoulder
D.J. Hayden JAX hamstring IR
Kelsean Nixon LVR hip
Damon Arnette LVR thumb IR
Casey Hayward LAC undisclosed
Stephon Gilmore illness IR-COVID
Janoris Jenkins NO shoulder
Blessuan Austin NYJ calf
Darius Slay PPHI concussion
Avonte Maddox PHI ankle
Trevor Williams PHI ribs IR
Ken Webster SF hamstring
Richard Sherman SF calf IR
Dontae Johnson SF groin
Emmanuel Moseley SF concussion
K’Wuan Williams SF knee-ACL IR
Neiko Thorpe SEA sports hernia IR
Adoree’ Jackson TEN knee IR
Dane Cruikshank TEN undisclosed IR
Greg Stroman WAS foot
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.