2024 Fantasy Football Week 5 IDP Report: Risers, Waiver Wire & Matchups
Week 5 is here and that means bye weeks are too. The Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tennessee Titans are all on bye this week.
Leagues that play with fantasy football IDP have a few more spots to fill than most leagues. The good news is there are several great players available on the waiver wire when looking at guys that can be your fantasy football Week 5 IDP.
2024 Fantasy Football Week 5 IDP Overview
The Dallas Cowboys walked away against the New York Giants victorious Thursday night, but they paid the price with both of their edge pressure players injured.
Neither Micah Parsons nor DeMarcus Lawrence were able to finish the game, and Parsons was carted off the field. This presents great opportunities for both of their backups.
Fantasy Football IDP Risers
Marshawn Kneeland & Chauncey Golston - Dallas Cowboys
These guys are risers this week and possibly longer. The Cowboys have a week 7 bye and there is reason to believe Dallas will start Kneeland and Golston two weeks to allow Parsons and Lawrence almost four full weeks before they return to action.
Kneeland and Golston will have several opportunities for sacks and tackles the next few weeks. They are rising up the board and need monitoring going forward.
JD Bertrand LB - Atlanta Falcons
He’s the only backup linebacker listed on the Atlanta Falcons depth chart. He is the backup for both Kaden Elliss and Troy Anderson. Anderson had a pick six last week, but an injury prevented him from returning to the game.
Bertrand could see a massive uptick in play time, particularly if Anderson’s injury is more serious than initially believed. This is why Bertrand must be monitored going forward as he is rising up the waiver wire priority.
Fantasy Football Week 5 IDP Waiver Wire Targets
There are a few excellent fantasy football IDPs that are slipping through the cracks. Some are popping up due to injury, and others have had consistency all season, but are not household names… yet.
Evan Anderson DL - San Francisco 49ers
A defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers, he was their third string member. He will likely be the starter or at minimum be on heavy rotation. The 49ers lost Javon Hargrave two games ago, and Jordan Elliott was injured versus the New England Patriots last week.
This is going to give Anderson a massive uptick and the 49ers play the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5. There will be a heavy dose of James Conner which should allow Anderson several tackle opportunities.
Paulson Adebo CB - New Orleans Saints
Adebo had a remarkable game against the Atlanta Falcons and is having an All-Pro caliber year. He came on strong late last season and is having an excellent season thus far. Despite that Adebo is available in several fantasy football IDP leagues.
He is not a fluke and with DeMario Davis injured Adebo has stepped up his tackling. Back-to-back weeks with double digit tackles is not a statistic most cornerbacks can achieve. If Adebo is available, put in a waiver and spend a little over the usual amount of FAAB as he is on track for an amazing season.
Chad Muma LB - Jacksonville Jaguars
He has massive shoes to fill with the Jacksonville Jaguars placing Foyesade Oluokun on injured reserve. He is filling in well enough that he deserves to be on more fantasy football rosters. He has 15 tackles over his past two games and will be playing more snaps in the interior of Jacksonville’s defense.
Muma has great run defense instincts and is not the best coverage linebacker. This is a good thing for fantasy football Week 5 IDP, as he gets targeted when on the field for passing plays. He is worth a waiver add as Ouluokun will be out at least the next three games.
NFL Week 5 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - 1:00 PM ET
- E.J. Speed LB, IND
E.J. Speed has been one of the best linebackers of the season, and he is still available in several leagues for fantasy football Week 5 IDP. Go get him if he is and play him if he is on your fantasy football roster. He has 47 tackles on the season and at double digit tackles every week. That is the textbook definition of a tackling machine.
This week Speed is playing against their divisional rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have two capable running backs that have the burst to get outside, but EJ has speed. He is an excellent sideline to sideline linebacker who can play the pass as well as the run. He has a favorable matchup this week, take advantage of it.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos - 4:05 PM ET
- Zach Allen DL, DEN
Zach Allen has been a huge surprise this season and is part of an excellent defensive line. The Denver Broncos surprised the fantasy football community by absolutely dominating the New York Jets on the road. He had 5 tackles, 4 of which were solo, a tackle for loss, and 3 quarterback hits.
This helped the Broncos shutout one of the best quarterbacks of all-time and their former head coach. Perhaps the Broncos had extra motivation for their defensive coordinator (who was once the Head Coach of the Broncos).
Either way Allen has 10 QB hits on the season, and the division rival Las Vegas Raiders are coming to the ‘Mile High City’. Gardner Minshew has been sacked often and Allen should be able to expose the interior of the offensive line. Play him with confidence in Week 5.
Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Commanders - 1:00 PM ET
- Dorance Armstrong DL, WAS
Dorance Armstrong is not that well known but new Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn is getting the most out of his defensive line. He had a massive game against the Arizona Cardinals and should have another stat filling game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 5.
The Browns have one of the, if not the, worst offensive lines in the NFL, and Deshaun Watson is essentially scrambling on every pass. The Browns now travel to Washington and play a stingy defense, of which Armstrong is leading the way. Expect at least one sack and more from Armstong in Week 5. If he is available, pick him up on waivers too.